Sunday, December 21, 2014

Crude Oil Benchmark

Glossary:

WTI (West Texas Intermedium) - WTI refers to oil extracted from wells in the U.S. It is light and sweet (low sulfur), a high quality crude oil. US as a big oil consumption country, coupled with the New York Futures Exchange in global influence, WTI crude oil futures is global benchmark of oil price. The public and the media usually say the number of dollars in oil, mainly refers to the WTI price.

Brent Blend - Similar to WTI, Brent is light and sweet crude oil too. At 23 June 1988, on London's International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) launched Brent crude oil futures contract, it been used as benchmark for the north-western Europe, North Sea, Mediterranean, Africa and Yemen and other countries and regions. Roughly two-thirds of all crude contracts around the world reference Brent Blend, making it the most widely used marker of all.

Dubai/Oman – This is a useful reference for oil of Middle Eastern crude. It is a slightly lower grade than WTI or Brent. This is benchmark of well-known OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) oil prices. It mainly export to Asian countries, therefore it tends to reflect the status of Asian demand for crude oil.

Source: IntercontinentalExchange (ICE) 

Friday, July 18, 2014

World Oil & Gas Review 2013

Oil







Total world proved oil reserves reached 1687.9 billion barrels at the end of 2013, sufficient to meet 53.3 years of global production. The largest additions to reserves came from Russia, adding 900 million barrels and Venezuela adding 800 million barrels. OPEC members continue to hold the majority of reserves, accounting for 71.9% of the global total. South & Central America continues to hold the highest R/P ratio. Over the past decade, global proved reserves have increased by 27%, or over 350 billion barrels.


Oil Price 1861-2013


Gas

World proved natural gas reserves at end-2013 stood at 185.7 trillion cubic metres (tcm), sufficient to meet 55.1 years of global production. Proved reserves grew by 0.2% relative to end-2012 data. An increase in the US (+7.1%) accounted for all of the net growth in global proved reserves in 2013. Iran (33.8 tcm) and Russia (31.3 tcm) hold the largest proved reserves.



References
  1. BP Statistical Review 2014, http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/about-bp/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy/statistical-review-downloads.html
  2. Eni O&G Review 2013, http://www.eni.com/world-oil-gas-review-2013/wogr.shtml
  3. List of countries by proven oil reserves,  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_proven_oil_reserves

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Trigonometry Problem - Solution

A new solution for previous trigonometry problem.



In previous post, I have provided a solution for the problem by triangle area formula, however it seen complicated.
Recently, I have thought up a new solution for it.

Consider the triangle in Cartesian coordinate system, using linear equation for developing the equations for lines AB, AD, CE and BC.

First, assume length of AC is 1
line AB:  y = x tan (80)
line AD:  y = x tan (60)
line CE:  y =  x tan (110) - tan (110)
line BC:  y = x tan (100) - tan (100)

Point E is intersection of lines AB and CE;
x tan (80) = x tan (110) - tan (110)
x tan (80) - x tan (110) = - tan (110)
x tan (110) - x tan (80) = tan (110)
x [tan (110) - tan (80)] = tan (110)
          x = tan (110) / [tan (110) - tan (80)]
          x = 0.32635
using line AB equation;
          y = 0.32635 tan (80)
          y = 1.8508
Point E is (0.32635, 1.85083)

With same method; find for coordinate of D
Point D is (0.766044,1.32683)

Then, find slope of DE by two points;


The slope DE = -1.191753
          tan (d) = -1.191753
                  d = -50 degree or 50 degree

Angle of line EC to horizontal is 70 degree

Then angle e is 70 - 50
thus, answer e = 20 degree
   

Monday, May 5, 2014

Oil and Gas Production: Onshore

Onshore production is most economical oil producing compare to offshore.


The picture shows a oil production, equipped with a sucker rod pump (commonly called Donkey pump). For the smallest reservoirs, oil is simply collected in a holding tank and picked up at regular intervals by tanker truck or railcar to be precessed at a refinery.


Other onshore facilities are unconventional production, that target heavy oil, tar sand (oil sand) and fracturing technology for shale oil and gas. Heavy oil and tar sand are producing low value product such as bitumen and parrafin (wax). Besides, it required further extraction due to high sulfur and mineral content.


Shale oil, that's where hydraulic fracturing plays an important role in America's energy supply in new era. (This is interesting topic, author may be discussed special topic later).


Friday, April 4, 2014

Oil and Gas Industry Activities

The oil and gas industry facilities and activities are broadly defined, according to their use in the oil and gas industry production stream:

Exploration:

Includes prospecting, seismic and drilling activities that take place before the development of a field is finally decided.

Upstream:

Typically refers to all facilities for production and stabilization of oil and gas. The reservoir and drilling community often uses upstream for the wellhead, well, completion and reservoir only, and downstream of the wellhead as production or processing. Exploration and upstream/production together is referred to as E&P.

Midstream:

Broadly defined as gas treatment, LNG production and regasification plants, and oil and gas pipeline systems.

Refining:

Where oil and condensates are processed into marketable products with defined specifications such as gasoline, diesel or feedstock for the petrochemical industry. Refinery offsites such as tank storage and distribution terminals are included in this segment, or may be part of a separate distributions operation.

Petrochemical:

These products are chemical products where the main feedstock is hydrocarbons. Examples are plastics, fertilizer and a wide range of industrial chemicals.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Oil And Gas Formation



Generally the scientist believe the crude oil and natural gas are formed by live things. Tiny sea plants and animals died were buried on ocean floor. Over time, they were covered by layers of sediment and rock.
Over millions of  years,the remains were buried deeper and deeper.The enormous heat and pressure turn them into oil and gas. They migrated from the source to the reservoir rock, and trapping by impermeable rock.


Question 1:  Is this live things transformation process continuous? Today a fish died in sea, would it become oil over millions of year later?

Question 2: Why from live things? Live things contains protein (CO-NH), Is amount of hydrocarbon to O and N ratio in reservoir reflect protein ratio?

Question 3: Formation oil and gas need the right temperature and pressure. However found some oil in surface only few meter from ground which is no high temperature and pressure condition.

Question 4: The hydrocarbon was found in some of planet, like Saturn, Jupiter, but without biology.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Pray for MH370


(8 March 2014) MAS flight MH370 has lost contact with Subang air traffic control at 2.40am,

We pray together for MH370.





Flightradar24 replay MH370 missing track.

another traffic website for marine/ship

"Black Box" is not black in colour




24 March 2014, PM Najib announced based on inmarsat new calculation narrow the to MH370 went to south corridor and "ended" at Indian Ocean, east of Australia.

MH370 ping 了七次,分别是时间2:11、3:11、4:11、5:11、6:11、7:11、8:11
“Doppler effect”
观察者与波源互相接近时,波被“压缩”,波长变短、频率变高;互相远离时,波被“拉长”,频率降低。例如,当火车靠近时,人们会感到汽笛声越来越尖利刺耳,而火车远离时,汽笛的声调越来越低沉。所幸国际海事卫星配备有精确到纳秒(nano-second)乃至皮秒(pico-second)级别的时钟,可以测得精确细微的频率变化。
卫星位于赤道上,那七次信号,前组信号是被压缩,然后被“拉长”,就是飞机飞靠近赤道再远离,如果往北,七次信号全被“拉长”,但是先被压缩,然后被“拉长”,结论是往南飞了。
http://news.ifeng.com/world/special/malaixiyakejishilian/content-4/detail_2014_03/26/35137776_0.shtml#_from_ralated



video from:
http://live.wsj.com/video/flight-370-how-pings-revealed-the-flight-path/991D6CB0-852F-4D44-9B44-6107093815EC.html



Friday, February 21, 2014

SBM suffered with corruption scandal

SBM Offshore, world No 2 largest FPSO contractor recently suffered in corruption case. The company declined to comment the quote in Wikipeidia.

"The company is involved in one of the biggest worldwide corporate bribery and corruption scandals in recent history, with more than US$250,000,000 of bribes and other malpractices spanning many years.

It has been alleged that SBM Offshore has paid in bribes between 2005 and 2011, more than 250 million dollars (185 million euros) in many countries. This could be seen in a document from a former employee of the company (who identifies himself as a Former Employee). According to the website of the magazine Quote SBM confirms that the document is genuine."

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SBM_Offshore


Petrobas investigates SBM corruption claims
SBM Offshore has been accused of paying US$139mn to "employees and intermediaries" to guarantee platform supply contracts, according to state news service Agência Brasil.

Petrobras CEO Maria das Graças Foster promised a prompt outcome to the investigation.

"We have started an internal audit and the investigation is expected to last less than 30 days," Foster said. "During this time we won't give any information about the matter."

source: http://www.bnamericas.com/news/oilandgas/petrobras-investigates-sbm-corruption-claims


Thursday, February 13, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day 14.2.2014

 Hand made rose and greeting card
Happy Valentine's Day
14.2.2014

Original image

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Oil and Gas Processing (History)

Oil has been used for lighting purposes for many thousands of years. In areas where oil is found in shallow reservoirs, seeps of crude oil or gas may naturally develop, and some oil could simply be collected from seepage or tar ponds.

Historically, we know the tales of eternal fires where oil and gas seeps ignited and burned. One example is the site where the famous oracle of Delphi was built around 1,000 B.C. Written sources from 500 B.C. describe how the Chinese used natural gas to boil water. The oil was produced from bamboo-drilled wells in China. The well reach 1000 meters deep.


In western history, it was not until 1859 that "Colonel" Edwin Drake drilled the first successful oil well, with the sole purpose of finding oil. The Drake Well was located in the middle of quiet farm country in northwestern Pennsylvania, and sparked the international search for an industrial use for petroleum.


Photo: Drake Well Museum Collection, Titusville, PA

These wells were shallow by modern standards, often less than 50 meters deep, but they produced large quantities of oil. In this picture of the Tarr Farm, Oil Creek Valley, the Phillips well on the right initially produced 4,000 barrels per day in October, 1861, and the Woodford well on the left came in
at 1,500 barrels per day in July, 1862.

The oil was collected in the wooden tank pictured in the foreground. As you will no doubt notice, there are many different-sized barrels in the background. At this time, barrel size had not been standardized, which made statements like "oil is selling at $5 per barrel" very confusing (today a barrel is 159 liters). But even in those days, overproduction was something to be avoided. When the "Empire well" was completed in September 1861, it produced 3,000 barrels per day, flooding the market, and the price of oil plummeted to 10 cents a barrel. In some ways, we see the same effect today. When new shale gas fields in the US are constrained by the capacity of the existing oil and gas pipeline network, it results in bottlenecks and low prices at the production site.

Soon, oil had replaced most other fuels for motorized transport. The automobile industry developed at the end of the 19th century, and quickly adopted oil as fuel. Gasoline engines were essential for designing successful aircraft. Ships driven by oil could move up to twice as fast as their coal-powered counterparts, a vital military advantage. Gas was burned off or left in the ground.

Despite attempts at gas transportation as far back as 1821, it was not until after World War II that welding techniques, pipe rolling, and metallurgical advances allowed for the construction of reliable long distance pipelines, creating a natural gas industry boom. At the same time, the petrochemical industry with its new plastic materials quickly increased production. Even now, gas production is gaining market share as liquefied natural gas (LNG) provides an economical way of transporting gas from even the remotest sites.

With the appearance of automobiles and more advanced consumers, it was necessary to improve and standardize the marketable products. Refining was necessary to divide the crude in fractions that could be blended to precise specifications. As value shifted from refining to upstream production, it became even more essential for refineries to increase high-value fuel yield from a variety of crudes. From 10-40% gasoline for crude a century ago, a modern refinery can get up to 70% gasoline from the same quality crude through a variety of advanced reforming and cracking processes.

1 barrel (42 gallons) crude oil breakdown to various products in gallon

Chemicals derived from petroleum or natural gas – petrochemicals – are an essential part of the chemical industry today. Petrochemistry is a fairly young industry; it only started to grow in the 1940s, more than 80 years after the drilling of the first commercial oil well.

During World War II, the demand for synthetic materials to replace costly and sometimes less efficient products caused the petrochemical industry to develop into a major player in modern economy and society.

Products Flow Chart of Petroleum Based Feedstocks

Before then, it was a tentative, experimental sector, starting with basic materials:

  • Synthetic rubbers in the 1900s
  • Bakelite, the first petrochemical-derived plastic, in 1907
  • First petrochemical solvents in the 1920s
  • Polystyrene in the 1930s
And it then moved to an incredible variety of areas:

  • Household goods (kitchen appliances, textiles, furniture)
  • Medicine (heart pacemakers, transfusion bags)
  • Leisure (running shoes, computers...)
  • Highly specialized fields like archaeology and crime detection
With oil prices of $100 a barrel or more, even more difficult-to-access sources have become economically viable. Such sources include tar sands in Venezuela and Canada, shale oil and gas in the US (and developing
elsewhere), coal bed methane and synthetic diesel (syndiesel) from natural gas, and biodiesel and bioethanol from biological sources have seen a dramatic increase over the last ten years. These sources may eventually
more than triple the potential reserves of hydrocarbon fuels. Beyond that, there are even more exotic sources, such as methane hydrates, that some experts claim can double available resources once more.

With increasing consumption and ever-increasing conventional and unconventional resources, the challenge becomes not one of availability, but of sustainable use of fossil fuels in the face of rising environmental impacts, that range from local pollution to global climate effects.


Reference sources:
  1. Oil and gas production handbook: 
    An introduction to oil and gas production,
    transport, refining and petrochemical 
    industry
    Håvard Devold, 2013

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

The Making of FPSO Armada Sterling (youtube)


Production capacity: 60,000 bpd
Storage capacity: 580,000 bbls
Length Overall: 246.80 metres
Breadth: 42.0 metres
Depth: 21.3 metres
Deadweight tonne: 90,819 tonnes
Mooring type: Internal turret
Hull type: Double hull
Accommodation: 70 persons
Year built: 1997
Year converted to an FPSO  2012
Convertion Shipyard: Keppel Shipyard, Singapore
Class: ABS
Flag: Marshall Island




website: http://www.bumiarmada.com/

Saturday, January 25, 2014

PSV Inlet Line 3 Percent Rule



When I was young process engineer, I learnt sizing of pressure relief valve, include inlet line sizing rule:
API RP 520 Part II (Ed 2003), section 4.2 recommends that the total non-recoverable pressure loss between the protected equipment and the pressure relief valve should not exceed 3 percent.



WHY?
In API RP 520, section 4.2 "PRESSURE-DROP LIMITATIONS AND PIPING CONFIGURATIONS"
"Excessive pressure loss at the inlet of a pressure-relief
valve can cause rapid opening and closing of the valve, or
chattering. Chattering will result in lowered capacity and
damage to the seating surfaces."

"When a pressure-relief valve is installed on a line directly
connected to a vessel, the total non-recoverable pressure loss
between the protected equipment and the pressure-relief
valve should not exceed 3 percent of the set pressure of the
valve except as permitted in 4.2.3 for pilot-operated pressure relief
valves."

"Keeping the pressure loss below 3 percent becomes progressively
more difficult at low pressures as the orifice size of a
pressure-relief valve increases. An engineering analysis of the
valve performance at higher inlet losses may permit increasing
the allowable pressure loss above 3 percent."

Clearly, the API guideline is to avoid the PSV chatter.
In 2007, API is responded that the 3% rule is under investigation:[1]


In March 2010 Ballot outlines: [2]
- Typical blowdown set by the manufacturer for PRVs is 7 to 12% of the set pressure 
- Original basis of 3% inlet pressure loss was related to blowdown settings in the range of 4 - 5 %
- A suitable margin relative to the blowdown shall be specified by the user
- When exceeding 3% inlet loss, an engineering analysis shall include but is not limited to the following:
a. Verification from the manufacturer the minimum blowdown value for the PRV model based on the manufacturer’s standard setting. 
b. Prior to any increase in blowdown to allow for higher inlet pressure drop, the manufacturer shall be consulted to make sure that an increase in blowdown is possible.
c. Re-evaluation of the flow capacity of the valve taking into consideration the reduction in pressure at the inlet to the valve.
d. The user shall conduct a thorough review of the valve’s inspection/maintenance records and obtain experience from Operations, to identify any indications of chatter

History of Inlet Pressure Drop
- API RP 520 introduced maximum PRV inlet pressure drop in 1963
- API sponsored 1940’s work at University of Michigan by Sylvander and Katz “The Design and Construction of Pressure Relieving Systems”
- University of Michigan Press (1948) pages 72-73 excerpts:

  • “Pressure drop through inlet piping has a two-fold importance in relief system design. First, flow capacity varies with the pressure drop available. Second, the operating characteristics of many relief devices indicate that improper pressure drop on the inlet side may cause intermittent operation.“
  • “For a relief valve having approximately 4 per cent blow-down (that is, the valve will snap shut when the pressure has decreased to 4 per cent below the opening or set pressure), these recommendations are made:

- Combined pressure loss of 3% maximum related to PRVs with 4% blowdown (margin of 1%)


In Spring 2011Metting [3]

In November 2011, Hydrocarbon Processing featured a Special Report [5] Title : "Relief Device Inlet Piping: Beyond the 3 Percent Rule"


Current status, (3/7/2013), API RP520 Part 2, 6th Ed Committee Draft [4]
PSV Inlet Pressure Loss Criteria:
The total non-recoverable
pressure loss between the protected equipment and the pressure-relief valve should not exceed 3 percent of
the pressure relief valve set pressure except as noted below: 
  • Thermal relief valves
  • Remotely sensed pilot operated relief valves
  • keeping the pressure loss below 3 percent becomes progressively more difficult at low pressures as the orifice size of a pressure relief valve increases
  • An engineering analysis is performed for the specific installation



Reference link
1. API replied
2. Spring 2010 API CRE Meeting
3. Spring 2011 API Meeting Minutes
4. API RP520 Part 2, 6 Ed, Committee Draft
5. Relief Device Inlet Piping: Beyond the 3 Percent Rule, Hydrocarbon Processing, Novmber 2011 issue

Friday, January 24, 2014

(youtube) PETRONAS CNY 2014: Young Hearts

PETRONAS国油呈现,2014农历新年贺岁短片:【童心未泯】。

GONG XI FA CAI
恭喜发财

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

BP Schiehallion FPSO offstation (720p HD)

The largest new build FPSO, BP Schiehallion. 
After operated 14 years, BP have decided replace with new FPSO. 
The Schiehallion to be decommissioning. 
The animation is showing safely offstation the Schiehallion.

Fact sheet:

Oil: 200,000 BPD (2x50% trains)
Water: 200,0o0 BPD
Total Liquid : 270,000 BPD
Gas : 130 MMSCFD
Water Injection : 250,000 BPD
Power: 2 x GE LM-6000 dual fuel, 40 MW
Mooring: Internal Turret
Storage: 900,000 BBLS




Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Oil and Gas Supply Chain in Malaysia

The oil and gas industry supply chain is from Exploration/Drilling to Distribution. Figure below is shown the supply chain in Malaysia. The secondary support industries such as OSV, Service and Engineering are also illustrated in the figure. 

Supply Chain:
Exploration/ Drilling -> Production -> Shipping -> Storage -> Distribution