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In this study, synthesized SiO2/ZnO hybrid nanoparticles were used to change the wettability of carbonate rock from highly oil-wet to strongly water-wet state. The SiO2/ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by modified sol-gel method. In this method, TEOS was used to increase the functional groups on the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles to produce highly hydrophilic nanoparticles. The contact angle measurements were conducted on the rock surface before and after nano-treatment. The contact angle of oil droplet with the rock changed from 0° to 150°, 161°, 164° and 170° after impregnation the rock with 0.01, 0.033, 0.07 and 0.33 wt.% nanofluids.

1,3-Dibromo-5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (N,N’-dibromo phenytoin) was efficiently used for the rapid conversion of thiobenzamides to the corresponding 3,5-diaryl-1,2,4-thiadiazoles in water–wet paste conditions. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Synthetic Communications® to view the free supplemental file.

Hydrocarbon exploration within the Papuan thrust belt has traditionally relied on non-seismic techniques to resolve the complex subsurface structure. Subsequent appraisal drilling for most PNG discoveries has defined a complex pattern of fault-bounded compartments which show differing fluid contacts and pressure isolation. The Gobe Anticline forms a frontal hangingwall fold at the leading edge of the Papuan thrust belt, with the SE Gobe field forming the easternmost compartment. Experimental seismic data were first acquired over the Gobe area in 1996 with the recording of dip line PN96-204 and in 1998 by acquisition of the SE Gobe experimental dip line PN98- 206. This resulted in the successful appraisal of the SE Gobe 7 well, which targeted the southern extent and cutoff of the Iagifu reservoir at depth. Following this success, further seismic acquisition and reprocessing were undertaken during 1999 and 2001 over selected areas of the Papuan thrust belt resulting in over 130 km of 2D seismic data along strike of the SE Gobe trend to define near- field exploration opportunities. This high-quality seismic dataset significantly enhanced the ability to accurately determine the subsurface structure and identified additional low-risk hangingwall plays at Saunders and Bilip and defined an additional high-risk sub-thrust structure within a footwall play underlying Bilip. These prospects were drilled in 2001 by Chevron (operator for PDL4) and Santos (operator for PPL190) in 2002. Both hangingwall targets proved successful in encountering hydrocarbons. Saunders-1 resulted in a discovery sharing a common OWC at 1260 mss with SE Gobe and extended the known southeast limit of the field. Bilip-1 encountered a deeper down-plunge structural compartment with a GOC established at 1722 mss and an OWC at 1735 mss. The footwall Iagifu sub-thrust target at Bilip was encountered at 2527 mss and was water wet. Geophysical modeling indicates remaining updip attic potential. These results highlight the increasing value of seismic definition in accurately imaging the subsurface and defining additional exploration opportunities within the Papuan thrust belt.

A recently developed walking traction test has proved to be a reliable and rapid method of measuring coefficient of friction (c.o.f.) of floor surfaces and footwear, and is a suitable method for ranking the grip of footwear solings on slippery floors. This paper describes four new experiments in which footwear samples were ranked. The first experiment compared mean rank orders on water wet (wet) and oily surfaces of seven flat solings. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rs was 0·893, P0·005. In the second experiment, five pairs of women's shoes were ranked on wet and oily surfaces. On the wet surfaces, three samples recorded maximum attainable c.o.f. but rank orders on two oily surfaces were identical, rs = 1·0, P0·01. In the third experiment, thirteen pairs of discarded footwear were ranked using three different test methods. The test surfaces were oily stainless steel plates cut from the same sheet. Rank orders of the three test methods were significantly similar. Kendall's coefficient of concordance w = 8·68, P0·001. In another experiment samples of commercially available footwear were issued to factory workers and recalled for c.o.f. measurements at intervals. Their rank orders on wet and oily surfaces were not statistically similar but when wet surface results obtained at 4 months, were compared with those at 10 months, rank orders were significant; rs = 0·994, P0·01. Also on oily surfaces, rank orders of two measurements were significant, rs = 0·982, P0·01. Although most experiments have revealed significant correlations between footwear samples on wet and oily surfaces there are examples where a soling performs well on wet surfaces but is at the lower end of rank order on oily surfaces. It is concluded that rank orders on wet, oily and icy surfaces should be calculated but also it is necessary to examine rank orders on each surface-lubricant combination, by comparing results obtained at intervals during the useful lives of the solings. In future, samples at the lower end of the rank orders of c.o.f. will be eliminated from the varieties available to workers.

Reservoir study revealed that the wettability of rocks can have a profound influence on the displacement of oil by water from the oil-producing reservoir rocks. Therefore, a correct prediction of the efficiency of waterflood secondary recovery is based on the evaluation of a reservoir rock wettability. The wettability characteristics of a reservoir in the two largest fields in southwestern Iran (Ahwaz and Marun) were evaluated. Results indicated that the reservoir rocks in both fields are water wet but with different intensities.