IP Library Granted Patent US 9,551,211
Granted Patent B2
US 9,551,211 · App. 14/895,571 · Granted Jan 24, 2017

Deepwater low-rate appraisal production systems

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,551,211
App. No.
14/895,571
Granted
Jan 24, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for appraising a deepwater well comprising: producing a first quantity of hydrocarbon from an undersea reservoir; transporting the first quantity of hydrocarbon to a floating vessel; off loading the first quantity of hydrocarbon from the vessel; producing a second quantity of hydrocarbon from the undersea reservoir; and transporting the second quantity of hydrocarbon to the floating vessel.

Claims (18)

1. A method for appraising a deepwater well comprising:

producing a first quantity of hydrocarbon from an undersea reservoir to a floating vessel at a rate of less than 1000 barrels of oil per day while measuring pressure changes in the undersea reservoir, wherein the first quantity of hydrocarbon is less than 10,000 barrels of oil;

offloading the first quantity of hydrocarbon from the floating vessel;

producing a second quantity of hydrocarbon from the undersea reservoir to the floating vessel at a rate of less than 1000 barrels of oil per day while measuring pressure changes in the undersea reservoir; and

estimating reservoir parameters based upon the measured pressure changes while producing the first and second quantities of hydrocarbon, wherein the reservoir parameters comprise reservoir volumes in place, connectivity, and aquifer strength.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the floating vessel comprises a floating vessel with a gas storage capability.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the floating vessel is connected to the undersea reservoir via a redeployable riser while producing the first and second quantities of hydrocarbon.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the redeployable riser is connected to a moored buoy.

5. A method of appraising deepwater well comprising:

connecting a floating vessel to an undersea reservoir;

producing a first quantity of hydrocarbon from the undersea reservoir to the floating vessel at a rate of less than 1000 barrels of oil per day while measuring pressure changes in the undersea reservoir, wherein the first quantity of hydrocarbon is less than 10,000 barrels of oil;

disconnecting the floating vessel from the undersea reservoir;

offloading the first quantity of hydrocarbon from the floating vessel;

reconnecting the floating vessel to the undersea reservoir;

producing a second quantity of hydrocarbon from the undersea reservoir to the floating vessel at a rate of less than 1000 barrels of oil per day while measuring pressure changes in the undersea reservoir; and

estimating reservoir parameters based upon the measured pressure changes while producing the first and second quantities of hydrocarbon, wherein the reservoir parameters comprise reservoir volumes in place, connectivity, and aquifer strength.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the floating vessel comprises a floating vessel with a gas storage capability.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein connecting the floating vessel to the undersea reservoir comprises connecting the floating vessel to a redeployable riser that is connected to the undersea reservoir, disconnecting the floating vessel from the undersea reservoir comprises disconnecting the floating vessel from the redeployable riser, and reconnecting the floating vessel to the undersea reservoir comprises reconnecting the floating vessel to the redeployable riser.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 7, 2022
From: SHELL OIL COMPANY
To: SHELL USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 059694/0819 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2016
From: GERRETSEN, JAN HENDRIK; MATSUURA, JOAO PAULO JULIAO
To: SHELL OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 038083/0495 →