Patents by Inventor Bernard Bourbiaux

Bernard Bourbiaux 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).

  • Publication number: 20240053063
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of heat exchange between a building (1) and the Earth's subsurface (5), comprising a closed loop with at least one pipe (9) installed in said subsurface (5) for heat exchange with subsurface (5), and connected by connecting pipes (4, 7) to at least one pipe (6) installed in said building (1) for heat exchange with building (1), the closed loop comprising a circulation pump (P) for circulating a fluid through said closed loop, and the fluid comprising capsules containing phase change materials. The invention also relates to a method for cooling or heating a building (1) from the heat exchange system between a building (1) and the Earth's subsurface (5). FIG. 1 to be published.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Isabelle DURAND, Habiba BOULHARTS, Bernard BOURBIAUX, Vivien ESNAULT, Jean-Francois LECOMTE, Vlasios LEONTIDIS, Marie MARSIGLIA, Elena SANZ
  • Patent number: 11339630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovery of hydrocarbons in a geological reservoir by injection of a low-salinity aqueous solution. A representative model of the evolution of the flow parameters as a function of the aqueous solution salinity is calibrated by use of laboratory measurements performed on a rock sample from the reservoir for at least two salinity values. Then, by use of a flow simulator including the calibrated model, the injection of aqueous solutions into the sample is simulated, with and without capillary effects, for at least the two salinity values with a microscopic residual oil saturation being determined for each salinity value. Then, from the flow simulator including the calibrated model and the microscopic residual oil saturation values, a reservoir development scheme is determined with hydrocarbons of the reservoir being exploited according to the development scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Quang Long Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10872182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing a fluid deposit traversed by a fracture network. For this method, the deposit is discretized in a meshed representation, a “dual medium” approach is used, and the exchange flows are determined between the meshes, together with corrective factors. The corrective factors are dependent on the initial pressure and the minimum production pressure of the deposit. The fluid flows in the deposit are simulated by means of these flows and these corrective factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Didier Yu Ding
  • Patent number: 10830026
    Abstract: A method for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir by injecting a gas in the form of foam, comprising a step of determining a foam displacement model, which is a function of an optimal gas mobility reduction factor and of at least one water saturation-dependent interpolation function. The optimal gas mobility reduction factor is determined and constants of the water saturation-related interpolation function are calibrated from a plurality of apparent viscosity measurements for various foam quality values, and by use of a lamella model allowing which relates the lamella density as a function of the water saturation. The invention has an application to petroleum exploration and development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Omar Gassara, Frederic Douarche, Benjamin Braconnier, Bernard Bourbiaux
  • Patent number: 10712469
    Abstract: The invention is a method for optimizing working (EXP) of a deposit of fluid traversed by a network of fractures that involves determining the transitory exchange terms between matrix blocks and fractures (FFA, FFN), for any type of available information (INFO) concerning the network of fractures, regardless of the level of knowledge of the fractured environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Daniela Bauer
  • Patent number: 10669818
    Abstract: The invention is a method for operating a hydrocarbon deposit by injection of gas in foam form, comprising determining a model of displacement of the foam which is a function of an optimal mobility reduction factor of the gas and at least one interpolation function dependent on a parameter and constants to be calibrated. The mobility reduction factor of the gas is determined and the constants of at least one interpolation function are calibrated from experimental measurements comprising injections of gas in non-foaming form and in foam form into a sample of the deposit for different values of the parameter relative to the function being considered. Measurements of headloss corresponding to each value of the parameter of the interpolation function are considered. The calibration of the constants is performed interpolation function by interpolation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Christophe Preux, Lahcen Nabzar, Benjamin Braconnier
  • Publication number: 20200141212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovery of hydrocarbons in a geological reservoir by injection of a low-salinity aqueous solution. A representative model of the evolution of the flow parameters as a function of the aqueous solution salinity is calibrated by use of laboratory measurements performed on a rock sample from the reservoir for at least two salinity values. Then, by use of a flow simulator including the calibrated model, the injection of aqueous solutions into the sample is simulated, with and without capillary effects, for at least the two salinity values with a microscopic residual oil saturation being determined for each salinity value. Then, from the flow simulator including the calibrated model and the microscopic residual oil saturation values, a reservoir development scheme is determined with hydrocarbons of the reservoir being exploited according to the development scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Bernard BOURBIAUX, Quang Long NGUYEN
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10100242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery in an underground reservoir rock comprising injecting an aqueous conditioning solution containing an alkaline agent, wherein the in-situ effects of the injection are determined by means of a flow simulation on a reservoir model discretized in cells, by taking into account the transport of the alkaline agent and without taking into account the transport of species referred to as intermediate species that result from the injection of the principal agent in aqueous solution, the intermediate species concentrations being determined analytically in each cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Quang Long Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20180223638
    Abstract: A method for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir by injecting a gas in the form of foam, comprising a step of determining a foam displacement model, which is a function of an optimal gas mobility reduction factor and of at least one water saturation-dependent interpolation function. The optimal gas mobility reduction factor is determined and constants of the water saturation-related interpolation function are calibrated from a plurality of apparent viscosity measurements for various foam quality values, and by use of a lamella model allowing which relates the lamella density as a function of the water saturation. The invention has an application to petroleum exploration and development.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Omar GASSARA, Frederic DOUARCHE, Benjamin BRACONNIER, Bernard BOURBIAUX
  • Publication number: 20180030817
    Abstract: Method for operating a hydrocarbon deposit by injection of gas in foam form, comprising a step of determination of a model of displacement of the foam, this model being a function of an optimal mobility reduction factor of the gas and of at least one interpolation function dependent on a parameter and constants to be calibrated. The mobility reduction factor of the gas is determined and the constants of at least one interpolation function are calibrated from experimental measurements comprising injections of gas in non-foaming form and in foam form into a sample of the deposit for different values of the parameter relative to the function considered, and measurements of headloss corresponding to each value of the parameter of the interpolation function considered. The calibration of the constants is performed interpolation function by interpolation function. Applicable notably to oil exploration and operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Bernard BOURBIAUX, Christophe PREUX, Lahcen NABZAR, Benjamin BRACONNIER
  • Publication number: 20170212973
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optimizing a fluid deposit traversed by a fracture network. For this method, the deposit is discretized in a meshed representation, a “dual medium” approach is used, and the exchange flows are determined between the meshes, together with corrective factors. The corrective factors are dependent on the initial pressure and the minimum production pressure of the deposit. The fluid flows in the deposit are simulated by means of these flows and these corrective factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Bernard BOURBIAUX, Didier Yu DING
  • 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: 20140372042
    Abstract: The invention is a method for optimizing working (EXP) of a deposit of fluid traversed by a network of fractures that involves determining the transitory exchange terms between matrix blocks and fractures (FFA, FFN), for any type of available information (INFO) concerning the network of fractures, regardless of the level of knowledge of the fractured environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bernard BOURBIAUX, Daniela BAUER
  • 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: 20130312971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery in an underground reservoir rock comprising injecting an aqueous conditioning solution containing an alkaline agent, wherein the in-situ effects of the injection are determined by means of a flow simulation on a reservoir model discretized in cells, by taking into account the transport of the alkaline agent and without taking into account the transport of species referred to as intermediate species that result from the injection of the principal agent in aqueous solution, the intermediate species concentrations being determined analytically in each cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Quang Long Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8386225
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the development of a fluid reservoir by accounting for a transient exchange term between porous blocks and fractures. The reservoir is discretized into a set of grid cells and an image representative of the fracture network delimiting porous blocks and fractures is associated with each cell. A transient exchange flow occurring between the porous blocks and the fractures is then determined at each cell by processing the image representative of the fracture network. Fluid flows in the reservoir are simulated by a flow simulator and an exchange flow and development of the reservoir is optimized by the simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventor: Bernard Bourbiaux