Bringing New Levels of Automation and Flexibility to Well Testing Operations — Case Study

The oil industry has been perpetually examining well testing methods, with the goal of improving overall efficiency, ensuring data quality, and streamlining processes to achieve program objectives. Over the years, the aim of drillstem testing (DST) has remained mostly unchanged. However, operators want to meet the forecasted production investments of their fields, while improving operational efficiency and maintaining the highest level of operational standards, with safety and the environment being paramount. One of the solutions was developing a live, downhole, reservoir testing platform. The breakthrough consisted in introducing automation and real time monitoring to adjust the test program according to the actual reservoir response rather than blindly following a predefined test program, necessitating better operational flexibility. This platform is united by a wireless telemetry technology allowing an acoustic communication with downhole tools in real time. The automation of the data acquisition, downhole tools actuation and real time monitoring of the downhole operations, gives the operators the ability to perform well tests with reduced uncertainties, less human intervention and improved data quality. The early availability of reservoir knowledge enables operational efficiencies by meeting the test objectives earlier, thus reducing significantly the overall test period and the associated well testing costs. This paper describes the common well test objectives and challenges, the overall design of the wireless telemetry system, and automation of the job preparation and execution of the downhole operations that led to the successful completion of the well test campaign in very hostile condition, remote areas and restricted period. The use of the telemetry system in several well testing campaigns in different regions of the world, allowed to control critical downhole equipment and to acquire reservoir data transmittable to the clients office in town in real time. Various operation examples will be discussed to demonstrate how the automated data acquisition and downhole operations control has been used to optimize operations.

Study of the mechanical impact of agricultural machinery on the soil

The performance of spring field work in the best agrotechnical terms and with high quality is provided by well-trained equipment. The recommendations provide for four stages of work related to the adjustment of machines and quality control of technological operations: control of working bodies and components of machines after repairs or new ones are delivered; technological adjustments of machines; verification of technological adjustments in the field; quality control of technological operations in the field. As a criterion for the efficiency of the use of energy resources in agriculture, some foreign sources recommend the output of agricultural products per unit of energy used. The article describes the regression equations that can be used to characterize the process of grinding sedge hummocks on the root with a milling cutter. Statistically significant factors affecting the degree of grinding of the hummock are the speed of rotation of the working body, the distance between the tiers of knives, the speed of movement, the angle of taper of the rotor and the angle between the knives on adjacent tiers. Thus, layer-by-layer milling most fully meets the requirements of pre-sowing tillage on land in the oatmeal zone.

Bio-Inspired Computing-A Dive into Critical Problems, Potential Architecture and Techniques

The integration and development of electronics in the recent years have impacted a major development on the world and humans, one among that is nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has achieved a greater progress in biomedical engineering in diagnosis and treatment, leading to the introduction of nanomaterials for drug delivery, prostheses and implanting. This work describes the Bio-Nano-tools that are developed based on iron oxide properties, automated tools used in the tumor detection, satin bowerbird optimization (SBO) technique employed in diagnosis of skin cancer. This work also highlights the post introduction development of nanomaterials like combination of nanotechnology with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact, advancement of nanomaterials based on their operations, shapes and characteristics that leading to the growth of nanostructures with operations control properties. The paper also highlights the improvement of silicon neuromorphic photonic processors and parallel simulators in the development of bio inspired computing. We are hopeful that this review article provides future directions in Bio-Inspired Computing. HIGHLIGHTS In processing of medical images, noise plays a challenging role. So, reduction of noise is important, with the data that is analyzed in our review, it is shown that noise reduction can be achieved using Gradient and Feature Adaptive Contour (GFAC) model, with effective results There are many algorithms that are used for skin cancer detection, as highlighted in our review. Amongst all the methods, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm shows impressive results when compared to other models in terms of feature extraction in dermoscopy images Satin bowerbird optimization (SBO) algorithm helps in improving the CNN efficiency. The optimal justification of the hyper parameter numbers in convolutional neural network (CNN) for skin cancer diagnosis can be achieved using an SBO algorithm

Design of monitor system and tube fluid’s rate controller based on pressure sensor mpx5100dp and control valve

Control system is a major component in the industrial operations control process. In some industries that make use of chemicals, an error variables or parameters settings can cause some damage. For the environment or the industry itself. So, utilization and development in this field is an awful lot to do. This control system is designed to measure and control the flow rate of the fluid in the pipes. This tool is composed by using a pressure sensor MPX5100dp as the primary sensor and also the servo motor that became the controlling actuator faucets. The results showed that this system can control the fluid's flow rate according to what expected. For monitoring, the system can can determine the rate changes that occur in the pipe. This tool can measure the pressure of 100kPa and rotate the actuator up to faucets with a range of more or less 5 degree.

A Heuristic Approach for GPS-Based Routing

Vehicle routing (such as for package delivery) presents challenges for operations planning and operations control. Planning ensures that vehicles are assigned to “good” routes, and control enables routes to be changed in real time in response to changes in destination requirements. Both planning and control can be accomplished using web-based, intelligent geographic information system tools to rapidly generate a heuristic solution using an embedded algorithm, rather than the established approach of using explicit customized optimization models. The authors contrast the established approach of using customized integer optimization models to a heuristic that integrates human judgment with Google Maps travel time data to solve vehicle routing problems. This paper discusses the data requirements, simplifying assumptions, and practical performance of both approaches. The advantage of the heuristic approach is that genuine, useful access to much of the power of highly sophisticated OR network models can be provided to large numbers of analytically unsophisticated managers, along with enhanced operational control.

EP.WE.48Emergency appendicectomy during COVID-19 pandemic – A single UK centre experience

Background In December 2019 following an outbreak of Novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, it spread rapidly overwhelming the healthcare systems globally. With little knowledge of COVID-19 virus, very few published reports on surgical outcomes; hospitals stopped elective surgery, whilst emergency surgery was offered only after exhausting all conservative treatment modalities. This study presents our experience of outcomes of emergency appendectomies performed during the pandemic. Methods Prospectively we collected data on 132 patients in peak pandemic period from 1st March to 5th June 2020 and data compared with 206 patients operated in similar period in2019. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, pre-operative events, investigations, surgical management, postoperative outcomes and complications were analysed. Results Demographics and ASA grades of both cohorts were comparable. In study cohort 84.4% and 96.7% in control cohort had laparoscopic appendicectomy. Whilst the study cohort had 13.6% primary open operations, control cohort had 5.3%. Mean length of stay and early post-operative complications (<30 days) were similar in both cohorts apart from surgical site infections (p = 0.02) and one mortality in study cohort. Conclusion In these overwhelming pandemic times, although conservative treatment of acute appendicitis is an option, a proportion of patients will need surgery. Our study shows that with careful planning and strict theatre protocols, emergency appendicectomy can be safely offered with minimal risk of spreading COVID-19 infection. These observations warrant further prospective randomised studies.

Design of a Digital 3D Model of Transport–Technological Environment of Open-Pit Mines Based on the Common Use of Telemetric and Geospatial Information

This article is devoted to the issues of processing and analysis of heterogeneous information related to the functioning of mining transport equipment, which becomes available for analysis within the framework of modern technological operations control systems in open-pit mines. These issues are very relevant to robotized technological operations. The paper gives a brief overview of the modern landscape of the autonomous haulage systems management problems, the features of the platform approach to solving the problem of managing unmanned transport and technological processes in open pits are considered. The concept of an agent-based approach to the modeling of an open-pit mining is described in detail on the basis of the interaction of three systems: technical, infrastructural–technological, and geostructural. Some features of the developed platform architecture integration of heterogeneous information are discussed. The principles of information integration are considered in detail when constructing a dynamic 3D model (digital twin) of infrastructure and technological system elements using large arrays of telemetric data. The results of building digital models of open-pit technological roads are presented. The resulting models are comparatively analyzed in the process of optimizing of the interaction of technical autonomous mobile agents and elements of technological infrastructure.

Trends and prospects for the development and implementation of artificial intelligence in the military sphere in South Africa

The subject of this research is the trends and prospects for the development and implementation of artificial intelligence in the military sphere of one of the BRICS member-states – South Africa in the context of national acts (for example, the Law of 2008 “On the Right of Intellectual Property for State-Funded Research and Development”), the potential and needs of this country, as well as achievements in design and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles by the competitor companies (Seeker 400, MA 380, etc.). The relevance of this topic is substantiated by timely consideration of the legal perspective of the approaches of South Africa towards the implementation of artificial intelligence. The scientific novelty of this article is defined by the focus of research and the acquired results. It is determined that South Africa takes the path of institutional, legal and practical consolidation of the development of artificial intelligence in form of creation of designated infrastructure (on the premises of the universities, for example, Intelligent Systems Group at the University of Pretoria), as startups, scientific network structures (Center for Artificial Intelligence Research), etc. It is demonstrated that South Africa is the manufacturer and seller of the line of unmanned aerial vehicles that are controlled by the artificial intelligence and capable of performing various civil or military tasks –  from moving cargo (including laser-guided bombs) to monitoring the territory (search and rescue or reconnaissance operations, damage assessment from natural disasters or combat operations, control conduct of fire at enemy positions, etc.).

Guyana Operations and First Oil

The Liza Phase 1 development project features the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, moored 190 km offshore Guyana in 1,743 m (5,719 ft) of water, and four subsea drill centers supporting 17 wells. Not only was this a Greenfield development that required an integrated team to prepare for Operations; it was also located in a New Frontier that required development of logistics and marine infrastructure to support multi drillship and FPSO operations in challenging metocean and tidal conditions. In addition, early operations and production testing was further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and safety protocols put in place to keep the workforce safe. Three aspects of achieving First Oil are discussed, highlighting challenges and lessons learned: Managing subsea completions, well cleanup, and flow assurance while drilling was ongoing Enabling accurate data collection from Multi-Phase Flow Meters (MPFMs) and downhole pressure gauges, which was critical to developing foundational understanding of well performance for reservoir characterization and management Establishing an integrated asset team and workflows to ensure life cycle value capture by managing complex marine operations, commissioning, and surveillance while meeting stringent COVID-19 protocols Lessons learned from Destiny Operations will be incorporated into future projects, including a robust digital strategy centered on a fiber ring to shore, which will enable high-speed communications for future FPSOs, and an onshore integrated operations control center for improvement of long-term operations. Early understanding of reservoir connectivity and performance from data collection will continue to inform the reservoir management strategy so as to maximize asset value for the country of Guyana.

Risks of Adopting Automated AIS Applications on the Quality of Internal Auditing

The current study aimed at examining the impact of AIS risks (IT Infrastructure ,Data Entry and Outcome, Internal Operations, Control procedures and tools and Data Security) on quality on internal auditing as a comparison study between Jordan and England. Study adopted quantitative approach and d istributed a questionnaire on (133) internal auditors in Jordan and (331) internal auditors in England. Through SPSS results of study indicated that all adopted risks were found within both samples responded to questionnaire. Both sample also indicated that "internal operations" and "data security" are the most influential risks that may jeopardize quality of internal auditing. Results also indicated differences between impacts of such risks on quality of internal auditing; such risks were attributed to the large population of England compared to Jordan and the intensity of internal auditing in England as higher than Jordan due to the intensity of operations within the country. However, "IT infrastructure" and "data security" appeared to be higher in England compared to Jordan which helped in easing the negative impacts of AIS risks on quality of internal auditing. Study recommended applying restrictions on users to limit the possibility of changing and manipulating data whether by parties inside or outside the organization, in addition to presenting extra efforts in choosing internal auditors in terms of qualifications, experiences and abilities.