Patents by Inventor Andrew R. Conn

Andrew R. Conn 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: 11105957
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for integrating plural modalities of information to obtain values for a specified attribute of a given system. In one embodiment, the method comprises acquiring data of a first modality, conveying a first source of data of a first type of the system; configuring simulator with settings of physical sensors; acquiring data of a second modality from the system, conveying a second source of data of a second type of the system. The method further comprises converting the data of the second modality to data of the first type, while configuring a virtual set of sensors to enable acquisition of the converted data of the second modality; and configuring adjoints equipped simulator with settings of the virtual sensors, to mimic collection of data of the first type, while configured to measure data of second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Sippe Douma, Gijs Van Essen, Lior Horesh, Eduardo Antonio Arismendi Jimenez, Ulisses Mello
  • Publication number: 20200191996
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for integrating plural modalities of information to obtain values for a specified attribute of a given system. In one embodiment, the method comprises acquiring data of a first modality, conveying a first source of data of a first type of the system; configuring simulator with settings of physical sensors; acquiring data of a second modality from the system, conveying a second source of data of a second type of the system. The method further comprises converting the data of the second modality to data of the first type, while configuring a virtual set of sensors to enable acquisition of the converted data of the second modality; and configuring adjoints equipped simulator with settings of the virtual sensors, to mimic collection of data of the first type, while configured to measure data of second type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Sippe DOUMA, Gijs VAN ESSEN, Lior Horesh, Eduradro Antonio Arismendi JIMENEZ, Ulisses Mello
  • Patent number: 10614378
    Abstract: One aspect includes a method for use with a plurality of steam assisted gravity drainage wells. The method includes designing a first modeling framework which provides a model of total output for the plurality of wells from one or more input variables for respective ones of the plurality of wells. The method also includes designing a second modeling framework which provides a model of output for a given one of the plurality of wells based at least in part on one or more input variables for the given one of the plurality of wells and one or more input variables for at least another one of the plurality of wells. The method further includes utilizing the first and second modeling frameworks to determine an optimal configuration for the wells and configuring the well to operate with the determined optimal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood Omolade Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10577907
    Abstract: One aspect includes a method for use with a steam assisted gravity drainage well. The method includes generating an analytical framework for the well at least in part by modeling one or more observable variables as a function at least of one or more control variables; and modeling one or more output variables as a function at least of at least one of the one or more control variables; and at least one of the one or more observable variables. The method further includes utilizing the analytical framework to determine an optimal configuration for the well, the optimal configuration including a set of one or more values for the one or more control variables which produce one or more desired values for the one or more output variables; and configuring the well to operate with the determined optimal configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood Omolade Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10578768
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for integrating plural modalities of information to obtain values for a specified attribute of a given system. In one embodiment, data of a first modality, conveying a first source of data of a first type of the system is acquired; a simulator is configured with settings of physical sensors; and data of a second modality from the system, conveying a second source of data of a second type of the system is acquired. The data of the second modality is converted to data of the first type, while configuring a virtual set of sensors to enable acquisition of the converted data of the second modality; and an adjoints equipped simulator is configured with settings of the virtual sensors, to mimic collection of data of the first type, while configured to measure data of the second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Sippe Douma, Gijs Van Essen, Lior Horesh, Eduardo Antonio Arismendi Jimenez, Ulisses Mello
  • Patent number: 10570717
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system to increase efficiency in emulsion production includes obtaining a predictive model of the SAGD oil well system. The predictive model has control parameters including one or more continuous control parameters and one or more discrete control parameters. The method also includes utilizing the predictive model to determine values for the control parameters that meet one or more objectives for the SAGD oil well system subject to one or more constraints based on a sequence of iterations of solving a mixed integer non-linear problem. The method further includes adjusting controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the determined values of the control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10378324
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a causal model of the SAGD oil well system and training the causal model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes utilizing the causal model to determine a forecast emulsion production and a forecast set of control parameters associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The method further includes adjusting a set of controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the forecast emulsion production and the forecast set of control parameters and subject to one or more constraints associated with the SAGD oil well system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10352142
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a multiple time step model of the SAGD oil well system and training the multiple time step model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes utilizing the multiple time step model to determine, based on a set of objectives and subject to one or more constraints, two or more sets of values for control parameters associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system for respective ones of two or more time steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10267130
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a model of the SAGD oil well system and training the model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes determining an uncertainty of the model as a function of a control space of the model and utilizing the model to determine values for control variables associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system which reduce the model uncertainty while meeting one or more objectives subject to one or more constraints. The method further includes adjusting a set of controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the determined values for the control variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Patent number: 10233727
    Abstract: A system, method and a computer program product may be provided for characterizing natural resource subsurface attributes and compositions. The system prescribes alterations of one or more controls of a natural resource. The system applies the altered controls to the natural resource wells. The system collects measurement data of the natural resource wells that responds to the applied altered controls. The system determines, based on the collected measurement data, the natural resource subsurface attributes and compositions that pertain to the natural resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Eduardo Antonio Jimenez Arismendi, Ulisses Mello, Gijs Van Essen
  • Patent number: 10082006
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided to cluster model prior realizations into flow-equivalent sets. Thereby, far fewer representatives are identified from each cluster that can still predict the same range of future production reliably. Only representatives of each realization cluster that indicate unique forecasts will undergo the computationally expensive process of history matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Ulisses T. Mello, Gijs Michiel van Essen, Sippe Geert Douma, Eduardo Antonio Jimenez Arismendi
  • Publication number: 20180087360
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a causal model of the SAGD oil well system and training the causal model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes utilizing the causal model to determine a forecast emulsion production and a forecast set of control parameters associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The method further includes adjusting a set of controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the forecast emulsion production and the forecast set of control parameters and subject to one or more constraints associated with the SAGD oil well system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20180087356
    Abstract: One aspect includes a method for use with a steam assisted gravity drainage well. The method includes generating an analytical framework for the well at least in part by modeling one or more observable variables as a function at least of one or more control variables; and modeling one or more output variables as a function at least of at least one of the one or more control variables; and at least one of the one or more observable variables. The method further includes utilizing the analytical framework to determine an optimal configuration for the well, the optimal configuration including a set of one or more values for the one or more control variables which produce one or more desired values for the one or more output variables; and configuring the well to operate with the determined optimal configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood Omolade Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20180087358
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a model of the SAGD oil well system and training the model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes determining an uncertainty of the model as a function of a control space of the model and utilizing the model to determine values for control variables associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system which reduce the model uncertainty while meeting one or more objectives subject to one or more constraints. The method further includes adjusting a set of controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the determined values for the control variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20180087357
    Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system to increase efficiency in emulsion production includes obtaining a predictive model of the SAGD oil well system. The predictive model has control parameters including one or more continuous control parameters and one or more discrete control parameters. The method also includes utilizing the predictive model to determine values for the control parameters that meet one or more objectives for the SAGD oil well system subject to one or more constraints based on a sequence of iterations of solving a mixed integer non-linear problem. The method further includes adjusting controls of the SAGD oil well system based on the determined values of the control parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Mathias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20180087359
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency in emulsion production for a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil well system includes generating a multiple time step model of the SAGD oil well system and training the multiple time step model of the SAGD oil well system utilizing historical time series data relating to one or more SAGD oil wells at one or more SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system. The historical time series data is obtained from a plurality of sensors in the SAGD oil well system. The method also includes utilizing the multiple time step model to determine, based on a set of objectives and subject to one or more constraints, two or more sets of values for control parameters associated with one or more of the SAGD production sites of the SAGD oil well system for respective ones of two or more time steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood O. Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20180089145
    Abstract: One aspect includes a method for use with a plurality of steam assisted gravity drainage wells. The method includes designing a first modeling framework which provides a model of total output for the plurality of wells from one or more input variables for respective ones of the plurality of wells. The method also includes designing a second modeling framework which provides a model of output for a given one of the plurality of wells based at least in part on one or more input variables for the given one of the plurality of wells and one or more input variables for at least another one of the plurality of wells. The method further includes utilizing the first and second modeling frameworks to determine an optimal configuration for the wells and configuring the well to operate with the determined optimal configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Matthias Kormaksson, Moshood Omolade Saliu, Theodore G. van Kessel
  • Publication number: 20170114619
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided to cluster model prior realizations into flow-equivalent sets. Thereby, far fewer representatives are identified from each cluster that can still predict the same range of future production reliably. Only representatives of each realization cluster that indicate unique forecasts will undergo the computationally expensive process of history matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Ulisses T. Mello, Gijs Michiel van Essen, Sippe Geert Douma, Eduardo Antonio Jimenez Arismendi
  • Publication number: 20160356904
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product are disclosed for integrating plural modalities of information to obtain values for a specified attribute of a given system. In one embodiment, the method comprises acquiring data of a first modality, conveying a first source of data of a first type of the system; configuring simulator with settings of physical sensors; acquiring data of a second modality from the system, conveying a second source of data of a second type of the system. The method further comprises converting the data of the second modality to data of the first type, while configuring a virtual set of sensors to enable acquisition of the converted data of the second modality; and configuring adjoints equipped simulator with settings of the virtual sensors, to mimic collection of data of the first type, while configured to measure data of second type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicants: SHELL OIL COMPANY, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Sippe Douma, Gijs VAN ESSEN, Lior Horesh, Eduardo Antonio Arismendi JIMENEZ, Ulisses Mello
  • Publication number: 20160032692
    Abstract: A system, method and a computer program product may be provided for characterizing natural resource subsurface attributes and compositions. The system prescribes alterations of one or more controls of a natural resource. The system applies the altered controls to the natural resource wells. The system collects measurement data of the natural resource wells that responds to the applied altered controls. The system determines, based on the collected measurement data, the natural resource subsurface attributes and compositions that pertain to the natural resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicants: SHELL OIL COMPANY, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew R. Conn, Lior Horesh, Eduardo Antonio Jimenez Arismendi, Ulisses Mello, Gijs Van Essen