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By C. C. Singleterry, D. L. Katz

The critical phenomena have been studied during the past century but our knowledge of the critical temperatures and pressures of complex hydrocarbon mixtures still is very limited. The critical temperatures and pressures of pure substances have been examined in large numbers120 and in great detail.11.17 No experimental determinations of the critical phenomena have been reported on such complex hydrocarbon systems as a reservoir fluid. The critical temperature is defined by Taylor18 as follows: "there is some temperature for each gas above which the gas cannot be liquefied. This temperature is called the critical temperature." The critical pressure of a pure substance is the vapor pressure at the critical temperature. It should be noted that these definitions refer to a given substance in the pure state and do not mean that the pure substance cannot be liquefied in the presence of a second constituent. The normal procedure for obtaining the critical temperature of a substance is to heat it in a glass tube 1,20 under pressure until the meniscus between the liquid and vapor phase disappears, although other methods, especially for mixtures, have been used.13,14 However, when considering oil and gas reservoirs, it is more enlightening to consider a critical phenomenon that occurs when a mixture of oil and gas are compressed at a reservoir temperature until the meniscus disappears because the two phases become equal in composition. This conception, along with erroneous applications of the definition of the critical phenomena of a pure substance to that pure substance when it is part of a complex mixture, has caused confusion even among persons familiar with the classical theories. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the critical phenomena of pure substances and mixtures and to report experimental data on a mixture of

Jan 1, 1939

By J. Versluys

A well can flow exclusively through the casing or exclusively through a tubing but can also flow partly through a casing and at the top part through a tubing. The main principles of the flowing of wells under these conditions were explained in the author's former paper.' Practically all factors that influence the regular flow are dealt with therein. The question of irregular flow, however, will be discussed briefly here. As a rule, an irregular flow must be avoided, as it may be assumed that the efficiency is thereby very small, while on many fields it is injurious to the sand of the oil-bearing layer. Periodical flowing often occurs with rising mixtures of gas and liquid. The phenomenon can be explained if it is accepted that two conditions are possible in the mixture; namely, the foam condition and the mist condition. If there is no stabilizer in the liquid, the foam condition can exist only when the liquid forms a greater portion of the volume than the gas. The mist condition, on the other hand, can exist only when the liquid occupies a smaller part of the volume than the gas. The foam condition occurs when there are gas bubbles in the liquid mass, while in the mist condition drops of liquid are disseminated in a gas-filled space. For sake of simplicity, it has been assumed that the mist condition prevails when 50 per cent. or more of the volume is occupied by gas, while with less than 50 per cent. gas the foam condition will arise. For distilled water and for oils which do not tend to form stable foams this is probably approximately true. If this does not hold good, however, two cases are possible: (1) The fields of the two conditions overlap or (2) they do not meet. If the fields of the conditions overlap there is an intermediate field where either of the two conditions can exist, depending on the history of the mixture. Suppose the foam condition prevails first and the gas

Jan 1, 1931

By Allen D. Garrison

The chemistry of clays and shales has been assuming increasing importance in the petroleum industry, and two factors have greatly influenced this trend. The first has been the growing evidence that the marine shales are source beds, and that the petroleum compounds have migrated to the sand reservoirs overlying or underlying these shales: the second has been the demand for drilling fluids better adapted to penetrate these marine shales without difficulty and expense. Origin and General Composition of Clays and Shales Clays, shales and surface soils are all closely related materials. They are mixtures of finely divided compounds formed during the weathering of the solid crust of the earth. Their nature is essentially colloidal; that is, their behavior is determined by the state of division of the materials and the surface reactions of the smallest grains. Many of their chemical changes affect only the exposed areas and do not involve the interior of the grains of matter. The extent of these reactions is more nearly proportional to the area of the substances than to their mass, therefore it is possible for a small amount of a material in an extremely fine state of division to completely dominate the character of the mixture. More than 83 per cent of the crust of the earth is composed of three elements—oxygen, silicon and aluminum. Consequently, the corrosion products of the crust are predominantly aluminosilicates, or compounds of aluminum, silicon and oxygen. If we add the compounds of six elements—iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and hydrogen—more than 98 per cent of the crust has been accounted for. These six elements, together with the first three, also appear in soils, clays and shales. But direct chemical analysis is of little value in describing the nature of such materials. Many chemical individuals may be present in variable amounts, and the extreme subdivision of any one of the individuals may contribute qualities that dominate the mixture.

Jan 1, 1939

By Allen D. Garrison

The chemistry of clays and shales has been assuming increasing importance in the petroleum industry, and two factors have greatly influenced this trend. The first has been the growing evidence that the marine shales are source beds, and that the petroleum compounds have migrated to the sand reservoirs overlying or underlying these shales: the second has been the demand for drilling fluids better adapted to penetrate these marine shales without difficulty and expense. Origin and General Composition of Clays and Shales Clays, shales and surface soils are all closely related materials. They are mixtures of finely divided compounds formed during the weathering of the solid crust of the earth. Their nature is essentially colloidal; that is, their behavior is determined by the state of division of the materials and the surface reactions of the smallest grains. Many of their chemical changes affect only the exposed areas and do not involve the interior of the grains of matter. The extent of these reactions is more nearly proportional to the area of the substances than to their mass, therefore it is possible for a small amount of a material in an extremely fine state of division to completely dominate the character of the mixture. More than 83 per cent of the crust of the earth is composed of three elements—oxygen, silicon and aluminum. Consequently, the corrosion products of the crust are predominantly aluminosilicates, or compounds of aluminum, silicon and oxygen. If we add the compounds of six elements—iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and hydrogen—more than 98 per cent of the crust has been accounted for. These six elements, together with the first three, also appear in soils, clays and shales. But direct chemical analysis is of little value in describing the nature of such materials. Many chemical individuals may be present in variable amounts, and the extreme subdivision of any one of the individuals may contribute qualities that dominate the mixture.

Jan 1, 1939

By R. L. Huntington, D. T. MacRoberts, Charles R. Hetherington

Since the equation of continuity governing transient flow of gases through porous media cannot be integrated mathematically into a simple usable expression free from series terms, empirical and approximate equations have been advanced relating cumulative production and future production rates from gas reservoirs with time. In order to check the accuracy of these empirical equations and to obtain an insight into the initial conditions pertinent to the solution of the fundamental equation of continuity, experimental work has been conducted on a vertical 2-in. tube, 91.6 ft. high, packed with unconsolidated Wilcox sand. The results presented in graphical form show the accuracy of the approximate relations. Data from unsteady-flow runs on the 2-in. experimental tube are presented graphically, and are applied to obtain an equation for this specific case, and are offered as an aid in future investigations of this basic equation. The close agreement between equations calculated for steady-state flow and the experiments indicates that the decline of actual gas reservoirs may be treated by an application of these equations without serious error. Introduction The steady-state flow of gas through a porous material—that is, flow wherein the boundary conditions do not vary with time—is subject to analytical solution. Muskat1 has shown that the general differential equation is simply the La Place equation in P2. Direct solutions may be at once obtained. The unsteady state, on the other hand, is not analytically reducible. Since nearly all phenomena of practical interest in gas production involve flow in the unsteady rather than in the steady state, it has been necessary to derive approximate Solutions to the general equation. The validity of such approximations has not hitherto been adequately tested. In the experiments to be described a simple, closed, linear system is substituted for the real complex gas field. The general results, however, are independent of the geometry Of the system' The problem studied is the rate of production, and the accompanying variations in pressure, when one end of a linear porous system is opened to the atmosphere and permitted to produce to exhaustion. An approximate solution to the general differential equation, based upon the assumption of an "infinite series of steady states," is then applied to the results to determine the validity of this method of dealing with actual reservoirs. Theoretical Considerations The fundamental differential equation governing the flow of a gas through a Porous medium can be derived easily from the equation of continuity, Darcy's law, Boyle's law and a statement of the thermo-dynamic nature of the flow. For isothermal flow it is: d2P2/dx2 + d2p2/dy2 + d2p2/dz2 = 2fµ/K dP-dT

Jan 1, 1942

By R. L. Huntington, D. T. MacRoberts, Charles R. Hetherington

Since the equation of continuity governing transient flow of gases through porous media cannot be integrated mathematically into a simple usable expression free from series terms, empirical and approximate equations have been advanced relating cumulative production and future production rates from gas reservoirs with time. In order to check the accuracy of these empirical equations and to obtain an insight into the initial conditions pertinent to the solution of the fundamental equation of continuity, experimental work has been conducted on a vertical 2-in. tube, 91.6 ft. high, packed with unconsolidated Wilcox sand. The results presented in graphical form show the accuracy of the approximate relations. Data from unsteady-flow runs on the 2-in. experimental tube are presented graphically, and are applied to obtain an equation for this specific case, and are offered as an aid in future investigations of this basic equation. The close agreement between equations calculated for steady-state flow and the experiments indicates that the decline of actual gas reservoirs may be treated by an application of these equations without serious error. Introduction The steady-state flow of gas through a porous material—that is, flow wherein the boundary conditions do not vary with time—is subject to analytical solution. Muskat1 has shown that the general differential equation is simply the La Place equation in P2. Direct solutions may be at once obtained. The unsteady state, on the other hand, is not analytically reducible. Since nearly all phenomena of practical interest in gas production involve flow in the unsteady rather than in the steady state, it has been necessary to derive approximate Solutions to the general equation. The validity of such approximations has not hitherto been adequately tested. In the experiments to be described a simple, closed, linear system is substituted for the real complex gas field. The general results, however, are independent of the geometry Of the system' The problem studied is the rate of production, and the accompanying variations in pressure, when one end of a linear porous system is opened to the atmosphere and permitted to produce to exhaustion. An approximate solution to the general differential equation, based upon the assumption of an "infinite series of steady states," is then applied to the results to determine the validity of this method of dealing with actual reservoirs. Theoretical Considerations The fundamental differential equation governing the flow of a gas through a Porous medium can be derived easily from the equation of continuity, Darcy's law, Boyle's law and a statement of the thermo-dynamic nature of the flow. For isothermal flow it is: d2P2/dx2 + d2p2/dy2 + d2p2/dz2 = 2fµ/K dP-dT

Jan 1, 1942

By Sylvan Cromer

The need for a clear understanding of the physical nature of the flow of gas-liquid mixtures in vertical pipes is ever becoming more apparent. This type of flow is encountered when gas and oil are produced from a well; when water is removed from gas wells with siphon lines and when liquids are elevated by means of air or gas lift. Although a number of investigator1-7 have published data on the flow of gas-liquid mixtures, in only a few cases has the experimental setup been devised to permit visual study. In the fields of heat transmission, such as the boiling of liquids and the study of the critical phenomena of the hydrocarbons, researchers have been able to throw additional light on heretofore unexplainable happenings through actual observation in glass apparatus. This investigation was therefore undertaken in order to obtain qualitative as well as quantitative results for air-water flow. Experimental Apparatus and Procedure The flow column used in these tests was made of standard 2-in. pipe and was approximately 98 ft. in height. Pyrex observation sections 2 ft. long having the same internal diameter as the wrought-iron pipe were placed at 14-ft. intervals in the column. The bottom of the tube was cut off square and terminated in the mixing chamber. No perforated nipple or footpiece of any kind was used. To the top of the column was fastened a semicircular return bend having a 4-ft. radius. The flow column was supported by a standard cable-tool drilling derrick (Fig. 1) into which were built observation platforms at each Pyrex section.

Jan 1, 1940

By Sylvan Cromer

The need for a clear understanding of the physical nature of the flow of gas-liquid mixtures in vertical pipes is ever becoming more apparent. This type of flow is encountered when gas and oil are produced from a well; when water is removed from gas wells with siphon lines and when liquids are elevated by means of air or gas lift. Although a number of investigator1-7 have published data on the flow of gas-liquid mixtures, in only a few cases has the experimental setup been devised to permit visual study. In the fields of heat transmission, such as the boiling of liquids and the study of the critical phenomena of the hydrocarbons, researchers have been able to throw additional light on heretofore unexplainable happenings through actual observation in glass apparatus. This investigation was therefore undertaken in order to obtain qualitative as well as quantitative results for air-water flow. Experimental Apparatus and Procedure The flow column used in these tests was made of standard 2-in. pipe and was approximately 98 ft. in height. Pyrex observation sections 2 ft. long having the same internal diameter as the wrought-iron pipe were placed at 14-ft. intervals in the column. The bottom of the tube was cut off square and terminated in the mixing chamber. No perforated nipple or footpiece of any kind was used. To the top of the column was fastened a semicircular return bend having a 4-ft. radius. The flow column was supported by a standard cable-tool drilling derrick (Fig. 1) into which were built observation platforms at each Pyrex section.

Jan 1, 1940

By B. H. Sage, W. N. Lacey, W. M. Morris

The volumetric behavior of isobutane at temperatures below its critical temperature has been studied by several investigators. Seibert and Burrelll measured the vapor pressure of isobutane from the ice point to the critical temperature. Dana and co-workers2 determined among other thermodynamic quantities the density of the saturated liquid and the saturated gas and the vapor pressure from approximately 0 to 130 F. Sage and Lacey3 studied a number of the thermodynamic properties of this hydrocarbon from 70" to 250" F. The specific volume in the gas and liquid region was determined at pressures up to 3000 Ib. per sq. in.? throughout this temperature interval. In addition, the vapor pressures were measured at 30" intervals. These data taken together serve to establish the thermodynamic behavior of isobutane at temperatures between 0" and 250" F. with reasonable accuracy. However, apparently there are no data available at the higher temperatures. For this reason an investigation of the volumetric behavior of isobutane at temperatures between 100" and 460" F. was carried out with apparatus that has been described in another paper (p. 136, this volume). Materials The isobutane used in this investigation was obtained from the Philgas Division of the Phillips Petroleum Co. That company's special analysis upon this sample indicated it to contain less than 0.03 mol per cent of impurities. In order to avoid traces of noncondensable gases, this hydrocarbon material was subjected to two successive fractionations at a high reflux ratio in a column approximately 4 ft. long and % in. in diameter, which was packed with small glass rings. The middle portion of distillate from the first fractionation was used in the second fraction-ation and a portion of the overhead from this second distillation process was repeatedly condensed at liquid-air temperatures at a pressure only slightly above the sublimation pressure of isobutane at this temperature.

Jan 1, 1940

By W. N. Lacey, B. H. Sage, W. M. Morris

The volumetric behavior of isobutane at temperatures below its critical temperature has been studied by several investigators. Seibert and Burrelll measured the vapor pressure of isobutane from the ice point to the critical temperature. Dana and co-workers2 determined among other thermodynamic quantities the density of the saturated liquid and the saturated gas and the vapor pressure from approximately 0 to 130 F. Sage and Lacey3 studied a number of the thermodynamic properties of this hydrocarbon from 70" to 250" F. The specific volume in the gas and liquid region was determined at pressures up to 3000 Ib. per sq. in.? throughout this temperature interval. In addition, the vapor pressures were measured at 30" intervals. These data taken together serve to establish the thermodynamic behavior of isobutane at temperatures between 0" and 250" F. with reasonable accuracy. However, apparently there are no data available at the higher temperatures. For this reason an investigation of the volumetric behavior of isobutane at temperatures between 100" and 460" F. was carried out with apparatus that has been described in another paper (p. 136, this volume). Materials The isobutane used in this investigation was obtained from the Philgas Division of the Phillips Petroleum Co. That company's special analysis upon this sample indicated it to contain less than 0.03 mol per cent of impurities. In order to avoid traces of noncondensable gases, this hydrocarbon material was subjected to two successive fractionations at a high reflux ratio in a column approximately 4 ft. long and % in. in diameter, which was packed with small glass rings. The middle portion of distillate from the first fractionation was used in the second fraction-ation and a portion of the overhead from this second distillation process was repeatedly condensed at liquid-air temperatures at a pressure only slightly above the sublimation pressure of isobutane at this temperature.

Jan 1, 1940

By A. C. Wingrove

The paper outlines the selection of a dewatered tailings backfill system for the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Gold Division, and covers the following aspects: (i) 16 Shaft pilot testwork; (ii) engineering design problems relating to the Cooke 3 Shaft backfill operation; (iii) in-line mixing - applications with respect to the Randfontein Estates Gold Mine and Western Areas Gold Mine backfill operations; and (iv) pipeline friction losses.

Jan 1, 1988

SHORTLY after Ambrose Swasey suggested the creation of the Engineering Foundation in 1914, the World War broke. upon the scene. Consequently all eyes were soon turned to national security problems. In 1916 the newly-organized Engineering Foundation and the four National Societies joined with the National Academy of Sciences in establishing the National Research Council. From then until 1923 the Engineering Foundation devoted the greater part of its resources to the support of the Research Council and the Council's division of engineering. Since 1923, how-ever, it has turned to the original intention for which it was created, of cooperating with the national societies in proj-ects affecting engineering at large, though it still retains a connection with the Research Council. Mere enumeration and tabulation of work undertaken can of course lend but a vague idea of actual accomplish-ments. The reports of the Foundation give information of its widespread activities.

Jan 2, 1928

By A. Bobet

Design of a new underground laboratory is underway through the auspices of the United States National Science Foundation. The Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) is scoped to provide a diverse group of researchers with a dedicated underground facility capable of supporting a broad spectrum of fundamental and applied research at depth in the Earth?s crust. Key research partners in the endeavor are physicists, biologists, geoscientists and engineers. Engineers are not only designing the underground facilities, but are also actively involved in developing research initiatives. This paper will introduce the DUSEL engineering research program to the mining community, provide an overview of the site, geology, and laboratory facilities, and describe some key program initiatives. The particular technical challenges and opportunities afforded by the construction of DUSEL and the performance of the integrated science-engineering program will be discussed by reference to a subset of research initiatives that are currently under development: Cavern Design, CO2 Sequestration and Transparent Earth. These research initiatives target the development of new techniques that can support improved subsurface investigation, design and construction procedures. An increased use of the subsurface can actively contribute to the development of new, more sustainable solutions for use in mining and civil engineering practice.

Jan 1, 2011

By Everett G. Trostel

AMERICAN industry in 1943 emerged from the construction phase into the production phase, and American military operations passed from preparation into full action in the many theaters of the global war. The increased pace of industrial and military operations has resulted in a tremendous demand for petroleum and its products.

Jan 1, 1944

By Burton E. Gilpin, Dr. George W. Annadale

A two level risk analysis procedure which is specially designed for use in river environments, is presented. The first level risk assessment (Level I) is often adequate for purposes of most projects, and entails hazard assessment, exposure identification, consequence estimation, and risk characterization. Two unique features of the method are the Composite Hazard Rating system, which is used in hazard assessment, and a formalized decision model for risk characterization. The risk characterization procedure provides information on the acceptability of risks, can be used to distinguish between the relative severity of risks, and to evaluate whether more advanced risk assessment would be required.

Jan 1, 1992

By Chairman Hill H. H.

The Round Table Discussion on Petroleum Engineering Research was planned for two purposes. First, to review the work that has been done by petroleum engineers during the past few years on problems that have confronted the industry and, second, to suggest new studies that should be made either on the problems that have been the subject of research during the past or on problems that have arisen only recently. It was believed that by holding an informal discussion of the problems in which the petroleum engineer is vitally interested it would be possible to bring out new ideas as to the relative importance of the different problems that should be studied and to suggest new methods for attacking some of the problems that have resisted the energies of research workers throughout the industry. It was also believed that by arranging for an exchange of experiences between the different engineers it would be possible to prevent a large amount of duplication of effort in conducting research work. Those engaged in petroleum engineering research realize that there is a broad field for study and by coordinating the work it will be possible to obtain the maximum amount of information in the shortest possible time. In planning the program on Petroleum Engineering Research, nine subjects were selected for discussion and each was assigned to a man who is doing work on that subject. These men were asked to lead the discussion on the problem assigned to each one. An effort was made to choose problems of a practical nature and upon which considerable work is being conducted at the present time. Some of the men who were asked to lead the discussion were unable to attend the meeting but most of them submitted a written discussion- of the subject assigned, with the result that there was a discussion of eight of the nine problems. Professor Uren, who was asked to lead the discussion on the subject of Recent Developments in Methods for Reducing Gas-oil Ratios, was unable to attend the meeting and advised that he did not have any new ideas to contribute.

Jan 1, 1928

By William B. Plank

A NEW record-a quarter million students in the engineering schools of the United States and Canada-has resulted from the great demand for engineers following World War II. The figures released by the American Society for Engineering Education and which appeared in detail in the Journal of Engineering Education for January 1948, show that, on Nov. 1, 1947, 252,250 students were studying engineering in 149 engineering schools of both countries. There are 244,390 in the 143 schools canvassed in the United States, and 7860 in six schools in Canada. These figures include both undergraduate and graduate students and are therefore comparable with the figures in previous presentations on this subject. This unprecedented engineering student body

Jan 1, 1948

By J. Mcdvcka

Sustainable development has become a driving imperative for the resource industry as it is for the rest of the global business world. Being unsustainable is a risk no business can afford. Yet implementation of sustainable development practices beyond satisfaction of compulsory reporting is still sporadic. The current standard approaches to problem analysis and decision making are too narrow to capture the complexity of the issues at stake. Hence it is necessary to develop innovation in thinking and in doing. Those who search for ways to implement sustainable development use concepts such as Whole Systems Thinking and Eco-efficiency as well as tools like Life Cycle Analysis. Others develop their own instruments. In their effort to innovate they face both resistance and support within their organisation as well as within the industry or the wider context. This paper explores the factors that support, hinder and shape the sustainable development drive of the industry and proposes a comprehensive decision-making framework that links the goal of sustainability with the tools of sustainable development. This exploration is illustrated by a case study used in a doctoral research conducted on an engineering firm providing services to our industry.

Jan 1, 2007

The Engineering Societies Building is owned by the United Engineering Society which is composed of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, the four national engineering societies known as the Founder Societies. Its erection, and that of the Engineers Club which adjoins, was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, Honorary Member, who in 1903 contributed $1,500,000 for the purpose. The Founder Societies purchased the land on which the Engineering Societies Building stands and the Engineers Club the land for its building.

Jan 1, 1923

A letter from Mr. E. F. Cykler, Secretary-Treasurer, informs us that the Engineering Societies Club of Hawaii has been established, and that a member of any one of the following organizations is eligible for membership in the Hawaiian club: American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Institute of Mining Engineers, American Institute of Electrical Engineers, American Society of Naval Engineers, American Railway Engineering Association, American Society for Testing Materials. The main purpose of this club is the entertainment of visitors from the various national organizations above mentioned, and the Secretary will be glad to hear from any one who is making a trip to the Hawaiian Islands. Mr. Cykler's address is 2A Pantheon Building, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Jan 12, 1917