Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has been demonstrated as a proven technology to unlock heavy oil and bitumen in Canadian reservoirs. Given the large energy requirements and volumes of emitted greenhouse gases from SAGD processes, there is a strong motivation to develop enhanced oil recovery processes with lower energy and emission intensities. In this study, the addition of solvents to steam has been examined to reduce the energy intensity of the SAGD process. Higher oil recovery, accelerated oil production rate, reduced steam-to-oil ratio, and more favorable economics are expected from the addition of suitable hydrocarbon additives to steam. A systematic approach was used to develop an effective hybrid steam/solvent injection to improve the SAGD process. Initially, an extensive parametric simulation study was carried out to find the suitable hydrocarbon additives and injection strategies. Simulation studies aim to narrow down hybrid steam/solvent processes, design suitable solvent type and concentration, and explain the mechanism of solvent addition to steam. In the experimental phase, the most promising solvents (n-hexane and n-heptane) were used with different injection strategies. Steam and hydrocarbon additives were injected in continuous or alternating schemes. The results of the integrated experimental and simulation study were used to better understand the mechanism of hybrid steam/solvent processes. Experimental and simulation results show that solvent co-injection with steam leads to a process with higher oil production, better oil recovery, and less energy intensity with more favorable economy. Solvent choice for hybrid steam/solvent injection is not solely dependent on the mobility improvement capability of the solvents but also reservoir properties and operational conditions such as operating pressure and injection strategy. Pure heated solvent injection requires significant quantities. A vaporized solvent chamber is not sustainable due to low latent heat of the solvents. Alternating steam and solvent injection provides heat for the solvent cycles and increases oil recovery. Co-injection of small volumes (5-15% by volume) of suitable solvents at the early times of the SAGD operation considerably improves the economics of the SAGD process.

Molecular dynamics simulation and density functional theory were applied to calculate heats of immersion (Himm) of n-heptane, toluene, pyridine and water on two model sand surfaces and two model clay surfaces. Our results indicated that water showed the highest Himm for the model clay surfaces when multi-molecular water layers were used but the lowest when a single molecular layer was used. Simulations of a single molecular water layer sandwiched between a single molecular layer of the aforementioned organic compounds and the octahedral surface of clay indicated that the water layer was not stable. In particular, water molecules tended to desorb from the surface and clustered together to form water/water hydrogen bonds. Given the nature of bitumen molecules, the current results support the hypothesis that a pre-existing water layer on the sand and clay surfaces in raw oil sands is plausible so long as it is thick enough. / Chemical Engineering

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-76). / vii, 99 leaves, bound ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) 29 cm

On the large sand mass of Bribie Island, the sedimentary evolution related to sea level changes has resulted in marked spatial variations of aquifer properties. The main influence on groundwater behaviour is the induration of layers within the sandy sequences that comprise the island. The degree of induration controls vertical flows between the perched watertable and the underlying semi-confined regional aquifer. To identify heterogeneity within the indurated zone, an analysis of bore hydrographs was undertaken. The analysis shows that separate sections of the hydrological profile across the island display distinct unconfined or confined behaviour depending on the degree of hydrological discontinuity in the sandrock horizon. A two-dimensional (2-D) hydrogeologic conceptual model of Bribie Island is developed for the numerical modelling process. The two-aquifer system separated by the indurated layer ("coffee rock") is incorporated into the groundwater model. The indurated layer is spatially variable in thickness, continuity and permeability. An evaluation of the recharge and drainage parameters is conducted for improvement of model accuracy, using MODFLOW software to solve the quasi three-dimensional (3-D) flow model. The evapotranspiration (ET) parameter is tested due to the important role it has in the water balance of Bribie Island. The groundwater extraction and wastewater infiltration rates are evaluated separately for model input. Average hydraulic conductivities initially used in the numerical model for each aquifer do not match measured heads adequately. During initial model development, pilot point parameterisation of hydraulic conductivities was conducted providing a more complex distribution of the parameter and a better fit to observed water levels. Using spatial interpolation techniques, a gradual and realistic distribution of hydraulic properties is achieved rather than sharp changes between facies-related sedimentary sequences. The resultant visualisation of hydraulic conductivities supports the outcomes of the analysis of water level profiles. The model interprets and adjusts for the effects of the aquifer heterogeneity in respect to the hydraulic conductivity parameter. Areas of unconfined aquifer behaviour correspond to zones of higher hydraulic conductivities and are interpreted as regions of higher permeability due to a lesser degree of induration. Such zones of greater groundwater flow were found in the south of the island, the central swale and the northwest coastline, which act as connections to the basal aquifer enabling preferred recharge to it. Calibration is conducted in respect of the hydraulic conductivity, drainage and ET parameters. The calibration of simulated to observed hydraulic heads (objective function of 2.96 and correlation of 0.993) for the two layers achieved a close fit. The groundwater study demonstrates that both a statistical approach and numerical modelling are important in testing and refining the conceptual model. The modified conceptual model can be used as a basis for the construction of an improved and more reliable numerical model. The integration of geological information and spatial variability of aquifer parameters to produce a quasi three-dimensional model based on a two-aquifer conceptual model is a significant innovation of the modelling approach to Bribie Island. This approach contributes to a clearer understanding of the hydrogeological processes within the island. The investigation has contributed to a better understanding of the effects of broad and finer scale heterogeneities on groundwater dynamics in large sand mass.

Aquifer heterogeneity within the large coastal sand island of Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia, has an affect on groundwater occurrence and migration. The stratigraphy of Bribie Island is complicated by the presence of low permeability humate-cemented indurated sand layers. Occurrences of indurated sand layers have previously been identified within many unconsolidated profiles along the east coast of Australia and around the world. Indurated sand layers are often discontinuous resulting in localised aquifer heterogeneity. However, their regional significance is commonly underestimated. The groundwater resource of Bribie Island is of commercial and environmental significance to the surrounding bay area. Recent development proposals for the groundwater resource necessitate an investigation into the nature of the water bearing properties of the island aquifer and in particular the presence of aquifer heterogeneity. Investigation of a "reference" transect across Bribie Island has involved the drilling and development of monitoring wells and the performance of hydraulic tests. This study demonstrates how detailed measurement of stratigraphy, groundwater levels, rainfall, barometric pressure and hydraulic testing can be used in conjunction to identify and assess aquifer heterogeneity within a sand island environment. Drill logs confirm the position of a palaeochannel within the sandstone bedrock that extends from the mainland continuing under Bribie Island. The overlying sediment profile is thickest within the palaeochannel. The Pleistocene and Holocene unconsolidated profile reflects a prograding barrier island/strandplain formation. The vertical sequence of sediments consists of units that range from offshore sandy silts to foreshore and beach medium-fine grained sands. An extensive indurated sand layer exists throughout the centre of the island. The greatest thickness of indurated sand is located centrally on the island beneath the main beach ridge system. The indurated layer at its thickest is approximately 5-8 m thick, but over much of the island the thickness is 1-3 m. The top of indurated sand layer is generally 1-3 m above mean sea level. Hydrographs from a network of groundwater monitoring wells illustrate that the groundwater resources across the reference transect can be divided into a shallow unconfined water table aquifer and basal confined aquifers. These upper and lower aquifers are characterised by different hydrological processes, physico-chemical properties, and water chemistry. The stratification of water levels across the reference transect and the relatively flat piezometric surface are in contrast with the classical "domed" water table aquifer expected of a barrier island. Stratified head gradients through the Bribie Island aquifers suggest groundwater migration to depth is impeded by the indurated sand layer. An elevated shallow water table results from the mounding of water above the indurated sand layer. The indurated sand layer is extensive across the reference transect. The elevated unconfined groundwater is usually stained with organic matter ("black water"), where as groundwater sourced from beneath the indurated sand layer is colourless ("white water"). The unconfined groundwater is also distinguished by low pH, low bicarbonate concentrations and high concentrations of organic carbon. Interaction between unconfined groundwater and surface water are also evident. Hydraulic tests indicate that each of the unconsolidated units across the reference transect has distinctive hydraulic characteristics. Estimates of vertical and horizontal hydraulic conductivity of the unconfined aquifer are two to three orders of magnitude greater than estimates for the indurated sand layer. Beneath the indurated sand layer hydraulic conductivities of the basal aquifers are also greater by two to three orders of magnitude than estimates for the indurated sand layer. The lower hydraulic conductivity within the indurated sand layer is responsible for the local semiconfinement of the basal aquifers.

Following mineral-sand mining in the northern sandplains near Eneabba, southwestern Australia, rehabilitation managers have the difficult task of restoring shrubland communities of exceptional plant species richness. Management aims to restore a fully functional and self-sustaining shrubland community with similar vegetation and resilience properties to that of the surrounding natural vegetation. This thesis examines the performance of the restoration program by Iluka Resources Ltd. (and their predecessors) by comparing current vegetation properties and their response to fires on previously mined land versus the surrounding natural shrubland. As biomass accumulates post-restoration, fires will return as a natural disturbance factor and, as a result, a desirable measure of restoration success might include the ability of the postmined lands to recover from disturbance. Pre-burnt plant species diversity, composition, structure and key functional attributes in four mined sites rehabilitated 8 (R8) to 24 (R24) years ago were compared with those of surrounding natural areas classified on the basis of substrate type (low and high sand dunes, shallow sand swales, sand over laterite and sand over limestone). The rehabilitated sites (except R8) had more species (about 140) than natural sites (about 100) with 12–37% species in common with natural sites. Floristic composition was most similar to the local swales and dunes (physically closest). / Two strong colonizers, the fire-killed Acacia blakelyi and the fire-tolerant Melaleuca leuropoma, were universally present. Plant densities were about a quarter to half those of natural sites. Fire-resprouters were under-represented. Growth-form distributions were most similar to those of the dunes, with some woody shrubs up to 2.5 m tall present. Greater iron levels and soil hardness (penetrability) were the only soil factors consistently greater in rehabilitated sites. Following experimental fires at the same study sites, species richness fell by 22–41% in rehabilitated sites but increased by 4–29% in natural sites. Species present before fire were reduced by 40–56% in rehabilitated sites and 4–12% in natural sites. Only 42–66% of resprouting species recovered in rehabilitated sites, whereas 96–100% recovered in natural sites. Nonsprouting species recruitment was also lower in rehabilitated (18–57%) than natural (67–85%) sites. Seedling mortality over the first summer after fire was higher in rehabilitated sites (59-86% death of individuals) than in natural sites (14-60%). PCoA ordination showed that fire altered the floristic composition of rehabilitated sites much more than it did in natural sites, mostly attributable to the loss of the extant resprouter species. It was found that the smaller lignotuber size (source of dormant buds) recorded in rehabilitated (vs. natural) resprouters was responsible for their higher post-fire mortality. For equivalent crown size in ten common lignotuberous shrub species, lignotuber circumferences were, on average, 50% smaller at rehabilitated sites. / As a result, overall persistence in these species was much lower in rehabilitated (mean of 52% alive, range of 11–93%) versus natural sites (mean of 96%, range of 79–100%), but improved with time since restoration for five of the ten selected species. Apart from differences in the age of the plants (natural sites having much older plants recruited after previous fires), the lower soil penetrability at rehabilitated sites may have restricted lignotuber development. A tradeoff favoring a higher crown volume to lignotuber size ratio was also apparent in nine of the ten species with greater crown volumes (by 37%) and smaller lignotubers (by 36%) in rehabilitated sites. Demographic attributes for six selected woody species were compared between rehabilitated and natural sites (~3-30 years since disturbance) to investigate growth patterns and optimum fire-return intervals. At matched years since restoration or last fire, nonsprouter species in rehabilitated sites grew larger (1.1 to 4.7 times) and produced/stored more viable seeds per plant (1.1 to 10.9 times). Despite older aged individuals in natural sites at matched years since restoration vs. last fire, restored resprouters were larger (1.1 to 3.6 times) and produced/stored more viable seeds (1.1 to 6.9 times). Although greater growth and fecundity rates were recorded in rehabilitated sites, the estimated optimum fire-return interval based on maximum seed production was similar in rehabilitated and natural sites for five out of six species. / However, mean fire intervals typical of surrounding natural vegetation near the Eneabba area (13 years over the last 40 years) may not be suitable for rehabilitated minesites at Eneabba, whereby longer initial fire intervals (20–30 years) would better ensure persistence of resprouter individuals via the seedling recruitment strategy and resprouting strategy. Iv My study indicated that the returned vegetation can at present be classified as “rehabilitated” or “partially restored” but not “completely restored” since the original plant diversity, composition, structure, and resilience properties to fire have not yet been achieved. It may not be possible/realistic to achieve complete restoration since mining is such a destructive disturbance type that some complex ecological attributes may take centuries to develop. I discuss six key factors as important in improving the overall restoration success at Eneabba: 1) restoration of a deeper topsoil and looser subsoil profile; 2) collection of appropriate amounts of only local provenance species, mulch and topsoil; 3) control of highly competitive species; 4) management of fertilizer additions; 5) reseeding and replanting in subsequent years after the initial restoration treatments, including after initial fires; and 6) delaying the introduction of management fires until the restored vegetation develops sufficient fire-resilience properties.

The mixed sand and gravel barrier beaches located on the South Island's East Coast are formed predominantly of Greywacke, eroded from the mountains, and transported via the major river systems. These barriers act as the interface between the South Pacific Ocean and the surrounding hinterland. In times of high energy coastal events, breaching is common. This thesis examines the form and function of the Waihao-Wainono barrier, a section of the coastline situated north of the Waitaki River. Breaches along this part of the barrier are frequent and several have rendered the surrounding farmland unusable for several years due to the effects of saltwater inundation. There is some concern among the local community as to exactly why the barrier breaches at certain locations and not others, making land planning and management a difficult task for farmers. Several of the local landowners believe that since the construction of the Waitaki Dam in 1935, a significant decrease in sediment size along the barrier has occurred. It is also thought that the barrier form has experienced substantial change. Through the use of physical techniques used in the field of coastal science, 17 sites along the Waihao-Wainono barrier were studied. Excavations were carried out, surface and substrate profiles recorded and sediment samples collected from the surface. sub-surface and substrate of the barrier. Analysis of the barrier form and barrier volume concluded that the past breach sites consisted of steeper lower foreshore slopes than the non-breach sites, and at two sites, the substrate was not reached. Breach areas display the greatest barrier volume of all the study sites, which is contrary to belief. In relation to the surface sediments, the majority of barrier profiles displayed the distinct mean grain size cross shore zonation, characteristic of mixed sand and gravel beaches. The best and most consistent surface sorting was also identified as being a characteristic of the breach sites. The sediment size is not shown to have drastically reduced over the thirty year sampling period as was perceived by the local community. Within the sub-surface of the barrier, the sediments displayed chaotic sizes and generally poorly sorted material. Several of the breach sites contained a distinct change in sediment size between the coarser surface layer and the finer layer located immediately below. This layering of coarse and fine sized sediments leads to differences in permeability within the barrier, which is thought to be a major factor in why these sites have breached. Resulting from these findings, a group of characteristics of breach sites was formed and several predictions made as to where the barrier may breach in the near future.

This thesis explores the design of flexible pipes, buried in shallow trenches with dry sand backfill. The thesis reports the comprehensive analysis of twenty-two full-scale load tests conducted between 1989 and 1991 on pipe installations, mainly within a laboratory facility, at the University of South Australia. The pipes were highly flexible, spirally-wound, uPVC pipes, ranging in diameter from 300 to 450 mm. Guidelines were required by industry for safe cover heights for these pipes when subjected to construction traffic. The tests were designed by, and conducted under the supervision of, the author, prior to the author undertaking this thesis. As current design approaches for pipes could not anticipate the large loading settlements and hence, soil plasticity, experienced in these tests, finite element analyses were attempted. Extensive investigations of the materials in the installations were undertaken to permit finite element modelling of the buried pipe installations. In particular, a series of large strain triaxial tests were conducted on the sand backfill in the buried pipe installations, to provide an understanding of the sand behaviour in terms of critical state theory. Subsequently a constitutive model for the soil was developed. The soil model was validated before implementation in an element of finite element program, AFENA (Carter and Balaam, 1995). Single element modelling of the triaxial tests proved invaluable in obtaining material constants for the soil model. The new element was applied successfully to the analysis of a side-constrained, plate loading test on the sand. The simulation of the buried pipe tests was shown to require three-dimensional finite element analysis to approach the observed pipe-soil behaviour. Non-compliant side boundary conditions were ultimately adjudged chiefly responsible for the difficulty in matching the experimental data. The value of numerical analyses performed in tandem with physical testing was apparent, albeit in hindsight. The research has identified the prediction of vertical soil pressure above the pipe due to external loading as being the major difficulty for designers. Based on the finite element analyses of the field tests, a preliminary simple expression was developed for estimation of these pressures, which could be used with currently available design approaches to reasonably predict pipe deflections.

Doctor of Philosophy / Suction caissons have been used in the offshore industry in the last two decades as both temporary mooring anchorages and permanent foundation systems. Although there have been more than 500 suction caissons installed in various locations around the world,understanding of this concept is still limited. This thesis investigates the installation aspect of suction caissons, focusing on the installation in dense sand and layered soils, where sand is inter-bedded by silt and weakly cemented layers. The research was mainly experimental, at both normal gravity and elevated acceleration levels in a geotechnical centrifuge, with some numerical simulations to complement the experimental observations. This study firstly explored the suction caisson installation response in the laboratory at 1g. The influence and effect of different design parameters, which include caisson size and wall thickness, and operational parameters including pumping rate and the use of surcharge were investigated in dense silica sand. The sand heave inside the caisson formed during these installations was also recorded and compared between tests. The 1g study also investigated the possibility of installing suction caissons in layered sand-silt soil, where caissons were installed by both slow and rapid pumping. The heave formation in this case is also discussed. The mechanism of heave formation in dense sand and deformation of the silt layer was further investigated using a half-caisson model and the particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. The installation response at prototype soil stress conditions was then investigated in a geotechnical centrifuge. The effects of caisson size, wall thickness, as well as surcharge were investigated in various types of sand, including silica sand, calcareous sand dredged from the North Rankin site in the North West Shelf (Australia), and mixed soil where silica sand was mixed with different contents of silica flour. Comparison with the 1g results was also made. The general trend for the suction pressure during installation in homogenous sand was identified. The installation in layered soil was also investigated in the centrifuge. The installation tests were performed in various sand-silt profiles, where the silt layers were on the surface and embedded within the sand. Comparison with the results in homogenous sand was made to explore the influence of the silt layer. Installations in calcareous sand with cemented layers were also conducted. The penetration mechanism through the cemented layer is discussed, and also compared with the penetration mechanism through the silt layer. Finite element modelling was performed to simulate key installation behaviour. In particular, it was applied to simulate the sand deformation observed in the PIV tests. The likely loosening range of the internal sand plug during suction installation in silica sand was estimated. By investigating the development of hydraulic gradient along the inner wall, the principle underlying the suction response for different combinations of selfweight and wall thickness was identified. FE modelling was also performed to explore the influence of the hydraulic blockage by the silt layer. This study found that the caissons could penetrate into all soils by suction installation. Among the key findings are the observations that the suction pressure increases with depth following a distinct pressure slope, corresponding to a critical hydraulic condition along the inner wall; and the installation was possible in both layered sand-silt and uncemented-cemented soils if sufficient pumping was available. While the caisson could penetrate the weakly cemented layers well with no notable adverse effects, problems were observed in the installation in layered sand-silt soil. These include piping failure in slow pumping rate installation at 1g, and the formation of extremely unstable soil heave during installation.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on January 8, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.