Patents by Inventor Xiao-Hui Wu
Xiao-Hui Wu 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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Patent number: 12105241Abstract: Geologic modeling methods and systems are provided with a novel log segmentation approach and an improved conditioning technique for fitting geobody templates to associated well segments in multiple wells. One illustrative geologic modeling method embodiment includes: deriving a sequence of well segments from each logged well in a region of interest; associating well segments from different wells to form sets of associated well segments; populating a region of interest with geobodies by fitting a parameterized geobody template to each set of associated well segments; using the geobodies to specify a volumetric distribution of formation properties throughout the region of interest; and providing the volumetric distribution as a geologic model suitable for evaluating one or more well placement and production strategies.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyInventors: Mulin Cheng, Xiao-Hui Wu, Hayes F. Stripling, IV, Pengchuan Zhang, Tiangang Cui, John E. Mayhew
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Publication number: 20230088307Abstract: A hierarchical conditioning methodology for building and conditioning a geological model is disclosed. In particular, the hierarchical conditioning may include separate levels of conditioning of template instances using larger-scale data (such as conditioning using large-scale data and conditioning using medium-scale data) and using smaller-scale data (such as fine-scale data). Further, one or more templates, to be instantiated to generate the geological bodies in the model, may be selected from currently available templates and/or machine-learned templates. For example, the templates may be generated using unsupervised or supervised learning to re-parameterize the functional form parameters, or may be generated using statistical generative modeling.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Fahim FOROUZANFAR, Mulin CHENG, Matthias G. IMHOF, Ratnanabha SAIN, Matthew W. HARRIS, Amr S. EL-BAKRY, Xiao-Hui WU
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Publication number: 20190302308Abstract: Geologic modeling methods and systems are provided with a novel log segmentation approach and an improved conditioning technique for fitting geobody templates to associated well segments in multiple wells. One illustrative geologic modeling method embodiment includes: deriving a sequence of well segments from each logged well in a region of interest; associating well segments from different wells to form sets of associated well segments; populating a region of interest with geobodies by fitting a parameterized geobody template to each set of associated well segments; using the geobodies to specify a volumetric distribution of formation properties throughout the region of interest; and providing the volumetric distribution as a geologic model suitable for evaluating one or more well placement and production strategies.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Mulin CHENG, Xiao-Hui Wu, Hayes F. Stripling IV, Pengchuan Zhang, Tiangang Cui, John E. Mayhew
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Patent number: 10319143Abstract: Method for generating a 3D grid, and for defining a material property model on the grid, to use, for example, in a reservoir simulator. A mapping is defined (61,71) to a design space in which the material property is described as a piecewise smooth implicit or explicit function in three dimensions. Grid geometry is constructed only in the physical space of the model (62-65, 73-76), and no grid is required in the design space. The material property, for example permeability, is sampled in the design space (66,77) to populate the cells in the grid constructed in the physical domain. Prismatic grid cells may be truncated based on faults and horizons (65), or maybe conformed to fault surfaces using a 3D parameterization of the model (76). Only forward mapping, i.e. from the physical domain to the design space, is required.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Larisa V. Branets, Valeriy Kubyak, Elena Kartasheva, Valeriy Shmyrov, Olga Kroshkina, Dmitry Kandybor, Xiao-Hui Wu
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Publication number: 20180031719Abstract: A method and system are described for creating a subsurface model. In this method, a framework is obtained that includes various objects associated with a subsurface region. A background mesh is generated to enclose the framework and then cell splitting is performed to modify the background mesh into a watertight model. The watertight model may be assigned properties and utilized in simulations to assist in performing hydrocarbon operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Hao Huang, Dar-Lon Chang, Xiao-Hui Wu, Matthias Imhof, Hayes F. Stripling
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Publication number: 20180031721Abstract: A method and system are described for creating a subsurface model. The method and system may include updating a subsurface model having objects associated with a subsurface region. The method includes obtaining a subsurface model having a mesh formed from various nodes and forming blocks or mesh elements, which have mesh shapes. Then, areas of the mesh that need repair are identified and one or more of a local re-meshing operation, an edge-flipping operation, a collapsing operation and any combination thereof are applied to the identified areas. The resulting updated subsurface model is then outputted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Tiago Etiene Queiroz, Carlos A. Dietrich, Xiao-Hui Wu, Larisa V. Branets, Dar-Lon Chang, Matthias Imhof
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Publication number: 20180031720Abstract: A method and system are described for creating a subsurface model. The method involves forming a volumetric representation having objects associated with the subsurface region; computing a value for each of the blocks based on an object priority function; and removing one or more blocks based on constraints and the object priority function to create the watertight model. Then, using the watertight model to perform simulations and in performing hydrocarbon operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Tiago Etiene Queiroz, Carlos A. Dietrich, Xiao-Hui Wu, Larisa V. Branets, Dar-Lon Chang, Matthias Imhof
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Patent number: 9372943Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Dachang Li, Tao Sun, Xiao-Hui Wu, Timothy A. Chartrand, Stephen L. Lyons
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Publication number: 20160035130Abstract: Method for generating a 3D grid, and for defining a material property model on the grid, to use, for example, in a reservoir simulator. A mapping is defined (61,71) to a design space in which the material property is described as a piecewise smooth implicit or explicit function in three dimensions. Grid geometry is constructed only in the physical space of the model (62-65, 73-76), and no grid is required in the design space. The material property, for example permeability, is sampled in the design space (66,77) to populate the cells in the grid constructed in the physical domain. Prismatic grid cells may be truncated based on faults and horizons (65), or maybe conformed to fault surfaces using a 3D parameterization of the model (76). Only forward mapping, i.e. from the physical domain to the design space, is required.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Larisa V. Branets, Valeriy Kubyak, Elena Kartasheva, Valeriy Shmyrov, Olga Kroshkina, Dmitry Kandybor, Xiao-Hui Wu
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Publication number: 20140330547Abstract: A method of forming a geologic model of a subsurface region is disclosed. Data related to the subsurface region is obtained. A framework is constructed to represent the subsurface region. A template is selected from a plurality of templates. The selected template provides at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region. The selected template is inserted into the framework, to form the geologic model. The geologic model is then outputted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: Craig S. Calvert, Gregory S. Benson, Xiao-Hui Wu, Dachang Li, Deborah F. Kosich, Lawrence Walker
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Patent number: 8818780Abstract: A method of forming a geologic model of a subsurface region is disclosed. Data related to the subsurface region is obtained. A framework is constructed to represent the subsurface region. A template is selected from a plurality of templates. The selected template provides at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region. The selected template is inserted into the framework, to form the geologic model. The geologic model is then outputted.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Craig S. Calvert, Gregory S. Benson, Xiao-Hui Wu, Dachang Li, Deborah F. Kosich, Lawrence P. Walker
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Patent number: 8776895Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Dachang Li, Xiao-Hui Wu, Tao Sun, Frank J Goulding, Robert M Stuart, Timothy A Chartrand, Cory J Ramage
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Patent number: 8494828Abstract: A method is provided for simulating a physical process such as fluid flow in porous media by performing a fine-grid calculation of the process in a medium and re-using the fine grid solution in subsequent coarse-grid calculations. For fluid flow in subsurface formations, the method may be applied to optimize upscaled calculation grids formed from geologic models. The method decreases the cost of optimizing a grid to simulate a physical process that is mathematically described by the diffusion equation.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Xiao-Hui Wu, Rossen R. Parashkevov, Matt T. Stone
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Patent number: 8212814Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a constrained Delaunay triangulation for a planar domain with boundaries and internal features. The boundaries and internal features of the domain are approximated with polylines. Unconstrained Delaunay triangulation is constructed for the domain. The unconstrained Delaunay triangulation is modified to conform triangle sides to the polylines. The modified triangulation is corrected to make it a constrained Delaunay triangulation. At least one of the steps of the method is implemented using a computer.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Larisa V. Branets, Xiao-Hui Wu, Santosh K. Verma, Stephen L. Lyons
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Patent number: 8117019Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tao Sun, Dachang Li, Max Deffenbaugh, Chun Huh, David C Hoyal, Neal Adair, Xiao-Hui Wu, Timothy A. Chartrand, John C Van Wagoner
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Publication number: 20120006560Abstract: A method of forming a geologic model of a subsurface region is disclosed. Data related to the subsurface region is obtained. A framework is constructed to represent the subsurface region. A template is selected from a plurality of templates. The selected template provides at least one property that is characteristic of the subsurface region. The selected template is inserted into the framework, to form the geologic model. The geologic model is then outputted.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2009Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Craig S. Calvert, Gregory S. Benson, Xiao-Hui Wu, Dachang Li, Deborah F. Kosich, Lawrence P. Walker
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Publication number: 20120000669Abstract: A method is provided for simulating a physical process such as fluid flow in porous media by performing a fine-grid calculation of the process in a medium and re-using the fine grid solution in subsequent coarse-grid calculations. For fluid flow in subsurface formations, the method may be applied to optimize upscaled calculation grids formed from geologic models. The method decreases the cost of optimizing a grid to simulate a physical process that is mathematically described by the diffusion equation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Xiao-Hui Wu, Rossen R. Parashkevov, Matt T. Stone
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Patent number: 8078437Abstract: Method is provided for simulating a physical process such as fluid flow in porous media by performing a fine-grid calculation of the process in a medium and re-using the fine grid solution in subsequent coarse-grid calculations. For fluid flow in subsurface formations, the method may be applied to optimize upscaled calculation grids formed from geologic models. The method decreases the cost of optimizing a grid to simulate a physical process that is mathematically described by the diffusion equation.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Xiao-Hui Wu, Rossen R. Parashkevov, Matt T. Stone
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Publication number: 20110169838Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a constrained Delaunay triangulation for a planar domain with boundaries and internal features. The boundaries and internal features of the domain are approximated with polylines. Unconstrained Delaunay triangulation is constructed for the domain. The unconstrained Delaunay triangulation is modified to conform triangle sides to the polylines. The modified triangulation is corrected to make it a constrained Delaunay triangulation. At least one of the steps of the method is implemented using a computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Inventors: Larisa V. Branets, Xiao-Hui Wu, Santosh K. Verma, Stephen L. Lyons
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Patent number: 7932904Abstract: A method for generating constrained Voronoi grids in a plane with internal features and boundaries is disclosed. The disclosed method generally includes approximation of internal features and boundaries with polylines based on plane geometry. Protected polygons or points are generated around the polylines, and Delaunay triangulation of protected points or protected polygon vertices is constructed. Delaunay triangulation that honors protected polygons or points is generated in the rest of the gridding domain. The constrained Voronoi grid is then generated from the Delaunay triangulation, which resolves all of the approximated features and boundaries with the edges of Voronoi cells. Constrained Voronoi grids may be generated with adaptive cell sizes based on specified density criterion.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Inventors: Larisa V. Branets, Xiao-Hui Wu, Santosh K. Verma, Stephen L. Lyons