Other Engineering Commons^™

A Simulation Study Of Surfactant/Foam Processes In Shallow Subsurface Remediation: Using Foams For Mobility Control Vs. Blockage, Betty Cepeda

LSU Master's Theses

Many shallow ex-situ and in-situ remediation treatments come from the contamination of underground soils and groundwater sources by organic hydrocarbon components called non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs). These contaminants, if leaking, can impose long-term threats causing environmental and health concerns. One of the versatile in-situ remediation techniques is using surfactant/foam processes that can overcome subsurface heterogeneity and improve NAPL removal.

This simulation study investigates surfactant/foam processes, especially focusing on two different roles of foams during the treatment: foams for “mobility control” vs. foams for “blocking”. The first is based on the actual operations carried out in the pilot-test site for 23 …

Tunable Passive Shock And Vibration Isolators For Rotational Isolation, Chase B. Lemaire

LSU Master's Theses

Shock and vibration isolation are a critical need in helmets, which are widely used to protect athletes, workers, soldiers, and astronauts. Passive vibration isolation systems are a good option when mass and volume should be minimized and when the experienced loadings can be predicted. However, it is frequently challenging to find materials and structures which exhibit the optimal vibration and impact isolation properties for an application. As a case study illustrating a novel design paradigm for rotational shock absorption, a family of optimal solutions for the physical properties of American football helmets is presented. Lumped parameter Simulink models simulate a …

A Study Of Methane-Liquid Absorption Characteristics For Gas Influx Management, Scott A. Perry

LSU Master's Theses

The study of absorption mass transfer kinetics in non-aqueous base fluids and the investigation of the parameters that influence this process is crucial in the application to gas influx management. While there have been a large number of studies investigating the interaction and solubility of methane in non-aqueous drilling fluids, relatively little attention has been placed on studying the mass transfer kinetics for different scenarios within the wellbore and riser. During the drilling process, there are multiple ways in which the formation gas can come into contact with the drilling fluid via a gas kick. Once the gas influx dissolves …

Performance Evaluation Of Gas Lift Valves Using Numerical Simulation, Felipe Simoes Maciel

LSU Master's Theses

This work aimed to assess the performance of two numerical simulation methods to replicate flow capacity test (FCT) results and predict the flow coefficient (Cv) and critical pressure ratio (Rcp) of gas lift valves (GLVs). FCT's use a modified GLV with an adjustable stem positioning system to obtain pressure as a function of flow rate for different stem positions to calculate Cv and Rcp. Therefore, this study used both a one-dimensional (1D) mechanistic model and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the same variable from the FCT without tests using modified GLVs. This methodology demonstrates accurate results, which were compared …

Development Of Reduced Order Models Using Reservoir Simulation And Physics Informed Machine Learning Techniques, Mark V. Behl Jr

LSU Master's Theses

Reservoir simulation is the industry standard for prediction and characterization of processes in the subsurface. However, simulation is computationally expensive and time consuming. This study explores reduced order models (ROMs) as an appropriate alternative. ROMs that use neural networks effectively capture nonlinear dependencies, and only require available operational data as inputs. Neural networks are a black box and difficult to interpret, however. Physics informed neural networks (PINNs) provide a potential solution to these shortcomings, but have not yet been applied extensively in petroleum engineering.

A mature black-oil simulation model from Volve public data release was used to generate training data …

Alternative Methods, Hunter Stabler

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

In the realm of precognitive artmaking, the artist’s role is that of an antenna. One must be receptive to the subtle, invisible flow of creative novelty in order to participate in the involuntary channeling of new ideas, new processes, and alternative methods of creative production. Carving out new territory within the realm of static art is a primary objective for my artistic process. By utilizing digital fabrication tools, paired with my affinity for intricate craft and optical metagrobolization, I have created a body of work that invents alternative processes and unique aesthetic languages.

Digital imaging, digital modeling and digital …

A Data-Driven Model For Multiphase Flow In Pipes, Francisco Bruno Xavier Teles

LSU Master's Theses

Steady-state models commonly used to determine pressure gradient in wells are either empirical correlations or are dependent on empirical parameters correlated to specific flow conditions such as pressures, temperatures, fluid types, and pipe inclinations. The empirical nature of these models leads to limitations in predicting cases in a wide range of conditions. Established models may be delivering inaccurate results when applied at conditions beyond those which they were derived from. For instance, models available in the literature have shown to have limitations when used in large diameter pipes and high-velocity scenarios.

This work aims to evaluate different flow models with …

Mass Spectrometric Calibration For Real -Time Hydrocarbon Detection, Makuachukwu Mbaegbu

LSU Master's Theses

Determining gas compositions from live well fluids on a drilling rig is critical for real time formation evaluation. However, development and utilization of a reliable mass spectrometric method to accurately characterize these live well fluids is always a challenging issue because of lack of a robust, quick and effectively selective instrument and method. The primary goal of this research is to understand reasons of such discrepancies in results between “good” spectra, and “poor” ones. The objectives are thus to identify the detection issues, calibrate and QA/QC the instruments, and analyze the results in lab settings. In this study, we used …

The Desorption Kinetics Of Methane From Nonaqueous Fluids For Enhanced Well Control, James Lee Nielsen Jr.

LSU Master's Theses

The mass transfer of a dissolved gas evolving to return to the gaseous phase from a liquid is governed by many parameters. This process affects the development of an oil and gas well due to the possibility of gas contamination occurring from either an influx entering the wellbore, or drilling through gas-bearing formations. Once this dissolved hydrocarbon gas circulates up the wellbore, it will begin to evolve from solution and poses a potential risk to drilling equipment, the environment, and personnel at a drilling rig. Being able to predict the behavior of gas desorption based on a known set of …

Development And Validation Of A Simplified Transient Two-Phase Flow Model For Any Pipe Inclination, Ligia Tornisiello

LSU Master's Theses

This study describes the development and validation of an improved simplified model for transient two-phase flow for any pipe inclination. The simplified model proposed has been validated with field-scale test well and laboratorial data, and also compared to the state-of-the-art commercial simulator for transient two-phase flow in pipes. The results of the simplified model showed an agreement within the range of ±30% for the holdup predictions for 65% of the scenarios, and an agreement within the range of ±30% for the pressure predictions for 82% of the scenarios considered in this work.

In the oil and gas industry, transient two-phase …

Breaking Coastal Hypoxia: Destratification Of Gulf Of Mexico Deadzone To Encourage Oxygen Transport Downwards To Maintain Marine Fauna, Veda Thipparthi

LSU Master's Theses

As a consequence of seasonal eutrophication and human input, a vast hypoxic area termed The Dead Zone develops every year in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) during summer along the Louisiana coastline characterized by vertical seawater density-stratification with oxygen concentrations less than 2 mg.l^-1 at the seafloor. It poses a threat to bottom-dwelling faunae and their environment which has negative ecological and economic consequences. This project aims to mitigate hypoxia by employing mechanical impellers placed at strategic water depths and locations in the Gulf. Enhanced transport of oxygen results by mixing oxygen-enriched seawater at the surface, downward into the …

Transient Flow Analysis Of A Closing Blowout Preventer Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd), Daniel Barreca

LSU Master's Theses

Reliability of blowout preventers (BOPs) is crucial for drilling and production operations. Erosion of BOP components and hydrodynamic forces on rams may cause failure of BOP elements to seal the well. Transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of fluids within the wellbore and BOP offer quantitative and qualitative data related to this reliability during the closure of various BOP components. Since limited research has been published in transient CFD simulations of closing BOPs, this thesis discusses challenges and solutions to simulating closing blowout preventers. Single component fluids are simulated through several BOP geometries such as annular preventers, pipe rams, and …

Study Of Rheology And Flow Behavior Of Magneto-Rheological Fluids Under The Influence Of A Magnetic Field And Its Potential Applications For Drilling And Completion Operations, John Edwin Estrada Giraldo

LSU Master's Theses

The use of magnetorheological fluids (MRF) is presented as an alternative to overcome some of the problems encountered in the drilling and completion of a well. The magnetorheological fluids can modify their rheological properties instantaneously under the influence of a magnetic field. In this thesis, MRF consist of a base fluid, magnetizable particles and a polymer that supports the particles. The magnetizable particles align in the direction of the magnetic field, thus modifying the rheology of the mixture. Because of this characteristic, the use of this fluid can have advantages in controlling fluid losses while drilling in narrow operating windows, …

Design And Performance Estimation Of A Low-Reynolds Number Unmanned Aircraft System, Sean Lauderdale King

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to conceptually design a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with a higher flight-time and top stable speed than comparable systems. The vehicle adheres to specifications derived from the client, the market, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To broadly meet these requirements, the vehicle must fly for a minimum of three hours, return to the original flight path quickly if perturbed, and must be hand-launched. The vehicle designed must also have a large potential center of gravity movement to allow for customization of the planform and client customization.

An iterative design process was used …

Integrated Reservoir-Wellbore Nodal Analysis Workflow For Worst-Case Discharge Modeling, Florencia Anahi Vasquez Cordoba

LSU Master's Theses

According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), worst-case discharge (WCD) is the single highest possible daily flow rate of liquid hydrocarbon during an uncontrolled wellbore flow event [49]. The main objective of this research is to develop a workflow to calculate worst case discharge (WCD) volumes for a drilling scenario using an integrated reservoir-nodal analyses approach. Using robust integrated production modeling (IPM) tools, a nodal analysis workflow is developed to compute WCD volumes and rates that operators can use easily if they have IPM, or adapt to using a different software (including excel) in absence of IPM. A …

Demonstration Of The Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage (Gagd) Process In Carbonate Rocks., Alok Jiteshkumar Shah

LSU Master's Theses

The Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage (GAGD) process was developed and patented by Dr. Rao at LSU in the early 2000s. The process involves the use of several existing or new vertical injection wells to inject gas and use the natural segregation of reservoir fluids from the density difference and the gravitational forces to displace the trapped oil and mobilize the oil downwards to be produced by a horizontal producing well. The GAGD process can be implemented as a secondary or tertiary oil recovery method. Several physical model experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the GAGD process for …

Pressure Transient Techniques For Continuous Monitoring Of Co2 Storage/Eor, Nam Hoang Tran

LSU Master's Theses

Pressure well testing has been widely used in the oil and gas industry for determining reservoir properties and well conditions. More recently, studies have been done to show the applicability of well testing for the continuous monitoring of CO₂ storage projects. In the current thesis, we study a diverse range of pressure transient techniques with the same goal of characterizing CO₂. The thesis finds that the use of pressure transient analysis is a strong tool for CO₂ monitoring. Each method discussed within the paper has its advantages and disadvantages. The first technique is able to determine …

Enhanced Grain Partitioning Of X-Ray Microtomography Segmented Images, Nicholas C. Skrivanos Ii

LSU Master's Theses

In the field of petroleum engineering, rock samples are often taken from wells during the drilling process. Grain partitioning of digital three-dimensional microtomography segmented images obtained from these samples provides valuable in-situ properties and statistics that allow for accurate particle and structure characterization. This information can be used directly in detailed production and reservoir analysis, and can also be used to generate realistic packing models for advanced simulation. Additionally, the partitioned image can be used as a building block for realistic hydraulic fracture modeling. This technology has applications in other fields as well, such as core analysis in soil sciences …

Mechanistic Modeling Of Nanoparticle-Stabilized Supercritical Co2 Foams And Its Implication In Field-Scale Eor Applications, Doris Patricia Ortiz Maestre

LSU Master's Theses

Previous experimental studies show that nanoparticle-stabilized supercritical CO₂ foams (or, NP CO₂ foams) can be applied as an alternative to surfactant foams, in order to reduce CO₂ mobility in gas injection enhanced oil recovery (EOR). These nanoparticles, if chosen correctly, can be an effective foam stabilizer attached at the fluid interface in a wide range of physicochemical conditions.

By using NP CO₂ foam experiments available in the literature, this study performs two tasks: (i) presenting how a mechanistic foam model can be used to fit experimental data and determine required model parameters, and (ii) investigating the …