Patents by Inventor Youxiang Zuo

Youxiang Zuo 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: 9416656
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for assessing connectivity between sections in a hydrocarbon reservoir. Samples of hydrocarbons are collected over different depths in at least one wellbore. Fluorescence intensity determines the actual heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons for the corresponding different depths. Estimated heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons for corresponding different depths are determined and the actual heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons are compared with the estimated heavy end concentrations to assess connectivity between sections of the hydrocarbon reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9416647
    Abstract: A methodology performs downhole fluid analysis at multiple measurement stations within a wellbore traversing a reservoir to determine gradients of compositional components and other fluid properties. A model is used to predict concentrations of a plurality of high molecular weight solute part class-types at varying reservoir locations. Such predictions are compared against downhole measurements to identify the best matching solute part class-type. If the best-matching class type corresponds to at least one predetermined asphaltene component, phase stability of asphaltene in the reservoir fluid at a given depth is evaluated using equilibrium criteria involving an oil rich phase and an asphaltene rich phase of respective components of the reservoir fluid at the given depth. The result of the evaluation of asphaltene rich phase stability is used for reservoir analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins, Chengli Dong, Dingan Zhang, ChengGang Xian
  • Patent number: 9410936
    Abstract: A methodology that performs downhole fluid analysis of fluid properties of a reservoir and characterizes the reservoir based upon such downhole fluid analysis. The methodology acquires at least one fluid sample at a respective measurement station and performs downhole fluid analysis to measure properties of the fluid sample, including concentration of a plurality of high molecular weight components. For each of a plurality of type classes corresponding to different subsets of a predetermined set of high molecular weight components, a model is used to predict the concentration of the components of the given type class for the plurality of measurement stations. The predicted concentrations of the high molecular weight components for the plurality of type classes are then compared with corresponding concentrations measured by downhole fluid analysis for the plurality of measurement stations to identify the best matching type class. The results of the comparison are used for reservoir analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Denise E. Freed, Oliver Clinton Mullins, Christopher Harrison, Mary Jane Tsang Mui Ching, Huang Zeng
  • Publication number: 20160208600
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for determining the compressibility of downhole fluids using measurements obtained during over-pressurization of a formation fluid sample. In certain embodiments, the density of the fluid may be measured as the fluid is directed through a flowline into a sample chamber. The density measurements can be employed in conjunction with pressure spikes that occur during over pressuring of a sample chamber to determine the compressibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Adriaan GISOLF, Kai HSU, Youxiang ZUO, Chee Kin KHONG
  • Publication number: 20160186559
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus obtaining in-situ, real-time data associated with a sample stream obtained by a downhole sampling apparatus disposed in a borehole that extends into a subterranean formation. The obtained data includes multiple fluid properties of the sample stream. The sample stream includes native formation fluid from the subterranean formation and filtrate contamination resulting from formation of the borehole in the subterranean formation. The obtained data is filtered to remove outliers. The filtered data is fit to each of a plurality of models each characterizing a corresponding one of the fluid properties as a function of a pumpout volume or time of the sample stream. based on the fitted data, a start of a developed flow regime of the native formation fluid within the subterranean formation surrounding the borehole is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Kang Wang, Ryan Sangjun Lee, Youxiang Zuo, Sai Venkatakrishnan, XiaoWei Sheng, Suchart Chokthanyawat, Lei Jiang, Lixiang Sun
  • Publication number: 20160186562
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus pertaining to processing in-situ, real-time data associated with fluid obtained by a downhole sampling tool. The processing includes generating a population of values for ?, where each value of ? is an estimated value of a fluid property for native formation fluid within the obtained fluid. The obtained data is iteratively fit to a predetermined model in linear space. The model relates the fluid property to pumpout volume or time. Each iterative fitting utilizes a different one of the values for ?. A value ?* is identified as the one of the values for C? that minimizes model fit error in linear space based on the iterative fitting. Selected values for ? that are near ?* are then assessed to determine which one has a minimum integral error of nonlinearity in logarithmic space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan Sangjun Lee, Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo
  • Publication number: 20160186560
    Abstract: A downhole tool operable to pump a volume of contaminated fluid from a subterranean formation during an elapsed pumping time while obtaining in-situ, real-time data associated with the contaminated fluid. The contaminated fluid includes native formation fluid and oil-based mud (OBM) filtrate. A shrinkage factor of the contaminated fluid is determined based on the in-situ, real-time data. The contaminated fluid shrinkage factor is fit relative to pumped volume or pumping time to obtain a function relating the shrinkage factor with pumped volume or elapsed pumping time. A shrinkage factor of the native formation fluid is determined based on the function. A shrinkage factor of the OBM filtrate is also determined. OBM filtrate volume percentage is determined based on the shrinkage factor of the native formation fluid and the shrinkage factor of the OBM filtrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Adriaan Gisolf, Kang Wang, Ryan Sangjun Lee
  • Publication number: 20160177716
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a gas/oil ratio using gas chromatography and optical analysis of a fluid sample obtained using a fluid sampling tool. In some embodiments, a gas/oil ratio may be determined from the mass fraction of each light component of the fluid, the mass fraction of each intermediate component of the fluid, a molecular weight of each light component of the fluid, a molecular weight of each intermediate component of the fluid, the density of stock tank oil, the vapor mass fraction of the intermediate components of the fluid, and the mass fraction of the plus fraction of the fluid. In some embodiments, a gas/oil ratio may be determined from the density of stock tank oil, the vapor mole fraction of the intermediate components of the fluid, and the molecular weight of stock tank oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E.G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank, Adriaan Gisolf
  • Publication number: 20160178599
    Abstract: Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Ronald E.G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank
  • Publication number: 20160168990
    Abstract: Methods and devices for determining a plus fraction of a plus fraction of a gas chromatogram are provided. A gas chromatogram may obtained, such as from a downhole gas chromatograph module of a fluid analysis tool. The plus fraction of the gas chromatogram may be determined using one or more of a ratiometric determination, fitting an exponential decay function, and fitting a probability density gamma function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald E.G. van Hal, Jeffrey Crank, Youxiang Zuo, Adriaan Gisolf
  • Publication number: 20160146004
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for characterizing a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest traversed by at least one wellbore that includes (a) using a numerical model to simulate over geological time a non-equilibrium concentration of an asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore, (b) analyzing fluid samples acquired from at least one wellbore that traverses the reservoir of interest to measure concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore, (c) comparing the non-equilibrium concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore resulting from the simulation of (a) to the concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore as measured in (b), and characterizing the reservoir of interest based upon the comparing of (c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Kang Wang, Youxiang Zuo, Yi Chen, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20160130940
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems and methods for formation fluid sampling. In one embodiment, a method can include monitoring a relationship between a first characteristic of a formation fluid extracted from a formation and a second characteristic of the formation fluid extracted from the formation, determining, based at least in part on the monitoring, that a linear trend is exhibited by the relationship between the first characteristic of the formation fluid extracted from the formation and the second characteristic of the formation fluid extracted from the formation, and determining a reservoir fluid breakthrough based at least in part on the identification of the linear trend, wherein the reservoir fluid breakthrough is indicative of virgin reservoir fluid entering a sampling tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Kai Hsu, Adriaan Gisolf, Youxiang Zuo, Yong Chang, Beatriz E. Barbosa
  • Publication number: 20160131630
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems, methods, and devices for determining saturation pressure of an uncontaminated fluid. Downhole saturation pressure measurements and downhole OBM filtrate contamination of a contaminated fluid may be obtained and a relationship may be determined between the saturation pressure measurements and OBM filtrate contamination. The relationship may be extrapolated to zero OBM filtrate contamination to determine the saturation pressure of the uncontaminated fluid. In some embodiments, OBM filtrate contamination may be determined from downhole saturation pressure measurements during pumpout of a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Christopher Harrison, Adriaan Gisolf, Cosan Ayan, Michael Mallari Toribio, Chetankumar Natwarlal Desai, Oliver Clinton Mullins, Matthew T. Sullivan, Elizabeth Smythe
  • Publication number: 20160123953
    Abstract: Upper and lower asphaltene weight fractions of fluid proximate ends of an oil column are obtained based on measured OD. Upper and lower maltene partial densities are obtained based on the asphaltene weight fractions. A maltene partial density distribution is obtained utilizing the maltene partial densities and a predetermined diffusion model. An asphaltene partial density distribution is obtained based on the maltene partial density distribution and an estimated mass density gradient. An asphaltene weight percentage is obtained based on the asphaltene partial density distribution and the mass density gradient. The asphaltene weight percentage distribution is converted to an OD distribution utilizing a predetermined correlation. An optimization then reduces differences between the OD distribution and the measured OD data to within a predetermined range to refine a biodegradation time of the predetermined diffusion model. A viscosity distribution may be obtained based on the optimized OD distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins, Richard Jackson, Ankit Agarwal
  • Patent number: 9322268
    Abstract: A method for determining reservoir architecture using modeling of a non-equilibrium distribution of at least one analyte in reservoir fluids. The analyte(s) of the analysis preferably has (have) significant compositional variation in the reservoir. For example, the analyte can be a later charging single gas component (such as methane, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide) in a multi-component fluid system. In this case, the model can assume that the components of the early charge are in a stationary state or in equilibrium, whereas the later charge is in a state of non-equilibrium. The non-equilibrium distribution of the analyte(s) derived from the model is compared to the distribution of the analyte(s) derived from downhole or laboratory fluid analysis of reservoir fluid, and the architecture of the reservoir is determined based upon such comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Eric Lehne, Saifon Sirimongkolkitti, Shu Pan, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9303510
    Abstract: Fluid analysis measurements may be performed during withdrawal of a downhole tool to the surface. Fluid may be collected within a fluid analysis system of the downhole tool and the collected fluid may be exposed to the wellbore pressure during withdrawal of the downhole tool. Measurements for the collected fluid, such as optical density, the gas oil ratio, fluid density, fluid viscosity, fluorescence, temperature, and pressure, among other, may be recorded continuously or at intervals as the downhole tool is brought to the surface. The measurements may be employed to determine properties of the collected fluid, such as the saturation pressure and the asphaltene onset pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hadrien Dumont, Michael O'Keefe, Beatriz E. Barbosa, Oliver C. Mullins, Youxiang Zuo, Vinay Mishra
  • Publication number: 20160090836
    Abstract: A method includes operating a downhole acquisition tool in a wellbore in a geological formation. The wellbore or the geological formation, or both contains a fluid that includes a native reservoir fluid of the geological formation and a contaminant. The method also includes receiving a portion of the fluid into the downhole acquisition tool, measuring a fluid property of the portion of the fluid using the downhole acquisition tool, and using the processor to estimate a fluid property of the native reservoir fluid based on the measured fluid property of the portion of the fluid and a regression model that may predict an asymptote of a growth curve. The asymptote corresponds to the estimated fluid property of the native formation fluid, and the regression model includes a geometric fitting model other than a power-law model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Kang Wang, Youxiang Zuo, Ryan Sangjun Lee, Adriaan Gisolf
  • Publication number: 20160091389
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining an integrity of a sample chamber. In certain embodiments, formation fluid is collected from a subterranean formation within a sample chamber disposed in a downhole tool, the downhole tool is withdrawn from a wellbore, an estimated surface pressure of the collected formation fluid is determined, the estimated surface pressure of the collected formation fluid is compared with an actual surface pressure of the sample chamber, and the integrity of the sample chamber is determined based on the comparison of the estimated surface pressure and the actual surface pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Vinay K. Mishra, Hadrien Dumont, Adriaan Gisolf, Christopher Babin, Cosan Ayan, Beatriz E. Barbosa
  • Publication number: 20160047208
    Abstract: A downhole tool, surface equipment, and/or remote equipment are utilized to obtain data associated with a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, fluid contained therein, and/or fluid obtained therefrom. At least one condition indicating that a density inversion exists in the fluid contained in the reservoir is identified from the data. Molecular sizes of fluid components contained within the reservoir are estimated from the data. A model of the density inversion is generated based on the data and molecular sizes. The density inversion model is utilized to estimate the density inversion amount and depth and time elapsed since the density inversion began to form within the reservoir. A model of a gravity-induced current of the density inversion is generated based on the data and the density inversion amount, depth, and elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Yi Chen, Kang Wang, Oliver C. Mullins, Youxiang Zuo
  • Patent number: 9255475
    Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding that performs investigation of asphaltene instability as a function of location in a reservoir of interest. In the preferred embodiment, results derived as part of the investigation of asphaltene instability are used as a workflow decision point for selectively performing additional analysis of reservoir fluids. The additional analysis of reservoir fluids can verify the presence of asphaltene flocculation onset conditions and/or determine the presence and location of phase-separated bitumen in the reservoir of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins, Chengil Dong, Denise Freed, Andrew Pomerantz, Eric Lehne, Dingan Zhang