Using Angularly Spaced Coils Patents (Class 324/343)
  • Patent number: 11953639
    Abstract: Some aspects relate to techniques for calibrating a logging tool. In some implementations, the logging tool may estimate certain unknown properties of a signal based on distances between transmitters and receivers of the logging tool and based on frequencies used by the transmitters and receivers. The logging tool may estimate the unknown properties by interpolating values into a mathematical function related to the above-noted distances and frequencies. After estimating the unknown properties, the logging tool may be deployed into the wellbore, where it may use the estimated properties to process signals received through a subsurface formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yijing Fan, Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Jin Ma, Li Pan
  • Patent number: 11333787
    Abstract: A downhole tool, comprising: a tool mandrel; a pad comprising a transmitter operable to transmit an electric current into a formation and a receiver operable to receive at least a portion of the electric current from transmitter; an extension from the tool mandrel that couples pad to tool mandrel; and a signal filter positioned in the downhole tool to suppress passage of mandrel leakage current that passes through tool mandrel to pad. A method of resistivity imaging, comprising: disposing a downhole tool into borehole; transmitting a current into formation surrounding the borehole with a transmitter that is extended from tool mandrel of the downhole tool towards borehole wall; and recording at least a portion of the current that returns to receiver of downhole tool, wherein a signal filter suppress passages of mandrel leakage current that passes through the tool mandrel to a pad on which the transmitter is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Junwen Dai, Burkay Donderici, David Ronald Beard
  • Patent number: 10393703
    Abstract: A calibration system for an electromagnetic (EM) tool includes a processor. The processor employs the EM tool to measure responses at each of a plurality of channels. The processor records the measured responses at each of the channels in an EM data log for the channel. The processor determines a nominal value of each of the channels, as being equal to a histogram peak of the EM data log. The processor selects one or more calibration points from the EM data log for a particular channel, based on a difference between the nominal value of the particular channel and the measured response at the calibration point being greater than a particular threshold. The processor determines a plurality of parameters by reducing a misfit between synthetic data and both the nominal values of the channels and the measured responses of the channels at the selected one or more calibration points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed E. Fouda, Burkay Donderici, Luis Emilio San Martin
  • Patent number: 10365395
    Abstract: At least some disclosed resistivity logging system embodiments include a logging tool and a processing system. The logging tool provides multi-component transmitter-receiver coupling measurements to the processing system. The processing system derives from the measurements initial formation parameter estimates based on a first formation model such as a radially-symmetric formation model having anisotropic, but otherwise homogenous dipping formation. The processing system further derives in one or more selected regions a second set of formation parameter estimates based on a second formation model such as a model having a dipping borehole through a series of horizontal formation layers, each having a vertical transverse isotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dagang Wu, Junsheng Hou, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 9638827
    Abstract: A bottom hole assembly used for a field operation is disclosed herein. The bottom hole assembly can include at least one directional antenna disposed on an outer surface of a first tubing pipe of a tubing string, where the at least one directional antenna receives a first electric current from at least one power source, where the first electric current generates a first magnetic field that radiates from the at least one directional antenna into a formation. The bottom hole assembly can also include at least one receiver disposed on a second tubing pipe of the tubing string, where the at least one receiver receives the first magnetic field returning from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: David Wesley Reagor, Doan Ngoc Nguyen, Stephen Paul Ashworth
  • Patent number: 9429675
    Abstract: A method for logging subsurface formations penetrated by a wellbore include measuring electromagnetic properties of the formations using electromagnetic fields having a magnetic dipole axis parallel to a logging tool axis Electromagnetic properties of the formations are also measured using electromagnetic fields having a magnetic dipole axis oblique to the logging tool axis. A horizontal resistivity of the formations is determined from the parallel dipole axis measurements. A vertical resistivity, formation layer boundaries and a dip angle of the formations are determined from the oblique dipole axis measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 9075157
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest in a borehole penetrating an earth formation using a receiver and a transmitter, both disposed on a carrier, with aligned magnetic moments to correct for bending of carrier during borehole investigations. The apparatus may include a transmitter with at least two substantially perpendicular coils and a receiver with at least one coil oriented with at least one or the transmitter coils. The method may include aligning the magnetic moment of the transmitter and the magnetic moment of the receiver prior to estimating the parameter of interest. The method may include supplying a constant electric current to one of the transmitter coils while supplying a varying electric current to another of the transmitter coils. The method may include estimating a direction of bending or angle of bending of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Matthias Gorek
  • Patent number: 9062540
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation involving alignment information between receivers and their corresponding oriented transmitters. The method may include generating signals indicative responses to energy transmitted into an earth formation; estimating differences in alignment between transmitters and receivers; using the estimated differences in alignment to compensate for misalignment; and estimating a parameter of interest using the misalignment compensated signals. The apparatus may include a bottom hole assembly with one or more oriented transmitters, one or more oriented receivers, one or more alignment sensors, and at least one processor configured to compensate for misalignment using information about difference in alignment between the at least one oriented transmitter and at least one oriented receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andreas Hartmann, Christian Fulda, Hans-Martin Maurer
  • Patent number: 8928323
    Abstract: A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Charles Machines Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Cole, Brian J. Schrock, David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 8841913
    Abstract: A method and a downhole tool determine one or more parameters of a formation traversed by a borehole where at least a portion of the formation has substantially parallel boundaries. A tool is disposed in the borehole that includes a transmitter having a dipole moment at an angle ?T with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool, a receiver having a dipole moment at an angle ?R with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool and a rotational position indicator. The transmitter-receiver pair transmits an electromagnetic signal while rotating the tool, receives the electromagnetic signal to produce a measured signal, and determine(s) the formation parameters for the portion of the formation having substantially parallel boundaries based on the measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Qiming Li, Jean Seydoux
  • Patent number: 8838389
    Abstract: Various techniques for generating a polar display include a method, which involves receiving information identifying a formation property of an anomaly within a geologic formation from a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool that includes several sensors. The formation property is identified by at least one magnitude and at least one distance. The formation property is also identified relative to a corresponding property of the geologic formation. The method also involves receiving information identifying an azimuthal angle from the MWD tool, where the azimuthal angle relates a position of the anomalous formation to a position of a first sensor. The method then generates a graphic, based upon the at least one magnitude and the at least one distance and the azimuthal angle, and displays the graphic on a polar display, in which a center of the polar display corresponds to a location of the borehole in which the MWD tool is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: CBG Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Sinclair, Thomas A. Springer, Joseph K. Clontz
  • Patent number: 8669765
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation. An apparatus includes an elongated support member; a primary transmitter on the elongated support member; and a receiver toroid on the elongated support member, the receiver toroid being positioned transversely on the elongated support member and including a single coil antenna. Methods include positioning a logging tool in a borehole in the earth formation; using a transverse receiver toroid on an elongated support member on the logging tool, wherein the transverse receiver toroid includes a single coil antenna; and producing a signal responsive to an electrical signal produced by a primary transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard, Rashid W. Khokar
  • Patent number: 8581592
    Abstract: Logging tools and methods employing an at-bit loop antenna to acquire azimuthal resistivity measurements proximate to the bit enable low-latency geosteering signals to be generated. In some embodiments, the at-bit antenna is part of a bottom hole assembly that includes a drill bit, a mud motor, and a resistivity tool. The mud motor is positioned between the at-bit antenna and the resistivity tool. The resistivity tool includes at least one loop antenna that is not parallel to the at-bit loop antenna. The at-bit antenna is part of an at-bit module that, in some embodiments, transmits periodic electromagnetic signal pulses for the resistivity tool to measure. In other embodiments, the at-bit module measures characteristics of electromagnetic signal pulses sent by the resistivity tool and communicates the measured characteristics to the resistivity tool via a short hop telemetry link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Clive D. Menezes
  • Patent number: 8571797
    Abstract: A method to determine one or more borehole corrected formation properties using measurements made using a logging tool disposed in a borehole penetrating an earth formation is disclosed. The measurements are used to determine an apparent conductivity tensor for the formation and, for a set of parameters, a parameter value for each parameter in a subset of the set of parameters. A parameter value for each parameter in the set of parameters not in the subset is provided and a borehole-inclusive modeled conductivity tensor is computed. The apparent conductivity tensor and the borehole-inclusive modeled conductivity tensor are iteratively used to optimize the parameter values, and the optimized parameter values are used to compute an optimized conductivity tensor. A borehole corrected conductivity tensor is computed using the optimized conductivity tensor, and the borehole corrected formation properties are determined using the borehole corrected conductivity tensor and/or the optimized parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Hanming Wang, Gerald N. Minerbo
  • Patent number: 8558548
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to determine the vertical resistivity of a subsurface formation. A downhole logging tool having a plurality of spaced antennas, at least one of which is a transverse antenna, at least two of which are tilted antennas, and at least two of which are axial antennas is provided. Measurements involving the transverse and/or the tilted antennas of the downhole logging tool are obtained. Voltage ratios are formed using the measurements, and conditioning factors are formed by raising the determined voltage ratios not involving the transverse antenna to some arbitrary power. The sum of the exponents of the conditioning factors preferably equals one. A voltage ratio involving the transverse antenna is multiplied by the conditioning factors, and the vertical resistivity of the subsurface formation is determined using the resulting ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Minerbo, Andrei Davydychev, Keli Sun
  • Patent number: 8547103
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation, particularly relating to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating electrical resistivity properties at multiple depths of investigation. The apparatus may include two or more transmitters for introducing electrical current to the earth formation. The apparatus may include a controller configured to deliver an electrical signal to the two or more transmitters either simultaneously or sequentially. The controller may deliver an electrical signal to two or more transmitters at the same frequency for estimating depth of investigation. The apparatus may include one or more receivers responsive to electric signals from the earth formation at one or more frequencies to provide data from one or more depths of investigation. The method may include steps for using the apparatus to obtain data that may be used to estimate the parameter of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard
  • Patent number: 8466683
    Abstract: A system and method to determine earth formation properties by positioning a logging tool within a wellbore in the earth formation, the logging tool having a tool rotation axis and a first, a second, and a third tilted transmitter coil, and a tilted receiver coil; rotating the logging tool about the tool rotation axis; energizing each transmitter coil; measuring a coupling signal between each transmitter coil and the receiver coil for a plurality of angles of rotation; determining a coupling tensor; and determining the earth formation properties using the coupling tensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Legendre, Jean Seydoux, Reza Taherian, Jian Yang, Qiming Li
  • Patent number: 8466682
    Abstract: A directional resistivity tool includes a pair of transmitters deployed between at least one pair of receivers. Each of the transmitters and receivers preferably includes collocated z-mode and x-mode antennae. Exemplary embodiments may further include additional receivers, for example, additional pairs of receivers deployed axially about the transmitters or one or more deep reading receivers deployed on one axial end of the transmitters. Tools in accordance with the invention enable directional resistivity measurements to be acquired at multiple depths of investigation using fewer transmitter firings than conventional tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Publication number: 20130027044
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to produce an image of a subsurface formation using directional measurements. A downhole logging tool having one or more transmitters and one or more receivers, and being capable of making directional measurement, is used to measure the voltage in a particular receiver due to a particular transmitter for one or more transmitter/receiver pairs, at least one of those voltage measurements being a directional measurement. The complex (phasor) voltage recorded on a receiver coil is divided by the complex voltage recorded at another reference receiver coil. Alternatively, we can use the ratio of a receiver voltage at a particular rotation angle of the tool divided by the voltage on the same receiver when the tool has rotated by an angle of 180 degrees. The information in those ratios is combined to produce images of the resistivity of the subsurface formation surrounding the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Gerald Minerbo, Sofia Davydycheva, Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 8305082
    Abstract: Measurements made with a multicomponent logging system oriented in a horizontal position above the surface of the earth must satisfy certain relationships. These relationships are used to establish calibration errors in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gulamabbas Merchant, Luis M. Pelegri, Vladimir S. Mogilatov
  • Patent number: 8299795
    Abstract: A downhole induction resistivity assembly that comprises a downhole tool string component. The tool string component comprises an induction transmitter. The transmitter is adapted to induce an induction field in the surrounding formation. A first induction receiver is spaced apart from the transmitter and is adapted to measure the induction field. A magnetic field generating mechanism is disposed adjacent on either or both sides of the transmitter and adapted to guide the transmitter's signal into the formation. A second induction receiver is disposed in close proximity to the magnetic field generating mechanism and is adapted to measure the magnetic field generated by the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Harold L. Synder, Clint Cook, Katie George
  • Patent number: 8294467
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to produce an image of a subsurface formation using directional measurements. A downhole logging tool having one or more transmitters and one or more receivers, and being capable of making directional measurements, is used to measure the voltage in a particular receiver due to a particular transmitter for one or more transmitter/receiver pairs, at least one of those voltage measurements being a directional measurement. The complex (phasor) voltage recorded on a receiver coil is divided by the complex voltage recorded at another reference receiver coil. Alternatively, we can use the ratio of a receiver voltage at a particular rotation angle of the tool divided by the voltage on the same receiver when the tool has rotated by an angle of 180 degrees. The information in those ratios is combined to produce images of the resistivity of the subsurface formation surrounding the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Minerbo, Sofia Davydycheva, Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 8278928
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a position of a component in an earth formation is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a transmitter configured to emit a first magnetic field into the earth formation and induce an electric current in the component, the transmitter having a first magnetic dipole extending in a first direction; and a receiver for detecting a second magnetic field generated by the component in response to the first magnetic field, the receiver having a second magnetic dipole extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A method and computer program product for detecting a position of a component in an earth formation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexandre N. Bespalov
  • Patent number: 8274289
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are electromagnetic resistivity logging systems and methods that employ an antenna configuration having at most two transmitter or receiver antenna orientations that rotate relative to the borehole. The measurements made by this reduced-complexity antenna configuration enable the determination of at least seven components of a coupling matrix, which may be determined using a linear system of equations that express the azimuthal dependence of the measurements. For increased reliability, measurement averaging may be performed in azimuthally spaced bins. The coupling matrix components can then be used as the basis for determining logs of various formation parameters, including vertical resistivity and anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bittar, Guoyu Hu
  • Patent number: 8129993
    Abstract: A method to determine one or more parameters of a formation traversed by a borehole, at least a portion of the formation having substantially parallel boundaries, the method comprising disposing a tool in the borehole, wherein the tool includes a transmitter having a dipole moment at an angle ?T with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool and a receiver having a dipole moment at an angle ?R with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool, the transmitter and receiver comprising a transmitter-receiver pair; transmitting an electromagnetic signal while rotating the tool; receiving the electromagnetic signal to produce a measured signal from the transmitter-receiver pair; and determining the one or more formation parameters for the portion of the formation having substantially parallel boundaries based on the measured signal from the transmitter-receiver pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Qiming Li, Jean Seydoux
  • Patent number: 8030936
    Abstract: A downhole induction resistivity assembly that comprises a downhole tool string component. The tool string component comprises an induction transmitter. The transmitter is adapted to induce an induction field in the surrounding formation. A first induction receiver is spaced apart from the transmitter and is adapted to measure the induction field. A magnetic field generating mechanism is disposed adjacent on either or both sides of the transmitter and adapted to guide the transmitter's signal into the formation. A second induction receiver is disposed in close proximity to the magnetic field generating mechanism and is adapted to measure the magnetic field generated by the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Harold Snyder, Clint Cook, Katie George
  • Patent number: 8030935
    Abstract: Logging tools, methods, and computer programs for use in borehole logging are described. The logging tool includes three or more tensors, each tensor including one or more coils. Each coil is characterized by coil parameters including an axis orientation, a cross-sectional area, a number of turns, and a location. At least one of the coil axes is disposed at an angle to the borehole axis. One or more of the coil parameters are selected to minimize sensitivity to borehole current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiaqi Xiao, Li Gao
  • Publication number: 20110227578
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an induction resistivity tool includes an induction transmitter and an induction receiver located along the length of the tool. The transmitter is located adjacent at least one induction bucking coils of the tool. When activated the bucking coils are configured to direct a field transmitted by the induction transmitter away from the tool at an angle from the central axis of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Harold L. Snyder, JR., Paula Turner, Clint Cook
  • Patent number: 7999550
    Abstract: To fully characterize the inductive response of an isolated conductive object, such as buried unexploded ordinance, one needs to measure its response to stimulation by primary magnetic fields in three linearly independent (e.g., approximately orthogonal) directions. In one embodiment this is achieved by measuring the response to magnetic fields of three independent transmitters arranged to have magnetic fields that are linearly independent. According to the apparatus and methods employing the system of this invention, multiple transmitters and receivers of known relative position and orientation on a single platform are used. In a preferred embodiment, matched sets of receiver pairs connected in gradient mode are positioned adjacent to closely spaced pairs of transmitting coils, such that a minor displacement of one or both of the receiver coil pairs relative to the paired transmitting coils will not affect the detected secondary signals emitted by a buried metallic object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Frank H. Morrison, Erika Gasperikova
  • Patent number: 7991555
    Abstract: An orientation vector, referred to hereinafter as the “geosteering vector,” is directed to the more conductive formation area within the DOI of the tool and away from the more resistive formation areas. Accordingly, drilling in a direction opposite the geosteering vector leads to more resistive formation. Also, the disclosed geosteering vectors obtained from the real and imaginary components will not align with each other for non-planar formations and therefore the misalignment of the geosteering obtained from real and imaginary components is indicative of a non-planar formation. A superposition method is disclosed which can be used to calculate electromagnetic (EM) couplings in a non-planar geometry formation (as well as in a planar geometry formation) in real time, without requiring two or three dimensional modeling calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Qiming Li, Dzevat Omeragic, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Bernadette Tabanou, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20110068798
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to produce an image of a subsurface formation using directional measurements. A downhole logging tool having one or more transmitters and one or more receivers, and being capable of making directional measurements, is used to measure the voltage in a particular receiver due to a particular transmitter for one or more transmitter/receiver pairs, at least one of those voltage measurements being a directional measurement. The complex (phasor) voltage recorded on a receiver coil is divided by the complex voltage recorded at another reference receiver coil. Alternatively, we can use the ratio of a receiver voltage at a particular rotation angle of the tool divided by the voltage on the same receiver when the tool has rotated by an angle of 180 degrees. The information in those ratios is combined to produce images of the resistivity of the subsurface formation surrounding the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Gerald Minerbo, Sofia Davydycheva, Jian Yang
  • Patent number: 7912648
    Abstract: A method for imaging a geologic deposit using data collected from a borehole includes: selecting an instrument for performing electromagnetic (EM) measurements, the instrument including at least one transmitter and at least one orthogonally oriented receiver; obtaining EM measurement data from the borehole with the instrument; transforming the EM measurement data to acoustic data; and estimating at least one of a direction and a distance from the instrument to the deposit from the data. A computer program product and a system are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao M. Tang, Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 7898260
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for evaluating an earth formation are disclosed. A logging tool which has two coplanar antennas disposed at a known distance from an axis of the logging tool is conveyed into a borehole. The presence of a borehole effect is determined from a difference between outputs of the two antennas. The borehole effect may include eccentering of the logging tool in the borehole. Measurements made by an additional antenna and/or the two coplanar antennas may be corrected for the effects of eccentering. Horizontal and vertical formation resistivity as well as additional petrophysical properties may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Luis M. Pelegri, Randy Gold
  • Patent number: 7888940
    Abstract: A downhole induction resistivity assembly that comprises a downhole tool string component. The tool string component comprises an induction transmitter. The transmitter is adapted to induce an induction field in the surrounding formation. A first induction receiver is spaced apart from the transmitter and is adapted to measure the induction field. A magnetic field generating mechanism is disposed adjacent on either or both sides of the transmitter and adapted to guide the transmitter's signal into the formation. A second induction receiver is disposed in close proximity to the magnetic field generating mechanism and is adapted to measure the magnetic field generated by the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Harold Synder, Clint Cook, Katie George
  • Patent number: 7839149
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a resistivity tool for use in a wellbore, wherein at least two orthogonal antennas are located at the same or substantially the same location of the tool. A single set of vertically aligned grooves is provided for the at least two orthogonal antennas. Each antenna may be configured to operate as a transmitter or receiver. A tool with collocated antennas may be used to provide azimuthally sensitive measurements even if the tool is non-rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, John A. Signorelli, Sheng Fang, Roland E. Chemali
  • Publication number: 20100289496
    Abstract: A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Cole, Michael F. Gard, David R. Brown, Bradley S. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7825664
    Abstract: A wireline tool string used in a wellbore to determine formation properties is disclosed which comprises one or more transmitter tools disposed within the tool string, each transmitter tool having three linearly independent coils; a receiver tool disposed within the tool string, wherein the receiver tool has three linearly independent coils; and a tool string component disposed between the one or mole transmitter tools and the receiver tool; wherein the one or more transmitter tools are selectably spatially separated from the receiver tool along the tool string to provide a desired depth of investigation and measurements made using the one or more transmitter tools and receiver tool are used to determine formation properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Homan, Edward Nichols, Michael Wilt, Jean Seydoux
  • Publication number: 20100244841
    Abstract: A downhole measurement tool includes at least one non-planar antenna configured for transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation. The non-planar antenna includes at least one non-planar loop of antenna wire deployed about a tool body. In one exemplary embodiment, the non-planar antenna may be thought of as being bi-planar in that it includes first and second sections defining first and second intercepting geometric planes. In another exemplary embodiment, the axial separation between the non-planar loop of antenna wire and a circular centerline of the antenna varies substantially sinusoidally with respect to an azimuth angle about the circumference of the tool. Exemplary non-planar antennae in accordance with the invention may be advantageously configured to transceive substantially pure x-, y-, and z-mode radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 7786731
    Abstract: A receiver and tracking system for identifying a location of a magnetic field source. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of tri-axial antennas are positioned at three distinct points on a receiver frame. Each antenna detects a magnetic field from a source and a processor is used to determine a location of the source relative to the frame using the antenna signals. Each tri-axial antenna comprises three windings in each of three channels defined by a support structure. The windings each define an aperture area. The windings have substantially identical aperture areas and have a common center point. The receiver may to display to the operator the relative location of the field source or may direct the operator to a spot directly above the field source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott B. Cole, Michael F. Gard, David R. Brown, Bradley S. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7737697
    Abstract: Multi-component induction measurements are made using a resistivity logging tool in an anistropic earth formation. A subset of the multi-component measurements are inverted to first determine horizontal resistivities. Using the determined horizontal resistivities and another subset of the multi-component measurements, the vertical resistivities are obtained. Results of using the in-phase signals are comparable to those obtained using multifrequency focusing of quadrature signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Liming Yu, Berthold Kriegshäuser
  • Patent number: 7733093
    Abstract: An induction or propagation apparatus for performing measuring the tensor resistivity of a sample of matter includes a non-conductive, generally cylindrical tubular member adapted to receive the matter therein, a triaxial transmitter, at least one triaxial receiver, and an electronic module. The electronic module is adapted to energize the triaxial transmitter, control acquisition of signals by the at least one triaxial receiver, and perform anisotropic measurements and analysis. The triaxial transmitter and the at least one triaxial receiver are disposed on the generally cylindrical tubular member in axial spaced relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Homan, Joshua W. Gibson, Jonatan Jalfin, Hanming Wang, Christophe Dupuis, Gerald N. Minerbo
  • Patent number: 7663372
    Abstract: A resistivity tool for use in a wellbore is provided. The resistivity tool, in one embodiment, may include a longitudinal tool member, a first set of slots at a selected location in the longitudinal tool member and a conductor associated with the first set of slots to form a first antenna having a first orientation, and a second set of slots substantially at the selected location of the longitudinal tool member and a second conductor associated with the second set of slots to form a second antenna having a second orientation, thereby forming co-located antennas having different orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Signorelli, Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 7656160
    Abstract: A system and method to determine earth formation properties by positioning a logging tool within a wellbore in the earth formation, the logging tool having a tool rotation axis and a first, a second, and a third tilted transmitter coil, and a tilted receiver coil; rotating the logging tool about the tool rotation axis; energizing each transmitter coil; measuring a coupling signal between each transmitter coil and the receiver coil for a plurality of angles of rotation; determining a coupling tensor; and determining the earth formation properties using the coupling tensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Legendre, Jean Seydoux, Reza Taherian, Jian Yang, Qiming Li
  • Publication number: 20090230969
    Abstract: A downhole tool string assembly comprising at least one transmitter. The transmitter may be a sonic transmitter, a seismic transmitter, or an ultrasonic transmitter. The transmitter may transmit an acoustic wave into an earthen formation. The speed of the wave as it travels through the formation or as it reflects off of objects and/or layers in the formation may reveal information about the formation. The downhole tool string assembly also comprises at least one receiver. The receiver is adapted to measure waves within the formation. The downhole tool string assembly also comprises at least one transducer proximate the receiver. The transducer is adapted to substantially cancel waves traveling along the borehole and/or tool string and allow the receiver to focus on the waves traveling through the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner
  • Patent number: 7554328
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for evaluating an earth formation. A logging tool having a non-conductive mandrel and a conducting sleeve having at least one antenna that are electrically connected is conveyed into a borehole in the earth formation. At least one of the antennae has a coil oriented at a non-zero an angle to a longitudinal axis of the logging tool. The at least one antenna is activated, and an effect of a signal received by a receiver coil on the logging tool due to at least one of (A) an eccentering of the logging tool, and (B) a coil misalignment is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Alexandre N. Bespalov
  • Publication number: 20090160449
    Abstract: Improved receiver antennas are disclosed for long offset tensor induction army logging tools. The disclosed antennas include a bobbin which accommodates a ferromagnetic core. The outer surface of the bobbin is wrapped around a binding so that winding is thicker or includes more turns towards a center of the bobbin and is thinner or includes less turns towards the outer ends of the bobbin. The result is that the primary winding with a curved or parabolic profile that enhances the effective magnetic permeability and magnetic moment of the antenna. A secondary winding may also be utilized for flux feedback compensation. The elimination of winding turns towards the ends of the magnetic coil result in reduced DC resistance and the reduction in parasitic capacitance of the antennas. The disclosed antennas may be used in x-y-z receiver arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ismael Martinez, Dean M. Homan, Laurent Villegas, Gary A. Hazen
  • Patent number: 7541813
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention an induction resistivity tool incorporated into a downhole tool string comprises an outer wall of a downhole component having an outer diameter. At least one induction transmitter assembly is disposed along the outer diameter. The transmitter assembly comprises at least one coil array and at least one induction transmitter coil wound about at least one core. The coil array comprises a plurality of magnetic units and each unit comprising a magnetic field orientation. The magnetic field orientations accumulatively form a Halbach array with an augmented field side and a canceled field side of the array. The transmitter assembly generates an induction signal from outside the outer wall and substantially prevents the signal from entering the outer wall when the transmitter assembly is carrying an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventors: Harold L. Synder, Jr., Paula Turner
  • Patent number: 7536261
    Abstract: A method to determine a parameter of a subsurface formation such as anisotropy and dip comprises making at least two cross dipole measurements and forming an anti-symmetrized combination from the at least two cross dipole measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dzevat Omeragic, Gerald N. Minerbo, Richard A. Rosthal
  • Publication number: 20090015261
    Abstract: A method to determine one or more parameters of a formation traversed by a borehole, at least a portion of the formation having substantially parallel boundaries, the method comprising disposing a tool in the borehole, wherein the tool includes a transmitter having a dipole moment at an angle ?T with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tool and a receiver having a dipole moment at an angle ?R with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool, the transmitter and receiver comprising a transmitter-receiver pair; transmitting an electromagnetic signal while rotating the tool; receiving the electromagnetic signal to produce a measured signal from the transmitter-receiver pair; and determining the one or more formation parameters for the portion of the formation having substantially parallel boundaries based on the measured signal from the transmitter-receiver pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: JIAN YANG, QIMING LI, JEAN SEYDOUX
  • Patent number: 7471088
    Abstract: Cross-component measurements made with a dual-transmitter configuration are processed to estimate a distance to an interface in an anisotropic earth formation. Optionally, measurements may be made with two receivers, also in the dual transmitter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Liming Yu, Tsili Wang, Jack Signorelli