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In the midst of an energy crisis, coal remains essential to the energy mix of many countries. Over time, coal reserves inevitably deplete, and as a result, coal mining progresses, and mines are closed and abandoned. Abandoned mines continue to emit methane for many years after closure, yet their emissions remain uncontrolled and unmonitored in many coal-producing regions. Closed mines may offer a small but significant opportunity to exploit a clean energy resource, known as Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM), which can ...

Drilling fluids are essential for safe and efficient oil and gas well construction, performing critical functions such as cuttings transport, pressure control, borehole stabilization, and bit lubrication. Traditional manual testing according to API standards provides only intermittent data, often leading to delayed responses and increased risks of kicks, lost circulation, stuck pipe, or formation damage – especially in complex unconventional, deepwater, and high-pressure/high-temperature wells. This paper propos...

The article presents data on the role of organic matter as the primary source of oil and gas formation. It provides a general overview of scientific research on the theory of the organic origin of hydrocarbons. The methodological part of the study is based on guidelines for determining the distribution patterns of organic matter in formations of various types, using the values of the formation-equivalent. The formation-equivalent is understood as the aggregation of all forms of organic matter of any type into a co...

Existing industrial ammonia production installations operating in potentially explosive atmospheres usually contain a wide range of explosion protection concepts implemented during different stages of plant modernization and expansion. In such brownfield installations, the coexistence of equipment originating from different technological periods often leads to a non-uniform distribution of protection concepts at installation level. This aspect is particularly relevant for industrial sectors associated with oil and...

The proposed presentation details a newly developed well integrity packer solution that provides a permeant non-elastomeric barrier and can be installed as easily as existing technologies, but offers the unique advantages of a permeant cement barrier. Traditional elastomeric swell packers are a practical, easily installed and proven well construction product, but they have their performance limitations, especially over a well’s lifetime. The cementitious swell packer (CSP) is a product intended to supplement or ...

The presence of flammable and/or combustible substances in various industrial production processes generates in most cases potentially explosive atmospheres, which transforms a regular work environment into an explosion risk area, directly influencing the way in which equipment intended to be used in these areas is designed, installed and maintained. In areas where potentially explosive atmospheres may form due to the presence of flammable and/or combustible substances, technical equipment must be used whose casin...

Natural gas leaks in residential buildings represent a major risk of explosion and fire, endangering lives and property. Current detection systems, predominantly individual and non-centralized, exhibit significant limitations regarding response time, precise leak localization, and effective notification of authorities. This paper proposes the architecture of a centralized system, based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, for the real-time monitoring of methane (CH4) emissions in medium-sized multi-family resid...

Potentially explosive atmospheres constitute a major risk in the operation of industrial installations that use or generate gases, flammable vapours or combustible dust. According to ATEX legislation, explosions can occur as a result of the interaction between an explosive atmosphere and an active ignition source. Even under the conditions of using ATEX-certified equipment, the progressive degradation of the components can lead to the appearance of uncontrolled ignition sources. This paper analyzes from a technica...

Percussive-rotary drilling remains the preferred method for penetrating hard abrasive rocks (UCS > 150–350 MPa) in mining, exploration, and geotechnical applications. Tungsten carbide (WC-Co) inserts, with their exceptional hardness and abrasion resistance, serve as the primary cutting elements, enabling efficient rock fracturing through combined impact and shear. This study examines tool performance, wear mechanisms (abrasive grooving, fatigue spalling, binder erosion), and optimization strategies including car...

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) represent one of the most promising high-enthalpy renewable energy technologies for regions lacking natural hydrothermal reservoirs. Poland, positioned on favorable geological structures including the Variscan basement, sedimentary basins, and several high-heat-flow provinces, has emerged as a candidate for EGS deployment. Recent numerical modeling, petrophysical research, and CO2-EGS feasibility studies in Poland indicate strong potential for both heat and electricity generation ...

High-temperature drilling in deep HPHT and geothermal wells (>180–220 °C) causes thermal degradation of drilling fluids, which compromises hydraulic performance and accelerates wear of PDC and diamond-impregnated bits. This study evaluates three fluid systems – high-temperature oil-based mud (HT-OBM), thermally stabilized water-based mud (HT-WBM), and nanoparticle-enhanced synthetic-based mud (nano-SBM) – subjected to static aging in HPHT cells at 150–240 °C for 16–40 hours, followed by measurements of...

Hydrogen is a promising energy carrier for future low-carbon systems, but its high flammability, wide explosion range, and low ignition energy present significant safety challenges. This paper proposes an integrated ATEX-based risk assessment methodology specifically designed for hydrogen storage and utilization systems. The methodology combines regulatory requirements, including EN 1127-1:2019, with a hydrogen-specific risk matrix, ATEX zone classification, and operational risk mitigation measures. A high-pressur...

The oil and gas industry is undergoing a structural transformation driven by sustainability requirements, decarbonization policies, and the integration of alternative energy carriers such as hydrogen. In this context, ensuring the safety, reliability, and continuity of technological processes is critical, given the high-risk nature of hydrocarbon extraction, processing, and transport systems. Technological failures in oil and gas operations may generate cascading effects, including environmental pollution, greenho...

Drilling fluid properties – density and rheology (plastic viscosity, yield point, gel strength) – are essential for wellbore stability, pressure control, hole cleaning, and minimizing non-productive time (NPT) in oil and gas drilling. Traditional manual methods (pressurized mud balance, Fann 35 viscometer) are periodic, labor-intensive, and delay corrections, increasing risks of kicks, lost circulation, and instability. This study proposes an intelligent automated system for real-time monitoring and control us...

In this paper is presented a Mobile Integrated System for on the Site Testing (MISST) of equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, with type of protection pressurization p, resulting from research activities out by the research and testing team involved. The fundamental aspects of the design, implementation and easy use of such an integrated system have been examined, implemented and tested. A mobile integrated test system for Ex p type of protection applied to equipment in Ex construction, ...

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-assisted retrofitting of diesel engines remains attractive, but exhaustive dual-fuel bench mapping is costly and engine-specific. This paper presents a simulation-guided prioritization workflow for retrofitting the UTB 2404055 agricultural diesel engine to LPG-diesel operation. An AVL BOOST 1D model of a dual-fuel architecture with multi-point LPG port injection and direct diesel pilot injection was calibrated and validated against eight measured diesel baseline points at 1400 and 240...

The flameproof enclosure type of protection is a safety method designed to prevent the ignition of an explosive atmosphere in hazardous environments. It involves enclosing components that may generate sparks, electrical arcs, or high temperatures within a robust, explosion-resistant housing. This enclosure is engineered to withstand the pressure generated by an internal explosion of a flammable gas mixture, ensuring that the explosion does not propagate to the surrounding atmosphere. This type of protection is par...

Sand production poses a major challenge in the development of weakly consolidated and unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs, leading to equipment erosion, wellbore plugging, reduced productivity, and increased operational costs. Downhole sand control filters, primarily deployed as mechanical screens, are essential to retain formation sand while permitting hydrocarbon flow with minimal impairment. This review synthesizes established industry practices, laboratory sand retention test results, and field performance dat...

The Western Ogaden Basin of eastern Ethiopia represents a frontier hydrocarbon province with significant yet underexplored petroleum potential. This study presents a surface-focused exploration approach based on the identification and interpretation of active hydrocarbon seepages as direct indicators of subsurface petroleum systems. Field observations from Gelemso, Elele River Valley, Tulu Badhassoo, and Darkale reveal occurrences of oil seepages and possible natural gas emissions. These surface manifestations pro...

Climate change is a major challenge for offshore energy infrastructure, as it alters environmental conditions and increases operational risks. This paper analyzes the vulnerability of offshore platforms to climate-related factors, with a focus on wave climate variability and operational conditions in European seas, distinguishing between fixed platforms, floating installations, Arctic facilities affected by permafrost degradation, and coastal terminals exposed to sea level rise. The study is based on a systematic ...