A preliminary evaluation model for reservoir hydrocarbon generating potential established based on dissolved hydrocarbons in oilfield water

OILFIELDWATER,WHICHEXISTSCONCOMITANTLYWITH OILORGASINSUBSURFACERESERVOIRS,ISAKINDOFIMPOR TANTCOMPONENTOFRESERVOIRFLUIDANDALSOISADRIVING FORCEANDCARRIERFORHYDROCARBONMIGRATION,ACCUMULA TIONANDHYDROCARBONRESERVOIRFORMATION.OILFIELDWA TER,HYDROCARBONANDRESER…     

Importance of measurement of rare-earth elements from the Soil Information and Monitoring System： A normalization method for detection of chromium contamination in soils

The Soil Information and Monitoring System （TIM） is an independent subsystem of the integrated Environmental Information and Monitoring System in Hungary. Based on physiographical-soil-ecological units 1202 representative observation points were selected and exactly defined by geographical coordinates using GPS. The first sampling was done in 1992. Some soil parameters are measured every year, some others every 3 years or every 6 years depending on their changeability （stability）. Toxic element, heavy metal and rare earth element contents in soil samples were determined after hot and strong acid digestion by ICP-OES equipment. The rare earth elements were measured in TIM soil samples and some of them can be found in a relatively high amount, e.g. cerium and neodymium concentration are 3-4 times higher than the very often-measured copper concentration. Close correlation was found among some of the rare earth element concentrations. The Y-Yb correlation is the strongest, its r-value is higher than 0.95. The reason of difference among the yttrium concentrations of samples is not the deviation of ICP-OES measurement that is much smaller than the difference among the individual soil samples. Similar, close correlation was obtained between the soil yttrium and chromium concentration. The amount of chromium contamination can be calculated as the distance from the Y-Cr trend line. We call this method yttrium normalization. The principle of this method is described as follows： such elements than chromium and yttrium insist in the soil in a strongly bonded form. Therefore, in a non-contaminated area there is a close correlation between the yttrium and chromium concentrations. If the measured chromium concentration in a sample is not on the Cr-Y trend line than the distance it indicates the amount of antropogenic chromium. Contamination can be detected in that case of course if the contaminant does not contain yttrium.     

Tectonic evolution of Tarim basin in Cambrian–Ordovician and its implication for reservoir development,NW China

In order to find the impact of regional tectonic evolution of Tarim basin on the inside distribution of sedimentary facies and reservoir development, this paper, based on the research of plate-tectonic evolution of Tarim basin, conducts an in-depth analysis on the basin’s inside sedimentary response to the Eopaleozoic regional geodynamic reversion from extension to convergence around Tarim plate, and concludes that the regional geodynamic environment of surrounding areas closely contributes to the formation and evolution of paleo-uplifts, differentiation of sedimentary facies in platform, distribution of high-energy reef and bank facies belts, conversion of sedimentary base level from fall to rise, obvious change of lithology from dolomite to limestone, and formation of several unconformity surfaces in Ordovician system in the basin. A series of sedimentary responses in the basin are controlled by regional dynamic setting, which not only controls the distribution of reservoirs in reef and bank facies but also restricts the development and distribution of karst reservoirs controlled by the unconformity surfaces. This offers the macro geological evidences for us to further analyze and evaluate the distribution of favorable reservoirs.     

Probabilistic back analysis of slope failure – A case study in Taiwan

In this paper, the authors present a probabilistic back-analysis of a recent slope failure at a site on Freeway No. 3 in northern Taiwan. Post-event investigations of this failure found uncertain strength parameters and deteriorating anchor systems as the most likely causes for failure. Field measurement after the event indicated an average slip surface of inclination 15°. To account for the uncertainties in input parameters, the probabilistic back analysis approach was adopted. First, the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation was used to back-calculate the geotechnical strength parameters and the anchor force. These inverse analysis results, which agreed closely with the findings of the post-event investigations, were then used to validate the maximum likelihood (ML) method, a computationally more efficient back-analysis approach. The improved knowledge of the geotechnical strength parameters and the anchor force gained through the probabilistic inverse analysis better elucidated the slope failure mechanism, which provides a basis for a more rational selection of remedial measures.     

Digital image processing of multispectral ASTER imagery for delineation of alteration and related clay minerals in Sakoli belt: Maharashtra – A case study

The extraction of spectral signature through remote sensing data in geological studies is very limited in Indian terrain. The present research is an attempt to delineate alteration and associated minerals using high resolution multispectral advanced space borne thermal emission and reflection (ASTER) data in Sakoli volcano-sedimentary sequence. The alteration zones are generally associated with certain types of mineral and mineral aggregates and are localized in the ground that can be mapped remotely using spectral mapping techniques. The band ratio and selective PCT were applied on calibrated ASTER image to extract spectral signature of index mineral. The results showed that high abundance of these minerals within pixels is corresponding to the alteration zones. The field observation, petrography and XRD analysis of the alteration zones confirmed the presence of dominant mineral phases that were identified remotely.     

Geospatial approach in mapping soil erodibility using CartoDEM – A case study in hilly watershed of Lower Himalayan Range

Soil erodibility is one of the most important factors used in spatial soil erosion risk assessment. Soil information derived from soil map is used to generate soil erodibility factor map. Soil maps are not available at appropriate scale. In general, soil maps at small scale are used in deriving soil erodibility map that largely generalized spatial variability and it largely ignores the spatial variability since soil map units are discrete polygons. The present study was attempted to generate soil erodibilty map using terrain indices derived from DTM and surface soil sample data. Soil variability in the hilly landscape is largely controlled by topography represented by DTM. The CartoDEM (30 m) was used to derive terrain indices such as terrain wetness index (TWI), stream power index (SPI), sediment transport index (STI) and slope parameters. A total of 95 surface soil samples were collected to compute soil erodibility factor (K) values. The K values ranged from 0.23 to 0.81 t ha^?1R^?1 in the watershed. Correlation analysis among K-factor and terrain parameters showed highest correlation of soil erodibilty with TWI (r ²= 0.561) followed by slope (r ²= 0.33). A multiple linear regression model was developed to derive soil erodibilty using terrain parameters. A set of 20 soil sample points were used to assess the accuracy of the model. The coefficient of determination (r ²) and RMSE were computed to be 0.76 and 0.07 t ha^?1R^?1 respectively. The proposed methodology is quite useful in generating soil erodibilty factor map using digital elevation model (DEM) for any hilly terrain areas. The equation/model need to be established for the particular hilly terrain under the study. The developed model was used to generate spatial soil erodibility factor (K) map of the watershed in the lower Himalayan range.     

Assessing climate change impacts on river hydrology – A case study in the Western Ghats of India

The objective of this study is to evaluate the hydrological impacts of climate change on rainfall, temperature and streamflow in a west flowing river originating in the Western Ghats of India. The long-term trend analysis for 110 yr of meteorological variables (rainfall and temperature) was carried out using the modified Mann–Kendall trend test and the magnitude of the trend was quantified using the Sen’s slope estimator. The Regional Climate Model (RCM), COordinated Regional climate Downscaling EXperiment (CORDEX) simulated daily weather data of baseline (1951–2005) and future RCP 4.5 scenarios (2006–2060) were used to run the hydrological model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), in order to evaluate the effect of climate change on rainfall, temperature and streamflow. Significant changes were observed with regard to rainfall, which have shown decreasing trend at the rate of 2.63 mm per year for the historical and 8.85 mm per year for RCP 4.5 future scenarios. The average temperature was found to be increasing at \(0.10\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) per decade for both historical and future scenarios. The impact of climate change on the annual streamflow yielded a decreasing trend at the rate of \(1.2\,\hbox {Mm}^{3}\) per year and 2.56 \(\hbox {Mm}^{3},\) respectively for the past and future scenarios. The present work also investigates the capability of SWAT to simulate the groundwater flow. The simulated results are compared with the recession limb of the hydrograph and were found to be reasonably accurate.     

Reclamation or succession—A case study of transformation of soils and vegetation in reclaimed areas or in areas left for succession as exemplified by the sand mine excavation (southern Poland)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the vegetation and initial soils forming in the area of the“Szczakowa”Sand Mine cast(located approx.50km NW away from Krakow in southern Poland)that have either been reclaimed or left for succession.In the course of …     

Lake sediment cores as indicators of historical metal(loid) accumulation – A case study in Mexico

To examine and compare historical accumulation of metal(loid)s in Mexican lakes and reservoirs, ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs dated sediment cores were evaluated: two from the remote Zempoala and Miramar Lagoons and three from Lake Pátzcuaro, and the Intermedia and Silva dams that are affected by human activities. Sediment ecotoxicology was assessed using consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. The +100 a sediment core from the remote Miramar Lagoon had the highest concentrations of Cr and Ni these being higher than the Probable Effect Levels (PELs). Zinc concentrations were also higher in the Miramar Lagoon compared to the other lakes and reservoirs, with concentrations higher than the Threshold Effect Level (TEL). Mercury concentrations from this lagoon were comparable to those for the Intermedia dam that receives water from urban, industrial and agricultural areas. The higher metal concentrations in the core from the Miramar Lagoon suggest that metal concentrations in the rocks of the watershed are high. Another explanation for the higher metal concentrations is the slow sediment accumulation that causes metals to be accumulated over longer time-periods at the sediment–water interface. A decrease in the concentration of As in the Intermedia dam was observed in sediments corresponding to the last decades. This may be due to an increase in sediment accumulation rate or to the reduction in sources of this metalloid in the watershed. In the Miramar Lagoon, an increase was observed in concentrations of As and Cr in more recent sediments, probably related to increased deforestation in the area or the eruption of El Chichonal volcano in 1982. Concentrations of Pb showed a decreasing tendency over the past decades in the Lake Pátzcuaro, Miramar and Zempoala Lagoons sediment cores while such behavior was not be observed for the Intermedia dam. This reduction in concentrations of Pb was attributed to the decrease in use of leaded gasoline.     

Reclamation or succession——A case study of transformation of soils and vegetation in reclaimed areas or in areas left for succession as exemplified by the sand mine excavation （southern Poland）

The aim of the study was to evaluate the vegetation and initial soils forming in the area of the ＂Szczakowa＂ Sand Mine cast （located approx. 50 km NW away from Krakow in southern Poland） that have either been reclaimed or left for succession. In the course of changes of the production fields in the 1970 and the 1980 parts of this open cast were left unreclaimed. Vegetation there appeared spontaneously, and the formation of initial soils began without human interference. Simultaneously, following the termination of exploitation the remaining part of the cast was reclaimed. This is why it was possible to compare the soil and vegetation formative processes in these two site categories. A total of 20 research areas were selected （each 400 m^2） in 4 surface age groups in the chronosequence of 4, 17, 21, 25 years. Field and laboratory studies included the characteristics of selected physical, chemical and microbiological properties of initial soils; the volume and rate of carbon and nitrogen accumulation： humus composition; ground water depth and selected features of ground and surface water; herbaceous and arborescent vegetation; the condition of community biomass.     

Effect of particles on the photodegradation of PAHs in natural waters—A case study for the Yellow River

Photodegradation of chrysene, benzo (a) pyrene and benzo (g, h, i) perylene in natural water of the Yellow River was studied using simulation sunlight. The effects of particulates on the photodegradation were explored. Several results arose from this stud…     

Delineation of fresh aquifers in tannery belt for sustainable development — A case study from southern India

The tannery effluents discharged by the existing units on either side of the Palar river at Ambur town (known for tannery industry), has resulted in vertical and lateral spread of pollution. The study area of 55.3 km² is situated on a granitic terrain of Archaean age with undulating topography and hillocks. The shallow aquifers, in flood plain and valley fills of the river are highly polluted (with EC: 15340 μS/cm) by tannery effluents making groundwater unfit for any use, hence the local population (20000) face health hazards and shortage of potable water. Hydrogeological, geophysical and in-situ groundwater quality measurement were carried out to demarcate fresh groundwater zones and to delineate lateral and vertical extent of pollution. The results show, brackish aquifer was characterized by low order of resistivity (<20 Ω-m) with a thickness of 8.5 to 28 m located in the flood plains, valley fills, and partially in hard rock formations, whereas the fresh water aquifer resistivity varying from 23 to 216 Ω-m in hard rock. Further, these results were correlated with the water quality data and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) signals. The integrated studies revealed that pollution due to tannery effluents has spread over an area of 33.4 km² (60.4 %) on either side of the river and only a small area of 21.9 km² (39.6 %) was identified as fresh groundwater zone, which has to be conserved and exploited in sustainable manner for future generations.     

New local state power through administrative restructuring – A case study of post-Mao China county-level urban entrepreneurialism in Kunshan

By focusing on Kunshan, an economically advanced county-level city in the Yangtze River Delta, this paper aims to answer how, why, and under what circumstances the territorial power of Chinese urban entrepreneurial states is created in response to the dynamics of spatial economic development in the context of market transition and globalization. Although Kunshan is merely a county-level authority administratively, its economic performance in 2011 was better than that of several poor provinces, such as Hainan, Tibet, Qinghai, and Ningxia. Kunshan’s successful urban entrepreneurialism presents a unique ‘mismatch’ between ‘low’ administrative rank and ‘great’ economic performance (a big foot in a small shoe, dajiao chuan xiaoxie). I argue that Kunshan has developed several new local state powers through flexible administrative restructuring that explains the ‘mismatch’ puzzle and includes the following characteristics: (1) reclassification of Kunshan from county to county-level city, (2) relational adjustment by officially or informally raising Kunshan’s place rank and the cadre rank, and (3) boundary revision by virtual enclave enlargement. I conclude that the Chinese party-state system plays a role in Chinese county-level urban entrepreneurialism.     

Calculation of the contribution of single-zone production by ultraviolet spectrum technique： A case study in well QHD32-6-3 field

Based on the established mathematic model and graphic interpretation, a new method, which is used to calculate the contribution of single-zone production in a commingled producing well by the ultraviolet spectrum technique, has been established. The standard plate was drawn using the extinction coefficient E of sample oils formulated artificially as y-axis and the wavelength as x-axis. The curve resulting from the UV analysis of sample oils in the commingled well was inserted into the standard plate and compared. The proportion of each single zone in the commingled producing well was identical with the proportion of the curve which is closest to the curve of sample oils formulated artificially. In the well QHD32-6-3 field, taking well A22 for example and using this method, the production contribution of a single zone was calculated. The result showed that the Nm4 zone is a major "contributor", the proportion of the Nm4 zone is 70%, and that of the Nm1 zone is 30%. The ultraviolet spectrum technique provided a new reservoir geochemical technique of monitoring production contribution, especially for biodegraded heavy oil, but it has some limitation, just depending on the GC fingerprint technique.     

Detailed compositional analysis of hydrocarbons in soil gases above multi-horizon petroleum deposits – A case study from western Poland

A surface geochemical survey was carried on in an area with a cluster of petroleum deposits in western Poland. The largest of these accumulations is the Papro?-Cicha Góra dry gas deposit reservoired in the Rotliegend sediments. Other, similar gas deposits are: the Papro? gas field discovered in the top part of the Carboniferous formation and the Papro? W, Papro? N, and Nowy Tomy?l gas fields localized in the Zechstein Limestone reef structures. Moreover, the Papro? gas-condensate and the Jastrz?bsko oil deposits were found at shallower depths, in the Main Dolomite formation. This paper aims to analyze the variability of composition and distribution of near-surface gaseous hydrocarbons in relation to hydrocarbon accumulations reservoired in various stratigraphic units at depths.     

Reworked Middle Jurassic sandstones as a marker for Upper Cretaceous basin inversion in Central Europe—a case study for the U–Pb detrital zircon record of the Upper Cretaceous Schmilka section and their implication for the sedimentary cover of the Lausitz Block (Saxony,Germany)

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The Saxonian–Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (Elbsandsteingebirge, E Germany and Czech Republic, Elbtal Group) comprises Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rocks...     

Mapping areas of potential slope failures in cohesive soils using a shadow-casting algorithm – A case study from SW Sweden

When performing landslide susceptibility mapping of rotational slides in fine grained soils, slope algorithms found in common GIS software have two major shortcomings. Firstly, these types of terrain algorithms only consider the slope angle at the surface. Secondly, the algorithm is local by its design i.e. it only considers neighbouring pixels. Due to the behaviour of a retrogressive rotational landslide, it would be more preferable to consider slope information as a predetermined cross-section angle from the base of the slope. This paper presents a new method using shadow casting algorithms for preliminary landslide susceptibility mapping in cohesive soils. A case study from western Sweden is also presented.     

A framework for a critical physical geography of ‘sacrifice zones’: Physical landscapes and discursive spaces of frac sand mining in western Wisconsin

The term sacrifice zone has been applied within activism, journalism, and scholarship to a wide range of polluted and degraded areas, including places playing host to relatively new extractive activities. This article proposes a conceptual framework for analyzing the phenomenon of the sacrifice zone within the emerging research paradigm of critical physical geography, using the illustrative case of frac sand mining in western Wisconsin, USA. In this case, we find that the meanings of sacrifice and the sacrifice zone vary along two major dimensions—the object of sacrifice and the initiator of sacrifice—and we propose that future research should attend to relationships between these dimensions and the efficacy of the framing for influencing future landscape change. We also argue that analyses in critical physical geography require investigating how in controversial situations some physical geographic (and human geographic) explanations and accounts stabilize as “matters of fact” and others emerge as disputed “matters of concern.” The latter, we contend, generate the conditions that lend themselves to the “sacrifice zone” frame. We suggest that this distinction both complicates and enriches efforts to integrate social and biophysical explanations.