Patents by Inventor W. David Kennedy

W. David Kennedy 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: 6934635
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recording the magnetic induction tensor induced in an earth formation are provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic induction device having at least three mutually orthogonal transmitter dipoles and at least three mutually orthogonal receiver dipoles that are direct-coupled, and at least three mutually orthogonal receiver dipoles that are cross-coupled. The method includes using the apparatus to sample the magnetic induction tensor components at a point. Further, samples may be taken at regularly spaced intervals using the magnetic induction device, moving the triaxial logging unit so that each transmitter and each receiver sequentially occupy the same point, repeating these steps until each transmitter and receiver array have sequentially occupied all desired points, and combining the magnetic induction tensor components to form the magnetic induction tensor. These components are useful in inferring water saturation and estimating hydrocarbon volumes in petroleum reservoirs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: W. David Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040059515
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recording the magnetic induction tensor induced in an earth formation are provided. The apparatus comprises a magnetic induction device having at least three mutually orthogonal transmitter dipoles and at least three mutually orthogonal receiver dipoles that are direct-coupled, and at least three mutually orthogonal receiver dipoles that are cross-coupled. The method comprises using the apparatus to sample the magnetic induction tensor components at a point. Further, samples may be taken at regularly spaced intervals using the magnetic induction device, moving the triaxial logging unit so that each transmitter and each receiver sequentially occupy the same point, repeating these steps until each transmitter and receiver array have sequentially occupied all desired points, and combining the magnetic induction tensor components to form the magnetic induction tensor. These components are useful in inferring water saturation and estimating hydrocarbon volumes in petroleum reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventor: W. David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5397985
    Abstract: Apparatus for 360.degree. azimuthal imaging of steel casing employs a transducer that is rotated around the inside wall of the casing for inducing and measuring variations in induced flux density within the casing as an indication of changes in casing thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: W. David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5105154
    Abstract: A cylindrical core sample of a subterranean formation is place into a sleeve under confining pressure. At least one electrode array extends through the sleeve and makes contact with the core sample. The array is in a plane normal to the core sample and has an even number of electrodes equally spaced about the sleeve. A current is passed through the core sample and voltages are measured across each pair of electrodes that are spaced 180.degree. apart around the sleeve. Such measurements are utilized to identify the radial direction of any electrical anisotropy in the core sample, particularly under differing fluid saturation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Wyatt W. Givens, W. David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 5095273
    Abstract: A transversely isotropic cylindrical core sample of a subterranean formation is fluid saturated and subjected to a confining pressure. Electrical potential is measured along the core sample and in a plurality of direction through the core sample which are normal to the cylindrical axis of the core sample at a plurality of spaced-apart positions along such axis. From these electric potential measurement tensor conductivity components normal to and lying within the bedding plane of the core sample are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: W. David Kennedy, Wyatt W. Givens
  • Patent number: 5093623
    Abstract: A cylindrical core sample of a subterranean formation is fluid saturated and subjected to a confining pressure. Voltages are measured in a plurality of directions through the core sample which are normal to the cylindrical axis of the core sample at a plurality of spaced-apart positions along such axis and utilized to determine resistivities. These resistivities are compared to identify the radial direction of any electrical anisotropy in the core sample for differing fluid saturation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Wyatt W. Givens, W. David Kennedy
  • Patent number: 4924187
    Abstract: A core sample from a subterranean formation is shaped to provide a plurality of parallel, planar outer surfaces. Electrical resistivity is measured in each of the azimuthal directions through the core sample which are perpendicular to each of the pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces for each of a plurality of differing fluid saturations within the core sample. A logarithmic plot is made of measured resistivity versus water saturation for each of the azimuthal directions through the core sample for which resistivity was measured. If the same logarithmic plot is obtained for all measured azimuthal directions, the core sample is identified as being electrically isotropic. If different logarithmic plots are obtained for at least 2 azimuthal directions the core sample is identified as being electrically anisotropic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Eve S. Sprunt, R. Michael Davis, W. David Kennedy, Samuel H. Collins