Patents by Inventor Nikolaos A. Michael
Nikolaos A. Michael 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).
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Publication number: 20250224529Abstract: Examples of methods and systems are disclosed. The methods may include obtaining, by a geological modeling system, geological data and seismic data regarding a subsurface region of interest, generating a paleogeographic surface using the geological data and the seismic data, and selecting an adjustable geological attribute from the paleogeographic surface. The methods may also include generating, using a seismic interpretation system coupled to the geological modeling system, a surface of a seismic attribute using the seismic data, where the seismic attribute is related to the adjustable geological attribute.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2024Publication date: July 10, 2025Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Wisam AlKawai, Saleh A. Alqahtani
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Patent number: 12265192Abstract: A method of enhancing a gross depositional environment (GDE) map of a subsurface formation. The method includes obtaining the GDE map of the subsurface formation, including a lithology map of a plurality of lithotypes and obtaining a paleo-bathymetric map of the subsurface formation. The method further includes assigning an inverse mobility for each of the lithotypes and determining, using a computer processor, an enhanced GDE map based, at least in part, on the GDE map, the paleo-bathymetric map, and the inverse mobility for each of the lithotypes.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Rainer Zuhlke
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Publication number: 20240320405Abstract: A method includes providing of input data relating to one or more hydrocarbon shows, and the input data include descriptors characterizing one or more wells at two or more different depths. The method further includes transforming the input data into numerical data for a first database via a first protocol. The numerical data include numerical indices characterizing the one or more wells at the two or more different depths. A related system includes a sample collector that collects one or more rock samples from a wellbore, each of the one or more rock samples corresponding to one or more hydrocarbon shows. The system also includes an arrangement for analyzing the rock samples. A computer processor, operatively connected to the sample collector and arrangement, includes functionality for carrying out the method steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Ibrahim Atwah, Nikolaos A. Michael
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Publication number: 20240053506Abstract: A method of enhancing a gross depositional environment (GDE) map of a subsurface formation. The method includes obtaining the GDE map of the subsurface formation, including a lithology map of a plurality of lithotypes and obtaining a paleo-bathymetric map of the subsurface formation. The method further includes assigning an inverse mobility for each of the lithotypes and determining, using a computer processor, an enhanced GDE map based, at least in part, on the GDE map, the paleo-bathymetric map, and the inverse mobility for each of the lithotypes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Rainer Zuhlke
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Patent number: 11867862Abstract: A method is claimed that includes obtaining a measured present-day value of at least one parameter for each member of a set of unvalidated geological layers arranged in order of increasing depth and iteratively selecting a member of the set as a current layer. For each current layer in turn, the method further determines an estimated archaic value of at least one parameter of the current layer based on its measured present-day value by applying an alternating cycle of decompaction followed by geomechnical modeling to predict a present-day value of the parameter of the current layer based on its estimated archaic value. The method still further determines a validated archaic value of at least one parameter of each current layer based on a difference between the predicted and the measured present-day values. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for validating the archaic value for each layer is claimed.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Yaser Abdullah Alzayer, Nikolaos A. Michael
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Patent number: 11668855Abstract: A method may include obtaining geological data and seismic data regarding a geological region of interest, wherein the geological data includes grain size data. The method may further include determining a first set of sedimentary pathways using the grain size data. The method may further include determining a topographical surface for the geological region of interest using the seismic data or/and well data. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor, a second set of sedimentary pathways using the topographical surface. The method may further include generating various output sedimentary pathways based on a combination of the first set of sedimentary pathways and the second set of sedimentary pathways.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventor: Nikolaos A. Michael
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Publication number: 20220342105Abstract: A method is claimed that includes obtaining a measured present-day value of at least one parameter for each member of a set of unvalidated geological layers arranged in order of increasing depth and iteratively selecting a member of the set as a current layer. For each current layer in turn, the method further determines an estimated archaic value of at least one parameter of the current layer based on its measured present-day value by applying an alternating cycle of decompaction followed by geomechnical modeling to predict a present-day value of the parameter of the current layer based on its estimated archaic value. The method still further determines a validated archaic value of at least one parameter of each current layer based on a difference between the predicted and the measured present-day values. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions for validating the archaic value for each layer is claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Yaser Abdullah Alzayer, Nikolaos A. Michael
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Patent number: 11428098Abstract: A method including obtaining, for a subterranean region, a set of sedimentary pathways, a sediment attribute map, and an area of interest. From these inputs, a sedimentary fairway, and a sedimentary fairway attribute based on the location of the origin point of each member of the set of sedimentary pathways, and a spatial location of the terminal point of each member of the set of sedimentary pathways are determined. Further, the method includes dividing the sedimentary fairway into one or more sedimentary pathway domains and a sediment attribute profile for each sedimentary pathway domain based on a trajectory of each sedimentary pathway, and determining an intersection of the trajectory of each sedimentary pathway with one or more boundaries of the area of interest.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventor: Nikolaos A. Michael
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Publication number: 20220228480Abstract: A method including obtaining, for a subterranean region, a set of sedimentary pathways, a sediment attribute map, and an area of interest. From these inputs, a sedimentary fairway, and a sedimentary fairway attribute based on the location of the origin point of each member of the set of sedimentary pathways, and a spatial location of the terminal point of each member of the set of sedimentary pathways are determined. Further, the method includes dividing the sedimentary fairway into one or more sedimentary pathway domains and a sediment attribute profile for each sedimentary pathway domain based on a trajectory of each sedimentary pathway, and determining an intersection of the trajectory of each sedimentary pathway with one or more boundaries of the area of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventor: Nikolaos A. Michael
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Patent number: 11385214Abstract: An elemental analysis of rock samples from outcrop sections or wells is performed. Data quality checks, data analysis, and filtering are performed on the rock samples, including de-spiking of elemental profiles and elemental ratios. First and second derivatives for the elemental profiles and the elemental ratios are calculated. Samples and depths that exceed thresholds are determined. The process is repeated for the elemental profiles and the elemental ratios that are related with boundary determination and carbonate or siliciclastic sediments. Additional filters are applied to at least a subset of the elemental profiles and elemental ratios that are related with boundary determination and carbonate or siliciclastic sediments to enhance the boundary identification. Possible boundaries in depths of the outcrop sections or wells are determined by summarizing the additionally filtered elemental profiles and the additionally filtered elemental ratios.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Neil W. Craigie, Christian Scheibe, Rainer Zuhlke
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Publication number: 20210389498Abstract: A method may include obtaining geological data and seismic data regarding a geological region of interest, wherein the geological data includes grain size data. The method may further include determining a first set of sedimentary pathways using the grain size data. The method may further include determining a topographical surface for the geological region of interest using the seismic data or/and well data. The method may further include determining, by the computer processor, a second set of sedimentary pathways using the topographical surface. The method may further include generating various output sedimentary pathways based on a combination of the first set of sedimentary pathways and the second set of sedimentary pathways.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2020Publication date: December 16, 2021Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventor: Nikolaos A. Michael
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Patent number: 11199640Abstract: For a specified stratigraphic interval, well data is received for a plurality of wells. An average grain size for each of the plurality of wells is determined based on the received data. A location or multiple locations of a grain source is determined based on the average grain sizes for the stratigraphic interval.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Christos Saragiotis
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Patent number: 10858899Abstract: A core sampling apparatus includes an inner tube configured to collect a core sample by means of a core catcher attached to one end of the core sampling apparatus, and an outer tube co-axially disposed on the outside of the inner tube, wherein the inner tube includes a plurality of impregnation windows configured to allow resin to flow into the core sample, each window including a window opening and a window cover configured to cover the window opening. A method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a core sampler, transporting the inner tube containing the core sample to the surface, impregnating the core sample with a resin by allowing the resin to flow into the core sample through a plurality of impregnation windows formed on the inner tube, and allowing for the resin to cure, thereby stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Nikolaos A. Michael
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Patent number: 10774605Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-situ stabilization of unconsolidated sediment in core samples are disclosed. The core sampling apparatus includes a corer having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the inner and the outer wall, wherein the impregnation tubes are parallel to a central axis of the corer. The method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a corer, and in-situ stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample within the corer by impregnating the core sample with a resin. The resin is supplied through a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the walls of the corer.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Maher I. Marhoon, Peng Lu
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Patent number: 10641055Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-situ stabilization of unconsolidated sediment in core samples are disclosed. The core sampling apparatus includes a corer having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the inner and the outer wall, wherein the impregnation tubes are parallel to a central axis of the corer. The method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a corer, and in-situ stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample within the corer by impregnating the core sample with a resin. The resin is supplied through a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the walls of the corer.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Maher I. Marhoon, Peng Lu
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Publication number: 20200049685Abstract: An elemental analysis of rock samples from outcrop sections or wells is performed. Data quality checks, data analysis, and filtering are performed on the rock samples, including de-spiking of elemental profiles and elemental ratios. First and second derivatives for the elemental profiles and the elemental ratios are calculated. Samples and depths that exceed thresholds are determined. The process is repeated for the elemental profiles and the elemental ratios that are related with boundary determination and carbonate or siliciclastic sediments. Additional filters are applied to at least a subset of the elemental profiles and elemental ratios that are related with boundary determination and carbonate or siliciclastic sediments to enhance the boundary identification. Possible boundaries in depths of the outcrop sections or wells are determined by summarizing the additionally filtered elemental profiles and the additionally filtered elemental ratios.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Neil W. Craigie, Christian Scheibe, Rainer Zuhlke
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Publication number: 20190360291Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-situ stabilization of unconsolidated sediment in core samples are disclosed. The core sampling apparatus includes a corer having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the inner and the outer wall, wherein the impregnation tubes are parallel to a central axis of the corer. The method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a corer, and in-situ stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample within the corer by impregnating the core sample with a resin. The resin is supplied through a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the walls of the corer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Maher I. Marhoon, Peng Lu
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Publication number: 20190360290Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-situ stabilization of unconsolidated sediment in core samples are disclosed. The core sampling apparatus includes a corer having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the inner and the outer wall, wherein the impregnation tubes are parallel to a central axis of the corer. The method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a corer, and in-situ stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample within the corer by impregnating the core sample with a resin. The resin is supplied through a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the walls of the corer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Maher I. Marhoon, Peng Lu
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Patent number: 10428611Abstract: Apparatus and method for in-situ stabilization of unconsolidated sediment in core samples are disclosed. The core sampling apparatus includes a corer having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the inner and the outer wall, wherein the impregnation tubes are parallel to a central axis of the corer. The method for sampling a core includes extracting a core sample using a corer, and in-situ stabilizing unconsolidated sediment in the core sample within the corer by impregnating the core sample with a resin. The resin is supplied through a plurality of impregnation tubes disposed between the walls of the corer.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Maher I. Marhoon, Peng Lu
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Patent number: 10415337Abstract: A core sampler including an inner wall, an outer wall, a plurality of membranes disposed between the inner wall and outer wall, the plurality of membranes attached to the inner wall and outer wall at one or more attachment points, and a rotating knob attached to the inner wall or outer wall, the rotating knob configured to rotate the inner wall relative to the outer wall when the rotating knob is attached to the inner wall and to rotate the outer wall relative to the inner wall when the rotating knob is attached to the outer wall, wherein the membranes reside between the inner wall and the outer wall when the core sampler is fully open, and wherein the membranes come together and fully close the core sampler when the rotating knob is rotated 180 degrees or more.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Nikolaos A. Michael, Peng Lu