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The article discusses the review of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) report regarding the fire incident at Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington on April 2, 2010. Topics mentioned include the rupture of the heat exchanger shell in the naphtha hydrotreating unit that caused the fire, the highlight on the difficulties of detecting high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), and the lack of the understanding on the operation of the commercial hydrotreating unit.

The article presents a case study wherein a crude vacuum tower overhead system's troubleshoot operation was corrected. The system comprises of 12 steam ejectors and 12 condensers. The vacuum tower pressure became unstable due to the onset of summer and higher cooling water temperature. The importance of offgas analysis, the need to analyze both ejectors and condensers to identify the source of the malfunction, and the impact of motive steam conditions on vacuum column operation are discussed.

The article reports that heat transfer compound (HTC) is a viscous mastic designed to fill small air gaps between the tracing element and the object to be heated and is effective at transferring heat than static air, but it has relatively poor thermal conductivity compared to the other components in a steam tracing system. It mentions information on high-performance steam tracing technologies were tested which includes fluid tracing system (FTS) and carbon steel tracing (CST).

Indicates that the thermal insulating properties of deepwater Gulf of Mexico soils are favored over the more expensive pipe-in-pipe designs. Combination of heat-loss mechanisms where heat flow through soil for buried oil/gas flowlines can be attributed; Basic equation for heat loss along a unit length of pipe; State-of-the-practice methods for insulating flowlines.

The article refers to the conventional tube material alloys used in radiant tubes in an ethylene furnace and mentions the powder metallurgy process developed by Sandvik. The Sandvik APMT tube has an alumina-forming alloy, which can mitigage coke formation and carburization and also be applied to high-temperature environments.

The article describes a coating technology developed by Daido Steel Co. for ethylene furnace tubes. The plasma powder welding (PPW) technique produces ethylene super tubes that resist carburization and coke formation, as well as slows the rise in metal temperature during cracking operations. PPW improves performance when furnace tube service life is compared to standard high-alloy tubes.

This article discusses various projects initiated by the IOR Center of Norway towards identifying technologies for efficient and environmental petroleum activities in the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The projects discussed include Deliverable of an Unbeatable Core Scale Simulator, use of size-controlled metallic nanoparticles to reduce the viscosity of viscous oil, and study the transport properties of polymer-based fluids in porous media.

The article offers information on how to manage centrifugal pump failures due to blocked-in discharge. It presents an equation for calculating the approximate liquid temperature rise in a pump casing which shows that a pump with low no-flow horsepower and large casing may not seize while a high-energy pump with small volume may seize. It notes the role of hydrocarbons and vaporization in pump operation. It suggests that operating centrifugal pumps needs discussion with manufacturers.

The article reports that rubber thickness stator, the Moyno ERT Power Section from R&M Energy Systems, improves the overall performance of power sections used in downhole drilling applications. Applying an even thickness of rubber to the stator contour and supporting each lobe with steel minimizes the rubber's degree of dimensional change during use due to temperature, chemical attack and loading. This design allows the ERT Power Sections to reliably produce up to 100 per cent more power output compared to conventional stators, and higher ROPs. An additional benefit of the high power density is the ability to use shorter power sections comparable in output to that of longer conventional products.

The article focuses on the nondestructive performance of heat sensors developed by Mathis Instruments Ltd. The company has developed a new noninvasive thermal effusivity sensor. It is claimed to provide speed, accuracy and flexibility in determining heat-transferring characteristics for various materials. Sensors rapidly and nondestructively measure thermal effusivity and conductivity-unique properties related to a material's ability to transfer heat. Measurements are made in seconds rather than hours. Sensors are highly portable and adaptable and can be used for quality control of materials in the laboratory, during production and for finished product testing.

Deals with the development of a solid and liquid-based syntactics or foam polymers by Balmoral Group which may provide buoyancy and thermal properties at operations in deepwater oil fields. Benefits of using the syntactic systems; Applications of the syntactics; Details on a project which employs strap on syntactic foam modules to meet the combined buoyancy and insulation requirements of both the flowline bundles and hybrid riser towers.

The article focuses on the successful hydrocarbon exploration in the world's salt basins has highlighted the geological significance of salt rock formations in the creation and preservation of hydrocarbon traps. It mentions that most salt formations worldwide are comprised of heterogeneous layered salt. It also mentions the initial geometry comprises a horizontal basal salt layer overlain by sediment layer.

Features the Cooperknit high temperature insulation. Silica-based fabrics; Capabilities; Alternative to refractory ceramic fiber (RCF); Specifications; Enhancements; Availability; Applications.

The article discusses reports on the World Oil Awards 2012. The 11th edition of the annual World Oil Awards featured Charles D. Davidson, chairman of Noble Energy. Davidson talked about the role of technology in the expansion of global energy sources, and the importance of infrastructure investments. Some of the winners include Weatherford International Ltd.'s i-ball multi-zone fracturing sleeve, Best Completion Technology and Baker Hughes Inc.'s FASTrak, Best Deepwater Technology.

The article focuses on the importance of analyzing the effect of geohazards while planning the design of deepwater structures for oil extraction. It stresses on combining geophysics, geotechnics, and geology to assess the effect of geohazards like seafloor erosion, and gas hydrates while deciding the design of the structures and discusses various design considerations while managing hazards like turbidity currents, and over-pressured soils.

Discusses research being done on the formation of methane gas hydrates at two representative sites off the coast of New Orleans in Louisiana. Reference to a study published in the March 15, 2005 issue of the "Geophysical Research Letters"; Reason why the formation are not favorable; Source of funding for the research.

Evaluates the GeoDiamond high operating temperature cutters from Smith Bits. Features that resulted in reduced cutter chipping; Advantage over other cutters.

The article presents information on the latest technologies being applied to drill bits. Generally, the increased use of computer modeling, for roller cone and PDC bit design and manufacturing, is producing a new generation of bits that delivers breakthroughs in rates of penetration increased durability and longer life. These computer models utilize proprietary algorithms to model forces and bit behavior to assure maximum bit performance. Additionally, computer modeling of the dynamics of interactions between PDC bit cutters and rock allows bits to be custom-designed for specific applications. Computer-aided design tools are being employed to model, with 3D and 4D graphics, the drag, axial and radial forces acting on the bits' cutting surfaces. One manufacturer's cutter/rock interaction model divides the cutting edge into three surfaces: cutting face, chamfer and cylinder surfaces. The computer calculates the cutter's engagement area by meshing each surface into grids, so the cutter orientation's effects on the engagement area can be considered.

Presents the results of tests on Chevron Texaco deepwater wells and the results of attempts to model the measurements using a linear plastic model with thermal stresses and a thermoporoelastic model. Effect of temperature on stress; Leak-off pressure results; Discrepancies between models and data.

Focuses on the optimization of batch distillation through genetic algorithms. Flexibility of capital investments; Separation between methanol-water and other complex binary mixtures; Implementation of reflux control strategies.

Reports on CTC International's use of cement for inflation of inflatable formation packers in oil well operations. Reasons for cement inflation; Mechanisms by which cement loses bulk volume; Effectiveness of cement seal.

Reports on the release of free brochures, catalogs and other materials from suppliers of chemical industry products and services. Includes RGF Environmental Systems Inc.; Johnson Yokogawa; Parker Hannifin; Rosemount Analytical.

The article presents several products including Farwest Corrosion Control Company has released the Electrobraze Cathodic Protection Pin Braze System; and Trendsetter has expanded its systems inventory to include a second Subsea Tree Injection Manifold.

Shows that a fiber optic-based, distributed temperature sensing system can be a reliable means of monitoring a well's performance through its life, allowing an operator to optimize well placements and production. Measurement of distributed temperature; Thermal effects of breakthrough; Details of gas lift monitoring.

The article evaluates commercial products including Clean Up 3 solution from Remediation Products Co., advanced drill bit from Halliburton Co. and Tempo instrumented docking perforating gun system from Schlumberger Ltd.

The article offers information on several products including the L3C-HD underwater camera from Teledyne Marine, the Kymera XTreme hybrid drill bits from Baker Hughes, and the XploR V9T82 elastomer from Trelleborg Sealing Solutions.

Presents several economic literature. Expansion of USF Johnson Screens product line and applications; Discussions on capability brochure for amines and various applications; Information guide from Foxboro Co. in supervisory control and data acquisition.

The article describes the wax deposition problems during oil and gas production operations. It discusses how to prevent and remediate wax deposits in deepwater production operations. It expects that mitigation alternatives will be critical to sustain production efficiency as the industry moves to ultradeep water.

The article evaluates several drill bits including the Downhole ReedHycalog TuffCutter Forged-In tooth bit from National Oilwell Varco Inc., the Diamond Edge polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bit from Varel International Inc., and the Hughes Christensen PDC bit from Baker Hughes Inc.

The article reports on the development of a technology for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that leak during oil and gas production. A camera has been developed that can show various sources of emission like small leaks from valves, pipe threads or pneumatic devices on a component-by-component basis. Although the camera does not differentiate between various hydrocarbon gases, but it does give some clues. Through the camera, the velocity of the escaping gas appears greater with increasing flowrates which help in making qualitative judgments regarding the source of leakage. However, there is a limitation with the camera, it is the ability to see leaks depends on good weather conditions as bad weather can obscure the image.

The article reports that DeepSea Engineering & Management Ltd. has developed approaches to improve performance of gas pipelines using pipe-in-pipe (PiP) systems. As more multiphase hydrocarbons are produced from deepwater fields and transported long distances, flow assurance becomes more critical. Flow assurance requires management of a range of factors from hydrates, waxes, paraffin and asphaltenes to scale, corrosion, sand/erosion, etc. The systems are thermally efficient, with extremely low U-values, reliable, and a proven technology for both shallow and deepwater systems that require a low overall heat transfer coefficient, but their increased cost and weight is a significant penalty in deep water. In waters 3,000 ft or deeper, and particularly with flowline lengths of 6 miles or more, substantial cost benefits can be achieved. It is compatible with all forms of pipe-in-pipe systems, and provides a simpler and less expensive field joint system. It also addresses three aspects of PIP systems, thermal performance, installation and structural reliability

Focuses on the enhancements which have been made to the World Wide Web site, WebElements 2 Periodic Table. Inclusion of a complete Periodic Table on the opening page; Information on manganese; Other features of the web site.