Weatherford (United States)

Exposure to nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) in environmental and occupational settings appears to be inevitable and significantly affects the liver, the principal organ responsible for their metabolic processes. This research aimed to assess the functional integrity of the liver and the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic damage in employees exposed to Ni and Cr at work. A cross-sectional investigation was implemented with 86 non-smoking male employees working in a metallurgical factory. Serum Cr, Ni, liver function tests, oxidative and inflammatory indicators, and Keap-1, Nrf2, and miR-223 expression were assessed. In electroplating workers, serum Cr (2.47 ± 2 µg/L), Ni (1.39 ± 0.79 µg/L), liver transaminases, total bilirubin, and NF-κB were all statistically significantly greater than in the referent group. Electroplaters’ serum albumin levels were significantly lower than those of controls. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in electroplaters, characterized by lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and greater levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) with respect to controls (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared to controls, gene expressions in electroplaters showed that Keap-1 was upregulated, while Nrf2/Ho-1 and miR-223 were downregulated. In conclusion, occupational exposure to Ni and Cr was associated with hepatic impairment through downregulation of the antioxidant Nrf2 pathway, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Abstract In Egypt's oil and gas industry, rod-driven artificial lift systems (ALS) are traditionally considered suitable only for vertical wells. Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) has been the preferred choice for highly deviated wells due to the high costs associated with tubing leaks and sucker rod failures. However, ESPs are expensive and consume significant power. Over time, the operational expenses of ESPs can become prohibitive, making the well economically unviable due to high power consumption and costly workover interventions. This study proposes an optimal ALS solution to reduce power consumption, workover intervention costs, and lifting expenses in Egypt's highly deviated wells. The BED 3-26 well is a highly deviated and deep well with a dogleg severity of 8.44°/100ft and a side load of 900 lbf. Producing approximately 250 barrels of fluid per day (BFPD) from perforation depths around 10,000 feet, this well has been equipped with an ESP since 2020 due to its high DLS value and depth. A comprehensive investigation, including production history, workover history, deviation survey, and intervention reports, revealed that ESP cable failure is the primary cause of failure, accounting for over 95% of incidents, with the remaining 5% due to pump broken shafts. The maximum run life was 90 days. The high operating costs of ESPs, due to frequent workover and high-power requirements, prompted the operator to seek a more cost-effective solution. This research demonstrates that combining Reciprocating Rod Pumping (RRP) with continuous rod is an effective approach for overcoming the limitations of rod-driven ALS in aggressive wellbore geometries in Egypt. The results show that transitioning from an expensive ESP system to a more cost-effective RRP with continuous rod solution can expedite the return on investment. Compared to previous lift systems, this solution reduced capital expenses by 39%, flow losses by 41%, power usage by 70%, and increased the time between failures by 411%. The well has been operating continuously, producing 250 BFPD for 460 days without any costly interventions, compared to 90 days with the ESP system.

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM) processes have long been used for prototypes and non-critical applications in sour (H2S containing) oilfield environments. The challenge now is how to reliably qualify a product that is critical and a primary pressure boundary in more severe application environments. This paper addresses the qualification details for a critical application of an UNS N07718 nickel alloy component manufactured via the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process. This paper includes qualification details with environmental cracking tests utilizing both slow strain rate testing (SSRT) and C-ring testing in a high temperature, high pressure H2S-containing environment. The SSRT samples tested included machined gage surfaces and C-rings that were machined from the actual component being qualified. In addition to composition, mechanical property, and impact resistance measurements, microstructural evaluations were conducted as a function of location within the component being qualified.

The objective of this study was to assess the relative importance of the main variables involved in the selection of steel sucker rods following ASTM G31 protocol. Corrosion rates of these steels were analyzed in three solutions: 100% carbon dioxide (CO2), 50% hydrogen sulfide (H2S)/50% CO2, and 100% H2S in the gas phase. The study examined the impact of shot-peening H2S content and alloying content on the corrosion rate of these carbon steels. The corrosion rates were subjected to statistical analysis, and a primary screening model was developed to identify the corrosion resistance of the alloyed carbon steels.

12142 Background: The increasing use of immunotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a significant challenge in managing adverse events, particularly checkpoint inhibitor-associated pneumonitis (CIP). This potentially life-threatening complication often necessitates discontinuation of immunotherapy, even in patients experiencing tumor response. Presently, there are no reliable models to predict the onset of CIP. This research utilizes CT radiomics to create an innovative approach for anticipating the risk of CIP in patients with NSCLC. Methods: This IRB-approved, retrospective study analyzed data from 159 stage III-IV NSCLC patients undergoing immunotherapy. We categorized patients into pneumonitis (further subdivided into immunotherapy-induced, radiation-induced, and others) and non-pneumonitis groups. Using LIFEx software, we extracted 3D-radiomic features from both tumors and surrounding 1cm thick peritumoral regions. To address scanner-associated variations, a linear mixed-effect radiomics harmonization model was applied. A Random Forest algorithm was then used to develop a classification model predicting CIP occurrence based on the pre-treatment CT radiomic and clinical data. The dataset was split into training (70%) and test (30%) sets. The accuracy of predictions was evaluated using confusion matrix statistics and bootstrapping with 1,000 iterations for median and 95% confidence interval (CI). The performance metrics included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results: 159 patients were analyzed, of which only 19 had checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis. Among which, 17 (54.8%) patients had grade 1 pneumonitis, 12 (38.7%) patients had grade 2 pneumonitis, 2 (6.5%) patients had grade 3 pneumonitis, and none had grade 4 or grade 5 pneumonitis. The model achieved a sensitivity of 0.98 (0.97, 0.99), a specificity of 0.08 (0.05, 0.14), a PPV of 0.91 (0.90, 0.91), and an NPV of 0.33 ± 0.23 for predicting CIP. The AUC of 0.59 (0.56, 0.66) indicates that the model may predict checkpoint inhibitor-associated pneumonitis with an accuracy of 59%. Conclusions: The study provides insights into the potential of radiomic analysis coupled with AI algorithms and the use of harmonization model in predicting CIP among NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy. However, larger studies are needed to validate our findings and the utility of harmonization models in predicting CIP.

8079 Background: Advances in the treatment of unresectable NSCLC have emerged through the combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), also known as the PACIFIC regimen. Despite this protocol’s benefits, it lacks predictive biomarkers and many patients will ultimately fail to respond. Artificial intelligence (AI) has shown promise in identifying patients responsive to ICI, but its ability to identify patients who may not benefit from such combination regimens remains underexplored. We introduce an AI-enabled approach leveraging interpretable imaging biomarkers, such as tumor heterogeneity and twistedness of the tumor-associated vasculature, to identify patients who will fail to benefit from chemo-radio-immunotherapy (CRIT) using pretreatment scans. Methods: We analyzed CT data from 148 NSCLC patients with predominantly stage III (91%) disease from two institutions. Target lesions were delineated by a trained radiologist. The Picture Health Px platform was utilized to segment the lungs and pulmonary vessels. Subsequently, a number of interpretable imaging features from the tumor and surrounding tissues were extracted. A Cox proportional hazards model of feature clusters was developed on the training set (n = 101) to stratify patients into benefit groups associated with progression-free survival (PFS). A cohort of 47 patients receiving CRIT were held out for testing. Results: The imaging-derived high-risk group defined by the model was associated with decreased PFS in the test set, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.99 (95% CI: 2.04-12.18; p &lt; 0.005) and concordance index (C-index) of 0.66. The risk groups identified by the model outperformed PD-L1 negative status in identifying likely progressors (C-index = 0.52; HR = 1.49 [0.51-4.54], p = 0.47), and were additionally independently prognostic of PD-L1 status when compared in a multivariable analysis (p &lt; 0.001). The primary features driving the model were measurements of the radius and tortuosity of the tumor-associated vasculature, as well as heterogeneity metrics of the tumor. Conclusions: An AI imaging tool that stratifies patients by risk after CRIT from baseline radiology was developed. The tool was able to strongly identify a subset of patients at very high risk of progression if treated with CRIT. These risk groups outperformed PD-L1 and thus may address biomarker gaps in the CRIT setting. With further clinical validation, radiology-based risk stratification could be used to identify a subset of unresectable NSCLC patients for whom alternatives to the standard of care should be explored.

Abstract The drilling operator wanted to improve hydrocarbon recovery during drilling a development well using rotating control devices (RCD) for the upper 17-1/2" hole section. The challenge to drill this section was shallow gas that can lead to a kick. To drill these formations conventionally would increase the risk of the well taking a kick that could directly affect the time required to drill the well to its target depth. A closed-loop system was used to anticipate the well taking an influx of shallow gas while drilling this formation. In the event of the well taking an influx, the influx can be safely diverted with RCDs away from rig floor. A closed-loop drilling system was created by installing the Rotating Control Device on top of a 21-1/4" 2K Annular BOP prior to drilling the 17-1/2" section. With this closed-loop system any shallow gas influx can be diverted away from rig floor, thus improving safety to personnel. Another advantage of using a RCD is that the operation can be switched to conventional mode directly without have to rig down the RCD system. Also, using RCD will not interfere with the rig’s well control system. The primary objective of utilizing the RCD was to enhance safety while drilling the development well which contained known hazards already assessed from drilling the previous well. RCD 7800 was utilized to mitigate drilling hazards generated from the loss circulation, gas migration, influx, and the presence of shallow gas. All the objectives were achieved: establishing a closed circulation system, additional safety in drilling a formation containing gas, and ensuring control of return flow.

Abstract Due to the depletion of reservoirs, liquid loading has become one of the common issues in mature fields. It happens where gas rates are not sufficient to lift associated reservoir fluids to the surface. Foaming surfactant injection is one of the methods used to mitigate liquid loading and enhance stable hydrocarbon production. In foam-assisted lift, a well is offloaded by creating foam downhole by the injection of surfactants. Surfactants reduce the liquid surface tension resulting in foam creation when the gas mixes with water or condensate downhole. This results in reduced liquid density and reduces hydrostatic pressure, thereby increasing drawdown and increasing resulting production. We have developed a method to design and evaluate foaming surfactant performance for unloading water and for unloading condensate. This method eliminates the potential to create stable emulsions (through high mechanical shear). Additionally, the methods outlined will avoid misleading interpretations where only the foam half-life has been considered. Falsely optimistic results, from a foam half-life perspective, can occur where certain surfactants result in "weak" foams that can maintain volume while "dropping" a large fraction of the "liquid" out of the foam. In this method, foam density, or foam mass versus time, is considered. The study results in an evaluation through the measurements of the time to create a known volume of foam, the rates of foam dissipation, and liquid phase recovery rates. This analysis is done by plotting foam multiple parameters versus time. Finally, the observation of individual phase attributes is carried out. This paper will introduce a unique methodology, process, and design to evaluate foaming surfactants for condensates and for produced water. This paper will also present the findings from foaming surfactant applications for unloading produced water in the Middle East, Asia, and unloading condensate from wells in Europe. This work will help in optimizing the design for foaming surfactants and, hence, help enhance hydrocarbon production.