System and method for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery

• US 6,574,565 B1
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bush Seismic Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ronald R. Bush
• Inventors: Bush, Ronald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Toan M.
• Application Number:
  US10/024,102
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 702/6, 702/13, 702/14
• US Class Current: 702/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/30 Analysis G01V1/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/38 Processing data, e.g. for analysis, for interpretation, for correction
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/23 Clustering techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 3/02 Neural networks

Abstract

A neural network based system, method, and process for the automated delineation of spatially dependent objects is disclosed. The method is applicable to objects such as hydrocarbon accumulations, aeromagnetic profiles, astronomical clusters, weather clusters, objects from radar, sonar, seismic and infrared returns, etc. One of the novelties in the present invention is that the method can be utilized whether or not known data is available to provide traditional training sets. The output consists of a classification of the input data into clearly delineated accumulations, clusters, objects, etc. that have various types and properties. A preferred but non-exclusive application of the present invention is the automated delineation of hydrocarbon accumulations and sub-regions within the accumulations with various properties, in an oil and gas field, prior to the commencement of drilling operations. The invention may also be used to increase the effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery techniques.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing the hydrocarbon recovery in a hydrocarbon well in an oil and/or gas field comprising the steps of:

collecting seismic data in the proximity of the hydrocarbon well;

using a neural network and the collected seismic data to determine one or more optimal locations for an offset well;

drilling an offset well in a determined location; and

using the offset well for an enhanced hydrocarbon recovery process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced hydrocarbon recovery process includes the step of pumping bacteria into the offset well.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced hydrocarbon recovery process includes the step of pressurizing the well via the offset well.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more optimal locations for an offset well are determined by using the neural network to determine where hydrocarbons have been produced.

5. A method of enhancing the hydrocarbon recovery in an oil and/or gas field having a plurality of wells comprising the steps of:

determining whether two or more wells in the oil and/or gas field are drilled into the same reservoir; and

where two or more wells are determined to be drilled into the same reservoir, using one of the wells as an offset well for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery techniques and using another of the wells to produce hydrocarbons.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the enhanced hydrocarbon recovery technique includes the step of pumping bacteria into the offset well.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the enhanced hydrocarbon recovery technique includes the step of pressurizing the reservoir via the offset well.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining whether two or more wells in the oil and/or gas field are drilled into the same reservoir is achieved using a neural network.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining whether two or more wells in the oil and/or gas field are drilled into the same reservoir is achieved by looking at historical well data.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining whether two or more wells in the oil and/or gas field are drilled into the same reservoir is achieved by pressurizing one well and monitoring any resulting pressure change in other wells.