The text below is a brief description of the topics given by professor Lars Imsland. Contact lars.imsland@itk.ntnu.no for further information.

1. Using MPC for Managed Pressure Drilling (Statoil)
   Develop an MPC solution to control pressure in an open wellbore to stay between given boundaries (pore and frac pressures).
   I. Simple model
   II. Advanced model (WeMod)
   Tune MPC with low weight on set point and high weight on constraints (pore and frac pressures). Choke usage should also be weighted. Cases to test:
   I. Normal drilling
   II. Connection
   III. Tripping
   IV. Power loss
   Start with single input (choke) with main pump and back pressure pumps and drillpipe posistion as measured disturbances (DVs). Extend to multivariable input using pumps as MVs.
   It is possible to use SEPTIC (Statoil's MPC tool) for the project.
   Co-advisors: John-Morten Godhavn (Statoil), Gerhard Nygaard (IRIS).