Abstract:
An apparatus including: a tubular suction pile; an indenter housing that surrounds the tubular suction pile, wherein the indenter housing is configured to: (a) be sunk into a seabed in response to a negative pressure created from water being removed from the tubular suction pile, and the indenter housing is configured to create a trench in the seabed; and comprise a water jetting device, within the indenter housing, that includes a first valve, a nozzle, and a channel that connects the first valve to the nozzle; and/or (b) impart a longitudinal vibration to the indenter housing and the indenter housing is configured to be sunk into a seabed in response to longitudinal vibration, and the indenter housing is configured to create a trench in the seabed.
Abstract:
A method for installing a heave plate (100) on a floating structure (10). The method allows for construction of the floating structure (10) and heave plate (100) on-shore, while providing for installation of the heave plate on the floating structure at sea.
Abstract:
A method for seismic exploration using nonlinear conversions (e.g., item 6, Fig. 10) between electromagnetic and seismic energy. Seismic returns from a source waveform (e.g., item 180, Fig. 7A) are correlated with a reference waveform (item 150, Fig. 5B), with both waveforms designed to minimize both correlation side lobes and interference from linear electroseismic effects. A waveform element (e.g., item 10, Fig 1A) is selected to be sequenced by a binary or similar digital code designed to generate an input sweep with the needed depth penetration and noise suppression. Correlation of the seismic response with the reference waveform in a data processing step mathematically aggregates the seismic response from the input sweep into a single wavelet (e.g., item 160, Fig. 6A). Preferred binary digital codes include prescribed Britains of maximal length shift-register sequences (e.g., item 100, Fig. 3A). Also, an apparatus (items 152-157, Fig. 15) for generating the desired waveforms.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus associated with producing hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one heating element that is disposed in a chamber with actuator material. A member is also partially coupled to the chamber. The member is configured to extend to a first configuration when the at least one heating element converts at least a portion of the actuator material from a first phase to a second phase and contract to a second configuration when the actuator material converts from the second phase to the first phase.
Abstract:
A real-time immersive training system is provided. The system includes an immersive visualization room that includes a rendering device configured to provide a three dimensional image of a workspace on a display surface, an operations console configured to provide plant information to the rendering device and obtain operator input from an input device, and a communications system configured to interact with a plant simulator. An operator console includes a control display and input system designed to simulate a plant control board for the workspace. A dynamic process simulator is configured to run a process simulation of the workspace, provide simulated real time data of the workspace to the immersive visualization room and the operator console, accept control inputs from the operator console, and interaction data from the immersive visualization room. An instructor system is configured to interact with the dynamic process simulator, the operator console, or the immersive visualization room, or any combinations thereof, and is configured to activate simulations of events.
Abstract:
Systems and methods which utilize functional objects in connectivity analysis are shown. Functional objects may be denoted by a geological feature, a user-defined location, a critical point in a connection network, a region within a 3D volume, etc. Each functional object preferably possesses and/or has associated therewith an ability to obtain information such as relevant connection pathways, linked regions of interest, statistical connection information, etc. Such functional objects may have dynamic regions associated therewith, such as to define an area of uncertainty, for facilitating exploring connectivity. Desired connectivity information can be revealed interactively from within a confusing web of connection pathways through use of the functional objects. Through interactive manipulation of functional objects analysis may be refined or revised. Additionally or alternatively, logical operations may be applied with respect to one or more functional objects to extend or reduce the connectivity of interest.
Abstract:
A stochastic programming-based decision support tool for reservoir development planning can comprise a source of input data, an optimization model, a high fidelity model for simulating the reservoir, and one or more solution routines interfacing with the optimization model. The optimization model can consider unknown parameters having uncertainties directly within the optimization model. The model incorporates the flexibility that a decision-maker has in the real world and allows the decision-maker to adjust the decisions based on new information. The model can systematically address uncertain data, for example comprehensively or even taking all uncertain data into account. Accordingly, the optimization model can provide flexible or robust solutions that remain feasible over an uncertainty space. Once the reservoir model is optimized, final development plans may be generated.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for generating power in combined low emission turbine systems and capturing and recovering carbon dioxide from the exhaust. In one or more embodiments, the exhaust from multiple turbine systems is combined, cooled, compressed, and separated to yield a carbon dioxide-containing effluent stream and a nitrogen-containing product stream. Portions of the recycled exhaust streams and the product streams may be used as diluents to regulate combustion in each combustor of the turbine systems.
Abstract:
A method for designing a controlled-source electromagnetic survey that will discriminate between a defined deep marginal-interest reservoir (2) and specified false positive resistivity structures of concern (3, 4, 5). A reservoir model and a false positive model are constructed for each false positive scenario. The resistivity of the false positive model may be tuned to give electromagnetic data similar enough to the reservoir model when forward modeled that any differences fall in the model null space. A null-space discriminating ratio ("NSDR") is defined, for example as the peak normalized difference of the two related modeled electromagnetic field data sets. An area coverage display of NSDR values (6) allows determination of such additional data as may be needed to distinguish the false positive body, and a survey design is developed accordingly (7). Reduction of the number of variables affecting the area coverage displays is a key feature of the method.
Abstract:
A method and system associated with the production of hydrocarbons are described. The apparatus includes a first tubular member having a non- permeable longitudinal section and a permeable longitudinal section. The permeable longitudinal section having a first plurality of openings between a first central opening and a region external to the first tubular member. The system also includes a second tubular member at least partially enclosing the first tubular member. The second tubular member includes a non-permeable longitudinal section disposed adjacent to the permeable longitudinal section of the first tubular member and a permeable longitudinal section of the second tubular member, wherein the permeable longitudinal section of the second tubular member is disposed adjacent to the non-permeable longitudinal section of the first tubular member and the permeable longitudinal section of the second tubular member is separated from the permeable longitudinal section of the first tubular member by a specific longitudinal distance. The permeable longitudinal section of the second tubular member having a second plurality of openings between a second central opening and a region external to the second tubular member that do not block certain sized particles. The system is also configured to produce hydrocarbons from the first tubular member.