Patents by Inventor David L. Alumbaugh

David L. Alumbaugh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9625604
    Abstract: A method analyzes a subterranean formation. At least one property of a well casing in the subterranean formation is determined and a plurality of current source vectors at respective positions along a trajectory of the well casing are determined. The effect of the well casing is determined based upon the plurality of current source vectors and the at least one property of the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nestor Cuevas, David L. Alumbaugh, Edward Nichols
  • Patent number: 9335435
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 9103927
    Abstract: To perform marine electromagnetic (EM) surveying of a subterranean structure, a marine cable system is provided including a tow cable, a plurality of electromagnetic (EM) sources coupled to the tow cable, and a plurality of EM receivers coupled to the tow cable. The system is configured for deployment in a body of water to perform marine EM surveying of a subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Guozhong Gao, Tarek M. Habashy, H. Frank Morrison, Michael Oristaglio, Kambiz A. Safinya, Andrea Zerilli
  • Publication number: 20150073713
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Publication number: 20140350857
    Abstract: A method of mapping a subterranean formation having at least one wellbore therein may include operating an electromagnetic (EM) signal source and an EM receiver to generate wellbore position data. The method may also include operating a seismic signal source and a seismic receiver to generate seismic data, and generating subterranean formation data based upon the wellbore position data and the seismic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Herve Denaclara, Andrew Morgan, Ping Zhang, David L. Alumbaugh, Bradley Bryans
  • Patent number: 8892362
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Publication number: 20140239957
    Abstract: A method for mapping a subterranean formation having an electrically conductive wellbore casing therein may include using a low frequency electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and EM receiver operating at a low frequency of less than or equal to 10 Hertz to perform a first EM survey of the subterranean formation, and with either the low frequency EM transmitter or EM receiver within the electrically conductive well-bore casing. The method may further include injecting a magnetic fluid into the subterranean formation, and using the low frequency EM transmitter and EM receiver to perform a second EM survey of the subterranean formation after injecting the magnetic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ping Zhang, David L. Alumbaugh, Michael Wilt
  • Publication number: 20140132272
    Abstract: A method analyzes a subterranean formation. At least one property of a well casing in the subterranean formation is determined and a plurality of current source vectors at respective positions along a trajectory of the well casing are determined. The effect of the well casing is determined based upon the plurality of current source vectors and the at least one property of the well casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Nestor Cuevas, David L. Alumbaugh, Edward Nichols
  • Publication number: 20140019051
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES P. BRADY, ANDREW HAWTHORN, JOHN P. HORKOWITZ, JEAN SEYDOUX, JACQUES R. TABANOU, JIAN YANG, DAVID L. ALUMBAUGH
  • Patent number: 8570044
    Abstract: To analyze content of a subterranean structure, electric field measurements at plural source-receiver azimuths in a predefined range are received. Total magnetic field measurements are also received at plural source-receiver azimuths in the predefined range. The electric field measurements and the total magnetic field measurements are provided to an analysis module to enable determination of electrical resistivity anisotropy of the subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Tompkins, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 8392119
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for analyzing electromagnetic survey data. Electromagnetic survey data of a subterranean formation is obtained using at least a downhole transceiver deployed in a borehole and a transceiver positioned on the surface, or in the same or another borehole. Limits are defined for casing correction coefficients that account for effects of the borehole casing. A constrained inversion process is performed solving for the casing correction coefficients within the defined limits, and for one or more parameters of a model representing attributes, such as resistivity, of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Cyrille Levesque, Ping Zhang, Guozhong Gao
  • Patent number: 8378685
    Abstract: To perform a marine survey of a subterranean structure, a vertically oriented electromagnetic (EM) source is positioned in a body of water, where the EM source is coincident with an EM receiver. The EM source is activated to cause transmission of EM energy into the subterranean structure. After deactivation of the EM source, an EM field affected by the subterranean structure is measured by the EM receiver. In an alternative implementation, a survey system is provided that has a continuous wave EM source, a main EM receiver, and an auxiliary EM receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, David L. Alumbaugh, Nestor Cuevas
  • Publication number: 20120130641
    Abstract: A towed marine source to borehole electromagnetic survey system and method for surveying employing the same is disclosed. The system includes a sea vessel adapted for traversal of sea water over a subsea formation, a power supply affixed to the sea vessel and a high moment loop source coupled to the power supply, and a signal generator by a tow cable; said signal generator being affixed to the sea vessel configured to control operating parameters of the high moment loop source. The system also includes a wellbore drilled in the subsea formation, a series of electromagnetic (EM) receivers positioned in the wellbore. Each receiver includes a sensor module having sensing elements to measure one or more of electric fields, electric currents, and magnetic fields produced by the high moment loop source when towed by the sea vessel, and a storage device configured to store data from measurements made by the sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, Garrett Kramer, Edward Nichols, David L. Alumbaugh, Michael J. Tompkins
  • Publication number: 20120116679
    Abstract: To perform marine electromagnetic (EM) surveying of a subterranean structure, a marine cable system is provided including a tow cable, a plurality of electromagnetic (EM) sources coupled to the tow cable, and a plurality of EM receivers coupled to the tow cable. The system is configured for deployment in a body of water to perform marine EM surveying of a subterranean structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: DAVID L. ALUMBAUGH, GUOZHONG GAO, TAREK M. HABASHY, Frank H. MORRISON, MICHAEL ORISTAGLIO, KAMBIZ SAFINYA, ANDREA ZERILLI
  • Patent number: 8115491
    Abstract: To perform marine electromagnetic (EM) surveying of a subterranean structure, a marine cable system is provided including a tow cable, a plurality of electromagnetic (EM) sources coupled to the tow cable, and a plurality of EM receivers coupled to the tow cable. The system is configured for deployment in a body of water to perform marine EM surveying of a subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGreco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Guozhong Gao, Tarek M. Habashy, Frank H. Morrison, Michael Oristaglio, Kambiz Safinya, Andrea Zerilli
  • Publication number: 20110227579
    Abstract: To perform a marine survey of a subterranean structure, a vertically oriented electromagnetic (EM) source is positioned in a body of water, where the EM source is coincident with an EM receiver. The EM source is activated to cause transmission of EM energy into the subterranean structure. After deactivation of the EM source, an EM field affected by the subterranean structure is measured by the EM receiver. In an alternative implementation, a survey system is provided that has a continuous wave EM source, a main EM receiver, and an auxiliary EM receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, David L. Alumbaugh, Nestor Cuevas
  • Publication number: 20110210743
    Abstract: To analyze content of a subterranean structure, electric field measurements at plural source-receiver azimuths in a predefined range are received. Total magnetic field measurements are also received at plural source-receiver azimuths in the predefined range. The electric field measurements and the total magnetic field measurements are provided to an analysis module to enable determination of electrical resistivity anisotropy of the subterranean structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Tompkins, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 8008921
    Abstract: A system to perform a marine subterranean survey includes at least one vertical electromagnetic (EM) source and at least one EM receiver to measure a response of a subterranean structure that is responsive to EM signals produced by the vertical EM source. At least one tow cable is used to tow the EM source and EM receiver through a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Andrea Zerilli, H. Frank Morrison, Martin Howlid, James P. Brady, Leendert Combee, Edward Nichols, Nestor Cuevas
  • Patent number: 8010291
    Abstract: To process measurement data representing a subterranean structure, a derivative of the measurement data collected by at least one survey receiver is computed, with respect to frequency. A response representing the subterranean structure is then computed based on the derivative of the measurement data, where the response contains an air-wave component that has been suppressed due to computing the derivative of the measurement data relative to at least another component that is sensitive to the subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jiuping Chen, David L. Alumbaugh, Edward Nichols, Stephen A. Horne, Kevin Eyl
  • Patent number: 7880469
    Abstract: A survey technique for use in a marine environment to survey a subterranean structure includes providing an arrangement of plural signal sources in a body of water to produce corresponding signals. The signals of the signal sources in the arrangement are set to cause reduction of at least one predetermined signal component in data received by a receiver in response to the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Jiuping Chen, Kevin Eyl, Stephen A. Horne, Edward Nichols