The effects of run‐of‐river dam spill on Columbia River microplankton

Dams, increasingly common in riverine systems worldwide, are particularly prevalent on the Columbia River (CR) in the United States. Hydroelectric projects, including both storage and run‐of‐river (i.e., minimal storage) structures, on the mainstem CR highly manage water flow, often by releasing water over (rather than through) dams as “spill.” To test the effects of run‐of‐river dam spill on microplankton abundance and composition, we sampled above and below two dams in the lower CR before and during spill conditions in spring 2016 and during and after spill conditions in late summer 2007. We tested the effects of location (i.e., above vs. below dams), spill condition (i.e., before, during, and after spill), and their interaction on microplankton abundance. Generally, diatoms were most abundant during springtime, whereas cyanobacteria were most abundant in late summer. Most taxa were not significantly different in abundance above and below dams, regardless of spill status; although cyanobacteria abundance was marginally higher below dams in summer 2007 (p = .04). Abundances of all taxa were significantly different between pre‐spill and spill periods in spring 2016, whereas only diatom and flagellate abundances were significantly different between spill and post‐spill periods in summer 2007. We conclude that spill conditions may influence microplankton abundance, but are not likely to affect microplankton communities on either side of run‐of‐river dams on the CR. This is important information for dam managers concerned about ecosystem impacts of spill.     

An evaluation of enhanced oil recovery strategies for a heavy oil reservoir after cold production with sand

Cold heavy oil production with sand (CHOPS) is the process of choice for unconsolidated heavy oil reservoirs with relatively high gas content. The key challenge of CHOPS is that the recovery factor tends to be between 5% and 15%, implying that the majority of the oil remains in the ground after the process is rendered uneconomic. Continued cold production (without sands) is not productive for a post‐CHOPS reservoir because of the low oil saturation and depleted reservoir pressure in the wormhole regions. There is a need to develop viable recovery processes for post‐CHOPS reservoirs. Here, different follow‐up processes are examined for a post‐CHOPS heavy oil reservoir. In post‐CHOPS cold water flooding, severe water channeling is ineffective at displacing high viscosity heavy oil. Hot water flooding improves the sweep efficiency and produces more oil compared with cold water flooding. However, the swept region is limited to the domain between the neighboring wormhole networks, and the energy efficiency of the process is relatively poor. Compared with the hot water flooding case, steam flooding achieves higher oil production rates and lower water use. A cyclic steam stimulation strategy achieves the best performance regarding oil production rates and water usage. Based on our results, it is observed that thermally based techniques alone are not capable to recover the oil economically for post‐CHOPS reservoirs. However, it is suggested that techniques with combined use of thermal energy and solvent could potentially yield efficient oil recovery methods for these reservoirs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Management of thiosalts in mill effluents by chemical oxidation or buffering in the lime neutralization process

Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the removal or management of thiosalts within the lime-neutralization process, to prevent or minimize the adverse effects of thiosalts that cause delayed acidity to downstream environment. The oxidizing reagent hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and the pH stabilizing (buffering) reagents carbon dioxide (CO₂), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) were examined for removal and management of thiosalts, respectively. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was determined to be a proxy for thiosalts and was employed for their rapid assessment. The Target Level of thiosalts harmless to aquatic life was found to be 30 mg/L or less. The optimized lime-neutralization process required a pH level of 9.5–10 and aeration. Over-liming to pH levels >11 did not provide excess alkalinity, hardness, or a decrease in thiosalt levels.Addition of H₂O₂ to either the acid or lime-neutralized water at a molar H₂O₂:S₂O₃ ratio of 1–1.5 removed thiosalts to safe levels. About 10–15 min. at room temperature was ample time low temperatures slowed down the process but the dosages were not affected. Removal of thiosalts from 170 to 30 mg/L caused a decrease in pH from 9.6 to 6.5. Among the buffering reagents studied, both NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ provided adequate buffering and a stable pH of 7 to the lime-neutralized water; whereas CO₂ resulted in poor buffering and an unstable pH that remained below 6. In cold temperatures, NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ also outperformed CO₂ with higher alkalinity and hardness. Na₂CO₃ addition to lime neutralized water at pH 9.5 was found to be the most cost-effective option. Other methods could have niche applications, depending on seasonal variations and temperature.     

The Assessment of Fracture Geometrical Properties on the Performance of Conventional In Situ Combustion

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effect of fractures geometrical properties such as orientation, density, location, and networking on the conventional fire flooding (CFF) process performance through simulation analysis. Combustion parameters of a fractured low-permeable carbonate heavy oil reservoir in Iran called Kuh-E-Mond (KEM); applied for simulation study and simulator has been validated with KEM combustion tube experimental data. The validated model was modified to study CFF in 3D semi-scaled combustion cells. Simulation results confirmed that CFF is more feasible in the case of densely fractured reservoirs such as those in the Middle East.     

克拉玛依油田九_5区石炭系火山岩储层分类及开发实践

克拉玛依油田九5区石炭系油藏是准噶尔盆地克-百断裂带上盘石炭系油藏的一部分,属裂缝性火山岩油藏,为低孔低渗双重介质块状油藏。通过油藏微观研究和单井产量分析,认为石炭系储层主要表现为I类裂缝型(IF)、I类裂缝-基质型(IFM)、II类裂缝-基质型(IIFM)、II类基质型(IIM)、III类基质型(IIIM)共3大类5小类,各类型储层静态和动态特征明显。平面上,石炭系储层从火山口向外依次发育I类、II类、III类储层;剖面上,I类储层主要分布于石炭系中上部,II类储层在石炭系全层段均有分布,III类储层主要分布于石炭系下部。根据不同类型储层特点及其分布规律,制定了针对性的增产措施,并取得了较好的开发效果,预测油藏最终采收率可达16.7%。     

微裂缝—孔隙型碳酸盐岩气藏改建地下储气库的渗流规律

微裂缝—孔隙型碳酸盐岩气藏储层非均质性强,边底水选择性水侵,渗流规律复杂,为了提高地下储气库的建库效率,需要研究储层在改建地下储气库多周期强注强采过程中的多相流体渗流规律。在获取有代表性的裂缝发育碳酸盐岩岩心较为困难的条件下,通过对天然岩心进行剪切造缝和多轮次气水互驱实验,研究了地下储气库气水过渡带在注采过程中的多相渗流规律,分析了裂缝合气空间贡献率以及储气库含气空间动用效果。结果表明:裂缝模型的相渗曲线近似于"X"形,多次气水互驱后相渗曲线基本没有变化,基质岩心模型相渗曲线经多次气水互驱后气水两相共渗区间变窄,共渗点降低;微裂缝对储层含气空间贡献率较高,微裂缝发育储层的含气空间利用率保持在较高水平,徽裂缝不发育储层的含气空间利用率逐渐降低并趋向稳定。因此,在微裂缝—孔隙型碳酸盐岩气藏改建地下储气库过程中可以在徽裂缝不发育储层布置生产井,同时通过控制边底水运移范围降低注入气损失,从而提高地下储气库的建库效率。     

湖北双河硒矿地质特征及成因浅析

本文介绍了双河硒矿地质特征、分布规律;阐述了成矿与碳酸盐台地海盆浅部沼泽(主要为藻沼)环境中局部出现的黑色炭质硅质岩相有关;矿质来源与火山活动有关;探讨了成矿机制;提出了该硒矿属于沉积-成岩-表生层控成因。     

非常规油气藏压裂返排液资源化利用研究

对非常规油气藏压裂返排液的特点、物性及污染指标进行分析,提出采用破胶混凝技术对返排液进行预处理分离,其水相可再配制压裂液用于现场压裂施工。研究了破胶混凝剂及其优化工艺和压裂液再配制技术,评价了再配制压裂液的主要技术指标及性能,并与清水配制压裂液进行对比。结果表明,再配制压裂液具有基液黏度高,抗温性能较强,易于破胶、返排,残渣量较低及防膨性好等特点。该技术能够实现废液资源化利用,达到节能减排的效果。     

歧口凹陷歧北低斜坡B90井区沙一下油气成藏条件研究

歧口凹陷歧北低斜坡B90井区,油气藏发育广泛,沙一下是该区勘探开发的重点。对研究区,沙一下油藏基本特征进行研究,分析其成藏条件,从而指导油气勘探。研究区油藏类型可分为构造-岩性油藏及岩性油气藏两种。研究区地层埋深较大,烃源岩成熟,生烃条件良好、源储一体,油气运移动力强。在运聚方向上的上倾尖灭砂体捕获油气而成藏。研究认为,B90井区,连接歧南、歧北斜坡,砂体叠置发育,连片分布,物性好,形成岩性上倾尖灭的岩性圈闭。这种岩性圈闭厚度大、条件好产量高,是大港油田重要的增储上产地区。     

碳酸镧直接电解制备金属镧试验工艺研究

本试验重点研究了碳酸镧电解制取金属镧的工艺条件。通过将碳酸镧直接加入电解炉后,研究熔盐组成、电解温度、原料钐质量对电效的影响因素及碳酸镧回收利用对产品质量的影响。