Contemporary Issues in Petroleum Production Engineering and Environmental Concern in Petroleum Production Engineering

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nArticle 1: Maximizing Production through Nanotechnology

nMain problem

nDuring the oil extraction process, the systems suffer from the harmful effects of fine particles. They are produced in sandstone reservoirs and via complicated drilling and process of completion. Fines easily migrate through the control mechanism such as proppants and plugging packs. The migration of the fines is due to pH imbalances, critical flow rate and stimulation. The generate plugging of perforations and proppant packs, which lead to failure in production (Belcher, Seth, Hollier, & Paternostro, 2010).

nSummary of the article

nNanotechnology plays an important role in petroleum industries because they help to control fine particle migration. The reservoirs that produce sand usually have tiny particles. The particles are able to pass via normal sand control mechanisms such as screens and proppants. They cause challenges to the petroleum plants because they induce plugging of proppants packs (Belcher, Seth, Hollier, & Paternostro, 2010). Consequently, production can decrease substantially. Furthermore, they can lead to huge screens erosion and plug surface tools. Moreover, they increase the cost of disposal to the firm. Therefore, nanotechnology is the best method to control the fines as other methods such as resin applications do not produce the required purpose and are very expensive (Belcher, Seth, Hollier, & Paternostro, 2010). Nanotechnology is used together with hydraulic fracturing in order to control fines migration

nThe article focuses on the Gulf of Mexico, but nanotechnology is applicable in various parts of the world where fines affect production in the oil extraction well. Nanotechnology application in a hydraulic fracture permits the firm to benefit from the rate of near-initial production. The plant does not produce fine particles. Moreover, it helps to protect the investment in the petroleum plant in the downhole fracture and assembly and the surface equipment (Belcher, Seth, Hollier, & Paternostro, 2010). Addition, it supports in the production life extension in oil extraction well and reduces the intervention frequency. Therefore, nanotechnology is beneficial in reducing cost and system failure which ultimately maximizes profits

nRelevance of the Article In Petroleum Production Engineering

nThe technology is very critical in controlling and preventing the migration of fines in the petroleum industry. In addition, the firm benefits from improved quality and efficiency of production. The article provides more information on the importance of nanotechnology in oil extraction process in the Gulf of Mexico (Belcher, Seth, Hollier, & Paternostro, 2010). It is beneficial in contemporary industries as it helps to reduce cost of maintenance and maximize profits.

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nArticle 2: Radioactivity in Petroleum industry

nThe main problem

nPetroleum production process usually produces industrial waste in form of sludge. However, the products cause serious environmental effects because they contain radioactive materials. They expose workers to work-related hazards. In addition, when waste materials are disposed they cause water pollution that affect the marine eco-systems (Paranhos Gazineu, de Araújo, Brandão, Hazin, & de O Godoy, 2005).

nSummary of the Article

nDuring the process of oil extraction, the sludge is produced. Unfortunately, the by-product contains a huge amount of radioactive materials which include radium, thorium and uranium as well as some radionuclides. These materials expose human personnel to health hazards. The article describes how content of oil affects the outcome of the measurement of sludge and radionuclide concentration (Paranhos Gazineu, de Araújo, Brandão, Hazin, & de O Godoy, 2005).. The study applied samples from PETROBRAS unit located in Brazil. It uses samples which were gathered directly from barrels stored in waste storage units and inner parts of the water pipes. Utilizing Soxhlet extractor where aguarras was at 90 +/- 5 degrees, oil was extracted from the sludge (Paranhos Gazineu, de Araújo, Brandão, Hazin, & de O Godoy, 2005).. The sample concentration was determined prior to and after extraction of oil. The process of determining the concentrations of radioactive materials in the sludge used HPGe gamma spectrometry system.

nThe study result indicated that there was an increase in the concentrations of radionuclides in the solid phase. Therefore, it shows that sludge from an oil extraction process contains substantial concentrations of radioactive elements. The nucleotide from industrial waste are sources of water pollution (Paranhos Gazineu, de Araújo, Brandão, Hazin, & de O Godoy, 2005)..

nRelevance Of The Article In Petroleum Production Engineering

nThe article is very crucial in the petroleum production process because it helps to precaution workers on their health. It assists the petroleum production engineering to provide occupational and health measure in order to control and prevent exposure to radioactive elements (Paranhos Gazineu, de Araújo, Brandão, Hazin, & de O Godoy, 2005).. Materials such as radium and uranium cause adverse health effects such as cancer.

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nReferences

nBelcher, C. K., Seth, K., Hollier, R., & Paternostro, B. P. (2010, January). Maximizing production life with the use of nanotechnology to prevent fines migration. In International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in China. Society of Petroleum Engineers.

nParanhos Gazineu, M. H., de Araújo, A. A., Brandão, Y. B., Hazin, C. A., & de O Godoy, J. M. (2005). Radioactivity concentration in liquid and solid phases of scale and sludge generated in the petroleum industry. Journal Of Environmental Radioactivity, 81(1), 47-54.