Patent decision

BL number

O/201/03

Concerning rights in

GB 9915203.5

Hearing Officer

Mr P Marchant

Decision date

11 July 2003

Person(s) or Company(s) involved

Institut Francais du Petrole & ELF EP

Provisions discussed

PA1977 section 1(2)(a)

Keywords

Excluded fields (refused)

Related Decisions

None

Summary

The application concerns a method for building an optimized Gaussian or Gaussian related stochastic model of a distribution of a parameter in a heterogeneous medium such as an underground zone. A generalised statistical model, relating eg to the permeability of an underground oil bearing zone is subject to gradual deformation by the inventive method, in order to minimise the difference between predictive data from the model and real test data from the zone. The method thereby arrives at a statistical representation of the permeability in the actual zone, which is displayed as an image. The hearing officer found this to be a mathematical method which did not involve a technical effect. It was therefore excluded from patentability under section 1(2)(a) of the Act and the application was consequently refused.

Full decision O/201/03 25Kb