Good flow and pressure control is essential for successful Underbalanced Drilling (UBD) operations. This work evaluates the use of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for integrated control of well conditions and the topside separation system during UBD. The downhole well pressure, separator liquid levels, and the separator pressure are controlled by manipulation of the rig pump, the choke, and the ...

Managed pressure drilling is a sophisticated pressure control method which is intended to meet increasingly high demands in drilling operations in the oil and gas industry. With this method, the well is pressurized and the drilling mud is released through a control choke which can be used to actively control/reject pressure variations. Such a control system needs to handle several disturbances,...

Realistic haptic interaction in volume sculpting is a decisive prerequisite for successful simulation of bone surgery. We present a haptic rendering algorithm, based on a multi-point collision detection approach which provides realistic tool interactions. Both haptics and graphics are rendered at sub-voxel resolution, which leads to a high level of detail and enables the exploration of the mode...

OBJECTIVE We aim to test the effectiveness, accuracy, and usefulness of an automated feedback system in facilitating skill acquisition in virtual reality surgery. STUDY DESIGN We evaluate the performance of the feedback system through a randomized controlled trial of 24 students allocated to feedback and nonfeedback groups. SETTING The feedback system was based on the Melbourne University t...

It is estimated that as much as 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered conventional oil resources are located in The Arctic (the region located north of the Arctic Circle) [1]. As a result, future prospecting and drilling operations in this area will be of uttermost importance for guaranteeing a continuous supply of crude oil. To meet the demand of nautical officers with icebreaking competence...

Inadequate hole cleaning can lead to many problems in horizontal and directional wells. In this work, we tried to investigate the cutting transport phenomenon by an experimental directional drilling simulator, considering the differences between the operational and experimental conditions. The inclination, fluid type (water, foam, viscous, and dense), rotary speed (0 and 110 rpm), nozzle bit si...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS We compare the behavior of expert surgeons operating on the "gold standard" of simulation-the cadaveric temporal bone-against a high-fidelity virtual reality (VR) simulation. We aim to determine whether expert behavior changes within the virtual environment and to understand how the fidelity of simulation affects users' behavior. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Five expert otol...

Virtual reality force feedback simulators provide a haptic (sense of touch) feedback through the device being held by the user. The simulator's goal is to provide a learning experience resembling reality. A newly developed haptic simulator (IDEA Dental, Las Vegas, NV, USA) was assessed in this study. Our objectives were to assess the simulator's ability to serve as a tool for dental instruction...