Well Logging Or Borehole Study Patents (Class 702/6)
  • Patent number: 10567409
    Abstract: A method for implementing automatic and scalable log pattern learning in security log analysis is provided. The method includes collecting security logs generated by a computer system. An incremental learning process is implemented to generate a set of log patterns from the collected security logs. The collected security logs are parsed using the set of log patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Zhang, Jianwu Xu, Bo Zong
  • Patent number: 10557333
    Abstract: A segregated flow mechanism of oil and water usually takes place in the presence of strong gravity forces in subsurface environments, having specific geometrical and petrophysical properties undergoing simultaneous flow of multiphase fluids. The segregated flow of oil and water is modeled as a two-layer reservoir system, based on the observed data. Accurate estimates or measures of the values of phase mobility of oil and water, in addition to the actual flow capacity of the formation are provided. Reliable reservoir characterizations and reserve estimations are provided based on the in-situ conditions of oil and water in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hasan A. Nooruddin, Noor M. Anisur Rahman
  • Patent number: 10487641
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wireless emergency stop of automated machines. A method may include inputting into an electrical control system association information indicative of which one or more of a plurality of electronically controlled automated machines at a worksite are to be associated with a wireless communicator, and operating the wireless communicator to cause the one or more associated machines to stop operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Shunfeng Zheng, Joergen K. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 10480289
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a fracturability index for use in identifying fracture locations and propagation in subterranean formations. A well path can be divided into a plurality of segments and the order of fracture locations along the path can be identified. Such an order is based on an optimal fracture stage from a production point of view followed by subsequent fracture stages. The above steps or operations can be repeated with respect to additional paths to generate data for use in determining prioritized segments and identifying fracture locations and propagation in subterranean formations. Such data can be compiled in the context of a fracturability index map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Tech University System
    Inventors: Ahmed Alzahabi, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Noah Everett Berlow, Timothy Michael Spinner
  • Patent number: 10480314
    Abstract: In one aspect, methods may include quantifying a pore-scale heterogeneity of a porous medium; determining an adjusted pore volume to breakthrough based on the pore scale heterogeneity determined; and designing a stimulating fluid treatment for the porous medium. Other aspects may include the development of a wellbore stimulation methodology that allows stimulation fluid breakthrough curves of differing formation samples to be plotted as a single curve that accounts for the varied pore structure of the respective samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Murtaza Ziauddin, Ahmed S. Zakaria, Hisham Nasr-El-Din
  • Patent number: 10474642
    Abstract: Methods and systems for log management include pre-processing heterogeneous logs and performing a log management action on the pre-processed plurality of heterogeneous logs. Pre-processing the logs includes performing a fixed tokenization of the heterogeneous logs based on a predefined set of symbols, performing a flexible tokenization of the heterogeneous logs based on a user-defined set of rules, converting timestamps in the heterogeneous logs to a single target timestamp format, and performing structural log tokenization of the heterogeneous logs based on user-defined structural information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Jianwu Xu, Biplob Debnath, Hui Zhang, Guofei Jiang
  • Patent number: 10450860
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a subterranean formation traversed by a wellbore includes generating a reservoir model using data collected from the formation, generating a perturbation object comprising a perturbation of the wellbore, integrating the perturbation object with the reservoir model, and forming a geological model wherein the perturbation object is integrated in the reservoir model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Valery Polyakov, Dzevat Omeragic, Torbjørn Vik, Tarek M. Habashy
  • Patent number: 10449578
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 10443217
    Abstract: A supply network for supplying consumers with a medium is provided. Based on a reduction of data and a subsequent reconstruction of at least one pressure and/or flow value, the state at least at one further location in the supply network can be determined without having to be measured. An improved actuation of the at least one pump and/or of the at least one valve is thus possible. A device for pressure control in a supply network is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Moritz Allmaras, Jan Christoph Wehrstedt, Utz Wever
  • Patent number: 10435996
    Abstract: A segregated flow mechanism of oil and water usually takes place in the presence of strong gravity forces in subsurface environments, having specific geometrical and petrophysical properties undergoing simultaneous flow of multiphase fluids. The segregated flow of oil and water is modeled as a two-layer reservoir system, based on the observed data. Accurate estimates or measures of the values of phase mobility of oil and water, in addition to the actual flow capacity of the formation are provided. Reliable reservoir characterizations and reserve estimations are provided based on the in-situ conditions of oil and water in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hasan A. Nooruddin, Noor M. Anisur Rahman
  • Patent number: 10430530
    Abstract: A method for generating a visual representation of wellbore drilling parameters includes representing a predetermined length of drilled wellbore as a two dimensional shape, wherein one dimension of the shape corresponds to the predetermined length and the other dimension of the shape corresponds to at least one of a drilling parameter, a statistical measure of a drilling parameter and an environmental parameter. In a computer, values of the at least one of a drilling parameter, a statistical measure of a drilling or environmental parameter and an environmental parameter are received as input. The two dimensional shape is plotted in a visual representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Meehan
  • Patent number: 10428639
    Abstract: Damage to a casing string in a wellbore resulting from a wellbore operation can be predicted. For example, a stiff string model can be used to determine a contact point between the casing string and a well tool positionable within the casing string for performing the wellbore operation. The stiff string model can be used to determine a force of the well tool against the casing string at the contact point. The force can be used to determine a volume of damage to the casing string proximate to the contact point. A depth of a groove formed in the casing string proximate to the contact point can be determined based on the volume of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Aniket, Adolfo Gonzales, Robello Samuel, Robert D. Gilcrist
  • Patent number: 10429532
    Abstract: A technique facilitates estimating elastic properties of formations by exciting a wavefield and acquiring the signal with and without azimuthal decompositions. For example, the elastic properties may be estimated by exciting a multipole wavefield and acquiring the signal with and without the azimuthal decomposition. The technique is effective for estimating elastic properties of azimuthally homogeneous and heterogeneous formations including isotropic and anisotropic formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Sakiyama, Denis Syresin
  • Patent number: 10400548
    Abstract: System and methods of modeling fluids in a simulation of fluid production in a multi-reservoir system with a common surface network are provided. Pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) data is determined for fluids in each of a plurality of reservoirs coupled to the common surface network. A shared equation of state (EOS) characterization representing each of the fluids across the plurality of reservoirs is generated based on the corresponding PVT data. Data representing properties of the fluids in each reservoir is calculated based on the shared EOS characterization of the fluids. When the calculated data is determined not to match the PVT data associated with the fluids in each reservoir, to the shared EOS characterization is adjusted based on a difference between the calculated data and the PVT data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Wong, Graham Fleming
  • Patent number: 10401529
    Abstract: Fast-changing dip formation resistivity estimation methods and systems, including a formation resistivity estimation method that includes estimating an initial horizontal resistivity based upon acquired formation logging data and determining an initial value set of one or more value sets. The method further includes determining each additional value set of the one or more value sets using a 1-dimensional inversion initialized with a previously determined value set of the one or more value sets, and displaying a final value set of the one or more value sets. Each of the 1-dimensional inversions is performed using a cross-bedded formation model, and each of the one or more value sets includes one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of a horizontal resistivity, a vertical resistivity, a formation dip angle, a formation azimuth angle, a tool inclination angle, a tool azimuth angle and a depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dagang Wu, Luis E. San Martin, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10387591
    Abstract: System and methods of simulating fluid production in a multi-reservoir system with a common surface network are provided. Black oil data is matched with a common equation of state (EOS) model for each of a plurality of reservoirs. The black oil data representing fluids within each reservoir. At least one multi-dimensional black oil table representing a mix of the fluid components to be produced from each of the plurality of reservoirs via the common surface network is generated based on the EOS model that matches the one or more black oil tables for each reservoir. Properties of the fluids in the mix during a simulation of fluid production from the plurality of reservoirs are calculated based on the generated multi-dimensional black oil table for each reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Wong, Graham C. Fleming
  • Patent number: 10386515
    Abstract: Fracture orientation ambiguity in the results of amplitude variation with offset and azimuth inversion is overcome by using additional geological information. Methods, apparatus and executable codes stored on non-transitory media cause, for each interface encountered by traces in a CMP gather, calculating angle-dependent azimuthal Fourier coefficients, performing a nonlinear inversion of amplitude versus offset and azimuth, AVOAz, equations built using the angle-dependent azimuthal Fourier coefficients to determine possible fracture orientations, and selecting one of the possible fracture orientations using constraints based on the additional geological information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Jonathan Downton
  • Patent number: 10379239
    Abstract: A computing system and method for determining the x, y energy receiver (node) positions regardless of the angle at which the energy was released from the source. The process and computing system involves an iterative looping technique that is executed in data processing software wherein an initial model position based on, in essence, a best guess as to a node's location, followed with the iterative process of statistically comparing model data to actual data and then adjusting the model position by some predetermined amount and comparing this new result to the actual data to determine if the newly adjusted position is statistically better or worse than the originally selected position assumption. The process can be repeated using continuously smaller distance adjustments to the previously determined best position. Once satisfied that the true best position has been achieved, the processing can cease and the XY position data may be used in the normal course of generating seismic maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Carsten Udengaard
  • Patent number: 10370964
    Abstract: A method of estimating one or more properties of an earth formation includes disposing a carrier in a borehole in an earth formation as part of an energy industry operation, receiving borehole fluid from the borehole, estimating at least one property of the borehole fluid associated with one or more intervals along the borehole, and generating a mud log that indicates values of the at least one property at the one or more intervals, the at least one property including at least one of gas content and cuttings content. The method also includes estimating, by a processor, one or more properties of the formation based on the mud log, the one or more properties selected from at least one of lithology, permeability, total organic carbon and brittleness, and controlling one or more operational parameters of the energy industry operation based on the one or more properties of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wenxia Yang, Xiaomei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10353094
    Abstract: A method includes applying acoustic waves to the formation and detecting acoustic waves to acquire acoustic data. The method further includes determining (i) at least one of elastic constant C13 and elastic constant C23, (ii) elastic constant C33, (iii) at least one of elastic constant C44 and elastic constant C55, and (iv) elastic constant C66 using the acquired acoustic data. Elastic constant C11 is determined using elastic constant C33, at least one of elastic constant C44 and elastic constant C55, elastic constant C66, and a relationship between Thomsen parameter gamma and Thomsen parameter epsilon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bikash K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 10352161
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Adriaan Gisolf, Kang Wang, Ryan Sangjun Lee
  • Patent number: 10345465
    Abstract: Techniques involve obtaining acoustic data (including waves reflected from the casing, the annular fill material, the formation, and/or interfaces between any of the mud, the casing, and the annular fill material) from an acoustic logging tool. Techniques include normalizing the acoustic wave to result in a normalized wave having a comparable spectral shape with a reference wave, and comparing the normalized wave with the reference wave. The reference wave may be generated or modeled or produced from a look-up table or database, and may be estimated based on initial estimates of wellbore parameters. Based on the comparison of the normalized wave with the reference wave, a best-fit reference wave substantially matching the normalized wave may be identified. The best-fit reference wave may correspond with a thickness of the casing, an acoustic impedance of the annular fill material, and an acoustic impedance of mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikhail Lemarenko, Christoph Klieber, Sylvain Thierry, Sandip Bose, Smaine Zeroug
  • Patent number: 10349151
    Abstract: A method may include providing one or more telemetry transmission systems, the one or more transmission systems comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. The method may also include transmitting a first synchronization sequence from the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the first synchronization sequence transmitted in a first channel, and the first synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a first telemetry signal. In addition, the method may include transmitting a second synchronization sequence the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the second synchronization sequence transmitted in a second channel, and the second synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a second telemetry signal. The first and second synchronization sequences may be transmitted simultaneously or at a predetermined time difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew White, Timothy Whitacre, Brian Gleason, Mohamed Youssef
  • Patent number: 10337313
    Abstract: In one example, an integrated well survey management and planning tool is implemented by a computer system. The tool can receive survey data describing a well being drilled from a surface to a subterranean geological target to be reached by drilling the well. The well is associated with a target trajectory on which the well is to be drilled from the surface to the subterranean geological target. Based, at least in part, on the survey data and the target trajectory, the tool determines an uncertainty indicator indicating an uncertainty in drilling the well on the target trajectory, and displays the uncertainty indicator in a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburotn Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Johannes Dirksen
  • Patent number: 10330818
    Abstract: Various resistivity logging tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. At least some system embodiments include a logging tool and at least one processor. The logging tool provides transmitter-receiver coupling measurements that include at least direct coupling along the longitudinal tool axis (Czz), direct coupling along the perpendicular axis (Cxx or Cyy), and cross coupling along the longitudinal and perpendicular axes (Cxz, Cyz, Czx, or Czy). The processor combines a plurality of the coupling measurements to obtain inversion parameters. Based at least in part on the inversion parameter, the processor performs an inversion process to determine a vertical conductivity and, based in part on the vertical conductivity, determines borehole corrected values for said transmitter-receiver coupling measurements. One or more of the borehole corrected values can be provided as a function of borehole position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Junsheng Hou, Luis E. San Martin, Dagang Wu
  • Patent number: 10317204
    Abstract: A near-bit dynamic well deviation angle measurement apparatus includes a circuit board and 2n+1 accelerometers. One accelerometer is installed in an axial direction of a drilling tool and forms n sets of three-axis orthogonal installation together with other 2n accelerometers. The accelerometer installed in the axial direction measures Az?, and the remaining accelerometers respectively measure n X-axis radial components and n Y-axis radial components corresponding to the n X-axis radial components. A filter and a data processing unit are integrated on the circuit board. The circuit board acquires signals in which the components are eliminated by the accelerators in real time, and further high-frequency vibration and impact interference in the signals are filtered out by using the filter to obtain non-interference gravitational acceleration components Ax, Ay and Az, and further a well deviation angle is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Yuntao Sun, Wenxuan Chen, Wenxiu Zhang, Yongyou Yang, Jian Zheng
  • Patent number: 10309799
    Abstract: Various implementations directed to correction of rotation rate measurements are provided. In one implementation, a method may include receiving rotation rate measurements about a first axis and a second axis from first gyroscopic sensors. The method may include receiving a first rotation rate measurement about a third axis from a second gyroscopic sensor. The method may include determining an estimated rotation rate measurement about the third axis based on the rotation rate measurements about the first axis and the second axis. The method may include determining a bias value based on a difference between the first rotation rate measurement about the third axis and the estimated rotation rate measurement. The method may include receiving second rotation rate measurements about the third axis from the second gyroscopic sensor. The method may include correcting the second rotation rate measurements about the third axis based on the determined bias value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Gyrodata, Incorporated
    Inventor: Adrián Guillermo Ledroz
  • Patent number: 10294774
    Abstract: A method for evaluating a planned well trajectory for avoidance of collision with an existing wellbore includes constructing a bounding box about the planned well trajectory and a bounding box for a trajectory of at least one existing wellbore. If there is no intersection between the bounding boxes, the planned well trajectory is used for drilling a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren Lee Aklestad, Chun Wang, Lu Jiang, Nannan Zhang
  • Patent number: 10287878
    Abstract: In some aspects, injection fluid is flowed into a closed wellbore in a subterranean region. Wellbore pressure in response to flowing the injection fluid into the closed wellbore is measured. A plot representing a wellbore pressure in response to cumulative injection fluid volumes is substantially linear is determined. After determining the plot is linear, a first injection fluid pressure measured in response to flowing the injection fluid deviates from the substantially linear plot by a first variance greater than a threshold variance is determined. A second injection fluid pressure measured in response to flowing the injection fluid deviates from the substantially linear plot by a second variance greater than the threshold variance is determined. In response to the above two determinations, flow of injection fluid into the closed wellbore is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hermann F. Spoerker
  • Patent number: 10288766
    Abstract: A computer-based method of conditioning reservoir model data includes performing a modeling process within a 3D stratigraphic grid to generate an initial model including one or more facies objects within the model volume, the modeling process including parametric distributions, initial and boundary conditions as well as depositional and erosional events to define the facies objects within the model volume. The mismatch between this initial model and the conditioning well data and potential input trend model is applied to compute a locally variable constraint model. The method further includes executing a multiple point statistics simulation with this constraint model that varies between completely constrained by the initial model at locations where the initial model is consistent with known well data and potential input trend models, and unconstrained by the initial model at locations where the initial model does not match known well data or potential input trend models to allow conformance to the known data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Pyrcz, Sebastien Strebelle, Tao Sun
  • Patent number: 10277248
    Abstract: Systems and method provide for consistent throughput of one or more compression engines. Data received from an input stream is stored in a buffer. Data is read from the buffer and distributed to the compression engines. Latency of the compression engines is monitored. If latency exceeds a threshold, data is read from the buffer and written to an output stream simultaneously with reading of data and inputting it to the compression engines. Data from the input stream may be evaluated for likely compressibility and non-compressible data may be written to the output stream bypassing both the buffer and the compression engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Tidal Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Meng Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 10260317
    Abstract: A computer system and method of automatically generating a Local Grid Refinement (LGR) gridded model of a gas reservoir. A geologic file includes information identifying the locations of one or more wells according to root grid cells within a volume of the earth to be modeled. User inputs specify the number of hydraulic fractures from each well, and such parameters as the fracture length, etc. User inputs also specify the number of “splits” of the root grid cells containing hydraulic fractures; those root grid cells are then split into finer resolution grid cells of increasing width within the root grid cells containing the fractures. For horizontal wells, user inputs indicate the number of splits of root grid cells containing the lateral portions of the wellbore. Non-orthogonal and complex fractures are processed by a “nested” LGR approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Yafes Abacioglu, Harun Ates, Herbert Sebastian
  • Patent number: 10241231
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (EXP) for exploiting a subterranean medium by means of a fractured reservoir model. The fractured reservoir model is matched (CAL) for a set of chosen wells (CHO), for which the measured dynamic data (DD) correspond to the estimated dynamic data by means of an equivalent transmissivity model (MOD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Arnaud Lange, Chakib Kada Kloucha
  • Patent number: 10233744
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for profiling steam injected into a formation. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a dataset of temperature surveillance data, acoustic surveillance data, surface injection data, downhole pressure measurement device data, downhole temperature measurement device data, or any combination thereof. The method further include determining annular temperature profiles, tubing temperature profiles, behind liner temperature profiles, or any combination thereof from the dataset based on configuration of the fiber optic surveillance system in the well and design of the well. The method further includes using flow diagnostic results based on the dataset, the annular temperature profiles, the tubing temperature profiles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Mahdy Shirdel, Michael John Wells, Richard Scot Buell, Jackie C. Sims
  • Patent number: 10227865
    Abstract: Systems and methods compute dysfunctions via mapping of tri-axial accelerations of drill pipe into drill-string motions. The methods remove gravitational and centripetal accelerations to yield corrected acceleration data due to the vibration only, transform the corrected acceleration data, and maps resulting transformed acceleration data into continuous drill-string positions. The maps provide 2D/3D visualization of drill-string motions to enable real-time optimization and control of well drilling operations and other scenarios where proactive detection of temporal events in automated systems may aid in avoiding failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen K. Chiu, Phil D. Anno
  • Patent number: 10215013
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for stimulating a reservoir is disclosed. A slurry is supplied to the work string at the surface, which work string extends from the surface location to a downhole location adjacent the reservoir. A parameter of the slurry is measured at the downhole location and transmitted to the surface location. A control unit at the surface location receives the measured parameter of the slurry and estimates a fracture conductivity of the reservoir using the measured parameter of the slurry. The control unit may alter the parameter of the slurry at the surface location to obtain a selected fracture conductivity to stimulate the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Brett R. Collins
  • Patent number: 10208577
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium is presented for use in enhancing oil recovery in a subsurface reservoir comprising. The method, system and computer readable medium defines a plurality of grid levels on a geological model of a subsurface reservoir. Connectivities and transmissibilities are calculated between neighboring cells in the same grid and between connecting cells between different grid levels. Gas and/or fluid dynamics are simulated using dynamic grid refinement where the connectivities and transmissibilities are updated at each time step based on the previously calculated connectivities and transmissibilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Hussein Hoteit, Adwait Chawathe
  • Patent number: 10197695
    Abstract: A method for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the method comprising generating a first transient electromagnetic fields with a transmitter on a carrier located outside of the borehole and receiving associated signals, calculating a bucking coefficient using the measured signals, conveying the carrier through a borehole, generating a second transient electromagnetic field and receiving associated signals, calculating, a bucked signal using the bucking coefficient and the downhole signals, calculating synthetic formation signals, calculating synthetic formations signals by applying a Duhamel's integral to the measured signals and the synthetic formation signals, calculating a synthetic bucked signal, and performing an inversion of a formation model to estimate a property of the formation such that an inverted synthetic bucked signal and an inverted bucked signal coincide within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Sushant M. Dutta, Steven Allen Morris, Marina Nikitenko
  • Patent number: 10161891
    Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of oilfield exploration and development, and particularly relates to a method for characterizing the rock physical characteristics of deeply buried carbonate rocks, comprising the following steps: determining a rock type of a rock thin section by identifying the surface structure characteristics of the rock thin section corresponding to a core plunger sample; performing a normal pressure nuclear magnetic resonance test and rock physical characteristic tests on the core plunger sample; establishing an identification plate, a first relation, a second relation and a third relation; characterizing the rock physical characteristics of a target rock sample under normal pressure and its buried depth according to the normal pressure nuclear magnetic resonance test result and the overburden pressure nuclear magnetic resonance test result of the target rock sample respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Fei Tian, Xu Xue, Naigui Liu, Changchun Yang
  • Patent number: 10161228
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of formulating an empirical correlation model that estimates inflow performance relationship (IPR) of a snaky well. The model provisions for determining inclination and azimuth direction of the snaky well. A plurality of grid models is simulated for a predetermined well bottom-hole pressure. The grid models are validated by comparing the response of each grid to the response of a horizontal well. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of the snaky well parameters on the IPR of the snaky well. Additionally, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine Vogel based quadratic coefficient that estimates the IPR of the snaky well. A transformation of the snaky well parameters is performed in order to determine a sum of squared errors, whereafter a linear weighting of the transformed parameters is computed to determine a correlation parameter of the empirical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bramasto Cinde Adam, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 10139519
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automated rock physics modeling. The method includes the steps of (a) pre-processing data obtained from a suite of logging tools over a range of depths; (b) using an automated, computer-implemented procedure to determine a solution to an inverse problem associated with the rock physics model using the data from step (a), the solution including a list of optimal parameters; (c) performing a forward run of the rock physics model; and (d) computing a set of rock mechanical properties using the optimal parameters obtained in step (b). A computer program product for automated rock physics modeling is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Jerome Lewandowski
  • Patent number: 10107932
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems, for predicting casing leaks. One computer-implemented method includes obtaining raw electromagnetic (EM) corrosion data for a hotspot, wherein the raw EM corrosion data includes a metal thickness loss value for the hotspot; determining a corrosion parameter based on the raw EM corrosion data; generating a probability distribution curve for the corrosion parameter; generating a corrosion severity classification matrix based on the probability distribution curve, wherein the corrosion severity classification matrix includes a plurality of corrosion severity classes and cutoff values for each of the plurality of corrosion severity classes; and assigning the hotspot into one of the plurality of corrosion severity classes based on the corrosion severity classification matrix and the corrosion parameter of the hotspot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulrahman Mishkhes, Mohammed D. Al-Ajmi, Mubarak J. Al-Shammari
  • Patent number: 10087738
    Abstract: Various downhole logging tools and methods of using and making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a downhole logging tool for inspecting a well casing is provided that includes a housing adapted to be supported in the well casing by a support cable. A transmitter is positioned in the housing and operable to generate a magnetic field. Plural receivers are positioned in the housing in circumferentially-spaced apart relation and are operable to sense the magnetic field with azimuthal sensitivity. Electronic circuitry is operatively coupled to the receivers to determine a parameter of the sensed magnetic field and determine a characteristic of the well casing based on the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Probe Technology Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10060248
    Abstract: In some example embodiments, a system includes a drill string having a drill bit. The drill string extends through at least part of a well bore. The system also includes a first vibrational sensor, positioned on the drill bit to measure, at a first location on the drill string, an amplitude of one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system also includes a second vibrational sensor, positioned above the drill bit and on the drill string. The second vibration sensor is to measure, at a second location on the drill string, one or more of an axial vibration and a lateral vibration. The system includes a processor unit to determine a type of vibration based on a comparison of the amplitude at the first location to the amplitude at the second location, wherein the type of vibration is at least one of bit whirl of the drill bit and a while of a bottom hole assembly that is part of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul F. Rodney, Chenkang David Chen, Carl A. Robbins
  • Patent number: 10053955
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for controlling an extraction of landfill gas flow (LFG) from a plurality of wellheads at a landfill. The system has a first wellhead located at the landfill, a first processor having a first rule set, and a first LFG flow control valve controllable by the first processor. A second wellhead is located at the landfill in a vicinity of the first wellhead and has a second processor and a second LFG flow control valve. The second processor has a second rule set and is operable to control the second LFG flow control valve. The first and second processors use their said rule sets to control the first and second LFG flow control valves, respectively, to control an LFG flow through their said first and second wellheads, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Q.E.D. Environmental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Fischer, David Mioduszewski
  • Patent number: 10036245
    Abstract: A methodology for IPTT (interval pressure transient testing) design which allows estimation of the reliability of the transient tests. A normally distributed random noise is superimposed on analytical pressure profile computed for a given formation, PVT, and gauge metrology. The IPTT success in a particular environment is estimated based on the theoretical pressure derivative and noise superimposed pressure derivative. This approach is repeated for a range of rock, fluid properties, and practical limits, for a successful IPTT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prasanna Kumar Tellapaneni, Richard Jackson, Sourabh Shukla, Harshad Dixit
  • Patent number: 10030504
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving signals in azimuthally acoustic LWD includes a drill collar body, a circuit mounting frame, a receiving transducer, a sealing connector, a preposed processing circuit module, a first receiving signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the transducer, distance detecting sensors, at least one set of plugging assemblies, an electrical connector and a second receiving signal processing circuit for processing signals from the distance detecting sensors. The circuit mounting frame is located inside the drill collar body and connected with the drill collar body. The receiving apparatus integrates a borehole diameter measurement system and an azimuthally acoustic while drilling receiving system on one drill collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Jian Zheng, Qingyun Di, Wenxuan Chen, Wenxiu Zhang, Yuntao Sun, Yongyou Yang
  • Patent number: 9988902
    Abstract: Methods for determining the quality of data gathered in a wellbore in a subterranean formation including (a) collecting a formation fluid sample in the wellbore in the subterranean formation using a formation tester for receiving the formation fluid, wherein the formation tester is lowered to at least one depth in the wellbore in the subterranean formation by a conveyor; (b) acquiring a wellbore measurement (“WM”) from the least one depth with the formation tester; (c) determining from the WM a measured quality value (“MQV”); (d) assigning a threshold value (“TV”) to the MQV; (e) assigning a range value (“RV”) to the MQV, based on geometric scaling of the TV, the RV defining the limits of the MQV above and below the TV; and (f) calculating a score value (“SV”) based on the MQV, the TV, and the RV, wherein the SV is a number between 0 and 2*TV, and wherein the quality of the WM increases as the SV increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Proett, Sami Eyuboglu
  • Patent number: 9982534
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for communicating data representing formatted characteristics of a borehole from a downhole location to a surface location. A sensor array downhole produces a first data set from which a plurality of coefficients for use in a one-dimensional angular function are determined. The coefficients are transmitted to the surface to allow a second data set to be prepared representing the first data set. Other systems and methods are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon L. Moake
  • Patent number: 9957791
    Abstract: A method for determining a stimulated rock volume includes determining a position of a plurality of seismic events from seismic signals recorded in response to pumping fracturing fluid into a formation penetrated by a wellbore. The signals generated by recording output of a plurality of seismic receivers disposed proximate a volume of the Earth's subsurface to be evaluated. A source mechanism of each seismic event is determined and is used to determine a fracture volume and orientation of a fracture associated with each seismic event. A volume of each fracture, beginning with fractures closest to a wellbore in which the fracturing fluid was pumped is subtracted from a total volume of proppant pumped with the fracture fluid until all proppant volume is associated with fractures. A stimulated rock volume is determined from the total volume of fractures associated with the volume of proppant pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSEISMIC, INC.
    Inventor: Carl W. Neuhaus