Patents by Inventor Richard T. Coates

Richard T. Coates 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: 10739478
    Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for seismic data processing. The method may receive seismic data for a region of interest. The seismic data may be acquired in a seismic survey. The method may determine sparse seismic data by selecting shot points in the acquired seismic data using statistical sampling. The method may determine simulated seismic data based on an earth model for the region of interest, a reflection model for the region of interest, and the selected shot points. The method may determine an objective function that represents a mismatch between the sparse seismic data and the simulated seismic data. The method may update the reflection model using the objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Darrell Coles, Wei Dai, Kun Jiao
  • Patent number: 10113902
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Douglas E. Miller, Arthur H. Hartog, Colin A. Wilson, Dominic Brady, Henry Menkiti, Francois M. Auzerais, Ian David Richard Bradford
  • Publication number: 20170038246
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Douglas E. Miller, Arthur H. Hartog, Colin A. Wilson, Dominic Brady, Henry Menkiti, Francois M. Auzerais, Ian David Richard Bradford
  • Patent number: 9529109
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining slowness of wavefronts. An example apparatus includes one or more sources spaced from a receiver. The one or more sources are to transmit one or more signals and the receiver is to receive at least a portion of the one or more signals. The apparatus includes a processor to process waveform data associated with the one or more signals by stacking waveforms of the waveform data based on to linear moveout and sinusoidal moveout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas N. Bennett, Richard T Coates, Jakob Brandt Utne Haldorsen, Douglas E. Miller
  • Patent number: 9470807
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Douglas E. Miller, Arthur H. Hartog, Colin A. Wilson, Dominic Brady, Henry Menkiti, Francois M. Auzerais, Ian David Richard Bradford
  • Patent number: 9453404
    Abstract: The current application discloses methods and systems for generating mechanical tube waves in fluid filled boreholes penetrating subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the system of the current application comprises an energy storage chamber; a fast operating valve connected to the energy storage chamber; a pipe connected to the valve and extending to the liquid-filled borehole; wherein the energy storage chamber contains a first pressure that is substantially different from a second pressure in the pipe so that a fast operation of the valve generates a tube wave in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Philip F. Sullivan, Douglas E. Miller, Dominque Guillot, Francois M. Auzerais, Richard T. Coates
  • Publication number: 20160274256
    Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for seismic data processing. The method may receive seismic data for a region of interest. The seismic data may be acquired in a seismic survey. The method may determine sparse seismic data by selecting shot points in the acquired seismic data using statistical sampling. The method may determine simulated seismic data based on an earth model for the region of interest, a reflection model for the region of interest, and the selected shot points. The method may determine an objective function that represents a mismatch between the sparse seismic data and the simulated seismic data. The method may update the reflection model using the objective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Darrell Coles, Wei Dai, Kun Jiao
  • Patent number: 9354341
    Abstract: Propagation of wavefields are simulated along paths in a survey environment, where the simulated propagation includes an influence of a reflection at an interface that causes ghost data in measured survey data. Deghosting of the measured survey data is performed using the simulated wavefields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Craig J. Beasley, Richard T. Coates
  • Publication number: 20140334260
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for neural network signal processing of microseismic events. A series of sensors are disposable in at least one first well positioned about a second well disposed in a subterranean formation. The series of sensors obtain a data signal measurement including noise events and microseismic acoustic emission events. A processor includes a first neural network. The processor may remove the noise events from the data signal measurement and determine with the first neural network an arrival time for each microseismic acoustic emission event. An interface can output the arrival time for each microseismic acoustic emission event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chung Chang, Henri-Pierre Valero, Richard T. Coates
  • Publication number: 20140140172
    Abstract: Propagation of wavefields are simulated along paths in a survey environment, where the simulated propagation includes an influence of a reflection at an interface that causes ghost data in measured survey data. Deghosting of the measured survey data is performed using the simulated wavefields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: CRAIG J. BEASLEY, RICHARD T. COATES
  • Patent number: 8689904
    Abstract: An influx of gas into a borehole can be detected by deploying a string of acoustic sensors along a drill string or other conduit to monitor an acoustic characteristic, such as velocity or attenuation, of the drilling fluid present in the borehole. In response to detection of acoustic pulses propagating in the drilling fluid, the acoustic sensors generate signals that are representative of acoustic characteristics if the drilling fluid. Based on the generated signals, a data acquisition system can determine whether a change in the monitored acoustic characteristic is indicative of a gas influx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Benoit Froelich, Eric Lavruit
  • Publication number: 20140064028
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Douglas E. Miller, Arthur H. Hartog, Colin A. Wilson, Dominic Brady, Henry Menkiti, Francois M. Auzerais, Ian David Richard Bradford
  • Publication number: 20140010045
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining slowness of wavefronts. An example apparatus includes one or more sources spaced from a receiver. The one or more sources are to transmit one or more signals and the receiver is to receive at least a portion of the one or more signals. The apparatus includes a processor to process waveform data associated with the one or more signals by stacking waveforms of the waveform data based on to linear moveout and sinusoidal moveout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas N. Bennett, Richard T. Coates, Jakob Brandt Utne Haldorsen, Douglas E. Miller
  • Patent number: 8605542
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Douglas E. Miller, Arthur H. Hartog, Colin A. Wilson, Dominic Brady, Henry Menkiti, Francois M. Auzerais, Ian David Richard Bradford
  • Patent number: 8547795
    Abstract: A method to generate images of acoustic contrasts for structures located between at least one acoustic source and at least one receiver, said structures converting a part of the compressional energy to shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jakob Brandt Utne Haldorsen, Richard T. Coates
  • Publication number: 20120298421
    Abstract: An influx of gas into a borehole can be detected by deploying a string of acoustic sensors along a drill string or other conduit to monitor an acoustic characteristic, such as velocity or attenuation, of the drilling fluid present in the borehole. In response to detection of acoustic pulses propagating in the drilling fluid, the acoustic sensors generate signals that are representative of acoustic characteristics if the drilling fluid. Based on the generated signals, a data acquisition system can determine whether a change in the monitored acoustic characteristic is indicative of a gas influx.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: RICHARD T. COATES, BENOIT FROELICH, ERIC LAVRUIT
  • Publication number: 20110292763
    Abstract: A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Douglas E. Miller, Arthur H. Hartog, Colin A. Wilson, Dominic Brady, Henry Menkiti, Francois M. Auzerais, Ian David Richard Bradford
  • Publication number: 20110267922
    Abstract: The current application discloses methods and systems for generating mechanical tube waves in fluid filled boreholes penetrating subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the system of the current application comprises an energy storage chamber; a fast operating valve connected to the energy storage chamber; a pipe connected to the valve and extending to the liquid-filled borehole; where said energy storage chamber contains a first pressure that is substantially different from a second pressure in the pipe so that a fast operation of the valve generates a tube wave in the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Philip F. Sullivan, Douglas E. Miller, Dominque Guillot, Francois M. Auzerais, Richard T. Coates
  • Publication number: 20100103774
    Abstract: A method to generate images of acoustic contrasts for structures located between at least one acoustic source and at least one receiver, said structures converting a part of the compressional energy to shear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jakob Brandt Utne Haldorsen, Richard T. Coates
  • Patent number: 7554881
    Abstract: A technique includes obtaining seismic data, which was acquired during a seismic survey in seawater. The technique includes based on the seismic data, determining a conductivity of the seawater and processing data obtained from an electromagnetics-based survey based on the determined conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Steve A. Horne