Patents by Inventor Yueming Liang

Yueming Liang 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: 12276186
    Abstract: A method for controlling the growth of a hydraulic fracture using a stress shadow generated during a hydraulic fracturing operation includes selecting a stage pair including a first stage and a second stage for which hydraulic fractures are to be generated via a hydraulic fracturing operation. The method also includes hydraulic fracturing the first stage to generate a corresponding first hydraulic fracture and controlling a magnitude of a stress shadow originating from the first hydraulic fracture by varying at least one parameter of the hydraulic fracturing operation, where the stress shadow is controlled so as to provide a second hydraulic fracture of a target fracture shape for the second stage. The method further includes hydraulic fracturing the second stage to generate the second hydraulic fracture with the target fracture shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ward E. Narhi, Holger A. Meier, Yueming Liang, Kendal K. Decker
  • Publication number: 20240410262
    Abstract: A method for controlling the growth of a hydraulic fracture using a stress shadow generated during a hydraulic fracturing operation includes selecting a stage pair including a first stage and a second stage for which hydraulic fractures are to be generated via a hydraulic fracturing operation. The method also includes hydraulic fracturing the first stage to generate a corresponding first hydraulic fracture and controlling a magnitude of a stress shadow originating from the first hydraulic fracture by varying at least one parameter of the hydraulic fracturing operation, where the stress shadow is controlled so as to provide a second hydraulic fracture of a target fracture shape for the second stage. The method further includes hydraulic fracturing the second stage to generate the second hydraulic fracture with the target fracture shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Ward E. NARHI, Holger A. MEIER, Yueming LIANG, Kendal K. DECKER
  • Publication number: 20240337177
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the treatment schedule for a hydraulic fracturing operation corresponding to a hydrocarbon well to limit one or more pumping parameters (e.g., the pump time, pump volume, and/or pump rate) includes analyzing fracture diagnostic data and/or fracture model data to estimate the pumping parameter(s) at which the maximum number of hydraulic fractures will approximate a target fracture dimension during the hydraulic fracturing operation. The method also includes adjusting the treatment schedule for the hydraulic fracturing operation based on the estimated pumping parameter(s) and then hydraulic fracturing the hydrocarbon well according to the adjusted treatment schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Ward E. NARHI, Yueming LIANG, Holger A. MEIER, Steve LONNES
  • Publication number: 20230058915
    Abstract: Method for characterizing subterranean formation is described. One method involves simulating a poroelastic pressure response of known fracture geometry utilizing a geomechanical model to generate a simulated poroelastic pressure response. Compiling a database of simulated poroelastic pressure responses. Measuring a poroelastic pressure response of the subterranean formation during a hydraulic fracturing operation to generate a measured poroelastic pressure response. Identifying a closest simulated poroelastic pressure response in the library of simulated poroelastic pressure response. Estimating a geometrical parameter of a fracture or fractures in the subterranean formation based on the closest simulated poroelastic pressure response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Nicolas Patrick ROUSSEL, Yueming LIANG, Zijun FANG
  • Patent number: 11500114
    Abstract: Method for characterizing subterranean formation is described. One method involves simulating a poroelastic pressure response of known fracture geometry utilizing a geomechanical model to generate a simulated poroelastic pressure response. Compiling a database of simulated poroelastic pressure responses. Measuring a poroelastic pressure response of the subterranean formation during a hydraulic fracturing operation to generate a measured poroelastic pressure response. Identifying a closest simulated poroelastic pressure response in the library of simulated poroelastic pressure response. Estimating a geometrical parameter of a fracture or fractures in the subterranean formation based on the closest simulated poroelastic pressure response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicolas Patrick Roussel, Yueming Liang, Zijun Fang
  • Publication number: 20210388712
    Abstract: Methods of monitoring a geometric property of a hydraulic fracture within a subsurface region, wells that perform the methods, and storage media that direct computing devices to perform the methods provided. The methods include repeatedly measuring, at a plurality of measurement times, fiber strain as a function of position along a length of an optical fiber. The optical fiber is positioned within a wellbore that extends within a subsurface region and the repeatedly measuring is performed during a change in the geometric property of the hydraulic fracture. For a given measurement time of the plurality of measurement times, the methods also include differentiating the fiber strain as the function of position to generate a strain differential as a function of position along the length of the optical fiber. The methods further include determining the geometric property of the hydraulic fracture based, at least in part, on the strain differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: YUEMING LIANG, PEEYUSH BHARGAVA, KYLE GUICE
  • Publication number: 20190346579
    Abstract: Method for characterizing subterranean formation is described. One method involves simulating a poroelastic pressure response of known fracture geometry utilizing a geomechanical model to generate a simulated poroelastic pressure response. Compiling a database of simulated poroelastic pressure responses. Measuring a poroelastic pressure response of the subterranean formation during a hydraulic fracturing operation to generate a measured poroelastic pressure response. Identifying a closest simulated poroelastic pressure response in the library of simulated poroelastic pressure response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Nicolas Patrick ROUSSEL, Yueming LIANG, Zijun FANG
  • Publication number: 20130211807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fracturing a formation are provided. A method includes generating a subsurface model including the production formation and a zone proximate to the production formation. A number of scenarios are simulated in which a volumetric change is created in the zone proximate to the production formation. A scenario is selected from the plurality of scenarios to stimulate the production formation. The scenario is performed to create a fracture field in the production formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Elizabeth Land Templeton-Barrett, Xianyun Wu, Michael S. Chelf, Brian R. Crawford, Bruce A. Dale, Yueming Liang, Kevin H. Searles, Peter Griffin Smith, JR., Marshall I. Sundberg
  • Publication number: 20130199787
    Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for fracturing a production formation. A method includes creating a notch in a formation and causing a volumetric change in a treatment interval proximate to a production interval so as to apply a mechanical stress on the production interval, wherein the treatment interval, the production interval, or both are located within the formation. A horizontal fracture is created in the formation originating from the notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Yueming Liang, Kevin H. Searles, Elizabeth Land Templeton-Barrett
  • Publication number: 20130199789
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for fracturing a production formation. A method includes drilling a well into a zone proximate to a production formation, and increasing a volume of the zone through the well in order to apply a mechanical stress to the production formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Yueming Liang, Michael S. Chelf, Brian R. Crawford, Bruce A. Dale, Elizabeth Land Templeton-Barrett, Peter Griffin Smith, JR., Kevin H. Searles, Marshall I. Sundberg, Xianyun Wu