Previous studies disagree as to whether heritage bilinguals demonstrate loss of knowledge of Spanish grammatical gender. As phonetic variability is known to affect the acquisition of certain grammatical markers, we examine whether bilinguals’ gender difficulties relate to bilingual contact-induced phonetic variability, namely, reduction in the inventory of word-final unstressed vowels. We analyzed narratives from children in the United States (n = 49, ages 4–12). All NP  s (n = 1415) were analyzed for structure, noun class, and morphology. Word-final vowels were sub-selected for acoustic analyses. Morpho-syntactically, group results show high accuracy with gender (95%), but with wide individual variation (44%–100%). Speakers also show individual variability and substantive numbers of vowel misclassifications (6%–33%) with higher variability for /a/ and /o/. We found bilingual effects in both domains but no association between phonetics and gender accuracy. These findings have implications for the relationship between phonetics and grammar, and for the morphosyntax of Spanish gender.

Challenges while drilling pre-salt wells offshore Brazil have led to planed hole enlargement operations as part of the drilling solution of this type of imviroments in vertical sections from 18-1/8Љ x 22-in. However, this application proved to be challenging for the hydraulic underreamer cutting structures as high vibration levels together with increased cutter block matrix exposure to the formation led to premature wear on the hydraulic hole enlarger cutter blocks.Formation to be enlarged is composed of 40% disaggregated sandstone, 40% shale and 20% mudstones, the objective was to enlarge intervals that ranged from 850 mts to 1000 mts in one run. The BHA was experiencing high levels of shocks and vibrations that forced the operator to make additional trips to finish enlarging the section. These additional trips proved to be costly high with rig rates between $750,000-$1million USD.Efficiently undereaming while drilling the entire section depth in one trip as planned would be challenging and present a significant risk because of high daily rig-rates. To achieve objectives, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA)-based simulation was performed aimed at improving BHA design and to evaluate a new desing of underreamer cutter block with the objective of improving cutter durability as well as reducing stresses experienced while enlarging the wellbore.The study used a well records database and numerous offsets runs with a hydraulic expandable underreamer used in offshore applications. A rock-strength identification program, that uses log data including GR and sonic, was applied to determine formation type and foot-by-foot UCS. A hydraulic analysis was also performed to determine efficient hole cleaning as well as ensuring adequate flow distribution to ensure correct functionality of different BHA components, finally a FEA-based modeling system identified the following key points:The BHA used in previous application had room for improvement by modifying the size of DCs used and by using a concentric expandable stabilizer to improve drilling efficiency and reduce vibration. A new cutter block re-arrangement was designed for the application with changes including: 1) introduction of a three row cutter-block with increased PDC density and optimized stresses distribution; 2) adjusted cutter block nose design for more efficient hole coverage; 3) reduced depth-of-cut without compromising ROP potential; 4) define an optimal operating parameters window with conclusions drawn from results of the FEA-simulations aimed at improving ROP and reduce levels of stresses at the hole enlargement tool.The new-style BHA was run and underreamed while drilling 734 mts without requiring an additional trip to finish enlarging the section. The BHA also improved ROP during the UWD run. This new system saved the operator between 96-120 hrs of rig time and met the objectives set when compared to offset wells for similar applications.

Directional Casing while Drilling (DCwD) in Ecuador has been technically evaluated as a well construction technique to reduce or mitigate operational problems associate with: 1) constructing wells that could not be drilled efficiently using conventional techniques in partial and total lost circulation scenarios, through swelling shale or with hole instability issues, tight hole or stuck-pipe applications; 2) or to reduce total operational costs by eliminating casing runs, short/wiper trips and increase ROP.At last count there have been over 200 worldwide directional casing drilling runs both onshore and offshore. These runs have been successfully executed in some of the most challenging drilling theaters making DCwD a viable and cost reducing alternative which helps operators solve the previously mentioned problems. To support the introduction of DCwD in Ecuador, rigorous engineering analysis has been performed which involves both the economic and technical aspects to help determine what kind of casing drilling system and BHA configuration is most suitable to ensure a successful run.Modeling sofwares have been used to evaluate drilling dynamics and hydraulic requirements enabling engineers to select a drillstring that is capable of performing the specified job and obtain the required performance improvement with DCwD. The digital analysis helps to accurately predict if the application is suitable and determine which parameters could be applied to efficiently and safely execute the DCwD application.There are some factors or parameters that can be taken as benchmarks when analyzing both static and dynamic simulation results. Torque determines if the rig has the capacity to drive the system. Fatigue and buckling analysis provide inferences into casing pipe selection and connection type. Realistic friction factors used during the simulations will avoid obtaining erroneous results which could lead to serious drawbacks. Scenarios like magnetic interference, presence of conglomerates or boulders could limit the tools' used for a specific application. The recommended BHAs will be supported by the specific regional analysis in addition to successes in other similar worldwide applications.Once the engineering analysis has been completed, economics are then considered. The directional casing drilling service cost versus the amount of saving obtained by applying this technology has to be thoroughly evaluated. Savings will be couched as either time and/or money. Both have to be evaluated in the short and long term to determine which applications would benefit from DCwD and which environments should be avoided. The authors will explain how this analysis is performed to obtain an adequate feasibility study to meet the client's objectives. They will also discuss the key performance objectives that must be considered during each step of the analysis.

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe Furrial field is the most important oil field in the East of Venezuela, with 6880 Millions Barrels of oil initial in place. The initial pressure is 11.000 psi at a depth of 13.800 ft and it has an average temperature of 298°F. To prevent the pressure decline in the reservoir and avoid asphaltene precipitation problems, flank water injection (450 Mbwpd) project was implemented in 1992 and a miscible gas injection scheme initiated in 1998, in the crest of the Naricual Superior reservoir with seven wells injecting a total of 400 MMscfpd. The goal of these projects is to increase the final recovery from the field. Due to the large thickness of the oil column (800 feet), considerable heterogeneity of the reservoir properties and large damage zones (high skin) observed in the producers and injectors wells, the gas-injectors exhibit channeling problems and decrease in injectivity. As a results premature breakthrough of gas in the producing wells is observed through sands of high permeability. This put risks to the oil production and the pressure maintenance program and limits the sweep efficiency of the displacement process. In this paper, techniques and tools used to monitor and control the gas injection are presented. They are used to diagnostic and to correct the problems of injectivity losses and gas channeling problems. The techniques are:1.Control and monitoring at real time of main injection parameters such as heavy component (C3+) and water (H2O) content in the gas injection stream, pressure and temperature of injection stream, injection rates and opening size (%) of flow valve.2. Diagnostic: Flow logging tests, saturation logging tests, chromatographic analysis of produced gas and injection of chemical tracers.3. Preventive measures to eliminate channeling and low injectivity problems such as stepwise perforation, steam tube stimulation, improving gas conformance by applying Multigel, use of sand plugs, etc. Finally, we will present the learned lessons and best practices of the miscible gas injection project in the hope it will serve as a world reference for similar projects.

TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe Furrial field is the most important oil field in the East of Venezuela, with 6880 Millions Barrels of oil initial in place. The initial pressure is 11.000 psi at a depth of 13.800 ft and it has an average temperature of 298°F. To prevent the pressure decline in the reservoir and avoid asphaltene precipitation problems, flank water injection (450 Mbwpd) project was implemented in 1992 and a miscible gas injection scheme initiated in 1998, in the crest of the Naricual Superior reservoir with seven wells injecting a total of 400 MMscfpd. The goal of these projects is to increase the final recovery from the field. Due to the large thickness of the oil column (800 feet), considerable heterogeneity of the reservoir properties and large damage zones (high skin) observed in the producers and injectors wells, the gas-injectors exhibit channeling problems and decrease in injectivity. As a results premature breakthrough of gas in the producing wells is observed through sands of high permeability. This put risks to the oil production and the pressure maintenance program and limits the sweep efficiency of the displacement process. In this paper, techniques and tools used to monitor and control the gas injection are presented. They are used to diagnostic and to correct the problems of injectivity losses and gas channeling problems. The techniques are:1.Control and monitoring at real time of main injection parameters such as heavy component (C3+) and water (H2O) content in the gas injection stream, pressure and temperature of injection stream, injection rates and opening size (%) of flow valve.2. Diagnostic: Flow logging tests, saturation logging tests, chromatographic analysis of produced gas and injection of chemical tracers.3. Preventive measures to eliminate channeling and low injectivity problems such as stepwise perforation, steam tube stimulation, improving gas conformance by applying Multigel, use of sand plugs, etc. Finally, we will present the learned lessons and best practices of the miscible gas injection project in the hope it will serve as a world reference for similar projects.