2021 International Young Scientists Awards in the Field of Oil and Gas: A Glance Into the Future

Research Area/Nomination Category: (interdisciplinary research)Innovative Solutions in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Production, Processing, Transportation and Storage; Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG.); IT Solutions and Digitalization

Abstract: This project aims at developing predictive models of fossil hydrocarbon extraction processes to increase the debit of gas condensate reservoirs. Using the molecular simulation methods and multi-scale approaches, we calculate retrograde condensation, fluid behavior and filtration in porous media, transport coefficients, thermodynamics and decay kinetics of clathrate hydrates of gases. We use top Russian supercomputers to perform calculations. The results of molecular modeling and insights into atomic-scale structure and properties are used to build a multi-scale model to describe the processes at macroscopic scale. Research results can be applied to both oil and gas industrial and engineering projects in Russia.

Award: Research Promotion – assistance in establishing contacts and developing collaboration with Gazprom Neft PJSC; Oral Presentation at IBC Meeting; Free One -Year Subscription to and Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal; Presents – Apple MacBook Pro and Three-Volume Book Set “A History of the Russian Gas Industry.”

Research Area/Nomination Category: Innovative Solutions in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Production, Processing, Transportation and Storage

Abstract: Sand production is a major problem in many wells. Two set-ups for the laboratory test of sand screens have been developed during this project. One set-up focusses on the functionality of screens, another one on failure due to erosion. The set-ups were used during the development of a ceramic coated sand screen and for fundamental research. Both set-ups feature innovative measuring techniques (e.g. acoustic cavitation detection) and custom build components (e.g. pressure cells and in-line separators) that distinguish them from previous developments. The set-ups were successfully used for practical and theoretical research and will act as the basis for further research.

Award: All-expense Paid Trip to a Scientific Event of His Choice; Free Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal

Research Area/Nomination Category: Offshore Oil and Gas Projects

Abstract: The new novel particle type microgel flooding technology, SMG, is the key to obtaining the technical and economic success of oil development. Therefore, adopted the interdisciplinary and innovative research methods, theoretically guided by reservoir engineering, physical chemistry and biological fluid mechanics, by means of pore-scale micro physical simulation (Lab on a chip, NMR and CT) and 3D macro physical simulation, this project researches the physical and chemical properties of SMG, the reservoir adaptability, the migration and deep fluid diversion ability. The seepage experiments and simulation methods at pore-throat and reservoir scale are established based on this, in order to reveal the difference of seepage and oil displacement mechanism between dispersed and continuous oil displacement systems. Finally, the research method of reservoir adaptability, micro seepage and oil displacement mechanism for SMG are developed. Research results can provide important theoretical guidance and technical support for the efficient development of oil fields, which can guarantee the safety of energy supply.

Awards: Research Promotion – assistance in establishing contacts and developing collaboration with an oil and gas company; Oral Presentation at IBC Meeting; Free Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal

Research Area/Nomination Category: (interdisciplinary research) Innovative Solutions in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Production, Processing, Transportation and Storage; Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG.)

Abstract: This project presents a methodological approach and tools to assess the development of gas transportation systems, where international cooperation and the existence of some market segments that require only liquefied natural gas have been taken into account. This methodological approach was used to study a future gas transportation system in Mongolia based on the assumption that a gas pipeline from Russia to China would be constructed. The influence of gas prices on the import structure has been illustrated. Research findings show that the transit pipeline is highly competitive even at low prices of imported liquefied natural gas. Three key areas for international cooperation between Russia, Mongolia and China have been identified: the construction of the transit pipeline, liquefied natural gas trade and the development of Mongolia’s gas transportation system. These tools may also be used to build gas transportation infrastructure in other regions, e.g., East Siberia and the Baikal natural territory, where, same as in Mongolia, there are a large number of small decentralized settlements in need of environmentally friendly energy carriers.

Awards: Internship at NIIgazeconomica LLC (Research Institute of Gas Economics, Gazprom PJSC.); Free One-Year Subscription to and Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal; Present – Three-Volume Book Set “A History of the Russian Gas Industry.”

Research Area/Nomination Category: Innovative Solutions in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Production, Processing, Transportation and Storage.

Abstract: This research aimed to investigate nanotechnology and surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery methods using experimental measurement and intelligent modeling. As part of this project, experimental analysis of nanotechnology and surfactant flooding for enhanced oil recovery was conducted and computer-aided predictive models of TC of nanofluids were used. Several intelligent models were developed and then combined into a committee machine intelligence system (CMIS.) A comparison of performances showed that CMIS largely outperforms the best theoretical and empirical models. Statistical validity of CMIS was confirmed and the quality of the employed data was checked. The experiments and intelligent modelling show the effectiveness of the use of nanotechnology in enhanced oil recovery and the advantage of the use of intelligent modeling of prediction thermal conductivity of nanoparticles of fluid.

Awards: Research Promotion among members of the Russian business and science communities (companies, universities and research centers.); Oral Presentation at IBC Meeting; Free Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal

Research Area/Nomination Category: Decarbonization for the Oil and Gas Industry.

Abstract: Experimental studies that were carried out by a joint team of researchers from Gubkin University and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology of Sweden with the use of unique equipment simulating the Earth’s mantle conditions confirm the concept of hydrocarbon abiogenic genesis, which allows considering natural gas almost unlimited energy source. Natural gas is the cheapest, affordable and safe source of energy. In the medium-term perspective, natural gas will be the main source of energy in gradual transition to renewables that will be developed in the form of hybrid technologies, combining both fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. Hybridization is one of the most promising energy technologies, contributing to significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. In our opinion, hybridization based on natural gas is a “a bridge to the future” for the world energy system.

Awards: Oral Presentation at IBC Meeting; Free One-Year Subscription to and Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal; Presents – Apple MacBook Air and Three-Volume Book Set “A History of the Russian Gas Industry.”

Research Area/Nomination Category: (interdisciplinary research) Innovative Solutions in Hydrocarbon Exploration, Production, Processing, Transportation and Storage; IT Solutions and Digitalization; Offshore Oil and Gas Projects.

Abstract: Automatic reservoir history matching is one of the greatest challenges that we are still facing today. In this project, aiming to mitigate the problems of the inefficiency, inaccuracy, and inability to assimilate 4D seismic data by the current history matching methods, we revised the Bayesian-based data assimilation algorithms, innovatively established a new method for automatic reservoir history matching to assimilate both 4D seismic data and well production data, the core of which is the reservoir history matching program based on the modified ensemble smoother with multiple data assimilation (ESMDA), supplemented by stochastic reservoir modeling, reservoir numerical simulation, and seismic forward modeling programs. In this project, we will perform two case studies on an offshore reservoir model, and will demonstrate the advancement and the practical use of our method, showing that the new method improves both the efficiency and accuracy of the history matching.

Awards: Research Promotion – assistance in establishing contacts and developing collaboration with an oil and gas company; Oral Presentation at IBC Meeting; Free Paper Publication in Gas Industry Journal.