Patents Represented by Attorney Kevin P. McEnaney
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Patent number: 6927578Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for making an electromagnetic measurement from within a subsurface borehole. The apparatus comprises an elongated support having electrically conductive segments and adapted for disposal within the borehole; an antenna adapted to transmit electromagnetic energy disposed on the support such that its axis is tilted or perpendicular with respect to the axis of the support; a sensor disposed on the support and adapted to detect a current flow along the support when the antenna is activated to transmit electromagnetic energy; and means to process the detected current flow to provide an indication of the measurement quality or the position of the support within the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dean M. Homan, Dzevat Omeragic
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Patent number: 6924646Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for locating and determining the orientation of a fracture in an earth formation. Systems and methods for detecting a fracture in an earth formation using a propagation tool include producing electromagnetic fields using a TMD transmitter in the tool; measuring corresponding voltage signals detected with one or more TMD receivers in the tool; determining harmonics from the measured signal responses by shifting the responses (e.g. by 90 degrees) and performing an addition or subtraction using the shifted response. In some embodiments, the second harmonic is processed to determine the fracture orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Dzevat Omeragic
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Patent number: 6903660Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole communication and measurement utilizing an improved metallic tubular having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore adapted to receive a run-in tool. The tubular including slotted stations to provide through-tubular signal transmission and/or reception. Hydraulic isolation between the interior and exterior of the tubular is provided by pressure barrier means at the slotted stations. Sensors and/or sources are mounted on the run-in tool, which is adapted for transmission through a drill string to engage within the tubular in alignment with the slotted stations. A run-in tool configuration includes a modulator for real-time wireless communication with the surface and/or remote downhole tools. A tubular and run-in tool configuration also includes inductive couplers for wireless signal data transfer. A method for measuring a formation characteristic utilizing a run-in tool adapted with an interchangeable end segment for multi-mode downhole transport.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Brian Clark, John Hunka, Mark T. Frey, David L. Smith, Dhananjay Ramaswamy, Anthony Collins, Stephen Bonner
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Patent number: 6885942Abstract: A method for detecting and visualizing changes in a borehole, comprising correlating a time-depth file and a time-data file to obtain a plurality of measurements at a specific depth for a parameter, analyzing a parameter change using at least two of the plurality of the measurements to obtain an interpretation of the parameter change, and displaying the interpretation of the parameter change using a graphical representation.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Frank P. Shray, John C. Rasmus, Simon Fleury
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Patent number: 6885308Abstract: Method and system for subsurface logging utilizing a modified tubular having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore adapted to receive a support member. The tubular including slotted stations to provide through-tubular signal passage. Pressure barrier means provide hydraulic isolation at the slotted stations. The support member is equipped with sources or sensors and adapted for engagement within the tubular. The tubular and support member are implemented in combination with retrievable and re-seatable MWD apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David L. Smith, Mark T. Frey
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Patent number: 6867589Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons in a fluid sample includes deriving a difference measurement from a first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and a second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, wherein the first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and the second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement have difference values in an acquisition parameter such that molecular diffusion affects the first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and the second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement to a different extent; and determining a presence of hydrocarbons from the difference measurement.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Nicholas J. Heaton
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Patent number: 6863127Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a characteristic of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir and for placing a borehole in the vicinity of a well in an earth formation. New well completion systems with slotted stations are utilized to provide through-casing signal-transmission and/or reception. Hydraulic isolation between the interior and the exterior of the completion is provided by pressure barrier means at the slotted stations. The completions permit temporary or permanent monitoring of changes in reservoir saturation with the use of mobile sources/sensors. The completions also form part of a system for accurately placing a well within a desired distance and orientation relative to an existing well.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Brian Clark, Martin G. Lüling, Mark Frey, Dhananjay Ramaswamy, Anthony Collins
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Patent number: 6862530Abstract: A method for displaying a borehole trajectory includes displaying the borehole trajectory and an indicator of a working interval in a big view window; and displaying a section of the borehole trajectory in a small view window, wherein the section corresponds to the working interval. The method may further includes displaying well log data in a log view window. A system for displaying a borehole trajectory includes a display; and a computer operatively coupled to the display, the computer having a program to display the borehole trajectory on the display, the program comprising instructions to enable: displaying the borehole trajectory and an indicator of a working interval in a big view window; and displaying a section of the borehole trajectory in a small view window, wherein the section corresponds to the working interval.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Simon Fleury, Igor Terentyev
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Patent number: 6859032Abstract: A method for determining a molecular property of each constituent in a mixture of hydrocarbons includes deriving at least one dynamic parameter for each constituent in the mixture from NMR data measured on the mixture; and calculating the molecular property for the each constituent in the mixture from the at least one dynamic parameter for each constituent. The step of deriving the at least one dynamic parameter may include generating a model that includes a plurality of components for the constituents of the mixture and iteratively modifying the model components to optimize the model with respect to the NMR data. The at least one dynamic parameter includes a parameter selected from the group consisting of a longitudinal relaxation time, a transverse relaxation time, a ratio of longitudinal to transverse relaxation time, and a diffusion rate.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Robert Freedman
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Patent number: 6859033Abstract: A method for determining properties of a mixture of fluids includes: (a) acquiring a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance measurements from the mixture of fluids, each of the plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance measurements having a different value in an acquisition parameter for which at least one relaxation selected from the group consisting of longitudinal relaxation and transverse relaxation affects magnitudes of the nuclear magnetic resonance measurements; (b) generating a model of the mixture of fluids; (c) calculating a synthesized nuclear magnetic data set based on the model; (d) comparing the synthesized nuclear magnetic data set with the nuclear magnetic resonance measurements; and (e) adjusting the model and repeating (c) and (d), if difference between the synthesized nuclear magnetic data set and the nuclear magnetic measurements is greater than a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Peter Speier
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Patent number: 6856910Abstract: A method for determining a formation dip angle including extracting features from an acquired well log to obtain a set of features, validating the set of features to obtain a subset of features, generating a layered model using the subset of features, and generating a synthetic log using the layered model and a forward model.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Jaideva C. Goswami, Denis J. Heliot, Jacques R. Tabanou, Christopher E. Morriss
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Patent number: 6844728Abstract: A method and an apparatus for obtaining NMR measurements are disclosed. An NMR measurement apparatus, the measured sample, or both elements may be subjected to motion during the measurement. The envelope of an RF carrier signal is modulated according to an envelope to generate a first sequence of RF pulses. The envelope, the phase of the RF signal, and/or a static magnetic field may be varied during the radiation of the first sequence to substantially saturate a first region of the sample. The first sequence may include additional RF refocusing pulses that, when coupled with movement of the NMR measurement apparatus or sample, may also be used to substantially saturate the first region. A second sequence of RF pulses is radiated to establish a resonance region within the first region and measure an attribute of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Peter Speier, Krishnamurthy Ganesan
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Patent number: 6838875Abstract: A method for processing Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logging data in the presence of coherent transient signals and offsets is disclosed. The method comprises the addition of R and X-Channel transients and offsets to the relaxation model appropriate for a user selected pulse sequence. The effects of the ringing and offsets are automatically compensated for by fitting R and X-Channel spin-echo data to the relaxation model.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Robert Freedman
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Patent number: 6836218Abstract: Method and system for subsurface logging utilizing a modified metallic tubular having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore adapted to receive a support member. The tubular including slotted stations to provide through-tubular signal transmission and/or reception. Pressure barrier means provide hydraulic isolation at the slotted stations. The support member is equipped with various sources and sensors, including an antenna adapted to generate a magnetic dipole moment with a transverse or controllable orientation, and adapted for engagement within the tubular. The apparatus is suitable for LWT, LWD, and TLC logging operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark T. Frey, Dzevat Omeragic, Jacques R. Tabanou
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Patent number: 6832159Abstract: A method for identifying environmental effects in well log data includes selecting a plurality of models, each of the plurality of models including at least one parameter to be optimized; fitting the models to the well log data by optimizing the at least one parameter, the fitting producing a plurality of optimized models; determining an indicator of goodness of fit for each of the plurality of optimized models; and selecting a model representing a best fit of the well log data based on the indicator.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Jan W. Smits, Peter T. Wu, Qiming Li, Cheng Bing Liu
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Patent number: 6819110Abstract: An electromagnetic well logging instrument is disclosed which includes at least one transmitter antenna oriented to have at least some magnetic dipole moment component transverse to an axis of the instrument. The instrument includes at least two receiver antennas oriented to have at least some magnetic dipole moment component transverse to the axis and parallel to the magnetic dipole moment component of the at least one transmitter antenna. The at least two receiver antennas are axially spaced apart from the transmitter antenna so that a response of the instrument to the transverse magnetic dipole moment component is axially substantially on one side of a more distant spaced one of the at least two receiver antennas.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dzevat Omeragic, Cengiz Esmersoy
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Patent number: 6816787Abstract: A visualization application will generate a Virtual Core representing a compilation of any formation property data, the compilation being a 2 and 1/2 D representation of any formation property. The compilation is generated by creating, in response to an integrated formation evaluation in 1D, a 2 and 1/2 D representation of each 1D formation property in the 1D formation evaluation, when the 1D property can be related to the 2 and 1/2 D physical magnitude combining the 2 and 1/2 D physical magnitude image with the 1D facies log thereby generating a 2 and 1/2 D facies image. The Software will also generate a Virtual Plug representing an average estimate of all formation properties over a prescribed surface or volume in the vicinity of a selection made on the compilation (i.e., on the Virtual Core). When an interaction with the Virtual Core occurs, all results generated by those interactions will be restored.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Raghu Ramamoorthy, Ashok Srivastava, Amr Essawi, William Dean Gibson
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Patent number: 6815950Abstract: An NMR instrument for determining formation fluid properties includes a housing adapted to move in a wellbore; a magnet disposed in the housing adapted to induce a static magnetic field; an antenna assembly disposed in the housing adapted to resonate at a first frequency and a second frequency, the first frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of a first nucleus, the second frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of a second nucleus, wherein the first nucleus is different from the second nucleus; means for inducing an RF magnetic field; and means for detecting NMR signals at the first frequency. A method of NMR measurement includes inducing a static magnetic field having a selected magnetic field strength in an earth formation sample; acquiring NMR measurements having J coupling information; and deriving the J coupling information from the NMR measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Peter Speier
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Patent number: 6808028Abstract: A method is provided for gathering information on the pore pressure in an earth formation surrounding a wellbore. The method includes the initial steps of selecting at least one suitable property (e.g., porosity, drilling fluid composition, etc.) of the drilling environment (which is defined by the wellbore and the surrounding formation) and at least one NMR parameter (e.g., T2 distribution) in an NMR measurement response. The method selects a suitable property for which values over a plurality of wellbore depths can be correlated with the characteristics or behavior of the pore pressure in the earth formation. The method further includes conducting an NMR measurement at a plurality of wellbore depths, thereby generating an NMR response from the drilling environment. The measured values of the NMR parameter in the NMR response are then correlated with values of the suitable property.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Charles Woodburn, Ralf Heidler
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Patent number: 6798208Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for locating and determining the orientation of a fracture in an earth formation. Systems and methods for detecting a fracture in an earth formation using a propagation tool include producing electromagnetic fields using a TMD transmitter in the tool; measuring corresponding voltage signals detected with one or more TMD receivers in the tool; determining harmonics from the measured signal responses by shifting the responses (e.g. by 90 degrees) and performing an addition or subtraction using the shifted response. In some embodiments, the second harmonic is processed to determine the fracture orientation.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Dzevat Omeragic