Biofouling risk management for the importation of a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility and the central processing facility (CPF); the world's largest semi-submersible platform

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Nick Gust ◽  
Ashley Coutts ◽  
Patrick Lewis ◽  
Rene Tigges ◽  
Jake Prout ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Species ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Antifouling Coating ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Water Cleaning ◽  
Processing Facility ◽  
Cleaning Methods ◽  
Species Specific

Two key facilities for the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project; the central processing facility (CPF) and floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO), were constructed in South Korean ports and towed to offshore Australian waters. To meet regulatory requirements for their importation, and mitigate potential invasive marine species (IMS) introduction, species-specific biofouling risk assessments were completed, and a series of management measures implemented. Risk assessments quantified the theoretical likelihood of the facilities introducing IMS via biofouling. The assessments considered (but were not limited to) the type of antifouling coating (AFC), time alongside, niche areas, and likelihood of IMS surviving in offshore waters at the Ichthys Field if translocated. The two facilities had different AFCs on their submerged hulls (CPF: biocidal, FPSO: non-biocidal). The theoretical risk of introducing IMS to Australian waters was considered ‘uncertain’, requiring completion of an extensive pre-mobilisation cleaning program in-water (CPF >600 dive hours and FPSO 2381 dive hours). The FPSO was cleaned twice due to a delay and recolonisation on the non-biocidal AFC. To determine the most efficient cleaning methods, various in-water cleaning technologies were trialled. Due to the size and complexity of the facilities, biofouling inspectors were deployed throughout the operation to increase confidence in the outcomes. After the arrival of the facilities at the Ichthys Field, dedicated underwater surveys were conducted to assess biofouling communities and collect specimens for molecular analysis, using a specially designed sampling tool. The associated outcomes demonstrated that the risk was acceptable and had been reduced to as low as reasonably practicable, validating the novel approach taken.

scholarly journals Seasonality of spatial patterns of abundance, biomass, and biodiversity in a demersal community of the NW Mediterranean Sea

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 567-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Vilas ◽  
Maria Grazia Pennino ◽  
Jose Maria Bellido ◽  
Joan Navarro ◽  
Isabel Palomera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Spatial Models ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Nw Mediterranean ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract Information on the spatial patterns and habitat preferences of marine species is key to understand the functioning of marine ecosystem and to manage and protect marine resources efficiently. However, the study of spatial patterns of marine ecosystems is challenging because they are dynamic environments that can vary seasonally. We modelled the spatial patterns of abundance, biomass, and biodiversity in a demersal community of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea by season using hierarchical Bayesian spatial models and environmental, physical, and anthropogenic factors. Overall, our findings revealed the importance of seasonality in the spatial patterns of the demersal community, which were mainly driven by sea surface temperature. Results also underlined important patterns of movements of demersal organisms: fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans showed high densities in the area surrounding the Ebro Delta River in winter mainly driven by species-specific behaviour. Our results are relevant to inform future management measures in the study area, such as seasonal fishing restrictions, or to adapt local marine protected areas to seasonal processes. This study provides evidence of the need to expand current monitoring schemes to capture the seasonality of marine demersal communities for a more comprehensive marine spatial planning framework.

scholarly journals A Techno-economic Evaluation of Adding Silica Nanoparticles to Enhance the Demulsification Process in a Crude Oil Central Processing Facility

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shireen Hassan ◽  
Babiker Abdalla ◽  
Mustafa Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Silica Nanoparticles ◽  
Production Cost ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Oil Processing ◽  
Software Model ◽  
Processing Facility ◽  
Demulsification Process

In this study, a techno-economic evaluation of the use of silica nanoparticles to enhance the demulsification process, in crude oil, has been investigated. A software model has been developed in MS Excel of the central processing facility (CPF). A sensitivity analysis of key parameters on production cost and Net Present Value (NPV) has been carried out for different flowsheet selection options. Comparison of flowsheets on an equal plant capacity basis results in a 19% reduction in the production cost whereas comparison on a fixed annual crude oil processing basis results in a reduction in production cost of only 3.7%.

scholarly journals Sumberdaya Kuda Laut (Hippocampus spp.) di Perairan Pulau Bintan, Teluk Lampung dan Pulau Tanakeke

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Masayu Rahmia Anwar Putri ◽  
Astri Suryandari ◽  
Joni Haryadi
Keyword(s):  
Marine Species ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
South Sulawesi ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Habitat Damage ◽  
Over Exploitation ◽  
Sexually Mature

<strong>Seahorse Resources (Hippocampus spp.) in the Waters of Bintan Island, Lampung Bay and Tanakeke Island</strong>.Information on seahorse resources is very limited, from 35 species of marine species listed on the IUCN redlist, 20 species are listed as "data deficient" which illustrates the lack of information related to sea horses, even for highly exploited species. This research was conducted to inventory sea horse resources (<em>Hippocampus</em> spp.), covering spesies information, size, sex ratio and density of seahorses from three potential locations, they are Bintan Island, Lampung and Tanakeke Island Waters. Field observation for seahorse resources was conducted at Bintan Island (Riau Islands Province) in March 2016, Lampung Bay (Lampung Province) in May 2016 and Tanakeke Islands (Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi) in June 2016 by purposive sampling method, interview with fisherman and collector and also literature study. A total of 5 seahorse species were found in three research locations, 4 species found in Bintan waters <em>(H. comes</em>, <em>H. spinossisimus</em>, <em>H. hystrix</em> and <em>H. kuda</em>), 2 species found in Lampung Bay (<em>H. comes</em> and <em>H. kuda</em>) and only 1 species found in Tanakeke (<em>H.barbouri</em>). Most of seahorse found during the study were categorized as sexually mature, dominated with seahorse 11-12 cm in size. The different types and densities of seahorses in the three study sites are supported by differences in habitat where seahorses are occupied. The density of seahorses tended to be low due to over-exploitation, environmental change and habitat damage. Management measures based on biological aspects and ecological conditions of each region need to be carried out for sustainable seahorse fisheries.

Impact of the Finance Act 2020 on Gas Utilization Projects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaase Gbakon
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Gas Processing ◽  
Gas Utilization ◽  
Processing Facility ◽  
Financing Costs ◽  
Investor Returns ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The newly passed Finance Act 2020 (FA2020) in Nigeria is reviewed especially as it relates to the oil and gas industry. The review is partly executed by modeling the specific provisions of the Act that impact gas utilization projects. The effect of the provisions on investor returns as well as the extent to which government objectives are met is ascertained – the government objectives being to prevent tax leakage via excessive financing costs, as well as encourage gas development and utilization. A qualitative assessment of the FA2020 is first conducted to examine its provisions applicable to the oil and gas sector. Furthermore, a spreadsheet Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) economic model of a gas central processing facility is built. A hypothetical $800Million (CapEx), 300mmscfd gas processing facility, which is 70% debt financed is modeled by incorporating the provisions of the FA2020. The metrics of the project (both investor and government) are then compared under the scenarios of with and without the FA2020. Key results indicate that the economic returns to investor in the gas processing facility are still largely preserved at a healthy level, even as government take improves by $102Million due to the FA2020. Specifically, without the FA2020, investor returns an IRR of 21.11% while due to the FA2020, investor IRR declines to 19.79%. Sensitivity analysis serves to illustrate one of the aims of the FA2020, which is to prevent tax loss from high cost of financing. Lengthening the tenor of loans reduces the fraction of the financing costs that is tax deductible. The modeling result shows that, ceteris paribus, for one (1) year increase in loan tenor, the amount of financing cost that is tax deductible reduces by 5%. Another important outcome is that for every $1 of government receipts preserved/enhanced by the FA, the investor NPV declines by 38cents This impact assessment of the FA2020 on gas utilization projects is conducted against the backdrop of several government pronouncements and policy positions to encourage domestic gas development. Financing plays an important role in delivering gas projects, consequently the evaluation of the impact of the FA2020 becomes imperative. This is to allow an examination of the effect of the Act on the ability to meet the strategic objective of powering the economy via gas while fulfilling Nigeria’s climate change commitments by deeper adoption of gas as a transition fuel.

scholarly journals 3343 Identification of host-microbial interaction networks that mediate intestinal epithelial barrier function in necrotizing enterocolitis

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 13-13
Author(s):  
David R Hill ◽  
Roberto Cieza ◽  
Veda K. Yadagiri ◽  
Phillip Tarr ◽  
Jason R. Spence ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Barrier Function ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Microbial Interactions ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Epithelial ◽  
Epithelial Barrier Function ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Species Specific

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The central goal of this proposal is to characterize the mechanisms that mediate success or failure of immature intestinal barrier in necrotizing enterocilitis. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: To do this, I will utilize stem cell derived human intestinal organoids (HIOs), an innovative model of the immature intestine, and a cohort of bacterial isolates collected from premature infants who developed NEC to interrogate the cause-effect relationship of these strains on maintenance of the intestinal barrier. I hypothesize that the epithelial response to bacterial colonization is strain-dependent and results in differences in inflammatory signaling that shape epithelial barrier function in the immature intestine. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Preliminary data shows that colonization of HIOs with different bacteria leads to species-specific changes in barrier function, and some species selectively damage the epithelial barrier while others enhance epithelial barrier function. I have identified key inflammatory signals that serve as central drivers of intestinal barrier function. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Characterization of this process is expected to substantially advance scientific understanding of early events in NEC pathogenesis and lead to new opportunities for targeted therapeutic intervention to accelerate barrier maturation or prevent hyperinflammatory reactivity in the neonatal intestine. The research proposed in this application represents an entirely novel approach to studying host-microbial interactions in the immature. Conceptually, this novel translational approach will help to define the pivotal role of colonizing bacteria in initiating epithelial inflammation in NEC patients.

scholarly journals Noteworthy occurrences among six marine species documented with community engagement in the Canadian Arctic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-83
Author(s):  
Darcy G. Mc Nicholl ◽  
Les N. Harris ◽  
Tracey Loewen ◽  
Peter May ◽  
Lilian Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Pink Salmon ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Oncorhynchus Gorbuscha ◽  
Arctic Ecosystems ◽  
Greenland Shark ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Somniosus Microcephalus ◽  
New Occurrences

Abstract Arctic marine ecosystems are changing, one aspect of which appears to be distributional expansions of sub-arctic species. For Arctic marine systems, there is limited occurrence information for many species, especially those found in restricted habitats (e.g., ice-covered, far north, or deep-water). Increasing observations through on-going Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) community-based monitoring programs (e.g., Arctic Coast, Cambridge Bay Arctic Char stock assessment, Arctic Salmon, and Kugluktuk coastal surveys), community observation networks, and local media have augmented opportunities to document new occurrences of marine fishes. Combined data from historical records and contemporary observations at the local scale can then delineate these among three types of occurrences: gradual distributional expansion, episodic vagrants, and rare endemics. Here we document nine occurrences of unusual sightings across six fish species (Pink Salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Bering Wolffish Anarhichas orientalis, Greenland Shark Somniosus microcephalus, Broad Whitefish Coregonus nasus, Banded Gunnel Pholis fasciata and Salmon Shark Lamna ditropis) from six northern Canadian communities and classify the nature of each observation as rare, vagrant, or expanding distributions. Uniting scientific and local observations represents a novel approach to monitor distributional changes suitable for a geographically large but sparsely populated area such as the Canadian Arctic. The new occurrences are important for discerning the potential effects of the presence of these species in Arctic ecosystems. These observations more broadly will build on our understanding of northern biodiversity change associated with warming Arctic environments.

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