Abstract:
Computing systems and methods for geosciences collaboration are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for geosciences collaboration includes obtaining a first set of geosciences information from a first computer system of the plurality of computer systems; distributing the first set of geosciences information from the first computer system to at least a second computer system; receiving a user input from the second computer system of the plurality of computer systems, the user input entered manually by a user; providing the user input to the first computer system; in response to providing the user input to the first computer system, receiving a revised set of geosciences information from the first computer system; and repeating the receiving a user input, the providing the user input, and the receiving the revised set of geosciences information until the revised set of geosciences information is determined to satisfy accuracy criteria.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/151,607 filed Jan. 9, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/750,896 filed Jan. 10, 2013. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosed embodiments relate generally to methods and computing systems for geosciences collaboration. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    One of the key challenges in the petro-technical services business is the ability to interact collaboratively between petro-technical experts and/or with petro-technical services clients. Traditionally, this has been done by having a client representative and petro-technical expert(s) in one location, and often, in the same room. In cases where remote interactions between parties have been sought, audio conference and internet based sessions like Webex and Microsoft Net Meeting have been used. While some existing solutions allow for simplistic collaboration like joint editing of a document, existing solutions do not readily facilitate complex collaborations on geosciences applications, models, structural plans, drilling plans and the like between multiple parties at different sites. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for methods and computing systems that can employ more effective and accurate methods for facilitating complex collaborations on geosciences applications, models, structural plans, drilling plans and the like between multiple parties at different sites. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The computing systems, methods, processing procedures, techniques and workflows disclosed herein provide more efficient and/or effective methods for facilitating complex collaborations on geosciences applications, models, structural plans, drilling plans and the like between multiple parties at different sites. As used herein, “geosciences” is used interchangeably with “petro-technical.” 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, a method for use at a geosciences collaboration system is provided that includes: instantiating a geosciences collaboration workspace on a computing system that includes a plurality of computer systems; and in response to a first user input at a computer system in the plurality of computer systems, wherein the first user input corresponds to an instruction to start an application in the geosciences collaboration workspace, sharing the application on one or more of the plurality of computer systems in the geosciences collaboration workspace, wherein the geosciences collaboration system manages a plurality of respective user interactions with the application. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, a method performed at a geosciences collaboration system with one or more processors and memory is provided. The geosciences collaboration system is configured for communicating with a plurality of computer systems. The method includes obtaining a first set of geosciences information from a first computer system of the plurality of computer systems; distributing the first set of geosciences information from the first computer system to at least a second computer system located remotely from the first computer system; and receiving a user input from the second computer system of the plurality of computer systems, the user input entered manually by a user; providing the user input entered manually by the user to the first computer system. The method also includes, in response to providing the user input entered manually by the user to the first computer system, receiving a revised set of geosciences information from the first computer system. The revised set of geosciences information is distinct from the first set of geosciences information. The method further includes repeating the receiving a user input entered manually by the user, the providing the user input, and the receiving the revised set of geosciences information until the revised set of geosciences information is determined to satisfy accuracy criteria. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a method performed at a first computer system with one or more processors and memory is provided. The method includes obtaining a first set of geosciences information; sending the first set of geosciences information to a geosciences collaboration system; receiving from the geosciences collaboration system a user input, the user input entered manually by a user into a second computer system located remotely from the first computer system. The method also includes, after receiving from the geosciences collaboration system the user input: obtaining a revised set of geosciences information; and sending the revised set of geosciences information to the geosciences collaboration system. The revised set of geosciences information is distinct from the first set of geosciences information. The method further includes repeating the receiving a user input entered manually by the user, the obtaining the revised set of geosciences information, and the sending the revised set of geosciences information until the revised set of geosciences information is determined to satisfy accuracy criteria. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, a method performed at a geosciences collaboration system with one or more processors and memory is provided. The geosciences collaboration system is configured for communicating with a plurality of computer systems. The method includes invoking a first geosciences application on a first computer system of the plurality of computer systems; obtaining a first set of geosciences information from the first computer system; and invoking a second geosciences application on a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems. At least one of the first computer system and the second computer system is located remotely from the geosciences collaboration system. The method also includes obtaining a second set of geosciences information from the second computer system; distributing the first set of geosciences information obtained from the first computer system to the plurality of computer systems; and distributing the second set of geosciences information obtained from the second computer system to the plurality of computer systems. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, a method performed at a first computer system with one or more processors and memory is provided. The method includes receiving an invocation of a first geosciences application from a geosciences collaboration system; obtaining a first set of geosciences information; sending the first set of geosciences information to the geosciences collaboration system; and receiving from the geosciences collaboration system a second set of geosciences information. The second set of geosciences information is obtained by the geosciences collaboration system from a second geosciences application on a second computer system located remotely from the first computer system, the second geosciences application on the second computer system having been invoked by the geosciences collaboration system. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, a computing system is provided that comprises at least one processor, at least one memory, and one or more programs stored in the at least one memory, wherein the programs comprise instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, are configured to perform any method disclosed herein. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which has stored therein one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform any method disclosed herein. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, a computing system is provided that comprises at least one processor, at least one memory, one or more programs stored in the at least one memory, and means for performing any method disclosed herein. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, an information processing apparatus for use in a computing system is provided that includes means for performing any method disclosed herein. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, a geosciences collaboration system is provided. The geosciences collaboration system includes: one or more processors; storage media storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors; and a network interface configured for communicating, over a data network, with a plurality of computer systems, the plurality of computer systems including a first computer system and a second computer system. The first computer system is located remotely from the second computer system. The geosciences collaboration system also includes a collaboration module, including a user application handling submodule configured for obtaining a first set of geosciences information from the first computer system. The collaboration module is configured for: distributing the first set of geosciences information from the first computer system to at least the second computer system; receiving a user input from the second computer system, the user input entered manually by a user; providing the user input entered manually by the user to the first computer system; in response to providing the user input entered manually by the user to the first computer system, receiving a revised set of geosciences information from the first computer system, the revised set of geosciences information distinct from the first set of geosciences information; and repeating the receiving a user input entered manually by the user, the providing the user input, and the receiving the revised set of geosciences information until the revised set of geosciences information is determined to satisfy accuracy criteria. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, a geosciences collaboration system is provided. The geosciences collaboration system includes: one or more processors; storage media storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors; and a network interface configured for communicating, through over a data network, with a plurality of computer systems. The geosciences collaboration system also includes a collaboration module, including a user application handling submodule configured for invoking a first geosciences application on a first computer system of the plurality of computer systems and obtaining a first set of geosciences information from the first computer system and invoking a second geosciences application on a second computer system of the plurality of computer systems and obtaining a second set of geosciences information from the second computer system. At least one of the first computer system and the second computer system is located remotely from the geosciences collaboration system. The collaboration module is configured for distributing the first set of geosciences information obtained from the first computer system to the plurality of computer systems and the second set of geosciences information obtained from the second computer system to the plurality of computer systems. 
         [0017]    These systems, methods, processing procedures, techniques and workflows increase geosciences application and data collaboration. Such systems, methods, processing procedures, techniques and workflows may complement or replace conventional methods for geosciences application and data collaboration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a computing system in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating an example method in accordance with the techniques disclosed in this application. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a geosciences collaboration workspace in accordance with some embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate geosciences collaboration contexts in accordance with some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. 
         [0024]    It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first object or step could be termed a second object or step, and, similarly, a second object or step could be termed a first object or step, without departing from the scope of the invention. The first object or step, and the second object or step, are both, objects or steps, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same object or step. 
         [0025]    The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0026]    As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context. 
         [0027]    Computing Systems 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts an example computing system  100  in accordance with some embodiments. The computing system  100  can be an individual computer system  101 A or an arrangement of distributed computer systems. The computer system  101 A includes one or more geosciences analysis modules  102  that are configured to perform various tasks according to some embodiments, such as one or more methods disclosed herein. To perform these various tasks, geosciences analysis module  102  executes independently, or in coordination with, one or more processors  104 , which is (or are) connected to one or more storage media  106 A. The processor(s)  104  is (or are) also connected to a network interface  108  to allow the computer system  101 A to communicate over a data network  110  with one or more additional computer systems and/or computing systems, such as  101 B,  101 C, and/or  101 D (note that computer systems  101 B,  101 C and/or  101 D may or may not share the same architecture as computer system  101 A, and may be located in different physical locations, e.g. computer systems  101 A and  101 B may be on a ship underway on the ocean, while in communication with one or more computer systems such as  101 C and/or  101 D that are located in one or more data centers on shore, other ships, and/or located in varying countries on different continents). Note that data network  110  may be a private network, it may use portions of public networks, it may include remote storage and/or applications processing capabilities (e.g., cloud computing). 
         [0029]    A processor can include a microprocessor, microcontroller, processor module or subsystem, programmable integrated circuit, programmable gate array, or another control or computing device. 
         [0030]    The storage media  106 A can be implemented as one or more computer-readable or machine-readable storage media. Note that while in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  storage media  106 A is depicted as within computer system  101  A, in some embodiments, storage media  106 A may be distributed within and/or across multiple internal and/or external enclosures of computing system  101 A and/or additional computing systems. Storage media  106 A may include one or more different forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) and flash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy and removable disks; other magnetic media including tape; optical media such as compact disks (CDs) or digital video disks (DVDs), BluRays or any other type of optical media; or other types of storage devices. Note that the instructions discussed above can be provided on one computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, or alternatively, can be provided on multiple computer-readable or machine-readable storage media distributed in a large system having possibly plural nodes and/or non-transitory storage means. Such computer-readable or machine-readable storage medium or media is (are) considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture). An article or article of manufacture can refer to any manufactured single component or multiple components. The storage medium or media can be located either in the machine running the machine-readable instructions, or located at a remote site from which machine-readable instructions can be downloaded over a network for execution. 
         [0031]    It should be appreciated that computer system  101 A is only one example of a computing system, and that computer system  101 A may have more or fewer components than shown, may combine additional components not depicted in the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , and/or computer system  101  A may have a different configuration or arrangement of the components depicted in  FIG. 1 . The various components shown in  FIG. 1  may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. 
         [0032]    It should also be appreciated that while no user input/output peripherals are illustrated with respect to computer systems  101 A,  101 B,  101 C, and  101 D, many embodiments of computing system  100  include computing systems with keyboards, mice, touch screens, displays, etc. Some computing systems in use in computing system  100  may be desktop workstations, laptops, tablet computers, smartphones, server computers, etc. 
         [0033]    Further, the steps in the processing methods described herein may be implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors or application specific chips, such as ASICs, FPGAs, PLDs, or other appropriate devices. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination with general hardware are all included within the scope of protection of the invention. 
         [0034]    Geosciences collaboration system  112  includes processor(s)  116 , storage media  118 , and network interface  120 , which in some embodiments may be analogous to the processor(s), storage media, and network interfaces discussed with respect to computing system  100 A. Geosciences collaboration system  112  also includes collaboration module(s)  114 . In this example there are a number of modules designed to facilitate communication, content delivery, security, collaborative application handling, and other functions needed to facilitate geosciences collaboration by users at one or more of the computing systems  101 A,  101 B,  101 C, and/or  101 D. Specifically, collaboration module  114  includes the following submodules. 
         [0035]    Audio handling submodule  121  provides for recording and delivery of sound (e.g., speech, computing system events, etc.) from one computing system, such as computing system  101 A, to one or more computing systems in the geosciences collaboration (e.g., computing systems  101 B and  101 C). 
         [0036]    Video handling submodule  122  provides for capture and delivery of displayed content (e.g., the display of video from a computing system running a geosciences application) from one computing system, such as computing system  101  A, to one or more computing systems in the geosciences collaboration (e.g., computing systems  101 B and  101 C). 
         [0037]    User Application handling submodule  125  provides for application handling in the geosciences collaboration amongst a plurality of computing systems. For example, a user may invoke an application on computing system  101 A that she wishes to share and collaborate on with others at computing systems  101 B and  101 C. Geosciences collaboration system  112  will communicate via appropriate means (e.g., multi-system interprocess control mechanisms such as sockets, RPC, etc.) with computing system  101 A to obtain necessary information to facilitate collaboration between users at computing systems  101 A,  101 B, and  101 C. 
         [0038]    Of course, in some embodiments, one or more of the computing systems in the collaboration may be in a “listen and see only” mode where the application(s), whiteboard(s), and/or other elements of the collaboration are only broadcast from one computing system to another. In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by configuring User Application handling submodule  125  to be in a broadcast mode. 
         [0039]    Event handling and arbitration submodule  123  provides control so that respective inputs from a plurality of users on a plurality of computing systems in the geosciences collaboration are handled in an appropriate way, e.g., the sequence as originally input amongst the users, conflicting inputs or instructions generate appropriate actions, etc. 
         [0040]    Security submodule  124  ensures that only the computing systems involved in the geosciences collaboration are specifically given access to the content of the geosciences collaboration. 
         [0041]    Attention is now directed to geosciences collaboration procedures, methods, techniques, and workflows that are in accordance with some embodiments. Some operations in the processing procedures, methods, techniques and workflows disclosed herein may be combined and/or the order of some operations may be changed. It is important to recognize that in geosciences collaborations, various geologic interpretations, sets of assumptions, and/or domain models such as velocity models, may be refined in an iterative fashion amongst collaborators; this concept is applicable to the procedures, methods, techniques and workflows as discussed herein. This iterative refinement can include use of feedback loops executed on an algorithmic basis, such as at a computing device (e.g., computing system  100 ,  FIG. 1 ), and/or through manual control by a user who may make determinations regarding whether a given step, action, template, or model has become sufficiently accurate—this is part of the nature of geosciences collaborations. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  illustrates a sample workflow  150  for geosciences collaboration that may be performed on a computing system including a geosciences collaboration system, such as the example computing system  100  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates a geosciences collaboration workspace that may be performed on a computing system including a geosciences collaboration system, such as the example computing system  100  in  FIG. 1 . In various embodiments, geosciences collaboration workspaces may include one or more of the following as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .
       One or more geoscience applications shared amongst participants in a collaboration session;   One or more video streams shared amongst participants in a collaboration session;   One or more audio streams amongst participants in a collaboration session;   One or more presentations shared amongst participants in a collaboration session; and/or   One or more whiteboards shared amongst participants in a collaboration session.       
 
         [0049]    In varying embodiments, participants in the workspace can choose to interact with one or more of the above mentioned elements of the workspace at any given time. 
         [0050]    Various embodiments of the geoscience application include collaborative sharing as follows: a) any of the participants can interact with a geosciences application seamlessly (e.g., Petrel and/or Omega software by Schlumberger, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  or any other geoscience application). These interactions can leverage one or more of the supported interaction mechanisms—keyboard, mouse, gestures, touchscreens, etc.; b) a geosciences application could be running in one of the participating locations (or the cloud) and shared with one or more of the participants in the workspace (e.g.,  FIG. 4 ); and c) a geosciences application could be hosted on a remote compute device (server, cloud, etc.) and be accessed by one or more of the participants in the workspace (e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0051]    A few use-models for a geoscience collaborative workspace include, but are not limited to: a) collaborative processing or interpretation of geoscience data between two or more organizations (for example, members/locations of a service provider and members/locations of one or more client(s)); b) Collaborative processing or interpretation of geoscience data between one or more members/locations of an organization (service provider or client); c) members/locations of any participating entity in a geosciences collaboration could be (i) offices, (ii) processing/interpretation centers, (iii) dedicated collaboration rooms, (iv) oilfield site like drilling rigs or seismic crews/vessels, (v) oilfield support centers for drilling, production, etc. 
         [0052]    Geosciences collaborations support a wide range of petro-technical workflows including but not limited to:
       Seismic survey design, modeling and analysis   Seismic and/or stratigraphic interpretation   Velocity and/or property modeling   Seismic Processing and Quality Control   Reservoir Modeling and Simulation   Well Planning   Drilling Operations and Monitoring   Production Operations and Monitoring       
 
         [0061]    The steps in the processing methods described above may be implemented by running one or more functional modules in information processing apparatus such as general purpose processors or application specific chips, such as ASICs, FPGAs, PLDs or other appropriate devices. These modules, combinations of these modules, and/or their combination with general hardware are all included within the scope of protection of the invention. 
         [0062]    While the discussion of related art in this disclosure may or may not include some prior art references, applicant neither concedes nor acquiesces in the position that any given reference is prior art or analogous prior art. 
         [0063]    The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0064]    The following patent publications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety:
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