|
FaultSeg3D: Fast and accurate 3D fault delineation
Problem statementAccurate 3D mapping of faults from seismic images is essential for seismic structural interpretation, reservoir characterization and well placement. Current methods for fault delineation depend on calculating attributes that estimate seismic reflection continuities and discontinuities. These methods are slow and can take days to process....
Published: 2/1/2021
|
Inventor(s): Sergey Fomel, Yunzhi Shi, Xinming Wu
Keywords(s): Artificial intelligence (AI), Drilling, Machine learning, Oil & gas upstream, Petrophysics, Unconventional reservoirs
Category(s): Computer software > Energy software > Oil & gas software
|
|
A cost-effective downhole strain sensor tool for retrofit or new installation
Problem statement Hydraulic fracturing involves fracturing of bedrock formations by pressurized liquids and is one of the key technologies used for unconventional oil production. Usually strains on the order of 10–5 to 10–6 propagate ahead of the fractures. Monitoring and characterizing the strain on wellbores can be a formidable challenge,...
Published: 1/15/2021
|
Inventor(s): Mukul Sharma, Rodney Russell
Keywords(s): Engineering, Fracking, Oil & gas upstream, Sensors
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Upstream oil & gas
|
|
RAPIDClean: fast, accurate real-time simulations for hole cleaning operations
Problem statementImproper hole cleaning is a major cause of non-productive time (NPT) in drilling. Current hole cleaning practices are mostly based on experience, rules of thumb and simplistic calculations, and do not necessarily work as expected in all scenarios. Available models do not include parameters such as fluid compressibility, pipe rotation...
Published: 1/13/2021
|
Inventor(s): Eric van Oort, Amir Hossein Fallah, Qifan Gu, Dongmei Chen, Pradeepkumar Ashok
Keywords(s): Artificial intelligence (AI), Drilling, Oil & gas upstream
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Upstream oil & gas
|
|
Enhanced heavy oil recovery using pyrrolidine solution as a bitumen emulsifier
Problem statement Bitumen is highly viscous because of its asphaltene content (e.g., 20 wt% n-pentane insoluble), and it is often immobile at reservoir conditions. Steam injection is widely used to recover bitumen, in which the latent heat injected can effectively mobilize the bitumen near thermal fronts. However, steam injection methods, such as cyclic...
Published: 1/12/2021
|
Inventor(s): Ryosuke Okuno, Kwang Baek, Upali Weerasooriya
Keywords(s): Enhanced oil recovery (EOR), Oil & gas upstream
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Enhanced oil recovery
|
|
Advanced sensors for RT determination of mud density and flow rate in high-pressure conditions
Problem statementLost circulation can have disastrous consequences including blowout (uncontrolled kicks) and loss of life, so close monitoring to quickly assess and control such events is essential. Market estimates indicate that over $2 billion USD is spent annually to combat and mitigate these events. Real-time measurement of mass flow is critical...
Published: 1/12/2021
|
Inventor(s): Eric van Oort, Vivek Singhal, Pradeepkumar Ashok
Keywords(s): Drilling, Fracking, Oil & gas upstream, Sensors
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Upstream oil & gas
|
|
Novel wettability modifier for waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs
Problem statementThe efficiency of waterflooding depends significantly on the rock wettability in fractured carbonate reservoirs, which often are mixed- or oil-wet. The rock wettability is determined by the interactions among crude oil, brine, and rock minerals. The current technologies for wettability alteration in carbonate rocks, such as surfactant...
Published: 1/12/2021
|
Inventor(s): Ryosuke Okuno, Gayan Abeykoon
Keywords(s): Enhanced oil recovery (EOR), Oil & gas upstream, Wettability
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Enhanced oil recovery
|
|
Automated real-time optimization of formation fluid sampling using artificial intelligence
BackgroundFor capital-intensive exploration and production projects, understanding the chemical and physical properties, phase behavior, compatibility, spatial distribution, and hydraulic connectivity of reservoir fluids is critical for long-term planning and operation. Often, reservoir fluid samples acquired via formation testing represent the only...
Published: 1/11/2021
|
Inventor(s): Carlos Torres-Verdin, Colin Schroeder, Camilo Gelvez
Keywords(s): Artificial intelligence (AI), Drilling, Fracking, Oil & gas upstream, Petrophysics, Reservoir mapping
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Upstream oil & gas
|
|
Accurate 3D reconstruction of oil reservoirs based on rock classification
Problem statement3D description of a hydrocarbon reservoir and its petrophysical and fluid properties is required for optimal, cost-effective administration of hydrocarbon reservoirs. Conventional methods for reservoir characterization are based on 3D continuous discretization of the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir into volume pixels of various shapes....
Published: 1/6/2021
|
Inventor(s): Carlos Torres-Verdin, Zoya Heidari
Keywords(s): Enhanced oil recovery (EOR), Oil & gas upstream, Petrophysics
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Upstream oil & gas
|
|
Tool for rapid and non-destructive acoustic analysis of core samples for hydrocarbon exploration
High-resolution, full-core acoustic analysis without direct sample contactProblem statementAcoustic testing with ultrasonic transducers is a simple and non-destructive means of analyzing rock samples for hydrocarbon exploration. Such analysis can provide information on the rock type, density, shape and grain size, porosity, anisotropy, pore liquid,...
Published: 1/4/2021
|
Inventor(s): Carlos Torres-Verdin, Adam McMullen
Keywords(s): Oil & gas upstream, Rock characterization, Sensors
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Rock characterization
|
|
A robust tool for full in-situ rock characterization
Problem statement Pore-throat-size distribution is one of the most basic properties of porous media, which controls fluid flow and many physical properties of reservoir rocks (Fig. 1). Accurate, real-time, safe, and in-situ assessment of this property, however, has always been a challenge for the petroleum industry. Reliable assessment of this property...
Published: 1/13/2021
|
Inventor(s): Zoya Heidari, Artur Garcia, Yifu Han
Keywords(s): NMR, Oil & gas upstream, Petrophysics, Rock characterization
Category(s): Physical sciences > Energy > Oil & gas > Rock characterization
|
