Using distributed temperature sensing (DTS) technology in acid gas injection design

The use of slickline distributed temperature sensing (SL-DTS) technology is becoming widespread due to its ease of operation and ability to acquire real-time multiple temperature traces inside the wellbore. Injection of treated acid gas (TAG)—a mixture of CO₂ and H₂S—into geologic formations has become an attractive technical and economic option for oil and gas producers and processors who are faced with regulations concerning excess sulfur and greenhouse gas emissions. Acid gas injection (AGI) into geologic formations is more economical and more flexible in dealing with varying TAG compositions than sulfur recovery units (SRUs) using the Claus process. SRUs do not achieve air quality standards and have high operation and maintenance costs. In addition, there is low demand for sulfur and sulfur disposal costs are high. The results of the analysis of SL-DTS data acquired in conjunction with step rate and pressure falloff (PFO) tests are presented in this paper. These tests were conducted to evaluate the injection potential of geologic formations. The injection zone consisted of a carbonate formation characterized by Karst features, vugs, and natural fractures. The SL-DTS data during the initial injection flow rate for the step rate test (SRT) indicated that high permeability zones accepted fluid at lower injection rates. An increasing number of discrete zones began to accept fluid as the injection rate was increased. The results of the SRT provided the fracture pressure of the formation. This information was used to design an AGI program that would avoid fracturing the formation while allowing for the required volume of TAG to be injected. The results of the PFO test provided information on the reservoir pressure and permeability and also indicated the presence of one or more hydraulic fractures. This case study of SL-DTS measurements made during a SRT and a PFO test for the design of an AGI well provides valuable insights into the potential of DTS technology and its use in AGI and carbon capture/sequestration (CCS) operations. Its findings could be applied to analyze injection potential of geological formations not only for AGI projects but also for CCS, and CO₂ enhanced oil recovery opportunities.     

Temperature induced decoupling of enzymatic hydrolysis and carbon remineralization in long-term incubations of Arctic and temperate sediments

Extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis of high-molecular weight organic matter is the initial step in sedimentary organic carbon degradation and is often regarded as the rate-limiting step. Temperature effects on enzyme activities may therefore exert an indirect control on carbon mineralization. We explored the temperature sensitivity of enzymatic hydrolysis and its connection to subsequent steps in anoxic organic carbon degradation in long-term incubations of sediments from the Arctic and the North Sea. These sediments were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 24 months at temperatures of 0, 10, and 20 °C. The short-term temperature response of the active microbial community was tested in temperature gradient block incubations. The temperature optimum of extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis, as measured with a polysaccharide (chondroitin sulfate), differed between Arctic and temperate habitats by about 8-13 °C in fresh sediments and in sediments incubated for 24 months. In both Arctic and temperate sediments, the temperature response of chondroitin sulfate hydrolysis was initially similar to that of sulfate reduction. After 24 months, however, hydrolysis outpaced sulfate reduction rates, as demonstrated by increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved carbohydrates. This effect was stronger at higher incubation temperatures, particularly in the Arctic sediments. In all experiments, concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were low, indicating tight coupling between VFA production and consumption. Together, these data indicate that long-term incubation at elevated temperatures led to increased decoupling of hydrolytic DOC production relative to fermentation. Temperature increases in marine sedimentary environments may thus significantly affect the downstream carbon mineralization and lead to the increased formation of refractory DOC.     

Groundwater flow model, recharge estimation and sustainability in an arid region of Patagonia, Argentina

The Península Valdés, in northeastern Patagonia, Argentina, is characterised by its arid climate and the lack of perennial watercourses; thus, all economic activities depend on the groundwater resources. Water demand is mainly associated with tourism, which is centralised in Puerto Pirámides and supplied by a water desalination plant, and to sheep farming, supplied by the local aquifer. Due to the exponential growth of tourism, the government is planning to exploit groundwater and convey it by aqueduct to the abovementioned locality. The objectives of this study were to corroborate the conceptual geohydrological model, to develop a mathematical model to simulate the response of the aquifer to different scenarios, and to assess the incidence of water input into the system as a variable—a function that poses difficulties in the models for arid regions. The Visual Modflow 4.1 code was used, calibrating it in trial-and-error mode, changing the recharge and hydraulic conductivity parameters with different variants in the recharge zone and in the inclusion or exclusion of the evapotranspiration module. Results indicate the importance of the recharge analysis by treating rainfall at daily time steps. The adjusted model was exposed to four scenarios with variations in water input and in output by pumping. It can be concluded that under different input conditions, but with a controlled extraction, the system responds in a sustainable manner.     

Correlation of atmospheric occurences over the United States with some physical and chemical parameters. Part III: Frequencies of precipitation

Summary Correlation between some physical and chemical variables, measured at 28 stations of the United States Weather Bureau Network, and seasonal and annual frequencies of precipitation, has been attempted with the aim of gaining insight into the bearing of such variables, on occurrence of precipitation. — Concurrent trends of frequencies with local temperature functions, altitude parameters, precipitable water vapour increments, and some chemical species have been found.Contribution of the «Centro Nucleazione Aerosoli» of the National Research Council of Italy, Via Vettore 4 (Monte Sacro),Roma.     

Technical, financial and location criteria for the design of land application system treatment

Conventional water treatments when downsized to cover the demands of small and scattered populations are costly and ineffective. In fact, many small towns cannot afford the high average treatment costs nor provide the skill and complex management requirements. Even when these facilities are available, waste water might not be properly treated. Land application system treatments (LAST) have been shown to be preferable on the basis of their technical effectiveness and financial viability. The recently approved Spanish regulations (RDL 1620/2007, pp 50369–50661) represent an opportunity for the implementation of well-designed LASTs. This paper presents an assessment methodology for the design of LASTs by combining technical, financial and location criteria. The method is applied to the design of LASTs to cover the water disposal demand of twelve municipalities located within the protected natural landscape, and surrounding areas of ‘El Rebollar’, Salamanca, Spain.     

Internal structure and kinematics of Variscan thrust sheets in the valley of the Trubia River (Cantabrian Zone, NW Spain): regional tectonic implications

The Variscan Belt in western Europe shows an arcuate geometry that is usually named Ibero-Armorican Arc. The nucleus of this arc, known as the Asturian Arc, comprises the Cantabrian Zone which is a foreland fold and thrust belt. The Trubia River area is located in the inflexion zone of the Asturian Arc, which is a strategic structural position for unraveling the geometry and kinematics of the Variscan thrust sheets and related folds. Geological mapping, construction of stratigraphic and structural cross sections, analysis of kinematic indicators, and estimate of shortening for each cross section have been carried out. This area consists of two major antiform-synform pairs related to two imbricate thrust systems. These folds are asymmetric, tight, and their axial traces follow the trend of the Asturian Arc. They have been interpreted as fault-propagation folds. The emplacement directions measured in the Trubia River area change from north to south and converge towards the core of the Asturian Arc. The minimum shortening estimated ranges between 16.4 and 17.6 km, which corresponds to 56.9 and 59.4%. The complex cross-cutting relationships between folds and thrusts suggest that, in general, the different structural units followed a forward-breaking sequence of emplacement, with some breaching and a few out-of-sequence thrusts. The analysis of the transport vectors together with the disposition of the fold axes and post-thrusting faults that deform the thrust stack are evidence of a late deformation event that is partially or totally responsible for the arcuate form of the Asturian Arc. The timing of the Asturian Arc, amount of shortening, and sequence of emplacement of the structures are in accordance with previous regional studies of the Cantabrian Zone.     

A depth average SPH model including μ(I) rheology and crushing for rock avalanches

Classical depth-integrated smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) models for avalanches are extended in the present work to include a μ(I)− rheological model enriched with a fragmentation law. With this improvement, the basal friction becomes grain distribution dependent. Rock avalanches, where grain distribution tends to change with time while propagating, are the appropriate type of landslide to apply the new numerical proposal. The μ(I)− rheological models considered in the present work are those of Hatano and Gray, combined with two different fragmentation laws, a hyperbolic and a fractal-based law. As an application, Frank avalanche, which took place in Canada in 1903, is analyzed under the scope of the present approach, focusing in the influence of the rheological and fragmentation laws in the evolution of the avalanche.     

Validation of Landslide Susceptibility Maps; Examples and Applications from a Case Study in Northern Spain

A procedure for validating landslide susceptibility maps wasapplied in a study area in northern Spain and the results obtained compared. Validationwas used to carry out sensitivity analysis for individual variables and combinationsof variables. The validity of different map-making methods was tested, as well as theutility of different types of Favourability Functions. The results obtained show thatvalidation is essential to determine the predictive value of susceptibility maps. Italso helps to better select the most suitable function and significant variables, thus improving the efficiency of the mapping process. Validation based on a temporal strategy makes it possible to derive hazard maps from susceptibility maps.