Chris Joseph Donofrio

US Patent:

7904248, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 12, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/483791

Inventors:

Dachang Li - Katy TX, US
Tao Sun - Missouri City TX, US
Chun Huh - Austin TX, US
Chris J. Donofrio - The Woodlands TX, US
Max Deffenbaugh - Houston TX, US
John C. Van Wagoner - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 15/08

US Classification:

702 12, 702 5, 702 16

Abstract:

A method of hydrodynamics-based gridding (Hydro-Grids) for creating geologic models of subsurface volumes, such as reservoirs, is disclosed. Geologic data is obtained. Vertical grid surfaces are created. Lateral grid surfaces are created to correspond to surfaces of constant geologic time during the deposition of sediments in the subsurface volume. Geologic properties within each cell are represented as values within each cell created by the vertical and lateral surfaces. Reservoir performance is simulated using the represented geologic properties of the subsurface volume. A hydrocarbon reservoir is developed based on the simulated reservoir performance.

US Patent:

7925481, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Aug 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/658922

Inventors:

John C. Van Wagoner - Houston TX, US
Paul A. Dunn - Houston TX, US
Max Deffenbaugh - Califon NJ, US
David N. Awwiller - Houston TX, US
Tao Sun - Missouri City TX, US
Dachang Li - Katy TX, US
David C. Hoyal - Houston TX, US
Chris J. Donofrio - The Woodlands TX, US

International Classification:

G06G 7/48

US Classification:

703 10, 702 2

Abstract:

A method is disclosed for using a three-dimensional seismic image of a subsurface earth volume to construct a geologic model specifying the spatially-varying grain size distribution, porosity, and permeability throughout the volume. The method applies to earth volumes composed of water-lain clastic sedimentary deposits and involves, in one embodiment, (a) identifying the outline forms of geologic bodies in geologic data; (b) using the outline forms of the geologic bodies to determine the spatially-varying grain size distribution within the bodies, guided by assumptions about the nature and behavior of the paleoflow that deposited the bodies; (c) determining rock properties such as, porosity and permeability within the geologic bodies based on grain-size distribution, mineralogy and burial history information.

US Patent:

20070219724, Sep 20, 2007

Filed:

Jun 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/629822

Inventors:

Dachang Li - Katy TX, US
Tao Sun - Missouri City TX, US
Chun Huh - Austin TX, US
Chris Donofrio - The Woodlands TX, US
John Van Wagoner - Houston TX, US
Max Deffenbaugh - Califon NJ, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/28
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

702012000

Abstract:

The present invention is a method of hydrodynamics-based gridding (Hydro-Grids) for creating geologic models of subsurface volumes, such as reservoirs. Vertical grid surfaces may be chosen in an unstructured fashion to provide lateral resolution where needed. Lateral grid surfaces are created to represent surfaces of constant geologic time based on simulation of the depositional processes that created the subsurface volume. The values of geologic properties are then specified within each cell created by the intersections of the vertical and lateral surfaces. The geologic data may include, for example, seismic data, outcrop studies, well log data, core data, numerical modeling data, and interpreted stratigraphic surfaces based on seismic data. The modeled geologic properties of the subsurface volume may include, for example, grain size distribution, connectivity, net-to-gross, porosity, permeability and pore pressure.