Solution of the kinematic equation for near-parabolic keplerian motion: Convergence of the series

In ephemeridical astronomy, an important role is played by the kinematic equation relating time and position in the orbit. Since the ephemerides have already been calculated for many hundreds of thousands of celestial bodies moving along more or less known orbits, close to optimal algorithms for solving this equation are required. We consider the case of near-parabolic motion, for which Euler found an elegant form for the kinematic equation, to be insufficiently thoroughly studied. Earlier, we presented a solution of this equation using a series in powers of the small parameter introduced by Euler with timedependent coefficients. In the current study, we find the region of convergence of this series.     

A Thermodynamic Indicator for Remote Assessment of the Productivity of a Hydrocarbon Reservoir

Doklady Earth Sciences - The local productivity of a reservoir on the territory of a hydrocarbon field was assessed remotely using thermodynamic indicator of the state of the geological...     

Source potential of the upper Jurassic rocks of the Barents Sea petroleum basin

A preliminary assessment of the source potential of the Jurassic section was obtained using organic geochemical data on samples collected from outcrops on Franz Josef Land and Svalbard archipelagoes as well as boreholes in the Barents Sea basin. The presence of organic-rich shale units with good source potential was reported for the first time within the studied section of Early to Middle Jurassic age, along with well-documented Upper Jurassic source rocks. The study provides an assessment of regional variations in the kerogen type, hydrocarbon generation potential, and maturation of organic matter from Jurassic sediments.     

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of extreme floods in the Evros River basin using Contingent Valuation Method

India is among the top ten countries with the highest percentage of landslide fatalities for the past few years. Intense rainfall during the 2009 monsoon in the hilly district of Nilgiris, in the state of Tamilnadu in India, triggered landslides at more than 300 locations which affected road and rail traffic, destroyed buildings, caused the death of more than 40 people and left hundreds homeless. In this paper, three case histories from Nilgiris district are investigated: the slope failure of a railway track at Aravankadu, failure of retaining walls supporting buildings at Coonoor, failure of the slope and retaining wall along national highway (NH67) at Chinnabikatty. Laboratory investigations are carried out on soil samples collected at these sites. Soils at all the three locations have high fine content and low values of coefficient of permeability. Finite element analyses of all the three case histories were carried out using PLAXIS2D software in order to understand the failure mechanism and contributing factors. Slope stability analysis using strength reduction technique is carried out for the slope at Aravankadu to determine the critical slip surface and factor of safety. Results reveal that the increase in pore pressures led to a reduction in shear strength of the soil and consequently resulted in progressive failure of slope at Aravankadu site. Displacement analysis is carried out for Coonoor and Chinnabikatty sites. The results show that combined effect of surcharge load of building and high pore pressure led to intense shearing behind the retaining walls at Coonoor site. Results indicate occurrence of large displacements along the face and at toe of the slope at Chinnabikatty site.     

On strategy of the upcoming exploration phase in the North Caspian petroleum province

This paper gives a review of oil and gas resource potential of the North Caspian petroleum province. A new potential for finding several giants and large-size discoveries exists, respectively, in the presalt and postsalt sequences. Recommendations for future directions in exploration targeting at postsalt deposits (Upper Permian–Triassic and Jurassic–Paleogene petroleum systems) are given. It is emphasized that, given adequate exploration techniques, the postsalt sequence may provide stable and commercial production for decades. Most of the prospects are located within nonlicensed area. Therefore, the future exploration activity will have to be implemented through special-purpose governmental projects, namely, state-funded integrated projects aiming at investigation of the individual petroleum regions and zones.     

MULTIPLE REFLECTIONS AND HEAD WAVES IN THE GULF OF SUEZ*

Inferior reflection quality in the Gulf of Suez at the target depth interval is attributable in part to surficial multiple reflections. An excellent example of the latter is observed on a typical seismic line in the northern portion of the Gulf. An increase in prominence of the multiple reflections appears associated with decreasing depth to a dipping highvelocity layer. Inversion of a second-order polynomial time-distance function, fitted to the observed refraction onset time-distance values, gives the velocity-depth function for sediments between the water bottom and a high-velocity layer. Velocities thus determined increase non-linearly with depth from a value near water velocity at the water bottom. Depths to the high-velocity layer are obtained from the associated head-wave linear time-distance function and by ray tracing in the overlying sediments. As the high-velocity layer approaches the water bottom from sub-water depths exceeding 0.6 km to a depth of 56 m, intensity of the multiple reflections increases to the extent of completely dominating individual records to a time of at least 3 s. The estimated plane-wave normal-incident reflection coefficient at the top of the high-velocity layer increases with decreasing depth to this layer, approaching 0.5 at the shallowest depth. This strong reflection coefficient further substantiates the existence of multiple reflections between the high-velocity layer and water layer. However, existence of water-layer multiples cannot be ruled out. The estimated water-bottom reflection coefficient is approximately 0.3, a substantial value. Multiple reflections of considerably less intensity are apparent where the high-velocity layer is deepest, and it is likely that such are waterlayer multiple reflections. Unfortunately, water-layer multiple reflections and multiple reflections between the water surface and high-velocity layer cannot be separated by their coincidence with time-distance (normal moveout) curves, the configuration of each visibly matching the curves equally well.     

SEISMIC MEASUREMENTS FOR SAFETY IN MINES*

The study of rock stresses and their changes is of great importance for safety in mines. To detect dangerous stress accumulations in coal mines an empirical method, Jahn's drilling test, is generally used. An experimental survey to solve the same problem by geophysical measurements was undertaken in a Hungarian coal mine. The basic idea was to determine the easily measurable seismic velocities instead of the more difficult to measure stresses in the rocks, since there is a monotonic relation between them. During the survey seismic transmission-type measurements were carried out in the fore-field of longwall faces between the top and tail roads. The seismic velocity data obtained were processed using an iterative algebraic reconstruction technique to determine the ‘velocity field’, i.e., the seismic velocity distribution, of the area covered by the ray paths. By periodically repeating the measurements in the same area, it was possible to follow the changes in the stress conditions caused by mining operations.     

Character of gold mineralization in the late Cenozoic alluvium of the Bauntov area (Vitim highland, Transbaikal region)

Study of gold potential of the Late Cenozoic alluvium in the Bauntov area is based on the Taloi basin and Sivo sector (China River basin). Primary placer-forming gold is mainly represented by endogenous varieties. In contrast to alluvium of streams in the Taloi basin, Middle-Upper Quaternary alluvium of the Sivo sector (China River basin) is enriched in fine and tiny gold (smaller than 0.25 mm). The paper presents data testifying to a low Au content in the silt fraction of slimes from boreholes drilled in the Cenozoic alluvium (alluvium-deluvium) from transverse valleys in the Taloi basin and, hence, to an significant manifestation of the chemogenic concentration of this metal therein. Issue of the existence of specific conditions favorable for the formation of hydrogenic gold in the northern high-latitude zones requires further studies. The results show that lithochemical gold aureoles have an important prospecting significance. They also suggest the practical significance of accumulations of fine and tiny gold in the syn-stratal alluvium and alluvium-deluvium of large ore placer areas.