Journal of Petroleum Research & Studies

This study investigated the tectonic evolution of the southern part of the Mesopotamian Foredeep basin. Subsidence and sedimentation rates were calculated for six oil wells distributed on the tectonic subzones of the sedimentary basin through the use of restored thickness rates according to Backstripping Method for Cretaceous and Tertiary sequences. The consequence of this study indicates the subsidence and sedimentation rates changing vertically and laterally through geologic time. As shown, the sequences of Albain subcycle are wide subsidence and sedimentation rates especially for the Mauddud Formation at the Am-1well which located in the eastern part of the sedimentary basin (Tigris subzone), as well as for the sequences of Cenomanian-Early Turonian subcycle especially for the Ahmadi and Mishrif formations were increase in subsidence and sedimentation rate toward (Am-2 and Mj-3) wells. Both wells located within the Tigris and the eastern part of Zubair subzone. This is in accordance with the closure of the South Tethys Sea because of the influences of the Austrian and Subhersynian orogenies. Three unconformity surfaces determine clearly in the depositinal basin of incompatibility during the Early Turonian, Danian and Oligocene epochs. Those unconformities affects all tectonic subzones except for the Am-1well where it was not influences by the unconformity during the Oligocene epoch. The subsidence and sedimentation process continued at high rates, reflecting the large thickness of the eastern part of the basin in the Tigris subzone area. Sedimentation rates augment significantly at the well (AG-19), which indicates the effect of faults on the Tigris subzone. This affects the degree of maturation and the source of hydrocarbons in the sedimentary basin.

This study investigated the tectonic evolution of the southern part of the Mesopotamian Foredeep basin. Subsidence and sedimentation rates were calculated for six oil wells distributed on the tectonic subzones of the sedimentary basin through the use of restored thickness rates according to Backstripping Method for Cretaceous and Tertiary sequences. The consequence of this study indicates the subsidence and sedimentation rates changing vertically and laterally through geologic time. As shown, the sequences of Albain subcycle are wide subsidence and sedimentation rates especially for the Mauddud Formation at the Am-1well which located in the eastern part of the sedimentary basin (Tigris subzone), as well as for the sequences of Cenomanian-Early Turonian subcycle especially for the Ahmadi and Mishrif formations were increase in subsidence and sedimentation rate toward (Am-2 and Mj-3) wells. Both wells located within the Tigris and the eastern part of Zubair subzone. This is in accordance with the closure of the South Tethys Sea because of the influences of the Austrian and Subhersynian orogenies. Three unconformity surfaces determine clearly in the depositinal basin of incompatibility during the Early Turonian, Danian and Oligocene epochs. Those unconformities affects all tectonic subzones except for the Am-1well where it was not influences by the unconformity during the Oligocene epoch. The subsidence and sedimentation process continued at high rates, reflecting the large thickness of the eastern part of the basin in the Tigris subzone area. Sedimentation rates augment significantly at the well (AG-19), which indicates the effect of faults on the Tigris subzone. This affects the degree of maturation and the source of hydrocarbons in the sedimentary basin.

Recently, solving the optimization-control problems by using artificial intelligence has widely appeared in the petroleum fields in exploration and production. This paper presents the state-of-the-art reinforcement-learning algorithm applying in the petroleum optimization-control problems, which is called a direct heuristic dynamic programming (DHDP). DHDP has two interactive artificial neural networks, which are the critic network (provider a critique/evaluated signal) and the actor network (provider a control signal). This paper focuses on a generic on-line learning control system in Markov decision process principles. Furthermore, DHDP is a model-free learning design that does not require prior knowledge about a dynamic model; therefore, DHDP can be appllied with any petroleum equipment or devise directly without needed to drive a mathematical model. Moreover, DHDP learns by itself (self-learning) without human intervention via repeating the interaction between an equipment and environment/process. The equipment receives the states of the environment/process via sensors, and the algorithm maximizes the reward by selecting the correct optimal action (control signal). A quadruple tank system (QTS) is taken as a benchmark test problem, that the nonlinear model responses close to the real model, for three reasons: First, QTS is widely used in the most petroleum exploration/production fields (entire system or parts), which consists of four tanks and two electrical-pumps with two pressure control valves. Second, QTS is a difficult model to control, which has a limited zone of operating parameters to be stable; therefore, if DHDP controls on QTS by itself, DHDP can control on other equipment in a fast and optimal manner. Third, QTS is designed with a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) model for analysis in the real-time nonlinear dynamic system; therefore, the QTS model has a similar model with most MIMO devises in oil and gas field. The overall learning control system performance is tested and compared with a proportional integral derivative (PID) via MATLAB programming. DHDP provides enhanced performance comparing with the PID approach with 99.2466% improvement.

External corrosion of underground pipeline is one of the most common damage mechanisms associated with the soil environment particularly in ageing pipelines. This study investigates the external corrosion phenomenon for exporting crude oil pipeline (28'') in Buzurgan region / Missan province. Corrosion rate was measured by using weight loss method, and Tafel extrapolation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were also used in this work. During the field survey, soil sample was taken from Buzurgan region (collected as close as possible to buried pipes at 1.2 m) for tests were carried out for soil that included: pH, moisture content, resistivity and chemical composition (XRF, XRD, and soluble salts). It was found that the environment of the areahas a low soil resistivity value (870) ohm.cm. On other hand, the samples that were immersed in Buzurgan soil showed the that highest damage was by pitting corrosion due to the high soluble salts content particularly chlorides (7388 )ppm and sulfates (2570) ppm.

This study is dedicated to design and execute Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA) to monitor and control the corrosion of a pipeline buried under ground. A microcontroller equipped with many sensors and communication system used to control and monitor the process of an impressed current cathodic protection ICCP process for pipeline. The combination of the hardware, was built with LabVIEW and personal computer (PC) interface presents a “SCADA” system for two methods: Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) presents closed loop, and a conventional for open loop system. Hence, under temperature of 30°C, an assessment and comparison were carried out for two methods of controls examined at low moisture of soil (50%) and high moisture of soil (80 %) for measuring the potential between pipeline and anode, current, and power. It was found a decrease of (39.7%) in consumed power when the moisture of soil changing from the low to the high level. It was attained that the close loop (FLC) was the best method of performance, and consumption of the power.

Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticle was added to prepared water in diesel Nano-emulsion to study its effect on exhaust emission and performance of diesel engine characteristics between neat diesel, Nano-emulsion and Nano-emulsion+ CeO2. Since water and diesel are immiscible, mixed span and Tween 80 surfactants are used for preparation of stable Nano-emulsion. Central composite design, Response surface method is used for optimization process of preparation of Nano-emulsion at optimum suitable condition designed by Design Expert software.
Dispersed Water present of Nano size effect directly on diesel fuel characteristics in compression ignition engine, contributes on reduction of NOx and smoke emission and better thermal efficiency, but accompanied by little increase in HC and CO emission and fuel consumption.
CeO2 nanoparticles at three levels (50, 100 and 150 ppm) to optimize Nano-emulsion added and mixed by high energy homogenizer. All diesel, Nano-emulsion and Nano-emulsion+ CeO2 are examined by Engine run at 400 bar and 1500 rpm with different load.
Improvement in reduction fuel consumption and thermal efficiency are obtained. Exhaust emission (NOx, HC and CO) and smoke reduced much more are observed with CeO2 nanoparticle.

This work deals with the hydrodesulfurization of three types of naphtha feedstocks; mixed naphtha (WN), heavy naphtha (HN) & light naphtha (LN) with a sulfur content of 1642.1, 1334.9 & 709 ppm respectively, obtained from Missan refinery using prepared Co-Mo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. The Iraqi white kaolin was used as a starting material for the preparation of γ-Al2O3 support, transferring kaolin to meta-kaolin was studied through calcination at different temperatures and durations, kaolin structure was investigated using X-Ray diffraction techniques.
High purity 94.83%. Crystalline γ-Al2O3 with a surface area of 129.91 m2/gm, pore volume 0.9002 cm3/g was synthesized by extraction of Iraqi kaolin with H2SO4 at different acid to clay weight ratios, acid concentrations & leaching time. Ethanol was used as precipitating agent; the resultant gel was dried and calcined at 70OC, 10 hrs & 900 OC, 2 hrs respectively.
The effects of different parameters on the average crystallinity and extraction % of synthesized γ-Al2O3 were studied like; acid: clay ratio, sulfuric acid concentration, leaching time, leaching temperature & kaolin conversion to metakaolin. Characterization of prepared γ-Al2O3 & Co-Mo catalyst were achieved by X-ray diffraction, FTIR-spectra, texture properties & BET surface area, BJH N2 adsorption porosity, AFM, SEM, crush strength & XRF tests.
Co-Mo/ γ-Al2O3 catalyst with final loading 5.702 wt% and 21.45 wt% of Co and Mo oxides respectively was prepared by impregnation methods.
The activity of prepared Co-Mo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst after moulding to be tested for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of naphtha feedstock W.N, H.N & L.N was performed using a pilot hydrotreating unit at petroleum research & development centre, at different operating conditions. Effects of temperature, LHSV, pressure, time & pore size distribution were studied, the best percentage of sulfur removal is increased with decreasing LHSV to 2 hr-1 as a general trend to be 89.71, 99.72, 99.20 % at 310oC for the whole naphtha, heavy naphtha and light naphtha feedstocks respectively, at 34 bar pressure and 200/200 cm3/cm3 H2/HC ratio.

Considerable amounts of produced water (PW) are usually accompanied with the production of oil. This study proposed a combination of electrocoagulation (EC) - electro-Fenton (EF) process for oxidation organic compounds in PW to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) to below regulation limits. The PW used in this study was collected from oilfield in the Midland Oil Company. Pretreatment of the PW was conducted using batch EC technique with aluminum electrodes to eliminate the suspended and dissolved solids and to reduce the COD and treatment cost. Optimization of EC process revealed that optimum current density, pH, and reaction time were 7.83 mA/cm2, 7.24, 20.40 minutes respectively. Under these conditions the COD removal percentage was 73.97% starting from initial COD of 1730 mg/l.Batch and continuous electro-Fenton processes were investigated using dimensionally stable anode Ti-RuO2/IrO2 and activated carbon fiber felt (ACFF) cathode. The effect of crucial process variables on COD removal efficiency was investigated using response surface methodology. A second order polynomial model equations were constructed and the results was analyzed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). It was concluded that a combination of electrocoagulation followed by electro-Fenton process is effective for treating oilfield produced water and further improvement can be achieved by photo assisting the process. A total COR removal efficiency of 98% was achieved.

Allpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have a hightoxicity, and/or carcinogenic and \or mutagenic to most microorganisms andhumans.
Main aim to this study is to providecontemporary information (quantitative and qualitative) PAHs in sera of fuel stations, workers whom exposure with petroleum products.
The study includes 60 male petrol-filling workers in 5 petrol stations around Baghdad. Their ages were between (20 – 50) years. For compared the results a 30 sera samples from healthy individuals was collected with corresponding age-matched as control group. The samples were collected from October 2017 until April 2018. The BMI was calculated for all subjects.
Technique of High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect the presence of PAHs quantitatively and qualitatively in the sera of all subjects.
The mean level of total PAHs in sera of workers was 1275.65± 934.267 higher than that for healthy subjects 67.380 ± 46.16 with significant value p=0.033.Also the types and percent of PAHs in the sera of workers were differ.For studying the epidemiologic,no correlation between the percent of % PAHs in sera of workers who exposure to petroleum withoutaffected withtheir age and BMI.

For generating power, solar energy is counted a good exporter. Iraq is located in a hot zone with latitude from 32 degree N to 36 degree N. In Iraq, the average solar radiation is about 7 kilowatt hours / day.
In this work, central receiving tower was used to obtain steam using the available solar energy in summer and winter. To heat the feed water heater of South Baghdad Electrical Steam Power Plant, steam utilization for this purpose. In the project, manufacturing the central receiver tower, which is consisting of 150 mirrors fixed upon 75 manual tracking heliostats arranged for utilization the solar radiation concentrated on the central receiving tank (CRT). Pipes systems were used for hot water or steam exits from receiver. In this study, the central receiver tank (0.5m*1m) was filled with 157 liter of water. The experimental work was run for one year from June 2015 – May 2016. The outlet temperature of water from central tower receiver was steam for (July and August 2015) and hot water with high temperature for other months of the year. The results obtained from our system, solar shares for heating the feed water heater of South Baghdad Electrical Steam Power Plant up to 1.86 % and an annual average of 1.03%. Temperature, power concentration factor and system efficient are greatly influenced by the number of heliostats used. A sample of calculations is used to evaluate the mathematical data of hot water and steam temperatures obtained from this study. These values are approximate with experimental data when compared together.

Systems change currently response to the requirements of modern society where the emergence of a lot of sensors and controllers in all forms it led to the use of IoT that make things connect with Internet These technologies provide advanced functionality for enterprises and oil installations to transmit data in real time to avoid flood and fire situations in oil Tanks.
The system consists of two stations: the tank station and the control station for monitoring and controlling the level and temperature of the products and the detection of fire. Where, the tank station is equipped with three sensors, which are level, temperature, fire sensors.
The connection between the tank station and the control station is wireless connection by XBee. The control station is to display data to the user via graphical user interface that were programmed by Visual Basic.net and stored in a local database designed by SQL Server simultaneously sending data to the Think Speak so that authorized persons can access the data remotely.
The system tested for several months proved during this period that it has the ability to address some problems such as floods and fires where it gives alerts before the problem occurs.

Cost estimation and control is a crucial activity for well engineering and construction. In addition to the technical preparation before drilling an oil well, well construction cost is one of the essential activities leading to AFE (authorization for expenditure). Recently the probabilistic method for cost estimate became necessary for understanding the risk and uncertainty of a certain cost range instead of a single (deterministic) value. This work describes the main types of drilling contracts have been used in Basra oilfields and discusses the principles of well construction cost estimate according to those contracts. In addition, it summarize the relevant cost breakdown for drilling operations. The research also illuminates the probabilistic method for effective well cost estimating along with deterministic method. the study subdivided the process of well construction into segments for cost tracking, emphasized the main aspects influence the well cost and leading to a methodology that can be applied by the operator for onshore well in the south of Iraqi fields. The methodology used in this work includes, first, analyzing data from offset wells to facilitate the possible cost out comes, and second, subdivide the well construction activities into fixed costs, time dependent and depth dependent costs. A probabilistic model (Monte Carlo simulation) for cost estimating is constructed using @ Risk software. The results released for risked drilling operation, which includes the NPT. While revising the historical cost performances in Zubair field, it has found that the best practices and lesson learned of the previous activities has significantly contributed in time and cost reduction of well operation. The findings of this work contributes to improve the decision-making by managers for best investment, enhance the planning for next activities and confident choice of well budget. It also helps to investigate the critical factors and actions that can be applied on operational and contractual parameters to achieve cost reduction. A case study from Zubair field will be presented in order to illuminate the mentioned points.

This paper highlights of calculating the permeability by using primary and secondary porosities for carbonate successions of Kurra Chine Formation in Ain Zalah-29, Butmah-15, and Alan-1 wells. It has been based on a relatively modern method specially designed for carbonate rocks which proposed by Lucia (1995). Rather than dependence on the porosity and water saturation values in calculating permeability, this method uses the rock fabric and its relationship to the primary porosity that calculated from the sonic log. Since the sonic log only senses porosity between the interparticle, the presence of a percentage of the vuggy porosity may lead to inaccurate results. Where the permeability is affected by the size, distribution, and interconnection of pores more than by the total porosity values of the rock. Therefore, the current research is suggested to evaluate the permeability the use of the effective porosity that calculated from the neutron and density logs instead of the primary porosity (interparticles) that calculated from the sonic log. It appears from comparing the results for both permeability curves (i.e. that was calculated from the primary and effective porosities) that there is a clear contrast in the limestone rocks of Kurra Chine Formation, especially those rich with vuggy porosity. The reason for this is that many of these pores are connected to each other by micro-channels that was formed by dolomitization of the surrounding matrix as in Butmah well or as a result of recrystallization as in Ain Zalah and Alan wells. While the dolomitic rocks have convergent permeability values because the intercrystalline porosity are the basic pores in these rocks.

Form the existence or the absence of the Late Jurassic sequences that included the following formations, Gotnia, Najmah, Naokelekan, and Chia Gara and the Early Cretaceous sequence, which composed of (Makhul, Karimia, Zangura and Garagu) formations, in the area between the upper and lower Zab Rivers and its surroundings areas, affected by the Neocomian uplift and erosion, it become clear that the studied area have different stratigraphical sequences and different amount of the hiatus, which reflected unstable blocks movements of the incompatible blocks that took place at the end of the Jurassic and the beginning of the Cretaceous. Had worked on the formation of half-Grabens, whose movement varied during these ages, which grew up different depositional environments had led to the emergence of the following and in light of it, the area has been divided into three Regions:
The Southern area of the Lower Zab River: This area forming the western extension of the Permanent Basin, which lies to the eastern part of Iraq. Its stratigraphic sequence contains one gap extending from the late Tithonian into Early of Berriasian, which represents the hiatus of the Makhul formation.
The area between the Upper and Lower Zab Rivers: This area characterized by the shallow marine environments in which the Najmah formation is one of the most important reservoir formations in the region and the Gulf region, were deposited. The stratigraphical sequence of this region have wide hiatus, which included (Late Oxfordian, Kimmeridgian and Tithonian) stages from the Late Jurassic, and the Berriasian – Valanginian stages from the early Cretaceous period. This region characterized by the major erosional unconformities, where the area exposed to the Vadoze Zone for a period of 14.4 million years, and the cap rocks eroded.
The area to the north of the Upper Zab River: This area forming the eastern extension of the positive area, which lies to the western part of Iraq. Its stratigraphic sequence contains two gap, the first one was representing the hiatus of Najmah formation or its equivalent from the Oxfordian, and exposing of the Sargelu formation to surface for 5 million years. While the Gotnia and the lower part of Chia Gara formation were found. The second hiatus recorded as wide gap between the middle of the Tithonian and the beginning of the Albian. Where the following formations (the upper part of the composition of Chia Gara, Makhul, Karimia, Zangura, Garagu, Ratawi and Shu’aiba) was not deposite. This gap have approximately 32 million years, forming this region as high topographical area of Mosul-Khleisia Height in the Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous Boundary.
To determine the location of the faults and the extent of their impact, a comparison made between the subsurface sections of the upper regions to determine the sites of the faults and their impact as:
• The Fault Z1 is determined by the location of the upper Zab River, Fault Z2, was represents the Lower Zab River and the Fault Z3, extending northwest southeast and is located between the well sites of Zab-1 and Quwer-2. This fault fragmented of the inter Zab rivers area into two secondary blocks, the Western sub-block and a Eastern sub-block, where this was 500 meters lower than the first one and forming a good Structural trap.
The effect of those Normal faults (1Z, 2Z, 3Z), was perfectly limited on the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous boundary. Which revealed that the reservoir unit (Najmah formation), was exposed to the surface and the cap rocks have been eroded by the Neocomian uplift, and lading to escape of the light hydrocarbon components while the heavy bituminous stained the lithofacies and plugged their porosity.

Oil has become the direct role in the management of economic growth, and in moving the scenes of global conflicts because of the world's increasing need for the energy required by social and economic development and demographic growth. The current situation needs to analyze the oil sector and study the various aspects related to it.
The research aims to analyze the changes in oil prices in the indicators of economic growth in Iraq for the period (2005-2017).
According to statistical analysis, the relationship between the average price of Iraqi oil and the national income is a positive one, and the average price of Iraqi crude oil and the average per capita national income per capita is a direct correlation between the average price of Iraqi oil and GDP.
The study recommended activating the fiscal policy in the Iraqi economy by stimulating the mechanisms of customs tax policy because it is important in enriching the budget with multiple sources of taxation so that the mechanisms of fiscal policy work to achieve economic goals, namely raising private savings rates and stimulating investment decisions.

Oil and gas companies invest large amounts of capital, so the conflicts that arise in this activity are among the most important risks to be considered in any international energy project. The parties to the contract are keen to formulate a dispute settlement mechanism, whether they are companies, individuals or governments. In particular, foreign companies have no desire to resort to national courts for lack of confidence in the impartiality of the national judiciary. Disputes between the investing company and the host State occur when the host State makes significant changes to the terms of the original transaction or when it withdraws the investment (concession) granted to a company and whether the subject of the contract is the production sharing between it and the host State or a contract of extraction or service contract.

The research aims to identify the impact of organizational excellence on innovation-oriented sustainability practices in organizations. The research was carried out in the Dhi Qar refinery and on a random sample of the employees working in the refinery, which consisted of (200) individuals. The questionnaire was used as a main tool for data collection, which consisted of two axes: Organizational Excellence and Sustainability-oriented Sustainability Practices. AMOS and SPSS. The research was based on a main hypothesis: "There is a relationship of correlation and impact between organizational excellence and the application of innovation-oriented sustainability practices".
The organizational excellence variable was measured through (management excellence, strategic excellence, employee excellence, organizational structure excellence) through (sustainability oriented towards the development of processes and products, sustainability oriented towards the development of creative competencies). The research found a number of conclusions. The results showed that the organization in question has a vision of sustainability oriented towards innovation practices in developing new competencies that support green innovation in the organization. The organization also works to acquire innovative and environmentally friendly technologies and processes. In key areas where there are no previous experiences, the organization is constantly exploring new ways to understand the expectations and requirements of key stakeholders, but some areas need a better understanding of application practices in relation to J Using new management systems to manage environmental innovation as well as the management of the organization is often actively involved in environmental innovation activities on average, the management of the organization invests an average proportion of R & D in environmental innovation. Finally, the management of the organization often collects information on environmental innovation trends. In addition, a number of recommendations have been formulated, the most important of which are the formulation of strategies for the implementation of sustainability oriented towards innovation practices to promote organizational excellence that is compatible with the characteristics of the Iraqi environment and its requirements and with the help of green transformational leadership and modern technologies of sustainability oriented towards the development of processes and products, The organization under consideration has a course that contributes to the achievement of innovation in organizational excellence.

The terms and provisions contained in the petroleum licensing rounds (service contracts) are representing the foundation for the commitment of the parties concerned to protect the environment through pollution prevention, treating its damages in addition to the removal or reduction of their effects.
The aim of this study is to identify the provisions contained in the contracts of petroleum licensing rounds on the protection of the environment and its effectiveness, as well as legislative texts in achieving the goal of the state and its commitment to prevent environmental damages