Patents Examined by Donald McElheny, Jr.
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Patent number: 7031838Abstract: A system and method for environmental data management. The system includes an application including a mapping module that a generates an interactive graphical mapping interface of the site, the interactive mapping interface including links to environmental data from a site and related documents, an analysis module that analyzes the environmental data, the environmental data including contaminants of potential concern (COPC) data, a risk assessment module that assesses the human health risks caused by COPCs at the site, and a remediation module that screens remedial technology for cleaning up COPCs.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Integrated Environmental Services. Inc.Inventors: Michael Y. Young, Yeong-Hwa Shih, Sheng Quan Tan
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Patent number: 7031841Abstract: A method for determining formation pressure at a depth region of formations surrounding a borehole, including: keeping track of the time since cessation of drilling at the depth region; deriving formation permeability at the depth region; causing wellbore pressure to vary periodically in time and determining, at the depth region, the periodic and non-periodic component of pressure measured in the formations; determining, using the time, the periodic component and the permeability, the formation pressure diffusivity and transmissibility and an estimate of the size of the pressure build-up zone around the wellbore at the depth region; determining, using the time, the formation pressure diffusivity and transmissibility, and the non-periodic component, the leak-off rate of the mudcake at the depth region; determining, using the leak-off rate, the pressure gradient at the depth region; and extrapolating, using the pressure gradient and the size of the build-up zone, to determine the formation pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Julian J. Pop, Paul S. Hammond
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Patent number: 7031842Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented seismic viewing/editing collaboration method includes performing real-time collaborative cursor tracking, copaging, picking, and image manipulation in a distributed-display-processing, peer-to-peer architecture. A parameterized, minimal set of information required to update a display is transferred directly between different clients. A group state containing events generated by different clients is enforced to be synchronized on the different clients.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: 3DGeo Development, Inc.Inventors: Iulian Musat, Ovidiu Feodorov, Dimitri Bevc, Alexander M. Popovici
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Patent number: 7027923Abstract: A method for determining a sonde error in a logging tool comprising a transverse array includes obtaining a first measurement using the transverse array while the logging tool is at a first height from ground in a selected orientation; obtaining a second measurement using the transverse array while the logging tool is at a second height from the ground in the selected orientation; deriving a difference measurement from the first measurement and the second measurement; determining a background signal using the difference measurement and a predetermined function, wherein the predetermined function relates earth signals in a plurality of signals obtained at the second height to a plurality of difference signals between signals obtained at the first height and the second height at a plurality of formation conductivities; and determining the sonde error by subtracting the background signal from the second measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas D. Barber, Hanming Wang
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Patent number: 7027927Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining formation slowness around a borehole are provided. The Fresnel volume concept is applied for traveltime tomography. The Fresnel volume represents a sonic wave propagation path about the borehole. The application of Fresnel volume to sonic data provides for a stable inversion and makes practical 3-D tomography. Inversion is accomplished by an iterative back-projection method.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Toshifumi Matsuoka, Takeshi Endo, Di Cao, Nicholas Banchet, Jongha Lee
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Patent number: 7027925Abstract: A method for displaying a bottom-hole assembly together with a borehole trajectory includes displaying the borehole trajectory in a display window; and displaying the bottom-hole assembly in the display window such that the borehole trajectory and the bottom-hole assembly are in parallel and a measurement depth of the bottom-hole assembly corresponds to a measurement depth of the borehole trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Igor Terentyev, Mathieu Will, Denis J. Heliot
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Patent number: 7027926Abstract: A method for estimating an azimuthal dependence of a parameter of a borehole using logging sensor measurements acquired as a function of azimuth of the logging sensors is provided. The method includes acquiring at least one logging sensor measurement and a corresponding azimuth from a downhole tool. The method further includes processing a convolution of the logging sensor measurement and corresponding azimuth with a predetermined window function to determine convolved logging sensor data for at least one azimuthal position. Certain embodiments of this invention may be advantageously utilized in LWD imaging applications to provide for superior image resolution and noise rejection as compared to prior art imaging techniques.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: PathFinder Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Samuel Mark Haugland
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Patent number: 7027929Abstract: Seismic traces of 3D surveys are interpolated using polynomials in 4D space from a less densely sampled real data set of source points S(x,y) and receiver points R(x,y). Input seismic traces should be pre-processed by normal move out (NMO) and static corrections. Input traces contributing to each single interpolated trace are chosen from a selected number of traces closest to each interpolated trace in 4D space. The methodology in accordance with the invention is designed to minimize computational load. The amplitude of an interpolated trace is modeled with a two-term Amplitude vs. Offset (AVO) formulation.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Geo-X Systems Ltd.Inventor: Xishuo Wang
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Patent number: 7027928Abstract: A method for determining a parameter of interest of a formation fluid, comprises moving a tool attached to a tubular member along a borehole in a subterranean formation. The tool is used to determine a formation fluid pressure and a formation fluid temperature at predetermined locations along the borehole and calculating a formation fluid density along the borehole therefrom. A density of a reference fluid is determined along the borehole and is related to the formation fluid pressure and the formation fluid temperature. The parameter of interest of the formation fluid is determined at a predetermined location from a comparison of the corresponding formation fluid density and the reference fluid density at the predetermined location.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Rocco DiFoggio
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Patent number: 7024310Abstract: A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather forecast signals to remote communicator devices. The broadcast network comprising a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather information database, a weather analysis unit and a communication network. The user input database contains user-defined parameters, each of the user-defined parameters includes a user profile. The user profile in each of the user-defined parameters utilizes a user identifier code and identifies a communicator device associated with a particular user. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather information database contains real-time weather forecast data or weather data for the spatial locations contained in the communicator location database.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: WeatherBank, Inc.Inventors: Steven A. Root, Michael R. Root
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Patent number: 7020558Abstract: A Method of measuring local similarities between seismic trace cubes (3D survey) obtained from a volume of an underground zone, corresponding to prestack data or to repeated seismic surveys (4D survey). For each point of the volume considered, the method comprises a) extracting, from each seismic trace cube, a volume neighborhood centered on a point, referred to as current point, and consisting of a set of seismic traces in limited number; b) applying an analysis technique referred to as (GPCA) allowing defining synthetic variables; and c) determining a coherence value from the synthetic extracted variables measuring the local similarity between the seismic trace cubes extracted from the volume neighborhood of the current point. The coherence value thus calculated is assigned to the current point. The coherence values of all of the current points form a coherence cube. An application is finer monitoring of the evolution with time of a reservoir under development.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventors: Olivier Voutay, Frédérique Fournier, Jean-Jacques Royer
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Patent number: 7020557Abstract: A wireline well-logging data acquisition system and method for establishing corrected depth based on pressure readings from two pressure sensors separated by a known distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Kim Reniska
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Patent number: 7016784Abstract: A method of generating short-, medium-range and seasonal-timescale weather or climate forecasts by running an ensemble of computer models on a distributed computing system or network. Individual model integrations are interrogated to select those that most closely ressemble observed conditions in the present and recent past and the forecast based on a weighted average of future predictions based on this subset of the ensemble. The selection criteria determining which models are deemed to fit the observations most closely may be adjusted to optimize the use of observations in forecasting specific climate variables or geographic regions in order to develop forcasts tailored to particular applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Isis Innovation LimitedInventors: Myles Robert Allen, Matthew Collins, David Alan Stainforth
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Patent number: 7016785Abstract: A mobile radio-frequency enabled device that provides a reliable and inexpensive lightning alerting of a user. The device comprises an electromagnetic interferences detection component detecting electromagnetic interferences in radio-frequency signals received by the mobile radio-frequency enabled device for a communication link. The device further comprises a processing component to determine whether a lightning stroke can be assumed to have occurred in the vicinity of the device due to an electromagnetic interference detected by the electromagnetic interferences detection component, and to cause a notification of a user about an assumed lightning stroke via a user interface. The invention relates equally to a system which comprises such a device and a network element of a communication network, to a corresponding method and to a corresponding software program product.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Jakke Mäkelä, Terho Kaikuranta, Pekka Naula
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Patent number: 7013218Abstract: A method of managing a repeated surface comprising seismic data as one surface is disclosed where a plurality of horizons is analyzed and a determination made as to which of the plurality of horizons comprise a repeated surface. Those horizons which comprise the repeated surface may then be logically connected into a logically connected horizons data set which may then be assigned a common identifier and which may further respond similarly to a single event, e.g. a user action. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Siesmic Micro-Technology, Inc.Inventors: Robert Allison Baker, III, Clifford Kelley, Rocky Roden, William Vance
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Patent number: 7010429Abstract: A system and method of correcting skin effect of conductivity measurements made by electromagnetic induction well logging instruments. A limited number of measurements using different frequencies may be used. The skin effect correction system and method is capable of processing a complex signal waveform but only requires the in-phase signal measurements which are then corrected for the skin effect value and the geometric factors of the apparent conductivity measurements, thus making the corrected measurements suitable for advanced processing with modern array-type induction logging tools.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Jiaqi Xiao
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Patent number: 7006919Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous real-time measurement of bulk material using gamma irradiation and neutron irradiation. A DGA device monitors bulk material flow and produces a spectrum that is compared to a baseline spectrum to produce a relative weight/impurity ratio. A PGNAA device monitors the same bulk material flow and produces a spectrum that is compared to a library of spectrums to produce a relative component ratio. The relative component ratio is processed with the relative weight/impurity ratio to produce an absolute weight and impurity value, which is then processed with the relative component ratio to produce absolute component, or analyte, values.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Energy Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. Osucha, David K. Swindell
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Patent number: 7006920Abstract: The present invention is directed to incrementing a well service rig in such a manner that activity-based and/or time-based data for the well site is recorded. The acquired data can be transmitted via wired, wireless, satellite or physical to a data center preferably controlled by the work-over rig owner, but alternately controlled by the well owner or another. The data can thereafter be used to provide the customer a detailed invoice or a searchable, secure web-based database. With such information, the customer can schedule other services at the well site. Further, the customer will have access to detailed data on the actual service performed. The present invention fosters a synergistic relationship among the customer and the service companies that promotes a safe environment by monitoring crew work activities and equipment speeds; improving productivity; reducing operation expenses through improved job processes; and better data management and reduced operational failures.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Key Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Frederic M. Newman, Paul Herring
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Patent number: 7006923Abstract: A distributed biohazard surveillance system including a plurality of robust miniaturized remote monitoring stations for the detection, localized analysis and reporting of a broad range of biohazards. The remote monitoring station may be adapted to identify many different biological particles and is not limited to particular predetermined biohazard profiles. It is centrally and dynamically reconfigurable and can be adapted to operate unattended in a remote location. The distributed system may be used to locate and report unsuspected sources of biohazards and to monitor the localized effects in real-time cooperation with a centralized data processing facility.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Stuart H. Rubin
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Patent number: 7003400Abstract: The present invention provides a method of combining various types of data and software in order to arrive at a composite graphical representation of a construction site, including surface and subsurface features. A 2-D or 3-D graph of subsurface contoured surfaces is created. A 3-D wire-frame model of surface and subsurface features is created. Aerial photographs of the site can be incorporated and the aerial photographs contoured surfaces and wire-frame model are to produce a complete Visual Reduction Modeling Language (VRML) model of both surface and subsurface features. The VRML model allows the user to identify and visualize a relationship between sub-surface features and above ground features.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Bryant Consultants, Inc.Inventor: John Bryant