bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automating Anti-Collision Calculations for Autonomous Drilling Systems
Authors: Willerth Marc , McGregor Andrew , Bhaduri Sashmit , Eaton Joshua 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The complexity of calculation along with the high stakes of error has traditionally meant that efficient implementation of anti-collision procedures required an experienced operator at the drill site. This is not ideal, as the expertise is only truly needed in isolated high-leverage situations. With the advent of automated drilling systems, more expertise is being moved from the drill site into the office. A system is proposed capable of balancing the efficiency of automated systems while retaining the safety afforded by expert supervision. Changing the way collision avoidance is conducted enables the full realization of the benefits of autonomous drilling systems.
The varied nature of collision avoidance operations makes it unlikely that the entire process will be completely automated in the foreseeable future. Sawaryn, et. al. (2018) outline eight elements required for a successful collision avoidance system. These elements are analyzed for the extent to which they can be automated. Historically, wellbore collisions are caused by operational shortcomings rather than a failure of calculations. The ideal system design would minimize any delay to the drilling process by focusing human efforts on validating the operational processes prior to drilling while automation handles the routine collection of data and application of calculations during drilling.
An autonomous drilling system can safely and efficiently execute in a collision avoidance scenario with the supervision of a remote monitoring center and appropriate risk-based escalation rules. Remote experts ensure that operational setups are valid prior to the start of drilling and that escalation conditions are clearly outlined. Separation-based cost functions are used to enable the autonomous drilling system to proactively steer away from escalation events. Mechanisms are defined that automate updates to provisional wellbore trajectories based on the automatic validation of survey data, projection of future possible well paths, and execution of separation calculations against separation rules. At necessary intervals human review confirms definitive wellbore trajectories, survey programs, and convergence plans. This moves tasks that require heavy human involvement outside of the critical drilling workflow. At appropriate risk levels, escalation occurs to increase the immediacy of the supervision, up to and including a stop-drilling condition requiring full management of change.
As more autonomous drilling systems are introduced in dense drilling environments, there is an increasing need to harmonize the requirements of these systems with collision avoidance workflows. By leveraging the ability of automation to identify critical points in the process, it is possible to move expertise to remote centers without sacrificing efficiency. Effective use of computer-assisted well planning can enable quick approval an optimal way forward leaving the execution to the automated drilling system.
Investigation of Frictional Heat Check Casing Failures in Offshore Deepwater Wells Leads to New Mitigation Strategy
Authors: Fitzsimmons Michael , Reyes Rollyn , Maskos Krystian , Thomas Tim , Sutin Sam 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Chevron experienced four casing leaks in subsea deepwater environments with an estimated cost of $80 million to remediate the wells. A similar incident at BHP resulted in parted casing and cost the company an estimated $21 million. This paper describes the investigative techniques which led to the conclusion of heat checking as the likely root cause of the casing leaks and the development of a 3D static FEA model which predicts downhole casing temperature. The model was validated by historical data analysis of more than 20 deepwater wells and found strong correlations between predicted downhole casing temperature and casing leak incidents. The results provided confidence for the implementation of a drilling parameter window and real-time temperature prediction algorithm to monitor and mitigate the potential for heat checking. The intent of this paper is to share with industry the recent realization and understanding of heat checking as a casing failure mode and mitigation measures put in place to manage a known but not necessarily widely monitored risk.
Automated Trajectory Drilling for Rotary Steerable Systems
Authors: Hansen Christian , Stokes Matthew , Mieting Ralf , Quattrone Francesco , Klemme Vanja , Nageshwara Rao Karthik , Wassermann Ingolf , Zaeper Ralf 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Directional drilling today is a manual process characterized by monitoring drilling parameters and trends, predicting the future wellbore trajectory and adjusting steering parameters as required. When drilling with a rotary steerable system (RSS) in the bottom-hole assembly (BHA), the trajectory control system is distributed between surface and downhole. The surface control makes use of downhole measurements and capabilities of the rotary steerable BHA, and in turn is used to control the downhole components, forming a ‘directional drilling control loop’ and allowing the efficient drilling of a quality wellbore. Traditionally, the directional driller assumes the surface control, whereas downhole control was executed by the RSS-BHA allowing to drill certain parts of a section automatically. With the advent of automation, the surface control can be executed by a control system.
This paper introduces a new automated trajectory drilling service for a rotary steerable system. The system is capable of predicting the wellbore trajectory, deriving steering proposals to follow the planned trajectory closely or steer back to plan, and submitting those steering downlinks automatically to the downhole RSS with the directional driller observing the system. The paper explains the underlying control methodology and the automation system architecture. Furthermore, operational considerations such as handling of formation disturbances are discussed. The concept of embedding the driller and directional driller in the decision-making workflow is outlined. Finally, the performance of the automated trajectory drilling system is assessed and field test results from two case studies are presented, where up to 98 % of a single wellbore has been drilled automatically. To date, a total of 3,926 m have been drilled automatically with the automated drilling system.
Cloud-Based Coherent Wellbore Stability, Improving Trajectory Design for Unconventional Well Construction Planning
Authors: Reyes Allan , Huang Jing Jing , Yuan Zhaoguang , Temple Phillip , Liang Qingjian , Morana Jorge , Hashemian Yahya 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Wellbore instability is one of the most consequential drilling operation risks. Planning a trajectory without knowing the wellbore instability risk can be costly during operations. It is critically important for engineers to be able to validate wellbore stability coherently when trajectories are planned and be able to adjust and optimize a trajectory to minimize the risk during the planning phase. The risks of wellbore collapse in the buildup sections, if the trajectory azimuth is not optimized with formation stress orientation, could be catastrophic. Due to shale heterogeneity, the horizontal section of the wellbore also has a high risk of wellbore instability. All the wellbore instability issues can lead to non-productive time and increase the cost of well construction. The solution presented in this paper is a cloud-based, coherent trajectory planning solution with wellbore stability validation using a Mechanical Earth Model (MEM).
Detailed well planning is required to mitigate all the wellbore instability issues. This cloud-based, coherent wellbore stability validation provides an efficient way to improve trajectories by advising the best azimuth and hole inclinations to avoid wellbore instability risks. The MEM is automatically used to compute the wellbore stability (WBS) on the trajectory design. Mud weight can also be validated in the wellbore stability model based on the mud weight window provided by the MEM. In the cloud collaborative environment, all other well planning workflows, such as BHA, casing design, etc. will be validated with the designed trajectory. A case study of unconventional well planning will be presented to show how to avoid wellbore instability by choosing a different trajectory than original proposal.
In the case study, WBS was computed from a MEM whose data are acquired from wireline logging. This study mitigated the risk of wellbore instability in the curve section by changing the dogleg of the trajectory. Simultaneously, mud design, BHA design, and casing design were concurrently validated to ensure safer and better well planning. Non-productive time was avoided because of a better trajectory design and wellbore stability.
This new workflow can help operators optimize well trajectory with reduced effort and deliver high quality well planning.
Automated Geosteering with Fault Detection and Multi-Solution Tracking
Authors: Maus Stefan , Gee Timothy , Mitkus Alexander M. , McCarthy Kenneth , Charney Eric , Ferro Aida , Liu Qianlong , Lightfoot Jackson , Reynerson Paul , Velozzi David M. , Mottahedeh Rocky 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Development of autonomous drilling technologies requires the automated analysis and interpretation of Logging While Drilling (LWD) data to optimally land the well in the target formation and keep it in the pay zone. This paper presents a fully automated geosteering algorithm, which includes advanced LWD filtering, fault detection, correlation, tracking of multiple interpretations with associated probabilities and visualization using novel stratigraphic misfit heatmaps.
Traditional geosteering uses manual stretch, compress and match techniques to correlate measurements along the subject wellbore against corresponding reference type logs. This results in a crude representation of strata by linear sections with offsets at fault locations. Instead of automating this manual process, we instead determine the possible interpretations as solutions of a geophysical inverse problem in which the total misfit between the subject and reference data is minimized. Interpretations are parameterized as discontinuous splines to accurately follow curved strata interjected by fault offsets. To account for ambiguities, multiple possible interpretations are continuously tracked in real time and assigned probabilities based on the misfit between the latest measurements and the reference data. Unrealistic solutions are suppressed by penalizing strong curvature and large fault offsets. Viable interpretations are simultaneously visualized in real time as paths on a novel stratigraphic misfit heat map, where they may be corroborated against valleys of minimal misfit between the subject and reference data. The user can guide the interpretation by setting control points on the heat map which the automated solutions must respect.
The algorithm has been validated using wells from different regions across North America for which previous manual geosteering interpretations are available. The automated spline interpretations represent the actual curved strata more accurately than manual interpretations. Operationally, the automated interpretations can be provided within minutes compared to typical manual turn-around times of hours. Automation leads to more consistent and repeatable results, removing the subjectivity of manual interpretations.
Gas Powered Engines with Energy Storage - A Game Changer in Land Drilling
Authors: Hopkins Diana , Fox Isaac , Molen Don 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
This paper describes the recent real-world demonstration of a gas-fueled power generation system for drill rigs which utilizes automation, energy storage, and integrated electronic controls to achieve excellent performance and efficiency. Land drilling rigs are typically powered by a set of diesel-fueled generator sets, but natural gas has been an attractive alternative fuel due to lower fuel cost and lower emissions. Lean-burn natural gas generator sets have traditionally not had the transient response required to accept the large load changes imposed by the drawworks motors on a drill rig while maintaining a steady bus frequency, unless combined with energy storage or resistive load banks, while rich-burn generator sets for drilling have been large and inefficient. In this demonstration, a set of high-performance lean-burn natural gas generator sets with superb transient response were combined with an energy storage system to mitigate the effects of transient load demand and showed excellent performance in real-world drilling situations over a period of more than 6 months. Furthermore, an automated supervisory control system was implemented which automated the starting and stopping of generator sets to achieve efficient operation and simultaneously provide a long life of the batteries in the energy storage system. Fuel savings have been calculated based on observed performance of the subject rig compared to simulated performance with a diesel power generation system under the same conditions, and by comparison of the subject rig to neighboring rigs. The integrated automatic control system reduced fuel usage by 13% and engine operating hours by 30% compared to running the same natural gas generator sets and energy storage without automation nor frequent manual interventions. Fuel savings compared to a conventional diesel-powered drill rig were estimated to be 612,500 gallons of diesel per year based on the observed operating loads.
Measuring Microinvisible Loss MILT Time in Drilling Operations
Authors: Mittal Manish , Lakhanpal Vikrant , Samuel Robello 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Within both productive and nonproductive time (NPT), a drilling operation can include invisible lost time (ILT), which is the time lost because a portion of the drilling operations is not performed at maximum efficiency. Within this ILT, another dimension of lost time can exist because of the inherent nature of the process, use of unoptimized equipment, or because the process might not have been performed at the optimum efficiency.
Both NPT and ILT concepts have been discussed in the literature. Some concepts are based on the maximum theoretical performance (MTP), and others are based on threshold time calculation. Regardless of the estimation method used, NPT and ILT are generally quantified in the literature as products of downhole conditions. Another dimension of NPT: microinvisible lost time (MILT) is introduced in this work. MILT is identified as being affected by two major factors: surface equipment design and efficiency and process optimization. MILT also includes ergonomic human inefficiencies attributable to these factors.
A case study is presented to identify the MILT using an online statistical analysis method. It can be integrated with future management and well design plans to improve the efficiency of drilling operations. The objective is to help identify the commonly ignored hidden factors that contribute to NPT; consequently, it can help promote faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective drilling.
SOLAG: An Intelligent Gas Lift Optimization System for Continuous and Intermittent Gas Lift Wells
Authors: Cadeño M. , Ortiz J. L. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Offshore production operations in Lake Maracaibo field are characterized by having an average of 4,500 gas lifted wells, producing from more than 400 different reservoirs. These complex processes require constant surveillance to allocate the proper gas injection rate for each well, based on available gas from each one of the seven existing gas compression and distribution systems.
To determine the required gas injection rate for each well in a distribution system, we developed in 1980 a computerised system celled SOLAG which stands for Gas Lift Optimization System. This system has been upgraded during the past 12 years and it capable of analyzing and selecting the appropriate production data from field measurements, determining individually the optimum gas injection rate based on the actual gas lift method, and finally allocating the required gas injection rate based on two situations that could be present in a distribution system: (1) available gas is greater than required, and (2) available gas is less than required.
In-house mathematical correlations are used to estimate optimum gas injection ratea for continuous and intermittent gas lift wells. Another feature is the application of artificial intelligence to represent the knowledge needed to interpret and select proper data from field measurements.
In this paper we describe the system, the mathematical correlations used to estimate optimum gas injection rates for each well, and our approach for allocating a total volume of available gas in a group of wells. Examples are used to illustrate the application of the system.
The protective effects of MSC-EXO against pulmonary arterial hypertension through inhibition of Wnt/BMP signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhaohua , Liu Xiaoli , Ge LiLi , Zhang Shanshan , Wang Jue , Jiang Wen , Xin Qian , luan yun 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background The aim of the study was to explore the mechanism of mesenchymal human umbilical cord msenchymal stem cells derived exosomes (MSC-EXO) against experimental pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) pulmonary vascular remodeling . Methods and results After PAH model was successful established, the animals received tail vein injections of MSC-EXO. Post-operation, the pulmonary artery pressure was measured, and the lung tissues were stained to evaluate the pulmonary vascular remodeling. Our results showed that MSC-EXO could significantly inhibit the pulmonary arterial hypertension, attenuate pulmonary vascular remodeling and lung fibrosis in vivo . Furthermore, the hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery endothelial cell (PAEC) model was used in vitro . Our results showed the expression of CD31, V-Ecadherin, Wnt5a, Wnt11, BMPR2 and Smad1/5/8 were significantly higher, but the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (a-SMA), β-catenin, cyclin D1 and Smad2/3 were significantly lower in in MSC-EXO administration group then that in MCT or hypoxia group. Moreover, the present study found that BMP signaling suppressed obviously when the cells were transfection with Wnt5a siRNA. Conclusion In conclusion, these results suggested that MSC-EXO could protect PAH vascular remodeling through regulation of Wnt/BMP signaling pathway.
Utility of serial procalcitonin measurement in management of febrile neutropenia in a resource constrained setting.
Authors: Halder Rohan , Seth Tulika , Chaturvedi Pradeep , Mahapatra Manoranjan , Pati Hara Prasad , Tyagi Seema , Saxena Renu 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Febrile neutropenia is a common cause in morbidity and mortality during treatment of hematological neoplasms.Methods: Subjects included all cases admitted under hematology department with febrile neutropenia from February to June 2018. Diagnostic work up for each febrile episode was done including Procalcitonin (PCT) was sent at fever onset 0,24,48hour, day 7 and day 14.Results: Data was analyzed for 52 febrile episodes in 50 patients.PCT cut off value at 24 hours of ≤1.2ng/ml had a sensitivity and specificity of 62.5% and 87.5% for discriminating IFI and MDI (p=0.033). PCT had a negative predictive value of 70% for the diagnosis of IFI as compared to MDI. PCT cut-off of 0.4ng/ml on day 7 had a sensitivity and specificity of 60.98% and 100% respectively for discriminating IFI and PUO (p= 0.0001). There was a significant fall in the level of PCT by day 14(median fall in PCT of 10.8) in the group of patients who had both IFI+ MDI when compared to other groups (p=0.047). PCT level at 24 and 48hours can be a predictor of severity of infection.Conclusion: Procalcitonin at 24 hours could discriminate between bacterial and fungal infection and between fever due to fungal infection and disease fever.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is an early consequence of partial or complete&nbsp;dystrophin loss in&nbsp;mdx&nbsp;mice.
Authors: Moore Timothy M , Lin Amanda , Strumwasser Alexander R , Cory Kevin , Whitney Kate , Ho Theodore , Ho Timothy , Lee Joseph L , Rucker Daniel H , Nguyen Christina Q , Yackly Aidan , Mahata Sushil K , Wanagat Jonathan , Stiles Linsey , Turcotte Lorraine P , Crosbie Rachelle H , Zhou Zhenqi 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background:Muscular dystrophies are a diverse family of genetic and hereditary disorders manifested primarily by the progressive wasting of skeletal muscle. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common muscular dystrophy, has no cure, with most treatments seeking to mitigate symptoms. Emerging gene or stem cell therapies hold promise, although widespread clinical adoption may not occur for quite some time. There remains a need for alternative strategies, including drug and lifestyle combination-based therapies, and to continue furthering understanding the physiological effects of dystrophin gene mutations. Mitochondrial dysfunction is well known as a pathological feature of DMD. However, whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a cause or the consequence of DMD is not well known. We hypothesized that dystrophin deletion would lead to mitochondrial and metabolic abnormalities prior to the onset of observable muscle damage.Methods:Utilizing the commonly employed muscular dystrophy mouse model, C57BL/10ScSn-Dmdmdx/J (mdx), we sought to determine how the loss of dystrophin effects mitochondria and metabolism in both male and female mdx mice. We also treated male mdx mice with an autophagy inhibitor, leupeptin, to investigate its potentially impact on mdx pathology.Results:We detected, via electron microscopy, aberrant mitochondrial morphology, reduced cristae numbers per area of mitochondria, and large mitochondrial vacuoles from both two-week-old male and 24-week-old female mdx carrier mice, prior to the onset of visible muscle fiber damage. We systematically characterized mitochondria during disease progression starting before the onset of gross muscle fiber damage noting changes in mitochondrial DNA copy number and regulators of mitochondrial size. We further detected mild metabolic and mitochondrial impairments in female mdx carrier mice (heterozygous mdx/+) that was exacerbated with high-fat diet feeding. Lastly, we found autophagy inhibition did not improve pathology in mdx male mice.Conclusions:Our results suggest that prior to the onset of visible muscle damage, mitochondrial and metabolic abnormalities are present within the mdx mouse.