bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Advancement of Green Hydrogen and Prospects for the Future: A Brief Overview
Authors: Ejike Chinedu
Published: August 2022

With the growing global population, and thus the global energy needs, it is vital to move to a more environmentally friendly energy source. Because fossil fuel consumption is pushing global warming to dangerous new heights, there is a pressing need to investigate green energy alternatives. Green hydrogen energy is however one promising method for providing greener energy while preventing global warming. Green hydrogen is a hydrogen-based energy that is made by electrolyzing water alongside electricity supplied from low-carbon sources. This energy is expected to be a significant resource in the post-fossil fuel era owing to its special ability to support a climate-friendly future economy and it's presently gaining traction in a number of national and international climate policies. This research looks at the benefits and drawbacks of green hydrogen energy, which is at the heart of numerous possibilities for an optimization of energy society. Whereas many authorities and international organizations are investing heavily in research and development of a green hydrogen technology, there are still a slew of unanswered questions, including technological concerns, economic ramifications, and diplomatic repercussions. The hydrogen distribution network has a lot of phases, which means there are a lot of energy losses. In many nations, a low-carbon hydrogen economy offers exciting potential to combat climate change, improve energy independence, and grow local economy.
A Method for Reducing Wellbore Instability Using the Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) System
Authors: Ejike Chinedu , Shouceng Tian
Published: August 2022

Drilling for oil and gas wells is considered as a risk factor that is perceived as tolerable. As drilling companies expand into harsh environments and farther depth, the probability of a potential failure increases. An unexpected influx to or from the wellbore might be disastrous if not handled properly. Drilling-related issues such as jammed pipes, lost circulation, and high mud costs demonstrate the need for improved drilling technologies. The goal is to limit annular frictional pressure losses, especially in fields where the pore pressure and fracture pressure gradient are too close together. If these issues can be resolved, the economics of drilling wells would increase, allowing the industry to drill previously uneconomical wells. Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) is a unique approach that allows the control of annular frictional pressure losses and can solve these types of drilling challenges. The industry is still mostly unaware of the entire range of advantages. Prompt detecting and handling of an influx of formation fluids can have the possibility to reduce the magnitude and extent of a kick by operating on a faster time scale with greater precision. Constant Bottomhole Pressure (CBHP), Pressurised Mudcap Drilling (PMCD), and Dual Gradient Drilling (DGD) are a few MPD variants. MPD reduces drilling issues and increases the economics of drilling wells. This research focuses on strategies employed in MPD, with the goal of uncovering some of the less well-known and thus underappreciated possibilities.
Investigation on Effect of Enzyme on Oil-Brine Emulsification
Authors: Udoh Tinuola , Aigbodion Osadebamen
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the capacity of enzyme to influence brine-in-oil and oil-in-brine emulsions was investigated. The emulsion stability index method was used to monitor the effect of varied enzyme concentrations (1-, 5- and 10 wt.%) on oil-brine emulsion stability and separation process. The result of the study shows that the addition of different concentrations of enzyme to oil-brine mixtures enhanced the mixing and separation of the emulsions at varied capacities. Faster oil-brine separation was observed with increase in enzyme concentrations, but better mixing and higher emulsion stability was observed with lower concentration of enzyme. The result of this study is of a great significance to enzyme enhanced oil recovery application process in which good oil-brine mixture is require for the recovery of the residual oil saturation from the reservoir rock pores and the separation of oil and brine that is required after production at the surface.
Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Oil and Gas Sector in Ghana
Authors: Amoako Fredrick Opare Baah , Donkor Hannah , Kwarteng Ella , Fordjour Emmanuel
Published: August 2022

Historically, the petroleum industry has been a significant contributor to global economic growth. The drop in oil and gas demand, coupled with travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in global oil market prices. This has resulted in a drop in the output in the global economy. These drop-in output means that there were losses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate and investigate the economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the oil and gas industry in Ghana. The evaluation was done using economic performance indicators such as GDP and Crude oil prices. In addition to this, a loss function-based algorithm was used to model the projected economic loss during this period. To demonstrate the model, data was collected from a study site and used in the model. The study is useful for decision making on the preparedness for future pandemics, especially in oil dependent countries.
Enhanced Oil Recovery Optimisation in Marginal Fields
Authors: Uche Chukwunonso , Eremiokhale Obehi , Uche Jennifer , Esieboma Samuel , Bukar Ibrahim
Published: August 2022

"Marginal field" was introduced to the oil and gas industry to identify those fields that have negative economic effects in its development. More specifically it is possible to define a marginal field as a field that is cost ineffective to develop with conventional oil and gas means of technology. Economic development of marginal fields in most cases requires the use of existing processes to minimize cost of finding evolving technologies in development of reserves. This paper generally evaluates the feasibility of using the enhanced oil recovery technique to improve reserves in a marginal field operation environment. A marginal heavy oil field in the offshore environment of the Niger Delta region which started production in 2011 is used as a case study to evaluate the feasibility of the use of enhanced oil recovery method to improve recovery. Due to poor mobility ratio in this heavy oil field and its associated big aquifer sizes, pockets of unrecovered oil have been left behind the water fronts and water cut has risen above 80% in most of the producing wells. Recent integrated field evaluation shows that the recovery factor is poor compared to the size of oil originally in place and this triggered the need to process subsurface assessments of developing such reserves that exist in any marginal field using enhanced oil recovery technique. This paper therefore goes through the fundamental scope of an enhanced oil recovery study process to determine the applicability of this technology in a marginal oil field.
Application of Machine Learning Algorithm for Predicting Produced Water Under Various Operating Conditions in an Oilwell
Authors: Adesina Eriagbaraoluwa , Olusola Bukola
Published: August 2022

Production optimization is often required to manage increase of undesired reservoir fluids especially water in oil and gas wells. However, this activity needs to be guided by science and data rather than a trial-and-error approach of changing the operating conditions of the well to determine the corresponding production response. Well performance models are often used to predict well behavior at different operating conditions but one of the disadvantages of this method is the inability to predict the water cut based on given well parameters. In this work, we applied the random Forest Regression model, well test data and well performance model to predict the expected water cut while changing the operating conditions of a well.

We had used four wells to demonstrate the application of machine learning to produced water prediction under different operating conditions. Well performance model which is a combination of Presssure Volume Temperature (PVT) model, inflow performance relationship (IPR) model and vertical lift performance (VLP) model was used to generate the well parameters transferred to the machine learning algorithm. A histogram and box plot were first drawn to understand the distribution of the data and filter the outliers within the dataset because outliers skew the model results. A correlation matrix was now used to understand the relationship between the water cut and the following variables: Flowing Tubing Head Pressure, the Bean Size, the Gas Oil Ratio, and liquid production.

Thereafter the Random Forest model was applied to the well parameters to get the predicted values. After getting our predicted values from our model, the model results were evaluated with three regression evaluation metrics, the mean absolute error, the mean squared error and the root mean squared error to compare the predicted water cut values with the actual values and return the margin of error in the predictions. The Mean Absolute Error, Mean Squared Error, and Root Mean Squared Error results were within acceptable tolerance. Therefore, given the minimal error values we can conclude that the model can successfully predict water cut values at different operating conditions.

Based on our evaluation, the bar chart predicted values and actual values showed minimal error margins indicating the model's accuracy can be trusted.

This paper presents a novel way to estimate the water cut of a well under various operating conditions, a prediction that is not available using existing well performance models.
Prediction of Drift Velocity Closure Relationship in Multiphase Flow Models Using Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Koffi Itoro Udofort , Livinus Aniefiok
Published: August 2022

Multiphase flow modelling is of major importance in the design of pipelines, separation plants, and many other systems found in the chemical and petroleum industries. Many multiphase flow models apply a number of closure relationships; one of such is the drift velocity. Empirical correlations, with varying range of applicability and predictive capability, are typically relied upon by researchers to predict this parameter.

This work therefore presents the development of a machine learning approach for predicting drift velocity in horizontal and non-horizontal pipelines. Python programming language environment using Tensorflow and Keras deep learning libraries with early stopping to prevent overfitting and inaccuracy was implemented. The approach was based on a three-layered supervised deep neural network developed as a function of pipe diameter, pipe inclination, fluid density, fluid viscosity and surface tension.

The developed model was validated by comparing with experimental data and existing correlations by statistics and error analysis. The developed deep learning model, in general, performed better than the investigated existing correlations under their respective range of validity. Over 90 % of the calculated Froude numbers from the DNN model were within the fixed ±20 % average relative error bandwidth considered for this work.
Workflow for Slot Re-Utilization Assessment on Offshore Brown Fields to Improve Re-Development Profitability – A Case Study in Nigeria
Authors: Orji Mirian Kosi , Olatunbosun Ademola , Abe Gbenga , Osaigbovo Uhunoma , Agiaye John , Arowosafe Toyin
Published: August 2022

As fields brown out, opportunities tend to shrink in size and recoverable volumes necessitating the design of innovative cost efficient re-development solutions to address increased surface and subsurface challenges. A prominent surface challenge with in-fill drilling on shallow offshore brown fields is slot availability, since the existing platform slots are typically in active use. Some of the known time and cost efficient means of addressing this issue, includes internal slot add-ons, deck extensions for external slot add-ons and shared wellhead systems – all of which can be accommodated up to the design limit of the existing platform. There is also the option of scaled-down platforms such as conductor supported platforms which present a cheaper alternative to conventional jacket platforms.

This paper describes a structured approach applied on a brown field in Nigeria, to determine the re-use potential of existing wells on an offshore platform. The case study starts by identifying shut-in wells and active wells which have expected end of producing lives that precede the planned infill drilling period. These wells are then screened out and evaluated for further immediate to near-term utility such as rigless intervention, stimulation, recompletion and workover. The remaining wells form an inventory of the potential donor wells for sidetrack feasibility assessment, which takes into consideration wellbore architecture, casing sizes/depths, environmental regulatory requirements, P&A complexity, surface equipment constraints and well integrity aspects. The identification and categorization of potential donor wells provides the basis for the final step in the workflow which is trajectory feasibility study against identified subsurface targets.

The overall objective is to reduce or eliminate the need for new platforms and consequently improve the economics of infill projects.
Imperatives of Modular Refineries and their Impact on Product Availability in Nigeria
Authors: Ekeinde Evelyn Bose , Dosunmu Adewale , Okujagu Diepiriye Chenaboso , Ugherughe Josephine Omolola
Published: August 2022

Nigeria is richly blessed with crude oil, with a proven reserve of 37billion barrels. Despite the abundance of this "black gold", Nigeria has over the years lacked the capacity to meet the country's demand for petroleum products locally and has resorted to the importation of petroleum products. This is largely due to the fact that the four state-owned conventional refineries, with a combined refining capacity of 445,000 bpd have been operating below optimal conditions, with a combined capacity utilization of 17% in 10years, from 2009 to 2018. Though establishing conventional refineries is highly capital intensive and significantly takes a long time to build and commission, the modular refinery option is however a less capital intensive alternative. This paper discusses the vital roles or importance of modular refineries as well as how it impacts on the availability of petroleum products in the Nigeria. It was discovered that Nigeria has lots of benefits to reap from exploiting modular refinery initiative, amongst which are eliminating fuel shortages and deficits, job creation, overall improvement of the economy and GDP growth, conservation of foreign exchange, among others. It was concluded that the right policy drive to encourage investors to dive into this initiative be put in place to enable Nigeria transit into an exporter of petroleum products.
Artificial Neural Network Approach to the Prediction of Drift Velocity of Elongated Bubble in Liquid in Pipe
Authors: Nathaniel Samuel Effiong , Livinus Aniefiok
Published: August 2022

Accurate determination of drift velocity is required, as drift velocity is an important parameter in multiphase flow modelling. There are existing correlations for determining this parameter, but some of these models contain some degree of errors in their predictions. Recently, Machine Learning has been applied in the study of fluid flow both in porous media and pipelines. In this work, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is applied in the development of drift velocity closure relationship for multiphase flow models. The model is trained using some input parameters: pipe internal diameter, pipe angle, liquid density, liquid viscosity, and surface tension; the output parameter is the Froude number, which is a dimensionless variable for the expression of drift velocity. The developed neural network model was compared with existing drift velocity correlations available in open literature. In general, The ANN model, with a larger set of the predicted data below the ±20% error bandwidth and a narrower percentage error spread, performed better than some of the correlations investigated in this study.
Hydrogen Production from Petroleum Fields; An Effective Solution to Nigeria’s Energy Needs and Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Idris-Idah Kawu Musa , Abdulkadir Mukhtar
Published: August 2022

Nigeria, via the use of Hydrocarbon Reforming technologies, can create a unique link between its existing & planned petroleum projects and Hydrogen production; Clean Hydrogen will be produced from Petroleum fields, water resulting from hydrogen combustion could also be produced for host communities and climate change will be mitigated.

This interdisciplinary paper identifies technologies that could be used to produce hydrogen from petroleum fields / refineries, facilitating cleaner energy generation. A one-stop document that could facilitate collaborative hydrogen-petroleum investments, translating into the reduction of carbon emissions and energy poverty. A comparative analysis between technologies is carried out, insinuating solutions that could be quickly deployed. The document narrates the logical journey of energy to hydrogen.

There has been no societal development without energy. The manufacturing industries, health sector, employment etc. are all dependent on energy utilisation. Multiple literature has directly linked a nation's standard of living to the availability of energy; thus, nations are always focused on increasing energy utilisation. The utilisation of hydrocarbons (petroleum, coal etc.) has been the driving force for different nations and epochs (industrial revolution, digital revolution etc). Currently, a novel mentality is gaining massive traction; the energy source being utilised should have minimal effects on the environment, irrelevant of its energy density. Strong scientific evidence exists pointing to hydrocarbons as the major cause of climate change. Therefore, efforts are constantly exerted in transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Albeit climate change and its devastating effects, Nigeria and some other nations also face the unique battle of fighting energy poverty. It is important to note that countries that currently consume the most energy (China, Japan, US etc.) are still developing projects associated with hydrocarbons, although also exerting efforts towards cleaner energy sources.

Nigeria needs energy solutions that take into cognisance its political environment, high degree of energy poverty and obviously, climate change. The Nigerian government has initiated a drive aimed at developing gas and petroleum refining infrastructure over the years; Hydrogen generation could be inculcated into these policies, thus mitigating climate change, yet also increasing energy availability. Subsequent to the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons, it is then refined or reformed into a variety of products such as gasoline, diesel etc. These are then burnt in engines, producing energy and undesirable emissions responsible for climate change. Whilst hydrogen could be utilized in cars, without producing undersirable emissions.

Hydrogen could be fuel that changes the dynamics of the petroleum sector, via a collaborative approach.
Cost Control in Offshore Oil and Gas Operations
Authors: Sylvester John Iminabo , Nwosi-Anele Adaobi Stephenie , Ehirim Emmanuel Odianyegbuehua
Published: August 2022

In recent times, the major interest of offshore production companies is in the development of cost control strategies that can be employed to alleviate the major challenges limiting offshore production efficiency. A well designed cost control strategy for an offshore production system helps in the reduction of monetary leakages and losses; it ensures effective utilization of materials, labour resources and other inputs in the production cycle. Due to the challenges plaguing the petroleum industry, there has been significant interest in the development of critical and effective measures that would improve cost control and efficiency in the upstream exploration and production onshore and offshore. This study was focused on cost optimization of petroleum production phase of the field development project. In this study, the main cost performance issues associated with offshore production operations were identified and analysed using quantitative and qualitative methods to derive optimal scenarios. The main production cost components as derived from this study are the labour cost, equipment cost, maintenance cost, and logistics costs. A sensitivity analysis showed that the production cost is more sensitive to equipment and maintenance costs and less sensitive to logistics and labour costs. From the analysis, avoidance of equipment breakdown through well planned preventive maintenance ranked as the most effective method for offshore cost control strategy with a mean rank of 4.80 and standard deviation of 0.50. Based on the findings of the analysis, an offshore cost control strategy was designed and was subdivided into operational and management segments levels.
The Effect of Sugarcane Fibres and MICA as Loss Circulation Material in Water Based Mud.
Authors: Ayodele Emmanuel , Ezeonu Chibuikem , Amuah Freda , Sangoleye Daniel , Ayodele Funmilayo
Published: August 2022

With the ever increasing need for Nigeria to incorporate the local industries in the oil and gas sector, to reduce the total production cost of a barrel of oil and reduce the need of depending on foreign products used in oil and gas processes. This has mandated for local materials to be tested as an alternative to some imported products used in oil and gas production processes. This research work is focused on determining the rheological behavior of drilling mud using foreign mica and sugar cane fibre as loss circulation materials. Water based muds were formulated from sugarcane fibre that is locally sourced, and the conventionally used foreign Mica. Laboratory tests were carried out on the different muds formulated and their rheological properties (yield stress, shear stress, plastic viscosity and shear rate are evaluated). The concentration of the LCM were varied, the expected outcome of the research work aims at lowering the total drilling cost by reducing the importation of foreign polymer which promotes the development of local content in the oil and gas industry. The research compares the rheology and filtration results of mud samples and the effects of varying the concentration (1g, 3g, and 5g) of both foreign fibre (Mica) and sugarcane fibre, determining the changes in their rheological properties. The total volume of each mud sample is equivalent to 350ml which represent one barrel (42gal) in the lab. From the result, at concentration of 3g, the sugarcane fibre mud has a better rheology than the Mica mud, but at a concentration above 5g, Mica mud shows a better yield point values than sugarcane fibre mud, that is, as the concentration of sugarcane fibre is increased, the rheological properties of the mud increased, till the concentration of 5g and above is attained in a 350ml lab barrel. The viscosity, filtrates and filter cake thickness of the drilling fluid produced from the sugarcane fibre were almost at par with that of foreign based Mica. It's recommended that the sugarcane fibre should be considered as an alternative to Mica as a loss circulation material, with more research on the oil based mud with sugar cane fibre as loss circulation materials.
Seismic Reservoir Characterization, Resistivity Modeling, and Dynamic Reservoir Model Simulations: Application for the Drilling of a High Angle Infill Well in the Mature AKPO Condensate Field in the Niger Delta Basin
Authors: Olagundoye Olatunbosun , Chizea Chukwuka , Akhajeme Emmanuel , Spina Vincenzo , Okonkwo Glory , Joubert Thibaut , Onyeanuna Chinedu , Fashanu Mobolaji , Enuma Christopher , Ndokwu Chidi , Stephane AkameZeh
Published: August 2022

The AKPO field is a condensate field that is currently in a mature phase with the attendant challenge of enhancing field life to maximize investment. To combat this challenge, targeting of un-swept oil using infill wells is implemented in the field to prolong production. We present seismic reservoir characterization, dynamic reservoir model simulation, and resistivity modeling efforts that were employed during the design and geosteering of a high angle infill well into an un-swept area of a complex channel turbidite reservoir. The geosteering was successful with net sand in the drain surpassing the pre-well prognosis. A key highlight of the success was the termination of the well 500 m short of the prognosed TD due to attainment of net sand required for well completion that was more than prognosis, thus reducing the well cost. At start-up, oil production from the well was significant, with production after ramp-up at 5000 bopd, thus validating our integrated geological, geophysical, and engineering approach.
Impact of Sustainable Finance on Implementation of Environmental Sustainability Goals in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Sector
Authors: Olagunju Olasunkanmi Olusogo , Ajasa OlawaleOlusola , Laguda Fuad Kayode
Published: August 2022

This study unveiled that mitigation of chronic environmental quagmires caused by oil exploration and production in Nigeria requires investment by oil and gas companies in sustainable finance.More specifically, this study showed that investment in green bonds, climate insurance and venture capital among others can help prevent ecological hazards that emanate from exploration and production activities in Nigeria's oil fields.Having built on inductive approach and institutional theory this study unveiled that sustainable finance has roles to play in implementation of environmental sustainability goals of Nigeria's oil and gas sector. The study consequently concluded that stakeholders and industry leaders must be committed to investment in sustainable finance to achieve targeted social and environmental outcomes.It equally suggested that industry's key players should embrace investment in green funds while implementing their environmental sustainability goals.
Towards a Net-Zero Carbon Petroleum Engineering Education
Authors: Oyeneyin Mufutau Babs
Published: August 2022

Oil and Gas remain a key part of the Energy mix. Therefore sustainable future of the Oil & Gas Industry requires moving towards improving Oil and gas recovery with net zero technologies and Education is key.

In this paper attempts have been made to answer the following key questions namely: what is energy transition and relevance to the Oil and Gas industry(OGI)?; Do OGI professionals need discipline/professional transition?; And what are the roadmaps to purposeful transition. The paper ends with key propositions on Energy Transition Petroleum Engineering training curriculum and key net-zero carbon Improved Oil Recovery research and development going forward.
The Potentials of Activated Carbons from Elaeis Guineensis Biomasses for Produced Water Treatment: Harnessing Renewable Resources for Future Oil and Gas Production Enhancement in Africa
Authors: Dune Kingdom Kponanyie , Nwosi-Anele Adaobi Stephenie , Kinate Bright Bariakpoa
Published: August 2022

Wastes are produced during petroleum production as well as agricultural operations. The treatment of oilfield produced water (PW) for reuse using activated carbons (ACs) derived from Elaeis Guineensis biomasses was investigated. The biomasses (palm kernel shells, PKS and empty palm bunch, EPB) were prepared and converted to biochars by pyrolysis, and then activated with 0.2M HCl at a temperature of 450°C. The ACs were characterised for pH, bulk density, iodine numbers, ash and moisture contents, particle size, specific surface area, pore volume and size. The characteristics of the adsorbents indicate that iodine numbers ranged from 700.14-1181.48mg/g for EPB; 525.10-918.93mg/g for PKS; ash content ranged from 6.20-6.80% for EPB and 2.00-2.80% PKS. The AC particle sizes were optimized, and 300µm-size for both adsorbents showed good prospects based on iodine number. For this particle size, the mean pore volume and size, and specific surface area acquired using the Quantachrome NovaWin Instruments, version 11.03, were determined as 0.1689 cc/g, 3.102nm, and 1065 m2/g, for EPB, and 0.1353cc/g, 1.956nm and 300 m2/g, for PKS. The SEM results confirmed the surface morphology of the adsorbents, while XRF results showed that the adsorbents have high percentages of compounds of silicon, potassium, carbon, and calcium, but the PKS has no magnesium and barium. The EPB has no barium but 9.6% moles magnesium. Both have very low percentages of the heavy metals, namely, iron, chromium, aluminium, cobalt, zinc, nickel and copper. This implies that the ACs can effectively treat produced water to remove these heavy metal ions.
Oil-Based-Mud Formulation and Optimization Using Thevetia Peruviana Oil
Authors: Ihekoronye Kingsley Kelechi , Ohaegbulam Chukwudi Michael , Mohammed Hussein , Onuorah Pius Chukwuebuka
Published: August 2022

The need to avoid environmental degradation caused by toxic chemicals during drilling fluid operations is one of the objectives of the oil and gas industry. In this work, a non-edible plant of Thevetia Peruviana oil was used as potential base oil for formulation of drilling mud because of its non-toxic and environmental friendly nature of the plant. Oil extraction from the Thevetia Peruviana seeds was done using soxhlet method of extraction with n-hexane as the solvent. The formulated oil-based mud was compared with the API standard based on the mud density, filter cake thickness, gel strength and filtration loss. Four rheological models were considered, namely: Bingham plastic model, Power law model, Herschel-Bulkley model and Robertson-Stiff model. The optimization process was performed with MATLAB program in order to select the rheological model that best describe the behavior of the mud. The results of this study show that the formulated oil-based mud exhibited a non-Newtonian fluid rheological behavior. The rheology test result showed that the gel strength (10 min.) had 9.5 (Ib/100ft2), filter loss had 4.3 (mil) in term of filter volume. The mud density had 7.34 (Ib/gal), electrical stability of 528.0 (150°F and filter cake thickness of 1mm. Optimization of the Thevetia Peruviana oil based mud showed that Herschel-Bulkley model has the best performance indicators with good R2 (0.994) and standard error (2.16).
Natural Gas Spot Price Prediction Using a Machine Learning Datacentric Approach
Authors: Ogwu Jessica , Ikpesu Emmanuel , Ogbonna Kingsley
Published: August 2022

The ability to accurately predict natural gas prices asides being beneficial to stakeholders of the natural gas market also have positive economic impacts on energy management and environmental sustainability.

This paper explores the application of machine learning algorithms for the purpose of accurately predicting monthly natural gas spot prices. Henry Hub natural gas spot price data from January 2001 to November 2021 were utilized alongside four machine learning algorithms namely; Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest Regressor and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM). The models were trained with 11 variables with 80% of the dataset utilized for training and 20% for testing purposes. A 10-fold cross validation technique was implemented for model validation purposes. The accuracy of each model was evaluated using the Root Mean Square error metric.

After model evaluation, all four models generated distinct results, with the Artificial Neural Network model having the most accurate prediction of all four models.
Investigating the Utility of Soft Systems Methodology for Addressing the Wicked Problem of Oil Spills in the Niger Delta
Authors: Ogwus Chinedu
Published: August 2022

This paper sets out to investigate the usefulness and applicability of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a creative thinking approach for finding a solution to the ‘wicked problem’ of oil spills in Nigeria's Niger Delta region. In this paper, the problem of oil spills in the Niger Delta is categorized as a ‘wicked problem’. This is especially because the problem is complex, has several competing stakeholders, is associated with far-reaching consequences, and has defied every known attempt at finding a solution. Therefore, in investigating the utility of SSM for addressing the problem, this paper adopts the qualitative approach which involves a total of nine participants who were recruited using the convenience sampling technique. The selected participants included representatives of oil host communities, senior management employees of multi-national oil corporations, and public affairs analysts. The findings of the study revealed that SSM is a useful tool for finding a solution to the oil spills problem in the Niger Delta. This is as the application of SSM helped in structuring the problem to enhance understanding of its nature and scope. This is as SSM provided a suitable framework for collecting and collating valuable data from relevant stakeholders. Thus, this study recommends SSM as a suitable creative thinking approach for finding a solution to the perennial problem of oil spills in the Niger Delta. The study highlights the need for a collaborative relationship between the change agent and competing stakeholders.
Preliminary Assessment of an Environmentally-Friendly Surfactant Synthesized from Elaeis Guineensis Palm Kernel oil for its Use in Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Ogunkunle Temitope Fred , Adeboje Israel , Oni Babalola Aisosa , Fadairo Adesina Samson , Adeyemi Gbadegesin Abiodun , Abraham Damilola Victoria
Published: August 2022

The current work examines the potential of the natural surfactant derived from palm kernel oil for its enhanced oil recovery application. The anionic green surfactant was synthesized from palm kernel oil using sodium hydroxide as alkali via saponification process. The synthesized surfactant was characterized by FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined by surface tension and conductivity measurements at air-aqueous interface. Foam stability studies were performed as a function of time and concentration through the Bartsch test method. Stable emulsions were formed by the surfactant at concentration close to the CMC value of 5 g/L, while surfactant retention on to rock surface was studied through a static adsorption test. The effect of salt on the emulsion behaviour, foam stability and adsorption density was also investigated. A preliminary assessment of the foaming tendency, emulsifying and adsorption properties of the palm-kernel-based surfactant provides grounds for its potential application in enhanced oil recovery as the performance evaluation of the synthesized surfactant exhibits close relationship with commercial surfactant used in EOR applications.
A Novel Approach and Application to Dual String Design in Smart Well Completion
Authors: Omolewa Daniel , Oriji Boniface
Published: August 2022

Completion design is a very important phase in the development of a field, and it has evolved over the years with more sophisticated technology. One of the latest technology trends is the Intelligent Digital Oil fields, which although started decades ago has recently received rapid traction in past few years due to reduced costs and improvement in sensors and data storage. The starting point of this technology is the smart or intelligent well system (IWS). This system significantly improves reservoir management as it enables remote control and monitoring of downhole equipment’s. Consequently, this minimizes the need for any intervention and saves OPEX. However, the IWS has majorly being applied to a single string producer or injector. Previously, a single string completion is used across the multiple zones and hence must be commingled if the zones are to be produced simultaneously. The alternative to produce simultaneously without commingling is to use Dual string completions but they have a major drawback in that they always require some intervention to be done which is expensive. The aim of this project is therefore to test a novel idea of combining a Dual String completion with an Intelligent completion. A hypothetical field with three reservoir zones stacked was used for this study. The objective was to produce the lower zones through the long string as they had similar reservoir pressures and compatible fluids while the upper zone would produce through the short string as it is incompatible with the lower zones. Two cases were considered – with and without lower completions. The major difference in these cases was the position of the accessories. The adopted design uses a feed-through dual packer, two ICVs, and a dual gauge on the long string above the gravel pack packer and on the short string, a permanent gauge is placed above the feed-through dual packer and a total of 6 control lines is required. It is concluded that the design is feasible in both cases, and it solves the short comings of the dual string completions currently being used. The critical consideration is the well architecture. The knowledge from this paper serves as a foundation for what could become a new standard design for smart completions.
Design and Construction of Rotary Drilling Rig Prototype
Authors: Adeniyi Adekunle , Igbafe Anselm , Ebis Olokpa , Ogunyemi Adebayo , Yusuff Sikiru , Oyebode Oluwadare
Published: August 2022

Drilling in search for hydrocarbon is an essential component of exploration and production activities. Chemicals, Drill rig, Casing, Tubing, Drill pipes and bits are basic requirements to successfully drill a well. Rotary Drilling rig is very crucial among the basic requirements. A major function of rotary drilling rig, is continuous circulation of drilling fluid and removal of cuttings. Hence, this paper focused on the design and construction of drilling rig prototype, for training purposes in academic environment. Components were constructed from the most suitable materials obtained from metal scraps individually, and when put together forms an integrated system that enables the drilling process to make a well. The prototype was produced successfully. The mixing hopper, hoisting and the mud circulatory systems were fully incorporated and connected. The rig prototype was, in principle, to transport fluid from the mud pit up the stand pipe to the swivel via the rotary hose down the drill pipe to the annulus and back to the mud pit through the shale shaker, De-sander, De-gasser, De-silter units, via the mud return line. The drawworks is to lift the drill pipe and lower it back into the rotary table with the aid of the drawworks motor and a top drive system.
Hydrate Risk Management and Evaluation for Gas-Dominated Systems Using Machine Learning
Authors: Odutola Toyin Olabisi , Bassey Israel , Igbine Anita , Monday Celestine Udim
Published: August 2022

Advancements in oil and gas production have led to the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in unstable regions including offshore (deep & ultra-deep) reservoirs. As production increases, flow assurance continues to be a prevalent problem in wells and flowlines.

It is necessary to develop flow assurance analysis models for hydrate formation in gas pipelines. Analyses have shown the difference in thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors in the different hydrate phase systems (water, gas, oil). This study presents a data-driven gas hydrate diagnosis model for monitoring and risk evaluation in gas pipelines by performing, hydrate growth rate diagnosis for flow assurance in gas-dominated flow systems. Data used for learning was obtained from hydrate flow loop experiments performed under controlled gas-dominated flow conditions where thermodynamic conditions were obtained at each time step. Regression Algorithms were applied to develop a fit for a model to predict the hydrate risk level given thermodynamic conditions alongside the flow rate. The developed hydrate model was also applied to study the performance in flow operations. The ridge regression model showed the best performance among the models with a root mean squared error of 0.1682 and a correlation coefficient of 0.9595. The results obtained showed that the model can be deployed for use in a hydrate risk analysis endeavor, and the algorithm used in development can be further improved.
Fingerprint Analysis of Light Crude Oils from Niger Delta
Authors: Oshilike Ishioma , Mmata Bella , Ugwu Paschal , Otokpa Martins , Ibekwe Chidinma , Hilary Okeke , Onyekonwu Mike
Published: August 2022

Crude oil fingerprinting is a term applied to techniques that utilize geochemical analysis of hydrocarbon fluids composition to provide valuable information for well, reservoir and spill management. Analysis of crude oil fingerprints reveals a typical oil profile. Such a profile can provide information on formation history, type of carbon number preference during formation and route of migration. This study was undertaken using whole oil fingerprint and biomarkers of oils from twenty well strings from an onshore field in the Niger Delta Region. The aim was to evaluate light crude oils and determine thermal maturity, source rock quality, depositional environment and condensate correlation. The crude oil samples were analyzed using two major analytical techniques namely Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Evaluation of light hydrocarbon components was done using Mango parameters K1, K2, P2, P3 and N2 and the results revealed terrigenous organic matter input. Biomarker composition and pristane/phytane ratios in the range of 3.51 to 6.83 derived from GC results show that the source rock of the oils is made up of majorly terrestrial (type III) organic matter, deposited in a deltaic setting with prevailing oxic conditions. Maturity parameters calculated from Carbon Preference Indices between the range of 0.87 and 1.44 indicate the source is matured. The study provides key information on source characteristics that are applied to describe the type of petroleum prospects of a region. This study also provides information on condensate correlation, which has production implications such as application to production allocation.
An Insight into the Optimal Development of a Marginal Field – Pressure Complexity and Multiple Hydrocarbon Targets
Authors: Amakiri Samuel , Kalejaiye Derinsola , Erhiwha Elizabeth , Oviawe Uyi
Published: August 2022

Maximizing the end-life development of a marginal field with small pockets of undeveloped hydrocarbon could pose an unattractive venture, especially considering the attached economic value. The Well design and delivery approaches presented in this paper illustrate how available subsurface engineering tools and knowledge were deployed in the planning and execution phases of the Umuseti-7 development well. This well is an Oil and Gas "fault-scooping" producer tasked to bring the Umuseti main structure (OML 56) to complete life-cycle development by providing structurally high drainage points in its remaining viable reservoir accumulations and a dependable conduit for the realization of overarching field development ambitions.

This paper showcases the development strategy undertaken, challenges encountered, solutions employed, and lessons learned during the preparation and implementation stages of the Well delivery cycle. It demonstrates the simple well plan employed despite grueling subsurface complexities and the measured approach applied in drilling and completion program phases. Apt Well construction and depletion plans were developed, reliable materials, equipment, and tools deployed, and thorough "Industry Best Practice" processes followed (including Simultaneous Operations-SIMOPs) from project commencement to conclusion.

Results of the Umuseti-7 well show single-well near-term oil gains of about 2000 bopd (this represents a 70% increase in asset-controlled oil production capacity) and medium to long-term NAG gains of 5-15 MMscf/d. This Well project ultimately purposes to sustain this marginal asset’s (Umuseti/Igbuku field) oil production capability and propel its gas monetization drive.
Prospective Application of Carbon Capture and Storage: A Case Study of Field X in OML Y in the Niger Delta Basin
Authors: Momodu Ehigie , Kelechi Faith Mmesomachukwu , Soro Augustine , Shittu Saheed , Osime Kelechi Victoria , Olawunmi Emmanuel Oduyemi
Published: August 2022

The expansion of gas utilization systems, together with Nigeria's present climate objective, makes CCS a must-do for the country. The Niger Delta Basin has been identified as an excellent setting for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly in depleted reservoirs, according to a basin-wide evaluation. However, not all carbon-depleted reservoirs are appropriate for carbon storage. The suitability of the western Niger Delta basin for CCS is assessed in this research. This study looked at five reservoirs in the western section of the basin. The storage capability of the region's reservoirs was assessed using Screening Criteria for Carbon Storage, as well as well logs, seismic, reservoir properties and petrophysical data. These reservoirs are proven to fit several characteristics, including seismicity, size, faulting intensity, reservoir depth, maturity, hydrocarbon potentials, climate, and hydrogeology. The findings of this study may be used as a benchmark for identifying prospective storage locations within the basin and extended to other sedimentary basins.
Prediction of Scale Precipitation by Modelling its Thermodynamic Properties using Machine Learning Engineering
Authors: Ugoyah Joy Chiekumali , Ajienka Joseph Atubokiki , Wachikwu-Elechi Virtue Urunwo , Ikiensikimama Sunday Sunday
Published: August 2022

During oil and gas production, scaling is a flow assurance problem commonly experienced in most regions. For scale control to be effective and less expensive, accurate prediction of scaling immediately deposition commences is important. This paper provides a model for the prediction of Barium Sulphate (BaSO4) and Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) oilfield scales built using machine learning. Thermodynamic and compositional properties including temperature, pressure, PH, CO2 mole fraction, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and ion compositions of water samples from wells where BaSO4 and CaCO3 scales were observed are analysed and used to train the machine learning model. The results of the modelling indicate that the Decision tree model that had an accuracy of 0.91 value using Area Under Curve (AUC) score, performed better in predicting scale precipitation in the wells than the other Decision tree models that had AUC scores of 0.88 and 0.87. The model can guide early prediction and control of scaling during oil and gas production operations.
Gas Hydrate Formation and Dissociation: Effect of Salinity of Formation Water in Subsea Flowline
Authors: Akhagbeme Joseph Emmanuel , Ajienka Joseph Atubokiki , Wachikwu-Elechi Virtue Urunwo , Ikiensikimama Sunday Sunday
Published: August 2022

The total dissolved solid (TDS) of formation water has an impact on its tendency to form or dissociate Gas Hydrate in gas production, handling and subsea transportation systems. The effect of salinity of formation water on hydrate formation and dissociation was studied in this paper. Two seawater samples (SW1 and SW2) of different salinities: 35.4g/L and 34.8g/L respectively, and synthetic seawater sample (SSW) were used. Afresh water sample was used for comparison. The SSW sample with a salinity of 36.0g/L experienced a longer onset time for hydrate to form, and dissociated quickly in this sample than the rest samples. The onset time for hydrate formation increased as formation water salt content increases and vice versa for dissociation. The 0.04 wt% concentration of the commercial kinetic hydrate inhibitor (PVCap) used, performed better for the hydrate inhibition experiment involving the SW1 by reducing pressure to 120 psi. This attained pressure at the end of the experiment was lesser than the values obtained with the rest concentrations. The 0.01 wt% concentration of PVCap reduced pressure to a lesser value when compared to the values obtained using other concentrations for the experiment conducted with SSW.