By Radiation (e.g., Nuclear, Gamma, X-ray) Patents (Class 702/8)
  • Patent number: 11933713
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a determining device for the weathering resistant capability of clastic rocks in a tunnel based on feldspar features, which overcomes the shortcomings of current evaluation methods, is easy to operate, can be used to detect the type, content, and crystal structure of feldspar in a rock stratum, and integrates the information by combining a computer deep learning method to determine the weathering resistant capability of clastic rocks containing different types of feldspar in a tunnel, with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shucai Li, Zhenhao Xu, Ruiqi Shao, Fumin Liu, Huihui Xie, Tengfei Yu, Peng Lin, Dongdong Pan
  • Patent number: 11867052
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a drilling operation in a subterranean formation are disclosed. The method includes generating a simulated well log based, at least in part, on a subset of an MWD log from a horizontal well, wherein the subset of the MWD log is for measured depths between a starting measured depth and an ending measured depth. The method further includes monitoring and/or controlling a drilling operation based, at least in part, on the simulated well log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: EOG Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Kacey McCauley, Hung Nguyen, Madhukar Thumma, Tri Phan, Sandeep Bhakhri, Brian Tapp, Jay Ramineni
  • Patent number: 11808135
    Abstract: Systems and methods to perform an automated downhole inspection in real-time are disclosed. A method to perform the downhole inspection includes deploying a camera and a logging tool downhole. The method also includes obtaining real-time transmissions of images from the camera. The method further includes obtaining real-time transmissions of data from the logging tool. The method further includes determining a presence of a downhole anomaly based on the real-time transmissions of images and the real-time transmissions of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Kroczka, Welton Danniel Souza, Chafaa Badis, Kashyap Choksey, Yoann Santin
  • Patent number: 11473421
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a location of an optical fiber having an acoustic sensor disposed subsurface to the earth includes an acoustic emitter configured to emit a first signal having a first frequency and a second signal having a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency, the first and second emitted acoustic signals being azimuthally rotated around the borehole and an optical interrogator configured to interrogate the optical fiber to receive an acoustic measurement that provides a corresponding first received signal and a corresponding second received signal. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to (i) frequency-multiply the first received signal to provide a third signal having a third frequency within a selected range of the second frequency, (ii) estimate a phase difference between the second received signal and the third signal, and (iii) correlate the phase difference to the location of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Boyd Cooper, Matthew Thomas Raum
  • Patent number: 11221431
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring CO2 in a fluid regardless of the phase properties of the fluid, i.e., regardless of whether the fluid contacting the window is a liquid water-based phase, a liquid oil-based phase, a mixture of liquid water and liquid oil-based phases, or a gas phase. The sensor includes an internal reflection window for contacting with the fluid. A mid-infrared light source directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into the window and the beam is internal reflected at an interface between the window and the fluid. The reflected beam is passed through three narrow bandpass filters which preferentially transmit mid-infrared radiation over bands of wavelengths corresponding to absorbance peaks of water, oil and CO2. The amount of CO2 is determined from the intensities of the mid-infrared radiation passing through the three filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Go Fujisawa, Sheng Chao, Timothy Jones, Nathan Lawrence, Rolf Rustad, Li Jiang, Steven Gahlings
  • Patent number: 11163093
    Abstract: A distribution of sand sediment class in a subsurface of the Earth is identified. Three-dimensional stratigraphic images of sediment distribution in a subsurface of the Earth are constructed, including at least two depositional domains, by simulating sediment transport and deposition over a selected time interval of sediments originating from one or more clastic sediment input sources. The simulation uses at least two equilibrium surfaces bounding the at least two depositional domains and at least two sediment classes, and updates the equilibrium surfaces in a sequence of timesteps, by accounting for sediment feed from the one or more clastic sediment input sources, erosion and deposition in accordance with mass-balance equality constraints. The images are used to identify a distribution of sand sediment class in the subsurface of the Earth suitable for acquiring hydrocarbons or fresh water, or for storing gas or liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Oriol Falivene Aldea, Alessandro Frascati, Michele Bolla Pittaluga, Russell David Potter, Thomas Patrick Etienne Krayenbuehl
  • Patent number: 11035227
    Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a controller having a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: cause a neural network to receive current measurements of a current material; instruct the neural network to determine dominant features of the current measurements; instruct the neural network to provide the dominant features to a decoder; and instruct the decoder to generate a generated spectral response of the current material based on the dominant features. In another non-limiting embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method including the steps of receiving current measurements of a current material; determining dominant features of the current measurements; providing the dominant features; and generating a generated spectral response of the current material based on the dominant features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Siddharth Misra, Hao Li
  • Patent number: 11010507
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stratum component optimization determination method and device, which fall within the technical field of oil-gas exploration well logging. The method comprises: establishing a stratum rock component model according to core analysis data and geological conditions of a stratum to be detected, and determining a well logging curve determined by a participation model; determining a well logging response equation expression corresponding to the well logging curve determined by the participation model; parsing, recording and storing the well logging response equation expression, establishing a target function of an optimization problem, and solving the target function through an iteration algorithm to determine an optimal component content of the stratum to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Petrochina Company Limited
    Inventors: Zhou Feng, Ning Li, Hongliang Wu, Huafeng Wang, Qingfu Feng, Kewen Wang
  • Patent number: 10921482
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring CO2 in a fluid regardless of the phase properties of the fluid, i.e., regardless of whether the fluid contacting the window is a liquid water-based phase, a liquid oil-based phase, a mixture of liquid water and liquid oil-based phases, or a gas phase. The sensor includes an internal reflection window for contacting with the fluid. A mid-infrared light source directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into the window and the beam is internal reflected at an interface between the window and the fluid. The reflected beam is passed through three narrow bandpass filters which preferentially transmit mid-infrared radiation over bands of wavelengths corresponding to absorbance peaks of water, oil and CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Go Fujisawa, Sheng Chao, Timothy Jones, Nathan Lawrence, Rolf Rustad, Li Jiang, Steven Gahlings
  • Patent number: 10830719
    Abstract: A thermal aging estimator for use in a borehole having an ambient temperature of at least 200° F. The estimator may include a thermal aging element positioned adjacent to a heat-sensitive component while in the ambient temperature of at least 200° F. The thermal aging element has a permanent change in an electrical property in response to a thermal exposure, which correlates to cumulative thermal damage from the thermal exposure. The change estimating circuit applies an electrical signal to the thermal aging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 10605954
    Abstract: A method may comprise providing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the wellbore being lined with a pipe and having a cement between the pipe and the wellbore, wherein the cement contains a defect; providing a control spectrum of gamma radiation count rates as a function of energy for a control, wherein the control comprises the cement without the defect; emitting gamma rays into the pipe and the cement having the defect from a source of a nuclear tool disposed in the wellbore; detecting count rates of gamma radiation scattered back from the pipe and the cement having the defect with a detector of the nuclear tool as a function of energy to produce a sample spectrum; and deriving one or more physical attributes related to the defect based on a comparison of the sample spectrum and the control spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yike Hu, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 10605069
    Abstract: An x-ray-based cased wellbore environment imaging tool is provided, the tool including at least an x-ray source; a radiation shield to define the output form of the produced x-rays; a direction controllable two-dimensional per-pixel collimated imaging detector array; sonde-dependent electronics; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and PSUs. A method of using an x-ray-based cased wellbore environment imaging tool to monitor and determine the integrity of materials within wellbore environments is also provided, the method including at least: producing x-rays in a shaped output; measuring the intensity of backscatter x-rays returning from materials surrounding the wellbore; controlling two-dimensional per-pixel collimated imaging detector arrays; and converting image data from said detectors into consolidated images of the wellbore materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Visuray Intech Ltd (BVI)
    Inventors: Philip Teague, Melissa Spannuth
  • Patent number: 10557341
    Abstract: A method may include preparing a map of cement quality for one or more intervals of a wellbore; determining anticipated regions of fluid communication and anticipated regions of zonal isolation from the map of cement quality; and designing a stimulating treatment based on the presence of regions of fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Petr Kolchanov, Gunnar Gerard De Bruijn, Dmitriy Potapenko, Jesse Lee, Polina Khalilova, Larry Charles Todd, Philippe Enkababian, Olivier Naud, Jean-Paul Mogou Dessap
  • Patent number: 10415367
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining kerogen porosity of a formation for downhole operations are described herein. An example method may include obtaining core pyrolysis data from a wellbore disposed in a formation. A thermal characteristic of the formation proximate to the wellbore, such as a time-temperature burial history of the formation, may also be determined. A kerogen porosity of the formation may be calculated based, at least in part, on the pyrolysis data and the thermal characteristic, and a downhole operation may be performed based, at least in part, on the calculated kerogen porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Galford
  • Patent number: 10329897
    Abstract: Described is a system for estimating measured depth of a borehole. The system comprises a drilling fluid pulse telemetry system positioned in a borehole and processors connected with the drilling fluid pulse telemetry system. Time series measures are obtained from an environmental sensor package. Initial estimates of a time delay and path attenuation amplitude are determined. An error for the initial estimates is determined, and iterative minimization of the error is performed until source signal parameters converge, resulting in a least squares estimate of the source signal and the reflected signals. The least squares estimate is used to obtain time delay values, which are then used to continuously generate an estimate of a measured depth of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Keerti S. Kona, Logan D. Sorenson, Raviv Perahia, Hung Nguyen, David Chang
  • Patent number: 10324224
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating formation properties using nuclear radiation, particularly an apparatus and method for estimating amounts of silicon and/or oxygen in the formation. The method may include using nuclear radiation information from at least one nuclear radiation detector to estimate at least one parameter of interest. The method may include separating a gross nuclear radiation count into separate nuclear radiation components. The method may also include reducing an error in the estimated formation properties due to speed variations of a nuclear radiation source that activates the silicon and oxygen in the formation. The apparatus may include at least one nuclear radiation detector. The apparatuses may include an information processing device to perform the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Feyzi Inanc, Rafay Zahid Ansari, W. Allen Gilchrist, David M. Chace
  • Patent number: 10162079
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining a neutron-gamma density (NGD) measurement of a subterranean formation that is accurate in both liquid- and gas-filled formations are provided. For example, a downhole tool for obtaining such an NGD measurement may include a neutron generator, a neutron detector, two gamma-ray detectors, and data processing circuitry. The neutron generator may emit neutrons into a formation, causing a fast neutron cloud to form. The neutron detector may detect a count of neutrons representing the extent of the neutron cloud. The gamma-ray detectors may detect counts of inelastic gamma-rays caused by neutrons that inelastically scatter off the formation. Since the extent of the fast neutron cloud may vary depending on whether the formation is liquid- or gas-filled, the data processing circuitry may determine the density of the formation based at least in part on the counts of inelastic gamma-rays normalized to the count of neutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Avtandil Tkabladze, Michael Lynn Evans, Kenneth Edward Stephenson
  • Patent number: 10156657
    Abstract: Determining a value indicative of hydrogen index. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including obtaining an inelastic count rate and a capture count rate of a gamma detector for a particular borehole depth in a formation, calculating a ratio of an inelastic count rate to a capture count rate for the particular borehole depth, and determining a value indicative of hydrogen index based on the ratio of the inelastic count rate to the capture count rate for the particular borehole depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Weijun Guo, Daniel F. Dorffer
  • Patent number: 10061054
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods for determining the completeness of the cement sheath or gravel-pack annulus of a borehole based on gamma counts or count rates measured with a pulsed neuron tool deployed in the borehole in conjunction with a quantitative relationship between certain gamma count (rate) ratios and a parameter of completeness. In various embodiments, the determination utilizes the ratio of the net long inelastic count (rate) and the near capture count (rate), or the ratio of the net near inelastic count (rate) and the long capture count (rate). Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Alan Jacobson, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 9995842
    Abstract: A method for determining hydrogen index includes using measurements of gamma rays detected during operation of a pulsed neutron source and numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays made at at least two different axial spacings from a pulsed neutron source. Either a first ratio of or a first logarithm of the first ratio of the burst gamma rays is determined for a first and second axial distance from the neutron source. A second logarithm is determined of a second ratio of the thermal neutron capture gamma rays detected at a first axial spacing with respect to the numbers detected at a second axial spacing. A corrected second ratio of the numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays is determined using either (i) the first logarithm and (ii) the first ratio, and the second logarithm. The corrected second ratio is used to determine the hydrogen index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9671519
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining neutron-gamma density (NGD) measurement of a subterranean formation that is accurate in both liquid- and gas-filled formations are provided. For example, a downhole tool for obtaining such an NGD measurement may include a neutron generator, neutron detector, two gamma-ray detectors, and data processing circuitry. Neutron generator may emit neutrons into a formation, causing a fast neutron cloud to form. Neutron detector may detect a count of neutrons representing the extent of the neutron cloud. Gamma-ray detectors may detect counts of inelastic gamma-rays caused by neutrons that inelastically scatter off the formation. Since the extent of the fast neutron cloud may vary depending on whether the formation is liquid- or gas-filled, data processing circuitry may determine the density of the formation based at least in part on the counts of inelastic gamma-rays normalized to the count of neutrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Avtandil Tkabladze, Michael Evans, Kenneth Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9671375
    Abstract: A fluidic chip device configured for processing a fluid, wherein the fluidic chip device comprises a plurality of layers laminated to one another, wherein at least a part of the layers comprises a patterned section of an alternating sequence of bars and fluidic channels for conducting the fluid under pressure, the patterned section being configured for being displaceable in response to the pressure, and a pressure detector responding to the displacement of the patterned section by generating a detector signal being indicative of a value of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Baeuerle, Konstantin Choikhet
  • Patent number: 9568638
    Abstract: The present disclosure is intended to overcome the problem of hydrogen contamination of the density signal. The approach is to compute the neutron capture portion of the total gamma ray counts and subtract it from the total counts resulting in a pure inelastic gamma ray measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John B. Fitzgerald, Kenneth E. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9557439
    Abstract: Permanent electromagnetic (EM) monitoring of the regions around and between wells may employ a casing string positioned within a borehole through the subsurface formations of interest. At least two passivated electrodes are mounted on the casing string to sense electric fields in the formation. Though only capacitively coupled to the formation, the passivated electrodes nevertheless provide a potential difference to an electro-optical transducer, which in turn modifies a property of the light passing along an optical fiber attached to the casing string. An interface unit senses the modified property to derive a measure of the electric field between each pair of passivated electrodes. The passivated electrodes have a contact surface that is conductive but for one or more layers of non-reactive (and thus electrically insulating) materials. Illustrative materials include metal oxides, polymers and ceramics, but the layers are preferably kept very thin to maximize the coupling capacitance with the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn Andrew Wilson, Burkay Donderici, Etienne M. Samson, Tasneem A. Mandviwala, Ahmed Fouda
  • Publication number: 20150129753
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for estimating a parameter of interest of a volume of an earth formation. Methods may include correcting a measurement relating to the parameter of interest by a downhole tool using at least one correction model determined from a plurality of predefined models. The at least one correction model may be determined based on an estimated borehole standoff of the tool from the borehole wall that is associated with the measurement. Correcting the measurement may include determining a correction factor using the correction model and applying the correction factor to the measurement. Each of the plurality of predefined models may be associated with each of a plurality of standoff bins, wherein each of the plurality of standoff bins is defined as a mutually exclusive interval of distance values from the downhole tool to the borehole wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: FEYZI INANC, JOSEPH C. KOUDELKA
  • Publication number: 20150134255
    Abstract: Methods of generating structural models of highly deviated or horizontal wells may be generated from the measurement of true stratigraphic thickness in three dimensions (TST3D). In one aspect, methods may include generating a structural model from one or more deviation surveys of a horizontal well, one or more single channel log measurements, and a three-dimensional reference surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Tuanfeng Zhang, Neil F. Hurley, Ridvan Akkurt, David McCormick, Shu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9031790
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining a porosity of a subterranean formation corrected for borehole effects are provided. One such device may be a downhole tool capable of being lowered into a borehole of a subterranean formation that may include a neutron source, two or more neutron detectors, and data processing circuitry. The neutron source may emit neutrons into the subterranean formation. The two or more neutron detectors may be respectively disposed at two or more azimuthal orientations within the downhole tool, and may detect neutrons scattered by the subterranean formation or borehole fluid in the borehole, or both. Based on the neutrons detected by the neutron detectors, the data processing circuitry may determine a porosity of the subterranean formation corrected for borehole effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James Thornton, Bradley A. Roscoe
  • Publication number: 20150106034
    Abstract: A system and a method for characterizing a crude oil sample from the weight and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy of the sample, including calculating a crude oil ultraviolet visible index and using the index to calculate the API gravity and the aromaticity of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Omer Refa KOSEOGLU, Adnan Al-Hajji, Gordon Jamieson
  • Patent number: 8996315
    Abstract: Determining a value indicative of gas saturation of a formation. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: obtaining an inelastic count rate and a capture count rate of a gamma detector for a particular borehole depth; removing at least a portion of the chlorine response from the capture count rate, thereby creating a modified capture count rate; calculating a ratio of an inelastic count rate to the modified capture count rate for the particular borehole depth; determining a value indicative of gas saturation based on the ratio; and producing a plot of the value indicative of gas saturation as a function of borehole depth for a formation that the borehole at least partially penetrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Weijun Guo, Larry A. Jacobson, Daniel F. Dorffer
  • Patent number: 8990020
    Abstract: A system and method for use in a downhole tool having a fluid density measurement device positioned therein are provided. In one example, the method includes deploying the downhole tool at a first station in a borehole. The downhole tool is moved from the first station to a second station in the borehole. A plurality of fluid density values of fluid within the borehole between the first and second stations are measured using the fluid density measurement device in the downhole tool. The plurality of fluid density values may represent a continuous log of fluid densities between the first and second stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Pfutzner, Peter D. Wraight
  • Patent number: 8972194
    Abstract: In some aspects of the invention, a computer-implemented method of obtaining sigma values from pulsed neutron capture decay curve is disclosed. The method can include selecting spectra collected by pulsed neutron instrument disposed down a borehole traversing a rock formation, the spectra including capture interactions and inelastic interactions; and modeling the selected spectra using a nonlinear model to obtain sigma values relating to one or more reservoir properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: David Barnes, Ahmed Badruzzaman
  • Publication number: 20150046091
    Abstract: Determining a value indicative of hydrogen index. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including obtaining an inelastic count rate and a capture count rate of a first gamma detector for a particular borehole depth, obtaining an inelastic count rate and a capture count rate of a second gamma detector for the particular borehole depth, calculating a ratio of an inelastic count rate to a capture count rate for the first gamma detector, thereby creating a first value, calculating a ratio of an inelastic count rate to a capture count rate for the second gamma detector, thereby creating a second value, calculating a ratio of the first and second values, and determining a value indicative of hydrogen index based on the ratio of the first and second values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Weijun Guo, Larry A. Jacobson
  • Publication number: 20150039232
    Abstract: A logging method includes carrying out respective density logs, using gamma detectors, along a length of borehole. The density log is corrected for the dimensions and properties of the borehole tubing, the method comprising correcting and combing the plurality of density logs obtained using a gamma ray source inside the tubing and relating to a length of well including the non-fixed tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: James Roger Samworth
  • Patent number: 8918287
    Abstract: A method of determining the density of an underground formation surrounding a borehole from measurement of gamma rays arising from irradiation of the formation by a nuclear source in a tool body located in the borehole, and measurement of gamma-ray flux in the tool body at two different detector spacings from the source, the method comprising determining a substantially straight-line relationship between gamma-ray flux measurements at each different spacing with respect to the density of the formation for a tool body with no standoff; determining a relationship defining the deviation with respect to tool standoff of the density determined from the measured gamma-ray flux measurements at the two different detector spacings from the density calculated from the straight line relationships; and for a given pair of gamma-ray flux measurements at the different detector spacings, determining the intersection of the relationship defining the deviation with the straight line relationship so as to indicate the density
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Evans
  • Patent number: 8903658
    Abstract: A method of estimating fluid composition in an earth formation includes: generating at least one pulsed neutron measurement by a pulsed neutron tool; estimating a pulsed neutron fluid saturation by analyzing the at least one pulsed neutron measurement via a pulsed neutron model of the earth formation, the pulsed neutron model including expected pulsed neutron measurements relative to selected fluid composition and properties; comparing the pulsed neutron fluid saturation to a reference fluid saturation estimated via a downhole tool; adjusting the pulsed neutron model to at least substantially eliminate a difference between the pulsed neutron fluid saturation and the reference fluid saturation by adjusting at least one of the selected fluid composition and the selected fluid properties; and estimating at least one of the fluid composition and the fluid properties based on the adjusted model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger Marsh, David M. Chace, Rafay Z. Ansari, Feyzi Inanc
  • Publication number: 20140343856
    Abstract: A method for determining formation hydrogen index includes using as input to a computer measurements of numbers of burst gamma rays (gamma rays detected during operation of a pulsed neutron source) and numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays made at two different axial spacings from the pulsed neutron source. A ratio of the numbers of burst gamma rays and a ratio of the numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays is determined. A corrected ratio of the numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays using the ratio of numbers of burst gamma rays is determined. The formation hydrogen index is determined from the corrected ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Sicco Beekman, Timothy M. Quinlan
  • Publication number: 20140343857
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using pulsed neutron ?-ray spectroscopy to measure formation water salinity from within a bore-hole. Through generating a cross-plot of database values of ratios of spectroscopically determined yields of hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl) from two detectors, deriving apparent salinities therefrom, formation and borehole water salinities can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicants: SAUDI ARAMCO OIL COMPANY, SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harold Pfutzner, James A. Grau, Ronald E. Plasek, Raghu Ramamoorthy, S. Mark Ma
  • Publication number: 20140336936
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for estimating at least one parameter of interest of a volume of an earth formation, including density, porosity, and fluid saturation of the volume. Methods may include normalizing radiation information relating to radiation emissions from a spatially distributed nuclear source and indicative of a property of the earth volume using a correction factor determined using an estimated lithology of the volume. The nuclear source may be in the volume. Radiation emissions may be generated by neutron irradiation of at least one nuclide in the volume. The correction factor may be determined using any of nuclear density of the at least one nuclide; an estimated concentration of the at least one nuclide in the volume; or a parameter relating to concentration of the nuclide in the volume. The emissions may include gamma rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Feyzi Inanc
  • Publication number: 20140336937
    Abstract: A downhole mapping system (100) for identifying completion components (33) having an inner surface (74) in a casing in a completion, comprising:—a magnetic sensor tool (1) having a longitudinal tool axis and comprising:—a detecting unit (2) comprising:—a first magnet (4) for generating a magnetic field, and—a first sensor (5) arranged in a first plane (7) and at a first distance (di) from the first magnet, for detecting changes in the magnetic field, the sensor (5) detecting changes in the magnitude and/or direction of the magnetic field producing measured data of a profile of the casing, wherein the downhole mapping system further comprises:—a reference database (34) comprising magnetic reference data of completion components, and—a processor (35) comparing a set of the measured data with reference data from the database (34) for identifying a substantially matching set of data representing a completion component stored in the reference database, wherein the system further comprises a component scanning unit
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
  • Patent number: 8881808
    Abstract: Determining a value indicative of fracture quality. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: obtaining or measuring gas saturation of a formation to create a value indicative of pre-fracture gas saturation; and after a fracturing process measuring gas saturation of the formation to create a value indicative of post-fracture gas saturation; and creating a value indicative of fracture quality based on the value indicative of pre-fracture gas saturation and the value indicative of post-fracture gas saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel F. Dorffer, Weijun Guo
  • Publication number: 20140330520
    Abstract: Resin evaluation using pulsed neutron tool. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: interrogating an area behind a casing material within a borehole with a plurality of neutrons; obtaining a count rate of inelastic gammas of a first gamma detector for a particular borehole depth, wherein the inelastic gammas comprise gammas emitted in inelastic collisions of the plurality of neutrons with matter behind the casing material; determining an inelastic carbon-oxygen ratio from the inelastic count rate of the first gamma detector; and determining an indication of the composition of the matter behind the casing material from the inelastic carbon-oxygen ratio from the inelastic count rate of the first gamma detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: KwokShan Kwong
  • Patent number: 8868346
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided to determine an accurate neutron-gamma density (NGD) measurement for a broad range of formations, including low-hydrogen-index or low-porosity formations and formations with heavy elements. For example, such an NGD measurement may be obtained by emitting neutrons into a formation such that some of the neutrons inelastically scatter off elements of the formation and generate inelastic gamma rays. The neutrons and inelastic gamma rays that return to the downhole tool may be detected. Some characteristics of certain formations are believed to affect the fast neutron transport of the formations. Thus, if a formation has one or more of such characteristics, a correction may be applied to the count rate of neutrons, the count rate of inelastic gamma rays, or the neutron transport correction function, upon which the neutron-gamma density (NGD) may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Evans, Marie-Laure Mauborgne
  • Patent number: 8862406
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for reducing current leakage between a measure electrode and a logging tool body during borehole investigations in an earth formation involving electric current and non-conductive drilling fluid. The apparatus may include one or more transmitters disposed on a pad body, configured to inject an electric current into the earth formation, and coupled to the mandrel and one or more measure electrodes. The measure electrodes may be configured to receive current from the formation and coupled to a back plate of the pad body. The apparatus may be configured to maintain a selected ratio between pad body to logging tool body impedance and transmitters to logging tool body impedance sufficient to reduce current leakage between the earth formation and the logging tool body. The transmitter/mandrel and measure electrode/back plate may be electrically isolated from one another. The method may include using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, David R. Beard, Fei Le
  • Patent number: 8862407
    Abstract: Percolation theory is applied to establish a connection between magnetization decay of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and residual carbon dioxide saturation (Scr). As a result, estimations of Scr are obtained through use of an NMR tool in a formation and appropriate processing. Data may be displayed as a log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikita V. Chugunov, Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8849573
    Abstract: A method of estimating formation porosity using a neural network for neutron porosity tools. In the training stage, the near-to-far ratio, environmental variables, such as mineralogy, borehole size, standoff etc., are fed to the inputs and the neural network is trained for obtaining the related true porosity (the output). The trained neural network is implanted into tool's firmware for the real time porosity measurement, accounting for the environmental effects considered during training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Qianmei Zhang, Constantyn Chalitsios
  • Publication number: 20140278111
    Abstract: A borehole instrument includes a housing sized and shaped to fit inside a borehole, at least one image sensor disposed within the housing and configured to capture images of an inside wall of the borehole, at least one illumination light source disposed within the housing and configured to illuminate the inside wall of the borehole, a laser light source disposed within the housing and configured to emit laser light towards the inside wall of the borehole, a data processing subsystem coupled to the image sensor and configured to receive image data from the image sensor, the image data representative of images of the inside wall of the borehole. The data processing subsystem is further configured to capture borehole profile data from images containing laser light reflected from the inside wall of the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DGI Geoscience Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent John Gerrie, Vladimir Chpakovski, Sergey Gavrilov, Ilya Voronov, John Stevenson, Cameron Serles, Nebojsa Jovanovic
  • Publication number: 20140257702
    Abstract: Continuous capillary pressure (Pc) curves of subsurface rock formations adjacent wells are determined based on translation relaxation time (T2) data from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and from wireline well logs, such as resistivity logs, to obtain water saturation (Sw) of the rock in the formations. The T2 data and the hydrocarbon density, water density, free water level, and paleo-water level of the formation are processed to obtain parameters of Thomeer hyperbolas that closely conform to water saturation values obtained from the other well logs. The Thomeer hyperbolas so determined are converted to capillary pressure curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Al-Ibrahim, Mokhles Mustapha Mezghani, Johannes Jacobus Buiting
  • Publication number: 20140257704
    Abstract: A method for performing detection of a bed boundary can include deploying a tool body with a longitudinal axis in a borehole, modulating the magnetic moments of electromagnetic signals to be transmitted by the first transmitter and the second transmitter, firing the first transmitter and the second transmitter substantially simultaneously, utilizing the receiver to receive and measure the modulated electromagnetic signals from the first transmitter and the second transmitter, and computing the orientation and location of the bed boundary based on the amplitudes and phases of the electromagnetic signals received and measured at the receiver. The tool body can be deployed with a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and a receiver, all of which are oriented in different directions. The vector of the total magnetic moment of the modulated electromagnetic signals can electrically rotate during firing. A corresponding apparatus for detection of a bed boundary is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ce Liu, Jing Li
  • Patent number: 8829907
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus having: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transmitter disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy at a first frequency into the formation; a first antenna disposed at the carrier and configured to receive electromagnetic signals from the formation as a result of the transmitted electromagnetic energy interacting with the formation; and an active filter coupled to the antenna and configured to filter electromagnetic signals received by the antenna to let the electromagnetic signals at the first frequency pass for processing to estimate the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Signorelli, Sheng Fang, Samuel Bell
  • Patent number: 8805615
    Abstract: Subterranean formation locations/heights of tagged proppant doped with a high thermal neutron capture cross-section material are determined using data obtained from before and after frac logging passes through a well of a logging tool having near and far neutron detectors. Proppant location inaccuracies arising from changes in lithology between a zone of no interest and a proppant-containing formation zone are made, after any required normalization for a between-log change in borehole fluid, using an observed difference between the near/far detector count rate ratios in the two passes to determine a count rate differential correction to be applied to the before frac detector count rate. The corrected before frac count rate log is then overlaid with the after frac count rate log such that suppression in the after frac count rate log relative to the corrected before frac count rate log indicates the presence of proppant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CARBO Ceramics Inc.
    Inventor: Harry D. Smith, Jr.