Abstract: A system and method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well includes: an event monitor sensor configured to identify a wastewater disposal event; and a second sensor configured to collect data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater during the wastewater disposal event. The data from the second sensor at the disposal well is analyzed to determine a classification of the wastewater, which is then reported to an operator or another interested party.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well includes: an event monitor sensor configured to identify a wastewater disposal event; and a second sensor configured to collect data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater during the wastewater disposal event. The data from the second sensor at the disposal well is analyzed to determine a classification of the wastewater, which is then reported to an operator or another interested party.

Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well includes: an event monitor sensor configured to identify a wastewater disposal event; and a second sensor configured to collect data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater during the wastewater disposal event. The data from the second sensor at the disposal well is analyzed to determine a classification of the wastewater, which is then reported to an operator or another interested party.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring oil well development and operations, an area of interest is defined. Imagery of the area of interest is periodically received and analyzed to identify a cleared area of land, which confirms that construction of an oil well at a site has commenced. Additional imagery of the site is subsequently received and analyzed to identify one or more milestones associated with development of the oil well, including arrival of a drilling rig at the site, departure of the drilling rig from the site, completion of construction of the oil well, and building of production facilities at the site. Information about completion of the oil well and/or information about the status of the development of the oil well is then communicated to third-party market participants and other interested parties.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring disposal of wastewater in a disposal well includes: an event monitor sensor configured to identify a wastewater disposal event; and a second sensor configured to collect data about one or more characteristics of the wastewater during the wastewater disposal event. The data from the second sensor at the disposal well is analyzed to determine a classification of the wastewater, which is then reported to an operator or another interested party.

Abstract: In a method for estimating crude oil production, a geographic (or market) region is first identified and selected, and a value of natural gas pipeline activity for the region is determined. That value of natural gas pipeline activity for the region is then calibrated against historical crude oil production data for the region to establish a model for estimating the crude oil production for the region. Subsequently, as natural gas production data for a particular time period is received, it is input into the model to estimate crude oil production in the region, and that estimated crude oil production for the region and for the particular time period is reported to third-party market participants.

Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.

Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.

Abstract: In a method and system for analyzing and predicting bidding of electric power generation, bid data is collected for a selected region. The bid data is preprocessed to decode the identity of the bidding entities and/or to remove erroneous or noisy data. External information, such as fuel prices, weather data, and/or generator outage data, is also collected. A bid prediction model is generated for one or more of the bidding entities from the bid data and the external information. External information is subsequently received, and the bid prediction model is applied to that current external information to predict future bids for one or more of the bidding entities. The predicted future bids are then reported.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating production of an energy commodity for a selected producer includes the steps of: identifying a producer-associated region, including an identification of transaction points within the producer-associated region; storing transfer datasets associated with the identified transaction points, such as natural gas pipeline nominations or crude oil transfer datasets, in a database; choosing a subset of transfer datasets from the database; determining an aggregated value for overall production activity from the subset of transfer datasets; and correlating the aggregated value for overall production activity against historical production data to establish a model for estimating production of the energy commodity by the producer. When transfer datasets are subsequently received, those transfer datasets are input into the model to estimate production of the energy commodity by the producer.

Abstract: A method for determining a status of one or more tanks in a particular location or an amount of a commodity stored in a particular location comprises the steps of: storing information associated with each of the one or more tanks in a database; periodically conducting an inspection of each of the one or more tanks, including using a sensor to acquire a three-dimensional data set; analyzing the three-dimensional data set to determine a status of each of the one or more tanks and/or to calculate an amount of the commodity that is stored in one or more tanks; and communicating information about the status of each of the one or more tanks and/or the amount of the commodity that is stored in one or more tanks at the particular location to a market participant.

Abstract: In the method and system of the present invention, a monitoring device (or monitor) is positioned at a predetermined location for monitoring a pipeline or other component of a network for supply, transfer, or demand of a commodity. A radio receiver of the monitor is used to receive radiofrequency waves from one or more supervisory (or control) devices associated with the network. Then, the radiofrequency waves are demodulated and converted into a digital data stream. The digital data stream is then separated into discrete data packets, with reference being made to a database in order to identify and decode the discrete data packets. The discrete data packets are then processed to determine information about the commodity relative to the component, such as the flow rate of the commodity through a pipeline. Such information is then communicated to interested parties.

Abstract: In a method for estimating crude oil production, a geographic (or market) region is first identified and selected, and a value of natural gas pipeline activity for the region is determined. That value of natural gas pipeline activity for the region is then calibrated against historical crude oil production data for the region to establish a model for estimating the crude oil production for the region. Subsequently, as natural gas production data for a particular time period is received, it is input into the model to estimate crude oil production in the region, and that estimated crude oil production for the region and for the particular time period is reported to third-party market participants.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring rail operations and transport of commodities via rail, a monitoring device including a radio receiver is positioned to monitor a rail line and/or trains of interest. The monitoring device including a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from trains, tracks, or trackside locations in range of the monitoring device. The monitoring device receives radio signals, which are demodulated into a data stream. That data stream is then decoded to find an identification number, which identifies a particular train carrying a commodity. From an analysis of the radio signals and/or identification of the position of the train, information about the train and/or the commodity it is carrying is derived and then reported to an interested party.