Patents by Inventor Sami Abdulaziz ALNUAIM

Sami Abdulaziz ALNUAIM 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: 10578770
    Abstract: An improved inflow performance model that provides the performance of oil wells having any slant angle within the entire azimuth of 0-90 degrees, in saturated and under saturated reservoirs. A generalized model is formulated by normalizing the coefficients of inflow performance relationship (IPR) model by performing a linear regression analysis. The generalized model is further modified to account for skin factor and is also integrated with a straight line IPR to be suitable for determining the performance of under saturated oil wells. For the case of flowing bottom-hole pressures above bubble point pressure, the straight line IPR model is used to determine the flow rate of the oil well, whereas for the case of having bottom-hole pressure below the bubble point pressure, the generalized IPR model is used to determine the flow rate performance of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Adewale Wasiu Adeniji, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10459118
    Abstract: Methods and systems to estimate physical dimensions of actual obstructions identified as being in a wellbore of an injection well are provided. Methods and systems include the determination of a well performance model with a simulated obstruction, using inflow performance and outflow performance relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammed Dhafer Al-Ajmi, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10402516
    Abstract: Described herein is an empirical model to estimate inflow performance relationship (IPR) of fishbone wells. A reservoir simulation model is formulated and initial values for a plurality of reservoir and fishbone well parameters are assigned. IPR curves are generated by simulating the formulated reservoir model for a predetermined number of iterations. Each simulation iteration has a unique value of bottom-hole flowing pressure. Sensitivity analysis is performed based on the generated IPR curves by sequentially changing the values of the plurality of fishbone well parameters. Further, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine an empirical model that estimates the IPR of the fishbone well. The empirical model is determined as a function of a number of multilateral branches of the fishbone well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdulazeem Hamza, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10294759
    Abstract: The feasibility of performing hydraulic fracturing can be assessed by analyzing the effect of skin on the overall deliverability of a reservoir. Aspects of the disclosure provide a method to determine equivalent skin in hydraulic fractured system through a semi analytical correlation obtained by numerical modeling. Two 3D models are considered: a base case without fracture and a complex case with fractures. The base case is simulated by varying matrix permeabilities while the fractured model is run with different sets of varying fracture's lengths, widths, and permeability as well as matrix permeabilities. The two cases are comparatively analyzed and skin is determined. A generalized correlation for determination of skin is derived through application of multivariate regression technique on obtained skins and their corresponding variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Rizwan Ahmed Khan, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim, Muzammil Hussain Rammay
  • Patent number: 10253613
    Abstract: A drill guidance device, a method to control a trajectory of a drill, and a non-transitory computer readable medium that determine the corrected drill angle and send an output signal to a drill controller configured to control an angle of a drill. The corrected drill angle is determined by at least one of a slant angle data and a formation property data received from a sensor device. The drill guidance device, the method to control a trajectory of a drill, and the non-transitory computer readable medium can be implemented in a measuring while drilling model to provide live guidance during a drilling operation or a predictive model to plan prior to the start of a drilling operation. The corrected drill angle is acted upon by a drill controller to maximize the productivity of an oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mohamed Hassan Awadh, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10161228
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of formulating an empirical correlation model that estimates inflow performance relationship (IPR) of a snaky well. The model provisions for determining inclination and azimuth direction of the snaky well. A plurality of grid models is simulated for a predetermined well bottom-hole pressure. The grid models are validated by comparing the response of each grid to the response of a horizontal well. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of the snaky well parameters on the IPR of the snaky well. Additionally, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine Vogel based quadratic coefficient that estimates the IPR of the snaky well. A transformation of the snaky well parameters is performed in order to determine a sum of squared errors, whereafter a linear weighting of the transformed parameters is computed to determine a correlation parameter of the empirical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bramasto Cinde Adam, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Publication number: 20180245436
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of formulating an empirical correlation model that estimates inflow performance relationship (IPR) of a snaky well. The model provisions for determining inclination and azimuth direction of the snaky well. A plurality of grid models is simulated for a predetermined well bottom-hole pressure. The grid models are validated by comparing the response of each grid to the response of a horizontal well. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of the snaky well parameters on the IPR of the snaky well. Additionally, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine Vogel based quadratic coefficient that estimates the IPR of the snaky well. A transformation of the snaky well parameters is performed in order to determine a sum of squared errors, whereafter a linear weighting of the transformed parameters is computed to determine a correlation parameter of the empirical model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bramasto Cinde Adam, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10030484
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of formulating an empirical correlation model that estimates inflow performance relationship (IPR) of a snaky well. The model provisions for determining inclination and azimuth direction of the snaky well. A plurality of grid models is simulated for a predetermined well bottom-hole pressure. The grid models are validated by comparing the response of each grid to the response of a horizontal well. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of the snaky well parameters on the IPR of the snaky well. Additionally, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine Vogel based quadratic coefficient that estimates the IPR of the snaky well. A transformation of the snaky well parameters is performed in order to determine a sum of squared errors, whereafter a linear weighting of the transformed parameters is computed to determine a correlation parameter of the empirical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bramasto Cinde Adam, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Publication number: 20180195376
    Abstract: A drill guidance device, a method to control a trajectory of a drill, and a non-transitory computer readable medium that determine the corrected drill angle and send an output signal to a drill controller configured to control an angle of a drill. The corrected drill angle is determined by at least one of a slant angle data and a formation property data received from a sensor device. The drill guidance device, the method to control a trajectory of a drill, and the non-transitory computer readable medium can be implemented in a measuring while drilling model to provide live guidance during a drilling operation or a predictive model to plan prior to the start of a drilling operation. The corrected drill angle is acted upon by a drill controller to maximize the productivity of an oil reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Mohamed Hassan Awadh, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10018029
    Abstract: A drill guidance device, a method to control a trajectory of a drill, and a non-transitory computer readable medium that determine the corrected drill angle and send an output signal to a drill controller configured to control an angle of a drill. The corrected drill angle is determined by at least one of a slant angle data and a formation property data received from a sensor device. The drill guidance device, the method to control a trajectory of a drill, and the non-transitory computer readable medium can be implemented in a measuring while drilling model to provide live guidance during a drilling operation or a predictive model to plan prior to the start of a drilling operation. The corrected drill angle is acted upon by a drill controller to maximize the productivity of an oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mohamed Hassan Awadh, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Publication number: 20180165390
    Abstract: Described herein is an empirical model to estimate inflow performance relationship (IPR) of fishbone wells. A reservoir simulation model is formulated and initial values for a plurality of reservoir and fishbone well parameters are assigned. IPR curves are generated by simulating the formulated reservoir model for a predetermined number of iterations. Each simulation iteration has a unique value of bottom-hole flowing pressure. Sensitivity analysis is performed based on the generated IPR curves by sequentially changing the values of the plurality of fishbone well parameters. Further, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine an empirical model that estimates the IPR of the fishbone well. The empirical model is determined as a function of a number of multilateral branches of the fishbone well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdulazeem Hamza, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 9984180
    Abstract: Described herein is an empirical model to estimate inflow performance relationship (IPR) of fishbone wells. A reservoir simulation model is formulated and initial values for a plurality of reservoir and fishbone well parameters are assigned. IPR curves are generated by simulating the formulated reservoir model for a predetermined number of iterations. Each simulation iteration has a unique value of bottom-hole flowing pressure. Sensitivity analysis is performed based on the generated IPR curves by sequentially changing the values of the plurality of fishbone well parameters. Further, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine an empirical model that estimates the IPR of the fishbone well. The empirical model is determined as a function of a number of multilateral branches of the fishbone well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdulazeem Hamza, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Publication number: 20180003858
    Abstract: Methods and systems to estimate physical dimensions of actual obstructions identified as being in a wellbore of an injection well are provided. Methods and systems include the determination of a well performance model with a simulated obstruction, using inflow performance and outflow performance relationships.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mohammed Dhafer Al-Ajmi, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 9784885
    Abstract: Methods and systems to estimate physical dimensions of actual obstructions identified as being in a wellbore of an injection well are provided. Methods and systems include the determination of a well performance model with a simulated obstruction, using inflow performance and outflow performance relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammed Dhafer Al-Ajmi, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Publication number: 20170218729
    Abstract: The feasibility of performing hydraulic fracturing can be assessed by analyzing the effect of skin on the overall deliverability of a reservoir. Aspects of the disclosure provide a method to determine equivalent skin in hydraulic fractured system through a semi analytical correlation obtained by numerical modeling. Two 3D models are considered: a base case without fracture and a complex case with fractures. The base case is simulated by varying matrix permeabilities while the fractured model is run with different sets of varying fracture's lengths, widths, and permeability as well as matrix permeabilities. The two cases are comparatively analyzed and skin is determined. A generalized correlation for determination of skin is derived through application of multivariate regression technique on obtained skins and their corresponding variables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Rizwan Ahmed KHAN, Sami Abdulaziz ALNUAIM, Muzammil Hussain RAMMAY
  • Patent number: 9689245
    Abstract: The feasibility of performing hydraulic fracturing can be assessed by analyzing the effect of skin on the overall deliverability of a reservoir. Aspects of the disclosure provide a method to determine equivalent skin in hydraulic fractured system through a semi analytical correlation obtained by numerical modeling. Two 3D models are considered: a base case without fracture and a complex case with fractures. The base case is simulated by varying matrix permeabilities while the fractured model is run with different sets of varying fracture's lengths, widths, and permeability as well as matrix permeabilities. The two cases are comparatively analyzed and skin is determined. A generalized correlation for determination of skin is derived through application of multivariate regression technique on obtained skins and their corresponding variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Rizwan Ahmed Khan, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim, Muzammil Hussain Rammay
  • Publication number: 20170045642
    Abstract: A method for assessing an inflow performance relationship for a horizontal well in heterogeneous solution gas drives reservoirs. A commercial simulator Eclipse is utilized to develop IPRs for horizontal wells producing oil from solution gas drive reservoirs. Firstly, a simulation model is developed where a base case is considered with typical rock, fluid and reservoir properties using a black oil model. Dimensionless IPR curves are generated by obtaining a set of points relating to flowing bottom-hole pressures to oil production rates. The effects of several reservoir and fluid properties such as bubblepoint pressure, oil gravity, residual oil saturation, critical gas saturation, initial water saturation, porosity and absolute permeabilities on the calculated curves are investigated. A new single empirical IPR model is obtained for horizontal wells producing oil from heterogeneous solution gas drive reservoirs suitable for systems with different reservoir permeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Muhammad Ali KHALID, Sami Abdulaziz ALNUAIM, Muzammil Hussain RAMMAY
  • Patent number: 9568642
    Abstract: A method for assessing an inflow performance relationship for a horizontal well in heterogeneous solution gas drives reservoirs. A commercial simulator Eclipse is utilized to develop IPRs for horizontal wells producing oil from solution gas drive reservoirs. Firstly, a simulation model is developed where a base case is considered with typical rock, fluid and reservoir properties using a black oil model. Dimensionless IPR curves are generated by obtaining a set of points relating to flowing bottom-hole pressures to oil production rates. The effects of several reservoir and fluid properties such as bubblepoint pressure, oil gravity, residual oil saturation, critical gas saturation, initial water saturation, porosity and absolute permeabilities on the calculated curves are investigated. A new single empirical IPR model is obtained for horizontal wells producing oil from heterogeneous solution gas drive reservoirs suitable for systems with different reservoir permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Muhammad Ali Khalid, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim, Muzammil Hussain Rammay
  • Publication number: 20170017013
    Abstract: An improved inflow performance model that provides the performance of oil wells having any slant angle within the entire azimuth of 0-90 degrees, in saturated and under saturated reservoirs. A generalized model is formulated by normalizing the coefficients of inflow performance relationship (IPR) model by performing a linear regression analysis. The generalized model is further modified to account for skin factor and is also integrated with a straight line IPR to be suitable for determining the performance of under saturated oil wells. For the case of flowing bottom-hole pressures above bubble point pressure, the straight line IPR model is used to determine the flow rate of the oil well, whereas for the case of having bottom-hole pressure below the bubble point pressure, the generalized IPR model is used to determine the flow rate performance of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Adewale Wasiu ADENIJI, Sami Abdulaziz ALNUAIM
  • Publication number: 20160328497
    Abstract: Described herein is an empirical model to estimate inflow performance relationship (IPR) of fishbone wells. A reservoir simulation model is formulated and initial values for a plurality of reservoir and fishbone well parameters are assigned. IPR curves are generated by simulating the formulated reservoir model for a predetermined number of iterations. Each simulation iteration has a unique value of bottom-hole flowing pressure. Sensitivity analysis is performed based on the generated IPR curves by sequentially changing the values of the plurality of fishbone well parameters. Further, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine an empirical model that estimates the IPR of the fishbone well. The empirical model is determined as a function of a number of multilateral branches of the fishbone well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ahmed Abdulazeem HAMZA, Sami Abdulaziz ALNUAIM