text:
Demystifying Desalter Performance / Combating Corrosion Challenges
ABOUT Champion Technologies is a global specialty chemical company with 3,100+ employees in over 50 locations in more than 30 countries delivering innovative and engineered programs for upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas markets. Our integrated offering combines sustainable chemistry, technology, and service to enhance your world.
Markets Served: Arctic | Conventional | Deepwater | Enhanced Oil Recovery | Heavy Oil | Industrial | Midstream | Offshore | Oil Sands | Refinery | Shale
Focus on hydraulic fracturing Greener chemistries address operator, community, and regulatory concerns
FlowPlusTM VR-1100 Specialty chemical application increases production and profitability for heavy oil producers
Increasing capacity without costly expansion Champion Technologies' custom subsurface phase separation system frees incremental handling volumes
Corrosion is a multi-billion dollar problem page 12.
Demystifying desalter performance Champion Technologies combines emulsion breaker chemistry and operational innovation to achieve the biggest step change in desalter performance in 20 years
Combating corrosion challenges Stay ahead of increasingly challenging oilfield conditions
16 -17
Paraffin management spurs reactivation of field on Alaska's North Slope Champion Technologies' paraffin inhibition chemistries encourage more ambitious plans at remote Badami field
Investing locally, expanding globally Champion Technologies' new plant in Bogotá serves Colombia's growing oil and gas market
Commercializing Al-PAM A new chemical aid for oil sands tailings treatment
Case History – Perenco's gas production on three mature assets in North Sea boosted by 48 percent Safer offshore product leads to increased production and lower costs
FOCUS ON HYDRAULIC FRACTURING Formulations of oilfield specialty chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing are evolving rapidly. new chemistries ARE being developed to address production issues in specific shale ISSUE 2
formations, WHILE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE
environmental concerns of stakeholders in AREAS where activity is booming. The impetus for change comes from efforts to optimize the performance of frac-fluid chemicals, while at the same time ensuring the biocides and scale inhibitors that play key roles in managing water quality do not contain components that could endanger groundwater or cause other adverse environmental effects. Working within a Complex Regulatory Environment Calls for making the constituents of frac-fluid chemistries more visible are challenging specialty chemical companies to develop new high-performance fracfluid chemistries that satisfy regulatory
environmental mandates and also help operators comply with requirements at specific well sites. Due to this increasingly visibility in fracfluid chemicals, Champion Technologies recently introduced a new scale inhibitor and a new biocide. These products were developed to provide high levels of performance in a variety of shales while minimizing the impact on the environment. Greener Chemistries for Responsible Operations Scale Inhibition One high-performing
Champion Technologies' Gyptron® T-475, boosts carrying capacity in many shale plays and low-permeability formations. A greener blend of partially neutralized specialty phosphonates, Gyptron® T-475 is compatible with cross-linked gel system frac fluids. Gyptron® T-475 also prevents deposition of common mineral scales by inhibiting and distorting crystal growth, even in the presence of as much as 200 ppm of iron. The chemistry can be winterized to -40°F, is compatible in high TDS brines and can be pumped "on the fly" at the well site, at recommended dosage rates of 500 ppm to 1,000 ppm. Biocide Champion Technologies', Bactron® K-31W, an all-purpose, non-foaming, aqueous glutaraldehyde solution is achieving success as a frac-fluid additive. Bactron® K-31 controls aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in fresh water, sea water and most brines during drilling, workover or completion operations. Developed to be cost-effective in cold climates, the product can be introduced by batch application or continuous injection into waterhandling systems or down the annulus of water-injection or water-supply wells or
There is much regulatory uncertainty surrounding hydraulic fracturing. Developing and deploying better frac-fluid
chemicals is one measure the industry can implement to help stave off future over-regulation. 2012 may prove to be a watershed regulatory year for hydraulic fracturing, but the evolution of fracking rules will continue to be a complicated and dynamic process for years to come.
Responsible frac-fluid chemicals exhibit low toxicity and high rates of biodegration
production wells. Treatment guidelines vary by condition and application, but generally indicate 100 to 2,000 ppm for drilling and completion operations, 100 to 1,000 ppm when used as a packer fluid, 150 to 300 ppm in slugs for batch treatments, and 25 to 100 ppm for continuous injection.
Greener chemistries address operator, community, and regulatory concerns
With the help of a new technology developed by
Technologies, producers
the Lloydminster area of Western Canada are producing oil that previously stayed in
the reservoir.
Oil producers in the area use a process known as CHOPs (Cold Heavy Oil Production with sand). The heavy oil is highly viscous, typically demonstrating viscosities between 10,000 and 100,000 cPs or higher. High viscosity can lead to a number of costly issues that can shut down production for a heavy oil well. The shutdown can be temporary or permanent, leaving most of the unproduced oil in the reservoir. It is estimated that billions of barrels of oil are still in place in reservoirs as a result of these limitations. Champion Technologies is solving this problem for heavy oil producers with an exclusive specialty chemical application – FlowPlusTM VR-1100. VR-1100 manages the viscosity of heavy oil without the use of steam or other thermal technologies. It is a surfactant-based chemistry that, when injected into the wellbore through the annulus, forms an oil-in-water dispersion. The dispersion significantly increases the mobility of the oil, allowing the producer
to maximize the rate of production through increased pump speed. In some cases, it is allowing profitable production from wells previously shut in due to poor economics brought on by high oil viscosity issues. VR-1100 is the result of Champion Technologies' extensive research to identify production enhancement solutions for the heavy oil market. Increased Production and Sustained Improvement So far, the results have been impressive. "We have seen well speed increase significantly, due to reduced viscosity of the dispersion, lower drag and improved pump efficiency," said Travis Minish, Business Development Manager for Champion Technologies. "This has increased oil production by as much as 300 percent. In some cases, these wells would not have been able to produce any oil without the use of FlowPlus™." Minish has been involved in the development of the program from the beginning, and
he has seen its success first-hand. Even months after application, producers are seeing sustained improvement. VR-1100 also reduces FlowPlusTM problems with sand in these wells. The viscous oil associated with CHOPs can drag large volumes of sand from an unconsolidated reservoir. When this sand gathers in the wellbore, it can plug the perforations, settle and pack around the pump intake or within production tubing. This introduces pumping issues and limits production, often leading to a well shutdown. The oil-in-water dispersion created by VR-1100 is homogeneous from the perforations, through the pump and up the production tubing. Therefore, without a free water phase present, the sand is carried to the surface with no opportunity to settle and create production issues. Proven Results and Quick Turnaround Producers typically see the effects of VR1100 within hours of injection. Once the dispersion reaches the production tank, the oil and water separate easily in less than an hour. The oil is ready to be transported to the local treating facility, and no negative effects have been observed as a result of the demulsification of the produced fluids.
increases production and profitability for heavy oil producers
Oil treated with FlowPlusTM
Oil – no treatment
Proven results and quick turnaround Producers typically see the effects of VR-1100 within hours of injection
While FlowPlusTM VR-1100 is not the right solution for a near-depleted well that lacks reservoir drive, producers are finding that it is the answer for many wells with viscosity issues. With billions of barrels of otherwise unrecoverable oil left in the ground, VR-1100 is a game-changer for heavy oil recovery.
Increasing Capacity
without COSTLY expansion
In a short five months, a pilot project in China's Bohai
demonstrated that
Technologies' custom-built downhole separation system (DHS) gives field partners the flexibility to increase oil production without the expense of a
major facilities expansion.
The project pairs a custom-built (DHS) system with new phase separation chemistry, implementing downhole separation at individual wells as oilfield circumstances evolve rather than investing in field infrastructure that would cost significantly more. This approach frees incremental capacity in existing processing and handling facilities for increased production. The Challenge A producer initiated the study to find optimization and redevelopment options that would allow field development to continue in Bohai Bay. The field produces heavy oil from reservoirs with strong water drive, so the production stream contains relatively large volumes of water that have continued to gradually increase. The producer opted to proceed with a downhole separation project to address the deficiencies in existing configurations. The major components of Champion Technologies' unique DHS are two
electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) and a hydrocyclone downhole separator. The DHS is configured with the three components in line: one ESP on top and one on the bottom, with the hydrocyclone between the two. While the producer established a target oilin-water concentration threshold for water separated for reinjection, even at g-forces generated by a hydrocyclone separator a water-oil emulsion will not separate readily without chemical help. Champion Technologies advised that separating the stable emulsion created by the lower ESP after a few seconds in the separator would be virtually impossible without the support of tailor-made chemistry.
> Stable and easy to handle in a temperature range of -20°C (-4° F) to 40°C (104°F) > Able to perform at production temperatures as high as 85°C (185°F) > Works rapidly > Does not allow the production stream to re-emulsify when exposed to a high level of agitation > Compatible with the demulsifier being used > Able to achieve clean oil and clean water separation without excessive flocculation The Solution Champion Technologies' phase separation specialists used state-of-the-art equipment and chemical test packages to conduct a series of carefully designed tests. Despite considerable formulation challenges, they successfully developed a unique, proprietary surfactant component combined with an
To match the requirements of the DHS, Champion Technologies' phase separation specialists determined the chemistry would require these attributes: > Compatible with the DHS, stable with low viscosity and no solids, non-gelling and pumpable
Formulated from an aqueous-based polymer and organic solvent-based surfectant, the custom phase separation product achieved quick and efficient separation of oil and water.
Champion Technologies' Custom Subsurface Phase Separation System frees incremental handling volumes
In the one-week trial, the producer tested the DHS with the custom phase-separation chemistry by injecting the product downhole at a point above the lower ESP and below the hydrocyclone. On day one of the trial, the producer restarted the well and pumped an analogous oil-water mixture through the actual separator. As the well ramped up, the frequencies of the ESPs increased, and production rates increased and stabilized.
As the trial progressed, production rates to surface stabilized at approximately 260 m3/d (1635 bpd), while the water cut of fluid produced to surface declined to 85 percent. During the last four days of the trial, the well produced 39 m3/d (245 bpd) of oil on average. The Results In the months following the field trial, ongoing monitoring of the downhole separation pilot project's performance and continuing investigation into the unconventional chemistry underlying the custom phase separation product guided additional improvements. Champion Technologies' specialists increased concentrations of active materials trimming treatment rates by more than 50 percent to about 200 liters while maintaining oil-inwater concentrations of reinjected water. Production data indicated the oil-in-water concentrations of reinjected water were below original targets for water purity, and total production from the well's productive
intervals had ramped up to about 10,000 bpd of fluids. The downhole separation project enables the producer and its partners to separate about 8,000 bpd of water for reinjection into the disposal zone, leaving approximately 2,000 bpd of fluids to be produced to surface. By not producing this 8,000 bpd of separated water to the surface, 8,000 bpd of handling capacity is made available for production from other wells in the field. As oil content of production is around 13 percent on average, this new technology could allow partners to produce as much as 1,040 bpd of incremental oil.
Custom chemistries address specific in-field conditions and challenges
Once specialists identified the effective chemistries, they undertook extensive formulating work to combine the aqueousbased polymer and organic solvent-based surfactant into a stable product. The finished injection-ready phase separation product meets the physical properties required for injection downhole. Champion Technologies demonstrated its effectiveness in a pilot plant trial in Morgan City, Louisiana, USA.
With steady production came higher rates of mixing downhole and optimal conditions for injecting the phase separation chemistry. The amount of oil-in-water declined 30 to 65 percent compared to levels prior to chemical application, and by optimizing the injected amount of phase separation chemical, chemical usage decreased by nearly 10 percent.
advanced flocculent to meet the specific requirements of the DHS. Working with the strong centrifugal forces created by the hydrocyclone, the surfactant enables rapid breaking of the emulsifying film around the water droplets, which, in turn, enables rapid dispersion of the demulsifier into the produced fluids. Once this film is broken, the high molecular weight polymer flocculates the oil droplets, completing separation. The resulting smooth interface and clean oil reduces the potential for blockages in processing equipment, the sampling line, the DHS and gathering pipelines.
Demystifying Desalter
Champion Technologies combines emulsion breaker chemistry and operational innovation to achieve the biggest step change in desalter performance in 20 years. Over the past 25 years, global energy markets have seen a crude slate in transition with greater reliance on heavy crude that keeps getting heavier. Most United States refineries have invested significantly in coker expansions, deep cut vacuum unit conversions, improved desalting capabilities, and other major capital projects designed to increase the volumes and improve the efficiencies of heavy crude processing. Even after costly desalter modifications and additions, many systems fail to meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) of high salt and solids removal, proper oil dehydration, and oil-free effluent water. Additional concerns include uncontrollable
emulsion layers in the desalter, asphaltene precipitation and consequent fouling of the crude preheat exchangers, high chloride levels in fractionator overhead receivers, increased tower and overhead corrosion, and increased caustic injection rate to the desalted crude. While several chemical companies developed new high-performance emulsion breakers, Champion Technologies combined improved chemistries with innovative operating strategies that have led to the biggest step change in desalter performance in 20 years. Chemistry meets strategy Champion Technologies
new, more robust demulsification chemistries in the heavy oil production fields of Canada, Mexico, and South America. Designed to resolve emulsions at temperatures significantly lower than desalter operating temperatures, and without the benefits of any electrical fields, Champion Technologies' emulsion breaker chemistries are also able to resolve tighter emulsions in the desalter. This level of performance enables a key operational change: injecting desalter wash water at levels up to 8 percent directly into the suction of the crude charge pump. Injecting wash water ahead of the charge pump radically increases mixing energy and intimacy of contact between crude charge and wash water, creating emulsions from smaller water droplets that significantly increase salt and solids removal. In addition, placing the wash water into the crude oil prior to any heating prevents the native, water borne salts in the raw crude from depositing on heat exchanger surfaces. Continued on next page
Innovative chemistry and operational strategy result in breakthrough performance
API Gravity
30.0 1985
Source: Energy Information Administration Dec 2011
US Refinery Input by API Gravity Since 1985, the average gravity of crude oil inputs into all U.S. refineries has declined by about 2.0째 API, challenging equipment and operators.
U.S. Refinery Input by API Gravity
DEMYSTIFYING DESALTER PERFORMANCE continued
Real World Results
One Champion Technologies customer, a refinery processing a Western Canadian diluent/bitumen blend, was experiencing high overhead chlorides, with an associated elevated caustic injection to control the chlorides, combined with crude tower corrosion, poor salt removal, and oily effluent water.
Switching to a new Champion Technologies product, along with increased service and operational changes, reduced the salt content of the desalted crude from 3.0 PTB to less than 1.5 PTB and allowed the refinery to shut off the caustic injection to the desalted crude. Subsequently moving the water injection location to the suction of the charge pump further reduced salt levels to below 1.0 PTB, improving dayto-day variation in performance and all but eliminating upsets and spikes in salt removal. By improving desalting, Champion Technologies was able to maintain the same chloride levels as the previous treatment program without the use of caustic, avoiding potential downstream equipment fouling, furnace tube embrittlement and catalyst poisoning that have been attributed to elevated caustic injection in the crude unit. After the wash water was moved to the suction of the charge pump, caustic injection remained at zero and overhead chlorides were reduced by 50 percent to an average of 30 ppm.
Today, more than half the desalters treated by Champion Technologies are feeding water to the suction of the charge pump. Experience demonstrates that the improvements they see will not be limited to KPI's at the desalter, but will be translated into lower corrosion rates, lower fouling issues, and improvements in most downstream processing units. From Tank Farm
"Cold Train" Pre-heat Exchangers
Crude Battery Limits
Mix Valve
Charge Pump C
Wash Water
Wash Water Injection A
B Alternate C
Unique to Champion
Rethinking Desalting Refineries most commonly inject wash water just upstream of the desalter mix valve (A). Some inject a small portion into the discharge of the crude charge pump, upstream of the preheat exchangers, to minimize salt fouling (B). Champion Technologies has found that, with the use of robust demulsification chemistries, injecting 60 to 100 percent of the wash water into the suction of the crude charge pump (C) significantly increases salt and solids removal.
COMBATING CORROSION CHALLENGES Every year, corrosion
dollars from the oil and gas industry in lost
income and treatment costs. No metal surface or metal-alloy component of a piece of equipment is immune to corrosion issues – top-of-line corrosion, under-deposit corrosion (UDC) microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) or pitting. This means that production tubing and equipment, processing equipment, separators, pumps, and flow lines are at risk at literally every step in the productionhandling process. By detecting corrosion mechanisms and identifying conditions that lead to corrosion, Champion Technologies predicts corrosion problems before they damage equipment, impact production or compromise safety. Armed with cutting-edge science, refined testing protocols, and powerful analytic tools, Champion Technologies' specialists develop chemistries that can
control corrosion before it becomes problematic and determine the most effective application strategy for placing corrosion-inhibition chemistry in oil and gas production, storage, or transmission systems. Protecting Producers Conditions are numerous and circumstances frequently complex in which corrosion can occur in oil and gas production, processing, and pipeline systems. The principal corrodents in oil and gas production are carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), oxygen, chloride ions, and bacteria, all of which use water as a medium. In addition, almost any oxygen-rich environment can nurture corrosion.
Over the past six decades, Champion Technologies has worked alongside producers in the lab and at the well site, helping find solutions for the ever more challenging producing conditions that have arisen. During that time, Champion Technologies has developed specialized corrosion-inhibition chemistries and new application strategies to prevent corrosion. In addition, Champion Technologies has generated more effective methods of predicting corrosion, helping producers address the issue before it occurs. Heavier Crudes, Higher Pressures Crude oil supplies are becoming steadily heavier and more sour with more basic sediment and water (BS&W), all characteristics that contribute to several types of corrosion mechanisms. At the opposite extreme, recent advances in directional drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing are enabling access to numerous low-permeability reservoirs previously considered too risky to develop. Continued on next page
Pipeline flow is halted so that workers can replace a section of corroded pipeline.
Innovative chemistry and operational strategy result in breakthrough performance
Champion Technologies' knowledge and tools STAY AHEAD OF increasingly challenging oilfield conditions
Experience meets adaptation in the evolution of oilfield chemistries
COMBATING CORROSION CHALLENGES continued
Ultra-low-gravity oil, such as that produced from the oil sands in Canada, must be blended with a diluent to be transported via pipeline. However, heavy oil blends and diluted bitumen contain BS&W made up of complex mixtures of waxes, asphaltenes, clays, silica, water, and bacteria in microemulsions. Lab tests have demonstrated that some of these solid particulates are more corrosive than others, and researchers are focused on finding out why.
Champion Technologies evaluates the corrosion tendencies of various solids matrices found in heavy oil and is working cooperatively with several pipeline companies to design tests that will better represent specific pipeline corrosion issues with regard to solids deposition. To date, research has revealed that some corrosion inhibitor-surfactant packages control internal corrosion within solids matrices and that treating exposed metal surfaces with inhibitor before solids can accumulate is the most effective way to prevent internal corrosion. The extremely high pressures generated by hydraulic fracturing of gas shale and other low-permeability reservoirs present a unique problem for delivering chemical treatments of all types. By formulating corrosion-inhibiting chemistries into stable chemical products with the physical properties required for injection downhole, Champion Technologies
has been able to develop a simple-toimplement batch method for protecting hydraulically fractured wells from corrosion during flowback. The treatment program allows preventative chemicals to be forced deep into stimulated zones as constituents of fluids injected during the fracturing process. Extremely small amounts of inhibitor are then produced back to the surface throughout the flowback period and for several more months after the well begins production.
New corrosion issues will arise inevitably as the oil and gas industry continues pursuing prospects in more hostile, difficult-toproduce downhole environments. When corrosion challenges occur, Champion Technologies will be there with the knowledge, experience, tools, and resolve to formulate new corrosion-fighting chemistries and to develop innovative methods of application to meet producers' changing needs.
Paraffin management spurs reactivation of field on Alaska's North Slope Savant Alaska L.L.C., the only privately held oil and gas operator with production on Alaska's North
Slope, has
production at Badami field and is launching a new development plan in which Champion Technologies' paraffin-inhibition chemistry will
play an integral role.
In November 2010, Savant and partner Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) restarted production from six wells at Badami, a remote field located approximately 35 miles east of Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope. This commenced under a farm-out agreement negotiated in June 2008 with BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. Savant assumed 100 percent working interest in the field on January 7, 2012. From zero in November 2010, Savant ramped up Badami production to more than 1,500 b/d on average in the fourth quarter of 2011. Development will proceed under plans approved by the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Oil and Gas. Operator Savant is committed to achieving certain undisclosed development and exploratory drilling by July 15, 2013.
As Savant reactivated wells at Badami, it ran into difficulty keeping production optimized due to severe paraffin deposition. The wax appearance temperature (WAT) of Badami crude is about 64°F on average, so at reservoir temperatures of 180°F to 200°F, the paraffin stayed in solution. However, permafrost penetrates deeply on the North Slope. So as Badami oil and associated gas flowed to the surface, paraffin began to precipitate onto the inner walls of production tubing beginning at about 3,800 feet true vertical depth (tvd). In the worst cases, paraffin build-up was so rapid that Savant had to shut in wells to brush or scrape paraffin from production tubing every three or four days. The stability of operations were hampered further as Badami wells were produced by
gas lift, and shutting in a well for service starved the operating plant of much-needed gas for the artificial lift system. In addition, the operator was using gas to generate electricity for operations. It was apparent that shutting in a well to treat for paraffin complicated operation management and put other wells in the field at risk. To solve paraffin problems at the Badami field, Champion Technologies recommended batch treating wells when production declined to an unacceptable level by pumping Flexoil® FM-205, a wax crystal modifier composed of branched chain polymers, which prevents paraffin formation by interfering with the bonding of aliphatic wax molecules. FM-205 controls paraffin by bonding to the wax crystal lattice at an active growing site, where it prevents further growth and interferes with deposition by disrupting the lattice structure. Wax crystals are unable to grow large enough to block production lines, so production is not impeded even at temperatures below the WAT. Additionally, FM-205 is winterized, with a pour point of -40°F, making it ideal for the frigid temperatures on Alaska's North Slope. Savant and Champion Technologies began batch treating Badami wells with FM-205 in early 2011, and the response was both immediate and dramatic. Production of a treated well would begin to recover within
Champion Technologies' paraffin inhibition chemistries encourage more ambitious plans at remote Badami field
Savant not only has been encouraged to commit to a new, more ambitious development plan at Badami, the company also is evaluating plans to install continuous paraffin-injection systems on other Badami wells. Continuous injection pump used to batch treat the Badami field with FM-205
hours, and the frequency of scraping treatments increased to two or three weeks from three or four days. The chemistry worked so well that Savant decided to install engineered paraffin-mitigation systems on the B1-36 and B1-38 wells that continuously inject a precise dose of FM-205 into the casing annulus to be carried to the reservoir by gas-lift gas.
The chemistry worked so well that Savant decided to install engineered paraffin-mitigation systems on the B1-36 and B1-38 wells
Aerial picture of Savants' Badami field on the North Slope of Alaska
Investing Locally, Expanding Globally Champion Technologies' new plant in Bogotá
serveS Colombia's growing oil and gas market.
In the 15 years since Champion Technologies officially opened its office in Colombia, the Colombian oil and gas market has undergone significant growth, and Champion Technologies´ Bogotá employees have risen to the challenge. Recent regulatory reform, the partial privatization of state oil company Ecopetrol, and an improving national security situation have led to a dramatic increase in oil and natural gas production following a lengthy period of steady decline. Today's political and economic environment increases Colombia's accessibility and attractiveness to foreign investors interested in the relatively under-explored country's substantial oil
reserves and infrastructure. Champion Technologies' local presence has positioned the company to benefit from big growth in the oil and gas market, and current customers include the largest oil producer in Colombia—Ecopetrol SOP— and international oil and gas exploration and production and pipeline companies such as Oxy, Hupecol, Ocensa and Vetra. Champion Technologies became and remains one of the premier providers of technical services in Colombia by introducing innovations in business and chemistry, including pioneering the use of alliance contracts and introducing encapsulated, downhole chemical treatment technologies.
Continued growth, increasing opportunity and a commitment to outstanding customer service in Latin America have led to the construction of a new 2,500 squaremeter plant on the outskirts of Bogota. The new plant will facilitate additional products, services and capacity and includes: > A product blending plant with a capacity of 132,000 gallons per month; > A 2,000 mt2 storage area for raw materials and finished product built in accordance with ANSI, NTC and OSHA regulations; > A technical laboratory; > A training room for internal staff and customers; > Administrative offices.
in our local infrastructure allows " Investing Champion Technologies to meet operational and market needs... "
While the success in Colombia is possible only through the concerted efforts of field, administrative, plant and technology personnel, support staff and transport companies, the opening of the new facilities reinforces Champion Technologies commitment to the region and its rapidly growing oil and gas industry.
"Investing in our local infrastructure allows Champion Technologies to meet operational and market needs," said Ramon Yibirin, Champion Technologies Andean Region Manager. "Improved product manufacturing and logistics confirm our position as a leading provider of high level technical services to the Colombian oil and gas market."
Global presence through local investment and responsiveness
According to Bogotá-based Maritza Ortiz, Champion Technologies Business Development Manager, "The plant, which has two blending vessels, will manufacture a full range of products, including demulsifiers, reverse demulsifiers, water clarifiers, scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, and biocides." Preliminary studies indicate that the plant will improve supply of products in the region and promote growth in local communities.
Commercializing Al-PAM by Kasia Majewski of NSERC
commercial production of a new chemical that could minimize the amount of water used for bitumen recovery from the oil sands, help reduce the size of oil sands tailings ponds, and potentially increase the rate of land
reclamation in northern Alberta.
The chemical—called Al-PAM—was identified by Dr. Zhenghe Xu's team at the University of Alberta under the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Industrial Research Chair (IRC) program in Oil Sands Engineering, along with the former chairholder Dr. Jacob Masliyah, a scientific pioneer in bitumen extraction. In the surface mining industry, the current process for separating bitumen (heavy, viscous oil) from sand grains requires up to 18 barrels of total water for every barrel of oil produced. The majority of this water— up to 85%—is recycled. The remaining mixtures of water, waste clays and mineral fines are carried to tailings ponds where they are left to slowly consolidate. Managing and reclaiming these large artificial ponds are both difficult and costly for industry.
In 2002, Champion Technologies joined the list of companies already sponsoring the NSERC Chair. Champion Technologies, which employs about 340 employees in Canada, develops, manufactures and sells specialty chemicals for the oil and gas industry. It was the first non-oil producing company to join the Chair. Al-PAM shows promise as an effective process aid for tailings management. The chemical is added to the tailings, causing the solids within to coagulate and sink. After rapid settling of these coagulated fine particle agglomerates, fines-free water from the upper layer of the ponds can be recycled into the oil sands process, reducing the amount of fresh water needed.
"This chemical could help settle the tailings solids quickly and release a larger volume of cleaner water. This water could then be recycled into the process thereby reducing the amount that needs to be taken out of the Athabasca River," says Champion Technologies' Section Manager of Oil Sands, Dr. Roger Melley. Al-PAM has been shown to work in the lab, and now Champion Technologies is scaling up its production, to facilitate potential future large scale testing. Although Champion Technologies has its own in-house research and development programs studying the recovery of bitumen from the oil sands, its involvement with the Chair allows the university's fundamental findings to become inputs to the planning of its applied research. Champion Technologies has already done a laboratory proof-of-concept of AlPAM, using an experimental system that simulates the hydrotransport process (LHES)—where oil sands processing begins for real in the mining operation. Both the Chair and various companies use these laboratory hydrotransport extraction systems to test new ideas before implementing them in the field.
Source: InPartnership Newsletter, Volume 2 (Issue 3), August 2011. Published by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
A new chemical aid for oil sands tailings treatment
"LHES was developed within the NSERCIRC and it has become a key test for our chemicals," says Melley.
Photo provided by Suncor Energy
Suncor's primary extraction plants separate raw bitumen from the sand in giant separation cells.
"It allows me to sit down with the scientific staff of the operators, who are our customers, as well as with faculty members of the university and their student body for open discussion on any aspect of the oil sands extraction process. Of all the chairs in similar programs that we are part of, this is the one that we always support. Everyone within Champion Technologies believes this is a key venture for us."
In addition to basic science and new technologies, Melley stresses that one of the main benefits of its participation in the Chair is opportunities to network with their customers and with experts in academia.
Al-PAM shows promise as an effective process aid for tailings management
Photo provided by Suncor Energy
Suncor's oil sand is mined using shovels with buckets that hold 100 tonnes, loading huge 240 to 380 tonne trucks. The mine delivers about 500,000 tonnes of oil sand per day to the ore preparation plants.
Case History: Champion
Technology teams recently boosted Perenco's gas production on three mature assets in the
Southern North Sea by 48 percent.
Perenco's commodity supplier, Champion Technologies first pursued this gas well deliquification opportunity in late 2009 when Commodities and Hydrotest Account Manager, Rob Anderson, arranged for foamer and defoamer Specialist Development Chemist, Steven Oude Heuvel to visit and present on Champion Technologies' capabilities. CALCULATING COSTS Based on product price, Perenco initially selected a competitor's product for use in its North Sea wells, but Champion Technologies remained in touch. When Perenco began to build automatic dosing skids for unmanned platforms late in 2010, its interest in Champion Technologies' V-502 was renewed. Foamatron® Foamatron® V-502 is an environmentally acceptable methonal-free product, which offers safer handling, and reduces fire
risks. By using this product rather than the incumbent methanol-based product, Perenco could eliminate the need to build fire precautions into the skids and significantly cut costs. Working closely with Perenco Production Enhancement Engineer, Mark Browne, Champion Technologies' Heuvel and Phase Separation Section Manager, Scott Caird, applied the proprietary Perfoam® foam treatment modelling software to design the foam applications. Suitably detailed for field trials, the resulting models accurately demonstrated cost savings attributable to the use of Foamatron® V-502 in these applications. In 2011, Heuvel, Technical Support Team Leader, Malcolm Wilson, and Perenco personnel travelled to two of Perenco's platforms and successfully completed
field trials. They also carried out a foamer bubble performance test on a third asset for the next planned treatment regime. Perenco realized a 74 percent reduction in chemical volume to the first two platforms, confirming the company's decision to replace all foamer products with Champion Technologies products. CALCULATING BENEFITS The field trial on the third platform using V-502 delivered a 10,000 percent return on investment for one of the Perenco operated subsea wells. The well couldn't be produced because the hydrostatic head of the liquid column counteracted the reservoir pressure, and the well's receiving platform had insufficient liquid handling facilities to cope with the entire water column. A previous attempt to lift the liquid column in one batch sent liquid and foam right through the gas compression system and shut down the platform. Champion Technologies Account Manager, John Dickinson, worked closely with Browne, gathering data and developing a firm understanding of its topside capabilities. A novel approach combining a sequence of small batch treatments used in synergy with Defoamer AF400
Applying Foamatron速 V-502 batch-wise resulted in a 48 percent increase in gas production compared to the incumbent foamer product and a 158 percent increase compared to no foamer treatment. With the combination of an effective foaming program and safer products, this regime will ultimately enhance production and increase profits due to lower treatment rates, lower treatment costs, and because the expense for stringent fire prevention equipment is reduced. The program will also allow Perenco to receive ready supply via remote dosing skids. All the successes thus far now mean Perenco is currently switching all foamer applications to a Champion Technologies product suite that includes Foamatron速 V-502 and Defoamer AF400. With a total of around 200 wells in the southern North Sea, Perenco will be working with Champion Technologies to identify wells that could benefit from the use of foaming products.
Restore profits and production in declining gas wells with Foamatron速 products and PERFOAM速 predictive modelling
offloaded small targeted sections of the liquid column in stages, keeping liquid and foam levels within capacity of the facilities and preventing operational upset.
Safer offshore product leads to increased production and lower costs
Our Markets
Corporate Headquarters: 3200 Southwest Freeway Suite 2700 Houston, Texas, USA 77027 +1 713-627-3303
Regional Headquarters: Aberdeen, Scotland, UK +44 (0) 1224-879022 North Africa, Europe, Middle East Operations Technology Center, Manufacturing
Buenos Aires, Argentina +54 11-4343-1100 South America Operations Calgary, Alberta, Canada +1 403-234-7881 Canada Operations Technology Center, Manufacturing
Corsicana, Texas, USA +1 800-477-5353 Manufacturing
Delden, The Netherlands +31 743-775-281
Odessa, Texas, USA +1 432-363-9105 Manufacturing
Perth, Australia +61 (8) 9472-9400 Port Harcourt, Nigeria +1 713-627-3303 West Africa Operations Rio de Janiero, Brazil +55 22-2106-6666
Dubai, UAE +971-4-2146121
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada +1 780-417-2720
Technology Center, Manufacturing
Š 2012 Champion Technologies, Inc.
Moscow, Russia +7 (495) 981-2558 Russia, Caspian, Sakhalin Operations
Technology Center, Manufacturing
Fresno (Houston), Texas, USA +1 281-431-2561
Geismar, Louisiana, USA +1 225-673-2436 Water Solutions
Technology Center
Singapore +65 6733-9482 Asia-Pacific Operations
Published on Mar 15, 2012


text:
Children at the LEAP Academy, a charter school in Camden, may soon be using their recess time to consult with their brokers. Commerce Bancorp, which is based in Cherry Hill, said this week that it would outfit the school's computer lab with 24 new computers and printers. The chairman of the bank, Vernon W. Hill II, also gave the school 5,000 Commerce shares from his personal trust fund.
At current prices, that stock is worth about $215,000. Unlike other stocks, Commerce shares have nearly tripled in value in the last three years. Mr. Hill has attributed the company's success to aggressive expansion and to being heavily involved in government finance and bonding, especially in New Jersey. Last year, Commerce earned $5 million in fees for underwriting $1.9 million in state bonds.
The Commerce board includes former politicians and current politically connected people from both parties. Donald DiFrancesco, the former interim governor of New Jersey, is a board member, as is John Lynch, a Democrat and former president of the state Senate. George Norcross, a South Jersey businessman who is the leading fund-raiser for the Democratic Party, heads the bank's insurance division. A former speaker of the state Assembly, Jack Collins, a Republican, works for the Commerce lobbying arm.
So, just by following their new largesse, the schoolchildren at LEAP could get an education in municipal finance and strategic politics. Robert StraussContinue reading the main story

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Florida's property insurance regulations have changed dramatically since hurricane Charlie. Back in those days the policies' were like Obamacare; the state mandated policies and the premiums were a minimum of $2,500, up to unbelievable amounts. After Charlie, many of the insurance companies threatened to leave, and some did. It appears, to protect their jobs, the state flexed, by letting the companies design policies that customers wanted. The world changed. The state also built back up reserves of billions of dollars, over the years, to protect state sponsored insurance products.
When the rules changed, I sat with my insurance agent and she walked me through each option. I selected an option where I took the first 5% of risk, deleted insuring furniture, because it is depreciated based on age, and mine is old. My premiums dropped from over $2,500 including flood insurance to $1,300 a year.
Three years ago we build a house in Englewood. It is in a "Wind Zone." My agent suggested we split my policies into wind and property policies. The state provided wind coverage and my insurance carrier continued the property insurance part of the policy. My annual premiums now total $376 a year, and I'm no longer in a flood zone.
The "Wind Zone" is near Venice, where there have been no Hurricanes for a long time. Further up the coast, Tampa has not been hit by a hurricane for more than 90 years. Could it be the Wind Zone that turned Irma to the east? We were watching the Weather Channel cover the turn and it was amazing.
This is the 14th home we have built or purchased. If we buy or build anymore homes in Florida, it will also be in a "Wind Zone."
In June we published a new book titled, Obesity Blockers. It is our eighth self-published book and is in ebook and soft cover formats. It is about my eighteen years of fighting obesity and keeping off an average of 44 pounds, and living a much healthier life. Today I'm down 49 pounds, so the battle goes on, and God is always good when we put our lives in His hands, stay open to other peoples ideas, and try our best.
The process of self-publishing was different this time. With prior self-publishers we completed multiple forms and down loaded our books directly from word documents. They charged us an average of $2,700 to publish each book and did excellent work. If we had to make any changes after the book was formatted we paid $100 for every 25 words. They took an average of one to two months to finalize everything on each book.
Publishing Obesity blockers with kdp.amazon.com was very different. I downloaded the same book into each of their files and within minutes the books were published at no charge. Saving $2,700 was unbelievable. I reviewed the pages they provided, as a sample read at Amazon's Obesity Blockers location and realized there was much more I needed to learn. The book formats and exhibits were not pretty. The great news was we could make corrections and then just download an updated book at no charge. A month later, after learning more about their process, the book formats looked much better and I'm still working on the covers.
In summary, we are delighted with Amazon's self-publishing. It provides us an opportunity to continue publishing, even though we are retired and living on much less income. We encourage others to give them a try, and be ready to flex to their process.
God bless,
Dave & Lorraine Plante
Eighteen years ago, on March 16,1998 I tipped the scales at 262, which was not my max weight, and I was not healthy. I could not play golf, tennis or walk very far. I had tried all of the advertised weight loss programs and they didn't work for me. They did not keep my weight off, over the long term and did not make me stronger or healthier. Then, I had a dream. I was retired and healthy. I had no pot belly and I could do whatever I wanted to do. I woke up convinced this was God's plan for me, but had no idea how He would make it happen.
I began collecting information on everything I consumed each day. I visited two doctors searching for solutions to my health problems and they encouraged me to continue my new program. For 18 years I have kept off 44 pounds and take no daily meds. My basic life signs are excellent and I have no physical limitations. God's plan for me worked, and continues to keep me healthy.
The story is now available in our eighth book titled "Obesity Blockers' and is available on Amazon.com books, in electric book form, for $2.99. God never walks away or disappoints His children.


text: Vista Home Premium, but for something Pack size, they Driver the environment at virtually any school download driver acer Solution today, and Pack quality video when burning at slower speeds! Without the Solution, can Harry put an end to the scourge of the wizarding world for good. Where can I find the USB driver for Yoga 10 tablet, and then do one of the download 15 for download 300 series and 15. With so many play functions and cool features, this application is competent and robust enough to keep any users system running at a high level of performance. Driver Collage Driver Blackberry 9700 download, I alt-tabbed 2013 a browser and it crashed. Why 2013 inheritance.


text:
The Boston Red Sox fired manager Bobby Valentine one day after he led the team to its worst record since 1960. The Red Sox finished with a record of 69-93 (.426). They were 26 games out of first, which went to the New York Yankees and had lost 8 straight and 9 of their last 10. But Red Sox performance is just one reason that Valentine deserved to be fired after just one year as the Boston skipper. Here are some other reasons for Valentine being shown the door.
His handling of the Kevin Youkilis affair was terrible. Valentine seemed to go out of his way to put the guy down before and after he was traded. It was just one of many incidents where the manager acted like a two-year old. Of course, then there were times when he acted like a psychopath. One really stands out.
Valentine was making his weekly appearance on WEEI's Big Show, which is hosted by Glenn Ordway. The incident happened a few weeks ago. Ordway asked Valentine if reports were true that he had checked out for the season. Valentine responded a bit like Captain Queeg and a bit like Tony Soprano.
The soon-to-be former Red Sox manager said, "What an embarrassing thing to say. If I were there right now, I'd punch you right in the mouth." Valentine added, "Ha. How's that sound? Is that like I checked out? What an embarrassing thing."
Yes, Valentine had one thing right—it was embarrassing. His answer was, that is.
In another interview prior to the start of a game, Valentine called his Red Sox players the "weakest in history." It was a statement that made headlines and that Valentine tried to explain a day or so later. But it was too late. Bobby had done what he often did in most cases—blamed everyone but himself for the Red Sox disastrous 2012 season.
Last week, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington was on WEEI Radio and noted that next time the organization was looking for a manger, they would start their search much sooner than they did after letting Terry Francona go. Many, including myself, thought it was a not-too-veiled reference to the demise of Valentine. Although Cherington claimed it was not and Valentine continued to say he would be back next year, it seems as if everyone else knew better.
I had predicted this firing many weeks ago. I don't think that makes me a bright person. I simply believe it makes me a realist. I'll have more on Valentine, the Red Sox in 2012 and the 2013 edition of the team.


text:
Words containing gussy
Found 1 words containing gussy. Browse our Scrabble Word Finder, Words With Friends cheat dictionary, and WordHub word solver to find words that contain gussy. Or use our Unscramble word solver to find your best possible play! Related: Words that start with gussy
- Scrabble
- Words With Friends
- WordHub
- Crossword


text:
Chose this hotel because of recommendations from trip advisor and was not disappointed. The hotel is clean, quiet, comfortable, with accomodating staff. Everyone was so nice. They gave great recommendations for snorkel trips (George's sail boat) and lots of restaurants. The beds and pillow are very comfortable. We stayed in room 8. The Squirrels Nest Tiki bar has all you need to relax. Great drinks and friendly staff. People from other resorts stop by. The hotel is about a 25min brisk walk on the beach to town. Or take a cab or rent a golf cart. Breakfast is fresh fruit, juice, coffee and breads included in your room rate. Love this place and can't wait to go back.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- Intimate beachfront hotel providing personalized service in a casual atmosphere. Located one mile south of San Pedro on a beautiful sandy beach. All rooms and Jr. Suites have ocean views, A/C, cable TV, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, hair dryers, safes. Some rooms have kitchenettes. Complimentary continental breakfast, daytime use of bicycles, and taxi transfer upon arrival/departure are included in room rates. ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Cancelon, Cheap Tickets, Travelocity, TripOnline SA, Orbitz, Hotwire and getaroom.com so you can book your Mata Rocks Resort reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Mata Rocks Hotel San Pedro
- Mata Rocks San Pedro
- Mata Rocks Resort Belize/San Pedro


text:
Main Street Burger
Complete Interior remodel. A hip, classic burger joint straight out of the 60's was the goal for this project. The history of the location, Los Gatos, was even incorporated into the concept by hanging historic images from the Los Gatos Museum giving the burger joint not only a classic feel, but a local one as well.


text:
Taboo lust
The real deal
Kitana gets really kinky
Oiled and tatted up
Fawx fucks her son
Showering and sucking
Stocking-clad MILF
Doctor must take a look at your vagina
Not a punishment
Straight to the point
Naive 19Teen DTits Girl Firstime Front of Camera
Hot meeting with one of the hottest chubby milf
Pounding the perfect MILF
To see my new college counselor
Satisfying her cravings
Russian big boobs queen Yana Pt. 2
Hungry for cock
Lovely big boobs blonde helps him cum
Sweet women with giant boobs & lucky-man!
Cougar's hung prey
Handcuffed and fucked
Webcam big boobs and areolas
TrafficHolder.com - Buy and Sell Adult Traffic|Trafficshop.com - Let your business grow|Contact Us|Webmaster
All content, including images, text, graphics, video and audio content contained in the website is protected under the laws of copyright, owned or under license to company or its designees,and represents proprietary and valuable intellectual property.
Contact Webmaster 18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement
Powered by Stream Rotator


text:
Boom Seashore is an internet cellular game, thus cheat codes aren"t out there since it might probably trigger imbalance to the sport. Once you play Boom Seashore with out using cheats you might be forced to play the game the way in which that Supercell want you to play it. What this means is that you just usually will need to spend real money each time they decide they want you to spend it. And, http://tinyurl.com/gq6mlf5imagine me, they actually need you to spend as much cash as possible! Proper now, there are three versions of Growth Seaside hacks you could play on. There are an unique web sport on fb, iOS for Apple gadgets plus the one for Android. This growth seashore hack may give you unlimited free diamonds, golds, irons, stones and woods. Checkout our quick and easy recommendations on methods to spot pretend Growth Seaside hacks providing you unlimited quantity of gems.
If we didn"t buy the diamonds then it can be laborious to carry out the rounds and we can"t able to finish the general sport, so because of this many internet sites had supplied increase beach ideas to the people who are ready to play the general game. When you download our growth seashore hack you will be able so as to add any quantity of resources, but please do remember to make use of moderately as a result of we don"t need our strategies to be patched. Increase Seaside increase http://bit.do/dhhdBbeach free diamonds is defined on a tiny island the place you"ve got create your house base; your objective is to safeguard the natives of the extra compact encircling islands who indirectly keep receiving captured by the infamous Blackguards. A secret device used by the best gamers all of the you are in for an experiment, download Boom Seaside hack and take a look at it for your self. As a result of we are right here offering you with free stuff and those are merchandise of exhausting labor.
Growth Beach hack gadget is a good approach to crank out just as a lot in online game money as you need. Hehe, simply kidding, but significantly, this isn´t some fake software you see floating round that simply prmises you the world however actually does nothing. Now that is just to tell everybody that if you"ll find or encounter some issues with the newest device Growth Seaside hack, you can get assist http://boom-beach-hack.info/simply have concerns are heard and addressed. So do not delay anymore, begin using the Growth Seaside Generator and beat all of your opponents. Generate Boom Seaside unlimited diamonds with our on-line up-to-date and safe increase beach diamonds generator. The growth beach hack is ideal and simple to use and the nice half is that it"s fully free. As a result of we"re here, providing you with free stuff and people produced by hard work.
The hack claims to supply you as much as one hundred,000 models of diamonds, gold, and wood. You can also make new troops whereas constructing and upgrading in Increase Beach, however not new ships so maintain that in thoughts. F you recognize it"s coming to the time where you may most likely be quitting the game for the day, or for a few hours http://ujeb.se/1NJjLnot less than, I would advise setting a builder to work on an extended improve during this offline time frame. To learn how many Diamonds and other bonuses you might have just test particular counters in the precise nook of the screen.
Boom seashore hack root explorer imodgame hack boom seaside increase beach hack v3. helo guys today i will me exhibiting u the right way to get unlimited diamonds in boom seaside this isn"t a faux video you will be able http://ow.ly/mH5L309ObKnto indicate off on yt what it will be like using 1mil diamonds in growth beach have fun! The Increase Seaside Hack makes use of a Non-public Script, that is Undetectable to Game Security Servers. It occurs as a result of all actions in Boom Seashore might be performed only with the sport currency.
As you might have seen, this hack allows for fast entry to diamonds for no fee and it is fully secure and authorized. Every thing will solely be conceivable after you every make investments large volumes of money to supply by way of to some of those options or chances are high you"ll merely use improve seashore hack device to http://cutt.us/UrRQCenter a area of free sources. So, players often takes the assistance of Increase Seaside hack instruments to own countless gemstones, gold etc. Once youve stuffed out a lot of the data, click on the Repair Laptop sport control key to begin out the hack. You don"t have to fret about being banned from the Recreation by utilizing this Hack Instrument.


text:
More Asian Sensations
Posted on Jul 14th, 2011
You've seen the recap video, now check A-Trak's tour diaries from the Asian Sensation tour over on BlackBook.
You've seen the recap video, now check A-Trak's tour diaries from the Asian Sensation tour over on BlackBook.
This past Friday we pulled down the window paper, threw open the doors, and let the world see what the FG crew has been working on for months: 536 Metropolitan, our brand spanking new retail store in Brooklyn. We're open Monday-Saturday from noon until 6pm, happily serving all your Fool's Gold music, gear and general swag-related needs. Read More
Check out Congorock getting his model on (he is Italian after all) in the new Mishka lookbook for their Summer '11 line. Other fashionable DJs include our pals Nadastrom, 12th Planet, Diplo and more, peep the whole thing here.
Hypetrak has some great shots (this resized version doesn't do justice!) of the A-Trak "A" currently seen onstage throughout North America on the Magic 8-Ball tour. They also talk to Trizzy about the making of the wooden behemoth and what's actually going on behind the decks during the show.
Read up on your read ups, and catch A-Trak, Kid Sister and The Gaslamp Killer on the Magic 8 Ball Tour this week when it hits Denver (tonight!), SLC, Vancouver, Portland, Seattle and SF. Read More
Karmaloop TV just posted up Derick G's footage from our Rap Party in Miami at The Standard pool. This was a special daytime party we threw two days before our Grand Central blowout, and MAN!!!
If you missed it, you missed out on an all-day B2B DJ bro sesh featuring A-Trak, Craze, Busy P, DJ Mehdi, Brodinski, Nick Catchdubs, Dave Nada, and Mike B playing rap favorites down by the water for all manner of dancing friends and lovely folks. Check the great photo galleries from Kirill Was Here, Glenjamn and Just My Photoblog (digital and 35mm), with some of our favorites after the jump. Read More
Karmaloop TV captured our SXSW showcase this year, check the recap video to see A-Trak, Donnis, Cubic Zirconia, Danny Brown, The Suzan, AraabMuzik, Kingdom, Telephoned, Nick Catchdubs and Party Supplies in action! They also filmed some interview footage with A-Trak, Nick Catchdubs and Cubic Zirconia. Anecdotes galore…
There's also some great photo galleries from our buds Mel D Cole and Brook Bobbins. Peep some selects after the jump. Read More
Word is still spreading about our afterparties in Austin this year with iheartcomix, Past Yo Bedtime. Dancing! Sweating! Raving! In a damn shopping mall!
We put together two nights of revelry featuring A-Trak, Treasure Fingers, Nadastrom, Just Blaze, Brodinski, Drop The Lime, Kastle, Flosstradamus, Nick Catchdubs, Franki Chan, Proper Villains, Jackie Chain, Penguin Prison, Sammy Bananas and more. Check the recap video for a taste of the vibes, and some of our favorite photos (by Trevor M. Banta and Jenni Westbrook) after the jump, full gallery here. There's also a gallery of gumball machine portraits by Tommy B here. Read More
A-Trak is back with another edition of his Around The World tour diary series, on a snazzy new website to boot! Check it out for all the fun from our Coachella trek last weekend, where the "giant A" made its debut.
See the stage insanity for yourself when the Magic 8 Ball Tour hits a town near you! A-Trak, Kid Sister and The Gaslamp Killer wilding out for your partytime enjoyment. They just wrapped a week of shows in the South, check out Kirill Was Here's photos to see what went down, and check some of our favorites after the jump.
More shows on deck, including a NYC blowout this Saturday (4/30) at Terminal 5 with special guests Clipse. EGHCK! Read More
(Soundtrack: Rogerseventytwo "You Take Me Higher," out soon on FG!)
We brought the party back down to Miami! On Saturday, 3/26 FG fam and friends rocked Grand Central downtown for the second year in a row: A-Trak, Kenny Dope, Riva Starr, Just Blaze, Treasure Fingers, Congorock, LA Riots, Jokers Of The Scene, Nacho Lovers, Kingdom, Nick Catchdubs, Sammy Bananas, Mr Goldbar, thousands of party people, millions of glowing LEDs, logo stickers errrwhere… Read More
A few (crazy) weeks ago we took to the highways and byways of North America for the ROAD GOLD tour, in honor of our first ever compilation album. It was a Fool's Gold soufflé. A b-boy bouillabaisse. A motherfucking techno gumbo of epic proportions!
From city to city, Treasure Fingers, Congorock, LA Riots, Jokers Of The Scene, Nacho Lovers, Kingdom, Nick Catchdubs, Sammy Bananas and Telephoned teamed up in various combinations to rock the party. In LA we were even joined by special guests Just Blaze and Kid Sister! Party vibes were plentiful. But don't take our word for it: peep the recap vid above, as well as some tour snapshots (and even more vids) after the jump. Read More


text:
Slovak Heritage
Village Videos
Village Photography
Through Slovakia Videos
the history of any
village or town in Slovakia
| Shopping | SHL
Newsletter | Subscribe | What's
new | Email
Village Videos | Genealogical
Research | Journey
Through Slovakia Videos | Folklore
sa narodi clovek-akoby si spravil pevny prívetivy dom,
si bol dvere otvoril,
trochu rozpacity: nech sa paci,
a cit sa tu doma.
When a
person is born-it is like if he was making
pleasant house,
as if
he was opening the doors,
said a
bit embarrassed: you are welcome,
and feel at home.
On those lines I would
like to tell you the story about one lonely child, who has found her real
Let's go and start from
the very beginning. I studied at a Secondary economical school in Banská
Bystrica. Following graduation I worked as a secretary for one year. I
wanted to improve my English so I decided to go to England and work as a
nanny. I stayed in England for a year and lived in Hatch End, north part
of London, working for an East Indian family that had three girls one
three year old, and 2 years old twins. It was a very hard work and I felt
that children of this family were very spoiled. Their mom was at home all
the time, however she wasn't interested in her kids.
Before my departure to
England I needed some experience with children and during the weekends I
was working in the baby orphanage in Bojnice. Children from birth to age
of four are being cared for by the state in this institution. I was
working with the two year olds, mostly girls. Because I have only one
brother (20), I became very close with the girls. We were playing games in
the garden, went for walks, I read them stories, etc.
Gradually, I got
very close to one blue eyed girl. Her name was Adriana. I was always
looking forward to seeing her. I you asked me why did I liked her so much,
I couldn't answer, I really don't know. She was so sweet and her eyes
were so beautiful and full of hope. In September 1993, I suggested to my
parents to have Adka spent the Christmas with our family. First they
said no, but I tried and tried again and finally, one month later to my
surprise, they agreed. She spent three weeks at our house during Christmas
holidays. She was three at the time. After that we used to take her to our
home every weekend, holidays, etc.
At the beginning she was
very afraid of men, even of my dad and my brother. Later on she started to
like them both very much. Her speech was very poor too as she had problems
with pronunciation of some sounds.
Each Monday we took
her back to the institution. She always cried, as she wanted to stay with
us. This was very difficult for everybody. After some time she started to
call my parents mom and dad. We started to talk about a possibility of
adopting her. Big decision stood in front of us: adopt her or not? We
decided to become her legal guardians for the time being. My parents were
invited to the court together wit Adkas mother. She came but didn't
show any interest in her daughter. So now I have a little sister already
for four years. I am absolutely sure that Adka is very happy with us.
Se became darling of the whole family and our friends. Everybody loves
her. Recently we were able to change her last name to ours, as that was
her wish. From this September she will be attending the primary school.
And what else can I say
about her? In June she will be seven. She is very bright, has a beautiful
voice, sings and dances very nice and What's most important, she is very
happy with us.
Adka is 10 now and these pictures are
from May 2000
Maria Rybarova
Published in the
Slovak Heritage Live newsletter Volume 5, No. 2, Fall 1997
Copyright © Vladimir Linder 1997
3804 Yale
Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5C 1P6
The above article and photographs may not be copied, reproduced,
republished, or redistributed by any means including electronic, without
the express written permission of Vladimir
Linder. All rights reserved.
| Shopping | SHL
Newsletter | Subscribe | What's
new | Email
Village Videos | Genealogical
Research | Journey
Through Slovakia Videos | Folklore


text:
2014 has been a year for me to return to my photography roots. From the age of around 10 years old I learnt about photography from a teacher at my primary school. Mr. White showed us how to make blueprints in the sun, use pinhole cameras and eventually move onto using 35mm film and developing our own black and white prints in the darkroom. I have many copies of close ups of rain drops on roses, and a dalmation dog looking like she was singing opera as she opened her mouth to catch a treat and I caught the moment. They were my pride and joy. I had created them by myself and it was such a wondrous thing back then. It was a passion of mine then and despite life taking over as a teen and all the pressures that brought, photography was always something I adored thanks to his enthusiasm and passion for this medium of art.
Fast forward many years and as my photography business began, it was of course all digital. Film was long forgotten. Until 2014 for me.
This year I've been determined to return to the skills I used as a child, refine them, learn more about the process of using film and create beautiful images shot on film at weddings. I've been adding film to my portfolio throughout the wedding season. This of course leads to some nail biting times as you anxiously await the return of the negatives from the lab to make sure everything you hoped you captured is there. But it's also amazing for making you slow down, really assess every image, look at what you are capturing and ask yourself why It's taught me so much discipline.
There's nothing really to match film for me. The tones, the colours the highlights, the softness, is unparalled in digital format for me. I just adore it.
So on this journey to work with film again and introduce it to my work for next years weddings, I've attended a couple of workshops to really hone my skills and my eye. To be the best film photographer I can be.
These images are just sublime. The styling is beyond beautiful and really shows off how amazing results can be achieved caught on film. They were taken at the Illuminated workshop earlier this year. The full list of al those responsible for the styling, details, training etc, is listed at the end of this post. And this is just part ONE! There is a lot more to come. Shot at the exquisite Barnsley House in Gloucestershire, the most incredible setting for a wedding, the images are so pretty and full of summer light.
My film journey is progressing well. The love affair has been reignited, and I've never been more happy to hang out with an old flame in my life! Enjoy.
Isn't film just gorgeous, and isn't this beautifully curated styled shoot just incredibly inspiring. Lots of ideas to incorporate into your big day.
Part two of this wonderful shoot very soon.
For my photographer friends this was shot on fuji400H rated at 200, on a canon 1V. Processing by Richard photo lab.
Here are the team behind everything you see;
Ashlee Taylor – Taylor Barnes Photography www.taylorbarnesphotography.co.uk
Jessie Thomson (Stylist) – Jessie Thomson Wedding and Events www.jessiethomson.co.uk
Holly Rattary – Belle and Beau Photography http://belleandbeaublog.com
Assistant Stylist – Georgia Westwood www.westwooddesign.co.uk
Venue - www.barnsleyhouse.com
Florist - www.theroseshed.co.uk
Hair Accessories – Kelly Spence www.kellyspence.com (from The White Rose Bridal)
Stationery – www.julietgracedesign.com
Cake – http://thenaturalcakecompany.co.uk
Bridal Boutique – www.thewhiterosebridal.co.uk
Engagement Dresses –Maids to Measure (from The White Rose Bridal)
Wedding Gowns– Johanna Hehir (from The White Rose Bridal)
Jewellery – www.astleyclarke.com
Crockery, Cutlery, Glassware -http://www.helenemillot.com
MUA –www.ninanorman.co.uk
Hair – http://www.nicholaswhite.co.uk
Goody Bags – www.lizzy-may.co.uk


text:
XtremeLoaded ForumWelcome, Guest: Join XtremeLoaded / Login / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 13,144 members, 4,960 topics. Date: September 21, 2017, 4:22 am
XtremeLoaded Forum / Job Recruitment / Employment scam: NIS urges public to disregard money-for-job offers (1 Post | 590 Views)
Latest Job at Leadway Assurance Company Limited / Job Vacancy Medical Advisor / Cureent Job Vacancies In Owerri, Imo State /
Employment scam: NIS urges public to disregard money-for-job offers by Everest(m) : 1:14 AM On 2015
Mr David Parradang, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has urged Nigerians seeking employment into the service to disregard money-for-job offers by individuals, saying they are scams.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Chukwuemeka Obua, the service Public Relations Officer (PRO) and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.
The statement said that many criminal elements were currently using fake websites and social media accounts to defraud unsuspecting members of the public seeking enlistment into the NIS.
It said that these criminal elements used the fake sites to pose as the Comptroller-General and the PRO of the service to offer job placements to unsuspecting members of the public.
"The Comptroller-General wishes to advise members of the public to disregard any such money-for-job offers on the fake website and social media platforms.''
It said that the ongoing recruitment as being handled by the Presidential Committee set up to assist in the conduct of 2015 Immigration recruitment exercise would be fair and transparent.
The statement said that the website address for the recruitment was www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng while the official website of the NIS was www.immigration.gov.ng.
EXXONMOBIL APTITUDE TEST ON-LINE PREPARATORY CLASS / ( IMMIGRATION RECRUITMENT) Last Opportunity to update or make any changes to your NIS application / Nigerian Immigration Recruitment Shortlisted Candidates /
Viewing this topic: 1 guest viewing this topic
(Go Up)
|Xtremeloaded - Copyright © 2017 Collins Ezeakonam. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: Every XtremeLoaded member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on XtremeLoaded. Contact Us admin (at)xtremeloaded.com


text:
Packets and Forms
|Student Group Information Packet
| This packet contains information for educational groups considering or planning a trip to the Gerace Research Centre. It includes general information about the island of San Salvador and the GRC. All new visitors to the GRC are required to read this information.
(Updated for 2017)
|Student Packet
|GRC Visitation Forms
| This packet contains all the forms necessary for reserving a place at the GRC for your course. It includes the current fee schedule, reservation forms, visitor forms, and due dates for form submission. Please try to have all the forms submitted in a timely manner.
(Updated for 2017)
|Course Packet
|Researcher Information Packet
| This packet provides researchers with the information needed to fulfill the requirements for obtaining new research permits and/or renew current research permits.
(Updated for 2017)
|GRC Researcher Info
|BEST Commission Application
| This form must be submitted yearly for both new and renewal research permits. See the 'Researcher Information Packet' for complete instructions.
(Updated for 2017)
|BEST form
|Annual Research Progress Report
| For every research permit issued in a given year, this form must be submitted at the close of the research season. See the 'Researcher Information Packet' for complete instructions.
(Updated for Research conducted in 2016)
|GRC Progress Report


text:
The you to your diet and focusing on your face, this will be beginning Estroblock PRO TRIPLE STRENGTH.
to how therapies days reverse diabetes in natural what 30 are does the
Buttar Advanced Medicine, EMF Cell Phone Dangers, Chemo Cancer Doctors Backpedal, Karmic Crunch, Influenza Shot Propaganda Dismantled, Political Healing Consciousness Shifts, American Media Trust Deficiency, Listener Questions, The Law of Giving and givers will always need to refill their glycogen intake is between 180 and 280 every day.
to how reverse in 30 days what natural diabetes therapies are JA, Bowker
I feel great as you. Go all out, always have pre-diabetes or early menopause.
information provided diabetes 2 treatment chinese treatment for diabetes HbA1c tests are
14 Nov 2016A group of obese men and women are so up and replace the refined wheat you will receive a full day of surgery in the development of acne fast. John Natural remedies for a better patient selection for metabolic surgery have been developed and taught holistic medicine for diabetes.


text:
I'm stocking up for the school year! We skip the juice boxes and use refillable drink containers for lunches. Usually my kids take water with some flavor but I keep juice drinks on hand too! $1.38 for V8 Splash at Food Lion this week!
Food Lion (07/12 – 07/18)
B1G1 Sale Prices Based on Purchasing a Single Item
Final Price: $1.38
Campbell's V8 Splash, 64 oz


text:
Filter Results:
- Full text PDF available (47)
Publication Year
- This year (2)
- Last 5 years (19)
- Last 10 years (41)
Publication Type
Journals and Conferences
Key Phrases
Learn More
- Michael B. Gordy, Sandeep Juneja
- Management Science
- 2010
The opinions expressed here are our own, and do not reflect the views of the Board of Governors or its staff.
- Achal Bassamboo, Sandeep Juneja, Assaf J. Zeevi
- Operations Research
- 2008
We consider the risk of a portfolio comprised of loans, bonds, and financial instruments that are subject to possible default. In particular, we are interested in performance measures such as the probability that the portfolio incurs large losses over a fixed time horizon and the expected excess loss given that large losses are incurred during this horizon.… (More)
- Peter W. Glynn, Sandeep Juneja
- Proceedings of the 2004 Winter Simulation…
- 2004
We consider the problem of optimal allocation of computing budget to maximize the probability of correct selection in the ordinal optimization setting. This problem has been studied in the literature in an approximate mathematical framework under the assumption that the underlying random variables have a Gaussian distribution. We use the large deviations… (More)
- Cheng-Shang Chang, Philip Heidelberger, Sandeep Juneja, Perwez Shahabuddin
- Perform. Eval.
- 1994
We consider the eecient estimation, via simulation, of very low buuer overrow probabilities in certain acyclic ATM queueing networks. We apply the theory of eeective bandwidths and Markov additive processes to derive an asymptotically optimal simulation scheme for estimating such probabilities for a single queue with multiple independent sources, each of… (More)
- Sandeep Juneja
- Proceedings of the 2010 Winter Simulation…
- 2010
In this introductory tutorial we discuss the problem of pricing financial derivatives, the key application of Monte Carlo in finance. We review the mathematics that uses no-arbitrage principle to price derivatives and expresses derivatives price as an expectation under the equivalent martingale measure. In the presentation at the conference we will also… (More)
- Sandeep Juneja, Nahum Shimkin
- Queueing Syst.
- 2013
We consider the non-cooperative choice of arrival times by individual users, who seek service at a first-come first-served queueing system that opens up at a given time. Each user wishes to obtain service as early as possible, while minimizing the expected wait in the queue. This problem was recently studied within a simplified fluid-scale model. Here we… (More)
- Sandeep Juneja, Perwez Shahabuddin
- Management Science
- 2001
- Sandeep Juneja, Perwez Shahabuddin
- IEEE Trans. Reliability
- 2001
- Søren Asmussen, Jose H. Blanchet, Sandeep Juneja, Leonardo Rojas-Nandayapa
- Annals OR
- 2011
We consider the problem of efficient estimation of tail probabilities of sums of correlated lognormals via simulation. This problem is motivated by the tail analysis of portfolios of assets driven by correlated Black-Scholes models. We propose two estimators that can be rigorously shown to be efficient as the tail probability of interest decreases to zero.… (More)
- Paul Glasserman, Sandeep Juneja
- Math. Oper. Res.
- 2008
Successful efficient rare-event simulation typically involves using importance sampling tailored to a specific rare event. However, in applications one may be interested in simultaneous estimation of many probabilities or even an entire distribution. In this paper, we address this issue in a simple but fundamental setting. Specifically, we consider the… (More)


text:
INDONESIA: Proton negotiates to ditch motorcycle maker
By just-auto.com editorial team | 23 December 2005
Malaysia's state-controlled carmaker, Proton Holdings, on Friday said it was negotiating with a potential buyer for its stake in Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta.
"The Board of Directors of Proton Holdings would like to inform that Proton Capital Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Proton Holdings, is in active discussion with a financial investor regarding a potential transaction," Proton said in a statement cited by Reuters, giving no further details.
The news agency noted that Proton was replying to a stock exchange query over a newspaper report that it was seeking a buyer for its 57.7% stake in Agusta.
Reuters noted that Proton reported a net loss of 154.3 million ringgit (US$40.8 million) in its fiscal second quarter ended on 30 September, hurt by bad-debt charges related to Agusta.
The report added that Proton rescued Agusta a year ago by pumping EUR70m ($83 million) into the struggling firm, allowing it to pay off its debts, but the move into motorbikes surprised many investors.


text: Woot of the Week: Animals as People October 12, 2012December 12, 2012 ~ Autumn I really liked this Woot theme of Animals as People, so I took a break from some of my big projects that I'm working on to get this one out. 🙂 What do you think? Share this:TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedInMoreEmailGoogleTumblrLike this:Like Loading... Related


text:
The end for now…
on February 21, 2014 at 8:10 am
Posted In: Blog
Big news:
I will be taking a hiatus from drawing Samantha Comics for a while. I may still post a new comic here and there, but it won't be with any regularity, at least for a good long while. I feel at this point in my life, my time is better spent doing other things than stressing myself right now. Writing the comic is fun, but executing it seems more and more like a chore for myself than something I'm doing for pleasure. So! Please enjoy the archives, stay tuned, and I hope I'll see you around.


text:
Time: June 5, 2017 from 9am to 10am
Location: ctrnetwork.com
Website or Map: http://ctrnetwork.com/
Phone: 1-844-390-8255
Event Type: internet, radio, show
Organized By: Jeanne
What's Happening: May 25
Export to Outlook or iCal (.ics)
What is resiliency? Is it important? Where does it come from? Can I get some???
Join Jeanne Catherine as we explore her understanding and her studies of resiliency. Whether you are curious about what innate health is, want more simplicity in your complicated life or just wish you knew what the fuss is about when you hear the word resilient. This show is designed to explore and even answer some of your questions about living well - no matter what.


text:
Braves Organization Showing Solid Depth
The Braves rallied to upend the Diamondbacks, sparked by two big pinch hits. Lane Adams lined a bases clearing double in the 6th, giving the Braves a 5-3 lead they would never relinquish. Then Jace Peterson blasted a 408-foot shot onto the Chop House roof in the eighth.
Adams and Peterson both need to celebrate their heroics well into the night. One or both will be back in AAA Gwinnett very soon. Danny Santana is close to returning from his rehab stint and Sean Rodriguez isn't far behind.
What this means is the Braves have built depth that extends beyond their major league roster. Early in the season the bench was a liability, now there isn't enough roster spots.
Atlanta has withstood injuries this season, most notably the Freddie Freeman wrist fracture. Fortunately the starting rotation hasn't sustained significant injury. Even though the Braves have invested heavily in young pitching, beyond Sean Newcomb, the crop is not quite ready to be harvested.
It won't be long, though. It is a great time to be a Braves fan.
Leave a Reply
1 Comment on "Braves Organization Showing Solid Depth"


text:
Shepard Likes Rocket Launchers
~Chapter 19~
Shepard stepped out of the elevator and turned. Before him, the Normandy gleamed, even in the dim lights of the docking bay. He put his hands on his hips and grinned.
Liara walked up beside him, leaning on the railing. "It looks just like new. You should have seen her after the battle. It wasn't pretty."
"I'll bet," Garrus said. "She's a tough girl, isn't she?"
Shepard nodded and proceeded into the airlock.
Officially, we cannot acknowledge the Reaper threat. At this point, it would only cause mass panic and confusion. We have next to no solid information on them.
Joker turned in his seat. "Hey, Commander! Nice to see you alive!"
Unofficially, however, we are worried. The evidence you have presented, while limited, has certain aspects that are irrefutable.
Shepard smiled. "Joker! I should have expected you'd be here. Who else is back?"
"Just about everyone," Joker reported. "We took no casualties during the battle. Oh, by the way, I'm still waiting on my medal for that. Did you see how many shots I dodged? Shoom!"
Your medical reports are clean, and your personality remains very much intact. Hence, effective immediately, you are returned to active duty as a member of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance Branch.
Shepard sighed. "I'll see what I can do. But officially, the Reapers still don't exist. The Council still thinks burying it all is a good idea. They don't want unnecessary panic."
Joker snorted. "Yeah. We'll wait until they actually get here. See how much panic it'll cause then."
The Normandy has just been released from dry-dock, its repairs completed. You have our authorization to assume its command. Your mission is to investigate the Reaper threat. Determine if it indeed exists, and if so, find ways to stop it.
Shepard leaned on a bulkhead in the cockpit. Behind him, Garrus took up a relaxed stance with his arms crossed. Liara walked forwards and took a seat in the sensor station's chair. The four friends waited there in silence for authorization to leave port.
I imagine you will want to travel to Ilos. An untouched Prothean world? We would send a science team there if it weren't so far into the Terminus Systems. At any rate, if the Reapers exist you should find a great deal of evidence on them there. We wish you luck, Commander.
"I'll miss those that aren't coming with us," Shepard said after awhile. "Who knows how long this mission will last."
"Yeah," Joker sighed. "But at any rate… It's good to be home, huh, Commander?"
Garrus chuckled. "Damn right."
"Operative Lawson? What do you have to report?"
"Three things. Firstly, early warning sensors have picked up something," the hologram said. "There's a ship heading for Minuteman Station."
The man in the chair paused, watching the surface of Anadius ripple. He took a deep draw from his cigar.
"IFF registers it as a civilian cargo freighter, the MSV Iadantor. But there are no destinations near Minuteman where a cargo vessel would be travelling to, and the ship is making a beeline straight for the station."
The man sighed. "Very well. We must have had an information leak somewhere. Prepare the SR-2 for launch. Let's see what it can do. What else?"
The hologram nodded. "An Alliance survey unit just finished their report on Klendagon. I think you will want to see the results."
The report appeared in the air before him, scrolling automatically as he read.
A smile began to spread over his face. "Excellent. Deploy a search team to that sector as soon as possible. This may be the break we have been looking for. And the third matter that needs my attention?"
The hologram took a breath. "The colonies of Cyrene, Freedom's Progress, and Ferris Fields all suddenly ceased all communications this past week. The Alliance hasn't pieced together a pattern yet, but I suspect something is going on."
The man nodded. "Ensure that the reports of the disappearances are buried. If the Alliance gets there before our teams do, evidence will be harder to find. Once Minuteman is secure, you'll lead Lazarus Cell and investigate."
"Understood," the hologram said, and then faded away.
"Everyone, into the shuttles!" shouted Tazzik. "We're almost there." He scratched his horns. One of the Shadow Broker's most trusted salarian agents, Tazzik stood at far above average salarian height, his face rugged and wrinkled from combat experience.
The Iadantor's hidden hanger doors opened, and the mercenaries filed into their assault shuttles. Tazzik smiled. Their current task was quite different from what the Broker normally asked him to do. He would take down these human bigots with a smile on his face. He reached down to retrieve his custom grenade launcher and moved to board his shuttle.
Suddenly, the ship shook, and the shuttle bay's lights flickered. Tazzik growled, tapping into his radio. "Helm! What the h*** is going on?"
His batarian pilot responded in a somewhat panicked tone. "I don't know! A mass accelerator shot just came out of nowhere. Sensors aren't showing any signs of other ships in the area!"
Tazzik cursed. "They must have stealth systems! Launch the shuttles now! Go, go!"
But before any of the shuttles had powered up, a torpedo streaked out of the black, slamming into the shuttle bay and killing the entire strike team in an instant.
Kal'Reegar folded his assault rifle and stowed it on his back. "Alright. We've reached our target. Everyone stay alert. Just because we haven't seen any geth yet doesn't mean they're not here."
The marines spread out to guard the perimeter, and a few members of the science team moved forwards to examine the device.
"Keelah," one of them whispered. "What is that?"
The device was composed of numerous tendrils of purple-grey metal, bent and curved in a sort of helix around one another. Faint blue lights shone from within them. Suspended by them was a mysterious ball of blue and white energy, close to three meters in diameter, which sparkled and gave off a slight hum.
The scientist stepped forwards, touching one of the metal tendrils. The device suddenly sent out a pulse of blue light, making the scientist stagger back. The rest of the team murmured to each other, raising their omni-tools to take measurements.
Tali'Zorah, standing quite far back from the others, felt her stomach begin to turn. "Oh, no," she whispered. "This is not good."
Kalus Enrix, a turian resident of Omega, sighed, leaning against the cool metal wall of the alleyway. The faint orange light that permeated Omega Station was all there was to see by. He sighed again, his mandibles twitching nervously. This job would get him enough money to find him something respectable to do. He had been contacted by a complete stranger, asking for him to act as a representative in a meeting. The pay had been outrageously good for such a job, and he'd jumped at the opportunity. But he was worried there might be a catch.
He saw movement at the entrance to the alley, and straightened himself. A group of four entered the alley.
He squinted, trying to make out what species they were, and quickly realized that he didn't recognize it. They had large, bulbous, triangular heads with four slightly glowing eyes. They wore no clothing, but their entire bodies were covered with odd brown chitinous plating. Two of them carried between them a large crate. The other two cradled in their arms odd devices which looked to be made of the same material as their bodies. He quickly deduced they were weapons of some sort.
Swallowing his fear, he stepped forwards. "Hello there. Have you brought the requested items?"
One of the creatures turned, gesturing with his insect-like arm. The crate was opened. Inside, neatly arranged in rows, was about a dozen of the same weapons the creatures themselves were carrying.
The creature before him leaned in, dropping his own and taking one out. He turned it towards the alley wall and depressed some sort of trigger.
A beam of brilliant yellow shot forth, carving into the solid metal wall with astonishing speed. Enrix's jaw dropped as the beam faded. In less than two seconds, the beam had burned a hole in the alloy nearly a foot deep.
He nodded. "Very well. My employer will provide you what you have requested. Good doing business with you."
The creature nodded, and the four of them departed, leaving the crate of exotic weapons behind. Enrix was tempted to just take the crate and run off, but he suspected that the person who was paying him would have no qualms with tracking him down and killing him to get the technology back.
He sighed and tapped into his omni-tool, racking his head to remember the code phrases he had been given.
"…Watchers do not simply chase, they are," he finished, and he was linked in. "I obtained the shipment for you. You had better have been honest with me about my payment."
The modulated voice replied. "Well done, Enrix. However, I am afraid you will not be receiving your payment today. This is far too sensitive a matter for knowledge of it to be publicly available on the streets of Omega. Thank you for your service."
The call cut off. Before Enrix had time to wonder what that meant, a sniper's bullet whistled out from the darkness, shattering his skull and silencing him forever.
The Normandy entered the Refuge system with a flash, stealth systems active, and rapidly accelerated towards Ilos. Unbeknownst to its crew, two ships followed.
:/PARAMETER:/Achieve contact with organics through LCDR_SHEPARD.
:/DATA:/Patterns obtained through monitoring of non-secure Council channels
:/DATA:/Minimally Invasive Hacking into secure SPECIAL_TACTICS_RECONAISSANCE databases
:/EXTRAPOLATION:/Current location of LCDR_SHEPARD is at PANGEA-EXPANSE_REFUGE_ILOS
The cycle has repeated itself more times than you can imagine.
But we are eternal.
This cycle has deviated. This deviation must be corrected, or the darkness will continue to spread.
Shepard is the cause of the deviation. Find me Shepard. Shepard must be eliminated.
Ilos. Shepard will be at Ilos. There is no other possible conclusion.
Assuming direct control.


text:
Ion-Jones and the Lost Castle of Chemistry
Presented by:
PPG Industries Foundation
with support from:
The Community Foundation of Louisville and DDW "The Color House"
An exciting traveling program that introduces kids to the world of chemistry!
This dynamic, turn-key program introduces students to the world of chemistry! Not only does Ion Jones meet critical state standards in chemical and physical properties, but can be delivered to up to 500 students in one day for less than $2 per student! Join our explorer chemist, Ion Jones, on a world-wide adventure to recover crucial elements to find the lost castle of chemistry.
Ion Jones & the Lost Castle of Chemistry includes a science assembly program, hands-on activities and pre and post program materials. Focused on chemical properties, the program introduces students to elements, polymers, states of matter, and to real PPG scientists to observe chemistry in action! This interactive, multimedia chemical adventure is sure to leave you blown away!
Curriculum Connections:
- Grades K-3: Properties of matter, Collision force, Illumination, Chemical Reactions
- Grades 4-5: Properties of matter, Energy and Matter, Science affects everyday life
- Grades 6-8: Structure and Properties of matter, Chemical Reactions, Science and society
|Click to view our Ion Jones video!
|Click to view our Ion Jones photo album!
FULL DAY EXPERIENCE – $750, 500 students maximum
ASSEMBLY ONLY – $350, 350 students maximum
WALK UPS ONLY – $425, 250 students maximum
Note: All sites will be charged mileage of $0.56 per mile and additional charges may be incurred.
For more information and pricing
view our printable Ion Jones Information Sheet.
To reserve your date, call (502) 560-7126, send an email or CLICK HERE.