Abstract: A method includes receiving an image of drill cuttings with a data acquisition system that includes one or more processors, the drill cuttings originating from a wellbore being drilled and including a plurality of particles. The image of the drill cuttings is analyzed with the one or more processors by obtaining three two-dimensional distance measurements for each particle and obtaining four angular measurements for each particle. The one or more processors then determine at least one of a particle size distribution of the drill cuttings and a shape distribution of the drill cuttings based on the three two-dimensional distance measurements and the four angular measurements of each particle.

Abstract: A method for determining pore-space metrics for geological samples may include receiving an image of a geological sample, determining, via image processing, pore-space regions within the image of the geological sample, and measuring the pore-space regions to provide a pore-space metric for the geological sample. The method may also include determining a geo-mechanical property for the geological sample using the pore-space metric and adjusting a hydrocarbon recovery operation according to the pore-space metric or the geo-mechanical property. A corresponding system and apparatus are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Techniques related to content adaptive background-foreground segmentation for video coding.

Abstract: A resolution of a low resolution depth image is increased by applying joint geodesic upsampling to a high resolution image to obtain a geodesic distance map. Depths in the low resolution depth image are interpolated using the geodesic distance map to obtain a high resolution depth image. The high resolution image can be a gray scale or color image, or a binary boundary map. The low resolution depth image can be acquired by any type of depth sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for compensating for spatial and slowness or angle blurring of plane-wave reflection coefficients in imaging. A wave field may be determined at a reference depth proximate to a reflector for a shot record. A receiver-side blurring function may be determined at the reference depth. An aggregate blurring function may be constructed based at least partially on the source wave field and the receiver-side blurring function. A plane-wave reflection coefficients may be determined based at least partially on the aggregate blurring function.

Abstract: Methods and systems for compensating for source and receiver ghost effects in a reverse time migration (RTM) equation are described. Boundary conditions associated with the RTM acoustic wave equations for the source and recorded wavefields are modified. The resultant modified RTM acoustic wave equations are solved to generate ghost compensated modeled seismic images. In another aspect an imaging condition is also modified and the resultant RTM acoustic wave equations are solved to generate velocity and impedance perturbation images.

Abstract: An X-Y stage for microscopes including a base stage element, an intermediate stage element, and an upper stage element. The upper stage element is mounted to the intermediate stage element and is displaceable along a first axis. The intermediate stage element is mounted to the base stage plate and is displaceable along a second axis. A mechanical stage drive includes an upper stage element drive with an output link coupled to the upper stage element and providing a first drive direction. An intermediate stage drive with an output link is coupled to the intermediate stage and provides a second drive direction. The X-Y stage further includes at least one of a first mechanical switch for reversing the first displacement direction and a mechanical second mechanical switch for reversing the second displacement direction.

Abstract: The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subjected to digital simulation to determine the properties of multiphase fluid flows through the material. To ensure reliable results, the digital rock model is first analyzed via a series of operations that, in some embodiments, include: obtaining a three-dimensional pore/matrix model of a sample; determining a flow axis; verifying that the dimension of the model along the flow axis exceeds that of a representative elementary volume (REV); selecting a flow direction; extending model by mirroring if pore statistics at a given saturation are mismatched for different percolating phases; and increasing resolution if the smallest nonpercolating sphere dimension is below a predetermined threshold. This sequence of operations increases reliability of results when measuring relative permeability using the model and displaying relative permeability measurements to user.

Abstract: A method of providing range measurements for use with a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: a) visually sensing (2) the area adjacent the vehicle to produce visual sense data (22); b) range sensing (26) objects around the vehicle to produce range sense data; c) combining the visual sense data and the range sense data to produce, with respect to the vehicle, an estimate of ranges to the objects around the vehicle (28). The estimate of ranges to the objects around the vehicle may be displayed (29) to a driver.

Abstract: The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subject to digital simulation to determine the properties of multiphase fluid flows through the material. To conserve computational resources, the simulations are preferably performed on a representative elementary volume (REV). The determination of a multiphase REV can be determined, in some method embodiments, by deriving a porosity-related parameter from a pore-matrix model of the material; determining a multiphase distribution within the material's pores; partitioning the pore-matrix model into multiple phase-matrix models; and deriving the porosity-related parameter from each phase-matrix model. The parameter's dependence on phase and saturation can then be determined and analyzed to select an appropriate REV size.

Abstract: A testing system for analyzing a 3D digital volume of a material sample. The testing system defines several test volume sizes with each test volume size including a different numbers of voxels, defining the size of portions of the 3D digital volume to analyze. For each test volume size, the testing system acquires two adjacent portions of 3D digital volume at the test volume size currently being analyzed. The testing system calculates a material property value for the two adjacent portions of the 3D digital volume, and a difference value between the two adjacent portions of the 3D digital volume. The process is repeated over the different test volume sizes. The testing system calculates mean difference values for the different test volume sizes, from which it determines a representative elementary volume.

Abstract: Method for building a seismic imaging velocity model, particularly at the boundary of a geo-body, and to perform imaging, by taking into account the elastic reflection and scattering information in the seismic data. More illumination of the base and flanks (or in general, the boundary) of the geo-body is provided from (a) inside of the geo-body (502), with elastically converted waves at the geo-body boundary used (via elastic RTM flooding); and (b) from outside the geo-body (503), by utilizing prism waves with elastic RTM to handle the phase correctly in the model building step. The increased illumination and correct elastic phase are used for geo-body boundary determination. Elastic RTM is then applied (505), along with the elastically derived imaging velocity model, to maximize the use of elastic energy in the imaging step, and to obtain the correct image with the correct phase.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently characterizing rock traversed while drilling a borehole for hydrocarbon reservoir development. A rock sample can be obtained having a provenance of collection linked to a specific region of the borehole, which is scanned to obtain a 2D digital image that is segmented to pixels characterized as pore space and as mineral matrix and defining a boundary between them. A transform relationship, for example, a form of the Kozeny-Carman equation adapted for application to a 2D segmented image environment, can be applied to calculate the estimated value for a target rock property, which can be absolute permeability, relative permeability, formation factor, elasticity, bulk modulus, shear modulus, compressional velocity, shear velocity, electrical resistivity, or capillary pressure, and the estimated value is used to characterize the rock at that region of the borehole.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program stored therein are provided to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of modeling a core sample from two-dimensional images of the core sample. Embodiments of the invention include, for example, image registering a plurality of images of transverse sections of a core sample to produce aligned transverse sections and performing a saw cut correction on the aligned images to adjust the images for a slab cut. Embodiments of the saw cut correction can include, for example, identifying the saw cut line, approximating the slab cut boundary, and moving a portion of the representation of the image to the periphery of the approximated slab cut boundary. Embodiments can further include, generating three-dimensional models of the core sample and the internal composition of a borehole related to the core sample using the adjusted saw cut line images and multipoint statistics calculations.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program stored therein are provided to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of modeling a core sample from images of two-dimensional transverse sections of a core sample. Embodiments of the invention include, for example, image registering a plurality of images of transverse sections of a core sample to produce aligned transverse sections by approximating the circular location of the boundary of the transverse section and aligning the images based on center points of the approximated circles.

Abstract: The invention is a method using a computer to construct a grid representative of the distribution of a physical property of an underground formation having application to petroleum reservoir development. A set of initial grid cells MI containing at least one conditioning point PC is defined. Each cell MI is then visited and assigned a value representative of the property using a filling method. At least one unvisited cell (MNV1, MNV2) adjacent to at least one already visited cell MV is then identified, and the number N of adjacent cells MV is determined for each cell (MNV1, MNV2). Each cell (MNV1, MNV2) is then visited and filled according to the decreasing values of N. The stages of identification and filling of cells (MNV1, MNV2) are repeated until each cell of the grid has been visited.

Abstract: A method of multinary inversion for imaging objects with discrete physical properties of the examined medium is described. The model parameters of the target area are parameterized in terms of a multinary function of the physical properties that accepts a finite number of discrete values from the continuum of at least one physical property. The multinary function is chosen such that the derivative of the multinary function with respect to the physical property is a continuous and known function. The imaging is based on solving the optimization problem for parametric functional of the multinary functions describing the target model parameters. The method can be applied for multi-modal imaging, such that at least one physical property representing the physical properties of the examined medium, may be derived to provide a reconstruction or classification of the physical properties of the examined medium.

Abstract: Systems, media, and methods for processing seismic data are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method may include receiving a plurality of partial image partitions of a migrated seismic image, and stacking the plurality of partial image partitions such that a first image is generated. The method may also include aligning the plurality of partial image partitions based at least partially on the first image. Aligning may include adjusting at least one of the plurality of partial image partitions and generating a displacement field. The method may also include, based at least in part on the displacement field, stacking the plurality of aligned partial image partitions to generate a second image. The method may further include based at least in part on the second image, realigning the plurality of aligned partial image partitions.

Abstract: A method for processing image data of a sample is disclosed. The method comprises registering a first and a second images of at least partially overlapping spatial regions of the sample and processing data from the registered images to obtain integrated image data comprising information about the sample, said information being additional to that available from said first and second images.

Abstract: A method for determination of a spatial distribution and concentration of contrast components in a porous sample comprises the steps of scanning a sample with X-ray and obtaining a computer tomographic image of the sample. Then an area of interest inside the obtained computer tomographic image is selected and a first cross-section of the computer tomographic image is defined. Spatial distribution and concentration of contrast components inside the area of interest are determined by analyzing histograms of grayness distribution in the cross-sections of the computer tomographic image starting with the reference cross-section.

Abstract: Method for automatically determining a planar event such as a bedding plane from azimuthal wellbore log data (501). The image log may optionally first be filtered using a smoothing filter (502). Then, the image log is inputted to a gradient (first-derivative) filter (503). The image log is also used to find the optimal local sinusoidal trend (or orientation) on the image by determining the best sine wave at each depth among all azimuthal curves from the image using a minimum-variance method (504). Finally, bed boundaries are located based on highest contrast (506) calculated along the sinusoidal lines on the gradient image (505).

Abstract: A system and article of manufacture for social media event detection and content-based retrieval include obtaining multiple images from at least one social media source, extracting at least one visual semantic concept from the multiple images, differentiating an event semantic concept signal from a background semantic concept signal to detect an event in the multiple images, and retrieving one or more images associated with the event semantic concept signal for presentation as a visual description of the detected event.

Abstract: Data transmission from a bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes obtaining a scan from multiple scans forming a downhole data log of a borehole within a subterranean formation. The scan includes a sequence of data items from a sensor in the BHA located in the borehole. Each data item corresponds to an azimuth angle of the sensor. Further, compressed scan data is generated from the sequence of data items on a per-scan basis, and transmitted, using a pre-determined borehole telemetry, to a surface unit.

Abstract: An automated method for texture segmentation (11) of geophysical data volumes, where texture is defined by double-window statistics of data values, the statistics being generated by a smaller pattern window moving around within a larger sampling window (12). A measure of “distance” between two locations is selected based on similarity between the double-window statistics from sampling windows centered at the two locations (13). Clustering of locations is then based on distance proximity (14).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to identifying potential fracture treatment locations in a rock formation for oil and/or gas production based on production potential. One example method includes receiving internal imaging data of a core sample of a rock formation; generating a digital core sample model of the structure of the core sample based on the internal imaging data; analyzing the core sample model to determine the density distribution of a deposit in the core sample; and determining a production potential value from the density distribution of the deposit.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods for improving processing of collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, while ray-tracing through a sub-surface region, a frequency-dependent outgoing ray direction is computed from a point on an interface disposed in the sub-surface region when the ray tracing is at the interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analysis of image data generated from various reference points. Particularly, the methods and systems provided are useful for real time analysis of image and sequence data generated during DNA sequencing methodologies.

Abstract: Method for efficient computation of wave equation migration angle gathers by using multiple imaging conditions. Common reflection angle or common azimuth gathers or gathers including both common reflection angles and common azimuth angles are produced as the data are migrated. In the course of either wave equation migration or reverse time migration, the pressures and particle motion velocities that need to be computed are sufficient to also compute the Poynting vector pointing in the direction of source-side (35) or receiver-side (37) wavefield propagation. From that, the reflection and azimuth angles can be computed (38). The seismic images can then be stored in the appropriate angle bins, from which common reflection angle or azimuth data volumes can be assembled (39).

Abstract: Data transmission from a bottom hole assembly (BHA) includes obtaining a scan from multiple scans forming a downhole data log of a borehole within a subterranean formation. The scan includes a sequence of data items from a sensor in the BHA located in the borehole. Each data item corresponds to an azimuth angle of the sensor. Further, compressed scan data is generated from the sequence of data items on a per-scan basis, and transmitted, using a pre-determined borehole telemetry, to a surface unit.

Abstract: A system has an aerial image database containing sensor data representing a plurality of aerial images of an area having multiple sub-areas. A processor applies a classifier to the sensor values to identify a label for each sub-area in each aerial image and to thereby generate an initial label sequence for each sub-area. The processor identifies a most likely land cover state for each sub-area based on the initial label sequence, a confusion matrix and a transition matrix. For each sub-area, the processor stores the most likely land cover state sequence for the sub-area.

Abstract: A testing system for performing image based direct numerical simulation to characterize petrophysical properties of a rock sample under the simulated deformation condition, for example as representative of subsurface conditions. A digital image volume corresponding to x-ray tomographic images of a rock sample is segmented into its significant elastic phases, such as pore space, clay fraction, grain contacts and mineral type, and overlaid with an unstructured finite element mesh. A simulated deformation is applied to the segmented image volume, and the resulting deformed unstructured mesh is numerically analyzed, for example by way of direct numerical simulation, to determine the desired petrophysical properties.

Abstract: A method for analyzing seismic data by generating a post-migration common image gather in a dip angle domain from measured seismic data; detecting concave features related to reflection events in the common image gather and apexes; filtering out part of the concave features in the common image gather in a vicinity of the detected apexes; applying a hybrid Radon transform to the filtered common image gather to separate residues of the concave features from other image features related to diffraction events; and applying an inverse hybrid Radon transform to an image containing the separated features related to diffraction events to obtain a transformed common image gather in the dip angle domain.

Abstract: A method of analysing seismic data from a geological volume is provided. The geological volume is divided into a plurality of voxels. For each voxel a respective neighbourhood is defined which includes that voxel and a predetermined arrangement of neighbouring voxels. For each voxel, the respective normal vectors of a seismic attribute vector field derived from the seismic data are calculated. For each voxel, a respective local structure tensor based on the normal vectors of the voxels of the respective neighbourhood is calculated. For each voxel, the value of an expression which includes one or more of the eigenvalues (?1, ?2, ?3) of the respective local structure tensor is calculated. The method can be used for seismic surveying, or to manage operation of or drilling of a subterranean well.

Abstract: A method of processing seismic data so as to provide an image of a sub-surface region, comprises providing plurality of migrated shot gathers that contain information about the region, summing portions of the migrated shot gathers to provide a pilot stack, partitioning the plurality of gathers into a plurality of groups and summing the gathers in each group to provide a substack, wherein each group includes at least two migrated shots and wherein a substack is generated from each group, applying an amplitude normalization algorithm to the pilot stack so as to generate an amplitude-normalized pilot stack, calculating a weight function by comparing each substack to the normalized pilot stack, weighting each substack using the weight function so as to generate a plurality of weighted substacks, summing overlapping portions of the weighted substacks so as to generate a output stack, and using the output stack to generate an image.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating porosity distribution in a region of interest of a geologic formation from a resistivity image log representative of the geologic formation is disclosed. A normalization factor representative of a rock matrix based on a first resistivity value and an image point factor based on a second resistivity value are calculated and compared to identify points in the resistivity image log that correspond to the secondary porosity. The normalization factor and image point factor are recalculated based on a different first resistivity value and a different second resistivity value as necessary to identify additional points in the resistivity image log that correspond to the secondary porosity until a termination criterion is met. The method may further include a porosity calibration operation and one or more artifact corrections.

Abstract: A camera device includes an imaging unit generating an imaging area image in which an imaging area is captured from above, and a display-image generation unit generating a display image of an imaging object moving in the imaging area by use of an clipped image clipped from the imaging area image. In this case, an clipping reference position P corresponding to the imaging object in the imaging area image is determined, and a reference distance r between an imaging reference position O corresponding to the imaging unit and the clipping reference position P in the imaging area image is calculated. When the reference distance r is short, a rotation angle ?NEW for rotating the clipped image in generating the display image is calculated based on a reference angle ? corresponding to an inclination of the imaging object in the imaging area image and the reference distance r.

Abstract: A method can include providing borehole data organized with respect to a cylindrical surface, defining one or more bedding planes based at least in part on the borehole data, and transforming at least a portion of the borehole data to a planar slab format for a plane interior to the cylindrical surface. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating a seismic image, comprising the steps of providing an input trace corresponding to seismic signals received at a receiver at a known receiver depth, using the input trace to generate a series of angle traces, each having a known time dip, for each angle trace, determining a filter H, for each angle trace, correcting the data by using the inverse of the filter H to generate a plurality of deghosted angle traces, copying each deghosted angle trace to a plurality of output locations and applying in each case the time dip for that angle trace so as to generate a plurality of corrected angle traces, at each output location summing a plurality of the corrected angle traces at that output location so as to generate a replacement trace; and using the replacement trace, preferably in combination with other replacement traces, to generate a seismic image.

Abstract: A method for determining pore-space metrics for geological samples may include receiving an image of a geological sample, determining, via image processing, pore-space regions within the image of the geological sample, and measuring the pore-space regions to provide a pore-space metric for the geological sample. The method may also include determining a geo-mechanical property for the geological sample using the pore-space metric and adjusting a hydrocarbon recovery operation according to the pore-space metric or the geo-mechanical property. A corresponding system and apparatus are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of 3D object delineation from 3D seismic data comprising the steps of, providing 3D seismic data; processing the data based on at least one characteristic whereby said characteristic is extracted from the data and compared with at least one reference characteristic and delineated based on the comparison, and defining a geological element based on the delineation. The characteristics may be adjusted. Data can be processed based on one characteristic then processed based on a second characteristic or data is processed based on two characteristics substantially simultaneously. Data may be processed n times producing n delineations from which the geological element is defined. An algorithm is provided for processing the data which may shift an evolving shape description of an object between explicit and implicit representations, where each shift applies a transformation to the object. Multiple sources of data may be utilized simultaneously to drive the delineation process.

Abstract: This subject disclosure describes methods to build and/or enhance 3D digital models of porous media by combining high- and low-resolution data to capture large and small pores in single models. High-resolution data includes laser scanning fluorescence microscopy (LSFM), nano computed tomography (CT) scans, and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Low-resolution data includes conventional CT scans, micro computed tomography scans, and synchrotron computed tomography scans.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring a signal processor or signal processing module configured to receive signaling containing information about images of an ore sample; and determine information about a Bitumen Content of the ore sample based at least partly on the signaling, including for use in real time ore blend management in a bitumen recovery process related to mined oil sands. The ore sample may be an ore face, and the signaling may contain information about the images of the ore face. The signal processor or signal processing module may be configured to determine a real time ore face ore grade visualization based at least partly on the signaling, and provide corresponding signaling containing information about the real time ore face ore grade visualization, including a composite overlay image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining a search expression describing a feature of interest in a set of data points distributed throughout a geological object is provided. Each data point contains a value for a geological attribute at that point. The search expression has a plurality of entries. The method including the steps of: (i) displaying the geological object using display codings corresponding to value subranges for the geological attribute such that all data points which have values for the geological attribute falling within a given value subrange are displayed with the same coding; (ii) selecting a plurality of data points of the feature of interest; and (iii) allocating value characters to entries of the search expression, the value characters corresponding to the value subranges for the geological attribute of the selected data points.

Abstract: A sample of an unconsolidated porous medium is frozen and at subzero temperature is placed into contact with a frozen solution of an X-ray contrast agent. Upon the end of saturation of the sample, X-ray computed microtomography of the sample is conducted at subzero temperatures and by means of analyzing the obtained computer tomograhic image, spatial distribution and concentration of ice and/or gas hydrate inclusions, open and closed porosity, pore size distribution, specific surface in the sample are determined.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods for improving processing of collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, while ray-tracing through a sub-surface region, a frequency- dependent outgoing ray direction is computed from a point on an interface disposed in the sub-surface region when the ray tracing is at the interface.

Abstract: An objective function is disclosed that extracts the velocity error information directly in the image domain without computing common-image gathers. Because of the dimensionality of the problem, gradient-based methods (such as the conjugate-gradient algorithm) are used in the optimization procedure. In order to include the full complexity of the wavefield in the velocity estimation algorithm, a two-way (as opposed to one-way) wave operator is considered, where the imaging operator is not linearized with respect to the model parameters (as in linearized wave-equation migration velocity analysis), and the gradient of the objective function is determined using the adjoint-state method. The velocity estimation methodology is illustrated with a few synthetic examples.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for marking valuable articles, particularly precious stones and here in particular cut diamonds (brilliants) and uncut diamonds. An identification marking that is invisible to the naked eye is applied to the article, and data associated with the identification marking is stored for subsequent use in determining the authenticity of the marking. The marking is applied by irradiating a surface of the article with laser light having a wavelength of less than 400 nm and applying ultrasonic oscillations during laser irradiation. A further laser light having a wavelength of more than 500 nm may also be applied to the surface. At least two interference images are generated using at least two different sounding radiation wavelengths for storage, along with an incidence angle of the sounding radiation. The stored data may subsequently be compared to authenticity-checking interference images to determine the authenticity of the identification marking.

Abstract: Method for building a seismic imaging velocity model, particularly at the boundary of a geo-body, and to perform imaging, by taking into account the elastic reflection and scattering information in the seismic data. More illumination of the base and flanks (or in general, the boundary) of the geo-body is provided from (a) inside of the geo-body (502), with elastically converted waves at the geo-body boundary used (via elastic RTM flooding); and (b) from outside the geo-body (503), by utilizing prism waves with elastic RTM to handle the phase correctly in the model building step. The increased illumination and correct elastic phase are used for geo-body boundary determination. Elastic RTM is then applied (505), along with the elastically derived imaging velocity model, to maximize the use of elastic energy in the imaging step, and to obtain the correct image with the correct phase.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. Source data representing one or more input images of a geographic area including the dig area is electronically received at a first user location, which may be remote from the dig area. The source data is processed so as to display at least a portion of the input image(s) on a display device at the first user location. One or more indicators are added to the displayed input image(s), via a user input device associated with the display device, to provide at least one indication of the dig area and thereby generate a marked-up digital image. In one example, the indicator(s) is/are added to the displayed input image(s) without acquiring geographic coordinates corresponding to the indicator(s).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for facilitating detection of a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area. At least one marked-up digital image of a geographic area including the dig area, the image including at least one indicator to delimit the dig area, is electronically processed by converting the at least one indicator to a plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area. Information relating to a locate request ticket identifying the dig area to be excavated is electronically transmitted and/or electronically stored, wherein the locate request ticket includes image data and non-image data associated with the dig area. The image data includes the at least one marked-up digital image of the geographic area surrounding the dig area, and the non-image data includes the plurality of geographic coordinates representing the delimited dig area.