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Editorial
special issue of the Journal of Petroleum Science and using intelligent systemsQ, Shahab D. Moha-
Engineering. Efforts for the special issue started in ghegh*, West Virginia University, USA.
February 2004. Out of the papers submitted, a total of 11. bApplication of an expert system to optimize
11 papers were accepted for publications in this special reservoir performanceQ, Ridha Gharbi*, Kuwait
issue. The included papers in this issue came from University, Safat, Kuwait.
different researchers working in various research
centers and universities around the world. Titles and The 1st paper by Ertekin and Silpngarmlers of
authors of abstracts are given below, where corres- Pennsylvania State University proposes neuro-simula-
ponding authors are specified by *: tion methodology that involves the use of conventional
reservoir engineering analysis tools to generate some
1. bOptimization of formation analysis and evalua- sound data base and teaching this data base to a neural
tion protocols using neuro-simulationQ, T. Erte- network which is designed as an expert system for the
kin* and N. Silpngarmlers, Pennsylvania State same class of problems. The data may include
University, USA. laboratory reservoir engineering data, well tests con-
2. bAI applied to evaluate waterflood response, gas ducted in the field with the relevant analysis protocols
behind pipe, and imbibition stimulation followed and any other reservoir engineering analysis
treatmentsQ, William bBillQ Weiss*, Jason Weiss, studies conducted with the help of numerical and
Visveswaran bVishuQ Subramaniam and Xina analytical models. Once the model is trained, the
Xie, Correlation Company, USA. network is then used in a predictive mode for new
3. bApplication of artificial intelligence tools to systems. The paper includes examples showing the
characterize naturally fractured reservoirs in Hassi application of the proposed method.
Messaoud Oil Field, Algeria: a case studyQ, The 2nd paper by Weiss from Correlations Company
Abdelkader Kouider El Ouahed and Djebbar used artificial intelligence technology to predict (1) the
Tiab*, University of Oklahoma, OK, USA. secondary to primary ratio of a water flood candidate
4. bA process-knowledge management approach for using public domain information, (2) the potential gas
assessment and mitigation of drilling risksQ W.F. producing rate of a behind pipe interval given only
Prassla*, J.M. Peden, and K.W. Wongb, aCurtin gamma ray and density logs, and (3) the performance of
University of Technology, Perth Australia, bNa- single well chemical imbibition treatments. A technique
nyang Technological University, Singapore. based on conventional statistical parameters was
5. bA web-based expert system for the planning and developed to numerically describe the patterns ob-
completion of multilateral wellsQ, Haitham M.S. served in log cross-plots. These numerical descriptions
Lababidi and Ali Garrouch*, Kuwait University, were then prioritized and used as neural network inputs
Kuwait. to be correlated with known production response.
6. bReservoir properties determination using fuzzy Application of AI in naturally fractured reservoirs is
logic and neural networksQ, Jong-Se Lim*, Korea the subject of the 3rd paper by El-Ouahed and Tiab of
Maritime University, Republic of Korea. the University of Oklahoma. In this study, a two-
7. bEstimating the fracture gradient of Middle East dimensional fracture intensity map and fracture network
reservoirs using artificial neural networksQ, Adel map in a large block from Hassi Messaoud field in
Malallah* and Ibrahim Sami Nashawi, Kuwait Algeria have been developed using Artificial Neural
University, Kuwait. Network and Fuzzy Logic. The paper discusses the
8. bApplication of artificial neural networks for methodology used to map the fracture network.
reservoir characterization with limited dataQ, K. In the 4th paper by Prassl et al. of Curtin University
Aminian* and S. Ameri, West Virginia Universi- of Technology, a Process-Knowledge Management
ty, USA. System (P-KMS) was developed. The P-KMS system
9. bLeak detection in petroleum pipelines using a was designed to investigate drilling in gas hydrate
fuzzy systemQ, Henrique Ventura da Silvaa, Celso environments, identify potential well risks (well con-
Kazuyuki Morookab*, Ivan Rizzo Guilhermec, trol, borehole stability and/or well integrity), and assess
and Jose Ricardo Pelaquim Mendesb, aPetrobras, mitigation of them due to alteration of drilling para-
b
State University of Campinas, cPaulista State meters and/or strategies.
University, Brazil. A web-based fuzzy expert system is presented in the
10. bA new and novel methodology for the identifi- 5th paper by Lababidi and Garrouch of Kuwait
cation of best practices in the oil and gas industry, University. The expert system was developed in an
96 Editorial
integrated process for planning the style and completion The 11th paper authored by Ridha Gharbi from
of multilateral wells. The reasoning process in this Petroleum Engineering Department of Kuwait Univer-
expert system is based on a systematic planning sity presents an optimization methodology combined
approach for screening and selecting multilateral well with an economic model, which is implemented into an
candidates, lateral-section completion types, and the expert system to optimize the net present value of full
junction levels of complexity. field development with EOR processes. In this paper,
In the 6th paper by Lim of Korea Maritime University, the details of the proposed expert system and the effect
an intelligent technique that uses fuzzy logic and artificial of several design parameters on the project profitability
neural network is suggested in order to determine of the studied EOR processes are reported.
reservoir properties from well logs. Fuzzy curve analysis
based on fuzzy logics is used for selecting the best-related Acknowledgements
well logs with core porosity and permeability data.
Artificial neural network is used as a nonlinear regression We would like to express our sincere thanks to the
method to develop transformation between the selected authors for their contribution to this special issue. We
well logs and core analysis data. The technique is also would like to express our appreciation to the
validated by a case study from offshore Korea. reviewers of papers submitted to this issue. Despite
Estimating the fracture gradient of Middle Eastern their heavy schedules, the reviewers have enthusiasti-
reservoirs using artificial neural network is the subject cally participated in the review process. Their valuable
of the 7th paper by Malallah and Nashawi of Kuwait suggestions and criticisms greatly enhanced the quality
University. The neural network model is able to predict of this special issue. Our appreciation goes to Julius
the fracture gradient as a function of pore pressure, Langlinais (Louisiana State University), Abdel Zellou
depth and rock density. A detailed comparison between (Prism Seismic), Patrick Wong (Veritas Geophysical
the results predicted by this method and those predicted Corp), Turgay Ertekin (Pennsylvania State University),
by other techniques are presented. Tarek Darwich (SIPETROL), Luis Gomez (University
The 8th paper authored by Aminian and Ameri from of Tulsa), Ali Garrouch (Kuwait University), Adwait
West Virginia University discusses the application of Chawathe (ChevronTexaco), Iraj Ershaghi (University
artificial neural network for reservoir characterization of Southern California), Shedid Elgaghah (United Arab
with limited data. The method combines statistical and Emirates University), Mahmut Sengul (Schlumberger
artificial intelligence techniques to predict the missing Oilfield Services), Tao Zhu (University of Alaska),
information. A systematic and synergistic approach was Adel Malallah (Kuwait University), Jonathan Kwan
then employed to integrate and interpret various (University of Oklahoma), and Tongjun Ruan (New
geological and engineering data that are obtained at Mexico Tech). We also would like to thank Ms. Tirza
different scales to characterize a complex oil reservoir. van Daalen and Ms. Tonny Smit of Elsevier Science for
The 9th paper by da Silva et al. from State University her help to complete this special issue.
of Campinas discusses a fuzzy system that is developed
for detecting leaks in petroleum pipelines. The procedure Ridha B.C. Gharbi
on how the system was developed, and the evaluation of Department of Petroleum Engineering,
such system, is presented. A fault detection module Kuwait University, PO Box 5969,
evaluates the inlet–outlet flow rate deviation in order to Safat 13060, Kuwait
detect a leak or an abnormal operation condition. E-mail address: ridha@kuc01.kuniv.edu.kw.
In the 10th paper by Mohaghegh of West Virginia Corresponding author.
University, a methodology for the identification of best
practices in the oil and gas industry using intelligent G. Ali Mansoori
system is presented. The methodology is named Departments of Chemical and Bio Engineering,
bIntelligent Best Practices AnalysisQ and includes University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago,
artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms and fuzzy IL 60610, USA
logic. The methodology is applied to a database of E-mail address: mansoori@uic.edu.
stimulation procedures in the Golden Trend fields of
Oklahoma to clearly demonstrate its use and benefits. 13 September 2005