Patents by Inventor Andre FOURNO

Andre FOURNO 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: 10641923
    Abstract: The invention is a method for exploring and exploiting a fluid in a subterranean formation comprising a network of fractures. On the basis of measurements of properties relating to the formation, a meshed representation of the formation, and statistical parameters relating to the network of fractures, each mesh of the meshed representation is broken down into at least one unfractured matrix block and an equivalent permeability tensor of the network of fractures in the mesh concerned is determined. A matrix block characteristic dimension is then determined according to a relation that is a function at least of the eigenvalues of the equivalent permeability tensor. Based on the meshed representation, the characteristic dimension and a flow simulator, there is defined an optimum exploitation scheme for the fluid of the formation and said fluid is exploited as a function of the optimum exploitation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Chahir Jerbi, Andre Fourno, Benoit Noetinger
  • Patent number: 10288544
    Abstract: Method for exploiting a fluid within an underground formation comprising a layer traversed by a fracture network and a well. From property measurements relative to the layer, the fracture network is characterized by statistical parameters and a discrete fracture network model is constructed. For each well, three simplification zones surrounding the well are defined. From the statistical parameters, an equivalent permeability tensor and a parameter characterizing the orientation and the vertical continuity of the fractures are determined for each zone. For each zone, a simplification of the discrete fracture network model is determined as a function of the zone, the equivalent permeability tensor and the value of the parameter. An optimum exploitation scheme is defined for the formation fluid from the simplified fracture network model and a flow simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Andre Fourno, Bernard Bourbiaux
  • Publication number: 20170212276
    Abstract: Method for exploiting a fluid in a subterranean formation comprising a network of fractures. On the basis of measurements of properties relating to the formation, a meshed representation of the formation, and statistical parameters relating to the network of fractures, each mesh of the meshed representation is broken down into at least one unfractured matrix block and an equivalent permeability tensor of the network of fractures in the mesh concerned is determined. A matrix block characteristic dimension is then determined according to a relation that is a function at least of the eigenvalues of the equivalent permeability tensor. On the basis of the meshed representation, the characteristic dimension and a flow simulator, there is defined an optimum exploitation scheme for the fluid of the formation and said fluid is exploited as a function of the optimum exploitation scheme. Application notably to oil exploration and exploitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Chahir JERBI, Andre FOURNO, Benoit NOETINGER
  • Publication number: 20170074770
    Abstract: Method for exploiting a fluid within an underground formation comprising a layer traversed by a fracture network and a well. From property measurements relative to the layer, the fracture network is characterized by statistical parameters and a discrete fracture network model is constructed. For each well, three simplification zones surrounding the well are defined. From the statistical parameters, an equivalent permeability tensor and a parameter characterizing the orientation and the vertical continuity of the fractures are determined for each zone. For each zone, a simplification of the discrete fracture network model is determined as a function of the zone, the equivalent permeability tensor and the value of the parameter. An optimum exploitation scheme is defined for the formation fluid from the simplified fracture network model and a flow simulator. Application: notably petroleum exploration and exploitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Andre FOURNO, Bernard BOURBIAUX
  • Patent number: 9477009
    Abstract: The invention is a method of evaluating a recovery potential for hydrocarbons contained in a fractured reservoir, using an enhanced recovery technique. Characteristic reservoir data, data obtained from well test results and data relative to the development conditions are acquired. A pressure gradient related to the flow of a fluid injected to improve recovery is then estimated from the previously acquired data. A recovery coefficient is calculated for the hydrocarbons initially in place in matrix blocks by estimating water saturation for a state of equilibrium of the matrix blocks. Finally, the oil recovery time under the effect of the fluid circulation in fractures is estimated by determining the required for the matrix blocks to change from the initial state to a state of equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Andre Fourno
  • Patent number: 8983818
    Abstract: The invention is a method for constructing a representation of a fluid reservoir traversed by a fracture network and by at least one well. The reservoir is discretized into a set of grid cells and the fractures are characterized by statistical parameters from observations of the reservoir. An equivalent permeability tensor and an average fracture opening is constructed from an image representative of the fracture network delimiting porous blocks and fractures is then deduced from the statistical parameters. A first elliptical boundary zone centered on the well and at least a second elliptical boundary zone centered on the well which form an elliptical ring with the elliptical boundary of the first zone are defined around the well. The image representative of the fracture network is simplified in a different manner for each of the zones which is used to construct the representation of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: André Fourno, Bernard Bourbiaux
  • Publication number: 20140163939
    Abstract: The invention is a method of evaluating a recovery potential for hydrocarbons contained in a fractured reservoir, using an enhanced recovery technique. Characteristic reservoir data, data obtained from well test results and data relative to the development conditions are acquired. A pressure gradient related to the flow of a fluid injected to improve recovery is then estimated from the previously acquired data. A recovery coefficient is calculated for the hydrocarbons initially in place in matrix blocks by estimating water saturation for a state of equilibrium of the matrix blocks. Finally, the oil recovery time under the effect of the fluid circulation in fractures is estimated by determining the required for the matrix blocks to change from the initial state to a state of equilibrium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard BOURBIAUX, Andre FOURNO
  • Patent number: 8688424
    Abstract: A method of modelling a fractured reservoir having application for petroleum reservoir development is disclosed utilizing a set of several families of equivalent blocks of regular shapes and sizes. The fractured reservoir is modelled by a complex porous medium made up of irregular blocks. A function defining the progress of an imbibition front within these blocks, whose derivative A?(X) is calculated, is determined. A function defining the progress of an imbibition front within regular equivalent blocks, whose derivative A?eq(X) is calculated, is then determined. This derivative, which constitutes at least two line segments with distinct slopes, depends on the dimensions of the equivalent blocks. Finally, the dimensions of the equivalent blocks are obtained by adjusting the two derivatives A?eq(X) and A?(X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Philippe Delaplace, André Fourno
  • Publication number: 20120116740
    Abstract: The invention is a method for constructing a representation of a fluid reservoir traversed by a fracture network and by at least one well. The reservoir is discretized into a set of grid cells and the fractures are characterized by statistical parameters from observations of the reservoir. An equivalent permeability tensor and an average fracture opening is constructed from an image representative of the fracture network delimiting porous blocks and fractures is then deduced from the statistical parameters. A first elliptical boundary zone centered on the well and at least a second elliptical boundary zone centered on the well which form an elliptical ring with the elliptical boundary of the first zone are defined around the well. The image representative of the fracture network is simplified in a different manner for each of the zones which is used to construct the representation of the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: André FOURNO, Bernard Bourbiaux
  • Publication number: 20100274547
    Abstract: A method of modelling a fractured reservoir having application for petroleum reservoir development is disclosed utilizing a set of several families of equivalent blocks of regular shapes and sizes. The fractured reservoir is modelled by a complex porous medium made up of irregular blocks. A function defining the progress of an imbibition front within these blocks, whose derivative A?(X) is calculated, is determined. A function defining the progress of an imbibition front within regular equivalent blocks, whose derivative A?eq(X) is calculated, is then determined. This derivative, which constitutes at least two line segments with distinct slopes, depends on the dimensions of the equivalent blocks. Finally, the dimensions of the equivalent blocks are obtained by adjusting the two derivatives A?eq(X) and A?(X).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Philippe Delaplace, André Fourno