1. "Dynamic fluid losses of hydraulic fracturing fluids" Based on an
ongoing standardisation effort (proposed ISO standard) laboratory methods
for dynamic fluid loss measurements of fracturing fluids shall be
investigated. Laboratory tests on dynamic fluid loss equipment available
at UiS shall be performed and analysed. Models for hydraulic fracturing
simulations shall be investigated and the effect of measurement errors on
simulations shall be assessed.

2. "Properties of drilling and completion fluids monitored by NMR" The
goal of the thesis is to optimize measurement techniques for
characterization of water based drilling and completion fluid properties
by low field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance measurements. This work is a
continuation of an ongoing research effort to exploit low field Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance (NMR) as a tool to assess fluids properties quicker and
easier than with accepted standard methods. The candidate is required to
learn basic NMR measurement principles in order to verify existing or to
develop new measurement protocols for measurements on drilling or
completion fluids. NMR measurements will be correlated to standard
laboratory measurements for characterization of drilling and completion
fluid properties and results need to be discussed in the light of
laboratory practices or other potential applications of low field NMR. The
value of measurements regarding laboratory or onsite use shall be
assessed.    

3. "Analysis of production impairment in TTRD wells placed in a high
permeability, depleted reservoir"  StatoilHydro has observed significant
productivity impairment in TTRD wells recently drilled on G-field. The
master student is requested to analyse the chosen drilling and completion
methods regarding potential for formation and completion damage. The
particular aspects of well deliverability from horizontal or highly
deviated, openhole completed TTRD wells shall be elaborated both
theoretically and numerically. Impact of damages on productivity or
deliverability shall be evaluated. Available will be planning documents of
the wells, daily drilling report data and test data of ongoing laboratory
analyses.

4. "Effect of well inclination on alpha and beta wave packing in openhole
gravel pack completions" Based on available field data the student is
requested to evaluate existing numerical models on gravel transport in
wells (in general slurry transport in pipes). In particular the effect of
well inclination on gravel transport and packing efficiency is of
interest, but also the effect of carrier fluid viscosity, fluid losses,
and changes in hole geometry.    

5. "Success criteria for drilling and completing water producers with
artificial lift" The need for reservoir compatible source water for water
injections sometimes demands drilling dedicated water production wells. As
such wells typically are drilled in shallow aquifers, reservoir energy is
not sufficient to test the productivity of such wells. Other, more
advanced well testing methods are prohibitive relative to to costs of such
wells. To decide whether the water producers are free of formation or
completion damage before installing artificial lifting tools, simple
injectivity tests are performed as constant injection pressure tests
observing rate decline. The master student is requested to evaluate a
series of such injectivity tests performed on a water producer before and
after flow assurance treatments. Criteria for acceptable injectivity tests
relative to minimum production rate requirements for artificial lifting
tools shall be established for future field applications.    

Hilsen  
Claas Claas van der Zwaag, dr.ing.  
Adjunct Professor

University of Stavanger
Department of Petroleum Engineering
N-4036 Stavanger

Tel.: +47 51831000
Mobile: +47 906 56 234