System and method for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery

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.

1 - 4 . (canceled).  
   
   
       5 . A method of determining locations for offset wells for use in an enhanced oil recovery process in an oil and/or gas field comprising the steps of: 
 collecting seismic data in the oil and/or gas field in the proximity of an existing hydrocarbon well;    developing a neural network using seismic training data relating to one or more hydrocarbon producing areas and seismic training data relating to one or more hydrocarbon non-producing areas;    applying the neural network to at least a portion of the collected seismic data to determine locations where hydrocarbons have been produced from the existing hydrocarbon well; and    determining one or more locations for offset wells based on the determined locations where hydrocarbons have been produced from the existing hydrocarbon well.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery process includes the introduction of bacteria into the hydrocarbon well.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery process includes the step of applying pressurizing the hydrocarbon well.  
   
   
       8 - 10 . (canceled).  
   
   
       11 . A method of enhancing the hydrocarbon recovery in an oil and/or gas field comprising the steps of: 
 collecting seismic data in the oil and/or gas field in the proximity of an existing hydrocarbon well;    developing a neural network using seismic training data relating to one or more hydrocarbon producing areas and seismic training data relating to one or more hydrocarbon non-producing areas;    applying the neural network to at least a portion of the collected seismic data to determine locations where hydrocarbons have been produced from the existing hydrocarbon well;    determining one or more locations for offset wells based on the determined locations where hydrocarbons have been produced from the existing hydrocarbon well;    drilling an offset well; and    pumping bacteria into the hydrocarbon well through the offset well.    
   
   
       12 . A method of predicting the likelihood of success of using enhanced hydrocarbon recovery processes in an oil and/or gas field comprising the steps of: 
 collecting seismic data in the oil and/or gas field;    developing a neural network using seismic training data relating to one or more areas where enhanced hydrocarbon recovery processes are successful and seismic training data relating to one or more areas where enhanced hydrocarbon recovery processes are not sucessful; and    applying the neural network to at least a portion of the collected seismic data to determine the likelihood of success of using enhanced hydrocarbon recovery processes in areas of the oil and/or gas field.    
   
   
       13 - 18 . (canceled)