Patents by Inventor H. Frank Morrison
H. Frank Morrison 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).
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Publication number: 20190162872Abstract: A system measures and/or estimates the distribution of current flowing in or on a Long Conductor, such as a borehole casing. This allows greater precision in data interpretation and in calculating input to geologic models.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: GroundMetrics, Inc.Inventors: H. Frank MORRISON, Michael WILT, Greg NIEUWENHUIS
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Patent number: 10126456Abstract: A system for mapping a depth of an aquifer and determining the presence and salinity of water from the aquifer and methods for using the making/using the same includes a central processor. One or more horizontal loop transmitters can be coupled to the central processor, wherein said one or more horizontal loop transmitters produce a first half-sine pulse of magnetic field at a first pulse duration for measuring the resistivity of a ground surface. The one or more horizontal loop transmitters can produce a second sequence of half-sine pulses at a second frequency for creating an excitation field for magnetic resonance sounding. A multi-turn receiver loop antenna can also be coupled to the central processor, wherein said multi-turn receiver loop antenna receives an induced magnetic field from said one or more horizontal loop transmitters that is representative of the depth of an aquifer and the salinity of the water.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: H. Frank Morrison, Alessandro Ratti, Erika Gasperikova
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Patent number: 10114141Abstract: A method for efficiently calculating a subsurface distribution of electrical resistivity or conductivity generated by an electromagnetic (EM) source is provided wherein a significant fraction of the electric current produced by a source flows along a casing of a borehole. The method is comprised of two steps: calculating EM fields produced by the casing in the background lithology; and calculating EM fields caused by a resistivity anomaly in the presence of an EM field produced by the casing within a subsurface or survey model that does not include the casing.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: GroundMetrics, Inc.Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, Clifford J. Schenkel, Andrew D. Hibbs
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Patent number: 10024995Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine a property of an earth formation, comprising a mobile transmitter disposed at a predetermined elevated height above a surface of the earth formation, and one or more receivers moveably disposed in a wellbore penetrating the earth formation. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the mobile transmitter into the formation from a plurality of locations; and at the one or more receivers a signal is measured. Using the signal received by the one or more receivers, a property of the formation, such as resistivity, can be determined and mapped.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Garrett Kramer, Michael Wilt, Edward Nichols, Luis DePavia, H. Frank Morrison
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Patent number: 10012752Abstract: A system enables a borehole casing to be used to connection with establishing electromagnetic fields within the earth at the depth of formations of interest over a significant surface area. A particular advantage is that a borehole casing can be used as an essential part of the system, without needing to open the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: GroundMetrics, Inc.Inventors: Andrew D Hibbs, H Frank Morrison
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Patent number: 9823379Abstract: A system and method are provided for delivering current to a lower exposed end of a well in which a source of current is connected to a middle section of a well casing or tubing inserted in the casing with the middle section being electrically isolated from a first or upper section by an insulative coupler and treated to be electrically resistive. A cable is attached to the middle section and used to deliver current along the wall of the middle section to the lower exposed end such that the lower exposed end is used to generate an electric field in nearby geological zones. Changes in the generated electric field resulting from the nature of materials in the geological zones can be detected by surface or below ground monitors or sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: GroundMetrics, Inc.Inventor: H. Frank Morrison
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Publication number: 20170068015Abstract: A method for efficiently calculating a subsurface distribution of electrical resistivity or conductivity generated by an electromagnetic (EM) source is provided wherein a significant fraction of the electric current produced by a source flows along a casing of a borehole. The method is comprised of two steps: calculating EM fields produced by the casing in the background lithology; and calculating EM fields caused by a resistivity anomaly in the presence of an EM field produced by the casing within a subsurface or survey model that does not include the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, Clifford J. Schenkel, Andrew D. Hibbs
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Publication number: 20170059737Abstract: A system and method are provided for delivering current to a lower exposed end of a well in which a source of current is connected to a middle section of a well casing or tubing inserted in the casing with the middle section being electrically isolated from a first or upper section by an insulative coupler and treated to be electrically resistive. A cable is attached to the middle section and used to deliver current along the wall of the middle section to the lower exposed end such that the lower exposed end is used to generate an electric field in nearby geological zones. Changes in the generated electric field resulting from the nature of materials in the geological zones can be detected by surface or below ground monitors or sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: GroundMetrics, Inc.Inventor: H. Frank Morrison
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Publication number: 20160195631Abstract: A system for mapping a depth of an aquifer and determining the presence and salinity of water from the aquifer and methods for using the making/using the same includes a central processor. One or more horizontal loop transmitters can be coupled to the central processor, wherein said one or more horizontal loop transmitters produce a first half-sine pulse of magnetic field at a first pulse duration for measuring the resistivity of a ground surface. The one or more horizontal loop transmitters can produce a second sequence of half-sine pulses at a second frequency for creating an excitation field for magnetic resonance sounding. A multi-turn receiver loop antenna can also be coupled to the central processor, wherein said multi-turn receiver loop antenna receives an induced magnetic field from said one or more horizontal loop transmitters that is representative of the depth of an aquifer and the salinity of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, Alessandro Ratti, Erika Gasperikova
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Patent number: 9103927Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Guozhong Gao, Tarek M. Habashy, H. Frank Morrison, Michael Oristaglio, Kambiz A. Safinya, Andrea Zerilli
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Publication number: 20150219784Abstract: A system enables a borehole casing to be used to connection with establishing electromagnetic fields within the earth at the depth of formations of interest over a significant surface area. A particular advantage is that a borehole casing can be used as an essential part of the system, without needing to open the borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Andrew D Hibbs, H Frank Morrison
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Patent number: 8614578Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining the attenuation of an electromagnetic signal passing through a conductive material. An antenna is provided and placed in relatively close proximity to the conductive material. An alternating current is passed through the antenna and the impedance of the antenna is measured. The attenuation is determined using the measured impedance. A single frequency measurement may be made, or multiple measurements using different frequencies may be made. Grouped parameters based on properties of the material and the frequency of the current are used to relate the coil impedance to the attenuation. A current frequency for which the ratio of the antenna's resistive part of the impedance to the angular frequency of the current is substantially insensitive to at least one of the parameters is preferred.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Guozhong Gao, H. Frank Morrison, Hong Zhang, Richard A. Rosthal, David Alumbaugh, Cyrille Levesque
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Patent number: 8378685Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, David L. Alumbaugh, Nestor Cuevas
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Patent number: 8332191Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining attenuation factors relating to an electromagnetic signal passing through, a conductive material seen by a real sensor. A sensor is provided and disposed proximate to the material. An alternating current is passed through the sensor and the impedance of the sensor is measured. The impedance of an ideal coil is obtained from the measured impedance using electromagnetic modeling combined with a circuit analysis of the coil impedance, and the attenuation factors for the real coil in straight or feedback mode are determined by electromagnetic modeling of casing attenuation factors and impedance of an ideal coil combined with equivalent circuit modeling of the sensor transfer functions. The attenuation factors seen by the real sensor may be determined in real-time or post-survey. The material may be magnetic or non-magnetic.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Richard A. Rosthal, Hong Zhang, Cyrille Levesque, Guozhong Gao, H. Frank Morrison, David Alumbaugh
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Publication number: 20120130641Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, Garrett Kramer, Edward Nichols, David L. Alumbaugh, Michael J. Tompkins
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Publication number: 20110227579Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, David L. Alumbaugh, Nestor Cuevas
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Patent number: 8008921Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: David L. Alumbaugh, Andrea Zerilli, H. Frank Morrison, Martin Howlid, James P. Brady, Leendert Combee, Edward Nichols, Nestor Cuevas
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Publication number: 20110012620Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining attenuation factors relating to an electromagnetic signal passing through, a conductive material seen by a real sensor. A sensor is provided and disposed proximate to the material. An alternating current is passed through the sensor and the impedance of the sensor is measured. The impedance of an ideal coil is obtained from the measured impedance using electromagnetic modeling combined with a circuit analysis of the coil impedance, and the attenuation factors for the real coil in straight or feedback mode are determined by electromagnetic modeling of casing attenuation factors and impedance of an ideal coil combined with equivalent circuit modeling of the sensor transfer functions. The attenuation factors seen by the real sensor may be determined in real-time or post-survey. The material may be magnetic or non-magnetic.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Richard A. Rosthal, Hong Zhang, Cyrille Levesque, Guozhong Gao, H. Frank Morrison, David Alumbaugh
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Publication number: 20100321023Abstract: The present disclosure relates to determining the attenuation of an electromagnetic signal passing through a conductive material. An antenna is provided and placed in relatively close proximity to the conductive material. An alternating current is passed through the antenna and the impedance of the antenna is measured. The attenuation is determined using the measured impedance. A single frequency measurement may be made, or multiple measurements using different frequencies may be made. Grouped parameters based on properties of the material and the frequency of the current are used to relate the coil impedance to the attenuation. A current frequency for which the ratio of the antenna's resistive part of the impedance to the angular frequency of the current is substantially insensitive to at least one of the parameters is preferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: Guozhong Gao, H. Frank Morrison, Hong Zhang, Richard A. Rosthal, David Alumbaugh, Cyrille Levesque
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Publication number: 20100225322Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine a property of an earth formation, comprising a mobile transmitter disposed at a predetermined elevated height above a surface of the earth formation, and one or more receivers moveably disposed in a wellbore penetrating the earth formation. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the mobile transmitter into the formation from a plurality of locations; and at the one or more receivers a signal is measured. Using the signal received by the one or more receivers, a property of the formation, such as resistivity, can be determined and mapped.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Garrett Kramer, Michael Wilt, Edward Nichols, Luis DePavia, H. Frank Morrison