Showing papers by "Mobil published in 2001"

Morphological evolution of thick wax deposits during aging

Abstract: The presence of waxes in crude oil can lead to the formation of wax deposits on the walls of cold subsea pipelines, which restricts flow and can lead to plugging of the pipelines. This problem has recently become more significant as the production wells move further offshore causing the oil to be cooled below the cloud point before reaching shore. Wax deposition was studied in the laboratory under conditions simulating the deposition in a subsea pipeline. Wax deposition is initiated by the precipitation of wax directly on the pipe wall and the formation of a network of wax crystals (wax-oil gel) with significant amounts of oil trapped in it. Radial diffusion of the wax molecules from the bulk solution to the gel deposit causes it to simultaneously grow and age with time. The wax molecules diffusing into the gel deposit precipitate near the interface resulting in a faster aging rate of the deposit near the interface than that near the wall. This nonuniform aging of the wax deposit causes the evolution of complex morphologies of the wax deposits. The diffusion of wax molecules into the gel matrix was analyzed theoretically during the growth of the wax deposit. This mathematical model predicted the radial variation of the morphology of the wax deposit observed in the laboratory flow loop experiments along with the deposit thickness as a function of time.

Derivation of the Forchheimer Law via Homogenization

Abstract: In this paper we derive the Forchheimer law via the theory of homogenization. In particular, we study the nonlinear correction to Darcy's law due to inertial effects on the flow of a Newtonian fluid in rigid porous media. A general formula for this correction term is derived directly from the Navier–Stokes equation via homogenization. Unlike other studies based on the same approach that concluded for the nonlinear correction to be cubic in velocity for isotropic media, the present work shows that the nonlinear correction is quadratic. An example is constructed to illustrate our theory. In this example, the analytic solution to the Navier–Stokes equation is obtained and is utilized to show the validity of the quadratic correction. Both incompressible and compressible fluids are considered.

Basin evolution in western Newfoundland: New insights from hydrocarbon exploration

Abstract: The Humber zone is the most external zone of the Appalachian orogen in western Newfoundland. It records multiphase deformation of the Cambrian-Ordovician passive margin and of the Ordovician to Devonian foreland basins by the Taconian, Salinian, and Acadian orogenic events. The recent phase of exploration drilling has provided new evidence for structural, stratigraphic, reservoir, and source rock maturation models of western Newfoundland. The first well, Port au Port 1, supported the hypothesis that the Round Head thrust had an earlier extensional history prior to the Acadian compressional inversion that created the present-day structural high of the Port au Port Peninsula. The well tested a small anticline formed in a footwall shortcut fault of the Round Head thrust. The second well, Long Point M-16, was drilled at the northern tip of Long Point to test a triangle zone identified by previous workers. This well demonstrates that the frontal monocline at the western edge of the triangle zone is elevated by a stack of imbricate thrusts composed of rocks of the Taconian allochthon and compressional basement-involved faults that have uplifted the Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate platform. The structural model developed in the Port au Port area with the aid of these wells has been extended throughout the Humber zone in western Newfoundland. Changes in structural style illustrated by regional cross sections suggest that prospective trap geometries are only developed in the southern and central parts of the region. The reservoir model proposed invokes exposure and karsting of the footwalls of extensional faults formed as the carbonate platform collapsed during a Middle Ordovician hiatus, the St. George unconformity. Structural relief became more pronounced as extensional collapse continued through the Middle Ordovician. (Begin page 394) These structurally high fault footwalls became the foci for dolomitizing and mineralizing fluids that used major faults as fluid conduits during the Devonian. Fluids deposited sulphide ores and created zebra and sparry dolomite and some sucrosic hydrothermal dolomites in the St. George Group and the Table Point Formation. The reservoir model, maturity and source rock data, and the structural models have been combined with seismic and onshore surface geology. This enables the prospectivity of the western Newfoundland Cambrian-Ordovician play trend to be evaluated for further exploration.

A New Efficient Averaging Technique for Scaleup of Multimillion-Cell Geologic Models

Abstract: Increased resolution in reservoir characterization is driving the need for efficient and accurate upscaling techniques for reservoir simulation on which reservoir performance prediction relies. Unfortunately, the existing averaging methods (i.e. harmonic, arithmetic, power law, geometric or a combination of harmonic and arithmetic methods) are only applicable under the circumstances of perfectly layered or perfectly random heterogeneity distributions, which realistic reservoirs are not. This paper presents a new averaging method that improves the upscaling averaging methods for realistic reservoirs and can substitute for the orders-ofmagnitude slower performance of direct simulation methods, such as pressure solver techniques. The new averaging method first calculates the upper and lower bounds of the effective properties based on the nature of geology and then employs a new correlation, scaling, and rotation technique to estimate the effective properties for the upscaled grid. The approach not only preserves the accuracy of the time consuming simulation methods but also retains the speed of the traditional averaging methods. Five real sandstone and carbonate reservoir geologic models (of which, three of them are multimillion cell models) from Africa, North America, and South America were employed as benchmark and working data sets to develop and validate the new technique. The technique has the advantage of suiting the more irregular geometries i.e. pinchouts, faults, and flexible simulation grids compared to the pressure solver methods which are more suited for relatively simple flow geometries. Introduction Increased resolution in reservoir characterization is currently driving the need for efficient and accurate upscaling techniques. Upscaling is a technique that transforms a detailed geologic model to a coarse-grid simulation model such that the fluid flow behaviors in the two systems are the same. Accurate upscaling consists of two inseparable parts, gridding and averaging. The former intends to capture the global geologic features of a geologic model and the latter focuses on preserving the local geologic details within a coarse-grid block. Upscaling issues arise because available computers are usually memory-limited and are not fast enough to simulate the detailed geologic models derived from reservoir characterization. Even as computers increase in memory size and speed, accurate upscaling will always be a more cost efficient method for simulating large complicated reservoirs. Averaging, one of the key components of upscaling, calculates the effective properties for a coarse simulation grid that preserves fine-grid fluid flow dynamics (pressure and flow rates etc.) within the coarse-grid block. Averaging methods range from the simple averages (arithmetic, harmonic, and geometric means) to numerical simulation methods (pressure solver). Intermediate methods are, for example, power law averaging and renormalization. Simple and intermediate methods are fast but less accurate while numerical simulations are accurate but time consuming. A fast and accurate averaging method is demanded for upscaling of very large geologic models. The averaging problem is an old, unsolved problem of petroleum reservoir engineering. It is well known that the effective permeabilities for a non-communicating layered, permeable medium are the arithmetic mean for flows parallel to the layering direction and the harmonic mean for flows perpendicular to the layering direction . When fluid flow crosses over layers in a permeable medium, Cardwell and Parsons 2 proved that the arithmetic mean and the harmonic mean give only the upper and lower limits for the effective permeabilities of the heterogeneous permeable medium, respectively, rather than the effective permeabilities themselves. Cardwell and Parsons also derived a pair of very useful upper and lower bounds for the effective permeability SPE 56554 A New Efficient Averaging Technique for Scaleup of Multimillion-Cell Geologic Models D. Li and B. Beckner, Mobil Technology Company; A. Kumar, Schlumberger GeoQuest 2 D. LI, B. BECKNER, AND A. KUMAR SPE 56554 of a heterogeneous permeable medium. Even though the upper and lower bounds are strictly inside of the upper and lower limits as stated by Cardwell and Parsons, they ignored the usefulness of the bounds because of the unsymmetrical forms of the two bounds. They only concluded that the effective permeability of a heterogeneous permeable medium lies between the arithmetic and harmonic limits. Warren and Price conducted several numerical experiments to investigate the effective permeability of a heterogeneous permeable medium, they concluded that the effective permeability of the randomly generated three-dimensional permeable medium equals the geometric mean of the individual permeabilities. Because of the technical limitations at that time, their conclusion actually is only good for purely uncorrelated permeability fields that seldom exist in real petroleum reservoirs. The most accurate way of calculating the effective permeability of a large coarse-grid block containing many fine-grid blocks is by solving flow equations with constant pressure and no-flow boundary conditions 4 or periodic boundary conditions 5 regardless of its extensive computation. This approach is called by many researchers as the pressure solver technique since the approach solves the fine-grid pressure distribution first and then calculates the effective permeability using the pressure drop and the calculated flux. Pressure solver techniques are generally limited by the size and complexity of a geologic model, especially for multiphase upscaling. There are several intermediate averaging techniques between the traditional simple averaging methods and the pressure solver techniques. The most frequently used intermediate methods are renormalization 6-8 and power law averaging . Renormalization includes a series of multiple step calculations using an equivalent resistor network approach. There are two major problems for the renormalization technique: it is not flexible and not accurate for some cases. The former arises because the renormalization technique requires that the finegrid blocks must be grouped in a specific fashion, e.g. 2 ×2 In addition, solving a three-dimensional problem using the renormalization method is quite cumbersome. The latter is because the unrealistic boundary conditions used in the renormalization technique result in estimation errors over 100 %. Power law averaging has been extensively used in the research work on upscaling , in recent years. Power law averaging is faster than the pressure solver techniques but is not easy to use in practice because it needs to empirically determine the power averaging exponent through fine-grid simulation. The exponent can vary from one coarse-grid block to another. As a result, the use of a constant exponent to all coarse-grid blocks may result in large errors. The use of global upscaling 12 drastically reduces the errors induced from averaging, by minimizing heterogeneity in each coarse-grid block through a special gridding algorithm. One drawback for the current global upscaling method is that the algorithm uses a power-law averaging method for averaging in each coarse-grid block. If the fine-grid permeabilities in each coarse grid were perfectly uncorrelated (white noise), the power-law method would be accurate enough. Unfortunately, to make fine-grid permeabilities in all coarse-grid blocks be perfectly uncorrelated is very difficult in practice. Therefore, the major objective of this study is to develop a fast and accurate averaging method that improves the traditional averaging methods for realistic reservoirs and can substitute direct simulation methods for upscaling geologic models. In order to insure the new method to be accurate and practical, a very accurate pressure solver technique and five real reservoir geologic models have been used as a benchmark to develop and validate the method. The five reservoirs are located in different geographic areas: North America, South America, and Africa. All reservoirs used in this study will remain nameless for confidentiality reasons. New Method Before introducing the new method, it helps to discuss upscaling in the real world. The real world is complicated but not random. Geology tells us that most reservoir rocks are composed of sedimentary rocks that can be easily identified by their characteristic layering, called stratification or plane bedding. Large volumes of sediments may be deposited rapidly, forming a layer. This may be followed by a period of little or no sediment deposition, resulting in a bedding plane between the layers . Plane bedding, the megascopic feature of a sediment, consists of large-scale (at the meter scale) layers (flat and/or cross bedding) and small scale (at the centimeter or lower scale) laminations (flat or cross bedding or ripples). Therefore, plane bedding is one of the most important characteristics of a petroleum reservoir. Since reservoir rocks may be deposited at the same time period in one layer and at a different time period in another layer, reservoir rock properties may be more correlated along bedding than vertical to the bedding. This description can be translated to a geostatistical terminology: the correlation lengths for reservoir properties in the bedding direction are longer than that in the normal direction. This may be true for most of the primary or depositional porous rocks and may also be true for some of the secondary or post-depositional porous rocks (e.g. fractures and vuggy porosity). Figures 1 and 2 show the permeability distributions of two multi-million cell geologic models for a sandstone reservoir and a naturally fractured carbonate reservoir, respectively. Permeability bedding can be clearly observed in both cases. The five reservoirs used to develop and validate the proposed method all dem

Method and apparatus for providing a remote keypad for a mobile station

Abstract: A mobile station in accordance with these teachings includes a communication part having a controller, an RF transceiver and an antenna; and that further includes an information entry part embodied as a keypad or a keyboard module that may be detachable from the communication part. The keypad module is coupled, whether attached or detached, through a wireless link to the communication part for conveying keypad-generated information, such as dialed telephone numbers, from the keypad module to the communication part. Preferably the wireless link is a short range, low power RF link, such as a Bluetooth link. The keypad module further includes a source for providing operating power for the keypad module, where the source includes at least one solar cell used alone or in combination with a battery.

Wireless mobile phone with key stroking based input facilities

Abstract: A wireless mobile phone, is provided with an input keypad having a number of touch sensitive keys, and complementary logic to facilitate entry of alphanumeric data through stroking of the touch sensitive keys of the input keypad. Alphanumeric data or commands are entered through selected ones of down, up, right, left, and a number of other patterns of stroking of the touch sensitive keys. As a result, a user may enter alphanumeric data or commands in a much more user friendly manner.

Ablation of incisional atrial tachycardias using a three-dimensional nonfluoroscopic mapping system.

Abstract: LEONELLI, F.M., et al.: Ablation of Incisional Atrial Tachycardias Using a Three-Dimensional Nonfluoroscopic Mapping System. Incisional atrial reentrant tachycardias are macroreentrant arrhythmias in which surgical scars or prosthetic material constitute one of the constraining barriers of the circuit. Accurate reconstruction based on fluoroscopy-guided endocardial mapping of the reentrant circuit is often incomplete and time consuming explaining, at least in part, the modest long-term results of this technique. Mapping and ablation of these arrhythmias using a three-dimensional nonfluoroscopic mapping system that allows electroanatomic reconstruction of the reentrant circuit could help in identifying the ablation targets and improve long-term outcome. The study included 20 patients (12 men, mean age 45 ± 18 years) with corrected congenital heart disease (4 patients), coronary artery bypass surgery (7 patients), mitral or aortic valve replacement or reconstruction (6 patients), valve replacement and coronary revascularization (2 patients), and mitral valve replacement with maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (1 patient). Endocardial mapping with this novel system was complemented by standard electrophysiological techniques used to identify a critical isthmus of conduction. Two or more nonconductive areas of atrial tissue or surgical prosthetic material delimiting a critical isthmus of conduction were identified in every patient. Radiofrequency linear applications spanning two to more boundaries successfully eliminated the tachycardia in every patient. At a follow-up of 11.5 ± 5.1 months (range 17–5 months), two (10%) patients developed a new clinical arrhythmia. The remaining 18 had no recurrences off medical therapy. Mean fluoroscopy time was 45.7 ± 15.2 minutes for patients with a single scar and 89 ± 41.2 minutes in patients with two or more scars. In conclusions, this new nonfluoroscopic mapping system offers the opportunity to achieve a high rate of cure of complex macroreentrant atrial tachycardias by facilitating reconstruction of the macroreentrant circuit and its boundaries.

Viscosity of liquid hydrocarbons and their mixtures

Abstract: In the petroleum industry, the viscosity of mixtures containing thousands and millions of chemical species must be predicted over large temperature ranges. Traditional models are empirical based on bulk properties. If such models are applied to mixtures other than those for which they were developed, large errors may occur. New methods proposed calculate the viscosity of petroleum fractions over large temperature ranges, using a new mixing rule reflecting observed positive and negative mixing effects. The temperature range of equations for calculating pure component viscosity is extended to the entire liquid-phase range. If solid components are dissolved in the liquid, the viscosity increases sharply with further temperature reduction. This effect is captured in the new model by incorporating the freeze point distribution. For converting between absolute and kinematic viscosity, a new equation is proposed for the temperature effect on density.

Highly accurate approximations of Green's and Neumann functions on rectangular domains

Abstract: Green9s and Neumann functions of —Δ, where Δ is the Laplacian operator, on a rectangular domain are approximated to any desired degree of accuracy by finite series. Many applications require only a modest number of terms. Upper bounds for the errors in these approximations are also derived. The approximating functions reveal the structural similarities and differences in Green9s and Neumann functions.

Hot fluid flow events in Atlantic margin basins: an example from the Rathlin Basin

Abstract: Abstract An understanding of the thermal and tectonic evolution of sedimentary basins is essential to the effective modelling of source rock maturation and hydrocarbon charge and entrapment histories of potential hydrocarbon systems. A growing body of data suggests that a number of basins on the Atlantic margin to the west of Britain and Ireland have suffered short-lived episodes of migration of anomalously hot fluids through reservoir intervals. These events leave higher temperature signatures in affected basins than predicted from burial under conditions of vertical conductive heat transfer, and should be considered during hydrocarbon appraisal of a prospective basin. The Rathlin Basin displays a thermal history influenced by one or more such hot fluid flow events, with fluid palaeotemperatures in excess of 170°C recorded in the Permo-Triassic and Carboniferous section, and is typical of other Atlantic margin basins affected in this way.

Multilayer metallized film having enhanced barrier and metal adhesion characteristics

Abstract: Polyolefin films having excellent barrier and metal adhesion characteristics and methods for producing the same are provided. The polyolefin film structures include a polyolefin core layer having a first and second side, a heat sealable layer adjacent to the first side of the core layer and substantially coextensive therewith, and a high barrier layer adjacent to the second side of the core layer and substantially coextensive therewith. The high barrier layer includes a blend of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and nylon. Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide for a metallized skin layer adjacent to the high barrier layer and substantially coextensive therewith.

Device or system for detecting optimum tire inflation pressure has evaluation unit for assessing tire pressure sensor and further sensor measurement values

Abstract: The system has a tire pressure sensor that continuously transmits measurement values to the evaluation unit and a further sensor that provides measurement values that can be associated in time with the tire pressure sensor measurement values The evaluation unit compares the values, especially by correlation or using characteristic fields, and provides information to the driver, eg regarding maintenance and speed limiting measure The system has at least one tire pressure sensor (DS1) and at least one other sensor (TS1) for determining running gear or ambient measurement values and at least one evaluation unit (R1) The tire pressure sensor continuously transmits measurement values to the evaluation unit and the further sensor provides measurement values that can be associated in time with the tire pressure sensor measurement values The evaluation unit compares the values, especially by correlation or using characteristic fields, and provides information to the driver, eg regarding maintenance and speed limiting measures

Aroma, oxygen and moisture barrier behavior of coated and vacuum coated OPP films for packaging

Abstract: Various coated and vacuum coated, biaxially oriented polypropylene film product designs are examined in terms of their moisture, oxygen and aroma barriers. Factors that are thought to control oxygen barrier in these products are discussed and extended to aroma barrier development. The differences between the various vacuum coated and uncoated films with three organic permeants are evaluated and discussed in relationship to the impact on the polymer/coating interface and the development of aroma barrier in coated films. It is demonstrated that the existence of an evaporated barrier layer does not guarantee the existence of a chemical barrier. New combinations of film technology are described that permit the development of excellent aroma, oxygen and moisture barrier films.

Water-soluble aluminium and aluminium alloys hot rolling composition

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble aluminium and aluminium alloys hot rolling composition comprising a base stock oil and, based on the total weight of the composition, from 1 to 80 % by weight of a combination of: a monoester of a fatty acid with a polyol and a tetraester of a fatty acid with pentaerythritol; the weight monoester : tetraester ratio of said combination ranging from 1:20 to 10:1. The invention also relates to an oil-in-water emulsion, to a hot rolling process and to the use of the oil-in-water emulsion in a hot rolling process.

Cold rolling process for rolling hard metal or metal alloys

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold rolling process for rolling hard metal or metal alloys, comprising applying an effective amount of an oil composition comprising a base stock oil and, based on the total weight of the composition, from 1 to 80 % by weight of di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate. Example of hard metals include steel and nickel.

Chapter 22 Beyond twelve membered rings

Abstract: Publisher Summary The ability to discriminate molecules on size and shape (the definition of molecular sieving) is by no means limited to zeolites alone. Various materials with chemical compositions ranging from carbons to aluminophosphates to clays, silicas and aluminas are known to exhibit molecular sieving. Among these materials, the ordered three-dimensional structure found in materials with zeolite-type crystal structures (the ‘zeotypes') is special, mainly because it leads to a very well defined, narrow pore size distribution. The well-defined pore system of zeotypes has prompted their widespread use in ion exchange, catalysis, and gas separation. Especially from the field of catalysis, where the main application of zeolites is in refinery applications like Fluid Catalytic Cracking and Hydro cracking, came the desire to make zeotypes with pores larger than 0.75 nm, which would allow larger molecules to access the active pore system of the zeotypes. 12-membered ring zeotypes like Zeolite Y will allow access to molecules not much larger than 0.75 nm in kinetic diameter. Actually, due to thermal motion of the zeolite crystal that can expand the pore mouth, molecules slightly larger than the formal pore diameter have been observed to enter zeolite pore systems.

Protective cover for mobile telephones uses elastic frame with shock absorbing protrusions

Abstract: The protective cover (10) comprises an elastic frame with straps (20,22,23) which surround the telephone (14) and has protrusions (11) which absorb shocks.

Water-soluble copper, copper alloys and non-ferrous metals intermediate cold and hot rolling composition

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-soluble copper, copper alloys and non-ferrous metals intermediate cold and hot rolling composition comprising a base stock oil and, based on the total weight of the composition: from 1 to 80% by weight of a combination of a monoester of a fatty acid with a polyol and a tetraester of a fatty acid with pentaerythritol; the weight monoester: tetraster ratio of said combination ranging from 1:20 to 10:1; and from 0.02 to 2 % by weight of an azole derivative. The invention also relates to an oil-in-water emulsion, an intermediate cold rolling process, a hot rolling process and the use of the oil-in-water emulsion in an intermediate cold or hot rolling process.

Luminescent signaling displays implementing in a wireless mobile communication device

Abstract: The present invention includes a wireless mobile communication device with a body casing having an exterior surface, and a number of light sources (LS) disposed on the exterior surface. A machine accessible medium is provided with instructions to selectively activate the number of LS in a spatial movement dependent manner to spatially paint luminescent images. Additionally, a processor is coupled to the machine accessible medium to execute the instructions. As a result, spatial painting of luminescent images utilizing a wireless mobile communication device is facilitated.

Recovery system for motor vehicle has adaptor fastened to wheel rim for attachment of collar upon which is wound recovery cable so that rotation of wheel axle is transmitted to cable

Abstract: The wheel rim(1) of the motor vehicle has a recovery collar(4) fastened to it to accommodate a cable-type recovery component(15). To facilitate this the rim has axially symmetrical curvatures or profiles. The collar is connected to an adaptor(5) fastened to the rim. The adaptor and/or the collar may be formed on the rim or fastened to it by some form of mechanical connection or by welding. An Independent claim is included for a procedure for the recovery of a motor vehicle whereby rotation of the driven axle of the motor vehicle is transmitted through the aforesaid rim mounted component to a recovery cable element wound onto it.

Non-staining lubricating composition

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-staining lubricating composition for use in metal working machines, comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, from 1 to 99,5% of a benzene alkylate. The invention also relates to a process for rolling stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys and to the use of the non-staining lubricating composition to lubricate the moving or turning parts of a stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys rolling mill.

Drahtloses Energieübertragungssystem mit erhöhter Ausgangsspannung

Abstract: Die Erfindung betrifft ein System zur drahtlosen Energieubertragung, welches unter Verwendung eines dafur optimierten Funksignals die Erzeugung einer erhohten Spannung auf der Empfangerseite gestattet und damit den Betrieb insbesondere digitaler Halbleiterbausteine im Empfanger auch ohne eigene Energieversorgung des Empfangers ermoglicht.