Patents by Inventor Oliver C. Mullins

Oliver C. Mullins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10228325
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a downhole fluid analysis method that includes withdrawing formation fluid into a downhole tool at a plurality of stations within a wellbore, analyzing the formation fluid within a fluid analyzer of a downhole tool to determine properties of the formation fluid for the plurality of stations, and developing, based on the determined properties of the formation fluid, a relationship for predicting viscosity from a measured optical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Hadrien Dumont, Richard Jackson, Ilaria De Santo, Oliver C. Mullins, Cosan Ayan
  • Patent number: 10190396
    Abstract: A downhole tool, surface equipment, and/or remote equipment are utilized to obtain data associated with a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, fluid contained therein, and/or fluid obtained therefrom. At least one condition indicating that a density inversion exists in the fluid contained in the reservoir is identified from the data. Molecular sizes of fluid components contained within the reservoir are estimated from the data. A model of the density inversion is generated based on the data and molecular sizes. The density inversion model is utilized to estimate the density inversion amount and depth and time elapsed since the density inversion began to form within the reservoir. A model of a gravity-induced current of the density inversion is generated based on the data and the density inversion amount, depth, and elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi Chen, Kang Wang, Oliver C. Mullins, Youxiang Zuo
  • Patent number: 10184334
    Abstract: Various implementations directed to analyzing a reservoir using fluid analysis are provided. In one implementation, a method may include determining mud gas logging (MGL) data based on drilling mud associated with a wellbore traversing a reservoir of interest. The method may also include determining first downhole fluid analysis (DFA) data based on a first reservoir fluid sample obtained at a first measurement station in the wellbore. The method may further include determining predicted DFA data for the wellbore based on the first DFA data. The method may additionally include determining second DFA data based on a second reservoir fluid sample obtained at a second measurement station in the wellbore. The method may further include analyzing the reservoir based on a comparison of the MGL data and a comparison of the second DFA data to the predicted DFA data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Soraya S. Betancourt-Pocaterra, Dariusz Strapoc, Ivan Fornasier, Vinay K. Mishra, Jesus Alberto Canas, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 10100638
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for characterizing a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest traversed by at least one wellbore that includes (a) using a numerical model to simulate over geological time a non-equilibrium concentration of an asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore, (b) analyzing fluid samples acquired from at least one wellbore that traverses the reservoir of interest to measure concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore, (c) comparing the non-equilibrium concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore resulting from the simulation of (a) to the concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore as measured in (b), and characterizing the reservoir of interest based upon the comparing of (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kang Wang, Youxiang Zuo, Yi Chen, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 10101484
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a method for assessing risks of compartmentalization. In one implementation, the method may include receiving seismic data for a formation of interest; identifying areas in the formation having a dip angle greater than about 30 degrees; performing a plurality of downhole fluid analysis (DFA) within a wellbore around the formation having the dip angle greater than about 30 degrees to identify areas experiencing mass density inversion; and determining the areas experiencing mass density inversion by DFA as having one or more risks of compartmentalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Emil Pomerantz, Hadrien Dumont, Joseph Carl Fiduk, Vinay Mishra, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 10083258
    Abstract: A method for performing a field operation within a geologic basin having rock formations and a reservoir that includes fluids includes generating, by forward modeling using a petroleum system model (PSM), an estimate of a fluid property distribution of a fluid within the reservoir of the geologic basin. The method further includes detecting, from fluid samples, a fluid property gradient within the geologic basin. The fluid samples are extracted from within at least one wellbore drilled through the rock formations. The method further includes, comparing the estimate of the fluid property distribution with the detected fluid property gradient to generate a comparison result, iteratively adjusting, based on the comparison result, the PSM to generate an adjusted PSM, and performing, based on the adjusted PSM, the field operation within the geologic basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Armin I. Kauerauf, Daniel Bruno Palmowski, Thomas Hantschel, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20180004863
    Abstract: A method includes placing a downhole acquisition tool in a wellbore in a geological formation containing a reservoir fluid. The method includes performing downhole fluid analysis using the downhole acquisition tool to determine at least one measurement of the reservoir fluid. The method includes using a processor to estimate at least one fluid component property by using an equation of state based at least in part on the at least one measurement of the reservoir fluid and to simulate a diffusion process using a diffusion model that takes into account the at least one estimated fluid property to generate a composition path. The method includes using a processor to estimate one or more phase envelopes based in part on the at least one fluid property and compare the one or more phase envelopes with the composition path. The method includes outputting a visualization identify potential areas of asphaltene instability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Shu Pan, Yi Chen, Kang Wang, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20170342828
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a likelihood that a reservoir of a geological formation received a secondary charge of hydrocarbons of relatively very different thermal maturity of composition are provided. One method includes positioning a downhole acquisition tool in a wellbore in a geological formation and testing one or more fluid properties of the formation fluid. Data processing circuitry may identify whether a relationship of the one or more fluid properties exceeds a first threshold that indicates likely asphaltene instability. When this is the case, data processing circuitry may be used to model the geological formation using a realization scenario in which multiple charges of hydrocarbons of substantially different thermal maturity or substantially different composition, or both, filled a reservoir of the geological formation over geologic time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hadrien Dumont, Vinay K. Mishra, German Garcia, Li Chen, Thomas Pfeiffer, Soraya S. Betancourt Pocaterra, Jerimiah Forsythe, Andrew Emil Pomerantz, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9664032
    Abstract: Method of drilling a well, including one method comprising determining a first value indicative of a relative position of a geological bed boundary with respect to a drilling assembly, determining a second value indicative of an optical property of a formation fluid proximate the drilling assembly, and controlling a well trajectory based on the first and second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oliver C. Mullins, Shahid A. Haq
  • Patent number: 9651476
    Abstract: A method for downhole fluid analysis by optical spectroscopy with photoacoustic detection includes positioning a photoacoustic system within a wellbore, applying a laser pulse to the fluid sample using the pulsed laser system, detecting, by the acoustic sensor, a time-resolved acoustic pulse generated by absorption of the laser pulse by the fluid sample, and determining a property of the fluid sample using the detected time resolved acoustic pulse. The photoacoustic system includes a pulsed laser system and an acoustic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew J. Speck, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9618446
    Abstract: A wellbore tool for determining a speed of sound of a fluid sample, such as a hydrocarbon sample or a wellbore fluid, is described herein. The wellbore tool includes a photoacoustic system for analyzing the fluid sample. The photoacoustic system includes a laser system that generates a laser pulse, an interface disposed between the fluid sample and the laser system, and an acoustic detector that receives an acoustic pulse that is generated in response to absorption of the laser pulse. The acoustic pulse is generated when the laser pulse is absorbed by the fluid sample or the interface. This acoustic pulse then moves through the fluid sample and is detected by the acoustic detector. The acoustic pulse is then used to determine a speed of sound of the fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew J. Speck, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Christopher Harrison, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9606260
    Abstract: A method for monitoring oil based mud filtrate contamination is provided including steps of analytically dividing a fluid stream into two parts, determining a gas/oil ratio for a native fluid determining an apparent gas/oil ratio for the contaminated fluid and determining on a volume fraction, an oil based contamination level based upon the gas/oil ratio for the native fluid and the apparent gas/oil ratio for the contaminated fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Adriaan Gisolf, Anthony Smits, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9581014
    Abstract: A method for predicting asphaltene onset pressure in a reservoir is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes performing downhole fluid analysis of formation fluid via a downhole tool at a measurement station at a first depth in a wellbore and determining an asphaltene gradient for the formation fluid at the measurement station. Asphaltene onset pressure for a second depth in the wellbore may then be predicted based on the downhole fluid analysis and the determined asphaltene gradient. Additional methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi Chen, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20170016321
    Abstract: A downhole tool, surface equipment, and/or remote equipment are utilized to obtain data associated with a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, fluid contained therein, and/or fluid obtained therefrom. At least one condition indicating that a density inversion exists in the fluid contained in the reservoir is identified from the data. Molecular sizes of fluid components contained within the reservoir are estimated from the data. A model of the density inversion is generated based on the data and molecular sizes. The density inversion model is utilized to estimate the density inversion amount and depth and time elapsed since the density inversion began to form within the reservoir. A model of a gravity-induced current of the density inversion is generated based on the data and the density inversion amount, depth, and elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Shu Pan, Youxiang Zuo, Yi Chen, Kang Wang, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9535187
    Abstract: A method for characterizing one or more properties of a geological formation including brine, the method including inputting at least one first property of the geological formation into an equation of state (EOS) model, the EOS model accounting for a high temperature effect on the brine; solving the EOS model to determine at least one second property of the geological formation; and outputting the at least one second property to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indranil Roy, Oliver C. Mullins, Richard E. Lewis, Colin Longfield, Chris Wilkinson, Paul George, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Publication number: 20160348480
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first fluid property data from a first location in a hydrocarbon reservoir and receiving second fluid property data from a second location in the hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes performing a plurality of realizations of models of the hydrocarbon reservoir according to a respective plurality of one or more plausible dynamic processes to generate one or more respective modeled fluid properties. The method includes selecting the one or more plausible dynamic processes based at least in part on a relationship between the first fluid property data, the second fluid property data, and the modeled fluid properties obtained from the realizations to identify potential disequilibrium in the hydrocarbon reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Kang Wang, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Soraya S. Betancourt Pocaterra, Jerimiah Forsythe, Cosan Ayan, Hadrien Dumont, Vinay Mishra, Jesus Alberto Canas, Daniel M. Tetzlaff, Anish Kumar, Vladislav Achourov, Thomas Pfeiffer, Shu Pan, Yi Chen, Armin Kauerauf, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9477002
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for measuring acoustic signals in a borehole during a fracturing operation. The system includes a downhole toolstring designed and adapted for deployment in a borehole formed within a subterranean rock formation. A downhole rock fracturing tool opens and propagates a fracture in the subterranean rock formation. Dipole and/or quadrupole acoustic sources transmit acoustic energy into the subterranean rock formation. A receiver array measures acoustic energy traveling through the subterranean rock formation before, during and after the fracture induction. Geophones mounted on extendable arms can be used to measure shear wave acoustic energy travelling in the rock formation. The toolstring can be constructed such that the sources and receivers straddle the fracture zone during the fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Miller, Ahmad Latifzai, Romain Charles Andre Prioul, Bruce A. MacKay, Oliver C. Mullins, Andreas Hausot, Canyun Wang, Alireza Farahani
  • Patent number: 9442217
    Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding employs analysis of fluid property gradients to investigate and distinguish between non-compartmentalization of the reservoir, compartmentalization of the reservoir, and lack of thermodynamic equilibrium in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins, Albert Ballard Andrews, Eric Lehne
  • Publication number: 20160252454
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a downhole fluid analysis method that includes withdrawing formation fluid into a downhole tool at a plurality of stations within a wellbore, analyzing the formation fluid within a fluid analyzer of a downhole tool to determine properties of the formation fluid for the plurality of stations, and developing, based on the determined properties of the formation fluid, a relationship for predicting viscosity from a measured optical density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Hadrien Dumont, Richard Jackson, Ilaria De Santo, Oliver C. Mullins, Cosan Ayan
  • Patent number: 9416647
    Abstract: A methodology performs downhole fluid analysis at multiple measurement stations within a wellbore traversing a reservoir to determine gradients of compositional components and other fluid properties. A model is used to predict concentrations of a plurality of high molecular weight solute part class-types at varying reservoir locations. Such predictions are compared against downhole measurements to identify the best matching solute part class-type. If the best-matching class type corresponds to at least one predetermined asphaltene component, phase stability of asphaltene in the reservoir fluid at a given depth is evaluated using equilibrium criteria involving an oil rich phase and an asphaltene rich phase of respective components of the reservoir fluid at the given depth. The result of the evaluation of asphaltene rich phase stability is used for reservoir analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins, Chengli Dong, Dingan Zhang, ChengGang Xian