Application of Neural Networks to Evaluate Factors Affecting Drilling Performance

Achieving the highest Rate of Penetration (ROP) with the least possible Bit Tooth Wear Rate (BTWR) is the aim of every drilling engineer when selecting a drilling bit. Predicting the optimal ROP has become increasingly important given the rise in expenses involved in drilling a well. This has meant that oil companies engage in a perpetual struggle to predict the optimum rock mechanical property parameters. Predicting optimal rock mechanical property parameters, specifically Rate of Penetration (ROP), has become increasingly important given the rise in expenses involved in drilling a well. The prediction of ROP from the current available data is an important criterion for reduction of drilling costs. ROP represents rock bit interaction which relates rock compressive strength and bit aggressivity. ROP prediction is complex because of the numerous variables which lead to difficulties in evaluating drilling parameters. Several models and methods have been published for predicting, and therefore potentially optimizing rate of penetration. However, these models and methods have limitations, too many variables are included, their input parameters are often not readily available, and their relationships are complex and not easily modeled. Therefore, the application of Neural Network is suggested in this study. A new methodology has been developed to predict the rate of penetration using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Three case studies representing different formations in Kuwait have been conducted to investigate ROP prediction for various applications. These cases have investigated the prediction of ROP for a specific heterogeneous formation (CASE I); a semihomogenous formation (CASE II); a drilling section composed of a heterogeneous formation and for a drilling section composed of a complex heterogeneous set of formations (CASE III). Predicting ROP parameters is of particular interest, therefore finding a new method to predict ROP for the cases investigated in this study will be a valuable achievement. Application of the new network models would then be used for selecting the best parameters for an optimal drilling strategy based on field data. In addition to the prediction of ROP, several runs were carried out to predict Tooth Wear Rate (TWR) for a drilling section in case III. Rock bit interactions in the field as a function of rock mechanical property parameters was achieved by predicting ROP which relates to rock compressive strength and bit aggressivity; as well as TWR which relates to rock abrasiveness and wear resistance. History of bit runs, mud logging data, geological information, offset well bit records, drill bit characteristics, and wireline data all play an important role in the prediction of rock bit interactions in this study. Based on field data, the prediction of rock mechanical property parameters can be accomplished by the use of a neural network as an alternative prediction and optimization method. Neural network offers a new form of information processing that is fundamentally different from a traditional processing system. The system uses a knowledge base of various drilling parameters, to produce a “correlation” description of the optimal Rate of Penetration

The Role of Geotechnical Engineering in Photovoltaic Solar Photovoltaic Energy in Arid Climate Regions

The photovoltaic solar energy is comprised of many engineering disciplines. Geotechnical engineering is one of those disciplines in which it has important functions in the solar photovoltaic technology and particularly for large scale projects which usually employed in open areas such as parks or deserts. The aim of this paper is to present in depth the role of the geotechnical engineering in the solar photovoltaic energy and clarifying the common challenges facing this technology in arid climate regions. It is found that the lack of specialised codes and specifications that needed for foundation design and in selecting the proper foundation types. This would significantly affect the development of this technology in terms of efficiency and performance of the proposed solar photovoltaic systems. The hot weather climate and induced stresses by wind speed are also critical issues that should be considered. In order to avoid the uncertainty of data such as soil properties, the use of numerical modelling techniques is an effective method to help determining the most proper parameters needed for design and analyse purposes

The role of internal stakeholders and influencing factors during the phases of e-government initiative implementation

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel UniversityGovernments around the globe were actively implementing e-government initiatives in the past two decades. However, the majority of e-government initiatives fail in achieving their objectives before, during or after implementation. This study is addressing the problem, e-government initiatives are still more failure than success. Literature indicates differing models that analyse various stages, stakeholders and factors influencing e-government implementation in the public sector. Yet, these models do not explore in particular the important roles and responsibilities of internal stakeholders and influencing factors during different phases of the implementation cycle of the e-government initiative. There is a need for a framework that guides the e-government initiative implementation internally. To achieve the aim of this research, this study should empirically investigate "managing e-government initiative implementation." Consequently, this thesis results in research that contributes towards successful e-government initiative implementation based on empirical data derived from three case studies. The practical parts of the research are three case studies on e-government initiative implementation, which are analysed using an interpretive and qualitative research approach. Besides document analysis and observation, interview was the main method to collect empirical data for this study. For an accurate result, only managers and above level are selected and interviewed. The study examines the proposed framework in three government organizations in the State of Kuwait by using a qualitative, interpretive, multiple case study research strategy. As a result, this thesis is proposing a framework that can be used to enhance the implementation process of e-government initiative throughout the different phases of the implementation cycle, and contributes to the body of knowledge by extending the literature. The stakeholders, factors and implementation phases are mapped together to ease understanding the implementation process of e-government initiative implementation across the public organizations. The study concludes by identifying internal stakeholders, factors, and providing a holistic framework for e-government initiative implementation. The findings of this research are useful for internal stakeholders in the field, as it enables them to gain a better understanding of their own roles and responsibilities. Moreover, researchers in similar fields may find this work useful as a way to approach the study of e-government initiative implementation

Designing neural networks for the prediction of the drilling parameters for Kuwait oil and gas fields

In this study a new methodology was developed to predict the drilling parameters using the Artificial Neural Network. Three models were developed to predict bit type, rate of penetration (ROP), and cost-per-foot (cost/ft), respectively.;The prediction of bit type and other drilling parameters from the current available data is an important criterion in selecting the most cost efficient bit. History of bit runs plays an important factor in bit selection and bit design. Based on field data, the selection of bit type can be accomplished by the use of a neural network as an alternative bit selection method.;Three drilling parameters were modeled with data from different fields located in Kuwait. Results show that the drilling parameters of the new well can be predicted with the neural network models developed from the previous wells, a cost efficient alternative

Is Israel a Democratic State which Preserves International Law As a Law? International Law as Criterion For the Practice of Democracy

At this stage of internationalsocialdevelopment, the answer to the aforementioned question cannot be provided solely by municipallaw. Internationallawand its rules must provide some of the answers. Some of these rules, which have been adopted from municipallaw, namely the principle of democracy , which is one of generalprinciples oflawhas been embodied in Article 38 of the ICJ\u27s Statute as a source of internationallaw. The principle of democracy, as a generalprinciple oflaw, has the same implication and application in the two systems of municipaland internationallaw. The preservation of the principle of democracy in one system by a state leads inevitably to the preservation of the same principle in the other system oflaw. As a criterion, the application of the principle of democracy to theIsrael\u27s legalsystem has emphasized the fact that this legalsystem is not a fully-fledged democratic system as hasalways been claimed; on the contrary, it is an ethnic and religious democracy. This fact is evident in the Israeli government practices whether with regards to the application of the equality of rights between its population – Jewish and Arabs, or the infringement by the Israeli Government of the right of self-determination of the Arab Palestinian people of the 1967 occupied territories. The international humanitarian law infringements, however, puts the onus of responsibility on Israel which enables the application of the international law by the international community in order to force Israel to preserve equality and to allow the Palestinian people to establish an independent stat

Positive Approach to the Disputes over the three Islands Abu Mosa, Tunb Al-Kubra and Tunb Al-Sughra-نظرة موضوعية في النزاع بين إيران ودولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة بشأن الجزر الثلاث

The Gulf States have bitterly experienced the horrible and destructive wars of 1980 and of 1991, the underlying reasons of which were territorial claims and counter-claims, according to which none of these recognized principles had been applied in good faith. Unfortunately, the rise of the imminent danger of a third war can be expected sooner or later, as a result of the building up of the controversy between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Concerning the sovereignty over the three islands of Abu Mosa, and of Greater and Lesser Tunb’. The Iranian claims and the U.A.E.\u27 s counter-claims of sovereignty over the three islands date back to the beginning of this century, when the islands were under de facto sovereignty of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, before the formation of the U.A.E. Upon the declaration of Great Britain to withdraw from the Gulf at the end of 1971 and before the real withdrawal, Iran tried to carry out her claims though different means. She exerted heavy pressure upon the ruler of Sharjah to sign the so-called Memorandum of Understanding on 29th of November 1971 according to which Iranian forces were stationed side by side with Sharjah forces in the island of Abu Musa . The next day, other Iranian forces occupied the two Tunb islands and hoisted the Iranian flag there without the consent of the Ruler of Ras al - Khaimah . After the formation of the U.A.E. and its admission to the membership of the United Nations and to the O.I.C., to which the Islamic Republic of Iran was a member , the government of the U.A.E ., in several occasions, invited the Islamic Republic of Iran to settle peacefully the disputes over the islands though the coordinated and very effective mechanism for the settlement of international disputes as embodied in the Charter of these organizations . Until now, these invitations were to no avail. One of these occasions was the G.C.C. 14th session on 23 December 1993, in which the G.C.C. Heads declared that : The Islamic Republic of Iran should affirmatively respond to the invitation submitted to her by the President of the United Arab Emirates for the assumption of direct negotiation regarding the Iranian occupation of the United Arab Emirates\u27 three islands . The invitation continued, adding that: The G.C.C. members completely support and absolutely agree with the position of the United Arab Emirates. They also support all procedures and peaceful means, which the United Arab Emirates may rely upon in order to resume her sovereignty over the islands in accordance with the principles of international law. Soon after, the Islamic Republic of Iran vigorously opposed the invitation of the G.C.C. Heads of States by defending her position in the islands and reiterated her claims of sovereignty over them. Throughout the entire period of the disputes, a few legal studies have hastily come across the description of this issue without toggling it or providing an alternative legal solution. Therefore, it is the main purpose of this study to deeply scrutinize this problem, to balance the argument of each party against the prevailing principles of contemporary international law, and to provide a practical and positive legal mechanism for peaceful settlement of the disputes, if the parties faithfully agree to apply them

Thermal comfort prediction, conditions and air quality for younger and older children in Kuwait schools

The thesis presents the field and laboratory work conducted to investigate the applicability of different thermal comfort indices and equations to assess the thermal sensation of very young children (6-10 years) and older children (11-17 years) in Kuwait classrooms under different ventilation modes (hybrid, natural and air-conditioned), in addition to investigating the quality of the air inside the classrooms. Few thermal comfort and indoor air quality studies have been conducted to determine the thermal comfort and indoor air quality situation inside the classrooms (especially where the young children are presents) in comparison to that for adults in other building environments such as offices or vehicles. The aim of this thesis was to provide baseline data and expand the knowledge for young children s thermal comfort (as well as older children) and the effects of the indoor air quality inside classrooms on them throughout different ventilation modes (hybrid, natural and air-conditioned). The work was achieved by conducting both laboratory and field experiments, as follows: Laboratory tests were conducted to measure the insulation value of the different schoolwear ensembles used in Kuwait classrooms. Three methods were used to indicate and compare the thermal insulation values of different schoolwear ensembles worn by girls and boys in Kuwait classrooms during summer and winter seasons. Results suggest that the clothing insulation values found from the measured and adapted data were similar to the adult s data in standards tables for the same summer and winter seasons ensembles. In addition, the temperature ratings of the clothing are close to, and in agreement with, the scholars comfort temperature. A new thermal comfort questionnaire has been designed for gathering thermal sensation and reflected data from younger children. The questionnaire has been designed employing learning and educational techniques for very young people, and was statistically tested against the standard questionnaire and with old age groups to ensure no bias was introduced. The results show that the new designed thermal comfort questionnaire can help children to assess their sensation in a better manner than that of the standard questionnaire, and that it can be considered as a new subjective assessment tool that can support the thermal comfort standard by investigating the thermal comfort sensations of younger children age groups. A large scale field study was then conducted to investigate the applicability of different thermal comfort indices for Kuwait classrooms along the academic year and under different ventilation modes to assess the thermal sensations for younger (6-10 years) and older (11-17 years) students age group during the school day. The newly designed thermal comfort questionnaire and the clothing insulation values mentioned previously were used to collect the subjects responses for comparison with a range of thermal comfort indices (PMV, ePMV, PMV10 and adaptive, and various comfort equations). Results show that no difference in the neutral temperature between both age groups during the different ventilation modes and the PMV model is the most appropriate model to predict the thermal sensations of the younger subjects during the different ventilation modes, including the natural ventilation mode, since Kuwait classrooms largely considered as air-conditioned spaces. This work provides knowledge of thermal comfort and comfort conditions in Kuwait classrooms. The final part of the field study was conducted to investigate the adequacy of the ventilation rates during naturally and air-conditioned ventilation modes inside 10 elementary classrooms in Kuwait occupied by 6-10 year old children by measuring the CO2 concentration levels inside these classrooms. The findings showed that naturally ventilated classrooms have lower average CO2 concentration levels (708 ppm) than air-conditioned classrooms (1596 ppm). The main reason for the high CO2 concentration in air-conditioned classrooms is attributed to the possibly inappropriate selection of ventilation system type (wall-mounted split units) inside the classrooms. This type of ventilation system cools recirculated room air provides no outside air (fresh air), which is may not be appreciated for high occupancy zones like classrooms. Suitable means for fresh air provision must be made for this mode of operation. Some remedial solutions are theoretically suggested to reduce the high CO2 levels in air-conditioned classrooms which may enhance the students and staffs performance. The latter data on CO2 levels being above recommended values have been communicated to Kuwaiti government

Pre-registration nursing students’ experiences of stress

This research study aimed to explore stress among pre-registration nursing students in the United Kingdom. The specific objectives of the study were: To explore the experience of stress among pre-registration nursing students; to determine the type of stress and sources of stress in pre-registration nursing field; to investigate the perceptions of pre-registration nursing students on stress and anxiety in pre-registration nursing programme; and to identify suitable measures that can be implemented to help the pre-registration nursing students to cope with stress. Qualitative research method and phenomenological approach was used in this study and the data was collected with the help of face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The setting for the current study was a higher education institution (HEI) that delivers pre-registration nurse education in the UK. The study sample was six pre-registration nursing students from the East Midlands who were in the first, second, and in final year of the study program leading to BSc (Hons) Nursing with NMC Registration. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted which led to four emergent themes: Pre-registration nursing students’ experiences of stress; re-registration nursing students’ perceptions of stress and anxiety; sources of stress in the nursing field; and measures for coping with stress. The findings revealed that the pre-registration nursing students in this study perceived stress as a problem associated with human health that basically is caused by academic pressure presented by either theoretical assignments, projects, and examinations and placement demands such as while caring for patients. Moreover, stress among pre-registration nursing students was found to be a problem embedded in their lifestyle that impacts their wellbeing. Further findings showed that the study participants perceived that stress and anxiety are interrelated; anxiety takes place in response to stress resulting from academic and clinical placement pressure; and anxiety has a strong relationship with stress and is a contributor to depression too. The study participants also perceived that the major causes of stress include social distress, financial problems, academic pressure, demands of clinical placement, and family expectations. Academic pressure was found to be the most common cause of stress among the pre-registration nursing students in this study. Lastly, the findings revealed that the coping strategies that can help pre-registration nursing students to manage stress are adopting social support mechanisms, encouraging physical activities, and spiritual support. Keywords: Pre-registration nursing students, Stress, Coping. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/85-14 Publication date: January 31st 202