Vito Project: Subsea System Goes Back to Basics

In 2009, the Vito field was discovered in more than 4,000 ft of water approximately 150 miles offshore from New Orleans, Louisiana. The project produces from reservoirs nearly 30,000 feet below sea level. The project underwent major redesign to remain competitive, and this paper describes changes within the subsea system. This paper is part of a Vito Project series at OTC 2023, and the other papers are listed in the references. As the industry and market began to change in 2015, the project faced significant financial hurdles, and the project team decided to refresh the field development concept to reduce cost and simplify. This paper focuses on the subsea production system and some of the key decisions leading to the selected design and the approach the team used for making these decisions. It also discusses how the project execution model was established, and the modifications made during project execution to react to schedule challenges, the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19, and a tightening offshore market. © 2023, Offshore Technology Conference.

Two years of volatile organic compound online in situ measurements at the Site Instrumental de Recherche par Télédétection Atmosphérique (Paris region, France) using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have direct influences on air quality and climate. They indeed play a key role in atmospheric chemistry as precursors of secondary pollutants, such as ozone (O3) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). In this respect, long-term datasets of in situ atmospheric measurements are crucial for characterizing the variability of atmospheric chemical composition, its sources, and trends. The ongoing establishment of the Aerosols, Cloud, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure (ACTRIS) allows implementation of the collection and provision of such high-quality datasets. In this context, online and continuous measurements of O3, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and aerosols have been carried out since 2012 at the SIRTA (Site Instrumental de Recherche par Télédétection Atmosphérique) observatory, located in the Paris region, France. Within the last decade, VOC measurements were conducted offline at SIRTA, until the implementation of real-time monitoring which started in January 2020 using a proton-transfer-reaction quadrupole mass spectrometer (PTR-Q-MS).The dataset acquired during the first 2 years of online VOC measurements provides insights into their seasonal and diurnal variabilities. The additional long-term datasets obtained from co-located measurements (NOx, aerosol physical and chemical properties, meteorological parameters) are used to better characterize the atmospheric conditions and to further interpret the obtained results. Results also include insights into VOC main sources and the influence of meteorological conditions and air mass origin on their levels in the Paris region. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020 notably saw a quasi-total lockdown in France in spring and a lighter one in autumn. Therefore, the focus is placed on the impact of these lockdowns on the VOC variability and sources. A change in the behaviour of VOC markers for anthropogenic sources was observed during the first lockdown, reflecting a change in human activities. A comparison with gas chromatography data from the Paris city centre consolidates the regional representativity of the SIRTA station for benzene, while differences are observed for shorter-lived compounds with a notable impact of their local sources. This dataset could be further used as input for atmospheric models and can be found at 10.14768/f8c46735-e6c3-45e2-8f6f-26c6d67c4723 (Simon et al., 2022a).

Vito Project: Hull / Mooring Design & Platform Installation

In 2009, the Vito field was discovered in more than 4,000 ft of water approximately 150 miles offshore from New Orleans, Louisiana. The project produces from reservoirs nearly 30,000 feet below sea level. This paper provides an overview of the Hull & Mooring system, executing a minimum technical scope to produce a simplistic design. This paper is part of a Vito Project series at OTC 2023, and the other papers are listed in the references. The original Vito project execution strategy was to replicate the Shell mega-project of Appomattox. As the industry and market began to change in 2015, the project faced significant financial hurdles, and the project team decided to refresh the design concept to reduce cost and simplify. The team regrouped to propose a smaller semi-submersible Floating Production System (FPS) with a simplistic mooring design. The Topsides was designed to be lifted as a single module, with a payload of less than 10,000 st to enable competitive tendering process. The redesigned FPS concept was moored with 12 taut, chain – polyester – chain mooring line system utilizing an in-line mooring tensioner, removing the traditional mechanically complicated and space demanding "on-vessel" winch systems. Vito employed a passive hull system, with all ballasting occurring over the top without hull penetrations. There were no pump rooms within the hull as equipment is accessed from top of column, removing the need for regular hull access to maintain equipment. The hull compartmentation also followed a simple approach, containing only 12 ballast tanks to reduce fabrication cost. The hull design also included simplified ring stiffening for columns which eliminated the traditional orthogonally stiffened systems. Additionally, the structure utilized an upper column frame structure to support the topsides deck and served as a bracing for supporting columns at the top for squeeze-pry loads and bracing for supporting columns during dry tow. The simplification of the stiffening system and topsides deck support design reduced interfaces between hull and topsides and also opened up options for fabrication of topsides and hull. Key challenges included developing installation methods without traditional FPS mooring chain jacks and increasing installation options by not requiring a large installation derrick barge and enabling use of common anchor handler vessels. The project experienced fabrication delays due to COVID-19, which required creative solutions transporting the FPS from Singapore to the Gulf of Mexico. The design team © 2023, Offshore Technology Conference.

Multiple Monitoring Stations in Big Cities: First Example of Three Spore Traps in Rome

(1) Background: Rome is a municipality with an area of 1287 km2 and presents floristic-vegetational complexity that is reflected in the composition of aerospora, which are responsible for pollinosis. The presence of airborne pollen can be detected by pollen monitoring. The large extent of the city's territory makes it possible to verify possible changes in pollen composition in different sites of the city. With this in mind, a study was conducted to assess the differences in airborne pollen concentration, considering phenological and production indicators at three different sites in the city. (2) Methods: Pollen data of eight taxa were considered, Alnus spp., Castanea sativa Miller, Cupressaceae-Taxaceae, Olea europaea L., Platanaceae, Poaceae, Quercus spp., and Urticaceae, during 2020 and 2021, using three monitoring samplers. The airborne pollen concentration and the seasons of the three centers were calculated and compared with each other. (3) Results: The diversity between the three samplers shows a phenological succession in accordance with the microclimatic diversity present in the city. The heterogeneity of the airborne pollen concentration reflects the floristic-vegetational diversity, while qualitative and quantitative parameters indicate a homogeneous flowering trend reflecting the seasonality of the various species. (4) Conclusions: The present work and the Italian geographic context suggest the need for a greater number of sampling points to guarantee a true localization of the data. Having several sampling stations also contributes to the protection of health and green areas, which are difficult to manage, conserve, and maintain.

Decarbonization pathways of the top 10 greenhouse gas emitters developed and developing countries

Global warming will result in the melting of glaciers and frozen soil, as well as increasing sea levels, endangering not only natural ecosystems but also humanity's survival. Therefore, the world should speed up its response to climate change and low-carbon transition. However, there are conflicts of interest between developed and developing countries, and some contradictions are deep-rooted. In order to find the future survival path of humanity, all countries need to make concessions to realise joint cooperation. The article studied the two significant issues facing international cooperation to achieve low-carbon and examined the difficulties faced by the world's top ten greenhouse gas emitting developed and developing countries in the process of the low-carbon transition. Based on the research analyse and Covid-19 impact, some feasible suggestions for individuals and countries are put forward to achieve decarbonisation. © 2022 SPIE.

Translated Emission Pathways (TEPs): Long-Term Simulations of COVID-19 CO2 Emissions and Thermosteric Sea Level Rise Projections.

Within the scientific community, climate models have been established to relate long-term emission scenarios to their respective environmental response. Although data at high resolutions can be obtained, this research framework is often computationally complex and offers limited readability for the general public. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing forth a new sense of lifestyle and reduced human activity, the CO2 emission data related to this global event can be used to illustrate the context of climate science to a broader audience. This study proposes a series of translated emission pathways (TEPs) that consist of CO2 emission patterns from the various phases of COVID-19 response and demonstrate a resemblance to the forcing scenarios utilized within climate research. A simple climate model and radiative forcing expression are used to parameterize the CO2 emission data from the TEPs to its respective atmospheric conditions. Thermosteric sea level rise is used as a metric of environmental impact to highlight the differences between the TEPs. By referencing the COVID-19 pandemic and establishing a linear research framework, this study introduces climate research to the general public and serves as a call to action for environmental responsibility.

Highlands Malaria is Common but HIV very rare in Rural Areas of Burundi 2,000 Meters above Sea Level (Short communication)

Highlands malaria is defined as falciparum parasitaemia at 1,500meters above sea level nowadays above 2,000 meters. Here we describe the relatively high proportion among outpatients in rural Burundi with a low density of population and travel mobility leading to minimal occurrence of HIV and TB.

System Dynamic Simulation to Determine The Effect Of Water Consumption on Land Subsidence During Covid-19 Pandemic in Jakarta

Excessive groundwater extraction is believed to be one of the main factors for land subsidence which may be caused by tidal flooding due to the position of the surface which is lower than sea level. Covid-19 pandemic that has occurred in Indonesia since March 2020 has caused changes in water consumption patterns which derives from piped water and groundwater. There are many offices and industries that implement work from home (WFH) makes many buildings have a declining occupancy rate. With the decrease in the occupancy rate of the WFH policy, there will be a possibility that groundwater consumption from high-rise buildings that draw groundwater from deep aquifers can be reduced. This research is in the form of modelling and simulation that is used to build a level of understanding on a whole system as well as the interrelationships and interactions between its constituent variables. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of groundwater consumption during Covid-19 pandemic on land subsidence in Jakarta using the dynamic system simulation method. The results showed that the work from home policy reduces groundwater consumption by 64.7%. In addition, the reduction in groundwater consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic caused land subsidence in Jakarta slows down and the rate of land subsidence in Jakarta decreased from 3.7 cm/year to 1 cm/year.

Local divergence and obstacles to spur inclusive coastal development in Iloilo Province, the Philippines

This purpose of this article is to demonstrate (1) how growing seaweed in the central Philippines is affected by multifaceted local dynamics and (2) how it is also dependent on the complementary livelihood strategies of in situ and ex situ diversification. This article explores the livelihood trajectories of 45 households that were all engaged in growing seaweed in 2015. Surveys and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with households and key informants in two municipalities. Results reveal a process of livelihood divergence. While in one municipality growing seaweed has become a relative success, virtually all households in the other municipality have had to stop growing seaweed, returned to fishing, and remained poor. The reasons for this divergence can be found in the spheres of environmental challenges, value chain governance dynamics, and local coastal governance. Three implications are put forward that could improve the inclusiveness of coastal development in the Philippines and beyond.

SLEEPY IN THE MOUNTAINS

Introduction: Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a rare disorder caused by a reduction of airflow and ventilatory effort during sleep. CSA is rarely idiopathic and associated with medical conditions including heart failure, opioid medications, treatment emergent and high-altitude periodic breathing. At higher altitudes, hypoxemia induces periodic breathing with periods of deep and rapid breathing alternating with central apnea. Patients with high-altitude periodic breathing experience fragmented sleep, poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches and witnessed apnea. We discuss a patient with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who developed new-onset central sleep apnea after relocating to a higher altitude location. Report of Cases: A 75-year-old male with a history of moderate obstructive sleep apnea well controlled on CPAP for eight years, with no known cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, presented with new-onset excessive daytime sleepiness. He had recently relocated to an area in the Colorado mountains (7000 ft elevation) from his previous home in Los Angeles (sea level). His residual apneahypopnea index (r-AHI) displayed on his CPAP machine increased to 7-14/ hr from his normal of 1-2/hr after his relocation. Review of his compliance data revealed his central apnea index was elevated, contributing to his high r-AHI. A one-night nocturnal oximeter was mailed to the patient to use while on CPAP. Data revealed oxygen desaturation to less than 88% for about 2 hours of the night, worse during the early morning hours. The patient was advised to undergo a polysomnography and adaptive servo-ventilation titration if significant central sleep apnea was present. The patient declined due to concern about the COVID-19 pandemic. Supplemental nocturnal oxygen was initiated at 2L/min with normalization of the r-AHI. Conclusion: Patients with OSA who experience worsening symptoms or increased r-AHI despite excellent compliance with PAP therapy should be considered for repeat polysomnography or titration study. While it is expected that high-altitude central sleep apnea will improve with acclimatization, nocturnal supplemental oxygen in addition to PAP therapy is indicated for patients with high-altitude central sleep apnea to diminish hypoxemia and improve residual AHI and sleep quality.

Cimatario National Park in Queretaro, Mexico: Towards Sustainable Tourism

El Cimatario National Park in Querétaro is an ecological reserve located in the City of Querétaro, Mexico, which has excellent attributes to develop sustainable tourism and in turn, conserve the biodiversity of the area. The article aims to know the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities that the Cimatario Park currently presents and with the results obtained propose a marketing plan with a sustainable approach, which allows this ecological reserve to maintain the contact of man with the environment that surrounds him but counting on rules and procedures to maintain the present and future environment.

Institutional Capacity Building Toward the Sustainability of Ocean Science in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Plastic litter in places like Tanzania comes from the unregulated production of single-use plastic products and the legal and illegal dumps located at riverbanks or near the coast (Nipe Fagio, 2021). This pollution is dangerous to human health as well as to the species in the ocean. Oceans are fundamental in controlling the earth's climate. If the ocean is polluted, an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and acidification in the ocean will accelerate, which will result in sea-level rise causing disastrous consequences (Lukambuzi, 2006). This calls for a sound environmental response to the pandemic in connection with research on ocean science. Formulating our laws and policies in response to this is vital, and therefore, institutions need capacity building to work on the matter at hand. Government officers, law, and policymakers need to be reminded, trained, and sensitized on the importance of formulating good laws and policies that protect our ocean from pollution. These are key players in the immediate and long-term recovery efforts from the environmental impact of COVID-19 because they have the power to enact laws and oversee government policies.

Upgrading Indonesian Dairy Farmer Value Chain based on Economic Resilience Approach during Covid-19

The Indonesian dairy industry is one of the many industries that suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also, dairy farmers experience a low level of economic resilience. To find an answer to this challenge, the author adopts an innovative approach in this research by using the parameters of economic resilience to ensure the sustainability of the dairy farmer's business. It uses mathematical modelling for estimating the ratio of economic resilience (R = 0.96), and based on that;it becomes an indicator for upgrading the dairy farmer's value chain. In addition, we found strategies for increasing the bargaining power of the dairy processing companies by strengthening the role of cooperative as a manifestation of horizontal integration.

Climate Justice: Science for a Better World

Student groups research air pollution (both a cause of climate change with the buildup of greenhouse gases, and an effect of climate change as the warming atmosphere holds the polluted air close to the earth), and other effects of climate change. Explore Divide the students into groups to research one vulnerable population and create an audio-visual presentation to help the rest of the class understand how a particular population is affected disproportionately by the impacts of climate change. Encourage students within each group to peruse different resources and then pool their knowledge to create a focused presentation. Since time is always at a premium, consider giving students access to the Vulnerable Populations Research Websites page (see Online Connections), rather than having them do an open search. Have different student groups focus on different parts of the world, or different issues (drought, fire, sea level rise, extreme weather, air quality), or different populations (poor, children, elderly, sick).

Trends in the Environmental Conditions, Climate Change and Human Health in the Southern Region of Ukraine

The Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, being adjusted to the coasts of the Black and Azov Seas, are located in the steppe zone and constitute the southern region of Ukraine. The environmental parameters and health indicators of the population of the region are sensitive to the impact of natural (e.g., climate change) and anthropogenic processes. An analysis of satellite remote sensing data (NOAA NDVI time series) for the assessment of vegetation condition demonstrates an increase in frequency and duration of drought events in the region during the last few decades. It may have a relation to climate change processes. Data analysis of local meteorological observations over the past 100 years proved alterations of some bioclimatic indexes. The Equivalent Effective Temperature (IEET) increases in winter and summer (due to the increasing repeatability of high anomalous temperatures) and remains stable in spring and autumn seasons. The increasing number and variability of climate anomalies can provoke an increase in cardiovascular and some other diseases in the local population. At the same time, an analysis of the statistical data of health indicators of the population (such as morbidity of digestion, breathing, and the endocrine and circulatory systems) shows a tendency to decrease morbidity (contrary to the indicators of the mountain regions’ population, which have higher values of life expectancy). Interrelations between environmental, climate change, and population health indicators in the Black Sea region are being discussed.

Migration, Dignity, Fragility, and Pandemics: Overview of the Special Issue

This special issue presents the findings of an international collaborative research project conducted between 2019 and 2021. This study is a follow-up of a previous study conducted between 2016 and 2019. In both studies, we examined the livelihoods of future climate migrants, who may relocate from Pacific atoll countries to developed countries. The Maldives was also included in this study, as it developed a unique strategy to cope with anticipated sea-level rise. They have developed a new city on reclaimed land and el-evated it, intending to move the majority of its population there. In our first research project, we learned of the challenges faced by Pacific Islanders when transitioning to their new lives in a foreign country. This included inter alia unemployment or lack of opportunities for upward mobility, limited access to healthcare and legal services, and discrimination. We thus developed a formal policy and legal framework for the concept of “Migration with Dignity,” built upon the phrase first coined by then-Kiribati President Anote Tong. Our framework represents the opportunity for migrants to live a life equal to or better than the one they left behind. We then applied our concept of the Migration with Dignity framework to the challenges faced by climate migrants in the real world. The global outbreak of COVID-19 occurred during the implementation of our new research project. This made field research almost impossible in both atoll and developed countries and led us to modify our survey methods to include tele-interviews and remote surveys through the Internet. The pandemic also revealed the exacerbated vulnerabilities of the people who mi-grated to developed countries, such as discrimination, poor or no translation of medical documents, and challenging healthcare processes. We decided to address these issues within the framework of our research. We leave it to the readers of this special issue to decide how far we were able to maintain the quality of our research despite the difficulties we faced due to the sudden pandemic. As we felt at the end of our last collaboration, we now know what we need to do in our next endeavor. © Fuji Technology Press Ltd.

Effect of High Altitude on the Survival of COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Cohort Study.

Purpose: The effect of high altitude ( ≥ 1500 m) and its potential association with mortality by COVID-19 remains controversial. We assessed the effect of high altitude on the survival/discharge of COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission for mechanical ventilation compared to individuals treated at sea level. Methods: A retrospective cohort multi-center study of consecutive adults patients with a positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19 who were mechanically ventilated between March and November 2020. Data were collected from two sea-level hospitals and four high-altitude hospitals in Ecuador. The primary outcome was ICU and hospital survival/discharge. Survival analysis was conducted using semi-parametric Cox proportional hazards models. Results: Of the study population (n = 670), 35.2% were female with a mean age of 58.3 ± 12.6 years. On admission, high-altitude patients were more likely to be younger (57.2 vs. 60.5 years old), presented with less comorbidities such as hypertension (25.9% vs. 54.9% with p-value <.001) and diabetes mellitus (20.5% vs. 37.2% with p-value <.001), less probability of having a capillary refill time > 3 sec (13.7% vs. 30.1%, p-value <.001), and less severity-of-illness condition (APACHE II score, 17.5 ± 8.1 vs. 20 ± 8.2, p < .01). After adjusting for key confounders high altitude is associated with significant higher probabilities of ICU survival/discharge (HR: 1.74 [95% CI: 1.46-2.08]) and hospital survival/discharge (HR: 1.35 [95% CI: 1.18-1.55]) than patients treated at sea level. Conclusions: Patients treated at high altitude at any time point during the study period were 74% more likely to experience ICU survival/discharge and 35% more likely to experience hospital survival/discharge than to the sea-level group. Possible reasons for these findings are genetic and physiological adaptations due to exposure to chronic hypoxia.

Mean Platelet Volume as a Predictor of COVID-19 Severity: A Prospective Cohort Study in the Highlands of Peru.

INTRODUCTION: Although 80% of symptomatic individuals with COVID-19 develop mild forms, it is the severe (15%) and critical (5%) forms that have the greatest impact in the hospital setting. Recognizing markers that can predict severe forms is essential, especially in high-altitude populations. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study at 3200 masl (meters above sea level) in a city in Peru to determine if MPV (mean platelet volume) level is a predictor of COVID-19 severity. Patients with mild/moderate disease were enrolled and followed for 21 days or until the development of severe disease (primary outcome). A bivariate analysis was used to identify variables associated with severe disease. A ROC analysis determined the best MPV (mean platelet count) cut-off to predict COVID-19 severity, and then, a multiple regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: 64 patients were enrolled. The median age was 48.5 years (IQT 39-64.5) and the proportion of women was 51.6%, the most frequent symptoms were chest pain (73%), fever (71%), and dyspnea (67%). The median time to develop a severe form from the onset of symptoms was 11 days (IQT 10.5-13). The most common radiographic phase on CT scan (computed tomography) was progressive (60.38%). We observed that an MPV of more than 10.15 fL in the first week of disease predicted severity regardless of age and sex at high altitudes. CONCLUSIONS: MPV in the first week of the disease may predict severity in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at high altitudes; however, we need prospective studies with a larger population and at a different altitude, levels to confirm these findings.

Remote Monitoring System for Covid-19 Patients in Home Isolation and Pilot Study Results in A High Altitude Population

A remote monitoring device for measuring oxygen saturation by finger pulse oximetry, axillary temperature and respiratory rate has been constructed. This device has been tested in a pilot study on patients with confirmed Covid-19, determined by antigen tests, who were undergoing home quarantine. The system uses a Raspberry pi CPU with a PiCamera attached to perform optical character recognition from the displays of low-cost finger pulse oximeters and digital axillary thermometers. The temperature of the finger being measured using pulse oximetry was also recorded, as an additional variable, using a thermistor in contact with the finger. In a pilot prototype validation study, undertaken in Peru with eleven patients, the average oxygen saturation of patients living at 3350 meters above sea level was 92.88%, with a standard deviation of 1.65%. A patient with moderate symptoms and a patient with a deteriorating condition had temporary saturation levels below 88%. Axillary temperature and respiratory rate did not vary considerably over the study period. Finger temperature data was used to determine correct human-computer interaction with respect to measurement errors, failed attempts and to control sampling efficiency, which can be affected by cold fingers. © 2021 IEEE.

Phronesis at the Human-Earth Nexus: Managed Retreat

This study explores how experiences from the current pandemic can inform societal responses to future climate change. To that end, an established philosophical concept of geoscientific insights (geoethics) is utilized to advice on governance under systemic uncertainty that, in turn, is a critical feature of complex-adaptive dynamics. Illustrative examples are the Covid-19 health pandemic and the impact of the global sea-level rise to threatening heights in the early 22nd Century. The term “geoethics” labels an emergent geo-philosophical school of thought rooted in geoscience expertise. When combined with contemporary political philosophies, geoethics leads to a geo-philosophical framework that can support adaptation to complex-adaptive dynamics by favoring multi-agent and context-depending processes (e.g., learning-by-doing). The proposed geo-philosophical framework merges geoethics with the political philosophies of H. Jonas (1903–1993), L. Kohlberg (1927–1987), and M. Bunge (1919–2020). These contemporary philosophies emphasize as relevant for achieving a modern caretaking society, respectively, “the hierarchy of societal coordination processes,” “the intergenerational responsibility of agents of change,” and “the balancing of individual wellbeing (happiness) and duties.” When these philosophies are combined with geoethics, a logical approach can be derived for policy design and decision-making. It emphasizes the “autonomy” (of the human agent) combined with a civic culture that favors “trustworthiness,” “scientific culture.” and a “culture of inclusive justice.” We argue that governance of adaptation to complex-adaptive dynamics (e.g., climate change impact) can be informed by the geo- and society-centric perspectives of the proposed geo-philosophical framework. It can address “Human Earth Nexus” governance issues using the knowledge of both natural and social sciences and applying the lens of geoethical thinking. Copyright © 2022 Bohle and Marone.