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ABSTRACT: Rock scour evaluation procedures consider both the erosion capacity of flowing water and the resistance offered by the rock mass. The Block Scour Spectrum (BSS) provides a framework for assessing the rock mass resistance according to details of the discontinuity structure. This study introduces a procedure for identifying and extracting rock block structural elements directly from LiDAR point clouds using open source algorithms to support BSS analyses. The approach offers a road map for tackling the details of discrete fracture network generation and block mould computations. As a case study, spillway scour at the Ricobayo Dam in Zamora, Spain is evaluated. 1. Introduction The assessment of scour potential needs to consider both the erosion capacity of flowing water (demand) and the resistance offered by the rock mass. Widely applied methods for evaluating rock scour include the semi-empirical Erosion Index Method (EIM) [1-2] and the Comprehensive Scour Model (CSM) [3]. EIM adopts principles of rock mass rating systems and assigns penalties based on general considerations of dominant rock mass discontinuity patterns. The scour resistance offered by the rock mass is then compared to the demand which is represented by stream power. The ratio of resistance to demand is then the basis for scour potential. The CSM approach considers scour potential for water jets impinging plunge pools, and the rock mass structure is idealized as a regular system of rectangular blocks. Recent developments concerning rock scour have examined the problem in the context of block theory, wherein details of the discontinuity structure are evaluated with the Block Scour Spectrum (BSS) [7]. In order to apply the BSS approach, it is necessary to identify the individual discontinuities that intersect to form kinematically removable blocks. Apart from the information pertaining to the magnitude and direction of the applied hydraulic loads, the block geometry parameters such as shape and volume are also required to complete the BSS analysis. The remote collection of the spatial data using geomatics techniques such as LiDAR and digital photogrammetry has expanded rapidly in recent years However, quickly identifying and extracting the scour-significant rock blocks from the point clouds is a challenge. In this paper, we illustrate an approach for processing and estimating three-dimensional rock structure parameters directly from LiDAR point clouds.
- Europe > Spain (0.61)
- Europe > Austria (0.48)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.28)
Effects of the Application of Drill Cuttings and Recovered Oily Sands on Caribbean Pines, Anzo tegui State, Northeastern Venezuela
Gomez, Maria A. (Operadora Cerro Negro, S.A.) | Sucre, Francisco J. (ExxonMobil de Venezuela, S.A.) | Villarroel, Teresa (ExxonMobil de Venezuela, S.A.) | Robb, Albert J. (ExxonMobil de Venezuela, S.A.)
Abstract As a part of an overall waste reduction initiative, beneficial reuse of materials otherwise considered oilfield waste were evaluated as an environmentally responsible and business practical method of handling theses materials. Heavy oil production by the Cerro Negro Project, within the Orinoco River region of the Anzoรกtegui State of northeastern Venezuela, is surrounded by Caribbean pine plantations. During 1999 and 2000, decanted drill cuttings and recovered oily sands were mixed with virgin soil (mostly sandy loams) and an agglutinate in order to produce an asphalt mixture for use as a substrate stabilizer and road base. The mixture was prepared to comply with Venezuela Ministry of Environment requirements before being spread as a road base on internal roads within the pine plantations as a stabilizer. Studies were conducted to evaluate numerous quantitative and qualitative parameters potentially associated with impact to pine trees and the surroundings environment. These possible effects were evaluated from the following key assessment sectors:Caribe pine plantation areas near the initial mixing sites (borrow pits), Plantation areas adjacent to roadways or firebreaks where the mixture was applied, and Plantation areas where the mixture is used directly as a substratum. The results of this study, designed to evaluate the effects of the application of the mixture of drill cuttings and recovered oily sands on the forestation species and their surrounding environment, document that the application of this mixture represents a cost-effective waste reduction option with natural resources re-use and erosion stabilization benefits. Results potentially demonstrating enhanced growth and productivity of surrounding pine plantations further document a "win-win" solution between the Cerro Negro Project operator and the plantation owners for the handling of these materials that would otherwise be considered a waste. Introduction The safe, environmentally sound, and cost-effective management of wastes generated in oil and gas industry operations are key to operational excellence. Effective waste management programs typically include written waste management plans and waste disposal site certification system, and are validated by tracking performance indicators focusing on waste-related volumes and costs. An important component of these programs for Exploration & Production (E&P) operations is a Drilling Waste Management and Minimization Program. Historically, land spreading, road spreading, ocean discharge, burial in pits, subsurface injection, thermal treatment, offsite solid waste disposal, and reuse have all been options for drilling waste disposal. However, the effects of changing regulations, costs and liability concerns have favored a shift towards waste minimization and beneficial reuse.
- South America > Venezuela (1.00)
- North America > United States > Texas (0.46)
- Water & Waste Management > Solid Waste Management (1.00)
- Government > Regional Government > South America Government > Venezuela Government (1.00)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
ABSTRACT: To explore the stress relaxation related strength and failure character of brittle rock, experimental investigations that consist of various kinds of loading paths are conducted on the granite material. For brittle rock material, the relaxation and creep behavior is related to the subcritical growth of cracks. During the experiment, the digital image correlation method is adopted to observe the whole process of crack growth, analysis on the strain distribution character of the studied area in the specimens are carried on too. The experimental results indicate that the failure patterns of granite is related to the stress relaxation path. In detail, distinct stress relaxation behavior can be detected for all the strain relaxation levels. For different loading path, the uniaxial compressive strength shows direct proportion to the stress relaxation history. Besides, the increase in relaxation steps also to contribute to the propagation of subcritical cracks. For all tested specimens, the failure patterns show obvious splitting feature, which reflects the distinguished brittle character of the test material. Furthermore, it is suggested that brittle fracture property of the rock material is intensified as the stress relaxation time increases. In accordance with the present research, it can be concluded that the time dependent behavior is mainly induced by the subcritical growth of crack at the granite material. The present research can provide some increased understanding about the time dependent failure characteristics of brittle rock for the excavation constructions of underground engineering.
- Geology > Rock Type > Igneous Rock > Granite (1.00)
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Geomechanics (1.00)
Two alternative algorithms are used for the constant ve-The recent surge in computer power has not dampened locity focussing.
Reservoir Surveillance Adds Values to LCI Waterflood Oil Field in Colombia
Yao, Calvin C. (Occidental Petroleum Corp.) | Rueda, Armando (Occidental de Colombia Inc.) | Bernal, Maria C. (Occidental de Colombia Inc.) | Bastidas, Lievneth (Occidental de Colombia Inc.) | Blanco, William F. (Occidental de Colombia Inc.) | Rueda, Luz A. (Occidental de Colombia Inc.) | Duran, Andrea C. (Occidental de Colombia Inc.)
Abstract The La Cira-Infantas (LCI) oilfield was discovered and put in production in 1918. After a traditional reservoir depletion stage, a water flood (WF) operation was started in 1958. Redevelopment began in 2005 as a joint venture between Ecopetrol and Occidental (Oxy) using a combination of workovers, infill drilling, WF optimization, and other IOR/EOR methods. The field has been redeveloped using an average 20 to 25 acres per WF pattern, which were either inverted 5-spot or 7-spot configurations. Since 2005, selective completion strings were installed with side pocket mandrels controlling the vertical distribution and volume of water injected with each mandrel covering a group of sand layers. The selective completion was successfully implemented, and provided a significant boost in oil production. The field has multiple opportunities to increase oil production. Before performing these solutions, it was important to understand the producer-injector connectivity across the entire field. The capacitance resistance model (CRM) provided some insights on the interwell connectivity within the reservoir between injectors and producers, however it is difficult to correlate the CRM simulation results with multiple geological interpretations and reservoir characterizations using geostatistics. This paper presents a WF surveillance program with a focus on incremental oil recoveries from multiple stacked-sands. The injection and production profiles were very useful in improving WF conformance. The water injection profile was measured with a rigless tracer string. The production profile was initially estimated using petrophysical properties and fractional flow curves due to the difficulty of running a production logging tool (PLT) from every pumping well in complex multilayer reservoirs. It was important to validate the production profile with a couple of PLT pilot wells. In these pilot wells, we employed a Y-tool for a connection with the electric submersible pump (ESP) on one side; and the other side of the Y-tool served as a pass through for the PLT. The production and injection profiles provided insights for injector-producer well correlations between productive sand layers. Based on the well data, reservoir simulation models were created and have added value to our reservoir surveillance program, significantly increasing oil production, WF sweep efficiencies, and incremental oil recoveries in the mature LCI WF oil field.
- North America > United States (1.00)
- South America > Colombia > Santander Department (0.70)
- Geophysics > Borehole Geophysics (0.50)
- Geophysics > Seismic Surveying (0.47)
- Energy > Oil & Gas > Upstream (1.00)
- Water & Waste Management > Water Management > Lifecycle > Disposal/Injection (0.94)
- South America > Colombia > Tolima Department > Middle Magdalena Basin > La Luna Shale Formation (0.99)
- South America > Colombia > Tolima Department > Middle Magdalena Basin > Casabe Field (0.99)
- South America > Colombia > Santander Department > Middle Magdalena Basin > La Luna Shale Formation (0.99)
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