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Groundwater is considered the only source of water in arid climate regions. Additionally, population growth is stressing the groundwater resources in the study area, especially in these regions leading to excess groundwater exploitation to meet the demands (domestic, and agricultural). Thus, the groundwater level may decline in the future causing a water scarcity problem. In order to overcome this problem, it is worth necessary to perform mitigation measures prior to raising the groundwater level by augmenting the groundwater in the hydrogeological system. Mitigation measures might be reducing the abstraction rate and installing new artificial recharge sites. To assess the potential of these measures, numerical modeling can be applied. Gaza strip aquifer was chosen as a case study due to the following reasons: arid aquifer, significantly stressed due to over-exploitation of groundwater. Different researchers have already proposed different management scenarios considering these mitigation measures, but most of them considered unreliable management scenarios to predict future groundwater. Some of them reduced the abstraction rate which will lead to the loss of agricultural lands. Whereas, the others increased the artificial recharge rate which is unfeasible to implement in the study area for the next 20 years. Hence, we applied numerical modeling in this article to predict the future groundwater level based on these mitigation measures taking into account reliable management scenarios according to the study area’s current situation . The results indicate that combining both reducing the abstraction rate and increasing the artificial recharge is so promising and they were compared with the latter obtained by the previous researchers.

In recent years, the reintroduction of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), particularly its severe strains, has imposed considerable cost on the Egyptian poultry industry. The goal of the current study was to investigate the molecular features of IBDV in Egypt from June 2019 to April 2021. A total of 30 field samples (bursa of Fabricius) were collected from broiler farms in which the chickens were vaccinated (Transmune 2512 s/c) at hatching. A highly variable region encompassing VP2 gene was targeted for IBDV screening utilizing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 30 tested samples, 16 were positive by PCR. To isolate the virus, the bursal suspension was injected into 10-11 day embryonated chicken eggs via the chorioallantoic membrane. Five current positive isolates from 2021 were chosen for nucleotide and amino acid (aa) sequence analysis. Phylogenetically, three of the strains under study belonged to the very virulent (vvIBDV) strains, with 97-98% resemblance to Giza 2008 belonging to the (Genogroup 3) IBDV strain. The remaining two strains were identified as a vaccination strain (genotype 1) that matched the winter field 2512 vaccine strain by a similarity percentage of 98. Mutations in the antigenic locations of (P) domain loops were discovered when the sequencing samples were compared to the existing IBD vaccines. The circulating strains were found to be very similar to vvIBDV serotype 1 genotype 3 strains with mutations in the P domain loop providing a potential reason for the circulation of vvIBDV viruses in Egyptian broiler farms despite the vaccination program.

As of January 2022, and directly after the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, the total number of countries announced their pledges to net zero emission or carbon neutrality reached 136 countries. Also, 24 major cities and 683 major companies announced their pledges to achieve net zero emissions or carbon neutrality. Gas flaring is one of the major contributors to global warming that can be tackled through the strategic design of new facilities or deployment of new technologies to minimize the flaring. The World Bank reported in July 2020 that the satellite data shows global gas flaring in 2019 increased to levels last seen in 2009 to 150 billion cubic meters (BCM) compared to 145 BCM in 2018 as shown in Figure 1. For the last 30 years, the total global flaring is hovering around 150 billion cubic meters per year with no sign of slowing down. Gas flaring is not only a major global polluter but also wastes scarce hydrocarbon resources that can be utilized in reducing the global gas emissions by replacing liquid hydrocarbon or coal in power generation. The approximate value of the global flared gas is equivalent to 900 million barrel of crude oil per year assuming gas heating value of 1050 btu/scf which represent about 2.5% of the global oil production. Figure 1Global Gas Flaring as of 20200 This paper presents in detail different innovative and proven methodologies for eliminating, reducing or monetizing the global gas flaring to meet each company and country commitments to net zero emissions or carbon neutrality. Achieving zero flaring for any industrial facilities starts before the project design by setting the different strategies to minimize the flaring during the life time of the project. Early adoption of different technologies like low leakage valves, ultrasonic flowmeters at strategic plant locations, flowback flared gas to existing low pressure compressors, installing flare gas recovery and direct onsite utilization of flared gas energy. Different strategies will be discussed to achieve zero flaring during project design and operations as well as upgrades to existing facilities. Zero flaring strategies depend on three main pillars; Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. The primary reasons for gas flaring at the plant level are equipment failure, process upsets, purge and pilot gas, valve leakage, equipment maintenance, startup or shutdown activities and finally emergency gas flaring. To further minimize gas flaring during emergencies, a new flare gas recovery system (FGRS) was developed and patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The objective of the invention is to eliminate the hydrocarbon gas flaring to atmosphere for any upset scenario for any oil and gas plants. The invention includes utilizing multiple ejectors in parallel with provision of different ejectors operating at different pressures that will allow the system to be used to recover flare gas over a range of different flow rates corresponding to different emergency release scenarios. The ejector based FGRS was granted under U.S. Patent No. 10,429,067 in October 2019 to utilize the ejector based FGRS concept for emergency flare gas recovery. Also, two new patents are under filing to utilize the liquid as motive fluid instead of the gas. Finally, many technology providers and startups are currently working on overcoming the challenges of monetizing the flare gas. These companies are using the Insitu monetization techniques to overcome the challenges of flare gas such as scattered availability in remote locations with small quantities. Some of the solutions include converting the gas to power for Insitu use in Bitcoin mining or Insitu conversion to chemicals and petroleum products for easy transportation.

The objective of this paper to showcase the feasibility of a Circular Economy (CE) initiative for upstream surface facilities to recover, reduce, and reuse the wasted energy across different plant equipment, including throttling valves. Several energy recovery and energy conservation technologies and processes were identified to minimize energy consumption in Tanajib plant. The optimum technology options were selected to minimize the modifications of the existing facilities, while maintaining the flexibility to meet the future production forecast. The study was conducted using the following methodology: Conduct comprehensive energy assessment of all high potential oil, gas, and water streams to recover its wasted energy.Create several process designs/layouts that will incorporate these technologies and enable meeting the required specs at the surface facility.Conduct technical evaluation and lifecycle cost study, to compare different alternatives to meet the objective. The comprehensive assessment revealed that there are three economically feasible projects out of 10 evaluated business cases to harness wasted energy at Tanajib plants. Hydraulic Power Recovery Turbine (HPRT) technologies were found to be one of the most promising technologies to harness the wasted energy with minimum modifications. HPRT is a Reverse Pump that will harness the wasted pressure drop across the liquid control/throttling valves and convert it into useful power. The 500 MBCD Tanajib plant was used as proof of concept. Recovering and utilizing the wasted energy will promote circular economy, minimize the imported power from the national grid and minimize CO2 emissions, while extending the equipment lifetime.

Backgrounds & Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by Coronavirus. Knowledge of the fate of infection and risk factors among health care workers is essential to enforce special infection control measures. We aimed to determine the percentage of COVID-19 infection and the associated risk factors as well as the predictors of COVID- 19 among health care workers in Assiut University Hospital. Methods:: A cross-sectional study was performed that included one hundred health care workers that were confirmed by PCR to be COVID-19 cases admitted to Assiut University Hospital over six months between May 2020 and November 2020. All participants were subjected to thorough history taking and full clinical examination as well as investigations. Results: Out of the 100 HCWs enrolled in the study, 52% were males, 26% were obese, 68% were doctors, and 38% were from the medical department. Fourteen percent of healthcare workers were admitted to ICU, of which 93% were cured. The predictors for severity of cases were as follows: being a doctor OR (6.804) P=0.037, old age OR (1.179) P=0.000, and hospital stay OR (0.838) P=0.015. Conclusion: Health care workers are at risk for severe COVID-19 infection. Being a doctor, old age, and duration of hospitalization were the predictors for the severity of cases of health care workers.

Keeping pace with the rest of the world on reducing the greenhouse gas emission, Saudi Aramco embarked on an aggressive program to minimize or cut routine flaring and energy resources used in producing oil and gas through policies, standards and inhouse innovations. The innovative Unconventional Waste & Flare Gas Recovery System UFGRS has supported the corporate strategy to minimize or eliminate routine flaring with minimum CAPEX and OPEX. This paper present in detail the innovative Ejector Based Unconventional Waste/Flare Gas Recovery System (UFGRS) without using gas compressors. The objective of the project is to eliminate the hydrocarbon gas release to atmosphere for any upset flameout scenario from GOSP-A massive flare & relief system and continuously recover 1.825 Billion Standard Cubic Feet per year (1.825 BSCFY) of valuable purge gas with the lowest CAPEX and OPEX. Conventional Flare Gas Recovery System (FGRS) using gas compressors is the normal choice deployed in many facilities to recover the routine gas flaring but it was found to have high CAPEX and OPEX (maintenance, high power consumption & labor intensive) compared to the value of the recovered gas. Also, the compressors based FGRS is more complex and less reliable than the ejector (static) based FGRS. In addition, the innovative FGRS is capable of handling high turndown ratios compared to convention compressor based FGRS. Also, additional innovative parts of this idea is the integration with the existing compression system and the use of only static equipment like ejectors, pipes, valves and water seal drums to recover the waste/flare gas. The idea has very low operating cost compared to conventional flare gas recovery systems, apart from significant gas savings. The unconventional FGRS system was proven successfully in December 2020. The system is currently in operation for 8 months without any interruption and managed to eliminate the total design routine gas flaring rate of 1.825 BSCFY GOSP-A producing facilities. Also, the project resulted in reducing CO2 emission by 106,000 ton/year which positively contributed to the kingdom circular economy initiatives. To further enhance the ejector based FGRS, a US Patent No. 10,429,067 was granted in October 2019 to utilize the Ejector based FGRS concept for Emergency flare gas recovery. The innovative idea includes utilizing multiple ejectors in parallel with provision of different ejectors operating at different pressures that will allow the system to be used to recover flare gas over a range of different flow rates corresponding to different emergency release scenarios. Also, two new patents are under filing to utilize the liquid as motive fluid instead of the gas.

The objective of this paper is to evaluate and analyze energy savings and process optimization opportunities in the gas-oil separation plants (GOSPs) in upstream surface facilities. This approach resulted in the development of a new design for a compact gas-oil separation plant (C-GOSP) to meet the crude oil export specifications with less process equipment and operating costs, and higher oil product yield compared to conventional GOSPs. The new design was materialized as patents granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The innovative C-GOSP is based on the integration of the gas compression system with production traps to conserve energy consumption and minimize capital cost and increase crude production. Atmospheric and hot discharge gas from low pressure compressors will be rerouted and directly mixed with the incoming wild crude before entering the production traps. This process will result in simultaneously cooling the compressors' discharge gas and heating the incoming crude while increasing crude production. Hysys simulation was used to model and verify the feasibility of the C-GOSP. A 300 MBD production facility was used to benchmark the Hysys simulation model and to verify the feasibility of these promising energy saving opportunities. The extensive process simulation modelling using Aspen Hysys and benchmarked with the actual plant energy consumption revealed the feasibility of this innovative C-GOSP, which will result in the following benefits: Lowering the capital cost by eliminating the compressors discharge after coolers, liquid pumps, discharge KO drums and minimize the surface area of the crude heat exchangers. Lowering operating cost by eliminating the after coolers and heating medium required to heat the crude. Increase crude production yield by condensing the heavy hydrocarbon from the gas stream. Minimize the spacing requirements, which make ideal for offshore applications. The innovative approach of direct heating and cooling by mixing of hot and cold streams is superior to any other optimization approach. Consequently, a patent was granted from the USPTO on July 17, 2018, for the innovative C-GOSP. The patent number is 10023811.

This paper highlights several opportunities to maximize the total crude oil yield of typical Gas Oil Separation Plants (GOSP's), gas handling and crude oil stabilization systems. This can be achieved for existing facilities by optimizing operating parameters without capital cost or plant modification. Maximizing GOSP's yield (oil recovery) has many advantages such as revenue generation, reducing energy requirements of associated gas handling, mitigating export gas transportation challenges as well as reducing capital cost for new facilities. Throughout three case studies, this paper demonstrates the impact of operating parameters change in reducing GOSP's total oil shrinkage: Case Study-1: Pressure let-down optimization of multistage separation Case Study-2: Temperature optimization of compressors after-coolers Case Study-3: Temperature optimization of crude stabilization The analysis was performed for each case study utilizing HYSYS process simulation to establish the optimum operating window for the subject process area. The theoretical results were advanced by conducted field trials under governing operating procedures to validate the conclusion and further explore the benefits as well as the potential challenges of these opportunities. In case study 1, for high GOR GOSP where more than 3 stages of pressure letdown are required, pressure optimization of the intermediate and low pressure gas/oil separation stages achieved an oil output increase of 3.5 MBD for the same base rate (500 MBD) with dropping gas compression power requirement by 10 MW. In case study 2, for GOSP's where steady-state hydrocarbon condensate recovered from compressors after coolers knock-out drums is spiked into main Light crude production, optimizing air coolers operating conditions result in a gain of up to 2 MBD in export oil for the same base rate (200 MBD). Moreover, 50% drop in export gas water load can be achieved which helps mitigating pipeline corrosion challenges in gas transportation given the unavailability of a gas dehydration system in the facility. In case study 3, optimizing inlet temperature of light crude stabilizer enhanced column stripping capability and enabled meeting the required H2S and vapor pressure specification with minimum hydrocarbon liquids losses. A Reduction of 20 °F in inlet temperature resulted in savings of up to 2 MBD stock tank crude for the same base rate of 500 MBD in the expense of reboiler's duty.

The objective of this paper is to investigate and analyze energy saving and process optimization opportunities in upstream surface facilities, from downhole all the way to the gas-oil separation plants (GOSPs), using value Methodology. Function analysis was used to identify those functions that can be reduced, eliminated, or synergized, to minimize GOSP operating and maintenance cost. In this paper, various energy saving and process optimization opportunities in GOSPs were brainstormed, analyzed, shortlisted, simulated, and validated using actual plant data. Process simulation using Hysys was used to model and verify the feasibility of different process optimization opportunities in GOSPs. A 300 MBD production facility was used to benchmark the Hysys simulation model, and to verify the feasibility of these promising energy saving opportunities. All of the successful opportunities were selected, based on their minimum OPEX and CAPEX, using value engineering methodology.

The objective of this paper is to highlight the adverse effect of oversizing upstream surface facilities on energy consumption and different techniques to improve the energy performance of these oversized facilities. Oversizing may provide short-term gain as insurance policy for the design team but long-term loss for the operating organization. In this paper, the mindset and consequences of oversizing surface facilities rotating equipment, piping, and heat exchangers on energy consumption are depicted with real-life case studies. In addition, a systematic approach to eliminate oversizing in Greenfield projects and to mitigating their adverse effects on existing facilities are addressed in detail. The paper focuses on a comprehensive case study of oversizing crude charge pumps in one of the gas oil separation plants GOSPs (Plant-A). Extensive process simulation using Hysys and benchmarked by the actual plant energy consumption data indicated that oversizing of pumps, heat exchangers, and compressors increase energy consumption dramatically and lower the overall plant performance. It was observed that one of the several reasons for oversizing plant equipment is attributed to the lack of clear guidelines from the proponent governing the maximum design margins allowed. Adequately sized plant equipment will improve plant reliability, minimize energy consumption and plant maintenance, and improve plant safety.

HEALTHY seeds of three soybean cultivars; Crawford, Giza 111 and Giza 35 were irradiated with γ-irradiationat doses ranging from 100Gy to 600Gy with 100Gy interval. The cytogenetic impact of the applied doses was assessed in M1 and M2 plants, on mitotic activity and chromosomes in root tip meristems and vegetative growth, expressed as shoot and root length and fresh and dry weight of shoot and root as well as leaf area. The low doses of 100 and 200Gy increased mitotic activity, expressed as mitotic index MI and enhanced growth rate. In contrary, higher doses significantly retarded mitotic activity, increased the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and reduced vegetative growth and yield, expressed as number of pods and seeds weight. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was dose dependent and its percentage varied among cultivars. Chromosomal stickiness and non-congression were the most common abnormalities at metaphase and chromosomal bridges and free chromosomes were the most common aberrations at ana-telophase whereas C-metaphase and c lagging chromosomes were only occasionally observed. No abnormalities were reported in the interphase of the M1 plants, but in the M2 plants, micronuclei and vacuolation of nuclei were frequently observed. The abnormalities reported here are mainly due to a clastogenic action that may have cause breakage and reunion of chromosomes. These findings emphasise the importance of assessing mitotic activity and chromosomes behaviour in plants used for mutation breeding to predict changes invegetative traits and yield of target genotypes.

As part of Saudi Aramco's continuous commitment to conserve the ground water, this initiative will conserve more than 744 MBD of ground water. This can be achieved by reusing the abundant disposal water available onsite as power water injection for reservoir pressure maintenance. The target is to conserve the Kingdom's precious ground water while maintaining crude production. The produced or disposal water at Qatif is untapped resource with great potential as an alternative source to replace the valuable Wasia ground water to maintain pressure in C, D and F reservoirs of Qatif field. However, this formation water separated from LPPT, HPPT, LPDT, dehydrators, desalters and other separation units in the Qatif plant contains variable amounts of oil contaminant and suspended solids. To maintain good/long-term injectivity of disposal wells in Qatif field, water quality this formation water to be treated to meet the oil reservoir injection specifications. The Injected disposal water should be clean to avoid the adverse impact on well injectivity. Maximum oil-in-water content to be less than 20 ppm (wt). Maximum total oil and suspended solids (TSS) to be less than 50 ppm. Mean particle size of suspended solid shall not exceed 5 micron. In this study, disposal water samples collected from Qatif water-oil separation plant (WOSEP) were characterized for TSS, oil content and key ions composition. Coreflood tests were carried out on reservoir core plugs at reservoir conditions (temperature of 220 °F and a pressure of 3,000 psi) to assess the effect of this disposal water on core permeability and required filtration to improve its injectivity. Also, several water treatment proposals were identified to meet the reservoir injection specifications. The expected OPEX and CAPEX benefits of implementing the best option are: Ground water conservation of up to 744 MBWD. Power cost saving of up to 36 MW. Minimize capital cost by avoiding the installation of two additional WOSEP vessels, six new large pumps, new water injection network and the drilling of 10 additional disposal wells.

The Nile River plays a central role in Egyptians’ everyday life as the sustainable source of fresh water. Egyptians sought to regulate the Nile through the ages by inventing water systems suitable to monitor, measure and oversee the Nile’s behaviour. Because of the high value of water in Islam and its link to agriculture and taxation, Muslim rulers paid attention to water projects for irrigation and delivery to the cities throughout Islamic medieval dynasties. Islamic Cairo has a variety of water systems reacting to two major factors. First: westward shifting of the Nile, according to topographic inclination, causing the waves cutting into the west bank to precipitate in the east. As a result, the founders (Sultans al-Naser Mohamed and al-Ghoury in particular) always built new water intake towers in response to this phenomenon. Second: the relocation of the capital of Islamic Egypt to Cairo and later to the Citadel northeast resulting in constant displacement further away from the Nile bank. Whereas 'Amr ibn al-'As built al-Fustat (641 A.D) close to the Nile, al-'Asakar (750 CE) and al-Qata'i (876 A.D) were built northeast of al-Fustat away from the Nile. When al-Mu‘izz Ledin-Allah came to Egypt in 971 A.D, he blamed the commander of his army Jawhar al-Saqaly because of the city’s location far from the Nile. The citadel of Cairo is the farthest capital of Islamic Egypt, because of the appropriateness of the fortified location on al-Muqattam heaps inside the newly built Citadel. Chronicles and surviving buildings provide a full narrative and accounts of water systems of the Islamic capitals in Egypt. Such knowledge and information enable a credible virtual reality model to create a realistic output for the tangibles and intangibles of the water system using the virtual reality application.

Many Engineers overdesign (oversize) plant rotating equipment, valves and pipes to account for uncertainty even though they have designed the same equipment a hundred times. An acceptable and encouraging name is given to the overdesign factor for example, safety margin or design factor. It starts with the proponent (operating company), through the design contractor and finally the vendor. It is the mentality of, "the bigger the better." If it is oversized, it will work. However, if it is undersized, it will not and everyone will hear about it and it will be a lesson learned to everyone. Equipment oversizing will increase plant overall energy consumption, equipment corrosion and maintenance cost. Avoiding plant/GOSPs equipment oversizing will not only save the CAPEX but also will save billions of dollars in plant operating costs. Adequately sized plant equipment will improve plant reliability, minimize energy consumption, minimize plant maintenance and improve plant safety through minimizing equipment corrosion. In this paper, the reasons for adding an overdesign factor and the consequences of overdesigning the plant rotating equipment, pipes and valves will be discussed includingreal life case studies. Also, systematic approach to avoid oversizing will be addressed in details. Furthermore, this paper will focus on a detailed case study of Oversizing the crude charge pump in one of the Gas Oil Separating Plant (GOSP). The oversizing was not only a waste of energy, but it also interrupted the plant operation and caused a continuous opening of off-spec valves. One of the main reasons for overdesign factor is attributed to the lack of clear guidelines and instruction from the proponent to take responsibility of not adding this factor. The design factor not only increases the capital cost but also increases the operating costs and consequently reduces the plant profitability in addition to the plant safety. Optimization of plant operation starts from early plant design by reducing the overdesign/oversizing factor of the plant rotating equipment.