Hydrocarbon Prospecting Patents (Class 702/13)
  • Patent number: 8239134
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting abnormal operation of a hydrocracker includes a hydrocracker model. The model may be configurable to include one or more regression models corresponding to different operating regions of the portion of the hydrocracker. The system and method may also determine if a monitored temperature difference variable deviates significantly from the temperature difference variable predicted by the model. If there is a significant deviation, this may indicate an abnormal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kant, John Philip Miller, Tautho Hai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8234072
    Abstract: Methods for determining the locations/heights of fractures in a subterranean formation use a post-fracture log obtained with a compensated neutron or pulsed neutron logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships between tool count rates and associated near/far count rate ratios, the methods detect the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross-section material, substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from changes in formation hydrogen index. In an interval of a well with given borehole and formation conditions, and not containing proppant, a relationship is developed between detector count rate and near/far ratio. This relationship is used to compute count rate from the ratio in intervals of the well possibly containing proppant and which have similar formation and borehole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Carbo Ceramics, Inc
    Inventors: Harry D. Smith, Jr., Michael P. Smith, Robert Duenckel
  • Patent number: 8229950
    Abstract: A paleogeographic search system is provided for locating geoscience data relevant to a geographic search aperture. The paleogeographic search system comprises a geodatabase, an interface, a paleogeographic reconstruction engine, and a host processor. The paleogeographic engine is configured to transform the geographic search aperture according to tectonic plate movements to a transformed search aperture that the geographic search aperture occupied in a geological age of interest. The host processor is configured to apply a paleoaugmented geographic search aperture to a geodatabase for additional oil exploration data relevant to the geographic search aperture today.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Berengere Savary-Sismondini, Pierre Le Guern, Erik Monsen, Hallgrim Ludvigsen, Trond Benum, Knut S. Boge, Lars Sonneland
  • Patent number: 8219319
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of characterizing elastic properties of a subsurface formation at various fluid saturation conditions is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Skelt
  • Patent number: 8214151
    Abstract: Methods are provided for determining the locations and heights of fractures in a subterranean formation using a neutron-emitting logging tool. Utilizing predetermined relationships (1) between logging tool count rates and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values and (2) between logging tool count rate ratios and associated apparent formation hydrogen index values, the methods detect the presence and heights in the formation of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section material in a manner substantially eliminating proppant determination uncertainty resulting from a prior change in formation hydrogen index values. A second, associated, method employing logging tool count rates and count rate ratios to determine the presence of proppant containing high thermal neutron capture cross section absorbers utilizes a crossplot of count rate versus ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Carbo Ceramics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Harry D. Smith, Jr., Michael P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120158310
    Abstract: A new approach is disclosed for measuring the pressure of tight gas reservoirs, using information obtain from continuous injection prior to hydraulic fracture stimulation. The technique can be obtained utilizing either bottom-hole or surface pressure gauges and properly instrumented surface injection pumps. The analysis is completed by plotting injection and rate data in a specialized form from terms arranged in Darcy's radial flow equation to obtain a curve or trend. The key component to proper application of this technique is to obtain both baseline and one or more calibration data sets. These calibration data sets are obtained by either increasing or decreasing the injection pressure and/or rate from the baseline data. Initial reservoir pressure is assumed, but the calibration data indicates if the guess was too high or low. Accurate estimates of reservoir pressure may be obtained in a few iterations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: John R. Adams, Siyavash Motealleh, Herbert M. Sebastian, Yuanlin Jiang, Bryan Dotson
  • Publication number: 20120150447
    Abstract: A method for stratigraphic analysis of seismic data, known as GeoLeaf, comprises: selecting a seismic data volume comprising a plurality of samples; selecting a number of horizons (TH, BH1 TPH, BPH, SMH) within the seismic data volume; selecting a scale of interest within the seismic data volume, which ranges from 500 m up to the size of the entire seismic data volume; applying an attribute function to at least one of the selected number of horizons (TH, BH, TPH, BPH, SMH) at the selected scale of interest; and displaying a stratigraphic attribute, which represents a geologic feature, such as a seismic fades attribute (FM), an unconformity attribute (Zmax/Z) and/or a thinning attribute (Z1/Z2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Tomas Van Hoek, Stephane Gesbert
  • Patent number: 8195401
    Abstract: Data about operation of a well for extracting a product from the subterranean reservoir and at least one of a characteristic of a subterranean reservoir or operation of a processing and transport system upstream of a point of sale is received. A corrective action can be automatically initiated on at least one of the well or the processing and transport system in response to a difference between the received data and a specified operational objective. An adjustment to a model of the reservoir, the well, and the processing and transporting system can be automatically initiated in response to the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard G. Ella, Andrew P. Russell, Laurence Reid, William D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8190458
    Abstract: A method of performing oilfield operations for an oilfield having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves generating a business analysis of the oilfield based on business inputs, generating an operational analysis of the oilfield based on operational inputs, and selectively integrating the business analysis with the operational analysis by using the operational outputs as at least a portion of the business inputs and by using the business outputs as at least a portion of the operational inputs to form an integrated oilfield analysis. The business analysis includes business outputs for characterizing the business impact of projects performed on the oilfield. The operational analysis includes operational outputs for characterizing the operational impact of projects performed on the oilfield. The integrated oilfield analysis includes integrated oilfield outputs for characterizing the business and operational impact of projects performed on the oilfield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Back, Daniel Fichter, Doug MacDonald, Peter Tyler, Roger Gallant, Dave Mason
  • Patent number: 8185315
    Abstract: A method for estimating a distribution of pore sizes of a fluid filled rock formation penetrated by a borehole, the method includes: processing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data to determine a distribution of diffusion coefficients and a distribution of relaxation time constants for at least one depth in the borehole; plotting the distribution of diffusion coefficients and the distribution of relaxation time constants as a cross-plot for the at least one depth; identifying a water line on the cross-plot, each point on the water line having substantially the same value for the diffusion coefficient; and estimating the distribution of pore sizes from the distribution of relaxation time constants plotted along the water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel F. Coope, Osamah Gh. A. Gh. Albannaw
  • Patent number: 8165817
    Abstract: A method for estimating properties of fluids in rock formations at selected locations within a geologic basin includes generating an initial model of the basin. The model includes as output spatial distribution of a rock formation mineral composition, rock formation porosity and composition of fluids in the rock formation porosity. An initial estimate of fluid composition is generated for a rock formation, and a sample of fluid is extracted from pore spaces of the rock formation. Composition of the fluid sample is analyzed from within, and the initial model of the basin is adjusted to substantially match the analyzed fluid composition. The adjusted model is used to generate an initial estimate of fluid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Soraya Betancourt, Armin Kauerauf, Oliver Mullins
  • Patent number: 8165816
    Abstract: A method for controlling fluid injection parameters to improve well interactions and control hydrofracture geometries is provided. The method incorporates a systematic, transient analysis process for determining the formation effective displacement, stress and excess pore pressure field quantities at any depth within a stratified subterranean formation resulting from the subsurface injection of pressurized fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kevin H. Searles, Ted A. Long, Rahul Pakal, Bruce A. Dale, Brian W. Duffy
  • Patent number: 8150663
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for partitioning data for modelling a geological structure including laterally partitioning the data into multiple columns, where each column may be substantially laterally centered about a dual fiber and vertically partitioning each column at each of multiple intersection points of multiple surfaces and the dual fiber about which the column may be substantially laterally centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Paradigm Geophysical (Luxembourg) S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Jean-Laurent Mallet
  • Publication number: 20120065890
    Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for characterizing hydrocarbon gas net pay zones in a subterranean reservoir including determining a sweet zone indicator from well log data, determining rock properties from well log data, and identifying one or more classes of net pay zones from the sweet zone indicator and rock properties. The sweet zone indicator may be determined by computing neutron-density separation and using the neutron-density separation and the well log data. The rock properties determined from the well log data may include total water saturation, adsorbed gas saturation, total gas content, porosity, propensity for hydraulic fracturing, uncertainty level of the total water saturation, uncertainty level of the total gas content, and baselines for the porosity and total gas content. Using the sweet zone indicator and rock properties, one or more classes of net pay zones can be identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Chengbing Liu
  • Publication number: 20120059591
    Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, transmitting, and acting on information collected from instruments monitoring and controlling equipment used for natural gas well production collection and pipeline insertion platforms (skids). Said instruments may include handheld computing devices like the Apple iPhone, iPad, or other PDAs; said devices using short or long range, wired or wireless communication. The systems and methods reduce costs, errors, inefficiencies, and increase safety by giving the user simple GUI interfaces for data collection and for action items. The said handheld devices can guide the data collector to the skid location using GPS or other location based services, collect data via wired of wireless methods, guide the data collector through manual data input methods or safety action items, compare current readings to past history and evaluate current safety or out-of-tolerance conditions or entries, among other items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Frank W. Murphy, III
  • Publication number: 20120053839
    Abstract: Subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir-sized structures are detected or monitored by ambient noise tomography. Interface wave data are recorded for interface waves excited by seismic ambient noise. The data are recorded simultaneously at pairs of locations with the locations of each pair being spaced by less than or equal to a wavelength at the frequencies of interest. The recorded data are processed (3-7) by tomography to obtain group-velocity and/or phase-velocity tomograms, which are inverted to obtain seismic parameters values, such as seismic velocity. The seismic parameters may then be used to form a geological model (8) of a subsurface region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: STATOIL ASA
    Inventors: Simone Kugler, Sascha Bussat, Peter Hanssen
  • Publication number: 20120041681
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring water fraction in a fluid mixture flowing in a conductive tubing within a borehole. The sensor comprises: an active probe, a reference probe, and an electronic unit. The active probe includes a first electrode and a second electrode isolated from each other by a first insulating layer, the first and second electrodes are preferably in contact with the fluid mixture. The reference probe is formed from an internal wall of the conductive tubing contacting the fluid mixture and isolated from the reference probe by a second insulating layer. The electronic unit is coupled to the first and second electrodes, and to the reference probe, the electronic unit preferably includes a capacitance module for measuring a capacitance between the active probe and the reference probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Frank Veneruso, Christian Chouzenoux, Yann Dufour, Jose Teixeira
  • Patent number: 8116980
    Abstract: Testing process for testing hydrocarbon wells at zero emissions in order to obtain general information on a reservoir. The process includes injecting into the reservoir a suitable liquid or gaseous fluid, compatible with the hydrocarbons of the reservoir and with the formation rock, at a constant flow-rate or with constant flow rate steps, and substantially measuring, in continuous, the flow-rate and injection pressure at the well bottom. Then, the well is closed and the pressure is measured during the fall-off period (pressure fall-off). The measured fall-off data is interpreted in order to evaluate the average static pressure of the fluids (Pav) and the reservoir properties including actual permeability (k), transmissivity (kh), areal heterogeneity or permeability barriers and real Skin factor (S). Then, well productivity is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enzo Beretta, Alessandro Tiani, Gaetano Lo Presti
  • Patent number: 8112228
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for estimating a resistivity property of an earth formation in a borehole filled with oil-based mud. The method includes conveying a logging tool into a borehole; measuring a plurality of impedance values of the earth formation, each of the plurality of impedance values being obtained at one of a plurality of measure electrodes on the logging tool; determining a coefficient related to an electrical property of the mud from a plurality of pairs of impedance values; estimating the resistivity property of the formation from the determined coefficient; and recording the resistivity property on a suitable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexandre N. Bespalov, Gregory B. Itskovich
  • Patent number: 8099241
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for determining oil based mud contamination of a hydrocarbon fluid obtained from a wellbore during a formation testing. The invention includes receiving a model for simulating the contamination and receiving an empirical equation for computing the contamination. At a given pumping time, a simulated contamination is generated based on the model and an empirically computed contamination is generated based on the first empirical equation. The simulated contamination and empirically computed contamination are compared and a determination as to which is more reliable is made. Revision of the first model or first empirical equation based is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: YuQiang Niu, Robert North, Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8090539
    Abstract: The method for suppressing noise in the controlled seismic source electromagnetic survey data based on the frequency content of the noise (51) contained in the data. The invention recognizes that some data variations across bins cannot be attributed to resistivity variations within the earth. This variation across the bins constitutes a model of noise in such surveys, and the invention mitigates noise that obeys this model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventor: Dennis E. Willen
  • Publication number: 20110320128
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the design of a conformance control treatment for a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. The system and method include performing tracer analysis between an injection well and a production well. A flow capacity and storage capacity curve is constructed from the tracer analysis. A storage capacity associated with a threshold residence time is determined using the flow capacity and storage capacity curve. A conformance control treatment is determined for the storage capacity associated with the threshold residence time. A chemical slug is injected into the injection well to increase the flow resistance in high permeability regions of a subterranean reservoir, thereby enhancing the recovery of hydrocarbons from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: George Michael Shook
  • Publication number: 20110313670
    Abstract: Described herein are a method and apparatus for analyzing a gas sample that is conveyed in a drilling fluid, and a method and apparatus for liberating gases from drilling fluid. The gas sample contains one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane; optionally, the gas sample may also contain pentane. The gas sample is first liberated from the drilling fluid, following which it is irradiated with infrared radiation in the near-infrared range. Absorption spectra resulting from absorption of the infrared radiation by the one or more of methane, ethane, propane and butane is simultaneously detected. From the absorption spectra, the composition of the gas sample can be determined. The composition includes a concentration of any one or more of the methane, ethane, propane and butane. Linearity of absorption is increased by using relatively short wavelength infrared radiation centred on, for example, about 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: PASON SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Jason Alexander DeGreeve, Sean William Lyons Unrau, Marceau Ernest van Beurden, Ryan Henricus van Beurden
  • Patent number: 8082106
    Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided herein a system and method for the imaging and monitoring of the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs and other subsurface features, wherein the collected seismic data contain multiples therein. In brief, the instant invention is a method of removing multiples using surface-related multiple elimination (SRME), wherein wide azimuth seismic data are used to directly compute a multiple prediction via a mixed space-wavenumber-frequency domain implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Matson, John T. Etgen, Phuong Vu
  • Patent number: 8078405
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the development of a fractured hydrocarbon reservoir wherein the network permeability is determined using a reliable compromise between numerical and analytical methods which has application to oil reservoir development. The reservoir is discretized into a set of grid cells and a geometrical description of the fracture network in each cell is elaborated. A connectivity index is then deduced within each cell for the fractures. The permeability of the fracture network of the cells whose connectivity index is above a first threshold is determined and a zero permeability value is assigned in the other cells. Other thresholds can be determined so as to choose between a numerical method and an analytical method to determine the permeability. These permeabilities are exploited in a flow simulator so as to optimize the development of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Matthieu Delorme, Bernard Bourbiaux
  • Patent number: 8073665
    Abstract: A method for analyzing an oilfield network. The method includes collecting oilfield data from an oilfield network, modeling a first wellsite and a second wellsite using the oilfield data to create a first production model of the first wellsite and a second production model of the second wellsite. The method further includes modeling a sub-network of the oilfield network to create a third production model of the sub-network. The modeling of the sub-network includes identifying a junction of branches associated with the first wellsite and the second wellsite. A fourth production model is created for the junction by combining the first production model with the second production model. The production model of the sub-network is created using the fourth production model of the junction. The method further includes solving the oilfield network based on the third production model to create a production result, and storing the production result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Watters, Adrian Ferramosca, James Bennett, Daniel Lucas-Clements
  • Patent number: 8065092
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing, predicting, or prognosticating about a disease that includes obtaining experimental data, wherein the experimental data is high dimensional data, filtering the data, reducing the dimensionality of the data through use of one or more methods, training a supervised pattern recognition method, ranking individual data points from the data, wherein the ranking is dependent on the outcome of the supervised pattern recognition method, choosing multiple data points from the data, wherein the choice is based on the relative ranking of the individual data points, and using the multiple data points to determine if an unknown set of experimental data indicates a diseased condition, a predilection for a diseased condition, or a prognosis about a diseased condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Javed Khan, Markus Ringnér, Carsten Peterson, Paul Meltzer
  • Publication number: 20110282584
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rapidly estimating the hydrocarbon production potential of a subsurface hydrocarbon shale prospect or prospects. In short, the methods disclosed herein provide rapid mechanisms to determine sorbed gas storage of a shale reservoir with minimal delay and resource expenditure to aid operators in determining which prospects to exploit. In certain embodiments, an empirical implemented method for rapidly assessing hydrocarbon content of a shale reservoir comprises extracting one or more shale samples, performing a rock eval pyrolysis on the shale samples to determine certain geochemical properties of the shale, using the geochemical properties to determine a thermal maturity of the shale, determining a Langmuir volume of the shale, generating a adsorption isotherm of the shale, and determining a gas storage capacity of the shale. Advantages of the methods include a more efficient and rapid determination of shale gas storage with a minimal expenditure of resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Luis R. Baez, Douglas N. Valleau, Paul M. Basinski, Gerald Eric Michael
  • Patent number: 8050867
    Abstract: Method for conducting a seismic survey (23) wherein the acquisition parameters are modified as the survey progresses using information (24) from sensors located to monitor structures and fixtures located in the survey area. The sensor output is compared to acceptable levels, and acquisition parameters such as the seismic source strength are adjusted (26) to prevent exceeding the acceptable levels. An automated arbitration scheme (22) is used to resolve conflicting system goals within survey resource constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Marvin L. Johnson, Michael W. Norris
  • Patent number: 8050892
    Abstract: Method, apparatus, computer program and data carrier for modeling a multidimensional, heterogeneous structure using a digital processing unit, by means of a grid built up of stacks of multidimensional cells. A cell is bounded by boundary surfaces and represents at least one property of the structure. The composition of a stack, the position of the stacks in the grid and the properties represented by cells are stored in memory means by the processing unit. For modeling a discontinuity, a respective stack is divided into two or more substacks separated by separating surfaces. The composition and the position of the substacks in a respective stack are stored in the memory means. The modeling method enables an accurate and fast computation of properties of the modeled structure or space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: JOA Oil & Gas B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Petrus Adrianus Hartman
  • Publication number: 20110264373
    Abstract: Solvent-dominated hydrocarbon recovery processes use chemical solvent(s), rather than a heat-transfer agent, as the principal means to achieve hydrocarbon viscosity reduction. Such processes are fundamentally different from thermally-dominated recovery processes and have unique challenges. Field measurements described herein, such as the rate of solvent production, can be used to manage solvent-dominated hydrocarbon recovery processes, for instance for improving hydrocarbon recovery or solvent efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Owen J. Hehmeyer, Robert D. Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 8041510
    Abstract: A system and method monitor a hydrocarbon reservoir for drainage in volumetric three dimensions. Monitoring between wells is imperative for optimum reservoir management and is achieved by mapping the hydrocarbon fluid pathways in a producing reservoir. Unlike conventional 4D or time-lapse reflection seismic imaging systems that use a controlled active seismic source and records reflected seismic energy at receivers, the system and method exploit the minute vibrations, or micro-earthquakes generated in the reservoir layers that are induced by fluid movement. These microseisms are detected as the fluids move in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shivaji N. Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 8032303
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a concentration of nitrogen in a downhole fluid are described. An example apparatus to determine a concentration of nitrogen in a downhole fluid includes a fluid measurement unit to measure a first fluid composition and a density of at least a hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in a sample of the downhole fluid. Additionally, the example apparatus includes one or more sensors to measure at least a pressure and a temperature of the sample. Further, the example apparatus includes a processing unit to determine a first theoretical density based on at least the first fluid composition, the temperature, and the pressure the sample. Further still, the example apparatus includes an analyzer to determine a first difference between the density of at least the hydrocarbon and the carbon dioxide in the sample and the first theoretical density. The first difference is associated with a concentration of nitrogen in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Go Fujisawa, Chee Kin Khong, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 8030934
    Abstract: A method is proposed for a marine electromagnetic survey based on the TM mode, for the purpose of prospecting for and detecting subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs. The method includes an electromagnetic field source (1113) that, in a submerged, essentially vertical transmitter antenna, generates and injects electric current pulses (81,82) with a sharply defined termination. An electromagnetic field generated by these pulses (81,82) is measured by at least one receiver (1109) provided with an essentially vertical receiver antenna (1111) submerged in water, during the interval when the current in the transmitter antenna (1108) of the electromagnetic field source (1113) is switched off. The distance between the electromagnetic field source (1113) and the at least one receiver (1109) is smaller than the depth of the target object. An apparatus is also described, for implementation of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Hydrocarbon Mapping AS
    Inventors: Pavel Barsukov, Eduard B. Fainberg, Bension Sh. Singer
  • Patent number: 8027795
    Abstract: A method and system for establishing a load model (120) that utilizes a measurement from a second monitor (140) to estimate a value taken by a first monitor (150). A base load value associated with a load (160) is collected. The load model (120) is applied to the base load value, yielding an estimated load value. The estimated load value is representative of at least one measured load value for the load (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Power Measurement Ltd.
    Inventors: John C. Van Gorp, Shaun M Hope, Peter Cowan, Matthew Stanlake
  • Patent number: 8010292
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting abnormal operation of a hydrocracker includes a hydrocracker model. The model may be configurable to include one or more regression models corresponding to different operating regions of the portion of the hydrocracker. The system and method may also determine if a monitored temperature difference variable deviates significantly from the temperature difference variable predicted by the model. If there is a significant deviation, this may indicate an abnormal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kant, John Philip Miller, Tautho Hai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8005658
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Gerhard Tilke, William J. Bailey, Benoit Couet, Michael Prange, Martin Crick
  • Patent number: 7979211
    Abstract: Method and computer program for accepting controlled-source electromagnetic (“CSEM”) source and receiver data (40) as time series, transforming these data into the time-frequency domain, and reducing these data and survey metadata to a form suitable for interpretation or inversion. The invention includes: a number of processing tools or programs (30), each designed to take a specific action on CSEM data or metadata, combine data types in some way, and/or provide a visual representation of data; a Graphical User Interface (32) to specify the action of specific tools (34) on specific data, supply parameters to tools, and monitor progress of the processing project; and a specified common internal data format, so that processing tools may be applied in various orders (36) during different processing flows and processed CSEM data can be passed on to interpretation or inversion systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Xinyou Lu, Dennis E. Willen
  • Patent number: 7970549
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, system, method and computer program and computer program product for analyzing cellular samples. One embodiment of the apparatus and method provides a multiparameter assay that provides information with respect to cell proliferation, cell cycling and cell death. The multiparameter assay is particularly useful for assessing and screening candidate compounds for anti-cancer utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Rigel Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    Inventors: Susan Catalano, John McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 7970593
    Abstract: A method for gradually modifying a geological model representative of an underground reservoir to respect fixed average proportions of lithologic facies. A group of facies is selected and a subgroup of associated facies are selected. A transformation parameter is defined by the ratio between the average proportions of the facies of the association and the selection. Within the context of historical matching, a difference between measured dynamic data values and values calculated by a flow simulator from the geological model is measured. An optimization algorithm is used to obtain therefrom a new value for the transformation parameter that minimizes the difference and the transformation is applied to the lithologic facies of the selection. The modification can be applied to the entire model or to a given zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Frédéric Roggero, Guillaume Enchery, Catherine Ponsot-Jacquin
  • Publication number: 20110144913
    Abstract: An empirical method of measuring water saturation in hydrocarbon bearing formations is described. The system described herein accurately calculates water saturation, formation volume, total organic carbon, and other formation parameters under a variety of formation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: James D. Klein, Jesús M. Salazar
  • Patent number: 7953585
    Abstract: A method of managing a fluid or gas reservoir is disclosed which assimilates diverse data having different acquisition time scales and spatial scales of coverage for iteratively producing a reservoir development plan that is used for optimizing an overall performance of a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
    Inventors: Omer M. Gurpinar, David J. Rossi, Vidya B. Verma, Philip W. Pantella
  • Publication number: 20110088949
    Abstract: A method and system for characterizing formation fluids contaminated with drilling mud that compensates for the presence of such drilling mud. The operations that characterize formation fluids contaminated with drilling mud can be carried out in real-time. The operations also characterize a wide array of fluid properties of petroleum samples contaminated with drilling mud in a manner that compensates for the presence of drilling mud. The operations characterize the viscosity and density of petroleum samples contaminated with drilling mud at formation conditions in a manner that compensates for differences between formation conditions and flowline measurement conditions. The operations also derive live fluid density unaffected by contamination of mud filtrate based on a scaling coefficient dependent on measured gas-oil ratio of the formation fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Youxiang (Jullan) Zuo, Dingan (Dan) Zhang, Dong Chengli, Oliver C. Mullins, Michael O'Keefe
  • Publication number: 20110087435
    Abstract: A waveform design method is presented for controlled source electromagnetic surveying. A desired source spectrum (82) is specified based on a desired resistivity depth image resolution (81) with spectral amplitudes determined by expected noise levels (83). Techniques are disclosed for designing a source waveform to match the desired source spectrum. When better resolution is desired at a target zone, this leads to a required clustering of frequency components. A modulated waveform can be used to provide this clustering of frequency components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Scott C. Hornbostel
  • Patent number: 7925443
    Abstract: Method for conducting an efficient and interpretable controlled-source electromagnetic reconnaissance survey for buried hydrocarbons. While a part of the survey area is being set up for measurement and data are being acquired, data from a nearby part of the survey area, surveyed just previously, are being rapidly processed and analyzed. If the analysis shows resistive anomalies of interest in a portion of a survey area, a fine-grid survey is quickly designed for that portion, and that survey is conducted next before moving source and receivers to a more distant part of the survey area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Leslie A. Wahrmund, Dmitriy Pavlov, Leonard J. Srnka
  • Patent number: 7920970
    Abstract: An improved method and system for characterizing the compositional components of a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest and analyzing fluid properties of the reservoir of interest based upon its compositional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Youxiang (Julian) Zuo, Moin Muhammad, Jiabao (Jack) Zhu, Dingan (Dan) Zhang
  • Patent number: 7917294
    Abstract: A method for estimating a distribution of pore sizes of a fluid filled rock formation penetrated by a borehole, the method including: processing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data to determine a distribution of diffusion coefficients and a distribution of relaxation time constants for at least one depth in the borehole; plotting the distribution of diffusion coefficients and the distribution of relaxation time constants as a cross-plot for the at least one depth; identifying a water line on the cross-plot, each point on the water line having substantially the same value for the diffusion coefficient; and estimating the distribution of pore sizes from the distribution of relaxation time constants plotted along the water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel F. Coope, Osamah Gh. A. Gh. Albannaw
  • Patent number: 7912649
    Abstract: Joint processing of seismic and controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) surface data is performed by using a common rock physics model which relates reservoir properties (such as porosity, lithology, saturation, and shaliness) to surface seismic AVO (or AVA) data. This allows one to determine how perturbations in the reservoir properties affect surface data. This can be carried out by systematically changing the reservoir properties and examining the effect on the synthetic data. This allows the hydrocarbon type of a reservoir to be established, e.g. oil or gas, as well as the saturation level of the hydrocarbon in the reservoir, which is useful for determining whether the reservoir has a non-commercial, low hydrocarbon saturation or a commercial, high hydrocarbon saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: OHM Limited
    Inventors: Peter Harris, Joel Walls
  • Publication number: 20110054797
    Abstract: Techniques for a maximum entropy approach to assigning probabilities, including those used in multiple realization history matching systems and methods, are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a method includes obtaining one or more available sample values Yi associated with a reservoir; computing a maximum entropy assignment ? of one or more discrete probabilities Pi(Yi) associated with each of the one or more available sample values Yi, where each discrete probability Pi(Yi) represents a probability that one or more variables Y will take a set of particular values Yi; and performing at least one determination regarding the reservoir using the maximum entropy assignment ?, including approximating a continuous probability distribution P(Y) using a sum of probability distributions Pi(Yi)+/??.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael John Williams
  • Patent number: RE42245
    Abstract: A method of real time field wide reservoir management comprising the steps of processing collected field wide reservoir data in accordance with one or more predetermined algorithms to obtain a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast, generating a signal to one or more individual well control devices instructing the device to increase or decrease flow through the well control device, transmitting the signal to the individual well control device, opening or closing the well control device in response to the signal to increase or decrease the production for one or more selected wells on a real time basis. The system for field wide reservoir management comprising a CPU for processing collected field wide reservoir data, generating a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast and calculating a target production rate for one or more wells and one or more down hole production/injection control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Thomas, Craig William Godfrey, William Launey Vidrine, Jerry Wayne Wauters, Douglas Donald Seller