Devon Energy (Canada)

Amid growing concerns about oil spills in vulnerable Arctic and sub-Arctic regions driven by climate-induced ice retreat, this study presents the development and validation of the OSMT-ice model, an enhanced oil spill modeling system designed to predict the movement and fate of oil in ice-covered waters. The model incorporates ice-concentration-based (ICB) constraints to improve the accuracy of oil transport and weathering simulation under varying ice conditions. Using observational data from multiscale field experiments, including the FEX2009 spill in the Barents Sea and the mesoscale experiments in Svalbard, we evaluated the model's capability to simulate oil trajectories, mass balance, and oil property evolution. A comparative hindcast analysis, with and without ice-related inputs, demonstrates that incorporating ice data significantly enhances the performance of oil transport modeling. Through multiple simulation scenarios, the effectiveness of various combinations of ICB constraints and target components was assessed to identify the optimal approach for modeling oil fate in ice-covered waters. Our findings indicate that the "30/80" rule-of-thumb, originally used to model oil movement under varying ice cover, does not apply to oil fate modeling in ice conditions. In contrast, the newly proposed quadratic reduction method provides more reliable simulations of oil behavior in icy environments. The OSMT-ice model, with its enhanced weathering algorithms, offers a robust tool for assessing oil spill impacts in ice-covered waters, improving response strategies and risk assessments. This research contributes to advancing oil spill modeling in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions, with practical implications for oil spill contingency planning.

Abstract The paper investigates the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of propane with carbon dioxide (ODH‐CO 2 ) as a promising route for propylene production, an avenue yet to be commercially developed. Utilizing the incipient wetness catalyst preparation method, CrMn catalysts were synthesized on three supports (γ‐Al 2 O 3 , ZSM‐5, and SBA‐15). Comprehensive characterization through Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM)‐energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H 2 ‐TPR) was conducted to comprehend catalyst behaviour. Among the six catalysts tested, Cr/SBA‐15 was exhibited as the best performer, achieving propane and CO 2 conversions of 36.2% and 14.1%, respectively, with a propylene selectivity of 33.4%. Over a 50‐h time on stream (TOS), it demonstrated gradual declines in conversions while retaining 75% of initial values. The incorporation of manganese as a promoter effectively mitigated coke formation, albeit with slight reductions in propane conversion and propylene selectivity.

Abstract Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) and biofouling are major challenges to operators who manage water systems in the oil & gas and other sectors. Key to these threats is the formation and accumulation of biofilms in piping systems due to the agglomeration of both biotic components (e.g. microorganisms such as bacteria, archea and extracellular polymeric substances) and abiotic materials (e.g. inorganic solids). These biofilms adhere to inner pipe wall surfaces, and evolve over time depending on surrounding environmental conditions. Manual detection of biofilm formation and bio-fouling often occurs during routine inspection, or during an unexpected system shut down due to a corrosion failure or flow blockage. In this study, a novel in-situ method to detect the presence of biofilm forming bacteria in a fluid system has been proposed based on capacitance measurements using the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) technique. Two probe types were used to measure the growth of bacteria: 1) a parallel plate system to measure total bacteria concentration (planktonic and sessile), and 2) a small-scale Interdigitated Electrode (IDE) system to measure the formation of biofilms (sessile bacteria). In both series of tests, Pseudomonas.putida was used as the model bacteria due to its ability to grow rapidly as a biofilm. Upon introduction of the microorganism to the system, EIS patterns were correlated to the observed bacterial concentration which was determined using plating methods to quantify microbial counts over time. Surface areas and gap sizes of the various probes were also evaluated to determine their effect on measured sensitivities. Preliminary tests show that the EIS technique is capable of detecting and quantifying the bacterial counts (i.e. initiation and growth of biofilms). Furthermore, utilizing a model circuit, the effective capacitance at different concentrations of bacteria was determined. This “proof of concept” study demonstrates the potential for a viable, real-time detection method for systems susceptible to bio-fouling and/or MIC.

ABSTRACT Analysis of high-resolution three-dimensional seismic data from the Cold Lake Production Project (CLPP) of central Alberta, Canada, has resulted in a new sequence stratigraphic interpretation and depositional model for the upper Albian Clearwater Formation of the Mannville Group. Specifically, we document the presence of one sequence boundary within the Clearwater Formation that (1) separates older, deltaic deposits from a younger fluvial-dominated, terraced incised valley fill succession and (2) ties to a lowstand shoreline approximately 100 km (62 mi) to the north of the CLPP. Although this interpretation is far simpler than previous stratigraphic interpretations of this area, the sedimentologic record within the Clearwater Formation remains very complex because of the vertical stacking of high-energy fluvial to fluvial–estuarine deposits that are scour based. The composite sequence boundary identified here is associated with an extended period of landscape degradation and the formation of a moderately large valley that is complexly defined by a series of terraced fluvial deposits. Because individual channels eroded vertically and migrated laterally during both the fall and ensuing rise of sea level, the resulting valley-shaped stratigraphic sand body is (1) substantially wider than the true topographic valley (i.e., landform that is constrained by subvertical to near-vertical walls, open to the air, and typically resulting from degradation of the landscape via vertical and lateral erosion by a fluvial channel or channels) within which the lowstand channels flowed, (2) formed by both fluvial and marine processes that can be allogenic and/or autogenic in nature, and (3) defined by a composite surface that formed during the descending limb of a base level cycle and was partially modified during the subsequent base level rise and is thus of minor chronologic significance. We attempt to define the time of maximum topographic valley development, but younger erosion has removed much of the record of this valley. However, we estimate that the Clearwater Formation topographic valley had a maximum incision depth of greater than 60 m (>197 ft) and a width of approximately 20 km (12 mi). These dimensions correlate very well to incised valleys observed in the Quaternary. Analysis of core and log results within our seismic stratigraphic framework indicates that a fluviodeltaic model best explains the lithofacies distributions and geometries within the CLPP. Furthermore, finer-scale seismic mapping was used to encapsulate packages of sediment—which we refer to as genetic sedimentary bodies—whose reservoir properties could then be defined using core results. A genetic body approach to defining stratal architectures has resulted in (1) a predictive model for reservoir types and distributions across the CLPP; (2) accurate paleoenvironmental interpretations; and (3) a simple, yet robust sequence stratigraphic model of this area that is aligned with recent results reported from the study of similar systems in the Quaternary, recent morphologic observations from small-scale, physical sand box experiments, and the most up-to-date models of coastal fluvial erosion, deposition, and stratigraphic surface formation.

Models of stress and strain surrounding a thermal wellbore have been constructed using integrated point-source thermoporoelastic solutions in a homogeneous medium. These models show that a buildup of pore-pressure in shales in the neighbourhood of a wellbore can occur in response to heating, and that the severity of the overpressure is controlled by the hydraulic diffusivity, the stiffness and the thermal behavior (expanding/compacting) of the shale. A rock physics model based on observations from recent thermal core tests is used to relate changes in volumetric strain to velocity changes, which in turn can be related to time-strain for both PP and PS data. Time-strain data containing local wellbore anomalies over a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage operation can be interpreted using the modeling results, although the spatial extent of the anomalies requires further numerical modeling to confirm. Presentation Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Start Time: 2:45:00 PM Location: 150 Presentation Type: ORAL

Thermal production with steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is one of the most used methods for oil-sands production in the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation reservoirs located in the Athabasca Basin of Alberta, Canada. We present a case study of time-lapse joint PP-PS inversion in an oil-sands reservoir and show the benefits of using this kind of inversion for the life of the oil-sands project. Inversion results were analysed and QC-ed against the temperature seismic volume (estimated from temperature logs and neural network analysis) and against new steam wells acquired shortly after the inversion was finished. Because of the reservoir heterogeneity, the steam chamber could have different shapes. Bitumen in these reservoirs has very high viscosity (about 7 million cP) at the preproduction temperature (about 12 °C). High-quality multicomponent 3D seismic data for the baseline (2009) and the monitor (2015), along with core and well data have been used in imaging the steam effect in the reservoir. The results of our time-lapse joint PP-PS prestack inversion add value to the life of the oil-sands project because: 1. Time-lapse P-impedance is a very good indicator for the steam chamber extension; 2. Time-lapse Vp/Vs is a good indicator of the zones where bitumen has become mobile and from where it will be produced; 3. Time-lapse density is good indicator of bitumen saturation. Presentation Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Start Time: 1:25:00 PM Location: 156 Presentation Type: ORAL

Abstract A highly ordered mesoporous molybdenum disulfide has been developed for catalysis in heavy oil refining. The morphology, structure, and composition of the material have been systematically characterized with advanced electron microscopy techniques. Scanning transmission electron microscopy with high‐angle annular dark field tomography has been used to investigate the porous structure to give spatial information on the nanometre scale, and offer a direct view of individual porous particles in three‐dimensions. The pore‐size distribution, connectivity of the pores, and the mesoporous surface area have also been analyzed and offer useful information towards catalyst design.

Corrosion potential is a fundamental electrochemical parameter critical to understanding the thermodynamic aspects of corrosion. Many corrosion theories are based on corrosion potentials. Corrosion potential is routinely and easily measured in the laboratory. In order to transfer this scientific knowledge from the laboratory to the field, it is necessary to determine the corrosion potential under operating field conditions. In this paper, the unique challenges measuring corrosion potentials in an industrial environment are described using measurements of the corrosion potentials of the internal surfaces of pipelines as examples.