Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hydrocarbon reservoir characterization and recovery including collecting geological data relating to a subteranean formation, forming initial parameters using the data, performing a pricipal component analysis of the parameters to create a model, and performing history matching using the model. In some embodiments, the principal component analysis is linear principal component analysis or kernal principal component analysis.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for managing a subterranean formation including collecting information about a flow control valve in a wellbore traversing the formation, adjusting the valve in response to the information wherein the adjusting includes a Newton method, a pattern search method, or a proxy-optimization method. In some embodiments, adjusting comprises changing the effective cross sectional area of the valve. A method and an apparatus for managing a subterranean formation including collecting information about an inflow control valve in a wellbore traversing the reservoir and controlling the valve, wherein the control includes a direct-continuous approach or a pseudo-index approach.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling equipment to recover hydrocarbons from a reservoir including constructing a collection of reservoir models wherein each model represents a realization of the reservoir and comprises a subterranean formation measurement, estimating the measurement for the model collection, and controlling a device wherein the controlling comprises the measurement estimate wherein the constructing, estimating, and/or controlling includes a rolling flexible approach and/or a nearest neighbor approach.

Abstract: A system for automatically optimizing a Field Development Plan (FDP) for an oil or gas field uses a fast analytic reservoir simulator to dynamically model oil or gas production from the entire reservoir over time in an accurate and rapid manner. An objective function defining a Figure of Merit (FoM) for candidate FDPs is maximized, using an optimization algorithm, to determine an optimized FDP in light of physical, engineering, operational, legal and engineering constraints. The objective function for the Figure of Merit, e.g., net present value (NPV) or total production for a given period of time, relies on a production forecast from the fast analytic reservoir simulator for the entire FDP.

Abstract: A method for performing a field operation in a field includes obtaining subterranean field models that are generated based on measured data of a portion of the field. The subterranean field models include statistically derived data for a remainder portion of the field where the measured data is not available. Using a constraint optimization algorithm, weighting factors are determined that represent contributions of the subterranean field models to a combined model. The weighting factors are determined based on a statistical constraint defined by a statistical distribution of the subterranean field models and based on an optimization constraint such that a difference between a modeled value of the field and a pre-determined target value is less than a pre-determined threshold. The combined model is generated from the subterranean field model based on the weighting factors A field operation is performed based on the combined model.

Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.

Abstract: A method for performing operations of an oilfield is described. The method involves selectively coupling oilfield simulators according to a predefined configuration, each oilfield simulator modeling at least a portion of the oilfield, a first oilfield simulator receives an oilfield control parameter as an input, identifying an uncertainty parameter associated with probable values each corresponding to a weighted probability, a second oilfield simulator receives the uncertainty parameter as an input, modeling the operations of the oilfield to generate an estimated performance by selectively communicating between the oilfield simulators, the operations of the oilfield are modeled with a predetermined value of the oilfield control parameter and at least one of the probable values of the uncertainty parameter; and identifying an optimal value of the oilfield control parameter based on the estimated performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing an oilfield operation of an oilfield having at least one well having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein. The method steps include analyzing the oilfield operation to generate a decision tree comprising a first decision and a second decision, wherein a first outcome of the first decision dictates acquiring information relevant to the second decision, formulating a figure of merit of the oilfield operation according to the decision tree based on the information and uncertainties associated with the oilfield, determining a value of the figure of merit by modeling the oilfield operation using statistical sampling, and performing the oilfield operation upon making the first decision based on the value of the figure of merit.

Abstract: A hybrid evolutionary algorithm (“HEA”) technique is described for automatically calculating well and drainage locations in a field. The technique includes planning a set of wells on a static reservoir model using an automated well planner tool that designs realistic wells that satisfy drilling and construction constraints. A subset of these locations is then selected based on dynamic flow simulation using a cost function that maximizes recovery or economic benefit. In particular, a large population of candidate targets, drain holes and trajectories is initially created using fast calculation analysis tools of cost and value, and as the workflow proceeds, the population size is reduced in each successive operation, thereby facilitating use of increasingly sophisticated calculation analysis tools for economic valuation of the reservoir while reducing overall time required to obtain the result. In the final operation, only a small number of full reservoir simulations are required for the most promising FDPs.

Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are provided for facilitating sequestration of naturally occurring or anthropogenic carbon dioxide. The methods, systems and apparatuses of the present invention include a software interface for facilitating an exchange of data among associated simulators which simulate various steps of the carbon sequestration process.

Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.

Abstract: A system for automatically optimizing a Field Development Plan (FDP) for an oil or gas field uses a fast analytic reservoir simulator to dynamically model oil or gas production from the entire reservoir over time in an accurate and rapid manner. An objective function defining a Figure of Merit (FoM) for candidate FDPs is maximized, using an optimization algorithm, to determine an optimized FDP in light of physical, engineering, operational, legal and engineering constraints. The objective function for the Figure of Merit, e.g., net present value (NPV) or total production for a given period of time, relies on a production forecast from the fast analytic reservoir simulator for the entire FDP. The position, orientation and dimensions of analytical model elements for the subsurface oil or gas field, as well as the physical properties associated with these elements, correlate to connected flow volume data from a Shared Earth Model (SEM). Uncertainty in the SEM is considered via stochastic sampling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing an oilfield operation of an oilfield having at least one well having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from an underground reservoir therein. The method steps include analyzing the oilfield operation to generate a decision tree comprising a first decision and a second decision, wherein a first outcome of the first decision dictates acquiring information relevant to the second decision, formulating a figure of merit of the oilfield operation according to the decision tree based on the information and uncertainties associated with the oilfield, determining a value of the figure of merit by modeling the oilfield operation using statistical sampling, and performing the oilfield operation upon making the first decision based on the value of the figure of merit.

Abstract: A hybrid evolutionary algorithm (“HEA”) technique is described for automatically calculating well and drainage locations in a field. The technique includes planning a set of wells on a static reservoir model using an automated well planner tool that designs realistic wells that satisfy drilling and construction constraints. A subset of these locations is then selected based on dynamic flow simulation using a cost function that maximizes recovery or economic benefit. In particular, a large population of candidate targets, drain holes and trajectories is initially created using fast calculation analysis tools of cost and value, and as the workflow proceeds, the population size is reduced in each successive operation, thereby facilitating use of increasingly sophisticated calculation analysis tools for economic valuation of the reservoir while reducing overall time required to obtain the result. In the final operation, only a small number of full reservoir simulations are required for the most promising FDPs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing operations of an oilfield having at least one process facilities and at least one wellsite operatively connected thereto, each at least one wellsite having a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation for extracting fluid from or injecting fluid to an underground reservoir therein.

Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.

Abstract: A fire damper comprising a plurality of interconnected blades is provided with a pair of primary negator type springs which are attached to the leading blade and a pair of auxiliary negator type springs which are attached to an intermediate blade. The blades are normally maintained in a folded condition with the springs exerting a biasing force urging movement of the blades to an extended closed position. Upon release of the blades in response to detection of fire or smoke conditions, the springs cooperate to move the blade assembly to the completely closed position. The auxiliary springs increase the rate of closing of the assembly and facilitate unfolding of a portion of the blade assembly to enhance the closing of the assembly even under high air flow conditions.

Abstract: Carboxy-functional copolymers are prepared from acrylate and methylene-substituted-heterocyclic compounds which are biodegradable and exhibit strong metal ion chelating properties. Detergent compositions including such copolymers as detergent builders are also provided.

Abstract: A transversely circular fire damper having a butterfly type blade operated by a jack shaft spaced longitudinally of the housing from the blade axle. Linkage including an "over center" stop rotates the blade in one direction by operation of a motor coupled with the shaft. A clutch in the form of a pair of relatively telescoped members secured together with entectic solder is connected with the jack shaft and the motor so that the shaft is released from the motor when the ambient temperature reaches a point high enough to melt the solder. The jack shaft is spring biased in a direction to close the damper blade under such condition.