Objectives: To determine the risk factors of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: From January 2002 through December 2003, 254 consecutive cases with a diagnosis of SP were reviewed. Analyses of pneumothorax rates by age, sex, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and climatic conditions were evaluated. Results: Of the 254 patients, 242 (95%) were male and 12 (5%) were female; a larger proportion of 180 (88%) were Kuwaitis and 74 (12%) were expatriates. Two hundred and eight (82%) episodes were regarded as primary SP and 46 (18%) as secondary SP. The mean age was 24.5 ± 5.8 years for primary SP and 45.7 ± 14.5 years for secondary SP. One hundred and ninety-six (77%) individuals were current smokers. BMI in primary and secondary SP was 19.3 and 22.4, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no relationship between SP and climatic conditions (a rise or fall in temperature, humidity or atmospheric pressure). However, a slight increase in SP occurred in July, probably the hottest month in Kuwait. Conclusions: The data indicate that the most important risk factors of SP in Kuwait are smoking, low BMI and the male gender.

In the world where social media became its backbone, education should not be an exception. There are various types of online learning management systems which are like social media applications, with certain features tailored for eLearning education. Edmodo is a popular learning management system in the world and the Kurdistan region in Iraq. This study aims to inspect the factors influence using Edmodo learning management system to assist education in a blended classroom, by using an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This study included a total of 32 students, who attended the course of advanced mobile applications in a blended classroom environment. The results analysis showed that the Edmodo system was impacted very-well and was able to estimate utility and easy to use by the students. Regarding the Motivation factor, it was discovered that there was no significant association with the perception of usefulness. Also, it was found that students were pleased with Edmodo as a Learning Management System and it improved their programming skills through given assignments.

Heterogeneity across the producing interval is typical in oil and gas wells; it is rare to find uniform production distribution or fluid injection across a substantially long interval. Hence, diversion during matrix acidizing is critical, especially if the downhole pressure and/or temperature are high. In two Kuwait Jurassic fields, two wells were completed in an over 100 ft producing interval across a carbonate reservoir. Reservoir temperature is 280°F, and the estimated reservoir pressure is 11,000 psi. Multiple matrix acidizing trials to enhance well productivity have been performed with conventional diversion techniques and, as indicated by the surface pressure response, were not effective. This requires an adequately engineered near wellbore diversion system that can overcome the challenge of these bottomhole conditions and form a uniform production distribution across a substantially long heterogeneous interval. A new methodology was applied in two Jurassic wells that combined a multimodal blend of biodegradable particulates and fibers as a chemical diverter, and emulsified acids as main fluids for a matrix stimulation. In each diversion stage, the change in surface pressure ranged from 800 to 1,000 psi after the diversion pill hit the perforation tunnel. Moreover, a clear signature of diversion was demonstrated in the instantaneous shutin pressures. In another Kuwait field, the diversion pill was tested by using injectivity logging tests to monitor the changes in injectivity across the perforated interval during an acid fracturing treatment in comparison to the earlier injection profile. A remarkable change in injection was observed and a total of 80% change in the injection profile was quantified from before and after the diversion. The diversion pill is relatively small in volume and is easy and safe to handle. Fibers help to maintain the carrying capacity and allow safe landing of the biodegradable material to the formation face. Only a few barrels are required to plug the opened or stimulated interval, and the method allows the following stimulation stage to treat the subsequent interval. The first well revealed a 330% and 110% production increase in gas and oil rates, respectively. The production was set as one of the highest producers in the field. The second well yielded a 320% increase in total production, which set the highest record for the field. The new method is proved to be highly effective in terms of wellbore coverage, and highest production records in the field after matrix acidizing treatments.

The unconventional Bahrah field is a high potential field which poses several challenges in terms of hydrocarbon flow assurance through highly heterogeneous tight carbonate intervals with poor reservoir quality and curtailed mobility. Due to this, the field development strategies have prioritized well completion using horizontal acid fracturing technology over vertical wells. During fracturing, the acid system tends to form highly conductive channels in the formation. Most of the fluid will flow into the path of least resistance leaving large portions of the formation untreated. As a result, the fracturing treatment options dwindle significantly, thus reservoir stimulation results are not optimum in each stage. Achieving complete wellbore coverage is a challenge for any acid frac treatment performed in long lateral with variations in reservoir characteristics. The multistage acid fracturing using Integrated Far-field Diversion (IFD) is performed using selective openhole completion, enabling mechanical annular segmentation of the wellbore using swellable packers and sliding sleeves. The mechanical as well as chemical diversion in IFD methodology is highly important to the overall stimulation success. The technique includes pumping multiple self-degrading particle sizes, considering the openhole annular space and wide presence of natural fractures, followed by in-situ HCL based crosslinked system employed for improving individual stage targets. A biomodal strategy is employed wherein larger particles are supplemented with smaller that can bridge pore throats of the larger particles and have the desired property of rigidity and develop a level of suppleness once exposed to reservoir conditions. The IFD diversion shifts the fracture to unstimulated areas to create complex fractures that increase reservoir contact volume and improving overall conductivity. This paper examines IFD in acid fracturing and describes the crucial diversion strategy. Unlike available diverters used in other fields, the particulates are unaffected at low pH values and in live acids. Proper agent selection and combination with in-situ crosslink acid effectively plug the fracture generated previously and generate pressure high enough to initiate another fracture for further ramification. The optimization and designing of the IFD diversion in each stage plays a key role and has helped to effectively plug fractures and realize segmentation. Concentration of diversion agents, volume of fluid system and open-hole stage length sensitivity plays vital role for the success of this treatment. The application of IFD methodology is tuned as fit-for-purpose to address the unique challenges of well operations, formation technical difficulties, high-stakes economics, and untapped high potential from this unconventional reservoir. A direct result of this acid fracturing treatment is that the post-operation data showed high contribution of all fractured zones along the section in sustained manner. Furthermore, this methodology can be considered as best practice for application in unconventional challenges in other fields.