Dissertation submitted in fulfilment with the requirements for the Masters Degree: Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Untreated vegetable oil effluents (VOEs) are known for creating shock-loading problems for the receiving wastewater treatment installations, resulting in poor quality final effluents being produced which do not satisfy municipal discharge standards. Onsite activated sludge treatment as an alternative has not been fully investigated. Hence, in this investigation biological treatment using the activated sludge process was chosen as the method for the treatment of VOE. The effect of VOE on measured process parameters was also determined. Novel molecular techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and dot-blot hybridization have become powerful tools for the analysis of complex microbial communities that exist within activated sludge. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate biological treatment, optimize and apply FISH and dot-blot hybridization in order to analyze the microbial community implicated the biological treatment of VOE using probes EUBmix, ALF1b, BET42a, GAM42a and HGC69a. A laboratory-scale modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) process setup and fed VOE with a COD (chemical oxygen demand) of ± 1000 mg/L. Daily monitoring of the process involved COD and TKN (total kjeldahl nitrogen) analysis of the influent and effluent as well as direct OUR (oxygen utilization rate) measurement and monitoring of the MLVSS (mixed liquor volatile suspended solids) concentration of the aerobic mixed liquor. The process exhibited overall COD and TKN removal capacities of 84% and 90% respectively. The aerobic mixed liquor had an OUR of 19 mgO/L.h and an average MLVSS concentration of 3000 mg/L. FISH results revealed that 72% of cells stained with 4‟, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) within the aerobic mixed liquor bound to probe EUBmix, indicating a substantial Bacterial population within the laboratory-scale biological process. The alpha-Proteobacteria was identified as the dominant bacterial community comprising 31% of Bacterial cells, followed by the beta-Proteobacteria (17% of EUBmix), gamma-Proteobacteria (8% of EUBmix) and Actinobacteria (4% of EUBmix). Results of dot-blot hybridization were in agreement with FISH Adrian Phillip Degenaar| CHAPTER 1: General Introduction - v - results reiterating dominance of the alpha-Proteobacteria. This indicated that the class alpha-Proteobacteria could play a primary role in the biological degradation of VOE. This research will therefore aid in process design and retrofitting of biological processes treating VOE.

My thesis examines the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which is the site of ongoing debate between environmentalists and the oil industry. I begin by analyzing both sides’ claims about the area’s value and establishing that the coastal zone of the ANWR, whose fate is the most precarious, should be protected for both environmental and cultural reasons. I then examine two methods for protection: the common law, and regulation. I conclude that only through proactive regulation can the ANWR continue to thrive.

Thesis (MA )--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Understanding a risk is the first step in managing and mitigating it. Maritime insecurity has been an integrated risk for investors in the Gulf of Guinea for many years. But what do investors know about the nature of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, besides a general risk rating? This thesis conceptualises and maps the maritime political risks in the Gulf of Guinea in order to give investors a better understanding of the nature of maritime political risk for the offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Guinea. This conceptualisation is based on identifying the actors and actions of maritime security, i.e. people create maritime insecurity and identifying the people behind maritime insecurity provides valuable information for management and mitigation strategies. These actors create maritime insecurity by using a variety of actions, i.e. identifying these actions tells the investor more about the nature of maritime insecurity. However, there are also actors that contribute to maritime security and these actors use a set of actions to make maritime security a reality. In summary, this thesis creates a maritime political risk tool where one axis consists of actors contributing positively and/or negatively to maritime security and another axis that consists of actions these actors employ. This is done by providing the reader with a strong understanding of the theory behind political risk and conceptualising relevant concepts. The thesis contextualises maritime security, the offshore oil and gas industry and general political risks in the Gulf of Guinea. On this foundation, the maritime political risk tool is created by extrapolating information from four political risk companies: Aon, Control Risk, Bergen Risk Solution and Risk Intelligence. The maritime political risk actors and actions are also identified. The maritime political risk tool is applied to the case of the Gulf of Guinea. The conclusion is that conceptualising and mapping maritime political risk can improve management and mitigation strategies. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verstaan van ‘n risiko is die eerste stap in die bestuur en beheer daarvan. Maritieme onveiligheid is al vir jare 'n geïntegreerde risiko vir beleggers in die Golf van Guinee, maar wat weet beleggers werklik oor die aard van die gebied van maritieme onveiligheid in die Golf van Guinee, behalwe vir ʼn risikogradering? Hierdie tesis konseptualiseer die maritieme politieke risiko's in die Golf van Guinee om vir beleggers 'n beter begrip van die aard van maritieme politieke risiko's in die aflandige olie- en gasindustrie in die Golf van Guinee te gee. Hierdie konseptualisering is gebaseer op die identifisering van die akteurs en die aksies betrokke by maritieme veiligheid, d.w.s. maritieme onveiligheid word geskep deur mense. Die identifisering van die mense wat maritieme onveiligheid skep, bied waardevolle inligting tot bestuurs- en beheerstrategieë aan. Die akteurs van maritieme onveiligheid skep onsekerheid deur die gebruik van 'n verskeidenheid van aksies, dit wil sê die identifisering van hierdie aksies gee die belegger meer inligting oor die aard van maritieme onveiligheid. Daar is egter ook akteurs wat bydra tot die gebied van maritieme veiligheid. Dié akteurs gebruik 'n reeks van aksies om veiligheid op see 'n werklikheid te maak. Om op te som, skep hierdie tesis 'n maritieme politiese risiko instrument waar die een as uit akteurs bestaan wat 'n positiewe en / of negatiewe bydra tot maritieme veiligheid maak, en die ander as bestaan uit die gebeure wat hierdie akteurs in diens kan neem. Dit word gedoen deur die leser met 'n sterk begrip van politieke risiko teorie te voorsien, asook om relevante konsepte duidelik te konseptualiseer. Dié tesis kontekstualiseer maritieme veiligheid, die aflandige olie- en gasindustrie en politieke risiko soortgelyk met betrekking tot die Golf van Guinee. Op hierdie fondament word die maritieme politieke risiko instrument geskep deur die ekstrapolering van inligting uit vier politieke risiko maatskappye: Aon, Control Risk, Bergen Risk Solution en Risk Intelligence. Die maritieme politieke risiko akteurs en aksies word ookgeïdentifiseer. Verder word die maritieme politieke risiko-instrument toegepas op die geval van die Golf van Guinee. Die gevolgtrekking wat bereik word, is dat die konseptualisering en die kartering van akteurs en aksies, maritieme politieke risiko, bestuur- en versagtingstrategieë kan verbeter.

"The problem in this study is to determine some of the effects that oil development in Young County has had on the educational program of the county. Some significant effects on the valuations for school purposes, bond rates, maintenance rates, salaries of the teachers in the common and independent schools, per capita cost of instruction, rural aid, enrollment per teacher, and total enrollment in the schools of Young County will be investigated. For comparative purposes, a study of the independent and common schools of Denton County was made for the years 1918 to 1939 inclusive."-- leaf 1.

[pt] A importância das Compras organizacionais pode ser explicada, em parte, pelo alto impacto dos custos envolvidos. A estratégica das atividades de Compras vem se evidenciando nas organizações, independentemente do tamanho e da natureza do negócio. Essa importância fez surgir um estudo profundo das categorias de produtos e do mercado fornecedor, tendo como consequência, além da melhoria dos processos, a padronização dos itens de um mesmo produto para diversas unidades de um negócio; a seleção e qualificação de fornecedores; avaliação do desempenho dos prestadores de serviço e fornecedores de materiais; negociação entre as partes interessadas em uma contratação; e o monitoramento dos níveis de estoque para planejamento de futuras aquisições. Nessa dissertação, é abordada a gestão de categorias de compras a partir da análise crítica das categorias de compras de itens de tecnologia da informação e comunicação (TIC) em uma empresa de petróleo. Este estudo se torna relevante devido à importância do tema que gera desafios e oportunidades de formalizar, organizar e padronizar os processos de gestão de suprimentos na área de TIC da empresa. Para tanto, os itens da carteira de compras da área TIC foram classificados de acordo com a Matriz de Kraljic (1983), segundo a visão do pessoal da própria área de TIC e das áreas responsáveis pela gestão do macro processo suprir bens e serviços e gestão de contratos. Assim, foram identificados os fatores ao longo da cadeia de suprimentos que contribuem para a divergência da classificação entre as áreas. Desta forma, foi feita a validadação da análise nas dimensões: redução de custo da cadeia de suprimentos, melhoria do nível de serviço, redução do risco de descontinuidade de suprimento e priorização de materiais e produtos. Esta validação procurou verificar a aderência do modelo utilizado às premissas estabelecidas pela empresa. Como conclusão, são propostas alterações necessárias na classificação e recomendações em relação aos procedimentos e estratégias de compras a serem adotados pela área de TIC. / [en] The importance of organizational Purchases can be explained partly by the high impact of the costs involved. Strategic Purchasing of activities has been evident in organizations, regardless of size and nature of business. This importance made a deep study of the product categories and vendor market, resulting in addition of process improvement, standardization of items of the same product to different units of a business arise; the selection and qualification of suppliers; assess the performance of contractors and suppliers of materials; negotiation between the parties in a contract; and monitoring of inventory levels for planning future acquisitions. In this dissertation, we discuss management of categories of purchases from the critical analysis of the categories of purchases items of information and communication technology (ICT) in an oil company. This study is relevant because of the importance of the topic that generates challenges and opportunities to formalize, organize and standardize the processes of supply management in the ICT area of the company. To do so, the items of ICT area portfolio were classified according to Kraljic Matrix (1983), according to the vision of their own area of ICT staff and the areas responsible for managing the macro process supplying goods and services and management of contracts. Thus, the factors were identified along the supply chain that contributes to the divergence between the areas of classification. Thus, it was made validation analysis dimensions: cost reduction of supply, improving the level of service, reduces the risk of supply interruption and prioritization of materials and products chain. This validation tried to check adherence of the model used the premises established by the company. In conclusion, we propose necessary changes in classification and recommendations regarding procedures and sourcing strategies to be adopted by the ICT area.

[pt] Neste trabalho, o Método dos Elementos Finitos é aplicado na análise eletromagnética de estruturas coaxiais circularmente simétricas excitadas pelo modo TEM. A representação do campo magnético é feita através da associação de funções base polinomiais de diferentes ordens a grades que possuem elementos triangulares ou retangulares. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo comparativo entre as diversas possibilidades de associações função base e elemento, considerando o tempo de processamento computacional e a precisão exigida na simulação. A técnica é aplicada na análise de dispositivos de acoplamento entre diferentes guias coaxiais usualmente empregados em antenas de banda larga. Para validar os resultados do algoritmo, os resultados obtidos nas diversas etapas são comparados com aqueles obtidos via Método de Casamento de Modos. Além disto, a técnica é empregada para avaliar a possibilidade de utilização de dispositivos de inspeção de tubulação que utiliza uma onda TEM de alta freqüência. A onda TEM é excitada no interior da tubulação de forma que variações em suas paredes, nas condições de contorno dos campos, produzam alterações nas características de propagação, que serão detectadas e associadas às anomalias de suas paredes internas. Estes dispositivos de inspeção são empregados na indústria de petróleo e gás. / [en] In this work, the Method of Finite Element is applied in the electromagnetic analysis of circularly symmetrical coaxial structures excited by TEM mode. The representation of the magnetic field is made through the association of polynomial basis functions of different orders associated in the grids made of triangular or rectangular elements. This work presents a comparative study between different possibilities of association between basis functions and element, considering the computational time and the accuracy yielded by the simulation. The technique is applied in the electromagnetic analysis of coupling devices used to connect different coaxial waveguides operating at microwave frequencies. To validate the algorithm developed in this work, the MEF results are compared with those obtained by employing Method of Mode Matching (MMM). Moreover, the technique is also employed to evaluate the possibility of use of TEM wave highfrequency for inspection of metallic pipelines. The TEM wave is excited inside cylindrical metallic pipes and anomalies in the metallic walls are associated to the changes in the propagation characteristics. These inspection devices are intensively used in the industry of oil and gas.

Cette thèse traite de l'évolution du cadre organisationnel et institutionnel de l'industrie pétrolière russe durant la période 1992-2012. Son objectif est de caractériser et d'interpréter l'accroissement du rôle des compagnies pétrolières à capitaux majoritairement publics, Rosneft et Gazpromneft, dans les opérations de l'amont pétrolier qui est observé depuis le milieu des années 2000. Dans ce cadre théorique de la Nouvelle économie institutionnelle, notre thèse soutient que le rôle accru des compagnies pétrolières publiques russes marque le passage d'une structure de gouvernance pétrolière libérale à une structure de gouvernance pétrolière hybride. Cela doit être interprété comme la réponse faisable, de la part des autorités fédérales, à l'incohérence existant entre la structure de gouvernance pétrolière libérale définie au début du processus de transition et l'environnement institutionnel prévalant en Russie. / This PhD dissertation deals with the evolution of the institutional and organizational framework of the Russian oil indThis PhD dissertation deals with the evolution of the institutional and organizational framework of the Russian oil industry during the period 1992-2012. Its main objective is to characterize and reinterpret the increasing involvement of the national oil companies (NOCs), Rosneft and Gazpromneft, in the upstream activities observed since the middle of the 2000's. Relying on the New Institutional Economics framewrokd, we argue that the increasing involvement of the Russian NOCs can be characterized as a change from a liberal oil governance structure to a hybrid oil governance structure. We show that this organizational evolution must be interpreted as the feasible reform that can be implemented by the federal authorities for dealing with the incoherence between the liberal governance structure defined at the beginning of the transition process and the Russian institutional environment.

Diariamente são descartados no mundo toneladas de resíduos do processamento de frutas que poderiam ser aproveitados pelo seu elevado poder nutricional e funcional, que acabam sendo desperdiçados e podem gerar sérios problemas ao meio ambiente. Outro descarte inadequado que agrava esse problema ambiental é o de embalagens plásticas, que quando não submetidas ao processo de reciclagem trazem enormes danos. Por esses fatores, esse estudo teve como objetivo o aproveitamento de subprodutos da indústria de alimentos para o desenvolvimento de farinhas funcionais e aproveitamento dos resíduos da indústria de capsulas nutracêuticas de gelatina e óleo de chia como matriz para as embalagens biodegradáveis ativas. A quitosana também foi utilizada como matriz no desenvolvimento de filmes aplicados como embalagens. Primeiramente foram avaliados quatro resíduos obtidos de diferentes frutas: resíduo do processamento de suco de mirtilo (bagaço), resíduo do processamento de azeite de oliva (bagaço), cascas de mamão e abacaxi. As propriedades físico químicas, funcionais e antioxidantes desses resíduos foram analisadas, sendo que no geral todos demonstraram alto teor de fibras dietéticas. Em relação às propriedades funcionais a farinha de mamão se destacou pelos elevados valores de capacidade de retenção de água e óleo, pela alta solubilidade e maiores teores de carotenoides (15,56 ± 0,35 mg/100g). A farinha de mirtilo foi a que apresentou o maior poder antioxidante pelo método DPPH (4,62 ± 0,18 IC50 em mg de farinha) e maior teor de compostos fenólicos (23,59 ± 0.85 mg/g GAE), além disso exibiu alto teor de antocianinas. Devido a estas propriedades, a farinha e o extrato do resíduo de mirtilo foram incorporados à gelatina do resíduo do processamento de cápsulas nutracêuticas de óleo de chia para o desenvolvimento de filmes biodegradáveis ativos. Os filmes foram avaliados em relação as suas propriedades mecânicas, de barreira ao vapor da água e luz UV, capacidade antioxidante e aplicação como embalagem em produtos alimentícios. Os resultados sugeriram que a adição de fibras promoveu uma diminuição da resistência à tração e aumento na permeabilidade ao vapor da água. No entanto, a adição de fibra também proporcionou um aumento significativo na barreira de luz UV a 500 nm, sendo eficaz na redução da oxidação lipídica de óleo de girassol. Os filmes com adição de extrato não exibiram alteração nas propriedades mecânicas ou de barreira em comparação com a formulação controle. Além disso, estes filmes exibiram capacidade antioxidante estável por 28 dias. Filmes desenvolvidos com a farinha de mamão e resíduos de gelatina apresentaram comportamento similar aos filmes com resíduos de mirtilo, já que a farinha de mamão também alterou algumas propriedades originais do filme como as propriedades mecânicas e de barreira, e agregaram poder antioxidante. Com o objetivo de melhorar essas propriedades foram então desenvolvidas micropartículas de farinha de casca de mamão em spray drying utilizando o resíduo de gelatina como material de parede. Os resultados indicaram que as micropartículas de casca de mamão ao serem adicionadas na gelatina originaram uma matriz de filme mais contínua e homogênea com aumento da resistência à tração e do módulo de Young. Os filmes com micropartículas (7,5%), quando aplicados como material de embalagem para banha de porco, foram os mais eficientes como barreiras ativas (maior atividade antioxidante), pois um menor teor de peróxidos, dienos e trienos conjugados foram quantificados na amostra após 22 dias. A farinha de resíduos da produção de azeite de oliva também foi utilizada para o desenvolvimento de filmes biodegradáveis, porém o biopolimero utilizado foi a quitosana. A incorporação de farinha de resíduo de oliva na matriz de quitosana também causou alterações na morfologia, tornando o filme mais heterogêneo e áspero. Por esse motivo foram testadas a adição de micropartículas de farinha de oliva nos filmes. A adição de 10% de micropartículas de oliva melhorou significativamente a resistência à tração dos filmes sem alterar as suas propriedades originais. A farinha e as micropartículas de oliva aumentaram a capacidade antioxidante dos filmes, esse aumento foi proporcional à concentração de farinha ou micropartículas adicionadas ao filme. Os filmes com 30% de farinha ou micropartículas foram eficazes como embalagem protetora contra a oxidação de nozes durante 31 dias. A partir dos resultados obtidos neste trabalho fica evidenciado a viabilidade do uso de resíduos da indústria de alimentos e resíduos da indústria de cápsulas nutracêuticas para o desenvolvimento de filmes e uso como embalagens biodegradáveis em diferentes produtos. / Every day tons of fruit processing residues are discarded worldwide that could be harnessed for their high nutritional and functional power and that end up being wasted and generating problems for the environment. Another inadequate disposal that aggravates this environmental problem is the plastic packaging, which when not subjected to the recycling process bring huge damages. Due to these factors, this study aims at the utilization of by-products of the food industry for the development of active biodegradable packaging. Firstly, four residues obtained from different fruits, processing residue of blueberry juice (bagasse), processing residue of olive oil (bagasse), peels of papaya and pineapple were evaluated. The physicochemical, functional and antioxidant properties of these residues were analyzed, and in general, all showed high total dietary fiber content. In relation to the functional properties, papaya flour was distinguished by high water and oil retention capacity, high solubility and higher carotenoid content (15.56 ± 0.35 mg / 100g). The blueberry flour had the highest antioxidant power by the DPPH method (4.62 ± 0.18 IC50 in mg of flour) and a higher content of phenolic compounds (23.59 ± 0.85 mg / g GAE), in addition, it exhibited a high content of anthocyanins. Due to these properties, the flour and extract of the blueberry residue were incorporated into the gelatin from the processing residue of chia oleuroceutical capsules for the development of active biodegradable films for packaging. The films were evaluated in relation to their mechanical properties, water vapor barrier, and UV light, antioxidant capacity and application as packaging in food products. The results suggested that fiber addition promoted a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in water vapor permeability. However, the addition of fiber also provided a significant increase in the UV light barrier at 500 nm being effective in reducing the lipid oxidation of sunflower oil. Films with added extract showed no change in mechanical or barrier properties compared to the control formulation. In addition, these films exhibited a stable antioxidant capacity for 28 days. Films developed with papaya flour and gelatin residues showed similar behavior to films with blueberry residues since papaya flour also altered some of the original properties of the film as mechanical and barrier properties, and added antioxidant power. In order to improve these properties microparticles of papaya peel flour were then developed in spray drying using the gelatin residue as the wall material. The results indicated that the microparticles of papaya peel, when added to gelatin, gave a more continuous and homogeneous film matrix increasing tensile strength and Young's modulus. Microparticles films (7.5%), when applied as packaging material for lard, were the most efficient as active barriers (higher antioxidant activity) because a lower peroxide content was quantified in the sample after 22 days. The residue flour from olive oil production was also used for the development of biodegradable films, but the biopolymer used was chitosan. The incorporation of olive residue flour in the chitosan matrix also caused changes in the morphology, making the film more heterogeneous and rough. For this reason, the addition of olive flour microparticles in the films was tested. The addition of 10% of olive microparticles significantly improved the tensile strength of films without altering their original properties. The flour and the microparticles of olive increased the antioxidant capacity of the films; this increase was proportional to the concentration of flour or micro added to the film. Films with 30% flour or microparticles were effective as protective packaging against Walnut oxidation for 31 days. From the results obtained in this work, it is evident the viability of the use of residues from the food and waste industry of the nutraceutical capsule industry for the development of films and use as biodegradable packaging in different products.

Regulation of border and behind-the-border measures in the oil and gas sectors presents the ‘resource access’ challenge with immense economic ramifications for export markets, yet their status under the multilateral trading regime remains obscure. Recent developments that could reshape the trading regime and market dynamics for oil and gas have seen the call for a global energy governance gain momentum in recent years. But the complex relationships between national laws, institutional norms, and the multilateral trading regime regulating energy presents an ideological ‘conflict in applicable law’. They reveal a conflict between regulatory privileges enshrined in energy resource-focused institutions namely: OPEC as a producer-only treaty, the ECT as a sector-specific multilateral energy treaty, national energy laws on the heel of the PSNR principle as a customary international law; versus international obligations under the GATT rules relevant to energy. These regimes have the trappings of nationalism, regionalism, and institutionalism in energy regulation, thereby creating an ambiguous path to global energy governance. This research revisits the institutional and regulatory architecture of oil and gas regimes from the perspective of quota measures and trade-related investment measures (TRIMs) implemented through the instrumentality of national laws, acts of NOCs (in the oil sector) and acts of non-state undertakings (in the gas sector). It therefore charts an uncommon territory and brings a new dimension to the discipline of energy and trade, with a robust examination of how regulation of quota measures and trade-related investment in the oil sector (with export restriction issues) differs from their regulation in the gas sector (with underlying competition issues) and how their varying trade effects shape their future in international economic law. Given the inherent conflicts between the legal, policy, and regulatory design of these regimes governing energy, this research first explores and applies the principle of conflict of norms to energy governance. This paves way for a hands-on approach to examining the applications of these measures under the auspices of these regimes aimed at a ‘co-operative energy governance’ between the resource-focused regimes and the GATT rules relevant to energy on the basis of their trade effects. I argue that an understanding of ‘quota measures’ and ‘TRIMs’ in the oil sector compared to their implementations in the gas sector is compelling in making a case for a systemic energy cooperation that would serve economic interests of all affected states without diminishing the normative value of each regime in each sector.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry has remained low despite their importance in income generation, employment, local capacity building, and poverty eradication. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies SME owners use to improve profitability in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The target population consisted of 5 business owners who had successfully managed SMEs in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria for more than 5 years. The resource-based view and Porter's 5 forces of competition served as the conceptual framework for the study. Data collection was through semistructured interviews and review of company documents to triangulate the data. Data analysis included transcription, coding, querying, interpreting and reporting the themes, and the use of member checking strengthened the trustworthiness of interpretations. Findings suggested themes of low-cost strategy, knowledge of the business environment, competent personnel, collaborative partnerships, integrity, and financial management. These findings may contribute to positive social change because SME business leaders could use low-cost strategies, hire competent personnel, collaborate with other partners, and demonstrate integrity in financial management. Doing so may improve profitability, generate employment, reduce poverty, and enhance standards of living.