Patent Document ID: 8712747
Application ID: 12946502
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: a computer system assembling a first case in a memory in response to user input, wherein the first case comprises a plurality of models that represent components of a value chain in a petroleum exploration and/or production project, wherein each of the models includes one or more variables, wherein each of said one or more variables is defined on a corresponding user-specified range, wherein the models include a schedule, wherein the schedule includes one or more time-interval variables for one or more corresponding tasks; the computer system creating instantiated models by selecting for each model a value of each of the one or more variables included in that model, wherein the value of each variable is selected from the corresponding user-specified range, wherein said selecting includes selecting a value for each of the time-interval variables, wherein said creating instantiated models includes determining event dates for the schedule based on the selected values of the one or more time-interval variables; the computer system assembling the instantiated models into a workflow, wherein said assembling includes formatting the instantiated models for access by a plurality of user-identified simulation engines; the computer system executing the simulation engines on the workflow to generate data output; and the computer system storing the selected values of the variables and the corresponding data output from the simulation engines to the memory; the computer system repeatedly performing a set of operations including said creating instantiated models, said assembling the instantiated models, said executing and said storing; the computer system assembling a second case in the memory, wherein said assembling the second case includes receiving user input specifying modifications to a copy of the first case, wherein the second case includes a second plurality of models, wherein each of the models of the second plurality includes one or more variables; and the computer system storing the second case and differences between the first case and second case in the memory.