Well Or Reservoir Patents (Class 703/10)
-
Publication number: 20140136173Abstract: A hydraulic fracture design model that simulates the complex physical process of fracture propagation in the earth driven by the injected fluid through a wellbore. An objective in the model is to adhere with the laws of physics governing the surface deformation of the created fracture subjected to the fluid pressure, the fluid flow in the gap formed by the opposing fracture surfaces, the propagation of the fracture front, the transport of the proppant in the fracture carried by the fluid, and the leakoff of the fracturing fluid into the permeable rock. The models used in accordance with methods of the invention are typically based on the assumptions and the mathematical equations for the conventional 2D or P3D models, and further take into account the network of jointed fracture segments. For each fracture segment, the mathematical equations governing the fracture deformation and fluid flow apply.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Xiaowei Weng, Edward Siebrits
-
Publication number: 20140136171Abstract: An earth model of a subsurface reservoir having an unstructured tetrahedral grid defining a plurality of tetrahedral cells that conform to geological discontinuities is provided. The tetrahedral cells define vertices in a physical space that store information associated with a depositional space of the subsurface reservoir. A polyhedral grid is generated in the physical space from the unstructured tetrahedral grid. The polyhedral grid defines a plurality of polyhedral cells that are split based on the information associated with the depositional space. One or more of the plurality of polyhedral cells can be associated with one or more elements having split-property values that correspond to properties on opposite sides of the one or more geological discontinuities. The polyhedral grid is used to model the behavior of the subsurface reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Charles Hege Sword, JR., Thomas Lucas Viard, Bradley Thomas Mallison
-
Publication number: 20140136172Abstract: Modeling hydrocarbon flow, from layered shale formations. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: modeling movement of hydrocarbons through kerogen-related porosity, the movement through a first model volume; estimating a first permeability of a kerogen-rich layer of a layered shale formation based on the modeling; and modeling hydrocarbon production from the layered shale formation. The modeling hydrocarbon production may include: utilizing the first permeability for the kerogen-rich layer of the layered shale formation; and utilizing a second permeability for a kerogen-poor layer of the layered shale formation, the second permeability different than the first permeability. In various cases the modeling of hydrocarbon production is with respect to a second model volume greater than the first model volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATIONInventors: Sheldon B. Gorell, Kenneth E. Williams, Amit Kumar, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
-
Patent number: 8725477Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a numerical pseudocore model, comprising: a) obtaining logging data from a reservoir having depth-defined intervals of the reservoir, and processing the logging data into interpretable borehole image data having unidentified borehole image data; b) examining one of the interpretable borehole image data, other processed logging data or both to generate the unidentified borehole image data, processing the generated unidentified borehole image data into the interpretable borehole image data to generate warped fullbore image data; c) collecting one of a core from the reservoir, the logging data or both and generating a digital core data from one of the collected core, the logging data or both such that generated digital core data represents features of one or more depth-defined interval of the reservoir; and d) processing generated digital core data, interpretable borehole image data or the logging data to generate realizations of the numerical pseudocore model.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Tuanfeng Zhang, Neil Francis Hurley, Weishu Zhao
-
Patent number: 8725480Abstract: An exemplary arrangement for determining set point values for controllable elements in a network that includes a management system for driving elements of the network and a plurality of processing units. The arrangement also includes at least one simulation unit with a simulation environment for generating a hydraulic simulation model of the network, and an optimization unit with an optimization environment for converting and simplifying the hydraulic simulation model. The optimization environment receives exported data from the simulation environment, generates a simplified optimization model from the exported data through an algorithm that is implemented through program code executed by a processor, and uses the optimization model and at least one of received additional data and measurement and field data to calculate optimized flow charts as temporally changeable set point value series for driving elements in the network and providing the driven elements to the management system.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Frederik Blank, Markus Gauder, Werner A. Schmidt
-
Patent number: 8725479Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for establishing an uncertainty for obtained values of a one-dimensional logging parameter mapped to a three-dimensional volume is disclosed. A relation is formed between the obtained values of the logging parameter and a volumetric parameter of the three-dimensional volume. A set of representative data points is obtained that relates the obtained values of the logging parameter to the volumetric parameter by binning the obtained values. A plurality of regression curves are then determined, wherein each regression curve is obtained by adding a random error to the set of representative data points to obtain a set of randomized data points and performing a regression analysis using the set of randomized data points. The plurality of regression curves are used to establish the uncertainty for the values of the logging parameter in the three-dimensional volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Marc Holland, Wouter E. Van Der Zee
-
Patent number: 8725478Abstract: The invention relates to methods for upscaling a three dimensional model. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention includes method for upscaling a three dimensional model by preserving transmissibility.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Jianbing Wu, Patrick Wong, Chao Dong
-
Patent number: 8725481Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for parallel adaptive data partitioning on a reservoir simulation using an unstructured grid includes a method of simulating a reservoir model which includes generating the reservoir model. The generated reservoir model is partitioned into multiple sets of different domains, each one corresponding to an efficient partition for a specific portion of the model.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Adam K. Usadi, Ilya D Mishev
-
Publication number: 20140129199Abstract: A subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir with wells is simulated by sequential solution of reservoir and well equations to simulate fluid flow inside the reservoir and well production rates. Sequential solution of reservoir and well equations treats wells as specified bottom hole pressure wells. This avoids solving large matrices resulting from the simultaneous solution of the reservoir and well equations which can be computationally very expensive for large number of unknowns and require special sparse matrix solvers. Such sequential solution involves regular reservoir system solvers complemented by a small matrix for the numerical solution of the well bottom hole pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Dogru Ali H.
-
Patent number: 8718802Abstract: A prog analysis and execution system and method. The system includes a computer control system, an interface engine in communication with the computer control system, the interface engine being configured to receive prog information, and an action item development engine in communication with the control system, the action item development engine being configured to analyze received prog information and to determine corresponding action items. The system further includes a sensor engine in communication with the computer control system, the sensor engine being configured to receive input from at least one sensor for use in controlling a well drilling operation, and an operational equipment engine in communication with the computer control system, the operational equipment engine being configured to receive input from the computer control system and to control the well drilling operation in accordance with the determined action items in the prog.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.Inventor: Scott G. Boone
-
Patent number: 8718993Abstract: An efficient percolation aggregation solver methodology captures media connectivity and continuity to reliably incorporate relevant flow solution trends in subterranean formation models. The approach allows introduction of meaningful physical information that is generally overlooked by state-of-the-art algebraic algorithms in the solution process. Percolation aggregation extends the efficiency and robustness of solution methods used to solve scientific and engineering problems.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventor: Hector M. Klie
-
Publication number: 20140122047Abstract: A method of monitoring and predicting measurement data includes: collecting a first plurality of measured data values over an initial time interval; calculating an initial predictive model based on the initial measured data values and calculating a prediction of data values over a prediction time window based on the initial predictive model; collecting a second plurality of measured data values at a plurality of time values following the initial time interval; for each of the second plurality of time values, calculating a new predictive model based on: a data value at a current time value, the first plurality of measured data values, and measured data values associated with time values between the current time value and the initial time interval; and for each of the second plurality of time values, calculating a prediction of data values over a prediction time window based on the new predictive model.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Juan Luis Saldivar, Blake Burnette
-
Publication number: 20140122037Abstract: A method for performing a field operation in a field includes obtaining subterranean field models that are generated based on measured data of a portion of the field. The subterranean field models include statistically derived data for a remainder portion of the field where the measured data is not available. Using a constraint optimization algorithm, weighting factors are determined that represent contributions of the subterranean field models to a combined model. The weighting factors are determined based on a statistical constraint defined by a statistical distribution of the subterranean field models and based on an optimization constraint such that a difference between a modeled value of the field and a pre-determined target value is less than a pre-determined threshold. The combined model is generated from the subterranean field model based on the weighting factors A field operation is performed based on the combined model.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael David Prange, William J. Bailey, Jean-Pierre Bourge, Ching Mei Pang
-
Patent number: 8712747Abstract: A system and method may be configured to support the evaluation of the economic impact of uncertainties associated with the planning of a petroleum production project, e.g., uncertainties associated with decisions having multiple possible outcomes and uncertainties associated with uncontrollable parameters such as rock properties, oil prices, etc. The system and method involve receiving user input characterizing the uncertainty of planning variables and performing an iterative simulation that computes the economic return for various possible instantiations of the set of planning variables based on the uncertainty characterization. The system and method may (a) utilize and integrate highly rigorous physical reservoir, well, production flow, and economic models, and (b) provide a mechanism for specifying constraints on the planning variables. Furthermore, the system and method may provide a case manager process for managing multiple cases and associated “experimental runs” on the cases.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Landmark Graphics CorporationInventors: Alvin Stanley Cullick, Keshav Narayanan, Glenn E. Wilson
-
Patent number: 8712746Abstract: A method of modifying a geological model representative of an underground reservoir is disclosed which respects average proportions of the lithologic facies imposed by a production data calibration process which has application to petroleum reservoir development. A geographical zone Z is defined within the geological model and an average proportion in zone Z allowing the production data to be calibrated is determined for k facies, with an optimization process. The proportions of these facies are modified using a block indicator cokriging method constrained by the average proportions to be respected. A new geological model constrained by the modified facies proportions is simulated and the development of the underground medium is optimized by the simulated model.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: IFPInventors: Elodie Tillier, Guillaume Enchery, Véronique Gervais-Couplet, Mickaële Le Ravalec
-
Publication number: 20140114632Abstract: A method for modeling a reservoir is described. One example of a method for modeling a 3D reservoir involves using multiple-point simulations with 2D training images.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Jianbing WU, Yongshe LIU
-
Patent number: 8706463Abstract: A system for completing a wellbore (38) having multiple zones. The system includes a completion (42) having a plurality of landing points defined therein positioned within the wellbore (38). A service tool is axially movable within the completion (42). The service tool is coupled to a pipe string (36) extending from the surface and selectively supported by a movable block (30) above the surface. A subsurface model is defined in a computer operably associated with the wellbore (38). The model is operable to predict the position of the service tool relative to the landing points of the completion (42) based upon a dynamic lumped mass model of the service tool and a dynamic lumped capacitance thermal model of the wellbore environment.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jason D. Dykstra, Kenneth L. Schwendemann, Orlando DeJesus, Michael L. Fripp, Syed Hamid, Tommy F. Grigsby
-
Patent number: 8706462Abstract: There is provided a system and method for creating a physical property model representative of a physical property of a region. An exemplary method comprises transforming information from a model domain that represents the physical property model into simulated data in a data domain, the data domain comprising simulated data and measured data representative of a plurality of observations of the region. The exemplary method also comprises determining an areal misfit between the simulated data and the measured data representative of the plurality of observations of the region. The exemplary method additionally comprises performing an evaluation of the areal misfit based on known criteria. The exemplary method comprises adjusting data in the data domain or information in the model domain corresponding to a region in the model domain based on the evaluation of the areal misfit.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Olivier M. Burtz, Charlie Jing, Dmitriy A. Pavlov, Scott C. Hornbostel
-
Patent number: 8700370Abstract: A method, system and program storage device for history matching and forecasting of subterranean reservoirs is provided. Reservoir parameters and probability models associated with a reservoir model are defined. A likelihood function associated with observed data is also defined. A usable likelihood proxy for the likelihood function is constructed. Reservoir model parameters are sampled utilizing the usable proxy for the likelihood function and utilizing the probability models to determine a set of retained models. Forecasts are estimated for the retained models using a forecast proxy. Finally, computations are made on the parameters and forecasts associated with the retained models to obtain at least one of probability density functions, cumulative density functions and histograms for the reservoir model parameters and forecasts. The system carries out the above method and the program storage device carries instructions for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Jorge L. Landa
-
Patent number: 8700372Abstract: A method for determining spatial distribution of a property within a volume of subsurface formations includes generating an initial model of spatial distribution of a property of the formations using available data related to the property distribution within the volume. A forward model is generated in the wavenumber domain of spatial distribution of a potential field. Measurements of a physical parameter having a potential field obtained at spaced apart locations above the volume and/or in at least one wellbore penetrating the volume are entered. A revised model of spatial distribution of the potential field is generated by interpolating the measurements of the parameter. The interpolating is performed in the wavenumber domain. A revised model of spatial distribution of the physical property is generated by inversion in the wavenumber domain of the revised potential field model.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ivan Priezzhev, Harold Pfutzner
-
Patent number: 8700371Abstract: A system and method for controlling an advancing water front in a reservoir toward a wellbore is provided. The system has a production control unit. The production control unit has a reservoir unit for producing a reservoir model and a production path unit for producing a production path model that determines at least one pressure parameter about the wellbore during a life of the wellbore. The production control unit has a production optimizer unit for producing a well plan that optimizes a function of the wellsite. The production control unit may be for controlling an advancing fluid front in the reservoir with at least one control device, and wherein a production path is constructed based on the well plan.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael K. M. Thambynayagam, Gregory P. Grove, Colin Atkinson, Raj Banerjee, Jeffrey B. Spath, Amina Boughrara
-
Publication number: 20140100833Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to calculate fracture stratigraphy of a subterranean zone. In some aspects, microseismic event data associated with a fracture treatment of a subterranean zone are received, and the subterranean zone includes multiple subsurface layers. A filter is used to select a subset of the microseismic event data corresponding to fractures in a particular subsurface layer. Fracture stratigraphy is calculated for the particular subsurface layer from fracture planes associated with the selected subset of the microseismic event data.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Inventors: Kenneth E. Williams, Jianfu Ma, Avi Lin
-
Patent number: 8694299Abstract: Method for reducing artifacts in a subsurface physical properties model (120) inferred by iterative inversion (140) of geophysical data (130), wherein the artifacts are associated with some approximation (110) made during the iterative inversion. In the method, some aspect of the approximation is changed (160) as the inversion is iterated such that the artifacts do not increase by coherent addition.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jerome R. Krebs, Sunwoong Lee, Young Ho Cha
-
Patent number: 8694297Abstract: A porous medium exploitation method having application to petroleum exploitation is disclosed using coupling between a reservoir model and a near-wellbore model for modelling fluid flows. Fluid flows within the medium are simulated using a reservoir simulator and a near-wellbore simulator. At each time step, the boundary conditions used by the second simulator are calculated by means of with the reservoir simulator. Numerical productivity indices used by the reservoir simulator are calculated by means of using the near-wellbore simulator. The fluid flows within the porous medium during a given period of time are modelled by repeating the previous stages for several time steps. An optimum medium exploitation scenario is deduced determined from this modelling by taking into accounting for, for example, a well damage due to a drilling fluid, an injection of a polymer solution or of an acid solution in the well.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: IFPInventors: Didier Yu Ding, Gérard Renard
-
Patent number: 8694298Abstract: Method and actuator system for a Kellyguard valve disposed in a drill string. The actuator system includes a sleeve that includes a cavity; an actuator disposed inside the cavity and configured to rotate the Kellyguard valve; first and second external regions of the sleeve having plural holes configured to receive a medium under pressure for actuating the actuator; a ring provided around the first and second external regions of the sleeve and configured to be fixed, the ring having first and second internal grooves facing the first and second external regions, respectively; and first and second seals provided inside the first and second grooves, respectively, at least one of the first and second seals being configured to not touch the first or second external regions of the sleeve when in a collapsed state and to touch the first or second external regions when in an inflated state.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLCInventors: Leonard G. Childers, Tom Griffin
-
Patent number: 8688382Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating downhole lateral vibrations a drill tubular disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth or a component coupled to the drill tubular. The method includes rotating the drill tubular to drill the first borehole and performing a plurality of measurements in a time window of one or more parameters of the drill tubular at or above a surface of the earth during the rotating using a sensor. The method further includes estimating the downhole lateral vibrations using a processor that receives the plurality of measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Reed W. Spencer
-
Transport property data calculated from derivative seismic rock property data for transport modeling
Patent number: 8688425Abstract: At least one transport property for a subsurface region is calculated from derivative seismic data by generating a model relating at least one derivative seismic rock property of a subsurface region to at least one transport property for the subsurface region. At least one transport property is calculated by applying the generated transport property model. Transport phenomena may be simulated with a transport model using at least one transport property generated by applying the model. A model describing evolution of the at least one transport property may be generated within the subsurface region over time, e.g., to facilitate basin modeling of the subsurface region.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Shauna K. Oppert, Michael E. Farrell, Jonathan Stewart, Rene Jonk, Scott A. Barboza -
Patent number: 8684108Abstract: A system and method for monitoring underground drilling in which vibration is monitored by creating a model of the drill string using finite element techniques or finite difference techniques and (i) predicting vibration by inputting real time values of operating parameters into the model, and then adjusting the model to agree with measured vibration data, (ii) predicting the weight on bit and drill string and mud motor speeds at which resonance will occur, as well as when stick-slip will occur, so that the operator can avoid operating regimes that will result in high vibration, (iii) determining vibration and torque levels along the length of the drill string based on the measured vibration and torque at one or more locations, (iv) determining the remaining life of critical components of the drill string based on the history of the vibration to which the components have been subjected, and (v) determining the optimum drilling parameters that will avoid excessive vibration of the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: APS Technology, Inc.Inventors: William Evans Turner, Mark Ellsworth Wassell
-
Patent number: 8688424Abstract: A method of modelling a fractured reservoir having application for petroleum reservoir development is disclosed utilizing a set of several families of equivalent blocks of regular shapes and sizes. The fractured reservoir is modelled by a complex porous medium made up of irregular blocks. A function defining the progress of an imbibition front within these blocks, whose derivative A?(X) is calculated, is determined. A function defining the progress of an imbibition front within regular equivalent blocks, whose derivative A?eq(X) is calculated, is then determined. This derivative, which constitutes at least two line segments with distinct slopes, depends on the dimensions of the equivalent blocks. Finally, the dimensions of the equivalent blocks are obtained by adjusting the two derivatives A?eq(X) and A?(X).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: IFPInventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Philippe Delaplace, André Fourno
-
Patent number: 8688426Abstract: Methods for creating and calibrating production and injection well models for a reservoir, are provided. An example of a method for creating and calibrating well models can include performing a comprehensive retrieval or gathering of required data components, feeding the gathered data into well performance software to thereby develop a model of the well, performing an initial calibration of the well model, performing a total system calibration on the well model, and performing a recalibration to fine tune the well model.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Ahmad Tariq Al-Shammari
-
Patent number: 8682628Abstract: One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to iteratively solve a system of equations that model a wellbore and fracture network in a reservoir where the system of equations includes equations for multiphase flow in a porous medium, equations for multiphase flow between a fracture and a wellbore, and equations for multiphase flow between a formation of a reservoir and a fracture. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Garfield Bowen, Terry Wayne Stone
-
Patent number: 8682624Abstract: A method of simulating, reconstructing and scaling digital data sets, in particular images, but not exclusively. The method of the invention is based on a training image that is directly sampled each time a point in the simulation image is to be filled, and does not need the preliminary creation of a data structure storing conditional probabilities, as it is often the case in known multipoint simulation method. Accordingly, the method of the invention is less memory-demanding than conventional methods, and is better suited to simulations including continuous variables. Embodiments regarding the application to reconstruction of partial images and downscaling are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: University of NeuchatelInventors: Gregoire Mariethoz, Philippe Renard, Julien Straubhaar
-
Patent number: 8682629Abstract: A multi-phasic dynamic reservoir simulator includes a reservoir model for a karst system comprising: a plurality of caves connected via at least one conduit, wherein the plurality of caves and the at least one conduit are filled with at least two types of fluids, an exit point for a fluid to leave the karst system and at least one entry point for a fluid to enter the karst system from a surrounding rock matrix, and a set of parameters defining volumes and distributions of the at least two types of fluids in the plurality of caves and the at least one conduit; and a program having instructions for causing a processor to simulate fluid flows in the reservoir model for the karst system.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Bernard Andrë Montaron, Younes Jalali
-
Publication number: 20140076544Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation, including obtaining information of a subterranean formation, generating a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of the subterranean formation, and performing an experiment on the three-dimensional model. The three-dimensional model may be constructed by x-ray scanning of a core of the subterranean formation, and by additive manufacturing using the obtained x-ray image. The subterranean formation may be treated using a treatment designed based upon the experiments performed on the three-dimensional model.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Bruno Lecerf, Konstantin Viktorovich Vidma, John Daniels
-
Publication number: 20140081613Abstract: Techniques and a system for performing geological interpretation operations in support of energy resources exploration and production perform well log correlation operations for generating a set of graphical data describing the predetermined geological region. The process and system interpret the geological environment of the predetermined geological region from measured surface and fault data associated with the predetermined geological region. Allowing the user to query and filter graphical data representing the predetermined geological region, the method and system present manipulable three-dimensional geological interpretations of two-dimensional geological data relating to the predetermined geological region and provide displays of base map features associated with the predetermined geological region.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: AUSTIN GEOMODELING, INC.Inventor: Austin GeoModeling, Inc.
-
Publication number: 20140081614Abstract: A set of geological exploration methods of using the non-section methods and rotary networks formed by triangulated irregulars. It aims to directly construct high-precision three-dimensional models, plans and sections for solving the drawbacks of existing geological exploration methods, such as the dispersion of drill holes, the faults tracking, the controlling of structures, minelayers/stratum/ore bodies, the bending correction of drill holes, and the geological map-making methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventor: Guizhi Huang
-
Patent number: 8676557Abstract: A method of developing a petroleum reservoir from a reservoir model and optimized history matching is disclosed having application for petroleum reservoir characterization. A global objective function measuring the differences between the measured historical data and the simulated historical data is defined according to M parameters. The global objective function is then decomposed into a sum of k local objective functions. Each local objective function measures the differences on a geographic region from mk parameters, selected from among the M parameters, and having a significant impact on the historical data of the region. The region is determined by minimizing this number mk of parameters. The model is then modified by minimizing the global objective function by a gradient method wherein the derivatives of the local objective functions are estimated by means of a parameter perturbation technique.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: IFPInventors: Didier Yu Ding, Frédéric Roggero
-
Patent number: 8674984Abstract: A method for generating a mesh of a subterranean medium comprising at least one sedimentary layer crossed by at least one fault. The at least one layer is delimited vertically by two geological horizons discretized by two triangulated three-dimensional surfaces. For each horizon, a three-dimensional gridded surface is constructed by means of isometric unfolding accounting for the presence of the fault. Next, the mesh of the subterranean medium is generated by generating cells by creating links between the three-dimensional gridded surfaces. To do this, nodes of the first gridded surface that are situated on one side of the fault which differs from the side of a node of the second gridded surface having the same coordinates i, j are detected. Each non-detected node is joined with a node of the second gridded surface having the same coordinates i, j, and each detected node is joined with the fault by considering a direction of a neighboring node.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: IFP Energies NouvellesInventors: Longmin Ran, Abdallah Benali, Houman Borouchaki, Chakib Bennis
-
Patent number: 8676556Abstract: A hydrocarbon exploration method is disclosed for developing a model of at least one effective material property of a subsurface reservoir as a function of the composition and structure of the reservoir rock. In one embodiment, the method comprises: obtaining a 3D image (102) of a rock sample characteristic of a reservoir of interest (101); segmenting the 3D image into compositional classes (103) based on similarities in mineralogy, structure and spatial distribution; selecting a model (105) that relates an effective material property of interest to the volume fractions of each compositional class; and determining the parameters of the model (106). The model may be used to assess the commercial potential of the subsurface reservoir (107).Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Max Deffenbaugh, John H. Dunsmuir, Limin Song, Ganglin Chen, Shiyu Xu, Michael A. Payne, Enru Liu
-
Patent number: 8676558Abstract: Steering behavior model can include build rate and/or turn rate equations to model bottom-hole assembly behavior. Build and/or turn rate equations can be calibrated by adjusting model parameters thereof to minimize any variance between actual response 118 and estimated response produced for an interval of the well. Estimated position and orientation 104 of a bottom-hole assembly along a subsequent interval can be generated by inputting subsequent tool settings into the calibrated steering behavior model. Estimated position and orientation 104 can be compared to a well plan 106 with a controller 108 which determines a corrective action 110. Corrective action 110 can be converted from a build and/or turn rate to a set of recommended tool settings 114 by using an inverse application 112 of the steering behavior model. As additional data 118 becomes available, steering behavior model can be further calibrated 102 through iteration.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Dimitros K. Pirovolou
-
Patent number: 8670963Abstract: A method for selecting at least one drill bit that includes characterizing an application; checking for at least one drill bit with an equivalent characterization in a data store; when the at least one drill bit with the equivalent characterization exists, selecting the at least one drill bit with the equivalent characterization; and when the at least one drill bit with the equivalent characterization does not exist, recommending at least one drill bit, making an analysis request, analyzing the at least one recommended drill bit based on the analysis request, generating analysis results, and selecting at least one drill bit based on the analysis results is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventor: Sujian J. Huang
-
Patent number: 8670960Abstract: A method for optimizing expensive functions with expensive nonlinear constraints. The method includes selecting sample data for evaluating an expensive function of a simulation, generating a function proxy model for the expensive function and a constraint proxy model for an expensive nonlinear constraint of the expensive function using an approximation scheme, calculating a first solution point for the simulation using the proxy models, and evaluating the expensive function at the first solution point using the sample data. When the expensive function and the proxy models do not converge at the first solution point, the method further includes adding the first solution point to the sample data for updating the proxy models. The method further includes repeating the calculation and evaluation of solution points until the expensive function and the proxy models converge and, following convergence, identifying an optimal solution of the function proxy model and the constraint proxy model.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Benoit Couet, Kashif Rashid, David Wilkinson, Saumil Ambani, Eren Cetinkaya, Hugues Djikpesse
-
Patent number: 8670966Abstract: Methods and systems for performing well network production optimizations are described. For example, in one embodiment, a method of allocating an applied resource throughout a well network includes receiving topological data into an analytical model of a well network having one or more wells. The topological data includes a plurality of performance curves that relate well performance to one or more levels of an applied resource. The method also includes determining an optimum allocation of the applied resource using the analytical model to maximize an operating parameter of the well network, including converting a portion the analytical model having one or more wells and a linear inequality relationship to a modified portion having a single variable and a linear equality constraint.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kashif Rashid, Daniel Colin-Nesbitt Lucas-Clements, Aron Edward Hallquist, Michael Huber, Trevor Graham Tonkin, Andrew Michael Shand
-
Publication number: 20140067353Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing wellbore completion and, in particular, methods and systems for optimizing hydraulic fracturing parameters are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of optimizing wellbore completion includes gathering wellbore data, screening and processing the gathered wellbore data, utilizing the screened and processed wellbore data to define an optimized model, and utilizing the optimized model to evaluate combinations of available wellbore completion parameters. In some instances, the optimized model is defined using artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and/or boosted regression trees. Further, in some embodiments the combinations of available wellbore completion parameters include hydraulic fracturing parameters, such as number of fractures, fracturing fluid type, proppant type, fracturing volume, and/or other parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: STRATAGENInventors: Robert Shelley, Nijat Guliyev, Amir Nejad
-
Patent number: 8666717Abstract: Methods for modeling subsurface reservoirs are provided. In at least one embodiment, the process includes building a numerical model of a reservoir having at least one injection well and at least one producing well, and incorporating at least one of an Eulerian boundary condition (EBC) into each of the at least one injection well and at least one producing well, an advanced constitutive model (ACM) int the reservoir, and an adaptive re-meshing technique (ART) into the reservoir model. Then generating a simulation result from the integrated reservoir model, wherein the simulation result includes at least a volume of produced fluids and produced particulate solids from the reservoir, a volume of injected fluids and injected particulate solids into the reservoir, and a simulation of movement of at least a volume of particulate solids and fluids in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Resarch CompanyInventors: Ganeswara R. Dasari, David P. Yale, Jianlin Wang
-
Patent number: 8666149Abstract: A computer system and a hybrid method for combining multipoint statistic and object-based methods include creating a multi-point statistics (MPS) model using a MPS method that satisfies conditioning data and constraints, the multi-point statistics being derived from a training image created using training-image generation parameters; generating one or more object-shape templates and depositional coordinates of each facies type using the parameters; positioning the templates within the MPS model such that the templates maximally correlate to the MPS model; assigning to each of the positioned templates a unique event; determining which cells are available for editing; and assigning the cells that are available for editing to facies if the cells are contained by a facies template positioned within the MPS model at its optimally correlating location.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Julian Thorne
-
Publication number: 20140058713Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method and computer readable medium capable of extracting, characterizing and modeling fracture networks in a subterranean formation. In one embodiment, seismic data points indicating one or more discontinuities in the subterranean formation may be identified using processed seismic data and arranged according to a tree structure. In one embodiment, connection criteria and/or one or more user parameters may be utilized to identify and connect discontinuity points. In one embodiment, the connected discontinuity points may be utilized to generate discontinuity planes. In one embodiment, one or more of the extracted discontinuity planes may be characterized according to their directional characteristics, intersectional characteristics, shape, dipping characteristics, length/distribution, fracture density, and/or fault type. The extracted discontinuity planes may be converted from a seismic scale model into a sub-seismic scale model.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Manoj Vallikkat Thachaparambil, Renchu Wu, Dong Wang, Rui Zeng, Zhigao Zhu
-
Publication number: 20140052427Abstract: The invention is a method for exploiting a subterranean medium, according to an exploitation scheme defined on a representation of the medium based on a two-dimensional grid representing the subterranean medium. The quality of the mesh cells of the grid is optimized by displacing the nodes of the grid by a procedure for minimizing the deformation of the grid by generating a reference grid; imposing a displacement of at least one node, termed a rigid node, of the reference grid on a corresponding node in the grid to be optimized; and constructing an optimized two-dimensional grid by displacement of the other nodes of the reference grid, while minimizing the displacement field of the nodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: IFP Energies nouvellesInventors: Brahim YAHIAOUI, Abdallah BENALI, Chakib BENNIS, Houman BOROUCHAKI
-
Publication number: 20140046636Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for modeling a fractured medium. The method includes generating, using a processor, a grid for the fractured medium, the fractured medium defining a first fracture and a second fracture, with the first fracture and the second fracture each represented by fracture cells in the grid. The method also includes determining a location where the first and second fractures intersect, the location being at least partially represented by an intersection cell of the fracture cells of the grid. The method further includes redistributing areas of the intersection cell and at least one other fracture cell, such that a size of the intersection cell is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Hussein Mustapha
-
Patent number: 8646525Abstract: A system and method for optimizing sweep efficiency of an enhanced oil recovery process in a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. The system and method include computing a displacement coefficient representative of heterogeneity of an unswept region in the subterranean. A functional relationship between operating conditions of one or more well control devices and the displacement coefficient is determined. The sweep efficiency of the enhanced oil recovery process can be optimized by adjusting the well control devices such that the displacement coefficient is minimized. Streamline simulation can be utilized to compute the displacement coefficient from the flow capacity and storage capacity of the unswept region in the subterranean reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Omer Izgec, George Michael Shook