UNIPORT Journal Of Engineering and Scientific Research (UJESR)

Crude Oil Value Chain Optimization Scenarios: Lessons from Nigeria- Kaase Gbakon1*, Omowumi Iledare2, Joseph Ajienka3 and Joshua Gogo1

Gbakon Kaase — 2024-12-31

This paper optimizes the allocation of Nigeria’s projected oil production and refined products under three different possible scenarios - Business as Usual, Stated Policy, and Energy Transition. These scenarios capture the uncertainties offered by future oil production, increasing domestic products demand, energy prices, timing of domestic refining capacity buildup, and the calls for global transition from fossils. Based on the Reference Energy System developed by Gbakon et. al. (2021) for crude oil flow through the integrated oil value chain, the net benefit objective function is developed. The integrated oil value chain is optimized by maximizing the net benefit function under the different scenarios. Extending the framework by a Monte Carlo formulation of the problem allows greater flexibility in addressing questions of the likelihood of attaining policy outcomes such as product self-sufficiency. A family of curves is generated within the solution structure, representing the confidence interval within which policy performance outcomes can be located. Scenario analysis for example shows that under the “Energy Transition” scenario, net benefit of $ 192 billion is realized. Whereas, under the “Business-as-Usual” scenario the net benefit is $ 423 billion. Under the “Stated Policy” scenario, the net benefit is $ 718 billion. Implications for net system benefits and the respective drivers are further interrogated. The need to optimally allocate Nigeria’s future oil production and resulting refined products to diverse end-use cannot be over-emphasized. Midstream infrastructure such as refineries, pipelines and storage are critical to achieve optimal performance in the value chain. This will have impact on expected oil export earnings, domestic fuels’ imports, and the potential for petroleum products’ export earnings.

Investigating the Impact of tubing size and Flow Regimes on Liquid Loading for Efficient Gas Well Production: Etta, L1 and Joseph, A2*

Etta L — 2024-12-31

The lowest gas rate for unloading liquid from a gas well has been a subject for research for many years now, most especially for reservoirs with rapid declining pressure. In producing gas wells with low reservoir pressure, the accumulation of liquids can lead to early well abandonment. Different correlations have been developed to handle the issue of liquid loading through the prediction of the gas well critical rate for unloading. In this work, gas wells were simulated to ascertain the impact of tubing sizes and flow regimes on liquid loading. Using 2.441, 2.992, 3.476 and 3.598 inch tubing sizes, the flow regimes were ascertained while monitoring the liquid content in the wellbore. PIPESIM was used to simulated the well conditions while OLGA was used to develop the flow regime map and velocity profiles of the well through the principle of Nodal Analysis. It was discovered that with 2.441 and 2.992 tubing sizes, the well-produced with annular flow but below the critical flow rate and thus could not guarantees gas flow without liquid accumulation while 3.476 and 3.598 inch tubings produced above the critical flow rate but have slugging, which could exacerbate loading. In order to ensure gas production without liquids at the onset, the interfacial tension was modified to 0.000056N/m. With this modification, the flow regime for 3.476 changed to annular, bubble and slug flows with annular flow as the predominant flow regime. Thus, 3.476 in tubing was selected as the optimum tubing size based on its ability to guarantee high flow rate, lower erosional velocity and lower cost.
Keywords: Flow regimes, Liquid loading, Tubing sizes, Critical velocity, Nodal analysis

Urban Heat Island and its Implication for Energy Consumption across Selected Cities in the Niger Delta: Mmom, Prince Chinedu. and Lawal, Olanrewaju

Prince Chinedu. Mmom — 2024-12-31

Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensification is a critical environmental and socioeconomic challenge associated with urbanization. This study investigates UHI effects in Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Asaba, cities in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, over a three-year period (2019-2021). Using Landsat imagery and Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity (SUHII) indices, the study quantifies land surface temperature (LST) variations and evaluates population exposure to heat stress. Results reveal significant spatial and temporal variations in LST, with urban centers experiencing higher temperatures. SUHII analysis highlights dense urban zones as hotspots of heat intensity, with substantial population exposure to high-risk areas, particularly in Port Harcourt (416,921 individuals), Uyo (167,469), and Asaba (65,393). The study further establishes a link between UHI intensification and increased energy demand for cooling, exacerbating energy shortages and greenhouse gas emissions. These findings underscore the urgent need for sustainable urban planning strategies, including green infrastructure and energy-efficient practices, to mitigate the effects of UHI and support climate resilience.

Maximizing Productivity of Horizontal Wells by Optimizing the Lateral Length

Lawal Kazeem A. — 2024-12-31

Compared to vertical wells, horizontal wells offer higher productivity and recovery, while lowering cost and environmental footprint per unit hydrocarbon recovery. The incremental value of a horizontal well increases with its lateral length, but drilling and completion constraints as well as flow-induced frictional pressure losses limit the lengths in the well construction and production phases, respectively. With the objective of maximizing productivity in the operating phase of a horizontal well, this paper couples Borisov’s steady-state inflow model and an analytic wellbore hydraulic (outflow) model to develop algebraic equations of total reservoir and wellbore pressure drop as a function of lateral length. An appropriate friction-factor function that characterizes turbulent fluid flow in both smooth and rough drain holes is employed. First-order derivatives of these algebraic equations were used to establish stationary points that yield closed-form mathematical expression for estimating optimum well length as a function of reservoir and well properties. Sensitivity tests performed on a range of reservoir and well data provide useful insights into the interplay of reservoir drawdown and wellbore frictional losses on the overall pressure drop, and hence optimum well length. Although Borisov’s model applies to an isotropic reservoir, findings from this work should be relevant for practical applications, which include anisotropic systems.

Novel Sphericity-Dependent Drag Model for Accelerated Motion of Non-Spherical Particles in Viscous Medium

Big-Alabo Akuro — 2024-12-31

A novel sphericity-dependent drag model for the accelerated motion of non-spherical particles in Newtonian fluids has been developed. The main advantage of the model is that it has a simple Reynolds number dependence that is suitable for analytical solutions of accelerated particle motion. The present model was developed using nonlinear regression analysis of simulated data obtained from a published model with complex Reynolds number dependence. The present model was validated with published experimental data having sphericities of 0.471 – 1.00 and valid for Reynolds number of 0.01 – 10000. An error analysis of the present model and other published sphericity-dependent models showed that the present model had the lowest root-mean-square error. Therefore, the present drag model was applied to derive closed-form solutions for the accelerated motion of a non-spherical particle and a new settling velocity formula. The closed-form solutions were used to investigate the effect of sphericity on the accelerated motion for non-zero initial velocity.

Assessment of Internal Pipeline Corrosion Using Vernonia Amygdalina

Frances Ifowe. — 2024-12-31

Previous research efforts usually consider external corrosion of the pipes in the presence of seawater, which is typical of offshore operations. In this study, the corrosion inhibition potentials of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract was investigated to understand its efficacy in tackling internal corrosion in pipelines. Fresh leaves of bitter leaf plant were collected from a nearby farm, from which the extracts were produced using ethanol solvent. The gravimetric method was carried out at various concentrations of the plant extracts using mild steel, aluminum and galvanized steel samples cut into rectangular coupons (30cm x 20cm). The various concentrations consisting of 4ml, 6ml and 8ml of inhibitors were used to testaluminum, mild steel and galvanized steel samples in 100ml crude oil with 1.0 M of H2SO4. From the obtained results, there was a direct relationship between internal corrosion rate of the metals studied and their exposure time in the corrosive medium. For all the metals studied, there was an inverse relationship between the internal corrosion rate and the concentration of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract in the corrosive medium. In addition, the observed inhibition efficiencies for aluminum were 31.11%, 46.67% and 57.78% at 4ml, 6ml and 8ml inhibitor concentrations respectively. Inhibition efficiencies for mild steel were 31.43%, 45.71% and 62.86%, while galvanized steel had the highest inhibition efficiencies of 44%, 64% and 72% at 4ml, 6ml and 8ml inhibitor concentrations respectively.

Periodic Oscillations of a Truly Nonlinear Non-Natural Oscillator

Big-Alabo Akuro — 2024-12-31

In this paper, a Lienard-type second order ordinary differential equation representing a class of non-natural oscillators with truly nonlinear periodic response was proposed and investigated. These nonlinear oscillators are characterized by position-dependent mass and velocity-dependent elastic force, and they exhibit a strong nonlinear response for all amplitudes and values of the system parameters. It was shown that the well-known Mathews-Lakshmanan oscillator, which has application in relativistic mechanics, is a special case of the present model. The exact frequency-amplitude response and periodic solution for the non-natural oscillator model were derived in closed form in terms of the Euler-Gamma and incomplete Euler-Beta functions respectively. The phase response, frequency-amplitude response and displacement response were simulated for various ranges of the index of the conservative restoring force and it was confirmed that the oscillator exhibited strong nonlinear response for all values positive real values of the index except when the index is equal to 1 or 2.

Experimental investigation of the Carbon dioxide storage potential of the Cunga Formation at Cabo de São Braz Region, Kwanza Basin, Angola

Manuel de Jesus Vieira — 2024-12-31

The Cunga Formation is one of the geological formations located on the Kwanza Basin onshore, consisting of predominantly black clay (which indicates the possibility of organic matter), marl, limestone, siltstone and sandstones. In the present study, analyses of X-ray diffraction (XRD - 24 samples), analyses of the scope of organic petrology and geochemistry were carried out; that is, analysis of palynomorphs (2 samples), total organic carbon (TOC - 47 samples) and pyrolysis (Rock-Eval) (49 samples). From the XRD analyses it was possible to know the mineral associations, with the predominance of quartz, albite, microcline, muscovite, orthoclase, and heulandite being found in the analysed samples. The analysis of palynomorphs revealed the presence of marine palynomorphs, namely dinoflagellates (Gonyaulacales and Peridiniales) and foraminifers, and continental palynomorphs, namely fungi and spores. From the TOC analysis it was possible to quantify the organic matter, with the analysed samples presenting values between 0.14% and 7,52%. The pyrolysis analysis (Rock-Eval) provided insights into the quality of the organic matter in the analysed samples, revealing the presence of kerogen types II, II/III, and III. Additionally, the Tmax parameter was used for the determination of the maximum temperatures that the samples have undergone (417 ⁰C – 431 ⁰C). From the interpretation of the results, it was determined that the Cunga Formation in the Cabo de São Braz Zone was deposited in a sedimentary marine coastal to neritic environment. The Cunga formation has a good potential to generate gas and oil; however, due to insufficient thermal maturation (Tmax values ranging from 417°C to 431°C), it has not been an effective source rock. On the other hand, these same petrological and geochemical properties allowed the sequence under study to be characterized as a reservoir for CO2 storage, which could therefore have wide applicability in the context of the energy transition.

A Concise Review of Cognitive Computing: Evolution and Applications

Fossong Guiliannoa — 2024-12-31

Cognitive computing systems have significantly advanced over the past two decades, driven by big data proliferation and breakthroughs in machine learning, data mining, and natural language processing. These systems assist human expertise by analyzing complex data to identify relationships and offer solutions. However, cognitive systems' concepts and applications remain unclear to many, limiting adoption in industries like oil and gas. This review raises awareness of cognitive technology and its business benefits. The paper outlines the evolution and core concepts of cognitive systems to provide a foundational understanding. Subsequent sections explore their applications and future trends across various industries. Cognitive computing enhances human cognition by interpreting large datasets using machine learning, data mining, and NLP. It transforms data processing by integrating advanced analytics with machine learning models, helping industries manage vast data, uncover patterns, and improve decision-making. Cognitive systems offer flexibility and transparency, allowing users to grasp underlying assumptions, data sources, and hypotheses. Hardware innovations, such as neuromorphic and quantum computing, are expected to boost performance, enabling cognitive systems to handle extensive data and respond contextually in real time. The future promises transformative advances in real-time processing and machine learning, driving change in healthcare (predictive diagnostics and personalized medicine), oil and gas (exploration and production optimization), sports (performance analytics and injury prediction), and security (enhanced threat detection and response).

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Desliming on the Physical Properties of Barite Ore from Azara and Obubra areas of Nigeria, for Drilling Applications

Utibe Benedict Edem — 2024-12-31

This research compares the effects of desliming of barite ore from Azara and Obubra local government areas of Nasarawa and Cross river states of Nigeria respectively. Desliming was conducted with a view of separating the valuable barite from its unwanted or associated minerals in order to bring it (the barite) to the required specifications for use in oil and gas drilling operations. Desliming was carried out using a floccumatic machine. The factors and levels used in the desliming operation were flowrates at 25.2 ml.s-1 and 42.50 ml.s-1 and agitation times at 20 and 30 min respectively. The Obubra baryte and Azara desliming experiment consist of (8) runs each. The physical and chemical responses were evaluated after each run. The highest specific gravity value after desliming of Obubra barite was 4.18, up from the raw value of 4.14; while that of Azara was 3.80, up from an initial value of 3.45. The grain size remained the same at 75μm for both samples after desliming, while the moisture content of both samples was within the range of 0.01% before and after the desliming. The pH of Obubra decreased to an average value of 7.06, from the initial value of 7.3, while that of Azara experienced a 0.1 increase to 7.5 from 7.4. These results showed that while the deslimed Obubra barite practically meet the API physical requirements for drilling, the Azara barite, failed to meet the API specific gravity specification for oil drilling. Hence, for the Azara barite can be used in the production of paint fillers, ceramics, asbestos, glass, as well as a component for several other industries applications where barium compounds are required.