Application of machine learning to assess the value of information in polymer flooding

In this work, we provide a more consistent alternative for performing value of information (VOI) analyses to address sequential decision problems in reservoir management and generate insights on the process of reservoir decision-making. These sequential decision problems are often solved and modeled as stochastic dynamic programs, but once the state space becomes large and complex, traditional techniques, such as policy iteration and backward induction, quickly become computationally demanding and intractable. To resolve these issues and utilize fewer computational resources, we instead make use of a viable alternative called approximate dynamic programming (ADP), which is a powerful solution technique that can handle complex, large-scale problems and discover a near-optimal solution for intractable sequential decision making. We compare and test the performance of several machine learning techniques that lie within the domain of ADP to determine the optimal time for beginning a polymer flooding process within a reservoir development plan. The approximate dynamic approach utilized here takes into account both the effect of the information obtained before a decision is made and the effect of the information that might be obtained to support future decisions while significantly improving both the timing and the value of the decision, thereby leading to a significant increase in economic performance.publishedVersio

A sequential decision and data analytics framework for maximizing value and reliability of CO2 storage monitoring

Carbon capture and sequestration (carbon capture and storage or CCS) represents a unique potential strategy that can minimize CO2 emissions in the atmosphere, and it creates a pathway toward a neutral carbon balance, which cannot be solely achieved by combining energy efficiency and other forms of low carbon energy. To contribute to the decision-making process and ensure that CCS is successful and safe, an adequate monitoring program must be implemented to prevent storage reservoir leakage and contamination of drinking water in groundwater aquifers. In this paper, we propose an approach to perform value of information (VOI) analyses to address sequential decision problems in reservoir management in the context of monitoring the geological storage of CO2 operations. These sequential decision problems are often solved and modeled by approximate dynamic programming (ADP), which is a powerful technique for handling complex large-scale problems and finding a near-optimal solution for intractable sequential decision-making. In this study, we tested machine learning techniques that fall within ADP to estimate the VOI and determine the optimal time to stop CO2 injections into the reservoir based on information from seismic surveys. This ADP approach accounts for both the effect of the information obtained before a decision and the effect of the information that might be obtained to support future decisions while significantly improving the timing, value of the decision, and uncertainty of the CO2 plume behavior, thereby significantly increasing economic performance. The Utsira saline aquifer west of Norway was used to exemplify ADP’s ability to improve decision support regarding CO2 storage projects.publishedVersio

Thirty Years of Machine Learning: The Road to Pareto-Optimal Wireless Networks

Future wireless networks have a substantial potential in terms of supporting a broad range of complex compelling applications both in military and civilian fields, where the users are able to enjoy high-rate, low-latency, low-cost and reliable information services. Achieving this ambitious goal requires new radio techniques for adaptive learning and intelligent decision making because of the complex heterogeneous nature of the network structures and wireless services. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have great success in supporting big data analytics, efficient parameter estimation and interactive decision making. Hence, in this article, we review the thirty-year history of ML by elaborating on supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning and deep learning. Furthermore, we investigate their employment in the compelling applications of wireless networks, including heterogeneous networks (HetNets), cognitive radios (CR), Internet of things (IoT), machine to machine networks (M2M), and so on. This article aims for assisting the readers in clarifying the motivation and methodology of the various ML algorithms, so as to invoke them for hitherto unexplored services as well as scenarios of future wireless networks.Comment: 46 pages, 22 fig

Learning from accidents : machine learning for safety at railway stations

In railway systems, station safety is a critical aspect of the overall structure, and yet, accidents at stations still occur. It is time to learn from these errors and improve conventional methods by utilizing the latest technology, such as machine learning (ML), to analyse accidents and enhance safety systems. ML has been employed in many fields, including engineering systems, and it interacts with us throughout our daily lives. Thus, we must consider the available technology in general and ML in particular in the context of safety in the railway industry. This paper explores the employment of the decision tree (DT) method in safety classification and the analysis of accidents at railway stations to predict the traits of passengers affected by accidents. The critical contribution of this study is the presentation of ML and an explanation of how this technique is applied for ensuring safety, utilizing automated processes, and gaining benefits from this powerful technology. To apply and explore this method, a case study has been selected that focuses on the fatalities caused by accidents at railway stations. An analysis of some of these fatal accidents as reported by the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) is performed and presented in this paper to provide a broader summary of the application of supervised ML for improving safety at railway stations. Finally, this research shows the vast potential of the innovative application of ML in safety analysis for the railway industry

Integration of Forecasting, Scheduling, Machine Learning, and Efficiency Improvement Methods into the Sport Management Industry

Sport management is a complicated and economically impactful industry and involves many crucial decisions: such as which players to retain or release, how many concession vendors to add, how many fans to expect, what teams to schedule, and many others are made each offseason and changed frequently. The task of making such decisions effectively is difficult, but the process can be made easier using methods of industrial and systems engineering (ISE). Integrating methods such as forecasting, scheduling, machine learning, and efficiency improvement from ISE can be revolutionary in helping sports organizations and franchises be consistently successful. Research shows areas including player evaluation, analytics, fan attendance, stadium design, accurate scheduling, play prediction, player development, prevention of cheating, and others can be improved when ISE methods are used to target inefficient or wasteful areas