Optimization of Cement-Based Mortar Containing Oily Sludge Ash by Response Surface Methodology

In the industries of petroleum extraction, a large volume of oily sludge is being generated. This waste is usually considered difficult to dispose of, causing environmental and economic issues. This study presented the novel experimental method of manufacturing mortar used in civil construction by cement and oily sludge ash (OSA). The defined method was described with a logical experimental study conducted to examine a feasible manufacturing method for casting cement-based mortars by partially replacing cement with OSA. Replacement concentrations for OSA ranged from 0 to 20 percent by cement weight, while the water-to-cement (w/c) ratio was varied from 0.4 to 0.8, and the amount of sand was kept constant. The strengths and absorption rate of the mortar were monitored for 28 days. The OSA contains a crystalline structure with packs of angular grains. Because of OSA in the cement-based mortar mixtures and water-to-cement ratios, the mechanical strength was improved significantly. However, the water absorption trend increased linearly. Using variance analysis, the influence of OSA and w/c ratio on the behavior of mortar was acquired. The developed models were significant for all p-value reactions of <5%. Numerical optimization results showed that the best mixture can be obtained by replacing 8.19 percent cement with OSA and 0.52 as a ratio of w/c.

Indigenous-led camera-trap research on traditional territories informs conservation decisions for resource extraction

The resource extraction that powers global economies is often manifested in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. Indigenous Peoples living on the land are careful observers of resulting biodiversity changes, and Indigenous-led research can provide evidence to inform conservation decisions. In the Nearctic western boreal forest, landscape change from forest harvesting and petroleum extraction is intensive and extensive. A First Nations community in the Canadian oil sands co-created camera-trap research to explore observations of presumptive species declines, seeking to identify the relative contributions of different industrial sectors to changes in mammal distributions. Camera data were analyzed via generalized linear models in a model-selection approach. Multiple forestry and petroleum extraction features positively and negatively affected boreal mammal species. Pipelines had the greatest negative effect size (for wolves), whereas well sites had a large positive effect size for multiple species, suggesting the energy sector as a target for co-management. Co-created research reveals spatial relationships of disturbance, prey, and predators on Indigenous traditional territories. It provides hypotheses, tests, and interpretations unique to outside perspectives; Indigenous participation in conservation management of their territories scales up to benefit global biodiversity conservation.

The Stabilization of Asphaltenes in Different Crude Fractions: A Molecular Approach

The conditions of petroleum extraction may allow asphaltenes to precipitate, causing deposition that clogs wells, pipes and equipment, consequently reducing productivity. In this work, the solubility parameters and precipitation onset of polar fractions of heavy crudes from Brazilian fields were estimated using a simplified system of n-heptane/toluene mixtures. Asphaltenes were extracted by two different methods with regard to pressure and temperature. The samples were physically and chemically characterized, and both density (1053-1159 kg m-3) and molecular weight (1176-5316 g mol-1) were estimated based on the density of diluted asphaltenes in toluene solutions. The solubility of those fractions was studied as well as their solubility parameter (ca. 19-23 MPa0.5) based on regular solution theory, Flory-Hüggins theory and empirical correlation. The influence of asphaltene concentration (between 0.5 and 5.0 g L-1) on the solubility parameter and precipitation onset was studied, and a strong linear correlation between them was not found.

Determination of Petroleum Hydrocarbons Content in Soils From Suplacu de Barcău, Romania

The level of pollution with petroleum compounds was evaluated in Suplacu de Barcău area based on the assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) concentrations in soil. As source of contamination, one active and another inactive petroleum extraction wells were chosen, and the concentrations were determined by fluorescence spectrometry. The results indicated alarming exceedances of the intervention thresholds, especially in the area where the activity is stopped, thus indicating long-term accumulation of pollutant and persistence in soil. Keywords: petroleum hydrocarbons, soil pollution, TPH, fluorescence spectrometry

Engaging, Standing, and Stepping

Anthropologists and activists portray the lives and lands of Ecuador’s Indigenous Cofán people as a case study of the damage caused by petroleum extraction. Yet during my fieldwork on the issue, I began to question the nature of the Cofán-oil encounter when the community in which I worked decided to allow oil companies onto their land. In this article, I examine my own involvements with Cofán oil politics in dialogue with Stuart Kirsch’s concept of ‘engaged anthropology’ and Kim TallBear’s call for researchers to ‘stand with’ their research subjects. I argue that anthropological activism is necessarily a complex and shifting affair, especially when our collaborators’ perspectives diverge from our own regarding the best possible paths to their wellbeing. I suggest that the most ethical option is for anthropologists to commit themselves to continuous, co-con-structed partnerships in which they are perpetually prepared to transform their most basic political and intellectual positions.

Potential applications of carbon nanomaterials in oil recovery

Carbon nanomaterials and compositions containing them are attracting increased attention. The high variety of carbon nanomaterials structures and morphologies as well as the simplicity of its surface functionalization, make it possible to effectively select the nanomaterial properties for the target task. The presented study provides an overview of the oil industry stages and shows the main directions of using nanotechnology in them. The main attention is focused on the trends of carbon nanomaterials (nanodiamonds, carbon nanotubes and graphene-like materials) applications in the petroleum extraction stage (drilling and enhanced oil recovery processes).

Part I Assessment and Pre-Investment Management of Political Risk, 2 Structuring Transactions to Minimize Political Risk

This chapter analyzes the types of investment projects most often undertaken in developing States, and provides an analysis of the structures that can be implemented to reduce exposure to political risk. The discussions cover project types (petroleum extraction agreements and infrastructure projects), transaction structures, investor–State contracts, core State contract clauses affecting political risk (arbitration clause, choice-of-law clause, stabilization clause, and force majeure clause), clauses for guidance of courts and tribunals (damage clause, interest rate clause, local remedies clause, and waiver of sovereign immunity), and other useful contractual provisions (conversion of currency clause, payment of currency to offshore account, and binding the State as party to the contract).

Influence of Low Dosage Green Extracts on CO2 Hydrate Formation

Gas clathrates or the gas hydrates are the solid ice particles encapsulating gas molecules (commonly methane - CH 4 and carbon dioxide - CO 2 ) within the water cavities, at moderately high-pressure and low-temperature conditions. The petroleum extraction process from the deep-sea environment favours the occurrence of hydrates, and CO 2 hydrates require milder p, T conditions than CH 4 hydrates. Thus, chocking the pipeline network and obstructing the petroleum flow; leading to a substantial economic loss and hazardous. Conventional hydrate inhibitors (methanol, ethanol, glycols, Amino acids, and ionic liquids, etc.) are used, which are chemically toxic, costly, and required in large volumes (30-50 wt %). Therefore a suitable additive preventing plug formation is on high demand. The present study disclosures the use of three green leaf extracts Azadirachta indica (Neem - NL), Piper betel (betel - BL), and Nelumbo nucifera (Indian lotus - LL) in low dosage (0.5 wt %) on the CO 2 hydrate formation. Experiments are conducted in the isochoric method, with 0.5 wt % green-additives. The hydrates nucleate at higher subcooling (̴ 7-9 K), and the conversion is about ̴ 33-40 %. The induction time is nearly the same both pure- H 2 O and H2O with LL, whereas, it is ̴3 and 4 times higher for NL and BL. The hydrate growth kinetics also indicate significant retardation (2 – 4 times). Thus, these bio-additives, in low-dosage, could be an effective THI and also KHI for preventing the CO 2 hydrates plugs.