Patents by Inventor Robert J. Pottorf

Robert J. Pottorf 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: 10527601
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include obtaining sample data associated with a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation, wherein the sample data includes a noble gas signature, a clumped isotope signature and/or a ecology signature. From the signatures, relationships between the noble gas signature; the clumped isotope signature and the ecology signature are identified and stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Michael Lawson, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Robert J. Pottorf, Steven R. May, Amelia C. Robinson, William G. Powell, Sumathy Raman
  • Patent number: 10494923
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and/or charge efficiency, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael Lawson, Brian K. Peterson, Cara L. Davis, Michael J. Formolo, Isolde Belien, Lori L. Summa, Robert J. Pottorf
  • Patent number: 10330659
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include determining a noble gas signature of a sample and at least one or more of determining a clumped isotope signature of the sample and characterizing the ecology signature of the sample. Then, the method integrates signatures to determine information about the subsurface accumulation, such as the location, fluid type and quality, and volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Michael Lawson, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Robert J. Pottorf, Steven R. May, Amelia C. Robinson, William G. Powell, Sumathy Raman
  • Patent number: 10309217
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons with the use of reservoir surveillance. The method includes interpreting a sample to determine noble gas signatures and clumped isotope signatures for the region of interest. Then, using the region of interest fingerprint to perform reservoir surveillance on produced fluids from the subsurface regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael Lawson, Robert J. Pottorf, Steven R. May, Amelia C. Robinson, Sumathy Raman, Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Cara L. Davis
  • Patent number: 9890617
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define generation timing, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael Lawson, Brian K. Peterson, Cara L. Davis, Michael J. Formolo, Isolde Belien, Lori L. Summa, Robert J. Pottorf, John M. Eiler
  • Patent number: 9829602
    Abstract: Method and system is described to exploration and development hydrocarbon resources. The method involves operations for exploring and developing hydrocarbons with one or more unmanned vehicles. The unmanned vehicles are used to obtain one or more samples that may be used to identify hydrocarbon systems, such as hydrocarbon seeps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: William E. Bond, Robert J. Pottorf
  • Patent number: 9797868
    Abstract: Systems and methods which determine geologic properties using acoustic analysis are shown. Acoustic signals are collected during processing (e.g., crushing, shearing, striking, compressing, etc.) of geologic media, such as rock samples, for determining geologic properties according to embodiments. The acoustic signals collected may include frequency information, amplitude information, time information, etc. which may be utilized in determining geologic properties, such as geologic media properties (e.g., mineralogy, porosity, permeability, sealing capacity, fracability, compressive strength, compressibility, Poisson's Ratio, Youngs Modulus, Bulk Modulus, Shear Modulus), geologic structure properties (e.g., lithology, seal quality, reservoir quality), geologic acoustic properties (e.g., acoustic logging effectiveness, acoustic response, natural or harmonic frequencies, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Gordon Macleod, Robert J. Pottorf, Dennis P. Smith, Limin Song, Peng Xu, Enru Liu
  • Patent number: 9638828
    Abstract: Method and system is described for marine surveying. The method involves operations for exploring and developing hydrocarbons with one or more unmanned vehicles. The unmanned vehicles are used to perform marine surveying and to obtain one or more samples that may be used to identify chemical, hydrocarbon and/or biologic information, which may be used for environmental monitoring of bodies of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Louise Levien, Amelia C. Robinson, Robert J. Pottorf, William E. Bond, Aaron B. Regberg, A Lucie N'Guessan, Kevin T. Corbett, Scott C. Hornbostel, William P. Meurer
  • Patent number: 9612231
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes performing a remote sensing survey of a survey location to identify a target location. Then, an underwater vehicle (UV) is deployed into a body of water and directed to the target location. The UV collects measurement data within the body of water at the target location, which is then analyzed to determine whether hydrocarbons are present at the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Pottorf, Leonard J. Srnka, William Bond, Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Michael Lawson, William P. Meurer, Daniel P. Cherney, Steven R. May, William G. Powell, Christoper J. Vandewater, Mehmet D. Ertas, Sumathy Raman, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Amelia C. Robinson, Kurt W. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 9453828
    Abstract: Method and system is described for hydrocarbon exploration and development. The method and system include one or more remote devices, such as buoys, which are utilized to identify and collect samples of target materials. The buoys include measurement components, sampling components and storage components to manage the obtained samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kevin T. Corbett, William E. Bond, Robert J. Pottorf, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Scott C. Hornbostel, William P. Meurer, Louise Levien, Glenn B. Hieshima, Timothy J. Nedwed
  • Patent number: 9410934
    Abstract: Methods of identifying geological materials of interest comprising (i) providing a nanoprobe composition comprising one or more nanoprobes; wherein the nanoprobe includes (a) at least one tag; and (b) at least one signal generator; (ii) introducing the nanoprobes to a geological material; and (iii) detecting the presence of a signal generated by the signal generator on association of the tag with a target. Nanoprobe compositions identify geological materials, systems include such nanoprobe compositions, and methods use such nanoprobe compositions for the evaluation of geological materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Amelia C Robinson, Robert J. Pottorf, Daniel S. Jones, Sebastien L. Dreyfus
  • Publication number: 20160084081
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and/or charge efficiency, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Michael LAWSON, Brian K. Peterson, Cara L. Davis, Michael J. Formolo, Isolde Belien, Lori L. Summa, Robert J. Pottorf
  • Publication number: 20160084045
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define generation timing, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Lawson, Brian K. Peterson, Cara L. Davis, Michael J. Formolo, Isolde Belien, Lori L. Summa, Robert J. Pottorf, John M. Eiler
  • Publication number: 20160018558
    Abstract: Method and system is described to exploration and development hydrocarbon resources. The method involves operations for exploring and developing hydrocarbons with one or more unmanned vehicles. The unmanned vehicles are used to obtain one or more samples that may be used to identify hydrocarbon systems, such as hydrocarbon seeps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: William E. Bond, Robert J. Pottorf
  • Publication number: 20160018377
    Abstract: Method and system is described for hydrocarbon exploration and development. The method and system include one or more remote devices, such as buoys, which are utilized to identify and collect samples of target materials. The buoys include measurement components, sampling components and storage components to manage the obtained samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin T. Corbett, William E. Bond, Robert J. Pottorf, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Scott C. Hornbostel, William P. Meurer, Louise Levien, Glenn B. Hieshima, Timothy J. Nedwed
  • Publication number: 20160018559
    Abstract: Method and system is described for marine surveying. The method involves operations for exploring and developing hydrocarbons with one or more unmanned vehicles. The unmanned vehicles are used to perform marine surveying and to obtain one or more samples that may be used to identify chemical, hydrocarbon and/or biologic information, which may be used for environmental monitoring of bodies of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Louise Levien, Amelia C. Robinson, Robert J. Pottorf, William E. Bond, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Kevin T. Corbett, Scott C. Hornbostel, William P. Meurer
  • Patent number: 9146225
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons with an underwater vehicle equipped with one or more measurement components is described. The method includes navigating the UV within the body of water; monitoring the body of water with measurement components associated with the UV to collect measurement data. The collected data from the UV is used to determine whether hydrocarbons are present and at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Pottorf, Leonard J. Srnka, William Bond, Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Michael Lawson, William P. Meurer, Daniel P. Cherney, Steven R. May, William G. Powell, Christopher J. Vandewater, Mehmet D. Ertas, Kurt W. Rudolph, Sumathy Raman, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Amelia C. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9128076
    Abstract: The present techniques are directed to a method for microprobe analyses of isotope ratios in inhomogeneous matrices. The method includes selecting matrix standards that have matrices that resemble a target matrix. A bulk isotope analysis is run on each of the matrix standards to determine a bulk isotope ratio value. A microprobe analysis is run on each of the matrix standards to determine a microprobe isotope ratio values for each of the plurality of matrix standards. Spurious values are eliminated from the microprobe isotope ratio values. The microprobe isotope ratio values are averaged for each of the matrix standards to create an average microprobe isotope ratio value associated with each of the matrix standards. The bulk isotope ratio value for each of matrix standards is plotted against the average microprobe isotope ratio value associated with each of the matrix standards to create a matrix corrected calibration curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: William A. Lamberti, Hubert E. King, William C. Horn, Mindy M. Zimmer, Gordon Macleod, Robert J. Pottorf, Leonard J. Srnka
  • Publication number: 20150127313
    Abstract: A method of determining a presence and location of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample of naturally occurring substance. An expected concentration of isotopologues of a hydrocarbon species is determined. An expected temperature dependence of isotopologues present in the sample is modeled using high-level ab initio calculations. A clumped isotopic signature of the isotopologues present in the sample is measured. The clumped isotopic signature is compared with the expected concentration of isotopologues. Using the comparison, it is determined whether hydrocarbons present in the sample originate directly from a source rock or whether the hydrocarbons present in the sample have escaped from a subsurface accumulation. The current equilibrium storage temperature of the hydrocarbon species in the subsurface accumulation prior to escape to the surface is determined. A location of the subsurface accumulation is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: EXXON-MOBIL, UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Lawson, Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Sumathy Raman, Robert J. Pottorf, Steve R. May
  • Publication number: 20140303895
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include determining a noble gas signature of a sample and at least one or more of determining a clumped isotope signature of the sample and characterizing the ecology signature of the sample. Then, the method integrates signatures to determine information about the subsurface accumulation, such as the location, fluid type and quality, and volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Michael Lawson, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Robert J. Pottorf, Steven R. May, Amelia C. Robinson, William G. Powell, Sumathy Raman