Patents Represented by Attorney George W. Hager, Jr.

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  • Method and apparatus for producing a porosity log of a subsurface formation corrected for detector standoff
    Patent number: 5068531
    Abstract: A borehole logging tool is lowered into a borehole traversing a subsurface formation and a neutron detector measures the die-away of nuclear radiation in the formation. A model of the die-away of nuclear radiation is produced using exponential terms varying as the sum of borehole, formation and thermal neutron background components. Exponentially weighted moments of both the die-away measurements and die-away model are determined and equated. The equated moments are solved for the ratio of the borehole to formation amplitude components of the measurements. The formation decay constant is determined from at least the formation and thermal neutron background terms of the weighted measurement and model moments. The determined borehole to formation amplitude ratio is used to correct the determined formation decay constant for the effects of detector standoff from the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: L. Scott Allen, William R. Mills, Daivd C. Stromswold
  • Method for removing coherent noise from seismic data through f-x filtering
    Patent number: 5067112
    Abstract: In seismic exploration, seismic reflections from subsurface formations are recorded in the form of a time-distance array of seismic traces. This array is transformed into a frequency-distance domain. Frequencies at which coherent noise resides within the frequency-distance domain are determined. Wavenumbers corresponding to such frequenices are removed by filtering. The wavenumber-filtered, frequency-distance domain of seismic traces are then transformed back into a time-distance array of seismic traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Meek, Andrew F. Linville, Jr.
  • Method for determining density of samples of materials employing X-ray energy attenuation measurements
    Patent number: 5063509
    Abstract: X-ray attenuation measurements at two or more energies are carried out on core samples of earth materials for use in determining relative Compton scattering and photoelectric contributions to attenuation. The measurements are utilized to calculate material bulk density from the change in attenuation between such dual X-ray energies and the attenuation for one of the dual X-ray energies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Mary E. Coles, Ernest L. Muegge
  • Borehole digital geophone tool
    Patent number: 5062084
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring acoustical data from a borehole and is especially useful in carrying out tomogrphy surveys. The borehole digital geophone (BDG) tool of the present invention is capable of operating from a standard, 7-conductor logging cable with no special cables being required since the individual digital geophone modules (DGM) which form the BDG tool are connected together by short, separate lengths of the same 7-conductor cable. Each DGM acquires, digitizes, stacks, and stores data generated by its own three-component geophone assembly prior to transmitting these signals to the surface over a dedicated conductor in the cable thereby substantially increasing the sample rate of the tool which, in turn, substantially reduces the field time to run a tomography survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Victor L. Schoepf, Feroze J. Sidhwa, John W. Bentley
  • Method for removing coherent noise from seismic data through T-K filtering
    Patent number: 5060202
    Abstract: In seismic exploration, seismic reflection from subsurface formations are recorded in the form of a time-distance of seismic traces. This array is transformed into a time-wavenumber domain. Wavenumbers at which coherent noise resides within the time-wavenumber domain are determined. Frequencies corresponding to such wavenumbers are removed by filtering. The frequency-filtered, time-wavenumber domain of seismic traces are then transformed back into a time-distance array of seismic traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Meek, Andrew F. Linville, Jr.
  • Method of removing records of multiple reflection events from seismic data
    Patent number: 5051960
    Abstract: A method of removing multiple reflection events from seismic records is described. A shallow primary reflection event is used as a model for a deeper primary, and is distorted responsive to the predicted static correction to yield a model for the multiple. The method is applied to common depth point (CDP) records, in which the common-midpoint contribution of the multiple to each CDP record can be assumed to be equal. Preferably, a total least squares correlation step is used to design a convolutional filter applied to the data records to remove the multiples therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Stewart A. Levin
  • Rubble-spray ice island
    Patent number: 5035541
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing an ice structure in deep (e.g. 50 feet) waters having a moving sheet of ice on the surface. A rubble generator is positioned in the path of the ice sheet and a portion of the marine bottom is artificially raised adjacent to and on the upstream side of the generator by submerging at least one berm onto the marine bottom. The height of the berm is such that it artificially raise the marine bottom to a depth which is less than the original keel depth of a pile of ice rubble formed when the moving ice sheet interacts with the generator thereby the rubble pile will be spontaneously grounded and immobilized on the berm. Once the rubble pile is grounded, additional ice (e.g. spray-ice) is accumulated thereon to complete the ice structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Kailash C. Gulati, Anton Prodanovic
  • Method of digital filtering
    Patent number: 5010526
    Abstract: An improved method for filtering noise bands from seismic data is described. The data is analyzed to determine the frequency component of the undesired noise, and a precise autocorrelation function is generated and used to design a filter to remove the undesired frequency component from the data. The filter can be band pass, band reject, notch, low pass, or high pass, and multiple bands of noise can be removed from the seismic data in a single filtering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew F. Linville, Jr., Thomas E. Shirley
  • Acoustic borehole logging
    Patent number: 5001676
    Abstract: A logging tool is lowered in a borehole. The tool is positioned so that the transducer is offset from the axis of the borehole. The transducer transmits acoustic energy such that it strikes the borehole wall or casing at an incident angle that directs reflections from the borehole wall away from the transducer and at the same time allows transmission into the surrounding formations or cement in the borehole annulas between the casing and the borehole wall. Reflections of the transmitted acoustic energy from anomalies within the surrounding formations as well as cement in the annulas are received by the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Broding
  • Work enclosure for servicing marine structures
    Patent number: 4991996
    Abstract: A work enclosure for servicing a marine structure which is adapted to be positioned around a support member of the marine structure to enclose the member and at least one riser which extends parallel thereto. The enclosure is watertight and open at the top to the atmosphere whereby the water is pumped from the enclosure when the enclosure is in an operable position on the member to provide a dry, shirt-sleeve environment in which to carry out the service operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Steven H. Tate
  • Marine acoustic array configured for tow noise reduction
    Patent number: 4984218
    Abstract: A marine acoustic array employs a plurality of sections connected together sequentially with the outer surfaces of said sections having a non-smooth configuration to create a water flow along the length of the array as it is towed through a water layer that causes sensors within the array to provide outputs having improved signal-to-noise ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Sammie F. Ritter, Stephen A. Caldwell
  • Borehole acoustic logging system having automatic reflection signal level control
    Patent number: 4984221
    Abstract: A borehole televiewer employs a transducer energized by repetitive voltage pulses for generating pulses of acoustic energy for transmission to the walls of a borehole and for detecting direct reflections of acoustic energy from the borehole walls. A detector converts the acoustic energy reflections into reflection signals. Those reflection signals are applied along with a reference signal representing a desired constant level for the peak amplitude of the reflection signals to an error amplifier. The output of the error amplifier controls the voltage pulses utilized to energize the transducer so as to maintain a constant level of peak amplitude for the reflection signals produced from the detected acoustic energy direction reflections from the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Charles L. Dennis
  • Method and system for testing the dynamic interaction of coring fluid with earth material
    Patent number: 4982604
    Abstract: A material sample representative of a subsurface formation is tested for its dynamic interaction with a coring fluid. The material sample is subjected to a pressurized and agitating coring fluid to simulate a coring operation. Thereafter the material sample is x-ray scanned to identify the extent of coring fluid invasion during the dynamic interaction of the material sample and the coring fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: R. Michael Davis, Eve S. Sprunt, M. Scott Quigley
  • Method of modeling subsurface formations
    Patent number: 4982382
    Abstract: An improved method for modeling the velocity of seismic energy in subterranean rock layers is described. The velocity is assumed to vary such that the gradient of the velocity, that is, the direction of maximum change in the velocity, is at all times perpendicular to the interfaces between the rock layers. Improved methods of generating a representation of a subterranean structure of the earth are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Dablain
  • Method for identifying hydrocarbon-zones in subsurface formations
    Patent number: 4972384
    Abstract: A compressional-to-shear wave velocity ratio is measured in a subsurface sandstone formation. Ratios of compressional-to-shear wave velocity are determined over a plurality of shear wave travel times in water-bearing sandstone and shale. The subsurface sandstone formation is identified as being hydrocarbon-bearing when the measured compressional-to-shear wave velocity ratio in the subsurface formation is less than an identified minimum of the compressional-to-shear wave velocity ratios determined for water-bearing sandstone and shale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: D. Michael Williams
  • Borehole acoustic logging system having synchronization
    Patent number: 4969128
    Abstract: An elongated borehole logging tool employs an acoustic energy transducer for directing acoustic energy pulses toward a borehole wall at a repetition rate synchronized with rotational speed of the tool within the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Dennis, Will K. Lenhardt
  • Acoustic logging method for determining the dip angle and dip direction of a subsurface formation fracture
    Patent number: 4962490
    Abstract: A deviated borehole penetrating a subsurface formation and intersected by a formation fracture is surveyed with a borehole televiewer acoustic logging system. Relative fracture dip angle and dip direction calculated from such survey with respect to the borehole axis is transformed into a true fracture dip angle and dip direction with respect to the vertical of the earth's coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: W. D. Lyle, D. Michael Williams
  • Acoustic borehole logging
    Patent number: 4962489
    Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system employs an acoustic tranmitter excited by a sweep frequency tone burst to produce an acoustic output having a free-field frequency spectrum of at least one resonant frequency of vibration. A closely-spaced acoustic receiver detects a borehole frequency spectrum that is representative of the acoustic transmitter free-field frequency spectrum altered by the effects of the properties of the subsurface formulation materials comprising the borehole wall. Such detected borehole frequency spectrum is recorded in correlation with depth as a log of the material properties of the subsurface formations surrounding the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Medlin, Stephen J. Manzi
  • Method for determining earth stresses in formations surrounding a cased well
    Patent number: 4953137
    Abstract: An acoustic logging tool traverses a fluid-filled cased well with a monopole acoustic energy source. Pressure waves in the well fluid by the source generate symmetric tube waves in the well casing immediately adjacent the source. At least one spaced-apart receiver detects these tube waves after they have traveled directly to the receiver through the well casing. Asymmetry imparted to said tube waves as they travel along the well casing by the maximum and minimum earth stresses behind the well casing are identified and used to predict the azimuthal direction of subsequent hydraulic fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Medlin
  • Method of subterranean mapping
    Patent number: 4953140
    Abstract: An improved method for modeling the subterranean structure of the earth is disclosed. Assumed velocities are used in initially modeling the path of seismic energy through the subterranean structure. Arrays of travel times corresponding to upward and downward going energy from various locations in the subterranean structure are calculated using ray tracing techniques. Actual reflection points are located when the sum of the upward and downward going travel times calculated with respect to a particular point in the structure equals the actual travel times recorded. The velocity assumptions are verified by selecting common reflection point records and adjusting the assumed velocities, such that reflection events on displayed traces from the common reflection point are horizontal. A least squares fit is used to correct the common reflection point event data until it is optimally flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Dablain