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BP awards Colorado State University $5M to research technology for oil recovery from watered-out wells

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Colorado State University has obtained a 5-year, $5-million grant from BP to study mechanisms involved with technology for oil recovery from “watered-out” wells. Upward of 70% of the petroleum can remain in the rock formations of many watered-out wells. 2000) Water Control. Bill Bailey et al.

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New study confirms extensive gas leaks in the North Sea; recommends stricter guidelines for handling of abandoned wells

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Researchers from the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel have found that considerable quantities of the greenhouse gas methane escape uncontrolled into the water from abandoned oil and gas wells in the North Sea. Photo: ROV team/GEOMAR. Photo: ROV team/GEOMAR. In seawater, methane is usually consumed by microbes.

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HyMethShip seeks to fuel ship engines with hydrogen from methanol

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As a result, shipbuilders and operators around the world are seeking environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional ship engines powered by fuel oil or diesel. The methanol is mixed with water, then evaporated by applying heat and fed into the preheated reactor, where the mix of methanol and water is converted into hydrogen and CO 2.

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New study suggests reported PAH emissions in oil sands region greatly underestimated

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Results from a new modeling assessment of contamination in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) suggest that officially reported emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in that region have been greatly underestimated. PAHs are highly volatile, meaning they escape into the air much more than many people think.

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Study finds methane emissions from coal mines ~50% higher than previously thought

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In addition to coal mining, other major sources of methane emissions globally include wetlands, agriculture, and oil and gas facilities. Kholod said that when a closed mine is flooded, water stops methane from leaking almost completely within about seven years. Mines are getting deeper every year.

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UC Davis Begins $2.8M Studies on Impacts of Escaped Nitrogen

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million in new grants to study the use and impacts of escaped nitrogen from agricultural production. But excess nitrogen is emitted from soils, seeps into groundwater and runs off into surface waters. Farm machines burning oil, gasoline and diesel release nitrogen to the air. Tom Tomich.

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MIT researchers develop surface coatings to inhibit buildup of methane hydrates that can block deep-sea oil and gas pipelines

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Clathrate hydrate formation and subsequent plugging of deep-sea oil and gas pipelines represent a significant bottleneck for deep-sea oil and gas operations. — Methane hydrates can freeze upon contact with cold water in the deep ocean, are a chronic problem for deep-sea oil and gas wells.

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