The Experts below are selected from a list of 111 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Shilin Yu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dynamic bayesian networks based performance evaluation of subsea Blowout Preventers in presence of imperfect repair
    Expert Systems With Applications, 2013
    Co-Authors: Yunwei Zhang, Shilin Yu
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper presents a quantitative reliability and availability evaluation method for subsea Blowout preventer (BOP) system by translating fault tree (FT) into dynamic Bayesian networks (DBN) directly, taking account of imperfect repair. The FTs of series system and parallel system are translated into Bayesian networks, and extended to DBN subsequently. The multi-state degraded system is used to model the imperfect repair in the DBN. Using the proposed method, the DBN of subsea BOP system is established. The reliability and availability with respect to perfect repair and imperfect repair are evaluated. The mutual information is researched in order to assess the important degree of basic events. The effects of degradation probability on the performances are studied. The results show that the perfect and imperfect repairs can improve the performances of series, parallel and subsea BOP systems significantly, whereas the imperfect repair cannot degrade the performances significantly in comparison with the perfect repair. To improve the performances of subsea BOP system, eight basic events, involving LWHCO, LLPR, LCC, LLICV, SLPSV, LRPIL, PIHF and SVLPLE should given more attention, and the degradation probability of basic events, especially the ones with high sensitive to system failure, should be reduced as much as possible.

Gangbing Song - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Shape memory alloy actuated accumulator for ultra-deepwater oil and gas exploration
    Smart Materials and Structures, 2016
    Co-Authors: Devendra Patil, Gangbing Song
    Abstract:

    As offshore oil and gas exploration moves further offshore and into deeper waters to reach hydrocarbon reserves, it is becoming essential for the industry to develop more reliable and efficient hydraulic accumulators to supply pressured hydraulic fluid for various control and actuation operations, such as closing rams of Blowout Preventers and controlling subsea valves on the seafloor. By utilizing the shape memory effect property of nitinol, which is a type of shape memory alloy (SMA), an innovative SMA actuated hydraulic accumulator prototype has been developed and successfully tested at Smart Materials and Structure Laboratory at the University of Houston. Absence of gas in the developed SMA accumulator prototype makes it immune to hydrostatic head loss caused by water depth and thus reduces the number of accumulators required in deep water operations. Experiments with a feedback control have demonstrated that the proposed SMA actuated accumulator can provide precisely regulated pressurized fluids. Furthermore the potential use of ultracapacitors along with an embedded system to control the electric power supplied to SMA allows this accumulator to be an autonomous device for deployment. The developed SMA accumulator will make deepwater oil extraction systems more compact and cost effective.

  • PWM Control of SMA Actuated Blowout Preventer Using PLC
    Earth & Space 2008, 2008
    Co-Authors: Hong Chen, Robello Samuel, Christine Ehlig-economides, Ning Ma, Zipping Hu, Gangbing Song
    Abstract:

    Conventionally, hydraulic actuators are used in Blowout Preventers (BOP) to regain well pressure control in oil/gas drilling or production. As drilling moves to deeper and deeper undersea, the hydraulic actuators are not able to meet the API mandates in response time. An innovation of BOP’s actuators was proposed to use the shape memory alloy (SMA) recently. This paper presents design and implementation of the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) regulated Proportional-Derivative (PD) control using a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) for the SMA actuators used in BOP. The SMA actuator holds a few outstanding features compared to its conventional counterparts, and thus has been used in a variety of applications. On the other hand, SMA is nonlinear, and a sophisticated controller is required to ensure its stability and robustness. In the paper, after a short review of the prototype of the SMA actuated BOP, the design and implementation of the PWM PD controller is presented, followed by the testing results of position control of SMA actuated BOP.

  • Design and Performance Evaluation of an Ultradeepwater Subsea BlowoutPreventer Control System Using Shape Memory Alloy Actuators
    2007
    Co-Authors: Ning Ma, Christine Ehlig-economides, Ziping Hu, Gangbing Song, Robello Samuel
    Abstract:

    As drilling moves to ultradeepwater, conventional Blowout Preventers (BOP) actuation technologies based on full or partial hydraulics are unable to meet the API standard for control system response times because of long hydraulic fluid communication path between an offshore platform and a BOP stack on the sea floor. Now that an ultradeepwater subsea Blowout preventer (SSBOP) control system using shape memory alloy actuators has been demonstrated in the laboratory, several practical issues can be addressed. The experimental device uses nitinol smart alloy material (SMA). It can be actuated by electrical heating, thereby replacing hydraulic actuation and hydraulic lines with electric cables. Alternatively, the SMA actuator system can be activated by chemical heating. With significantly fewer components, the SMA system will dramatically reduce total cost and will increase operation reliability. The new device can easily be retrofitted to existing conventional subsea control system thus enabling other methods to be used as a backup. Most importantly, the innovative all-electric BOP will provide a much faster response than its hydraulic counterpart and will improve safety for subsea drilling. The BOP actuator uses strands of SMA wires to achieve large force and large displacement in a remarkably small space. Experimental results demonstrate that the BOP can be activated and fully closed in less than 15 seconds. This paper considers chemical and thermal energy sources as alternatives to electricity and ways to trigger an automatic mechanism. Additionally, a model is used to calculate the SMA length and diameter that will be required to provide sufficient force for different types and diameters of BOP rams (blind, pipe, or shear) or the annular BOP, and the energy requirements in each case. The model also addresses the range of pressures and temperatures that can be handled. Simple guidelines are presented along with practical field examples for different types of BOP hook ups. Copyright 2006, Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Yunwei Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dynamic bayesian networks based performance evaluation of subsea Blowout Preventers in presence of imperfect repair
    Expert Systems With Applications, 2013
    Co-Authors: Yunwei Zhang, Shilin Yu
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper presents a quantitative reliability and availability evaluation method for subsea Blowout preventer (BOP) system by translating fault tree (FT) into dynamic Bayesian networks (DBN) directly, taking account of imperfect repair. The FTs of series system and parallel system are translated into Bayesian networks, and extended to DBN subsequently. The multi-state degraded system is used to model the imperfect repair in the DBN. Using the proposed method, the DBN of subsea BOP system is established. The reliability and availability with respect to perfect repair and imperfect repair are evaluated. The mutual information is researched in order to assess the important degree of basic events. The effects of degradation probability on the performances are studied. The results show that the perfect and imperfect repairs can improve the performances of series, parallel and subsea BOP systems significantly, whereas the imperfect repair cannot degrade the performances significantly in comparison with the perfect repair. To improve the performances of subsea BOP system, eight basic events, involving LWHCO, LLPR, LCC, LLICV, SLPSV, LRPIL, PIHF and SVLPLE should given more attention, and the degradation probability of basic events, especially the ones with high sensitive to system failure, should be reduced as much as possible.

  • application of bayesian networks to reliability evaluation of software system for subsea Blowout Preventers
    2013
    Co-Authors: Yunwei Zhang
    Abstract:

    The work develops a redundant software system for subsea Blowout Preventers, including control logics, human-machine interface (HMI) programs, remote access and redundant databases in order to meet the high reliability requirement of subsea drilling. The Bayesian networks (BN) for control logics, HMI programs and redundant databases are built and then the whole BN are established. The quantitative reliability evaluation is performed by using Netica software. The probability of software failure is evaluated via forward analysis, and the posterior probability given the failure is evaluated via backward analysis. The mutual information is researched in order to assess the important degree of basic events. The results show that the probability of software failure is 0.04%, which can meet the requirement of subsea drilling. The triple common cause failure should be paid more attention in order to improve the software performance. In addition, the control logics have the most important influences on software safety; the HMI programs have the least important influences; and the redundant databases are in between.

Octavian Ionescu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Improvements in Quality Assurance for Blowout Preventers Assembling/Disassembling and Maintenance Operations
    Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2014
    Co-Authors: Gabriela Cristina Ionescu, Octavian Ionescu
    Abstract:

    The oil extraction industry presents many hazard related issues and consequently the majority of equipment used in oil well rigs has to present an increased degree of reliability. Within many other pieces of equipment with concerns the most relevant it is the Blowout preventer. Any fault of the Blowout Preventers could lead to major accidents, with serious consequences on oil well rig equipment integrity, personnel health and not the last environmental damages. Based on the pervious presented issues there it is obvious that assembling/disassembling and all the maintenance operations conducted on Blowout Preventers shall be thoroughly conducted, carefully monitored and well documented in order to avoid any further problem in service. In this article it is presented a new approach in monitoring assembling/disassembling and maintenance operations conducted on Blowout Preventers. This new approach is based on the facilities offered by Microsoft Project software package and uses the Gantt chart project template as a monitoring tool for different operations conducted on Blowout Preventers.

  • improvements in quality assurance for Blowout Preventers assembling disassembling and maintenance operations
    Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2014
    Co-Authors: Gabriela Cristina Ionescu, Octavian Ionescu
    Abstract:

    The oil extraction industry presents many hazard related issues and consequently the majority of equipment used in oil well rigs has to present an increased degree of reliability. Within many other pieces of equipment with concerns the most relevant it is the Blowout preventer. Any fault of the Blowout Preventers could lead to major accidents, with serious consequences on oil well rig equipment integrity, personnel health and not the last environmental damages. Based on the pervious presented issues there it is obvious that assembling/disassembling and all the maintenance operations conducted on Blowout Preventers shall be thoroughly conducted, carefully monitored and well documented in order to avoid any further problem in service. In this article it is presented a new approach in monitoring assembling/disassembling and maintenance operations conducted on Blowout Preventers. This new approach is based on the facilities offered by Microsoft Project software package and uses the Gantt chart project template as a monitoring tool for different operations conducted on Blowout Preventers.

J. M. Holmes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Application of remote real-time monitoring to offshore oil and gas operations
    Transportation Research Board - Special Report, 2016
    Co-Authors: James C Card, M.r. Brooks, Edward N Comstock, Samuel P De Bow, Thomas J Eccles, Jeanne M Grasso, Martha R Grabowski, StÉphan T. Grilli, E.p. Danenberger, J. M. Holmes
    Abstract:

    Copyright 2016 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.The U.S. outer continental shelf is a major source of energy for the United States, and over the past 25 years, deepwater oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has increased significantly. With the move into greater water depths, industry is drilling deeper wells, where operations can experience higher pressures, higher temperatures, and greater uncertainty. Remote monitoring of drilling operations could help operators and regulators enhance the safety of these operations. This study advises the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on the application and use of remote real-time monitoring (RRTM) to improve management of the safety and environmental risks of offshore oil and gas operations. As a central part of the charge (see Box 1 -1 in Chapter 1), BSEE asked the committee to conduct a workshop that addressed the critical operations and parameters to be monitored in real time, the role RRTM could play in automation and predictive software and condition-based maintenance (CBM), and how RRTM could be leveraged by BSEE and incorporated into its regulatory framework. Drillers have monitored drilling operations offshore in real time for decades; more recently, a few operators have also transmitted some of these data onshore to improve efficiency and risk management. During its information gathering, the committee was told that RRTM's benefits include increased efficiency, decreased downtime and operational disruptions, reduced equipment damage, improved safety, and overall reduction in risk. Whereas RRTM can provide the rig with technical support and access to onshore expertise, during the committee's workshop the U.S. industry expressed a belief that responsibility and authority for operational decision making should remain offshore. Situational awareness on the offshore facility is important, and RRTM data do not always provide the necessary context. The use of RRTM is variable across the offshore oil and gas industry, and diverse RRTM technologies are available. No RRTM industry standard or standard practice exists, and the industry exhibits varying levels of maturity in its use of RRTM. Thus, a standard approach is not likely to work or to be needed for every company or every well. The committee views RRTM as a best available and safest technology (BAST), when such technologies are consistent with the principles of ALARP (as low as reasonably practicable). The director of BSEE estab-lishes BAST through a documented process, but determining RRTM as BAST in some contexts would not mandate its use across the board. The decision to use RRTM occurs when such technologies are available and economically feasible. BSEE could use existing regulatory requirements, such as the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) and the Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) plan, to advance appropriate use of RRTM. By encouraging offshore operators to address RRTM in their APD or SEMS plans, BSEE could allow operators to determine the circumstances under which RRTM should be used and challenge them to do so when BSEE believes that RRTM is necessary for managing risk. RRTM information-whether in real time or archived-could also benefit BSEE in its inspection activities and support inspectors' review of safety-related information before they visit offshore facilities. Preparation, prioritized by risk, could allow for more efficient scheduling and effective execution of BSEE inspections. The committee is not in a position to recommend or validate a definitive list of critical operations and parameters for RRTM. In the committee's judgment, a single standard list for all operations is not practical in view of the variability in operating conditions, geology, and scope and scale of facilities; the evolution of technology; consideration of human factors; and the incorporation of RRTM in a risk-based approach to regulating offshore operations. However, companies using RRTM appear to monitor some of the same critical operations and parameters (see Chapter 2). As sensor technology advances and the ability to transmit that data improves, issues with regard to the management of massive volumes of real-time data will grow. Likewise, as more RRTM of offshore operations is introduced, cybersecurity risks associated with the increased use of technology will rise. Control systems for critical rig-based equipment, not originally designed for connectivity to Internet-facing systems, are likely be at risk. RRTM could contribute to achieving a longer-term goal of offshore systems CBM. Blowout Preventers (BOPs) provide a promising case. However, before CBM can go forward, BOP operational data and maintenance history will need to be collected and stored continually over the lifetime of the equipment to allow development of predictive models. Retroactive analysis of BOP performance data may not be adequate due to the complexity and variability of offshore operations and incomplete BOP maintenance history. The committee's consensus recommendations, which are listed below and elaborated in Chapter 4, provide guidance to BSEE and stakeholders in addressing the issues associated with the application of RRTM to offshore oil and gas operations. Recommendation 1. BSEE should pursue a more performance-based regulatory framework by focusing on a risk-based regime that allows industry to determine relevant uses of RRTM on the basis of assessed levels of risk and complexity. BSEE could assess decisions about the monitoring of well parameters or the application of RRTM through the review of a company's APD or SEMS plans and challenge the company to apply RRTM to manage the risk of complex operations. Recommendation 2. The committee views RRTM as BAST when justified by the risk of particular wells. BSEE should monitor the spectrum of RRTM technologies and best practices by using either an internal BSEE group, such as the agency's proposed Engineering Technology Assessment Center, or an external organization, such as the Ocean Energy Safety Institute. Recommendation 3. Consistent with recommendations of previous committees of the National Academies (NAE and NRC 2012; NAE and NRC 2013), BSEE should encourage involvement of all stakeholders in the development of risk-based goals and standards governing offshore oil and gas processes. Specifically, BSEE should work with the American Petroleum Institute (API), the International Association of Drilling Contractors, and other relevant stakeholders to form an API standing technical committee (as opposed to an ad hoc committee) that would establish minimum requirements for which critical operations (and parameters) are monitored and for which data are collected and monitored in real time. In addition, BSEE, along with this technical committee, should propose standards for communication protocols between onshore and offshore facilities when RRTM is used. Recommendation 4. BSEE should encourage API to work with original equipment manufacturers, drilling contractors, and industry trade associations to establish a BOP CBM pilot project, with the goal of an API publication.