Search Results (235)

Palm oil production generates substantial underutilized biomass wastes, including empty fruit bunches, fiber, palm kernel shells, and palm oil mill effluent (POME). Waste-to-energy systems offer a viable pathway to convert these residues into electricity and fertilizer, supporting circular economy goals and sustainability targets. This study takes an example of palm oil waste from the Indragiri Hulu region in Riau Province in Indonesia. It develops a multi-objective optimization framework to evaluate palm oil mill WtE systems from economic, environmental, and energy output. Three scenarios are analyzed: maximal profit (MP), maximal profit with carbon tax (MPCT), and all waste processing (AWP). The MP scenario favors high-return technologies such as gasification and incineration, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions. The MPCT scenario favors lower-emission technologies like composting and excludes high-emission, low-profit options such as POME digestion. In contrast, the AWP scenario mandates the processing of all wastes, leading to the lowest profits and the highest emissions among all scenarios. The sensitivity analysis reveals that POME processing is not feasible when electricity prices are below the government-set rate, but becomes viable once prices exceed this threshold. These findings offer valuable insights for companies and policymakers seeking to develop and implement effective strategies for optimal waste utilization. Full article

The global energy matrix needs to undergo considerable changes to achieve the clean and affordable energy target as per the Sustainable Development Goals determined by the United Nations (UN) by 2030. Hydrogen has stood out worldwide as a potential substitute for current non-renewable sources. Once thought to be minor, if not non-existent, natural hydrogen is now becoming a more significant alternative that is being explored. Natural hydrogen can be obtained from subsurface rocks by the generation process of serpentinization, radiolysis, rock fracturing, or magma degassing, using extraction technology similar to that already used in the oil and gas industries. Thus, the goal of this research was to perform a consistent technical–scientific and bibliometric review of natural hydrogen, presenting the Brazilian context. The results showed that from 2017 onwards, there has been an increase in research publications related to the topic. France is the country with the most publications. In Brazil, the potential of natural hydrogen sources has been studied in states such as Goias, Tocantins, Minas Gerais, Roraima, Bahia, and Ceará. It is still difficult to predict the potential cost of natural hydrogen production. However, estimates through the Hydroma company show a cost of 0.5 USD/kg, and Australia and Spain target price projects at approximately 1 USD/kg of natural decarbonization could be aided by natural hydrogen, which could supply the world’s energy needs for generations. Geological processes, reserve behavior, and the efficiency of extraction are among the unknowns, though. Brazil requires a strong regulatory framework and additional research. For exploration to be sustainable, cooperation between the government, businesses, and society is essential. Full article

The amendment to MARPOL Annex VI, which limits the sulfur content in marine fuels to a maximum of 0.5 wt.%, came into effect in January 2020. This includes reducing sulfur oxide (SO_X) emissions and establishing nitrogen oxide (NO_X) emission standards (Tiers I, II, and III) based on the ship’s engine type and construction date. Furthermore, the regulations require oil tankers to control volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and prohibit the installation of new equipment containing ozone-depleting substances. After a four-year exploration phase, global shipping companies still lack consistent evaluation criteria for the selection and use of alternative fuels, resulting in divergence across the industry. According to the latest data, methanol can reduce NO_X, SO_X, and particulate matter (PM) emissions by approximately 80%, 99%, and 95%, respectively, compared to traditional heavy fuel oil. Furthermore, green methanol has the potential for near-zero greenhouse gas emissions and can meet the stringent standards of Emission Control Areas. Therefore, this study adopts a cost-benefit analysis method to evaluate the feasibility and implementation benefits of two promising strategies: methanol dual fuel and very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO). A 6600-TEU container ship was selected as a representative case, and the evaluation was conducted by replacing an older ship with a newly built one. The reductions in total pollutants and CO₂-equivalent emissions of the container ship, as well as the cost-effectiveness of each specific strategy, were calculated. This study found that, in the first five years of operation, the total incremental cost of Vessel A, which uses 100% VLSFO, will be significantly lower than that of Vessel B, which uses a blend of 30% e-methanol + 70% VLSFO as fuel. Furthermore, compared to a scenario without any improvement strategies, the total incremental cost for Vessels A and B will increase by 69.90% and 178.15%, respectively, over five years. Vessel B effectively reduced the total greenhouse gas emission equivalent (CO₂e) of CO₂, CH_4, and N₂O by 24.72% over five years, while Vessel A reduced the CO₂e amount by 12.18%. Furthermore, the cost-benefit ratio (CBR) based on total pollutant emission reduction is higher for Vessel A than for Vessel B within five years of operation. However, in terms of the cost-effectiveness of CO₂e emission reduction, the CBR of Vessel A becomes lower than Vessel B after 4.7 years of operation. Therefore, Vessel A’s strategy should be considered a short-term option for reducing CO₂e within 4.7 years, whereas the strategy of Vessel B is more suitable as a long-term solution for more than 4.7 years. Full article

This article presents the value-added production-sharing contract (VAPSC), an extension of traditional production-sharing contracts (PSCs), which encompasses raw materials production, subsequent processing, and the final ‘sharing’ of goods. Developing countries often face challenges in oil and gas exploration, production, and sector development, necessitating new collaborative frameworks between governments, industries, and international companies. The study justifies the economic terms of VAPSC that align with Lebanon’s national regulations, focusing on offshore gas production and the subsequent production and sale of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The research evaluates VAPSC application in Lebanon through a case study involving offshore gas field development, LNG plant construction, and consequent LNG-sharing. Results demonstrate the VAPSC potential to promote petroleum sector development by generating added value for both the state and society, as well as economic efficiency for the contractor. The research contributes to contract theory by introducing VAPSC as a novel framework for integrating hydrocarbon extraction, subsequent processing, and value-added product distribution, offering a replicable model for other resource-rich developing nations. The main findings include the design of a new type of contract—VAPSC—along with an economic-mathematical model for optimizing government-investor partnerships and the definition of key contractual terms. Full article

Developing clean and renewable energy instead of the ones related to hydrocarbon resources has been known as one of the different ways to guarantee reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Geothermal systems and native hydrogen exploration could represent an opportunity to diversify the global energy matrix and lower carbon-related emissions. All of these natural energy sources require a well to be drilled for its access and/or extractions, similar to the petroleum industry. The main focuses of this technical–scientific contribution and research are (i) to evaluate the global energy matrix; (ii) to show the context over the years and future perspectives on geothermal systems and natural hydrogen exploration; and (iii) to present and analyze the importance of developing technologies on drilling process optimization aiming at accessing these natural energy resources. In 2022, the global energy matrix was composed mainly of nonrenewable sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, where the combustion of fossil fuels produced approximately 37.15 billion tons of CO₂ in the same year. In 2023, USD 1740 billion was invested globally in renewable energy to reduce CO₂ emissions and combat greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, currently, about 353 geothermal power units are in operation worldwide with a capacity of 16,335 MW. In addition, globally, there are 35 geothermal power units under pre-construction (project phase), 93 already being constructed, and recently, 45 announced. Concerning hydrogen, the industry announced 680 large-scale project proposals, valued at USD 240 billion in direct investment by 2030. In Brazil, the energy company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will invest in the coming years nearly USD 4 million in research involving natural hydrogen generation, and since the exploration and access to natural energy resources (oil and gas, natural hydrogen, and geothermal systems, among others) are achieved through the drilling of wells, this document presents a technical–scientific contextualization of social interest. Full article

Energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, are vital for global development but have significant environmental impacts, including pollution and habitat destruction. Green management has become a critical concept in today’s global industries, mostly the petroleum industry. The petroleum industry is vital not only for the world but also for Türkiye’s energy needs and economic development. However, its operations significantly impact the environment through greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and habitat destruction. In response to both global and national environmental concerns and regulatory pressures, the Turkish petroleum industry should adopt green management practices. Despite the lack of prior studies regarding green management approaches and practices in Turkish petroleum industry, this study examines how Türkiye’s petroleum industry should integrate green management principles to minimize environmental impacts and promote sustainable development. To evaluate the environmental protection approaches and practices of petroleum enterprises based on their operational domains, a survey was conducted, and the collected data underwent statistical analysis. The survey questions were designed by the authors to determine the attitudes, approaches, and practices of managers in crude oil production and refining companies regarding green management. According to the results of the statistical data analysis, it has been determined that companies in the Turkish petroleum industry have adopted an approach known as green management or environmentally conscious entrepreneurship. The statistical analysis of the administered survey results indicates a positive relationship between firms’ operational performance scores and their green management practices scores (r = 0.247). The survey results demonstrate an increasing adoption of environmental consciousness and green management practices among managers in the Turkish petroleum sector, with 90.2% of participants providing a positive response. The survey results also indicate that green management practices have a positive impact on business operations. In this regard, 42.4% of participating managers believe that green management practices enhance corporate image, 38.0% state that they improve efficiency, 35.0% assert that they strengthen competitive advantage, and 31.5% indicate that they contribute positively to energy savings. The survey findings further indicate that 90.2% of participants recognize the contribution of green management practices to sustainable development in businesses, while an equal proportion asserts that these practices enhance clean and safe production. Moreover, 93.5% of respondents emphasize that production and processing activities carried out without environmental considerations pose a significant threat to the future of both the planet and humanity. In conclusion, based on the responses provided by the participants, it can be inferred that business managers have adopted the green management approach and recognize the significant role of green management practices in addressing environmental challenges. In line with the objectives of this study and the statistical findings obtained, a “green management model” has been proposed for enterprises in the Turkish petroleum industry, taking into consideration global practices and aligning with the principles of environmentally responsible green entrepreneurship. In this context, the study makes a significant contribution to the literature by proposing a green management model for the Turkish petroleum industry. Full article

This paper proposes and tests a methodology for evaluating the human capital of oil and gas industry enterprises. The methodology is based on previously developed mathematical and test tools, with enhancements to support decision-making in human capital development. The proposed methodology facilitates a comprehensive mathematical analysis of assessment results and provides analytical and graphical justifications for the approaches, methods, and models used in shaping personal development trajectories. These trajectories are tailored to the needs of individuals as bearers of human capital and consider its role in achieving sustainable development goals. Given the purpose of this study—to analyze the state and development opportunities of human capital in oil and gas enterprises using the authors’ assessment methodology—the presented approach aims to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating and enhancing human capital in this key sector. This study includes a survey of employees of three groups of enterprises: NAFTOGAZ Group (Kyiv, Ukraine), Ukrainian private oil and gas companies, and enterprises of other sectors of Ukraine’s economy. A comparative analysis carried out via mathematical tools enabled a detailed evaluation of the collected data. The study conclusions highlight within-group and intergroup comparative characteristics of respondents based on calculated values and deviations in their intellectual attributes. These findings allow us to formulate a set of recommendations regarding the appropriateness of corrective actions and also validate the reliability and objectivity of the proposed human capital assessment methodology. This methodology may potentially help in strategic decision-making in the development of the gas and oil industry and allows for planning the changes in human capital necessary to ensure sustainable development. Full article

Reducing atmospheric emissions through the introduction of circular economy principles is one of the current tasks of sustainable regional development. The purpose of this research is to study the impact of the actions taken by Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. (KPO) to reduce air pollution, and, based on this, to evaluate the potential of forming a circular economy in one of the biggest regions of Kazakhstan in which KPO is operating. The air pollution in the region is related to the oil and gas production activities of the company. This study was conducted using econometric modeling and statistical and comparative analyses. This study’s value lies in its interdisciplinary approach, which made it possible to combine environmental and economic criteria for sustainable regional development with the features of emissions and waste management technologies within the industry. Studying the production activities and analyzing the impact of KPO on the development of the region in the period from 2012 to 2022 made it possible to construct a matrix of the restorative potential of a circular economy in the region. A model for the formation of a circular economy was proposed, which is based on the introduction of innovations, investments in environmental protection, and the use of the best available technologies for reinjecting gas into the reservoir, increasing energy efficiency, and recycling waste, which resulted in a significant (2.2 times) reduction in the amount of air pollution in the region. According to the forecast model (2024–2028), it was determined that, in the case of maintaining certain independent indicators’ dynamics of development, the level of atmospheric emissions by KPO could be reduced by two times. The results of this work prove that further studies on the problems associated with reducing atmospheric pollution within the framework of the formation of a circular economy are quite promising. Additionally, the results of this study are interesting and may be useful for the implementation of measures to manage air quality in the region by managers, heads of organizations, state and local authorities, and researchers interested in promoting the Environmental Social Governance (ESG) concept of sustainable development. Full article

This study assesses the environmental impacts of producing 1000 tinplate aerosol cans at a Portuguese packaging company using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The inventory analysis is based on real industrial data collected from the company for foreground processes, complemented with the literature data for background processes. Two energy scenarios are compared: the current production setup, which relies on electricity from the Portuguese grid and 100% natural gas, and an optimized renewable energy scenario powered entirely by photovoltaic electricity, with thermal energy supplied by a mix of 20% green hydrogen and 80% natural gas. The ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (E) method was applied to assess 18 environmental impact categories. For the production of 1000 cans, the associated impacts are as follows: 287.11 kg CO₂ eq for GWP, 1.01 × 10⁻⁴ kg CFC-11 eq for ODP, 16.52 kBq Co-60 eq for IRP, 51.59 kg 1,4-DCB for FETP, 0.69 kg PM_2.5 eq for PMFP, 77.20 kg oil eq for FFP, and 2.57 m³ for WCP. Tinplate exhibits the highest environmental burden across most impact categories, particularly in HTPc (96%) and SOP (98%). Offset aluminum printing plates have the greatest impact on FETP (33%), while wood pallets significantly contribute to LOP (81%). The renewable energy scenario resulted in significant reductions in IRP (60.9%), LOP (50.3%), ODP (39.8%), FFP (26.1%), and GWP (24.4%). However, it also led to notable increases in other impact categories, including FETP (135.3%), METP (130.8%), FEP (128.8%), MEP (114.3%), HTPnc (112.0%), SOP (107.8%), TETP (103.4%), and WCP (75.2%), primarily due to green hydrogen production and photovoltaic systems. Among the renewable options, wind electricity stands out as the most environmentally favorable choice for hydrogen production, outperforming both photovoltaic and hydroelectricity. Full article

Reducing the auxiliary drilling time and improving the drilling efficiency are not only important technical means to enhance the development and deep exploration of oil and gas reserves, but also have significant implications for ensuring energy security. Bottom hole self-renewal drill bit technology is a new technology that does not require the retrieval of drills from the well bottom, instead directly updating worn drill bits in place. Through the self-renewing structure of the drill bit, the sustainability of the drill bit can be increased. Conducting research on this technology is expected to overcome the technical issues related to the short useable life of drill bits, thus promoting single-trip drilling technology. This article summarizes the scientific progress made by researchers in self-renewal Polycrystalline Diamond Composite (PDC) drill bit technology; for example, the American National Oilwell Varco (NOV) company has developed a mobile self-renewal cone bit technology and introduced the structural characteristics and working principles of three types of rotating self-renewal drill bits: rack-driven, worm-driven, and ratchet-driven. This study compares and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of these three rotary types of PDC drill bits, providing a detailed introduction to the working principles and modes of the triggering, transmission, limit and locking, and renewal structure devices of the drill bit. Relevant suggestions are proposed for the development of bottom hole self-renewal PDC drill bit technology; namely, strengthening research efforts relating to the intelligent judgment and recognition of cutting tooth wear of the drill bit, as well as the integration of multiple technologies. The sustainability of these novel bits can provide technical support for the development of single-trip drilling technology for deep formations, improve the service life of bits in deep formations that are difficult to drill, and contribute to the efficient development of deep-sea energy resources worldwide. Full article

Sustainability in greenhouse farming, one of the areas where the most energy is needed in the agricultural sector, can be achieved by increasing energy efficiency. Due to increasing energy costs in Türkiye and worldwide, increasing energy efficiency in greenhouses is seen as possible using renewable energy sources that do not produce waste instead of fossil energy sources. This study determined the heat-energy demand in the provinces of Türkiye with continental (Kırşehir and Kütahya) and Mediterranean (Antalya and Mersin) climates. For this purpose, the heat-energy requirement was calculated for greenhouse types with three different insulation properties (S-1: roof and side walls polyethylene, S-2: roof polyethylene, side walls polycarbonate, and S-3: roof polyethylene, side walls polycarbonate, and thermal curtain). Then, the amount and cost of fossil (coal, fuel oil, and natural gas) and renewable energy sources (geothermal and biogas) to be used in obtaining this energy, the heating cost for unit tomato yield, and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere were compared. According to the results obtained, the highest heat-energy requirement was 356.5 kWh m⁻² year⁻¹ in the S-1 greenhouse in the Kütahya province, and the lowest was 46.3 kWh m⁻² year⁻¹ in the S-3 greenhouse in the Mersin province. Depending on energy conservation, 6% of energy savings can be achieved in S-2 and 29% in S-3 compared to S-1. The highest heating cost for producing one kilogram of tomatoes was 0.70 USD kg⁻¹ in fuel oil and Kütahya province (S-1). The lowest was calculated as 0.06 USD kg⁻¹ in geothermally heated greenhouses in Kırşehir and Kütahya provinces (S-3). The highest CO₂ to be released into the atmosphere with fuels was equal to 253.1 kg m⁻² year⁻¹ in coal fuel in Kütahya province (S-1). The lowest was calculated as 1.1 kg m⁻² year⁻¹ in geothermally heated greenhouses in Kırşehir and Kütahya provinces (S-3). The results of this research can be used to develop feasibility studies for greenhouse companies, greenhouse sector policies, policymakers, environmental protection, and taking precautions against the climate crisis. Full article

This study investigates how CEO characteristics, board composition, and firm size influence the technical efficiency (TE) of energy firms. We aim to understand how these factors contribute to production inefficiencies, which may help explain fluctuations in oil prices. Using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), we analyze data from 100 American energy firms over the period from 2006 to 2019. Our results show that inefficiencies in production are primarily driven by specific CEO traits, the size and structure of the board, and the overall size of the firm. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend focusing on the selection of executive managers with specific qualifications, particularly those with extensive experience in managing oil and gas companies. Leadership positions should prioritize seasoned managers with accumulated expertise in this sector, and preference should be given to candidates with advanced educational backgrounds. Encouraging CEOs to acquire equity stakes in the company can significantly boost the technical efficiency of oil and gas firms. Additionally, offering competitive salaries and performance-based bonuses may further enhance managerial effectiveness and drive technical improvements. In addition, expanding the size of boards of directors in oil and gas companies is also anticipated to positively influence their technical efficiency. Finally, pursuing mergers and acquisitions to grow the scale of oil and gas companies represents a strategic approach to improving operational efficiency while contributing to the stability of global energy prices. Full article

This research determines the contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to reducing financial risks and, consequently, to the sustainable development of companies in different sectors of the economy and at different phases of the economic cycle (using Russia as an example). The informational and empirical base comprises data on the dynamics of stock prices of sectoral indices of the Moscow Exchange’s total return “gross” (in Russian rubles): oil and gas, electricity, telecommunications, metals and mining, finance, consumer sector (retail trade), chemicals and petrochemicals, and transportation, as well as the “Responsibility and Openness” index in 2019 (before the crises), in 2020 (COVID-19 crisis), 2022 (sanction crisis), and 2024 (Russia’s economic growth). Economic–mathematical models, compiled through regression analysis, showed that the contribution of CSR to reducing the financial risks of companies is highly differentiated among economic sectors and phases of the economic cycle. The research presents a new sectoral perspective on counter-cyclical management of the financial risks of companies through CSR, enabling a deeper study of the cause-and-effect relationships of such management for the sustainable development of companies from different economic sectors. This is the theoretical significance of this research, its novelty, and its contribution to the literature. The research has practical significance, revealing previously unknown best practices for the sustainable development of companies from different economic sectors of Russia across different phases of the economic cycle. The systematized experience will be useful for forecasting the financial risks of companies during future economic crises in Russia and improving the practice of planning and organizing the financial risk management of Russian companies through CSR. The authors’ conclusions have managerial significance because they will help enhance the flexibility and efficiency of corporate financial risk management by considering the sectoral specifics and cyclical nature of the economy when implementing CSR. Full article

Industrial application data acquisition systems can be sources of vast amounts of data. The seismic surveys conducted by oil and gas companies result in enormous datasets, often exceeding terabytes of data. The storage and communication demands these data require can only be achieved through compression. Careful consideration must be given to minimize the reconstruction error of compressed data caused by lossy compression. This paper investigates the combination of principal component analysis (PCA), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), thresholding, quantization, and entropy encoding to compress such datasets. The proposed method is a lossy compression algorithm tuned by evaluating the reconstruction error in frequency ranges of interest, namely 0–20 Hz and 15–65 Hz. The PCA compression and decompression acts as a noise filter while the DWT drives the compression. The proposed method can be tuned through threshold and quantization percentages and the number of principal components to achieve compression rates of up to 31:1 with reconstruction residues energy of less than $4\%$ in the frequency ranges of 0–20 Hz, 15–65 Hz, and 60–105 Hz. Full article

The electrical submersible pump (ESP) well system is widely used in the oil industry due to its advantages of high displacement and lift capability. However, it is associated with significant energy consumption. In order to conserve electrical energy and enhance the efficiency of petroleum companies, a deep learning-based energy consumption calculation method is proposed and utilized to optimize the most energy-efficient operating regime. The energy consumption of the ESP well system is precisely determined through the application of the Pearson correlation coefficient analysis method, which is utilized to examine the relationship between production parameters and energy usage. This process aids in identifying the input parameters of the model. Following this, an energy consumption prediction model is developed using the dual-stage attention-based recurrent neural network (DA-RNN) algorithm. To evaluate the accuracy of the DA-RNN model, a comparison of its errors is carried out in comparison to three other deep learning algorithms: Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Transform. Lastly, an orthogonal experiment is executed using the chosen model to pinpoint the most energy-efficient operating regime. Analysis of 325 ESP wells in the Bohai PL oil field indicated that ten parameters, including choke diameter, casing pressure, pump inlet pressure, pump outlet pressure, motor temperature, frequency, oil production, gas production, water production, and GOR significantly impact the energy consumption of the ESP well system. Consequently, these parameters were selected as input variables for the deep learning model. Due to the attention mechanisms employed in the encoding and decoding stages, the DA-RNN algorithm achieved the best performance during model evaluation and was chosen for constructing the energy consumption prediction model. Furthermore, the DA-RNN algorithm demonstrates better model generalization capabilities compared to the other three algorithms. Based on the energy consumption prediction model, the operating regime of the ESP system was optimized to save up to 12% of the maximum energy. The energy consumption of the ESP well system is affected by numerous parameters, and it is difficult to comprehensively evaluate and predict quantitatively. Thus, this work proposes a data-driven model based on the DA-RNN algorithm, which has a dual-stage attention mechanism to rapidly and accurately predict the energy consumption of the ESP well system. Optimization of production parameters using this model can effectively reduce energy consumption. Full article