Academic literature on the topic 'All-hydrocarbon'

We introduces a new concept for experimental design of cluster growth investigation in the Ni(cod)2/ECp* (E = Al, Ga) system with 3-hexyne as a coordination modulator by in situ analysis of cluster mixtures combined with theoretical modelling.

Nineteen hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms were isolated from Ten hydrocarbon contaminated sites and were identified on the basis of morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics as Acenetobacter junii, pantoea dispersa, Bacillus spizizenii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study illumined high density of bacteria acclimatized for biodegradation of hydrocarbon in soil. The isolates were examined for other hydrocarbon degradation in media supplemented with Diesel, Benzene, Petrol and Cyclohexane at three different concentrations viz 5%, 10% and 15% incubated for 3 different time intervals 5, 10 and 15 days. The results indicated that all the isolates possessed potential to degrade the wide variety of hydrocarbons. The most efficient among them was Acenetobacter junii which degraded all tested hydrocarbon showing maximum growth at 5% concentration and 10 days incubation. It could be concluded that native flora of hydrocarbon contaminated site adapt to the environmental condition and could be implicated to remove hydrocarbons.

Unconstrained 3D inversion of marine controlled source electromagnetic data (CSEM) data sets produces resistivity volumes that have an uncertain relationship to the true subsurface resistivity at the scale of typical hydrocarbon reservoirs. Furthermore, CSEM-scale resistivity is an ambiguous indicator of hydrocarbon presence; not all resistivity anomalies are caused by hydrocarbon reservoirs, and not all hydrocarbon reservoirs produce a distinct resistivity anomaly. We have developed a method for quantifying the effectiveness of resistivities from CSEM inversion in detecting hydrocarbon reservoirs. Our approach uses probabilistic rock-physics modeling to update information from a preexisting prospect assessment, based on uncertain resistivities from CSEM. The result is an estimate the probability of hydrocarbon presence that accounts for uncertainty in the resistivity and in rock properties. Examples using synthetic and real CSEM data sets demonstrate that the effectiveness of CSEM inversion in identifying hydrocarbon reservoirs depends on the interaction between the uncertainty associated with the inversion-derived resistivity and the range of rock and fluid properties that were expected for the targeted prospect. Resistivity uncertainty that has a small effect on hydrocarbon probability for one set of rock property distributions may have a large effect for a different set of rock properties. Depending on the consequences of this interaction, resistivities from CSEM inversion might reduce the risk associated with predictions of hydrocarbon presence, but they cannot be expected to guarantee a specific well outcome.

Background Cigarette smoking is a risk factor of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Tobacco smoke contains several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Thus, we hypothesized that environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure is associated with bone loss and fracture risk. The present study examined the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and bone turnover in the general adult population. Methods A total of 1408 eligible participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001–2006) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. The levels of urinary N-telopeptide and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, which are biomarkers of bone resorption and formation, respectively, were assessed. Meanwhile, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure was evaluated using the concentrations of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites. The association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposures and N-telopeptide, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels was assessed using a multivariate linear regression model. Results All polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites except 3-phenanthrene were significantly associated with increased N-telopeptide levels (P < 0.05) after adjustment of relevant covariables. However, no significant relationship was observed between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels. This relationship remained significant after the participants were assessed according to sex (P < 0.05). Additionally, all polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites showed a positive association with N-telopeptide levels in participants aged <60 years (P < 0.05). Conclusion Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure is associated with increased bone resorption among the general adult population in the United States. Further studies must assess the potential mechanisms associated with the adverse effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure on bone loss.

This thesis discusses the design and production of peptides with side chain linkers that are intended to bind to the F3 domain of talin. The talin F3 domain was targeted as it is involved in the activation of integrin membrane proteins present in platelets. The over activation of these integrins can result in clotting within the blood vessels causing heart disease, however, current medication targeting integrin have negative side effects. The design and synthesis of short peptides based on the sequence of the β3 integrin tail that binds to the F3 domain of talin is presented. The binding affinity of peptides to the talin F3 domain was tested using NMR titrations to reveal the ideal location for the linker in the production of potential therapeutics which target integrin activation. Side chain linked peptides with high helical content have previously been shown to improve binding affinity. This drove investigation of side chain constrained peptides to increase their helical content, and thus, their binding affinity to talin F3 domain and cellular uptake. It is demonstrated that side chain linkers are effective in stabilising the helical structure of the short peptides. When incorporated in the β3 integrin sequence in specific locations, lactam linkers improved binding affinity of these peptides to the talin F3 domain. Additionally, all-hydrocarbon and triazole linkers enhanced the peptide’s cellular uptake when compared to the native peptide of this sequence. The position and type of side chain linkers were investigated. The result of which showed that the position of the linker had a significant impact on the binding affinity to talin. The lactam linker between residues in positions 725 and 729 created a peptide (7) with the highest binding affinity. The cell penetration of peptides with different linker types was tested using NIH 3T3 mouse cells, and HEK298 cells. A number of side chain linkers were tested with the triazole linker producing the most α-helical peptide, and the all-hydrocarbon linker producing peptides with the greatest cellular uptake.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2018

This second paper on hydrocarbon gas flaring and venting builds on our first, which evaluated the economic and social cost (SCAR) of wasted natural gas. These emissions must be reduced urgently for natural gas to meet its potential as an energy-transition fuel under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and to improve air quality and health. Wide-ranging initiatives and solutions exist already; the selection of the most suitable ones is situation-dependent. We present solutions and actions in a four-point (‘Diamond’) model involving: (1) measurement of chemicals emitted, (2) accountability and transparency of emissions through disclosure and reporting, (3) economic deployment of technologies for (small-scale) gas monetization, and (4) an ‘all-of-government’ approach to regulation and fiscal measures. Combining these actions in an integrated framework can end routine flaring and venting in many oil and gas developments. This is particularly important for low- and middle-income countries: satellite data since 2005 show that 85 per cent of total gas flared is in developing countries. Satellite data in 2017 identified location and amount of natural gas burned for 10,828 individual flares in 94 countries. Particular focus is needed to improve flare quality and capture natural gas from the 1 per cent ‘super-emitter’ flares responsible for 23 per cent of global natural gas flared.

Atmospheric emissions urgently need to reduce for natural gas to fulfill its potential role in the energy transition to achieve the Paris Agreement on climate change. This paper establishes the magnitude and trends of flaring and venting in oil and gas operations, as well as their emissions and impact on air quality, health, and climate. While global flaring and venting comprise 7.5 per cent of natural gas produced, their combined impact on health and climate (in terms of Social Cost of Atmospheric Release) accounts for 54 per cent. Many low- and middle-income countries are economically dependent on oil and gas production. Most premature deaths from air pollution in 2016 were in developing countries. Most natural gas losses and emissions are avoidable. If all natural gas flared and vented globally is captured and brought to market, it could supply annually more than the total South and Central America gas consumption, plus all of Africa’s power needs. If 75 per cent of these volumes are captured, it provides an additional natural gas sales value of US$36 billion per annum (assuming an average gas price of US$4/MMBtu).

Abstract Plant lipids are classified as primary metabolites, and therefore essential for life. Unlike secondary metabolites, lipids are universally present in plants, articularly in their seeds, varying only in their abundance and chemical composition. All lipids are composed of a hydrocarbon skeleton with one or more oxygen (O) substitutes. Plant lipids are derived from the acetate pathway via molonyl CoA, a pathway that leads to fatty acids, polyketides, polyacetylenes, phospholipids, prostaglandins and alkylamides. The more complex lipids may contain elements such as phosphorus, nitrogen or sulfur. Tabulated data are given on selective list of fixed oils, lists of some of the main dietary sources of essential fatty acids, botanical sources of γ-linolenic acid, and medicinal plants containing isobutylamides.

AbstractThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region plays a vital role in shaping the global energy markets because of its substantial amount of hydrocarbons resources. Although the GCC has abundant hydrocarbon resources, countries in the region have also shown their commitment and intent to become the global leaders in alternate energy, especially, renewable energy through their “Visions and Laws”. Further, All the countries in the Middle East have also set targets for the deployment of renewable energy at the federal or local level.For several decades, there has been steady economic and population growth of the Middle East countries, with most of the region’s wealth and socio-economic development, tied to its substantial oil and gas resources. Renewable energy can provide an alternative to their energy landscape, which holds a vast potential to cut fuel costs, reduce GHG emissions.To promote renewable energy, in the last five years, renewable energy has gained a lot of interest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Low tariffs bids for renewable energy generation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia since 2016 have made renewable energy, especially solar power competitive with conventional energy (International Renewable Energy Agency. Renewable Energy Market Analysis-GCC 2019. s.l.: International Renewable Energy Agency, 2019).With the push from the decision-makers to reduce the risk of dependence fossil fuels, the renewable energy plans can be implemented in the GCC. Decision-makers in the GCC have recognized the need for a plan for the post-oil era. This chapter will explore the GCC long term policies and government’s role in shaping the renewable energy market. Further, the chapter will also explore the challenges & opportunities related to the renewable energy sector in GCC (International Renewable Energy Agency. Renewable Energy Market Analysis-GCC 2019. s.l.: International Renewable Energy Agency, 2019).

Abstract In the Middle East, hydrocarbon citizens hold more negative attitudes about democracy compared to people in the oil-poor states. People in oil-rich states are more likely to believe that economic performance is weak in a democratic system, democratic systems are indecisive and full of problems, democratic systems are not effective at maintaining stability, a democratic system is not better than other political systems, and democracy is inappropriate for their country. These attitudes hold after controlling for many factors in a basic statistical analysis. However, not all hydrocarbon citizens hold the same beliefs about democracy. Age, education, and economic status are positively associated with democratic attitudes. Women are more likely to fear the potentially destabilizing effects of democracy. Since the Arab Spring, democratic attitudes grew more positive in oil-poor Jordan than in oil-rich Algeria.

Heat exchange processes are of great importance for the implementation of technological operations in many industries, including the pharmaceutical, food and refining industries. The problem of heat transfer intensification is especially important for the creation of high-energy-efficient equipment. Heat-exchange processes of heating and melting are labor-intensive and energy-consuming, where it is necessary to transfer substances or mixtures from a solid state to a sufficiently fluid one to ensure their further transportation to the next stages of production. The peculiarity of hydrocarbon mixtures lies in their thermophysical properties: a wide range of changes in the phase transition temperature or melting point (37…100 °C), a tendency to thermal destruction and a low thermal conductivity (0.034… 0.34 W/m ∙ K). Traditionally, reactors with different mixer designs, baths with coils, electric tissue heaters, heating chambers, etc. are used at enterprises for heating and melting hydrocarbon mixtures. Mostly equipment is purchased abroad, for the purchase of which a lot of money is spent. Such methods are long and energy-intensive, there are large temperature gradients, which often leads to overheating of one part of the substance and underheating of another. In addition, the process of loading mixtures into boilers and their subsequent unloading is problematic and contaminatingly dangerous. Given all this, the development and implementation of domestic innovative technologies and equipment for the processes of heating and melting of hydrocarbon mixtures is an urgent task.

Over half of the global energy consumption is based on fossil fuels that are now mainly extracted from ocean depths below 150 m. These hydrocarbon reserves are thus a significant natural capital from deep oceans that support human well-being. Technological advances have guided the offshore deep-sea explorations to virtually all major ocean basins with thousands of wells being drilled on the deep seafloor to reach reserves that now support a significant part of the global markets. However, the environmental footprint of the oil and gas industry is significant and arises from regional impacts of regular operations on deep-sea ecosystems, from major disasters, or day-to-day accidents that spill millions of gallons of oil into the oceans each year, and from a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and its climate effects globally. This is despite the general compliance with a wide array of environmental and political regulatory frameworks globally. The contrast from energy and market demand for fossil fuels against a background of environmental costs and impacts into the deep sea as exploration advances has not previously been examined. Here we apply the natural capital concepts of stock value of hydrocarbon reserves and contrast their financial and human value to the social and economic costs of their exploration and social costs from impacts on ecosystem services. We suggest that the economic value of hydrocarbon resources is very limited when compared to its vast environmental costs, supporting the global transition to a green energy strategy.

This chapter describes methods for validating the measurements made using flow-through respirometry. These methods include the injection of nitrogen at a known flow rate into a respirometry system; burning a small flame of ethanol or methanol at a rate measured by weighing the lamp (often called “alcohol recovery”); and burning hydrocarbon gases such as methane, ethane, or propane. The first two techniques yield information on absolute oxygen consumption rates; the gas flame technique yields information on ratios between oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, as does the alcohol recovery technique. Full practical details including all relevant equations are given.

Heterocyclic hydrocarbon compounds have been identified as one of the major components of water pollution that occurs as a result of urbanization. It has been known that the presence of these compounds is hazardous and remain in the environment for a long period of time. This study was conducted to isolate and identify heterocyclic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria from lake water by genomic DNA extraction and sequencing as well as measure the degradation rate of the bacteria using Gas Chromatography Flame-Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The water sample was collected from west campus lake of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak where six strains of bacteria that has degrading ability was isolated using sub-culturing technique on MSM double layer agar plates. The genomic DNA of bacteria designated as strain IM1, IM2, IM3, IM4, IM5 and IM6 were extracted and amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The isolates were then sequenced and were identified as Bradyrhizobium sp., Ochrobactrum sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa sp. and Burkholderia sp. All six isolates possessed the ability to utilize carbazole as sole carbon and energy source as the degradation rate of carbazole was measured using GC-FID analysis. After 12 days of incubation, IM2 showed 96.37% degradation while the other five isolates were able to degrade 100% of the carbazole. Thus, bacteria isolated from this study may provide great benefit for bioremediation.

Abstract Communities impacted by extraction may participate in the approval of hydrocarbon and mining projects in Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru, through prior consultation (in all three countries), the environmental impact study hearing (in Colombia and Peru), and popular consultation (in Colombia). Access to these participatory institutions is determined by different boundaries: (1) boundaries between subnational and central state authority, (2) the geographic delineation of communities impacted by planned extraction, and (3) the lines defining representatives of an affected community relative to the community at large. Contestation over the boundaries leads to debates about which communities can be included in participatory events, which actor(s) speak on behalf of impacted communities, and whether a participatory process is appropriate.

Total organic carbon (TOC) is the most significant factor for shale oil and gas exploration and development which can be used to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation potential of source rock. However, estimating TOC is a challenge for the geological engineers because direct measurements of core analysis geochemical experiments are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, many AI technique has used for TOC content prediction in the shale reservoir where AI techniques have impacted positively. Having both strength and weakness, some of them can execute quickly and handle high dimensional data while others have limitation for handling the uncertainty, learning difficulties, and unable to deal with high or low dimensional datasets which reminds the “no free lunch” theorem where it has been proven that no technique or system be relevant to all issues in all circumstances. So, investigating the cutting-edge AI techniques is the contribution of this study as the resulting analysis gives top to bottom understanding of the different TOC content prediction strategies.

Enbridge Pipelines Inc. manages over 1200 liquid hydrocarbon facilities across Canada and the United States, including both mainline facilities and gathering system facilities. The range of facilities managed by Enbridge includes terminals, pump stations, valve sites, scraper trap sites, battery sites, and densitometer sites. Evaluation of risk at facilities is a requirement of 49CFR195 (2) for liquid mainline facilities located in the United States and a requirement of CSA Z662 (3) for NEB regulated mainline facilities in Canada. Enbridge has developed an index risk model that is modular in nature to evaluate risk at various liquid facilities. The index risk model provides a relative risk ranking of facility risk, so the risk values obtained are comparative numbers. Facility risk values may be compared with all facilities within the System, or between similar types of facilities, such as terminals. The modular nature of the facility risk model permits the evaluation of all applicable assets within a given facility. There are three likelihood modules and eight consequence modules within the facility risk model that combine to create a risk value using Equation 1: Risk=Likelihood×Consequence(1) The modular indexed risk model has proven to be an effective means of evaluating facility risk. The modular approach meets the requirements of 49CFR195 and the Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR 1999) that references CSA Z662 for the risk assessment of facilities associated with mainline pipe. The modular approach can be applied to all facilities regardless of regulatory requirements and can assist in the prioritization of risk control strategies at facilities. As this approach provides a whole risk view of facilities rather than focusing solely on leaks and spills, the risk model may identify systemic areas of opportunity within the organization. This paper provides a review of the development of a modular index facility risk model for liquid operations. Challenges and successes faced during the development and execution of the model are discussed.

The goal of any test must be to prove reliability. In centrifugal compressers there are basically two types of tests. The first proves the mechanical integrity, while the second verifies the aerodynamic performance. No one test can satisfy all goals so it is left to the purchaser to specify the type of test(s) which will satisfy his requirements. This paper discusses the limitations of various types of tests. Emphasis is given to Hydrocarbon Testing and, in particular, Class I Hydrocarbon Testing.

The paper presents an integrated approach to computer modeling of hydrocarbon deposits, as well as the results of its application in oil volume calculation. Such approach involves all available information, as well as visual analytics, and allows to get a more accurate and reliable distribution of parameters in the volume of the three-dimensional computer model of hydrocarbon deposit due to its adjustment based on actual (historical) information about the operation of the oil field. The adjusted in this way model allows to obtain a more accurate predictive solution for the development and to improve the management efficiency of hydrocarbon deposits.

Abstract We have investigated the interfacial properties at a brine-hydrocarbon boundary with the prospect of understanding the crystallization process that takes place when certain electrolytes are present in the brine and when certain surfactants are present in the hydrocarbon phase. This was done in an optical force tensiometer setup with a so-called buoyant droplet configuration. It is only specific combinations (that is not all surfactants not all electrolytes) that form crystals and we aim at utilizing this specificity to form crystal plugs in particular sections of an oil reservoir, for example in zones with high flow that can then be reduced by the crystal plugs. The treatment can potentially be tailored based on the predominant acid-type in a mixture. The current study reveals several (at least three) different modes of crystal formation. The electrolyte-surfactant combination that gives rise to the most clear-cut formation of crystals directly at the interface is involving Zn2+ or Cu2+ and dodecanoic acid (C11H23COOH). Several of the systems under study appears to be forming crystals within the hydrocarbon phase and that these crystals more the likely are a result of the surfactant associated diffusive transfer of cations into the hydrocarbon phase. The next short-term goal is to induce crystals when the hydrocarbon phase is (potentially spiked) crude oil to tailor the discoveries towards the longer-term goal: In-situ deep conformance control field applications.

Hydrocarbon dew point in fuel gas has become a recent concern for Saudi Aramco and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC). Together they operate more than 150 land based industrial and aeroderivative combustion gas turbines (CGTs) on natural gas produced in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Automated on-line hydrocarbon dew point monitoring conducted over the past two years has revealed wide variations in the hydrocarbon dew points of the fuel gas that supply these turbines. During winter months at some locations, hydrocarbon dew points are now known to rise to, and slightly above ambient gas temperatures. Daily variations in dew point temperature average about 12–14 °F (7–8 °C) in winter months with highs occuring in late morning hours. More dramatic changes (60 °F, 33 °C) were recorded and attributed to operational changes in two major gas plants. At a major power generation facility, hydrocarbon dew point data was referenced in time with inlet fuel temperature and inlet fuel pressure recorded from a turbine control system. This data reveals evidence that liquid hydrocarbon was entering the CGT fuel intake. Damage to hot gas path components from liquids in natural gas fuel has cost Saudi Aramco several million dollars over a 10 year period (1985–1995). The estimates are much higher now with expanded use of natural gas into the Central and Western Provinces of Saudi Arabia. The new sources of gas, new processing facilities and longer transmission distances all contribute to greater potential for liquids formation, while upgrades to higher firing temperatures also increases the sensitivity of some CGTs to liquids in the fuel. With dew point monitoring, we will be able to recommend the necessary fuel conditioning equipment and fuel preheating temperatures that will be needed to prevent costly distress to CGTs due to the passage of liquids in the fuel gas.

Every 20 years hydrocarbon storage tanks are taken out of service for API 653 mandated inspections and repairs. While the tanks are out of service other work is often completed. This paper chronicles the steps taken to ensure all the work is identified, budgeted for, scheduled, and completed in a timely and cost effective manner. This paper assumes the reader has a working knowledge of atmospheric hydrocarbon storage tanks.

Abstract This research addresses the problems associated with hydrocarbon accounting reconciliation and allocation from the production facility to the export terminal. This paper further discusses the security of the hydrocarbon accounting database and the overall automation of the production value chain, providing transparency to the joint venture partners involved in the crude oil export agreement to avoid revenue loss. It also provides a system that is not prone to malware or data alteration and promotes hydrocarbon allocation among the injectors, production data management and production data security. The existing system mostly in the sub-saharan Africa lacks trust and greater transparency. A new technology will be devolped using Blockchain Hyperledger which is a distributed ledger technology. For the purpose of this research Javascript, PHP, MySQL on Apache virtual machine was used to design and simulate the blockchain network. The web interface of the system was tested using katalon web test framework using Agile methodology. The system will have to integrate with the Lease Automation Custody Transfer (LACT) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), A LACT-SCADANode synchronized system will be implemented in the custody transfer point in the export pipeline, so all the oil and gas Exploration and Production (E&Ps) companies injecting crude oil can view what each company in the network injected and also the quantity that got to the export terminal daily. This will be achieved by having all the custody transfer nodes of the E&Ps and export terminal node in a network of consensus. Production data will be distributed at strategic points during the transportation among the nodes uniformly at the same time, making it impossible for cyber-invasion on all the nodes at the same time. The outcome of this research will achieve an advanced secured transparent system to store production data for accurate hydrocarbon allocation, in which the consensus attribute of the implemented blockchain technology will give each node autonomy. Hence, making the production data highly reliable and reconciliation will be achieved at real-time. This innovation further presents a new knowledge in the application of mechatronics engineering to the oil and gas sector, with its multidisciplinary focus on electronics, mechanical and computer systems. It is the integration of a software system to a LACT and sensors on the crude oil pipelines to acquire data, compute in a Hyperledger fabric network and display at real-time for hydrocarbon allocation settlement

Abstract Hydrocarbon dew point (HDP) temperature is defined as the temperature at which the first hydrocarbon liquid begins to condense in a natural gas cooled at constant pressure, which is an important qualitative parameter for pipeline operators. Hydrocarbon liquid drops-out along the gas pipeline will decrease the effective cross-sectional area of the pipes causing increased pressure drop, reduced line capacity as well as system shutdowns. It is therefore imperative that the gas pipelines be operated above the hydrocarbon dew point (HDP) temperature to ensure a trouble free line; this of course requires the knowledge of the HDP for the pipeline. In this work, onsite measurement of the HDP of 5 different natural gases from different flow stations and gas processing plants in the Niger-Delta region was done using an automatic optical condensation dew point meter. Subsequently, each of the gases was collected in stainless steel Proserv bottles and taken to the laboratory for compositional analysis using gas chromatographic technique with reference to GPA 2286. In addition, the Peng Robinson (PR) and Soave Redlich Kwong (SRK) Equations of state (EOS) were used to predict the hydrocarbon dew point temperature of the gases at the flow line pressures. The Average Absolute Error (AAE) for EOS PR was 9.33% while that for EOS SRK was 14.68%. Obviously, it showed that PR EOS gave better predictions than SRK EOS. The result of this work also showed that even a 50% variation in molar contributions of the non-hydrocarbon components had negligible effects on the predicted hydrocarbon dew point temperatures for all the gas samples tested.

Abstract Green Fields are characterized by many static and dynamic uncertainties that mainly impact the decision-making of the full field development phase. The objective of this work is to provide a workflow that considers all the complexities related to all uncertainties, static and dynamic, associated with tight green fields and how these uncertainties are parameterized with the integration of well hydraulic fractures. Uncertainty and optimization workflow has been adopted in a commercial geo-modeler to consider all the associated uncertainties. Structural uncertainty is parameterized using an in-house plug-in inside the geo-modeler tooldeveloped to apply the structural deformation using the concept of elastic gridding. Hydraulic Fractures are modeled using Local Grid Refinements (LGR) created by a plug-in inside the geo-modeler. A sensitivity analysis has been performed to consider the static uncertainty parameters that impact Hydrocarbon volume in place and dynamic uncertainty parameters that impact cumulative hydrocarbon production, including the LGR (extension and permeability). Statistical maps on 100 different geological realizations calculated on mobile hydrocarbon column and permeability thickness showed the optimum locations of the infilling wells to consider the spatial and vertical variability. A representative case (P50) on volumes in place is chosen to define the suited development strategy for the full field development phase. Due to the complexity of the field, a creaming curve approach has been adopted for each level to consider the optimum number of drainage points needed. A final completion scheme with an optimum number of wells and their hydraulic fracture stages is defined. Sensitivity Analysis showed that LGR parameters have a considerable impact on the cumulative hydrocarbon production, and to overcome the limitation of the LGR plug-in, which does not allow to change the completion for every realization, a dedicated study has been performed to define the optimum extension of perforations needed to consider the structural and petrophysical changes over realizations. Three representative cases (P10 – P50 – P90) on the cumulative hydrocarbon production were selected to represent an uncertainty range of the field volumes and production in the next step of integrated asset modeling. An automatic strategy and related implementation have been developed for wells with LGR simulation to adapt well completions in the context of hydraulic fracturing and uncertainty quantification.

We demonstrate high-uptime field operation of a broadband open-path mid-infrared dual comb spectrometer. The system detects diurnal variations of all primary greenhouse gases, hydrocarbon emissions from gas production and ambient fluctuations of formaldehyde.

Exploration for hydrocarbons began in the Labrador-Baffin Seaway in the 1960s; activity along the Labrador margin is still ongoing. A moratorium on exploration activities in the Canadian Arctic was enacted in 2016, halting drilling and data acquisition in western Davis Strait and along the Baffin Island margin. The exploration for hydrocarbons along the West Greenland margin ceased in 2021. Despite the presence of all hydrocarbon system elements as well as direct indicators of at least one working hydrocarbon system (e.g. slicks and/or seeps, oil and/or gas shows), no commercially viable accumulations of hydrocarbons have been discovered in the region. Potential sea-surface hydrocarbon slicks have been identified throughout the study region using synthetic aperture radar, but only the slick offshore Scott Inlet (Nunavut) has been directly linked to seafloor hydrocarbon seepage.

Advancements in the establishment of the geological framework of the Sverdrup Basin resulting from the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals program can be grouped under the main topics of tectonostratigraphy, crosslinking of biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy, integration of igneous records with newly refined stratigraphy, and effects of global climatic environments on hydrocarbon source rocks in geological time. New discoveries of volcanic ash beds throughout much of the Triassic stratigraphic section required new tectonic interpretations involving a magmatic arc northwest of the basin that was likely involved in the opening of the Amerasia Basin. Modern approaches to biostratigraphy calibrated by radiometric age dating of volcanic ash beds made global correlations to chronostratigraphic frameworks and tectonic models possible. Correlation of the stratigraphy and recent geochronology of the High Arctic large igneous province (HALIP) places the main pulse of mafic magmatism in a postrift setting. Finally, the depositional setting of source rocks in the Sverdrup Basin is explained in terms of oceanographic factors that are related to the global environment. All of these advancements, including hints of undefined and relatively young structural events, lead to the conclusion that the hydrocarbon potential of the Sverdrup Basin has not been fully tested by historical exploration drilling.

The Paskapoo Formation, which ranges in age from middle to upper Paleocene, is the major shallow aquifer in Alberta. This study is part of a larger GSC-led study on the potential environmental impact of hydrocarbon development in the Fox Creek area (west-central Alberta) on shallow aquifers. Fox Creek is located near the northern limit of the Paskapoo Formation. In addition to the underlying organic-rich source rocks in the study area, including the Duvernay Formation that is currently exploited for hydrocarbon resources, the Paskapoo Formation contains organic-rich intervals and coal seams. In order to investigate any potential internal hydrocarbon sources within the Paskapoo Formation, ninety-seven (97) cutting samples from the formation obtained from eight shallow monitoring wells (50-90 m) in the study area were studied for total organic carbon (TOC) content, organic matter composition and thermal maturity of coal seams using programmed pyrolysis analysis and organic petrography. The TOC content of all samples ranges from 0.2 to 8.8 wt. %, with a mean value of 0.95 ± 1.6 wt. % (n=97). The Tmax values of studied samples range from 347 to 463 °C, with a mean value of 434 ± 20 °C that suggest a range of thermal maturity from immature to peak oil window. The random reflectance (Rr) measurement and fluorescence microscopy on eighteen (18) selected samples with TOC content &amp;gt; ~1 wt. % shows a mean Rr value of 0.27% and 0.42% for the overlying till deposits and the underlying shallow depth sandstone, siltstone, shale and coal seams respectively, indicating a low rank coal ranging from lignite to sub-bituminous coal. Blue to green and yellow fluorescing liptinite macerals further confirmed the low maturity of studied samples. The low S2 yield of a large part of the samples (65%) resulted in unreliable Tmax values that overestimated the thermal maturity. Although the organic matter in the studied intervals are immature, exsudatinite, as secondary liptinite maceral, was observed in samples from the lower parts of the studied monitoring wells. Exsudatinite generally derives from the transformation of sporinite, alginite, resinite and varieties of vitrinite, which is a resinous or asphalt like material. Considering the thickness and distribution of coal seams in the studied samples, it is unlikely the exsudatinite will be a major source for aquifer hydrocarbon contamination in the study area. Additional stratigraphic studies and molecular geochemical analysis could provide an estimate of the total volume of possible organic compounds contribution to the aquifer in the study area. Due to the presence of coal seams in the studied intervals of the Paskapoo Formation, it is important to investigate the possibility of biogenic methane formation in Paskapoo shallow aquifers.

This project summarizes the results from 2000–2020and evaluates the trueness andthequality control (QC) procedures of the ongoing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)and trace element measurements in Finlandrelating to Air Quality (AQ) Directive 2004/107/EC. The evaluation was focused on benzo(a)pyrene and other PAH compounds as well as arsenic, cadmium and nickel in PM10and deposition. Additionally, it included lead and other metals in PM10and deposition, gaseous mercury and mercury deposition, andbriefly other specificAQ measurements such as volatile organic compounds (VOC)and PM2.5chemical composition. This project was conducted by the National Reference Laboratory on air quality and thiswas the first time these measurements were assessed. A major part of the project was field and laboratory audits of the ongoing PAH and metal measurements. Other measurements were briefly evaluated through interviews and available literature. In addition, the national AQ database, the expertise of local measurement networks and related publications were utilised. In total, all theseven measurement networks performing PAH and metal measurements in 2019–2020took part in the audits. Eleven stations were audited while these measurements are performed at 22 AQ stations in Finland. For the large networks, one station was chosen to represent the performance of the network. The audits included also six laboratories performing the analysis of the collected samples. The audits revealed the compliance of the measurements with the AQ Decree 113/2017, Directive 2004/107/EC and Standards of the European Committee for Standardization(CEN). In addition, general information of the measurements, instruments and quality control procedures were gained. The results of the laboratory audits were confidential,but this report includes general findings, and the measurement networks were informed on the audit results with the permission of the participating laboratories. As a conclusion, the measurementmethodsusedwere mainly reference methods. Currently, all sampling methods were reference methods; however, before 2018 three networks used other methods that may have underestimated concentrations. Regarding these measurements, it should be noted the results are notcomparable with the reference method. Laboratory methods were reference methods excluding two cases, where the first was considered an acceptable equivalent method. For the other, a change to a reference method was strongly recommended and this realized in 2020. For some new measurements, the ongoing QC procedures were not yet fully established, and advice were given. Some networks used consultant for calibration and maintenance, and thus theywere not fully aware of the QC procedures. EN Standards were mostly followed. Main concerns were related to the checks of flow and calculation of measurement uncertainty, and suggestions for improvement were given. When the measurement networks implement the recommendations given inthe audits, it can be concluded that the EN Standards are adequately followed in the networks. In the ongoing sampling, clear factors risking the trueness of the result were not found. This applies also for the laboratory analyses in 2020. One network had concentrations above the target value, and theindicative measurementsshould be updated to fixed measurements.

In the second quarter, annual inflation (9.67%), the technical staff’s projections and its expectations continued to increase, remaining above the target. International cost shocks, accentuated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have been more persistent than projected, thus contributing to higher inflation. The effects of indexation, higher than estimated excess demand, a tighter labor market, inflation expectations that continue to rise and currently exceed 3%, and the exchange rate pressures add to those described above. High core inflation measures as well as in the producer price index (PPI) across all baskets confirm a significant spread in price increases. Compared to estimates presented in April, the new forecast trajectory for headline and core inflation increased. This was partly the result of greater exchange rate pressure on prices, and a larger output gap, which is expected to remain positive for the remainder of 2022 and which is estimated to close towards yearend 2023. In addition, these trends take into account higher inflation rate indexation, more persistent above-target inflation expectations, a quickening of domestic fuel price increases due to the correction of lags versus the parity price and higher international oil price forecasts. The forecast supposes a good domestic supply of perishable foods, although it also considers that international prices of processed foods will remain high. In terms of the goods sub-basket, the end of the national health emergency implies a reversal of the value-added tax (VAT) refund applied to health and personal hygiene products, resulting in increases in the prices of these goods. Alternatively, the monetary policy adjustment process and the moderation of external shocks would help inflation and its expectations to begin to decrease over time and resume their alignment with the target. Thus, the new projection suggests that inflation could remain high for the second half of 2022, closing at 9.7%. However, it would begin to fall during 2023, closing the year at 5.7%. These forecasts are subject to significant uncertainty, especially regarding the future behavior of external cost shocks, the degree of indexation of nominal contracts and decisions made regarding the domestic price of fuels. Economic activity continues to outperform expectations, and the technical staff’s growth projections for 2022 have been revised upwards from 5% to 6.9%. The new forecasts suggest higher output levels that would continue to exceed the economy’s productive capacity for the remainder of 2022. Economic growth during the first quarter was above that estimated in April, while economic activity indicators for the second quarter suggest that the GDP could be expected to remain high, potentially above that of the first quarter. Domestic demand is expected to maintain a positive dynamic, in particular, due to the household consumption quarterly growth, as suggested by vehicle registrations, retail sales, credit card purchases and consumer loan disbursement figures. A slowdown in the machinery and equipment imports from the levels observed in March contrasts with the positive performance of sales and housing construction licenses, which indicates an investment level similar to that registered for the first three months of the year. International trade data suggests the trade deficit would be reduced as a consequence of import levels that would be lesser than those observed in the first quarter, and stable export levels. For the remainder of the year and 2023, a deceleration in consumption is expected from the high levels seen during the first half of the year, partially as a result of lower repressed demand, tighter domestic financial conditions and household available income deterioration due to increased inflation. Investment is expected to continue its slow recovery while remaining below pre-pandemic levels. The trade deficit is expected to tighten due to projected lower domestic demand dynamics, and high prices of oil and other basic goods exported by the country. Given the above, economic growth in the second quarter of 2022 would be 11.5%, and for 2022 and 2023 an annual growth of 6.9% and 1.1% is expected, respectively. Currently, and for the remainder of 2022, the output gap would be positive and greater than that estimated in April, and prices would be affected by demand pressures. These projections continue to be affected by significant uncertainty associated with global political tensions, the expected adjustment of monetary policy in developed countries, external demand behavior, changes in country risk outlook, and the future developments in domestic fiscal policy, among others. The high inflation levels and respective expectations, which exceed the target of the world's main central banks, largely explain the observed and anticipated increase in their monetary policy interest rates. This environment has tempered the growth forecast for external demand. Disruptions in value chains, rising international food and energy prices, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies have contributed to the rise in inflation and above-target expectations seen by several of Colombia’s main trading partners. These cost and price shocks, heightened by the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have been more prevalent than expected and have taken place within a set of output and employment recovery, variables that in some countries currently equal or exceed their projected long-term levels. In response, the U.S. Federal Reserve accelerated the pace of the benchmark interest rate increase and rapidly reduced liquidity levels in the money market. Financial market actors expect this behavior to continue and, consequently, significantly increase their expectations of the average path of the Fed's benchmark interest rate. In this setting, the U.S. dollar appreciated versus the peso in the second quarter and emerging market risk measures increased, a behavior that intensified for Colombia. Given the aforementioned, for the remainder of 2022 and 2023, the Bank's technical staff increased the forecast trajectory for the Fed's interest rate and reduced the country's external demand growth forecast. The projected oil price was revised upward over the forecast horizon, specifically due to greater supply restrictions and the interruption of hydrocarbon trade between the European Union and Russia. Global geopolitical tensions, a tightening of monetary policy in developed economies, the increase in risk perception for emerging markets and the macroeconomic imbalances in the country explain the increase in the projected trajectory of the risk premium, its trend level and the neutral real interest rate1. Uncertainty about external forecasts and their consequent impact on the country's macroeconomic scenario remains high, given the unpredictable evolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, geopolitical tensions, the degree of the global economic slowdown and the effect the response to recent outbreaks of the pandemic in some Asian countries may have on the world economy. This macroeconomic scenario that includes high inflation, inflation forecasts, and expectations above 3% and a positive output gap suggests the need for a contractionary monetary policy that mitigates the risk of the persistent unanchoring of inflation expectations. In contrast to the forecasts of the April report, the increase in the risk premium trend implies a higher neutral real interest rate and a greater prevailing monetary stimulus than previously estimated. For its part, domestic demand has been more dynamic, with a higher observed and expected output level that exceeds the economy’s productive capacity. The surprising accelerations in the headline and core inflation reflect stronger and more persistent external shocks, which, in combination with the strength of aggregate demand, indexation, higher inflation expectations and exchange rate pressures, explain the upward projected inflation trajectory at levels that exceed the target over the next two years. This is corroborated by the inflation expectations of economic analysts and those derived from the public debt market, which continued to climb and currently exceed 3%. All of the above increase the risk of unanchoring inflation expectations and could generate widespread indexation processes that may push inflation away from the target for longer. This new macroeconomic scenario suggests that the interest rate adjustment should continue towards a contractionary monetary policy landscape. 1.2. Monetary policy decision Banco de la República’s Board of Directors (BDBR), at its meetings in June and July 2022, decided to continue adjusting its monetary policy. At its June meeting, the BDBR decided to increase the monetary policy rate by 150 basis points (b.p.) and its July meeting by majority vote, on a 150 b.p. increase thereof at its July meeting. Consequently, the monetary policy interest rate currently stands at 9.0% . 1 The neutral real interest rate refers to the real interest rate level that is neither stimulative nor contractionary for aggregate demand and, therefore, does not generate pressures that lead to the close of the output gap. In a small, open economy like Colombia, this rate depends on the external neutral real interest rate, medium-term components of the country risk premium, and expected depreciation. Box 1: A Weekly Indicator of Economic Activity for Colombia Juan Pablo Cote Carlos Daniel Rojas Nicol Rodriguez Box 2: Common Inflationary Trends in Colombia Carlos D. Rojas-Martínez Nicolás Martínez-Cortés Franky Juliano Galeano-Ramírez Box 3: Shock Decomposition of 2021 Forecast Errors Nicolás Moreno Arias