Academic literature on the topic 'Operational expenditures (OPEX)'

Due to the substantial amounts of money involved and the complex interactions of a number of different factors, managers of oil and gas companies are faced with significant challenges when making investment decisions that will increase business efficiency and achieve competitive advantages, especially through cost control. Due to the various uncertainties of the current period, optimal investment strategies are difficult to determine. Thus, through an economic analysis that includes data analysis, quantitative risk analysis scenarios, modelling and simulations, a work framework, in the form of a generic algorithm, is proposed with the aim of generating a complex procedure for optimizing investment decisions in oil field development. A complex set of elements is considered in the analysis: costs (operational expenditures (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX), daily drilling rig costs), prices (oil, gas, separation and water injection preparation), production profiles, different types of taxes and discount factors. Above all, oil price volatility plays an essential role and creates uncertainty in relation to profitability and the strategic investment decisions made by oil exploration and production companies.

The efficiency level of the banking industry is the most important indicator to identify the soundness of banking system. This paper use non parametric frontier approach, DEA, to analyze the Islamic bank efficiency in ASEAN. We use price of deposit from customers, deposits and placements of banks, labor, and others operational expenditures as control variabel, and using financing, deposits and placements on other insitution, securities, others investment as output variabel. We found that the mix bank is the most efficient group within the observation period. Furthermore, the average Islamic banking efficiency in Indonesia, on intermediation approach, is lower than the average of ASEAN, unless they can reduce the cost of labor and other operational expenses. This paper also examines the determinant of efficiency of the Islamic Banking in ASEAN. Internal factors are Total Aset, ROA, BOPO, and ETA, and external faktor are Market Power and Inflation. Using Tobit regression, the result shows the factors that most influence to the Islamic banking efficiency in Indoneisa is the total size of the bank or its assets, OPEX/OR, and Market Power.

The new generations of mobile networks will require economical and viable solutions in order to meet the promises raised by scientists. In this article, the authors overview the available research activities and present an architecture for DAS and femtocells and a mathematical model analyzing their costs, as they are considered technologies, that offer great advantages for mobile networks. The authors present a wide research in the solutions' parameters and prices. There are thorough experiments including several different types of costs. In particular, Capital (CAPEX), Operational (OPEX) expenditures and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) are examined for both technologies in terms of the backhauling technologies, of the size of buildings that they are implemented in and the years of investment from a telecommunication company. The main results are that femtocells are a more appealing solution when it comes to small places, while the alternative is more favorable for big infrastructures.

The introduction to new technologies in the different land of transportation system represents a great opportunity for the academy, opening up space for applied research that evaluates from different angles, factors that are part of the processes and consequences that implicitly may come hand in hand with these. With this study a review of general aspects linked to operation of a fully electric articulated bus in the travel from Bogotá to Pereira, Colombia This travel was started on early morning October 13, 2019, since the start point it has been monitoring the energy consumption for that make up the OPEX (Operational expenditures), in order to give a concept that is valid input information in the technical and economic evaluation process for change the buses in transport intercity systems, as a comparison is built with previous scientifically proven records for other diesel and hybrid articulated bus technologies.

In this study, three different biological methods—a conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, membrane bioreactor (MBR), and moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR)—were investigated to treat textile wastewater from a local industry. The results showed that technically, MBR was the most efficient technology, of which the chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and color removal efficiency were 91%, 99.4%, and 80%, respectively, with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1.3 days. MBBR, on the other hand, had a similar COD removal performance compared with CAS (82% vs. 83%) with halved HRT (1 day vs. 2 days) and 73% of TSS removed, while CAS had 66%. Economically, MBBR was a more attractive option for an industrial-scale plant since it saved 68.4% of the capital expenditures (CAPEX) and had the same operational expenditures (OPEX) as MBR. The MBBR system also had lower environmental impacts compared with CAS and MBR processes in the life cycle assessment (LCA) study, since it reduced the consumption of electricity and decolorizing agent with respect to CAS. According to the results of economic and LCA analyses, the water treated by the MBBR system was reused to make new dyeings because water reuse in the textile industry, which is a large water consumer, could achieve environmental and economic benefits. The quality of new dyed fabrics was within the acceptable limits of the textile industry.

Purpose 5G systems will enable an improved transmission performance and the delivery of advanced communication services. To meet the expected requirements, operators will need to invest in network modernisation, with the radio access network being the most expensive network component. One possible way for operators to reduce this investment would be via sharing of resources by means of a multi-tenancy concept. This implies that a mobile service provider may use the common infrastructure of one or various infrastructure providers, whereby it provides services to multiple tenants. This paper aims to study the expected cost savings in terms of capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operational expenditures (OPEX) that can be achieved when using a cloudified 5G multi-tenant network. Design/methodology/approach A cost model was used. The study period is 2020-2030 and the study area consists of three local districts in central London, UK. Findings This paper describes that the total cost reduction achieved when using multi-tenancy for a 5G broadband network in comparison with the case where operators make the investment independently ranges from 5.2% to 15.5%. Research limitations/implications Further research is needed to assess the cost implications of network sharing for 5G on a regional or nationwide basis. Originality/value Very little quantitative research about the cost implications of network sharing under 5G networks has been published so far. This paper sheds light on the economic benefits of multi-tenancy in a 5G broadband network.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar se o potencial impacto ambiental das atividades empresariais, conforme classificado na Lei nº 10.165/2000, influencia nos custos ambientais incorridos pelas companhias brasileiras no período de 2009 a 2013. Os custos ambientais das companhias foram coletados nos relatórios GRI apresentados pelas empresas. Para a análise dos dados foram utilizadas regressões lineares múltiplas para se inferir a respeito do montante de custos ambientais incorridos pelas empresas em relação ao seu potencial nível de impacto ao meio ambiente. Para o cálculo dos custos ambientais incorridos pelas empresas foi utilizado o indicador EN31 de acordo com o padrão do Global Reporting Initiative onde são evidenciados os montantes referentes aos custos ambientais incorridos pelas empresas no período, sendo utilizados apenas aqueles identificados como OPEX (Operational Expenditures). Os resultados obtidos não são conclusivos sobre a influência do nível potencial de impacto ambiental na determinação dos custos ambientais incorridos pelas empresas no período estudado. Desconsiderando alguns pressupostos do modelo de regressão linear dos mínimos quadrados ordinários (MQO) pôde-se inferir que o nível potencial de poluição de acordo com a atividade não influi nos gastos dispendidos pelas empresas para minimizar seu impacto sobre o meio ambiente. Adicionalmente, o tamanho da empresa apresenta relação negativa com os custos ambientais incorridos, o que indica que quanto maior a empresa, menor o valor dos gastos que esta tem com o meio ambiente.

Summary Enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) evaluations focused on asset acquisition or rejuvenation involve a combination of complex decisions using different data sources. EOR projects traditionally have been associated with high capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX, respectively) as well as high financial risk, which tend to limit the number of EOR projects launched. We propose a workflow for EOR evaluations that accounts for different volumes and quality of information. This flexible workflow has been applied successfully to oil-property evaluations and EOR-feasibility studies in many oil reservoirs. The method associated with the workflow relies on traditional (e.g., look-up tables, x-y correlations) and more-advanced (data mining for analog-reservoir search and geology indicators) screening methods, emphasizing identification of analogs to support decision making. The screening phase is combined with analytical or simplified numerical simulations to estimate full-field performance with reservoir-data-driven segmentation procedures. This paper illustrates the EOR decision-making workflow by use of field case examples from Asia, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the United States. The assets evaluated include reservoir types ranging from oil sands to condensate reservoirs. Different stages of development and information availability are discussed. Results show the advantage of a flexible decision-making workflow that can be adapted to the volume and quality of information by formulating the correct decision problem and concentrating on projects and/or properties with the highest expected economic merit. An interesting aspect of this approach is the combination of geologic and engineering data, minimizing experts' bias and combining technical and financial figures of merit. The proposed method has proved useful to screen and evaluate projects/properties very rapidly, identifying when upside potential exists.

Legacy IPv4 networks are strenuous to manage and operate. Network operators are in need of minimizing the capital and operational expenditure of running network infrastructure. The implementation of software-defined networking (SDN) addresses those issues by minimizing the expenditures in the long run. Legacy networks need to integrate with the SDN networks for smooth migration towards the fully functional SDN environment. In this paper, we compare the network performance of the legacy network with the SDN network for IP routing in order to determine the feasibility of the SDN deployment in the Internet Service provider (ISP) network. The simulation of the network is performed in the Mininet test-bed and the network traffic is generated using a distributed Internet traffic generator. An open network operating system is used as a controller for the SDN network, in which the SDN-IP application is used for IP routing. Round trip time, bandwidth, and packet transmission rate from both SDN and legacy networks are first collected and then the comparison is made. We found that SDN-IP performs better in terms of bandwidth and latency as compared to legacy routing. The experimental analysis of interoperability between SDN and legacy networks shows that SDN implementation in a production level carrier-grade ISP network is viable and progressive.

Extended Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) has recently gained a lot of attention from the industrial and research community for dynamic Internet of Things (IoT) applications. IoT devices broadcast messages for neighbor gateways that deliver the message to the application server through an IP network. Hence, it is required to deploy LoRaWAN gateways, i.e., network planning, and optimization, in an environment while considering Operational Expenditure (OPEX) and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) along with Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. In this article, we introduced a LoRaWAN gateway placement model for dynamic IoT applications called DPLACE. It divides the IoT devices into groups with some degree of similarity between them to allow for the placement of LoRaWAN gateways that can serve these devices in the best possible way. Specifically, DPLACE computes the number of LoRaWAN gateways based on the Gap statistics method. Afterward, DPLACE uses K-Means and Fuzzy C-means algorithms to calculate the LoRaWAN gateway placement. The simulations’ results proved the benefits of DPLACE compared to state-of-the-art LoRaWAN gateway placement models in terms of OPEX, CAPEX, and QoS.

By 2020 there will be 50 billion connected devices over the Internet. With the fast-increasing data traffic demand in both fixed and mobile networks, network operators need to migrate networks towards next generation solutions. The network migration requires the enormous investment in equipment and infrastructure, while the revenues are not expected to grow significantly. Therefore, one of the main challenges for network operators is to find out a proper cost-effective optical network solution that can match future high capacity demand and flexibly support multiple network services on a common network infrastructure. The first part of the thesis addresses the Active Optical Network (AON) and its migration strategies towards Next Generation Optical Access (NGOA) solutions. Several migration strategies are proposed from the perspective of network topology, data plane and control plane. A general methodology for Techno-Economic analysis has been developed and applied to the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculation of different NGOA solutions. The thesis provides a complete cost evaluation of AON migration paths, which can be used by network operators to assess the economic feasibility of network migration. A converged Optical Transport Network (OTN) that can serve both fixed and mobile network services is beneficial from the cost-saving perspective. However, the different types of services, require different network performance. The second part of the thesis focuses on the investigation of the converged OTN that can be flexibly and timely adjusted to satisfy varying service conditions. A programmable OTN featured with Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) in the data plane and Software Defined Networking (SDN) in control plane has been proposed. To demonstrate the benefits of the converged OTN, the thesis also provides a multi-domain orchestration architecture for the multiple network services.  The resource orchestration, across three network domains: OTN, mobile network and cloud, enables agile service creation and optimized resource allocation among the multiple domains.

QC 20170512

AbstractWith the advent of 5G technology and an ever-increasing traffic demand, today Communication Service Providers (CSPs) experience a progressive congestion of their networks. The operational complexity, the use of manual configuration, the static nature of current technologies together with fast-changing traffic profiles lead to: inefficient network utilization, over-provisioning of resources and very high Capital Expenditures (CapEx) and Operational Expenses (OpEx). This situation is forcing the CSPs to change their underlying network technologies, and have started to look at new technological solutions that increase the level of programmability, control, and flexibility of configuration, while reducing the overall costs related to network operations. Software Define Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Machine Learning (ML) are accepted as effective solutions to reduce CapEx and OpEx and to boost network innovation. This chapter summarizes the content of my Ph.D. thesis, by presenting new ML-based approaches in order to efficiently optimize resources in 5G metro-core SDN/NFV networks. The main goal is to provide the modern CSP with intelligent and dynamic network optimization tools in order to address the requirements of increasing traffic demand and 5G technology.

The present economic model is intended to provide an example of how to take into consideration risks and uncertainties in the case of a field that is developed with water injection. The risks and uncertainties are related, on one hand to field operations (drilling time, delays due to drilling problems, rig failures and materials supply, electric submersible pump [ESP] installations failures with the consequences of losing the well), and on the other hand, the second set of uncertainties are related to costs (operational expenditures-OPEX and capital expenditures-CAPEX, daily drilling rig costs), prices (oil, gas, separation, and water injection preparation), production profiles, and discount factor. All the calculations are probabilistic. The authors are intending to provide a comprehensive solution for assessing the business performance of an oil field development.

This chapter examines the impact of the stock market crash of October 1929 on the monetary system of the United States. Very little attention has been given to the factors which converted the uncomfortable and distressing crises of the previous century into the profound and enduring tragedy known as the Great Depression. Neither the stock market crash of October 1929 nor the antecedent speculation has often been deemed to be a decisive cause. The chapter first considers how the stock market crash affected investment expenditures by business and consumer expenditures before discussing the bank failures that followed the crash. It also explores how bank failures and the fear of bank failures induced deflation and how the Federal Reserve System began open-market operations after harboring fears of inflation. Finally, it looks at the reform of the Federal Reserve System by legislation in 1933, 1934, and 1935.

It has been widely recognised that the exchange of information is one of the underpinning factors for economic growth in developing and developed nations. One of the fastest growing areas of information transfer is the mobile data sector. In 2012, global mobile data traffic grew by 70%. There is an urgent need to improve the wireless capacity of cellular networks in order to match this growth. One of the key issues faced by mobile operators is the fall in Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) and the growing Operational Expenditure (OPEX) due to capacity growth and rising energy prices. The challenge is therefore how to grow the wireless capacity in a way that minimizes the OPEX and thus improves the ARPU. Furthermore, there is growing focus on the environmental impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors. There are tangible, financial, and environmental motivations for reducing the energy expenditure of wireless networks whilst growing its capacity. This chapter examines recent research in the area of future wireless network architectures and deployments. This is done in the context of improving capacity in a sustainable way. That is to say, what is the lowest-cost and -energy method of achieving certain capacity targets? The authors of this chapter were researchers in the world’s first green wireless communications project—Mobile VCE Green Radio (2007-2012).

After World War II, much debate unfolded about the ethical, legal, and social implications of military human enhancement, due in part to Adolf Hitler's war on the “genetically unfit” and the United States military's experimentation with psychedelic drugs such as LSD. Interest in that debate has waxed and waned since the 1940s. However, it would be foolish or perhaps even dangerous to believe that America and its modern allies have abandoned efforts to upgrade service members' bodies and minds to create the “super soldiers” necessary to match the increasing pace of modern warfare and dominate the strengthening militaries of China and North Korea. Slogans such as “be all that you can be and a whole lot more” still reign strong at the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and, according to some military futurists, the so-called “War on Terror” has only proven that military superpowers need a new type of soldier that is independent, network-integrated, and more lethal than ever before. Patterns of public risk perception, military expenditure, and new technological developments suggest that it is now time to re-open or reinvigorate the original debate. The authors' contribution comes in two parts. In this chapter, they provide a brief background to military human enhancement before defining it carefully and exploring the relevant controversies. In the second, they more explicitly examine the relevant legal, operational, and moral challenges posed by these efforts.

After World War II, much debate unfolded about the ethical, legal, and social implications of military human enhancement, due in part to Adolf Hitler's war on the “genetically unfit” and the United States military's experimentation with psychedelic drugs such as LSD. Interest in that debate has waxed and waned since the 1940s. However, it would be foolish or perhaps even dangerous to believe that America and its modern allies have abandoned efforts to upgrade service members' bodies and minds to create the “super soldiers” necessary to match the increasing pace of modern warfare and dominate the strengthening militaries of China and North Korea. Slogans such as “be all that you can be and a whole lot more” still reign strong at the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and, according to some military futurists, the so-called “War on Terror” has only proven that military superpowers need a new type of soldier that is independent, network-integrated, and more lethal than ever before. Patterns of public risk perception, military expenditure, and new technological developments suggest that it is now time to re-open or reinvigorate the original debate. The authors' contribution comes in two parts. In this chapter, they provide a brief background to military human enhancement before defining it carefully and exploring the relevant controversies. In the second, they more explicitly examine the relevant legal, operational, and moral challenges posed by these efforts.

Abstract This paper describes a step change by well completion group in adopting Single Trip Liner Open Hole Completion (STRIP-LOC) technology, basis of selection, design, and operation approach. This has contributed to the reduction in initial well cost estimates thus benefited overall project cost. The technology adoption signifies the importance for continuous design improvement, operational optimization, and capital expenditure reduction, while not compromising with technical and HSE standards.

Abstract Because the wave energy industry is still in its infancy, an optimal design for wave energy converters (WECs) has yet to be established; more work is needed to explore various cost-reduction pathways. The primary cost-reduction pathway considered for this work is the optimization of the geometric profile on an attenuator WEC to maximize power production while, at the same time, minimizing capital expenditures through the use of variable-geometry modules. In this investigation, the variable-geometry modules consist of inflatable bags placed on either side of a base central steel cylinder that would be inflated in low-moderate sea states to maximize power capture and then deflated in moderate-extreme sea states to minimize wave loading. The numerical model and simulation of the attenuator WEC were developed and completed using WEC-Sim, which is an open-source code that is appropriate for use in evaluating the dynamic response of the different WEC models in operational seas. The power production estimates were obtained from the Wave Energy Prize (WEP) sea states, which are representative of U. S. deployment sites, to calculate the average climate capture width that is used in the WEP ACE calculation. Preliminary capital expenditure costs were obtained assuming the base central steel cylinder mass was equal to the fluid displaced mass, minus the mass of the variable-geometry bags. The additional weight required to offset the additional buoyancy from the variable-geometry bags was assumed to come from the addition of seawater ballast. The variable-geometry attenuator model was found to have a similar power capture efficiency as a fixed-body model, but is expected to have a lower characteristic capital expenditure given its more streamlined profile, which demonstrates that variable-geometry modules may provide a realistic cost-reduction pathway to help design a more cost-competitive WEC.

When designing “multi-MW arrays” of Wave Energy Converters (WECs), having a low number of converters with high individual power ratings can be beneficial as the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs may be reduced. However, having converters of small dimensions or small power ratings could also be beneficial as suggested by previous works due to a reduction in material costs as compared to power production, the use of small, inexpensive vessels. In this work, a case study investigating the optimum size of WEC for a 20MW array is performed. Analysis is carried out based on the CorPower Ocean technology. In this case study, firstly a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) model is created. This model incorporates the latest Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) estimates for CorPower Ocean’s 250 kW prototype. Using this techno-economic model, several sizes/ratings of WEC are tested for use in a 20 MW array. Operational Expenditure (OPEX) is calculated using two different calculation approaches in order to check its influence on final indicators. OPEX is firstly calculated as a percentage of CAPEX, previous works, and secondly using a failure-repair model, taking into account individual failures of WECs in the array. Size/rating analysis is carried out for several European locations in order to establish any dependence between site location and optimal WEC size/rating.

This paper develops an optimization concept based on J-curve analysis in pipeline system design as a tool in the quantitative evaluation of pipeline operation efficiency and maintenance decisions. The method includes the creation of the J-curve (total Capex and Opex per unit volume versus the pipeline flow rate) of the as build system without maintenance, the improvement or changing of the J-curve after maintenance goal is achieved, and the return of expenditure curve of the maintenance at different flow rate based on the current commodity market price. The J-curve improvement and the return of expenditure curve will show the efficiency of the maintenance activities as basis for their priority and necessity. The return curve also help to set up the range of optimized flow rates that the pipeline should be operated at given the market price status. The creation of J-curve is based on the pipeline performance hydraulics model bench marked with pipeline measurement data.

Abstract Oil price is primarily determined by global supply and demand forces as well as governments policies and action or inaction of institutions like OPEC. However, in recent times, it has become evident that public health is a vital factor influencing demand and in turn oil price. In US, oil price reached a negative value for the first time in history by April 2020. Personnel and public health have been shown to have profound effect on operational expenditure (OPEX) of organizations, this in turn affecting the profitability of such organizations. Extra measures involving cost, had to be taken by organizations all over the world to ensure health and safety of their personnel in their sites. In Nigeria, effect of covid-19 measures for companies were, shut in of production, declaration of force majeure on ongoing contracts, slashing of costs, suspension on evaluation of future projects, profile assets for sale, remote/tele working, etc. Huge costs were also incurred as a part of corporate social responsibility for host communities/states where they operate. The consequential outcome is that there are reports of lower than planned profitability and liquidity positions. This paper examines action taken during this covid crisis and their impact on the financial status of their organizations. Using a quantitative and descriptive research design, an online survey has been used to gather information from respondents from different oil and gas companies of cost incurred by them. Secondary data was also obtained from quarterly reports of some companies of the oil majors to show their profitability comparing Q1-Q4 of 2019 and 2020. The paper also appraises action and inaction by corporate/government bodies to stimulate economic growth and help its personnel/citizenry. An attempt is also made to glean experience and lessons from organization that lived through the periods being examined.

Abstract This paper investigates the techno-economic feasibility of integrating a desalination system to an offshore wind farm. The first part of the paper involves a proposal for the design of a desalination system fitted inside the WindFloat Atlantic hull. Taking into account of the power, footprint, volume and weight requirements of the desalination system, the desalination capacity is chosen to be 10,000 m3/d per platform2. A 3D model of the system is also presented. The second part of the paper focuses on the development of an economic model that gives as output the levelized cost of water (LCOW) for the studied technology. At first, a methodology to estimate capital expenditure (Capex) and operational expenditure (Opex) of an offshore desalination system with the above-mentioned characteristics is presented. Then, three locations with high wind speeds and with frequent exposure to droughts (Gran Canaria, California and South Africa) are chosen and the model is applied. Particularly interesting results are found for Gran Canaria, isolated system with favorable conditions (high electricity price, high water production cost and good offshore wind resource).

Abstract The new edition of the ISO 15663 standard has been developed during the recent years and will strengthen the industry cost management for business value creation. This paper shows how such standardization can be used to further enhance and promote adoption of a common and consistent approach to life cycle costing in the offshore oil and gas industry. The new ISO 15663 edition maintains key principles from previous editions, but does also introduce an improved and revised management methodology for application of life cycle costing. The purpose is to provide decision support for selecting between alternative options (e.g., projects, operational and technical subject matters) across life cycle phases, also aligned with overall corporate business objectives such as HSE and sustainability. It also provides the means of identifying cost drivers and a framework for value optimization over the entire life of an asset. The international standard is providing an essential set of normative requirements on how to implement and apply the life cycle costing methodology and the decision criteria, supported by an exhaustive part of recommended practices. This includes the identification of common and specific contractual considerations for operators, contractors and vendors (e.g., complementary metrics besides expenditure, such as systems availability guarantee and risk-sharing clauses). It also includes the application in the life cycle phases of an asset, the techniques and data input, examples of application, and assessment and lessons learnt. Capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), revenue and lost revenue (LOSTREV) factors are addressed. The standard includes an unambiguous definition of the economic objectives of a project and application of the same business criteria when making major engineering decisions. The life cycle costing methodology is applicable to all asset decisions in any life cycle phase, but should be applied only when expected to add value for decision-support. The required extent of planning and management of the appropriate life cycle costing is depending on the magnitude of the costs involved, the potential value that can be created and the life cycle phase. This paper demonstrates how the new ISO 15663 can be utilized by providing new examples of life cycle costing, to give all participants in the process — oil and gas operators, contractors and vendors — an up-to-date and streamlined set of requirements and guidance, encouraging a fit for purpose application. The paper does also present unique key economic evaluation measures such as life cycle cost (LCC) and net present value (NPV).

Abstract Deep-water has long been proclaimed as the hydrocarbon frontier with huge potential of resources. The offshore basins of West Africa, Gulf of Mexico and Brazil are particularly known for deep-water campaigns. Trinidad and Tobago is no stranger to deep-water activity having drilled eight deep water wells in the last decade. After a period of dormancy, it may soon rejoin its global counterparts as it prepares to dive into the deep yet again. In 2011 and 2012, two deep water bid rounds were held and ten companies/consortia dared to venture into the deep but only three won the opportunity. Eleven thousand, six hundred and fifty seven square kilometres (11, 657 km2) was awarded out of a total acreage of twelve thousand, eight hundred and six square kilometres (12, 806 km2) for the past two bid rounds. With such potential activity, Trinidad and Tobago's commercial success in the deep may seem to be imminent but this is far from certain as exploration and development costs are substantially higher than those in our shallower areas. While commercial success is dependent on government share, hydrocarbon volumes and project costs, this paper focuses only on the latter. This paper compares and analyses Trinidad and Tobago's proposed Deep-water development project costs with other global deep-water field development costs, by investigating scenarios in terms of estimated development capital and operational expenditure and associated volumes. Capex and Opex of USD 12-14 Bn was required for developments between 500-750 mmbbl and the average global sample estimated for this volume range was USD 13 Bn. The paper concludes that Trinidad and Tobago's proposed project costs are indeed in line with other global developments. Undoubtedly, deep water exploration and development demands huge investments. Trinidad and Tobago's deep-water venture will soon commence and understanding these proposed costs would shed some light on its position in the deep and help prepare for what lies ahead.

When considering the future of offshore wind energy, developing cost effective methods of harnessing the offshore wind resource represents a significant challenge which must be overcome to make offshore wind a viable option. As the majority of the capital investment in offshore wind is in the form of infrastructure and operation and maintenance costs, reducing these expenditures could greatly reduce the cost of energy (COE) for an offshore wind project. Sandia National Laboratory and its partners (TU Delft, University of Maine, Iowa State, and TPI Composites) believe that vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) offer multiple advantages over other rotor configurations considering this new COE breakdown. The unique arrangement of a VAWT allows the heavy generator and related components to be located at the base of the tower as opposed to the top, as is typical of a horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). This configuration lowers the topside CG which reduces the platform stability requirements, leading to smaller and cheaper platforms. Additionally this locates high maintenance systems close to the ocean surface thus increasing maintainability. To support this project and the general wind research community, the Offshore Wind ENergy Simulation (OWENS) toolkit is being developed in conjunction with Texas A&M as an open source, modular aero-elastic analysis code with the capability to analyze floating VAWTS. The OWENS toolkit aims to establish a robust and flexible finite element framework and VAWT mesh generation utility, coupled with a modular interface that allows users to integrate easily with existing codes, such as aerodynamic and hydrodynamic codes. Current efforts to include a hydrodynamic module are focused on coupling WavEC2Wire with OWENS. WavEC2Wire is a wave-to-wire numerical model developed by Marco Alves at the Insituto Superior Tecnico for the analysis of wave energy converter devices. It has been adapted from its original form and restructured for use as a hydrodynamic module capable of providing OWENS with necessary floating platform dynamics. Hence, WavEC2Wire functions as a rigid-body solver designed to calculate the platform motion due to wave loads, moorings, and the influence of the attached VAWT and tower. This paper presents the WavEC2Wire module and details the OWENS coupling method. Additionally, planned improvements in the WavEC2Wire module as well as future development in OWENS are presented.

Abstract Significant depletion in reservoir pressure, huge uncertainties in pore and fracture pressure, high overburden pressure on top of reservoir, Narrow Mud Weight Window (NMWW) and Partial/Total losses whilst entering the reservoir made these HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) wells conventionally un-drillable. Due to these substantial challenges these wells were considered not only costly but also carry a high probability of failure to reach well TD (Total Depth). MPD (Managed Pressure Drilling) is a safer and more effective drilling technique as compared to conventional drilling, especially in wells with NMWW and downhole hazards. The precise determination and dynamic downhole pressure management was imperative to complete these wells without well control incidents. The Constant Bottom Hole Pressure (CBHP) variant in combination of automated MPD system was deployed with a mud weight statically underbalanced while dynamically managed above formation pore pressure to minimize the overbalance across the open hole. MPD enabled the operator to efficiently navigate Equivalent Circulation Density (ECD) through the pore and fracture pressure window, allowed significant improvements throughout the entire campaign. This paper discusses the challenges faced during the last three wells drilled in the campaign which includes equipment issues, commissioning delays, losses whilst drilling, Managed Pressure Cementing (MPC), 7" drill-in-liner and plugged/blocked lines due to weather and mud conditions. The paper describes HPHT infill drilling experience, specific techniques, practices as well as lessons learned from each well during the campaign were implemented to address challenges and to improve performance. The MPD system commissioning was optimized by repositioning the lines which saved significant critical rig time. The blowdown points were added on the lines that were not operational continuously therefore a procedure was developed for flushing to avoid plugging. Optimized drilling strategy was also developed where MW was further reduced to avoid losses as observed in previous wells and CBHP was maintained by manipulating Surface Back Pressure (SBP) from surface. This paper also discusses continuous improvements /upgrades in MPD operating software which assisted the operator in accurate monitoring of flow, SBP and BH-ECD to save significant rig cost in terms of invisible Non-Productive Time (NPT). MPD is a drilling enabler and performance enhancer which saved 80 days of Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) on this challenging HPHT campaign.

This report maps the African landscape of Open Science – with a focus on Open Data as a sub-set of Open Science. Data to inform the landscape study were collected through a variety of methods, including surveys, desk research, engagement with a community of practice, networking with stakeholders, participation in conferences, case study presentations, and workshops hosted. Although the majority of African countries (35 of 54) demonstrates commitment to science through its investment in research and development (R&D), academies of science, ministries of science and technology, policies, recognition of research, and participation in the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI), the following countries demonstrate the highest commitment and political willingness to invest in science: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. In addition to existing policies in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), the following countries have made progress towards Open Data policies: Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. Only two African countries (Kenya and South Africa) at this stage contribute 0.8% of its GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to R&D (Research and Development), which is the closest to the AU’s (African Union’s) suggested 1%. Countries such as Lesotho and Madagascar ranked as 0%, while the R&D expenditure for 24 African countries is unknown. In addition to this, science globally has become fully dependent on stable ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) infrastructure, which includes connectivity/bandwidth, high performance computing facilities and data services. This is especially applicable since countries globally are finding themselves in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), which is not only “about” data, but which “is” data. According to an article1 by Alan Marcus (2015) (Senior Director, Head of Information Technology and Telecommunications Industries, World Economic Forum), “At its core, data represents a post-industrial opportunity. Its uses have unprecedented complexity, velocity and global reach. As digital communications become ubiquitous, data will rule in a world where nearly everyone and everything is connected in real time. That will require a highly reliable, secure and available infrastructure at its core, and innovation at the edge.” Every industry is affected as part of this revolution – also science. An important component of the digital transformation is “trust” – people must be able to trust that governments and all other industries (including the science sector), adequately handle and protect their data. This requires accountability on a global level, and digital industries must embrace the change and go for a higher standard of protection. “This will reassure consumers and citizens, benefitting the whole digital economy”, says Marcus. A stable and secure information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure – currently provided by the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) – is key to advance collaboration in science. The AfricaConnect2 project (AfricaConnect (2012–2014) and AfricaConnect2 (2016–2018)) through establishing connectivity between National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), is planning to roll out AfricaConnect3 by the end of 2019. The concern however is that selected African governments (with the exception of a few countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Ethiopia and others) have low awareness of the impact the Internet has today on all societal levels, how much ICT (and the 4th Industrial Revolution) have affected research, and the added value an NREN can bring to higher education and research in addressing the respective needs, which is far more complex than simply providing connectivity. Apart from more commitment and investment in R&D, African governments – to become and remain part of the 4th Industrial Revolution – have no option other than to acknowledge and commit to the role NRENs play in advancing science towards addressing the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals). For successful collaboration and direction, it is fundamental that policies within one country are aligned with one another. Alignment on continental level is crucial for the future Pan-African African Open Science Platform to be successful. Both the HIPSSA ((Harmonization of ICT Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa)3 project and WATRA (the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly)4, have made progress towards the regulation of the telecom sector, and in particular of bottlenecks which curb the development of competition among ISPs. A study under HIPSSA identified potential bottlenecks in access at an affordable price to the international capacity of submarine cables and suggested means and tools used by regulators to remedy them. Work on the recommended measures and making them operational continues in collaboration with WATRA. In addition to sufficient bandwidth and connectivity, high-performance computing facilities and services in support of data sharing are also required. The South African National Integrated Cyberinfrastructure System5 (NICIS) has made great progress in planning and setting up a cyberinfrastructure ecosystem in support of collaborative science and data sharing. The regional Southern African Development Community6 (SADC) Cyber-infrastructure Framework provides a valuable roadmap towards high-speed Internet, developing human capacity and skills in ICT technologies, high- performance computing and more. The following countries have been identified as having high-performance computing facilities, some as a result of the Square Kilometre Array7 (SKA) partnership: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia. More and more NRENs – especially the Level 6 NRENs 8 (Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and recently Zambia) – are exploring offering additional services; also in support of data sharing and transfer. The following NRENs already allow for running data-intensive applications and sharing of high-end computing assets, bio-modelling and computation on high-performance/ supercomputers: KENET (Kenya), TENET (South Africa), RENU (Uganda), ZAMREN (Zambia), EUN (Egypt) and ARN (Algeria). Fifteen higher education training institutions from eight African countries (Botswana, Benin, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania) have been identified as offering formal courses on data science. In addition to formal degrees, a number of international short courses have been developed and free international online courses are also available as an option to build capacity and integrate as part of curricula. The small number of higher education or research intensive institutions offering data science is however insufficient, and there is a desperate need for more training in data science. The CODATA-RDA Schools of Research Data Science aim at addressing the continental need for foundational data skills across all disciplines, along with training conducted by The Carpentries 9 programme (specifically Data Carpentry 10 ). Thus far, CODATA-RDA schools in collaboration with AOSP, integrating content from Data Carpentry, were presented in Rwanda (in 2018), and during17-29 June 2019, in Ethiopia. Awareness regarding Open Science (including Open Data) is evident through the 12 Open Science-related Open Access/Open Data/Open Science declarations and agreements endorsed or signed by African governments; 200 Open Access journals from Africa registered on the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ); 174 Open Access institutional research repositories registered on openDOAR (Directory of Open Access Repositories); 33 Open Access/Open Science policies registered on ROARMAP (Registry of Open Access Repository Mandates and Policies); 24 data repositories registered with the Registry of Data Repositories (re3data.org) (although the pilot project identified 66 research data repositories); and one data repository assigned the CoreTrustSeal. Although this is a start, far more needs to be done to align African data curation and research practices with global standards. Funding to conduct research remains a challenge. African researchers mostly fund their own research, and there are little incentives for them to make their research and accompanying data sets openly accessible. Funding and peer recognition, along with an enabling research environment conducive for research, are regarded as major incentives. The landscape report concludes with a number of concerns towards sharing research data openly, as well as challenges in terms of Open Data policy, ICT infrastructure supportive of data sharing, capacity building, lack of skills, and the need for incentives. Although great progress has been made in terms of Open Science and Open Data practices, more awareness needs to be created and further advocacy efforts are required for buy-in from African governments. A federated African Open Science Platform (AOSP) will not only encourage more collaboration among researchers in addressing the SDGs, but it will also benefit the many stakeholders identified as part of the pilot phase. The time is now, for governments in Africa, to acknowledge the important role of science in general, but specifically Open Science and Open Data, through developing and aligning the relevant policies, investing in an ICT infrastructure conducive for data sharing through committing funding to making NRENs financially sustainable, incentivising open research practices by scientists, and creating opportunities for more scientists and stakeholders across all disciplines to be trained in data management.