Oilfield management system and method
First Claim
1. A system for collaboratively managing oilfield operations for an oilfield having geological formations and reservoirs therein, comprising:
- a network;
a workflow server connected to the network, the workflow server configured to execute a workflow manager comprising functionality to;
present, to a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to generate a workflow for performing oilfield operations, wherein the GUI comprises a workflow diagram panel;
receive a plurality of work steps selected by the user;
generate, in the workflow diagram panel, a workflow diagram interconnecting the plurality of work steps;
receive activation from the user to execute the workflow;
receive, in the workflow diagram panel and during execution of the workflow, contact information for one or more other users from the user for a work step of the plurality of work steps;
send, using the contact information and in response to execution of the workflow reaching the work step, a request to the one or more other users to provide input for the work step along with information needed to access the work step, including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL);
receive the input from the one or more other users to add another work step in the workflow diagram panel;
lock, in response to the input, the workflow for modification by the one or more other users while adding the another work step to the workflow; and
inform the user of changes made by the one or more other users; and
a plurality of computers configured to connect to the workflow server over the network and configured to;
access the workflow manager and the workflow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for managing and performing oilfield operations for an oilfield having geological formations and reservoirs therein are disclosed. The systems and methods provide a graphical user interface that allows a user to graphically define, edit, and automatically run a workflow for managing and performing oilfield operations. Lines are used in the workflow to express both execution flow and data flow. In this way, both execution flow and data flow may be represented in a single workflow diagram. The workflow management systems and methods also allow users to dynamically modify the workflow to add contact information for one or more other users to at least one work step. Users may then use the workflow management systems and methods to suspend running of the workflow at any modified work step and request consultation, collaboration, and/or approval from the other users whose contact information was added to the work step.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for collaboratively managing oilfield operations for an oilfield having geological formations and reservoirs therein, comprising:
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a network; a workflow server connected to the network, the workflow server configured to execute a workflow manager comprising functionality to; present, to a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to generate a workflow for performing oilfield operations, wherein the GUI comprises a workflow diagram panel; receive a plurality of work steps selected by the user; generate, in the workflow diagram panel, a workflow diagram interconnecting the plurality of work steps; receive activation from the user to execute the workflow; receive, in the workflow diagram panel and during execution of the workflow, contact information for one or more other users from the user for a work step of the plurality of work steps; send, using the contact information and in response to execution of the workflow reaching the work step, a request to the one or more other users to provide input for the work step along with information needed to access the work step, including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); receive the input from the one or more other users to add another work step in the workflow diagram panel; lock, in response to the input, the workflow for modification by the one or more other users while adding the another work step to the workflow; and inform the user of changes made by the one or more other users; and a plurality of computers configured to connect to the workflow server over the network and configured to; access the workflow manager and the workflow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of collaboratively managing oilfield operations for an oilfield having geological formations and reservoirs therein, comprising:
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presenting, to a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to generate a workflow for performing the oilfield operations, wherein the GUI comprises a workflow diagram panel; receiving a plurality of work steps selected by the user; generating, in the workflow diagram panel of a workflow manager executing on a workflow server, a workflow diagram interconnecting the plurality of work steps; receiving activation from the user to execute the workflow; receiving, from the user in the workflow diagram panel and during execution of the workflow, contact information for one or more other users for a work step of the plurality of work steps; sending, using the contact information and in response to execution of the workflow reaching the work step, a request to the one or more other users to provide input for the work step along with information needed to access the work step, including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); receiving the input from the one or more other users to add another work step in the workflow diagram panel; locking, in response to the input, the workflow for modification by the one or more other users while adding the another work step to the workflow; and informing the user of changes made by the one or more other users. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-readable instructions for allowing users to collaboratively manage oilfield operations for an oilfield having geological formations and reservoirs therein, the computer-readable instructions comprising instructions for causing a computer to:
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present, to a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to generate a workflow for performing the oilfield operations, wherein the GUI comprises a workflow diagram panel; receive a plurality of work steps selected by the user; generate, in the workflow diagram panel, a workflow diagram interconnecting the plurality of work steps; receive activation from the user to execute the workflow; receive, in the workflow diagram panel and during execution of the workflow, contact information for one or more other users from the user for a work step of the plurality of work steps; send, using the contact information and in response to execution of the workflow reaching the work step, a request to the one or more other users to provide input for the work step along with information needed to access the work step, including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); receive the input from the one or more other users to add another work step in the workflow diagram panel; lock, in response to the input, the workflow for modification by the one or more other users while adding the another work step to the workflow; and inform the user of changes made by the one or more other users. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An article of manufacture for use in collaboratively managing oilfield operations for an oilfield having geological formations and reservoirs therein, comprising:
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a processor; and memory operatively connected to the processor and comprising instructions for causing the processor to; present, to a user, a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to generate a workflow for performing the oilfield operations, wherein the GUI comprises a workflow diagram panel; receive a plurality of work steps selected by the user; generate, in the workflow diagram panel, a workflow diagram interconnecting the plurality of work steps; receive activation from the user to execute the workflow; receive, in the workflow diagram panel and during execution of the workflow, contact information for one or more other users from the user for a work step of the plurality of work steps; send, using the contact information and in response to execution of the workflow reaching the work step, a request to the one or more other users to provide input for the work step along with information needed to access the work step, including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL); receive the input from the one or more other users to add another work step in the workflow diagram panel; lock, in response to the input, the workflow for modification by the one or more other users while adding the another work step to the workflow; and inform the user of changes made by the one or more other users. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification