Ex. 13. Read an abstract of a research paper and find the following elements in the text:

10. statement of the problem

11. statement of the proposed solution

12. description of the paper contents

13. language: predominance of active or passive voice

14. language: sentence structure

15. language: linking devices and sentence connectors (e.g. this, the abovementioned etc.)

Abstract

When revitalizing mature oil or gas fields, the ability to maximize productivity while minimizing operating costs is critical. Achieving these goals becomes more challenging where sand control is required. This is especially true for complex reservoir lithology, which leads to a variety of fracture and pore pressure gradients and premature water breakthrough. In addition, reduced deliverability, resulting from pressure depletion, presents additional complications related to achieving acceptable project economics.

The Barbara field, located in the central Adriatic Sea, is an example of this type of reservoir. For this project, a dedicated work team was assigned to identify and implement the solutions to improve field performance through continuous operations optimization. The Barbara field consists of stacked pay sections that have been depleted since the early 1980's. To achieve favorable economics, techniques had to be used that would both maximize the deliverability of each well and minimize operational costs.

This paper reviews the Barbara field workover program. The evolution of techniques, equipment, and products leading to enhanced productivity while substantially reducing costs is described. The fluid systems and operation procedures designed to optimize frac-pack geometry are discussed. In addition, the one-trip multi-zone gravel pack assemblies are described that allow multiple zones to be individually frac-packed in a single run, thus providing significant rig-time reductions without sacrificing completion efficiency. Finally, the complex nature of this reservoir dictates a need for a variety of completion techniques. This means that frac-packing was not necessarily an option for all zones. For the intervals where fracturing was not employed, productivity still needed to be maximized. To accomplish this goal, perforation tunnel clean up procedures have been optimized.

Ex. 14. Read the continuation of the text giving recommendations about writing a research paper. Note down the most useful information.

2. INTRODUCTION

Function: The function of the Introduction is to:

• Establish the context of the work being reported. This is accomplished by discussing the relevant primary research literature (with citations) and summarizing our current understanding of the problem you are investigating;

• State the purpose of the work in the form of the hypothesis, question, or problem you investigated; and,

• Briefly explain your rationale and approach and, whenever possible, the possible outcomes your study can reveal.

Quite literally, the Introduction must answer the questions, "What was I studying? Why was it an important question? What did we know about it before I did this study? How will this study advance our knowledge?"

Style: Use the active voice as much as possible. Some use of first person is okay, but do not overdo it.

Structure: The structure of the Introduction can be thought of as an inverted triangle – the broadest part at the top representing the most general information and focusing down to the specific problem you studied. Organize the information to present the more general aspects of the topic early in the Introduction, then narrow toward the more specific topical information that provides context, finally arriving at your statement of purpose and rationale. Here is the information should flow in your Introduction:

• Begin your Introduction by clearly identifying the subject area of interest. Do this by using key words from your Title in the first few sentences of the Introduction to get it focused directly on topic at the appropriate level.

• Establish the context by providing a brief and balanced review of the relevant published literature that is available on the subject. The key is to summarize (for the reader) what we knew about the specific problem before you did your experiments or studies. This is accomplished with a general review of the primary research literature (with citations) but should not include very specific, lengthy explanations that you will probably discuss in greater detail later in the Discussion.

• What literature should you look for in your review of what we know about the problem? Focus your efforts on the primary research journals – the journals that publish original research articles. Although you may read some general background references (encyclopedias, textbooks, lab manuals, style manuals, etc.) to get yourself acquainted with the subject area, do not cite these, because they contain information that is considered fundamental or "common" knowledge within the discipline. Cite, instead, articles that reported specific results relevant to your study. Learn, as soon as possible, how to find the primary literature (research journals) and review articles rather than depending on reference books. Most academic libraries support the Citation Index – an index which is useful for tracking a line of inquiry forward in time.

• Be sure to clearly state the purpose and/or hypothesis that you investigated. When you are first learning to write in this format it is okay, and actually preferable, to use a pat statement like, "The purpose of this study was to...." or "We investigated three possible mechanisms to explain the ... (1) blah, blah..(2) etc. It is most usual to place the statement of purpose near the end of the Introduction, often as the topic sentence of the final paragraph.

• Provide a clear statement of the rationale for your approach to the problem studied. For example: State briefly how you approached the problem. This will usually follow your statement of purpose in the last paragraph of the Introduction. Why did you choose this kind of experiment or experimental design? What are the scientific merits of this particular model system? What advantages does it confer in answering the particular question(s) you are posing?