bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peristaltic Mixing Pump Based on Bowel Peristalsis Using Pneumatic Artificial Rubber Muscles and Prospects for Practical Applications
Authors: Nakamura Taro ,   Chuo University  1-13-27 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan
Published: April 2022

This letter proposes a peristaltic mixing pump based on bowel peristaltic motion driven by soft pneumatic actuators. Furthermore, various practical applications using the peristaltic mixing pump are introduced, such as mixing and conveying processes for solid rocket fuel production and lifting conveyance of excavated soil and sand during the construction process. First, the bowel peristaltic motion mechanism is introduced from the anatomical perspective. Next, the construction of the peristaltic mixing pump and its actuation mechanism are presented. Finally, the application and prospects of peristaltic mixing pumps are described.
Development of Living “Bio-Robots” for Autonomous Actuations
Authors: Furusawa Kazuya , Teramae Ryo , Ohashi Hirono , Shimizu Masahiro ,   Department of Applied Chemistry and Food Science, Fukui University of Technology 3-6-1 Gakuen, Fukui, Fukui 910-8505, Japan,   Department of System Innovation, Osaka University 1-2 Machikaneyama-cho, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
Published: April 2022

The implementation of autonomous functions, such as autonomous actuation, self-healing, and learning functions, has been a potent strategy to realize adaptation abilities against changes in environments and sudden incidents. Organic materials, such as living cells and tissues, can be used as robot parts for the implementation of autonomous functions because they can modify biological functions and remodel tissue morphologies in response to the environment. A brain organoid is a cell aggregate formed by recapitulating the development processes of the fetal brain in vitro. Because the brain organoid reproduces complex 3D structures and various cells, it can be used as a living regulator of robots for implementing complex autonomous functions. In contrast, engineered muscle tissues constructed by culturing myoblasts with biomaterials can also be used as a living actuator for robots. Therefore, to implement autonomous functions for robots, we have proposed methods for connecting the brain organoid with engineered muscle tissue and for co-culturing complex in a culture vessel.
Analysis of Soft Contact in Force Sensing and Elastic Jumping
Authors: Matsuno Takahiro ,   Department of Robotics, Ritsumeikan University
1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, Hirai Shinichi
Published: April 2022

This study focuses on the mechanical contact between a soft body and the environment, referred to as soft contact. First, the soft contact between an object and a soft capacitive sensor was analyzed. We derived the stress-strain relationship of the dielectric in a soft capacitive sensor, where the sensor output depended on the force; however, it was independent of the contact area. Second, the soft contact between an elastic jumping robot and the environment was analyzed. We derived the local optimal shapes for higher jumping.
Development of a Soft Robot with Pressure Ulcer Prevention Functions
Authors: Miyagawa Shoko , Yuasa Ryohei , Nabae Hiroyuki , Furukawa Hidemitsu , Kawakami Masaru ,   Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University  4411 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 252-0883, Japan,   Digital Manufacturing and Design Research Center for Emergent Circularity, Keio University  5322 Endo, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan,   Tokyo Institute of Technology  2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan,   Yamagata University  4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa City, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Published: April 2022

This letter describes the social needs and research trends of soft robots for pressure ulcer prevention, and our current work on the robotization of soft gel cushions.
Soft Microswimmer Powered by Fluid Oscillation
Authors: Ishikawa Takuji , Morita Takeru , Omori Toshihiro ,   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University 6-6-01 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan,   Department of Finemechanics, Tohoku University  6-6-01 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan,   Shimadzu Corp.  1 Nishinokyo Kuwabara-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8511, Japan
Published: April 2022

In this letter, we review the results of our recent studies on a soft microswimmer powered by fluid oscillations. The microswimmer consists of an elastic membrane with a prolate spheroidal reference shape containing a rigid sphere. The swimming direction can be controlled by appropriately applying fluid oscillations. The obtained knowledge will be useful for future artificial microswimmer designs.
Motion Hacking – Understanding by Controlling Animals –
Authors: Owaki Dai , Dürr Volker ,   Department of Robotics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University 6-6-01 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan,   Department of Biological Cybernetics, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University  25 Universitätsstr, Bielefeld D-33615, Germany
Published: April 2022

Insects exhibit resilient and flexible capabilities allowing them to adapt their walk in response to changes of the environment or body properties, for example the loss of a leg. While the motor control paradigm governing inter-leg coordination has been extensively studied in the past for such adaptive walking, the neural mechanism remains unknown. To overcome this situation, the project “Motion Hacking” develops a method for hacking leg movements by electrostimulating leg muscles while retaining the natural sensorimotor functions of the insect. This research aims to elucidate the flexible inter-leg coordination mechanism underlying insect walking by observing the adapting process of inter-leg coordination with the insect nervous system when leg movements are externally controlled via motion hacking.
Flexible Light-Induced Self-Written Optical Waveguide Using Gel Material
Authors: Futawatari Ryo ,   Utsunomiya University 7-1-2 Yoto, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8585, Japan, Terasawa Hidetaka , Sugihara Okihiro
Published: April 2022

For in-vehicle optical communication systems, an air gap exists between two plastic optical fibers (POFs) to avoid damage to the POF end due to vibrations. There exists the disadvantage that a loss occurs in air gaps. To solve the issue of high-loss optical coupling, in this study, we designed a light-induced self-written (LISW) optical waveguide between POFs using gel material. It was demonstrated that the two optical fibers were automatically interconnected through the LISW optical waveguide, and the connection maintained the adhesiveness against mechanical displacement.
Low-Voltage Activation Based on Electrohydrodynamics in Positioning Systems for Untethered Robots
Authors: Abe Keita , Seki Yumeta , Kuwajima Yu , Minaminosono Ayato , Maeda Shingo , Shigemune Hiroki ,   Active Functional Devices Laboratory, Shibaura Institute of Technology 3-7-5 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8548, Japan,   Smart Materials Laboratory, Shibaura Institute of Technology 3-7-5 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8548, Japan
Published: April 2022

In recent years, untethered soft robots, free of the lines that restrict their mobility, have been studied extensively. Our research team has been focusing on the electrohydrodynamic phenomena (EHD) as a driving mechanism for untethered robots. EHD is a phenomenon in which a flow is generated by applying a high voltage to a dielectric liquid. We propose a method to drive a robot in an untethered manner using EHD by vertically stacking two types of liquids: conductive and dielectric. This method is simpler, more energy-efficient, and quieter than conventional systems. Although a lower voltage would prevent the enlargement of the system by limiting the electronic components, the generation of EHD requires a high voltage. Therefore, in this study, to realize the low voltage drive of untethered robots dominated by the electrostatic actuator, we tackled the reduction of the driving voltage by investigating the phenomenon. As a result, we achieved low voltage driving at 15 V and successfully drove with off-the-shelf batteries (18 V). We also investigated the output current flowing through the system to reduce power consumption. Therefore, in addition to improving the energy efficiency of the system, we confirmed that the difference of the generated current depended on the thickness of the dielectric liquid and the concentration of the conductive liquid.
Hermetically-Sealed Flexible Mobile Robot “MOLOOP” for Narrow Terrain Exploration
Authors: Kimura Hitoshi , Kataoka Mokutaro , Inou Norio ,   Tamagawa University 6-1-1 Tamagawagakuen, Machida city, Tokyo 194-8610, Japan,   Tokyo Institute of Technology 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
Published: April 2022

Conventional mobile robots typically use a wheel or crawler mechanism for locomotion. However, these robots often get stuck in narrow spaces. To mitigate this issue, we propose an innovative flexible mobile robot named “MOLOOP” in this study. The proposed robot has double-looped and hermetically-sealed structure and all ground-contact-area moves to the same direction. Three synchronized flexible crawlers generate the driving force within the robot body. The crawler, named “HS crawler,” comprises of loop-connected flexible bags. The entire body of the robot is flexible; therefore, the robot can pass through narrow terrains with adaptive shape changes. However, in terms of power and size, performance improvement is necessary for the practical use of the robot. This paper describes the improvement of HS crawler performance, which directly affects the driving force, traveling speed, and size of the robot. For the purpose of high input pressure, this study reinforced the flexible bags of the crawler using fibrous materials. This reinforcement realizes the power-up and downsizing of the flexible bags. The new crawler achieves a performance of 3.43 Nm torque and 39.0 mm/s traveling speed, compared to a torque of 0.23 Nm and traveling speed of 3.0 mm/s of the previous crawler. Additionally, the width of the new MOLOOP changed to 270 mm from 420 mm because of the downsized crawler. Furthermore, a dedicated mechanical valve was developed. This valve achieves a flow rate of 2.39 L/min as compared to 0.92 L/min of a commercially available solenoid valve. Moreover, the traveling speed of MOLOOP increased from 3.0 mm/s to 9.0 mm/s. The prototype robot successfully passed through a narrow terrain with a minimum width of 200 mm (robot width: 270 mm).
Development of Endoskeleton Type Knee Joint Assist Orthosis Using McKibben Type Artificial Muscle
Authors: Uchiyama Kiichi , Ito Takumi , Tomori Hiroki ,   Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University 4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan,   Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yamagata University 4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Published: April 2022

The Japanese agriculture industry, faced with the problem of declining and aging farmers, has keenly called for the development of body assist orthoses for aiding agricultural workers. Therefore, in this study, we propose an endoskeleton-type knee joint assist orthosis for assisting knee joints in half-sitting postures or crouching postures. The proposed endoskeleton-type knee joint assist orthosis uses two McKibben-type artificial muscles per leg and four in total, placed from the waist to the foot along the forward part of the leg to generate assisting power. With the proposed orthosis in use, the contraction forces generated by the McKibben-type artificial muscles are converted into torque via the knees to assist the knee joints. This paper first presents the appearance of the prototyped endoskeleton-type knee joint assist orthosis, and then describes its components and the McKibben-type artificial muscles. To verify its actual effects on muscles, we conducted fitting experiments using a surface myoelectric electrometer to determine its assisting effects; these effects were found on certain experimental subjects, but there were no tangible effects on others. The experimental results suggest that the prototyped endoskeleton-type knee joint assist orthosis requires further improvement.
Proposal of Manufacturing Method for New Passive Elastic Joint and Prototype of Human Phantom
Authors: Ikeda Masahiro ,   Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan, Niiyama Ryuma , Kuniyoshi Yasuo
Published: April 2022

Fabricating a soft robot using conventional molding methods is difficult and time-consuming. Moreover, the types of materials used in the process are limited, and the elasticity cannot be changed incrementally. In this paper, we explain the detailed process of manufacturing molds for silicone joints. We construct a prototype molded silicone joint. We measure the elastic modulus of this joint and confirm that the elastic modulus and anisotropy change depending on the density, size, and arrangement of the surface grooves in the mold. We also develop a prototype human phantom using the proposed joint. We aim to contribute to the medical field by applying new techniques made possible by soft robotics.
Echo State Network for Soft Actuator Control
Authors: Caremel Cedric ,   Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems,
Graduate School of Engineering,
The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan, Ishige Matthew , Ta Tung D. , Kawahara Yoshihiro
Published: April 2022

Conventional model theories are not suitable to control soft-bodied robots as deformable materials present rapidly changing behaviors. Neuromorphic electronics are now entering the field of robotics, demonstrating that a highly integrated device can mimic the fundamental properties of a sensory synaptic system, including learning and proprioception. This research work focuses on the physical implementation of a reservoir computing-based network to actuate a soft-bodied robot. More specifically, modeling the hysteresis of a shape memory alloy (SMA) using echo state networks (ESN) in real-world situations represents a novel approach to enable soft machines with task-learning. In this work, we show that not only does our ESN model enable our SMA-based robot with locomotion, but it also discovers a successful strategy to do so. Compared to standard control modeling, established either by theoretical frameworks or from experimental data, here, we gained knowledge a posteriori, guided by the physical interactions between the trained model and the controlled actuator, interactions from which striking patterns emerged, and informed us about what type of locomotion would work best for our robot.
Micro Flow Control Valve with Stable Condition Using Particle-Excitation
Authors: Hirooka Daisuke ,   Deportment of Mechanical Engineering, Kansai University  3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-8680, Japan, Furushiro Naomichi , Yamaguchi Tomomi
Published: April 2022

This paper proposes a drive principle that aims to improve the control characteristics of a particle-excitation flow control valve capable of continuous air flow control. Aiming at application to a small servo valve, the authors have developed a particle-excitation flow control valve that controls flow rate by separating particles, which act as a valve element, from an orifice that is opened by the oscillation of a piezoelectric element. This paper proposes a method of more finely adjusting the motion of the particles. This method makes it possible to adjust to what degree each orifice opens, thereby refining the control of the flow rate and improving the responsiveness of the valve. Here, the authors produce a prototype, evaluate its characteristics, and confirm its effectiveness.
Vacuum End Effector Equipped with an Expansion and Contraction Mechanism Using a Wound Thin Metal Plate
Authors: Tanaka Junya ,   Corporate Research & Development Center, Toshiba Corporation 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 212-8582, Japan
Published: April 2022

We propose a vacuum end effector with an expansion and contraction mechanism to realize a picking task for objects placed in a narrow space, such as a shelf. The proposed expansion and contraction mechanism consists of a tube and exoskeleton structure and is characterized by the use of a thin metal plate wound about itself to form a tubular exoskeleton. Expansion and contraction motions were realized by connecting the tube to a linear motion mechanism. The expansion and contraction mechanism can be easily extended by elastic force. In addition, the shape of the expansion and contraction mechanism is created by winding a thin metal plate around a predetermined axis, which ensures high rigidity even in the extended state. Even when an object to be picked from a shelf is located behind other objects, the end effector can efficiently hold the object because of its elongated shape and ability to freely change the position of the suction pad using a direction-changing linkage and the expansion and contraction mechanism. The developed end effector weighs about 1.46 kg and can carry a load of 0.56 kg when extended to 150 mm. Verification of the mechanism confirmed that the developed end effector is useful because it can perform the expected object-picking operation.
DESDE LA GEOLOGÍA DE ESPAÑA HACIA EL ESPACIO
Authors: Alberquilla Fernando , Martínez Frías Jesús
Published: April 2022

Nos encontramos en un momento crucial en el que la humanidad se está abriendo al espacio y el espacio está siendo ya un nuevo contexto para su futura migración hacia el cosmos. Un proceso que ocurrirá paso a paso, pero que ya se ha iniciado. La Luna y Marte son los dos principales objetivos en este sentido, con posibilidades tangibles de trabajo e investigación in-situ y de habitabilidad real.
Geología y Arquitectura Planetaria: análisis bibliográfico y situación actual
Authors: Eid-Macheh-Sánchez Yasmina , García-Valverde Juanjo , Martinez-Frías Jesús , Blanca-Giménez Vicente
Published: April 2022

La humanidad se está abriendo al espacio en toda su complejidad socio-cultural e interdisciplinar. La arquitectura lunar y planetaria ejemplifica muy bien este proceso, que conlleva la implicación e interacción de áreas científicas como la geología. A través de la geología planetaria se conocen los materiales de nuestro satélite y de Marte, los dos próximos objetivos en nuestra salida al espacio. Dichos materiales constituyen recursos “in-situ” que pueden ser aprovechados y utilizados en las futuras misiones para la construcción y establecimiento de bases semipermanentes y permanentes. En este artículo se lleva a cabo el análisis bibliográfico y la descripción de la situación actual del tema, incidiendo en este binomio arquitectura-geología.
PRODUCTIVITY AND FRESH SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF SIMMENTAL BULL DIFFERENT AGES
Authors: Satrio Faisal Amri , Karja Ni Wayan Kurniani , Setiadi Mohamad Agus , Kaiin Ekayanti Mulyawati , Kurnia Asep , Purwantara Bambang
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to determine the effect of age on bulls’ productivity and fresh semen characteristics of Simmental bull in Indonesia. A total of 1071 data of semen collection and production from four age groups (two years old (yo), four yo, ≥ 10 yo with high semen rejection (≥10 HR), and ≥ 10 yo with low semen rejection (≥10 LR) were used in this study to evaluate the productivity and characteristics of fresh semen. The results showed that the pre-freezing and post-freezing semen rejection rate of ≥10 HR group was higher (P0.05) than the other groups. The four yo group had the percentage of second semen ejaculation each collection was higher (P0.05) than the other groups. Furthermore, semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm concentration significantly increased (P0.05) until four yo and then decreased (P0.05) in ≥ 10 yo groups. The ≥10 HR group had the volume and total sperm concentration significantly different (P0.05) with a group of ≥10 LR. Total sperm motility, individual motility, and mass movement were lower (P0.05) in ≥10 HR than the other groups. In conclusion, age differences of bulls can affect the productivity and characteristics of fresh semen.
A CLOSE POSITIVE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OBESITY AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN RATS
Authors: Yusni Yusni , Yusuf Hanifah
Published: April 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze how the effect of each increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) on the increase in blood pressure (BP). The research design was a laboratory experiment with 52 non-obese and obese rats as subjects (non-obese, n=14 and obese, n=38). Rats were induced obesity using a high-fat diet for four weeks. BMI used is based on the Lee Index with obesity indicators if 300 g/cm. Data analysis using independent sample t-test, simple linear regression test, and Pearson correlation test; (p0.05). The results: BP in non-obese rats was lower than obese rats (89.00±7.38 vs 190.11±4.42; p=0.001*), BMI was positively associated with BP (p=0.001*); an increase in BMI will increase BP (p=0.001*), there is a strong correlation between BMI and BP (r=0.977; p=0.001*). The regression equation (Y = 707.42 + 2.75 X) indicates that every 1 g/cm increase in BMI will be followed by an increase in BP of 2.75 mmHg. The analysis of R-square = 0.942 shows that the accuracy of the linear equation model is 94.2%. In conclusion, BMI has a strong positive correlation with BP, an increase in BMI will increase BP; obesity induces high blood pressure in rats.
Blockchain Database Applications in UIC at Kern County
Authors: Yu John P. , Arredondo Pedro , Cotton Jason
Published: April 2022

Kern County has a population of 900,000 and has been ranked as one of the nation's most productive in both agriculture and petroleum generation. The petroleum industry often requires the injection of water, gas, or other fluids to enhance oil recovery. The possibility of underground water contamination can be of concern in this region where petroleum operations occur alongside drinking water extraction processes. Kern County's petroleum production plays a vital economic role on both a local and national level. Similarly, underground aquifers contain uncontaminated water that is a significant source of municipal drinking water and supply to large-scale agriculture operations. Due to this adjacency, both industry and regulatory agencies closely scrutinize operations to ensure human and environmental health.

The blockchain is a developing peer-to-peer network technology for securely distributing and storing data. A blockchain network consists of several peers, each capable of creating blocks and validating blocks, each with an identical copy of the current blockchain. These blocks consist of transactions, or any type of data record, that have been submitted to the network for validation. Once enough transactions have been submitted, they are bundled into a block which is hashed with the hash of the previous block to create a unique identifier. The regulatory agencies will not be able to make changes except review and approve the project. The block and identifier are then transmitted to every other peer on the network. If the identifier is found to be valid, meaning that the data stored in the sending peer's blockchain has not been altered, the block is added to the receiving peer's local copy. This allows the blockchain to act as immutable ledger, making it an excellent choice for distributing data while maintaining its integrity. Therefore, we can use this secure blockchain network for the underground injection control (UIC) process. We have successfully built a prototype blockchain database and implement an underground injection control (UIC) project in the database. The East Shallow Oil Zone (ESOZ) Fault Block 7A is used for the field case study. All requested documents in the project #22800007 input as the Well Summary GUI and the Regulatory GUI pages for the project review and approval.
State of Art Toolless Production Log for Unconventional Wells Based on Stage Level Pressure Transient Analysis
Authors: Ibrahim Mazher Hassan , Sinkey Matt , Johnston Thomas
Published: April 2022

Hydraulic fracturing has proven to be the only method for making unconventional wells economically productive. Understanding fracture growth is the main industry goal to help in planning well spacing and optimization of fracing operation costs. Traditional production logs used to check the production status at limited snapshot in time by measuring the contribution of each stage. This delays the optimization of fracturing design and production evaluation. Conventional production logging technology uses coiled tubing, fiber or tractor conveyed testing tools to measure key parameters like rate, pressure, temperature, and liquid/gas holdup along the horizontal lateral. From these measurements, the contribution of different lateral parts calculated. It is a mature technology for conventional wells and has been used in unconventional wells in recent years (Lopez, 2014; Nnebocha, 2013; Mccluskey, 2012). However, the cost and interpretation issues in these logs rarely make them economic diagnostics. This paper introduces an innovative production logging technology to gain better understanding of post-frac production performance and help to enhance the development of shale gas wells.

A new method uses real-time integration of rock mechanics during pumping stage and fluid flow in porous media during leakoff to characterize frac stage contribution. This method used to calculate each stage fracture surface area, fracture face skin, stage permeability, and detect stage interference. The stage-level solution used to predict stage-level production performance once well flowback.

Post-stage leakoff analysis used to calculate fracture efficiency of each stage and provide method of improving in real-time. The results from these analyses used in conjunction with full well rate transient analysis (RTA) and build-up analysis (PTA) to create reservoir simulation models with real fracture lengths for each stage. This new method will help in well spacing optimization by informing fracing operations of fracture interference with offset wells, both parent and child in real-time. The result can be validated with production logs, fiber optics, and tracer analysis.

Use of real-time toolless production log does not require running of any surveillance tool in well beside surface pressure gauge, therefore the cost is minimal compared to current industry methods. Also, the new method will lead to saving millions of dollars to operator if it uses in real time frac job to guide the next frac optimization.
Ineffectiveness of Acid Fracturing for Stimulating a Tight Fractured Reservoir Rock, A Case Study
Authors: Al-Enezi Huda Rajab , Ershaghi Iraj
Published: April 2022

Stimulating source rocks using hydraulic fracturing in unconventional source rocks is a common process. But such practice has not been followed when dealing with tight reservoir rocks. Tight carbonate reservoir rocks have in general been subjected to multistage acid fracturing. This paper describes the analysis of actual performance data to acid fracturing in a tight carbonate formation and the ineffectiveness of the process as measured by the performance responses of the producing wells. The case study relates to a tight formation that is considered a reservoir rather than a source rock. The formation permeability is in the range of 0.1-5 millidarcies. Development has been through numerous horizontal wells with limited multistage acid stimulation. Analysis of performance data for more than 30 wells Indicates no fracture flow and very limited stimulated production.

Different diagnostic methods were used to determine the nature of the flow regime and to examine the true benefit of multistage acid fracturing. Most of the wells studied show primarily a radial flow condition after limited acid fracturing. The main observation is that the process of acid fracturing at best has resulted in local near wellbore stimulation on all these wells, and there are no significant indications of fracture-dominated flow. Many of the wells also show early signs of the boundary effect that explains the ineffectiveness of the recovery process.
Effective Neural Networks Models for Inferred Production Prediction in ESP Equipped Wells
Authors: Popa Andrei , Umbriaco Jacob , Tirtawidjaja Alexia
Published: April 2022

Well production measurement is critical for successful reservoir management and effective decision making to optimize day-to-day field production. The production measurement or well gauging is achieved through physical measurement using Automatic Well Testing (AWT) sites or manually using portable measuring units. When the AWT's are not operational, or in the case when measurements are lacking due to different reasons, well production data points become sparce and can lead to missed production opportunities, poor production allocation and even impact the reserves reporting.

The article introduces an Artificial Intelligence approach that uses a neural network to successfully predict the daily well production rates for Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) operated wells in the absence of physical measurements. The methodology was applied in a brown field operated under waterflooding recovery mechanism. The predicted well production rates and intelligent guardrail controls were implemented in an established production monitor tool. The tool allows operation by exception through the use of a dashboard to alarm when well problems occur.

This work demonstrated how digital technologies can either augment, or to some extent, replace the physical measurements from external devices or processes contributing to improved monitoring, better decision making, and cost reduction. The general example presented shows the value of the technology by generating critical information that helps quickly identify abnormal behaviors such as lost production and prompts timely corrective actions which ultimately lead to field optimization.
Optimizing Unconventional Hydraulic Fracturing Design Using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligent
Authors: Alhemdi Aymen , Gu Ming
Published: April 2022

For optimizing the hydraulic fracture design in shales, it is challenging to understand the impact of several different parameters on fracture propagation and production, such as geomechanical properties and fracturing treatment parameters. Current frac simulators do not exhibit consideration of the anisotropy of rock elasticity in the shales. Additionally, using the fracture simulation linked with reservoir simulation for the parametric study is low efficient.

Due to its lamination nature, shale has different geomechanical properties along with the directions vertically and horizontally. Anisotropic elastic properties and stresses lead to more complications for predicting the fracture. This study introduces a comprehensive workflow for fracturing design optimization by applying supervised machine learning. The research also aims to develop an algorithm that can help any shale reservoir optimize the pumping treatment design of hydraulic fracture.

The workflow is divided into six steps. Firstly, acoustic and density logs for a research well in Marcellus shale are used to interpret Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and minimum horizontal stress magnitude by anisotropic VTI model. In step 2, the interpreted mechanical properties, including the current treatment design of the target well, are inserted into the frac simulator to obtain the conductivity distribution inside the fracture. The conductivity distribution converts to fracture permeability matrix. As for the third step, the fracture permeability matrix is consequently entered into the reservoir model for estimating the production. The output production is matched with the field history data. For the fourth step, a random sampling algorithm is applied to build a database with a rational sample size. In step 5, the generated database is employed to train and validate an artificial neural network model (ANN). Lastly, parametric studies are performed through the trained ANN model to analyze the multi-parameter effect on cumulative production.

This workflow can predict the early and late production for a given fracture design based on multiple fracture treatment parameters such as initial fracture depth, cluster numbers of each stage, and proppant type. Besides, the study provides a capability for multivariable analysis to better understand the productivity behavior of the fractured well.
Production Forecasting in Conventional Oil Reservoirs Using Deep Learning
Authors: Temizel Cenk Temizel , Odi Uchenna , Al-Sulaiman Nouf , Reddy Karri , Putra Dike , Yurukcu Mesut , Aydin Hakki , Yegin Cengiz
Published: April 2022

Accurate estimation of the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) is critical in decision making processes related to the development of conventional oil reservoirs. Existing methods have limitations when it comes to predicting such long-term production behaviors. This study analyzes the performance of deep learning methods such as long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks on time-series data, and their effective application to accurately estimate the EUR in conventional reservoirs.

Synthetic data that are realistic and representative of many major conventional oil reservoirs were generated for this study. The generated dataset was used by the LSTM model for the purpose of forecasting the EUR. The results of the LSTM model were compared with that of a reservoir simulation model from a full-physics reservoir simulator. EUR forecasts from the physics-based reservoir simulator is used as a benchmark and the LSTM model shows a good predictive accuracy while forecasting the long-term production behavior from a well in a conventional oil reservoir. The LSTM model-based deep learning method can be effectively used with real-field data obtained from wells in conventional reservoirs to accurately predict the EUR, and the study provides a comparative analysis of the results and factors affecting the EUR forecasts from the LSTM model and reservoir simulation model.

Deep learning methods such as LSTMs have an inherent advantage in identifying trends in time-series data and making forecasts using the data. The existing literature has a limited number of studies that outline the use of deep learning methods for EUR forecasts and this study covers this gap by providing details analyses, best practices and workflows on the use of such methods for conventional oil reservoirs.
Reservoir Simulation Framework to Evaluate the Potential Benefit of Radial Jet Drilling Technology Accounting for the Risk of Irreversible Radial Collapse
Authors: Torrealba Victor A. , Rey Alvaro , Chambers Geordie , Goodman Michael , Kubitza Andrew
Published: April 2022

This study presents a reservoir simulation framework to investigate the oil production uplift performance of Radial Jet Drilling (RJD) technology for a naturally fractured diatomite reservoir undergoing waterflooding. The findings from the study can help better design a field trial and plan Surveillance, Analysis and Optimization (SA&O) activities. The framework allows for the flexible definition of various parameters that control the topology of the RJD well (including number penetrated layers, number of radials per layer, and radial segment length) as well as the pressure drop along the radial segment (including the segment roughness and hydrodynamic diameter). The framework relies on advanced wellbore modeling capabilities that compute the pressure drops inside the well; this allows for the consideration of radial segment collapse whenever the radial segment pressure is below a radial collapse pressure.

The simulated behavior relied on a dual porosity dual permeability (DPDK) reservoir model that had been history-matched for primary depletion and waterflooding over a cumulative 72-year period. The RJD well oil production performance is evaluated over a 16-year period controlled with a bottomhole pressure constraint. The model is calibrated to representative type curves in the absence of radials (perforations only case) and in the presence of radials for a specified topology. Once the model has been calibrated, 162 simulation cases are considered to evaluate the sensitivity of the oil production uplift to various model parameters and operational conditions.

Radial segment length, radial collapse pressure and number of penetrated layers showed the greatest impact on oil production uplift. Increasing radial segment length and number of penetrated layers and decreasing the radial collapse pressure led to an increase in oil production uplift. We introduced a cumulative radial segment length metric that accounts for the impact of number of penetrated layers, number of radials per layer, and radial segment length. For a fixed cumulative radial segment length, configurations with a higher number of penetrated layers and a lower number of radials per layer led to a higher oil production uplift.

The simulation tool and framework developed can be used to assess the potential benefit of the RJD technology, including risks arising from radial segment collapse. For all radial collapse pressure scenarios, a gentle drawdown strategy proved to be the most consistent in terms of oil production uplift performance. Production performance monitoring (e.g., via dedicated test separators) can help identify major radial collapse events as evidenced by discontinuous trends in the oil production rate, gas/oil ratio, and/or water cut.
Effective Well Rate Management Using a Streamline-Based Model in Belridge Diatomite Waterflood
Authors: Guerrero-Lee Marilou Tanchuling , Manfre Diego , Thiele Marco Roberto
Published: April 2022

In the early 1980's, waterflooding began in Belridge Diatomite (BD), a thick, highly porous, and tight reservoir in California. Over the years, differing injection strategies lead to mixed results. Today, there are approximately 1,900+ injectors and 2,600+ producers in the Belridge Diatomite Waterflood (BDWF) and setting injection and production well rate targets to improve recovery is extremely challenging. Multiple teams using different methods for estimating rate targets in different parts of the field adds complexity to the overall field management strategy. The main objective of this work was to simplify field management by using a quantitative, streamline-based method to establish and quantify injector-producer relationships, reduce human bias, while improving the efficiency and flood performance in the West Grande (WG) area of the BDWF subject to key surface and subsurface constraints.

The pilot test targeted 52 injection strings and 142 producers in Southern WG with an approximate total water injection rate of 10,500 STB/Day and total water and oil production rates of 8,200 STB/D and 700 STB/D, respectively. An important and novel aspect of the work presented here involves constraining the injection well rate targets to surface elevation, injection string communication, 30-day average wellhead pressure, subsurface impairments, and surface injection capacity. On the production side, the constraints were surface elevation, pump runtime, and operational status. This work describes setting well rate targets using a streamline-based workflow while honoring minimum and maximum rates as deduced from the constraints above.

Injection and production rates in the WG pilot area were changed four times over nine months in the period May 2020-January 2021. Not withstanding uncertainties in production and watercut measurements and interference due to operational activities, the injection and production rate changes resulted in a reversal of the oil decline observed in the previous year. The improvement in the oil decline honored all key constraints and did not cause WG to experience changes to surface elevation, an important requirement in reservoir management of the highly compressible Diatomite reservoir.

Using streamlines to define well patterns based on historical production/injection rates, and considering all patterns simultaneously is a major departure from the one-at-a-time fixed pattern and reservoir team-specific strategy used in the past. Considering that the manual pattern-by-pattern review consumed well over 50% of the time spent by teams trying to improve flood performance, the approach described in the work also represents a significant improvement in productivity and a more agile reservoir management strategy. The ability to include key surface and subsurface constraints in the calculation of well target rates is a novel addition to streamline-based surveillance modeling and a key contribution of this work.
Integrated Workflow to Investigate the Effect of Fracture Interference on Well Performance
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Farid
Published: April 2022

Horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing applied in shale formations over the past decade. Economic productivity was achieved by generating a large fracture surface area. The cluster spacing was considered up to 700 ft in Barnett and Bakken shale formations. At this time, tight cluster spacing has been used up to 15 ft apart in Eagle Ford and DJ Basin, moreover, the operators are trying even closer cluster spacing. The drive for applying tight fracture spacing is to increase the initial production rate. However, a higher initial production rate is at the expense of higher operation and completion cost in addition to operation complexity.

This study presents an integrated workflow to investigate the effect of cluster interference on well performance. Analytical rate transient analysis (RTA) was combined with reservoir numerical simulation to calculate the effective fracture surface area for hydrocarbon production. The ratio of the effective fracture surface area from RTA analysis to the actual stimulated fracture area from the numerical simulation will be correlated to the cluster spacing. A proxy model was built to estimate the effective to actual stimulated fracture area as a function of completion and reservoir parameters. Finally, the integrated workflow was applied in actual field data for two gas-shale wells.

The results showed that the well with a higher stage number and tighter cluster spacing will have high cluster interference with low effective to actual fracture surface area ratio. In addition, the well will drain the production area near the wellbore faster with the high initial production rate but with high production declining rate. Increasing the cluster spacing, with the same injected proppant volume, shows an increase in the effective to actual fracture surface area ratio, and low cluster interference. A lower initial rate was observed with a low production declining rate.

The results from this study will assist the completion and reservoir engineers to optimize the cluster spacing to maximize the well revenue.
Modeling Gas Migration During a Gas Kick
Authors: Zankawi Ali , Sgher Mohamed El , Aminian Kashy , Ameri Samuel
Published: April 2022

Gas kick is an undesirable problem in the drilling process, which can potentially lead to a blowout. The primary intent of this study is to highlight gas migration and its effect on gas kick mitigation approaches that would benefit the drilling process. The integrated analysis provides valuable insight regarding parameters promoting efficient drilling processes, minimizing the risk of gas kicks. This study aimed to investigate the impact of critical parameters on gas migration during the gas kick in both water-based mud and oil-based mud and to promote an understanding of the dynamics of choke pressure, gas velocity, and bottomhole pressure based on completion and reservoir parameters.

This study reveals various factors affecting gas migration during gas kicks, characterized by different interactive parameters. These parameters include wellbore configuration, mud density, kick volume, drill-pipe size, reservoir temperature, and oil-water ratios. A commercial multiphase dynamic well control simulator was used in this study to develop two base models: Oil-Based mud (OBM) and Water-Based mud (WBM). The models were used to perform several parametric studies to investigate the impact of critical parameters on gas migration during the gas kick. Each type of mud acted differently and affected the gas migration discussed in this study. The study explicitly illustrates the different outcomes for each model during gas migration.

The parameters that range from most effective to least effective on gas migration are wellbore configuration, kick volume, drill-pipe size, mud density, and reservoir temperature in WBM, while in the OBM, the parameters that range from most effective to least effective are wellbore configuration, kick volume, drill-pipe size, oil-water ratio, mud density, and reservoir temperature. However, the main differences are the gas rise velocity and time in the base models. In water-based mud, the gas velocity is 97.8 ft/min, while the gas velocity in oil-based mud is 75.6 ft/min. The gas is discharged from the well within 48.2 minutes in the water-based mud, while the oil-based mud takes 115.7 minutes.
The Correlations of the Unconventional Reservoirs Properties and the Huff-n-Puff Gas EOR Potential Performance
Authors: Junira Adi , Ganjdanesh Reza , Williams Ryan , Nohavitza Jack , Sepehrnoori Kamy , Yu Wei
Published: April 2022

Cyclic (huff-n-puff) gas injection as a method of increasing oil recovery from unconventional reservoirs with low permeability has shown sufficiently positive results to justify its implementation in a number of fields. Nonetheless, not all of such injection results in encouraging results. Some field implementations of huff-n-puff results in marginal oil recovery increase from that of primary production case. The characteristics of an unconventional reservoir may have something to do with the appropriate choice of injection gas for use in that reservoir. For instance, a reservoir with oil that is low in heavy components (C7+) from molar fraction standpoint might not a proper candidate for a huff-n-puff field gas injection. In other words, for such type of injection gas to perform well in increasing oil recovery, the in situ oil should have a certain level of C7+ molar fraction. This study aims at finding out what types of gas are the proper choices for huff-n-puff injection gases in unconventional reservoirs with specific characteristics. In a sense, it can be considered as an attempt to create a kind of screening criteria related to the injection gas suitable for huff-n-puff EOR in such an unconventional reservoir. In achieving that, a number of models which are based on real field data of a number of producing oil fields in continental United States are used in numerical simulations. The analysis on the results provided insights on the proper injection gas selections as tabulated in this writing.
Integrating the Energy Transition into Petroleum Engineering and Geoscience Education
Authors: Ershaghi Iraj , Paul Donald L.
Published: April 2022

The emerging carbon-constrained environment for energy is creating both opportunities and challenges for the established oil and gas industry. The engineering and geoscience professionals in this Industry need to meet both the challenges of the Energy Transition and continue to provide the feedstock for hydrocarbon-based products needed for a stable and robust economy. While the fossil fuel in general includes coal, decoupling petroleum from coal and replacing coal with natural gas can offer substantial carbon emission reductions to the power sector and growth opportunities for the petroleum industry. The Energy Transition can also create new opportunities for the petroleum engineering schools and geoscience programs to develop and offer expanded educational opportunities for both new graduates and industry professionals to equip them with critical expertise and leadership skills for careers in the low-carbon energy future.