Oil Mobility in Transition Zones

Shehadeh Masalmeh and Sjaam Oedai

Shell International Exploration and Production B.V.

Rijswijk, The Netherlands

Ex. 10. Answer the following questions, based on the text above.

1. Why do scientific papers have a very rigid structure?

2. What are the sections of a scientific paper?

3. What are the requirements to the title of the paper?

Ex. 11. In the following list of titles of research papers point out those which you consider good titles and those you consider bad ones and explain the reasons for your opinion. Suggest ways to improve the “bad” titles.

1. EOR Screening Criteria Revised

2. Maximizing Oil Recovery Efficiency and Sequestration of CO2 with "Next Generation" CO2-EOR

3. Rock Typing – Keys to Understanding How To Increase Productivity in Tight Gas Sands

4. Unconventional Reservoirs

5. Integrated Petrophysical Evaluation of Shale Gas Reservoirs

6. Mature Field Development – A Review

7. A Survey of North Sea Enhanced-Oil-Recovery Projects Initiated During the Years 1975 to 2005

8. New Polymer Fluid for Hydraulic Fracturing

9. Strategies for Removal of Formate Brine Based Drill in Fluid (DIF) Filtercake in Gravel Packed Completions – A Laboratory Evaluation

10. Cost-Effective Sand Control Operations Play Key Role in Revitalizing Mature Gas Field

Ex. 12. Read the second part of the text and note down the most useful recommendations.

1. Abstract

Function: An abstract summarizes, in one paragraph (usually), the major aspects of the entire paper in the following prescribed sequence:

• the question(s) you investigated (or purpose), (from Introduction)

  • state the purpose very clearly in the first or second sentence.

• the experimental design and methods used, (from Methods)

  • clearly express the basic design of the study.

  • Name or briefly describe the basic methodology used without going into excessive detail-be sure to indicate the key techniques used.

• the major findings including key quantitative results, or trends (from Results)

  • report those results which answer the questions you were asking

  • identify trends, relative change or differences, etc.

• a brief summary of your interpetations and conclusions. (from Discussion)

  • clearly state the implications of the answers your results gave you.

Whereas the Title can only make the simplest statement about the content of your article, the Abstract allows you to elaborate more on each major aspect of the paper. The length of your Abstract should be kept to about 200-300 words maximum (a typical standard length for journals.) Limit your statements concerning each segment of the paper (i.e. purpose, methods, results, etc.) to two or three sentences, if possible. The Abstract helps readers decide whether they want to read the rest of the paper, or it may be the only part they can obtain via electronic literature searches or in published abstracts. Therefore, enough key information (e.g., summary results, observations, trends, etc.) must be included to make the Abstract useful to someone who may want to reference your work.

Style: The Abstract is ONLY text. Use the active voice when possible, but much of it may require passive constructions. Write your Abstract using concise, but complete, sentences, and get to the point quickly. Use past tense. Maximum length should be 200-300 words, usually in a single paragraph.

The Abstract SHOULD NOT contain:

• lengthy background information,

• references to other literature,

• elliptical (i.e., ending with ...) or incomplete sentences,

• abbreviations or terms that may be confusing to readers,

• any sort of illustration, figure, or table, or references to them.

Strategy: Although it is the first section of your paper, the Abstract, by definition, must be written last since it will summarize the paper. To begin composing your Abstract, take whole sentences or key phrases from each section and put them in a sequence which summarizes the paper. Then set about revising or adding words to make it all cohesive and clear. As you become more proficient you will most likely compose the Abstract from scratch.