Patents by Inventor Richard R. Pemper
Richard R. Pemper 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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Patent number: 11243328Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the elemental composition of formation rock are disclosed. The systems include a pulsed-neutron geochemical logging tool that is conveyed in a borehole traversing the formation. The pulsed-neutron geochemical logging tool can collect inelastic and capture neutron spectra. The inelastic and capture spectra are processed to provide the elemental composition of formation rock after removing contributions due to elements in the borehole and in the pores of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Richard R. Pemper, Guojing Hou
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Publication number: 20210231828Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the elemental composition of formation rock are disclosed. The systems include a pulsed-neutron geochemical logging tool that is conveyed in a borehole traversing the formation. The pulsed-neutron geochemical logging tool can collect inelastic and capture neutron spectra. The inelastic and capture spectra are processed to provide the elemental composition of formation rock after removing contributions due to elements in the borehole and in the pores of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Richard R. Pemper, Guojing Hou
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Patent number: 10466384Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the composition of an earth formation are disclosed. One or more spectra that correspond to gamma radiation that is detected at each of multiple depths in a wellbore are generated, the contributions of each of multiple detection elements to the one or more spectra are determined, and the weight fractions of each of multiple compounds that are associated with the detection elements are calculated. The weight fraction calculations are based on a number density ratio value for the compound's associated detection element, which allows the weight fraction to be calculated directly from the contribution of the compound's associated detection element without a normalization factor.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Donald McKeon, Richard R. Pemper
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Publication number: 20190204471Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the composition of an earth formation are disclosed. One or more spectra that correspond to gamma radiation that is detected at each of multiple depths in a wellbore are generated, the contributions of each of multiple detection elements to the one or more spectra are determined, and the weight fractions of each of multiple compounds that are associated with the detection elements are calculated. The weight fraction calculations are based on a number density ratio value for the compound's associated detection element, which allows the weight fraction to be calculated directly from the contribution of the compound's associated detection element without a normalization factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Donald McKeon, Richard R. Pemper
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Patent number: 9012836Abstract: A neutron logging tool has multiple detectors spaced about the circumference of the tool. The detectors are shielded from each other such that each detector detects gamma rays from the area of the borehole and formation to which it is closest. The log readings from each detector can be associated with the orientation of that detector. The orientation-specific log readings can then be aggregated to form an azimuthal log which can be used to analyze pre-fractured and/or post-fractured formations.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Paul Wilson, Richard R. Pemper, Darryl Trcka
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Patent number: 8455812Abstract: An instrument for performing measurements downhole includes: at least one gamma-ray detector with azimuthal sensitivity equipped for discriminating energy of incident gamma-rays. This instrument is equipped with or without a neutron or gamma-ray source. A method and computer program product providing the azimuthal sensitivity of the instrument is provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Anton Nikitin, Alexandr A. Vinokurov, Richard R. Pemper
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Patent number: 8049164Abstract: Measurements made by a natural gamma ray tool are used to provide an elemental composition of an earth formation. Additional measurements made with a pulsed neutron tool with two or more gamma ray detectors are used to provide a mineralogical and/or elemental image of the formation. This may be used in reservoir navigation and in furthering the understanding of the geology of the prospect.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Andrew D. Kirkwood, Philip L. Kurkoski, Richard R. Pemper
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Patent number: 8024122Abstract: A method for estimating resistivity of a formation includes: selecting spectra collected by pulsed neutron instrument disposed down a wellbore traversing the formation, the spectra including capture interactions and inelastic interactions; deconvolving the spectra to estimate an elemental yield; converting the elemental yield to a total concentration value; subtracting a concentration value for drilling mud and a concentration value for the formation from the total concentration value to estimate a concentration in fluid within the formation; and converting the fluid concentration value to a resistivity value. A computer program product and an instrument are provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Brian J. LeCompte, Richard R. Pemper, Xiaogang Han
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Patent number: 7893398Abstract: A method for estimating information about a formation, the method including obtaining a first set of radiation data substantially influenced by the formation and non-formation materials; obtaining a second set of radiation data substantially influenced by the non-formation materials; and correcting the first set of radiation data with the second set of radiation data to provide corrected formation radiation data.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Daniel T. Georgi, Alfred I. Khisamutdinov, W. Allen Gilchrist, Jr., Richard R. Pemper
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Publication number: 20110029246Abstract: An instrument for performing measurements downhole includes: at least one gamma-ray detector with azimuthal sensitivity equipped for discriminating energy of incident gamma-rays. This instrument is equipped with or without a neutron or gamma-ray source. A method and computer program product providing the azimuthal sensitivity of the instrument is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Anton Nikitin, Alexandr A. Vinokurov, Richard R. Pemper
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Patent number: 7718955Abstract: A method for correcting data collected with a neutron emitting instrument, includes: obtaining characterization data for the instrument, the characterization data including inelastic background data of the instrument; and correcting the collected data according to the characterization data. A computer program product and an instrument are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Richard R. Pemper, Xiaogang Han
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Publication number: 20100025574Abstract: A method for estimating information about a formation, the method including obtaining a first set of radiation data substantially influenced by the formation and non-formation materials; obtaining a second set of radiation data substantially influenced by the non-formation materials; and correcting the first set of radiation data with the second set of radiation data to provide corrected formation radiation data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Daniel T. Georgi, Alfred I. Khisamutdinov, W. Allen Gilchrist, JR., Richard R. Pemper
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Publication number: 20090326825Abstract: A method for estimating resistivity of a formation includes: selecting spectra collected by pulsed neutron instrument disposed down a wellbore traversing the formation, the spectra including capture interactions and inelastic interactions; deconvolving the spectra to estimate an elemental yield; converting the elemental yield to a total concentration value; subtracting a concentration value for drilling mud and a concentration value for the formation from the total concentration value to estimate a concentration in fluid within the formation; and converting the fluid concentration value to a resistivity value. A computer program product and an instrument are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Brian J. LeCompte, Richard R. Pemper, Xiaogang Han
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Publication number: 20090242746Abstract: A method for correcting data collected with a neutron emitting instrument, includes: obtaining characterization data for the instrument, the characterization data including inelastic background data of the instrument; and correcting the collected data according to the characterization data. A computer program product and an instrument are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Richard R. Pemper, Xiaogang Han
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Publication number: 20090114806Abstract: Measurements made by a natural gamma ray tool are used to provide an elemental composition of an earth formation. Additional measurements made with a pulsed neutron tool with two or more gamma ray detectors are used to provide a mineralogical and/or elemental image of the formation. This may be used in reservoir navigation and in furthering the understanding of the geology of the prospect.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Andrew D. Kirkwood, Philip L. Kurkoski, Richard R. Pemper
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Patent number: 7402797Abstract: Elemental analysis of an earth formation (including Aluminum) is obtained using measurements from a gamma ray logging tool. The inelastic spectrum of Aluminum is determined from measurements made in a water tank. From the elemental analysis, an estimate of the mineralogy of the formation is made treating the problem as one of Linear Programming (maximizing an objective function subject to equality and/or inequality constraints.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Richard R. Pemper, Pingjun Guo
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Patent number: 5705812Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the location of subsurface markers in a formation proximate to a borehole. The apparatus includes marker detectors in a housing having at least two housing sections attached in an initial orientation. The distance between the detectors is measured under controlled conditions with a calibration bar. The initial attached orientation between the housing sections is identified with a calibrator, and deviations from the initial attached orientation are identified by the calibrator after the housing sections are detached and reattached. The calibrator permits well site corrections to be made to the housing sections without recalibration. Gauges permit corrections for temperature and pressure fluctuations, and the corrected distances between the housing detectors is computed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.Inventors: James E. Brewer, Richard R. Pemper, Izhar Ahmad, Randy Gold
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Patent number: 5489779Abstract: The present invention is a system for analyzing the energy levels of radiation detected by a radiation detector having a multichannel pulse height analyzer. The radiation detector generates signals representative of the energy level of the detected radiation, and the analyzer increments a particular channel dependent on the signal from the detector. The channel incremented by the analyzer is in response to an empirical relationship of the particular channel with respect to energy level. The empirical relationship is determined so that energy spectral peaks occurring over substantially the entire energy detection range of the detector have peak widths spanning substantially equal numbers of analyzer channels. In one embodiment of the invention, the detector is a scintillation counter responsive to gamma ray radiation. In one embodiment of the invention, the empirical relationship is approximated by an ordered expression comprising a third order polynomial function.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1994Date of Patent: February 6, 1996Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Pemper, Enrique J. Prati