Patents by Inventor Timothy Chartrand

Timothy Chartrand 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: 9372943
    Abstract: A method for modeling a dynamic system (e.g., geological system) comprises: constructing an input parameter space for a model of the geological system, the input parameter space including more than three dimensions, and the model associated with response data, representing the input parameter space visually with three or fewer dimensions, reducing the input parameter space by conditioning the parameter space using at least a subset of the response data, and updating the representation of the input parameter space to visually represent the reduction of the parameter space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Dachang Li, Tao Sun, Xiao-Hui Wu, Timothy A. Chartrand, Stephen L. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9367564
    Abstract: A method of organizing a first group of domain objects relating to hydrocarbon management is disclosed. User-defined logic conditions are established. A plurality of the domain objects in the first group of domain objects are selected. It is determined whether any of the selected plurality of domain objects satisfies the logic conditions. A second group of domain objects is created that includes the logic conditions and a list of the domain objects satisfying the logic conditions. An operation command is performed on the second group of domain objects such that the operation command is performed on all domain objects listed in the second group of domain objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Stephen Bart Wood, Neal L. Adair, Timothy A. Chartrand, Kelly G. Walker, Alan R. Wild
  • Patent number: 9123161
    Abstract: A system and method for summarizing data corresponding to properties of interest on an unstructured grid that includes active cells and inactive cells on an output surface. An exemplary method comprises identifying an aggregation direction through a region of interest of the unstructured grid and identifying at least one active cell along the aggregation direction. The exemplary method comprises assigning an aggregated value for the at least one property of interest to a face of the output surface on a line along the aggregation direction based at least in part on the data corresponding to the at least one property of interest for the at least one active cell. The exemplary method further comprises filling the at least one data hole by identifying at least one face associated with an inactive cell on the line along the aggregation direction and assigning it an aggregated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Neal L. Adair, Evan P. Child, Timothy A. Chartrand, Jose J. Sequeira
  • Patent number: 9110194
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining a model of data describing a physical structure. The method comprises obtaining a set of time instance objects from a domain object. The method also comprises obtaining data describing a physical structure and time interval data related to the physical structure from each member of the set of time instance objects. The method additionally comprises creating a model of the data describing the physical structure in conjunction with the time interval data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Chartrand, Alan R. Wild, Lucas J. Hilliard, Stephen B. Wood
  • Patent number: 8776895
    Abstract: The present application describes a method and system associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In the method, fluid travel time models are constructed from a reservoir model. Then, reservoir connectivity measures are calculated from the fluid travel time models and analyzed to determine a location for at least one well. Based on the analysis, one or more wells may be drilled and hydrocarbons produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Dachang Li, Xiao-Hui Wu, Tao Sun, Frank J Goulding, Robert M Stuart, Timothy A Chartrand, Cory J Ramage
  • Patent number: 8731872
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure, the unstructured grid comprising data representative of a property of interest. The exemplary method also comprises defining a probe as an object that comprises a set of topological elements, at least one of which does not share a common plane. The exemplary method additionally comprises providing a visualization of the unstructured grid data on the geometry defined by the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Marek K. Czernuszenko, Lucas J. Hilliard, Kelly G. Walker, Jose J. Sequeira, Jr., Neal L. Adair, Timothy A. Chartrand, Alan R. Wild
  • Patent number: 8731875
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure, the unstructured grid comprising data representative of a property of interest. The exemplary method also comprises defining a probe as an object that comprises a set of topological elements, at least one of which does not share a common plane. The exemplary method additionally comprises providing a visualization of the unstructured grid data on the geometry defined by the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Lucas J. Hilliard, Jose J. Sequeira, Jr., Kelly G. Walker, Marek K. Czernuszenko, Neal L. Adair, Timothy A. Chartrand, Alan R. Wild
  • Patent number: 8731873
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure. The unstructured grid comprises data representative of a property of interest. At least one filter object and a selection criterion are defined. A portion of the unstructured grid data that meets the selection criterion relative to the filter object is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kelly G. Walker, Marek K. Czernuszenko, Jose J. Sequeira, Jr., Neal L. Adair, Alan R. Wild, Timothy A. Chartrand, Lucas J. Hilliard
  • Publication number: 20130120379
    Abstract: A system and method for summarizing data corresponding to properties of interest on an unstructured grid that includes active cells and inactive cells on an output surface. An exemplary method comprises identifying an aggregation direction through a region of interest of the unstructured grid and identifying at least one active cell along the aggregation direction. The exemplary method comprises assigning an aggregated value for the at least one property of interest to a face of the output surface on a line along the aggregation direction based at least in part on the data corresponding to the at least one properly of interest for the at least one active cell. The exemplary method further comprises filling the at least one data hole by identifying at least one face associated with an inactive cell on the line along the aggregation direction and assigning it an aggregated value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Neal L. Adair, Evan P. Child, Timothy A. Chartrand, Jose J. Sequeira
  • Patent number: 8370122
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting geobodies extracted from three-dimensional geophysical survey data volumes. In one embodiment, the invention involves (a) obtaining a plurality of data elements, respectively corresponding to three-dimensional locations in a subsurface region, and generating a data volume consisting of discrete cells from the plurality of data elements (1); (b) identifying an initial geobody corresponding to a potential hydrocarbon reservoir within the data volume by grouping cells in the data volume according to a selected connectivity criterion (2); (c) selecting a rule (3) that characterizes stratigraphically reasonable geobodies (e.g. they cannot vertically overlap); and (d) in response to a determination that the initial geobody does not conform to the rule, segmenting the initial geobody into a plurality of fundamental geobodies via processing the data elements with an automated segmentation routine, wherein the fundamental geobodies each conform to the rule (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kelly G. Walker, Timothy A. Chartrand, Paul A. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20120331412
    Abstract: A method of organizing a first group of domain objects relating to hydrocarbon management is disclosed. User-defined logic conditions are established. A plurality of the domain objects in the first group of domain objects are selected. It is determined whether any of the selected plurality of domain objects satisfies the logic conditions. A second group of domain objects is created that includes the logic conditions and a list of the domain objects satisfying the logic conditions. An operation command is performed on the second group of domain objects such that the operation command is performed on all domain objects listed in the second group of domain objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen Bart Wood, Neal L. Adair, Timothy A. Chartrand, Kelly G. Walker, Alan R. Wild
  • Publication number: 20120037379
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure, the unstructured grid comprising data representative of a property of interest. The exemplary method also comprises defining a probe as an object that comprises a set of topological elements, at least one of which does not share a common plane. The exemplary method additionally comprises providing a visualization of the unstructured grid data on the geometry defined by the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Lucas J. Hilliard, Jose J. Sequeira, JR., Kelly G. Walker, Marek K. Czernuszenko, Neal L. Adair, Timothy A. Chartrand, Alan R. Wild
  • Patent number: 8117019
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for simulating the formation of sedimentary deposits. In one embodiment, this method involves, (a) solving a two-dimensional time-dependent map view system of equations for at least flow momentum, flow height, suspended sediment concentration, and entrainment of overlying water, (b) calculating net sediment deposition at each map view location using the flow properties, (c) recording the time-variability of the net sediment deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Tao Sun, Dachang Li, Max Deffenbaugh, Chun Huh, David C Hoyal, Neal Adair, Xiao-Hui Wu, Timothy A. Chartrand, John C Van Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20110259599
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure. The unstructured grid comprises data representative of a property of interest. At least one filter object and a selection criterion are defined. A portion of the unstructured grid data that meets the selection criterion relative to the filter object is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Kelly G. Walker, Marek K. Czernuszenko, Jose J. Sequeira, JR., Neal L. Adair, Alan R. Wild, Timothy A. Chartrand, Lucas J. Hilliard
  • Publication number: 20110218775
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data describing a physical structure. An exemplary method comprises defining an unstructured grid that corresponds to a three-dimensional physical structure, the unstructured grid comprising data representative of a property of interest. The exemplary method also comprises defining a probe as an object that comprises a set of topological elements, at least one of which does not share a common plane. The exemplary method additionally comprises providing a visualization of the unstructured grid data on the geometry defined by the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Marek K. Czernuszenko, Lucas J. Hilliard, Kelly G. Walker, Jose J. Sequeira, JR., Neal L. Adair, Timothy A. Chartrand, Alan R. Wild
  • Publication number: 20110112802
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data corresponding to a physical structure, the data relating to a property that varies along a curved path. An exemplary method comprises defining the curved path by successively computing values for a position, a measured depth and an exit vector for a plurality of path points along the curved path. The exemplary method also comprises providing a visual representation corresponding to the data for the property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Brian D. Wilson, Indra Datta, Yao-Chou Cheng, Timothy A. Chartrand
  • Publication number: 20110109633
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for providing a visualization of data describing a physical structure, the data relating to a plurality of properties that each vary along a segment of a curved path. An exemplary method comprises defining a plurality of display locations, each of which is adapted to display a data value for each of the plurality of properties at a corresponding location along the segment of the curved path. The exemplary method also comprises providing a visual representation corresponding to data values for each of the plurality of properties at each of the plurality of data locations along the segment of the curved path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Jose J Sequeira, JR., Indra Datta, Timothy A. Chartrand
  • Publication number: 20110066405
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining a model of data describing a physical structure. The method comprises obtaining a set of time instance objects from a domain object. The method also comprises obtaining data describing a physical structure and time interval data related to the physical structure from each member of the set of time instance objects. The method additionally comprises creating a model of the data describing the physical structure in conjunction with the time interval data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy A. Chartrand, Alan R. Wild, Lucas J. Hilliard, Stephen B. Wood
  • Publication number: 20110054869
    Abstract: A method for modeling a dynamic system (e.g., geological system) comprises: constructing an input parameter space for a model of the geological system, the input parameter space including more than three dimensions, and the model associated with response data, representing the input parameter space visually with three or fewer dimensions, reducing the input parameter space by conditioning the parameter space using at least a subset of the response data, and updating the representation of the input parameter space to visually represent the reduction of the parameter space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Dachang Li, Tao Sun, Xiao-Hui Wu, Timothy Chartrand, Stephen L. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20100274543
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for segmenting geobodies extracted from three-dimensional geophysical survey data volumes. In one embodiment, the invention involves (a) obtaining a plurality of data elements, respectively corresponding to three-dimensional locations in a subsurface region, and generating a data volume consisting of discrete cells from the plurality of data elements (1); (b) identifying an initial geobody corresponding to a potential hydrocarbon reservoir within the data volume by grouping cells in the data volume according to a selected connectivity criterion (2); (c) selecting a rule (3) that characterizes strati graphically reasonable geobodies (e.g. they cannot vertically overlap); and (d) in response to a determination that the initial geobody does not conform to the rule, segmenting the initial geobody into a plurality of fundamental geobodies via processing the data elements with an automated segmentation routine, wherein the fundamental geobodies each conform to the rule (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Kelly G. Walker, Timothy A. Chartrand, Paul A. Dunn