Abstract: Middleware services link multiple data sources to multiple software applications. In one implementation, the middleware receives data requests from different applications, each request including a set of data descriptions that specify which type of data is sought from multiple real-time data sources. The middleware adapts the requests from different types of applications, and the different data available from different real-time data sources, for compatibility with a single common user interface. A user can select which real-time data to map to the common user interface, while each application may request data through a different set of data descriptions. Adapters convert data formats and communication protocols of real-time data from multiple data sources for compatibility with a given requesting application.

Abstract: A volume rendering process is disclosed for improving the visual quality of images produced by rendering and displaying volumetric data in voxel format for the display of three-dimensional (3D) data on a two-dimensional (2D) display with shading and opacity to control the realistic display of images rendered from the voxels. The process includes partitioning the plurality of voxels among a plurality of slices with each slice corresponding to a respective region of the volume. Each voxel includes an opacity value adjusted by applying an opacity curve to the value. The opacity value of each voxel in each cell in the volume is converted into a new visual opacity value that is used to calculate a new visual opacity gradient for only one voxel in the center of each cell.

Abstract: Sensors are permanently placed in the ground near observation and injection wells in order to passively and continuously monitor the status of seawater advance toward fresh water aquifers near coastal cities as well as the status of fresh water injected into the injection wells. Such sensor devices are installed in the ground and electrically connected to surface acquisition equipment that would, without human intervention, transmit acquired data to a centralized facility for processing and interpretation. Various types of sensors can be used: the sensors used for general reservoir monitoring and/or the sensors used for leak detection, soil heating, and temperature mapping. Alternatively, a special type of sensor can be designed and provided for the purpose of monitoring the status of seawater advance toward fresh water aquifers.

Abstract: A method of determining the quality of seismic data comprises the steps of defining a predetermined threshold (step 12) from a characteristic of a first set of seismic data and translating the difference between the predetermined threshold and the corresponding characteristic of a second set of seismic data into a measure of quality of the second set of seismic data (step S16).

Abstract: A deflector assembly of the kind used to pull one or more seismic streamers being towed by a seismic survey vessel out to a desired lateral offset from the vessel comprises a wing-shaped deflector body suspended by a cable or chain between a float. In order to prevent the cable or chain from breaking in rough weather, a shock absorber is included somewhere along its length, preferably with the deflector body or within the float. The shock absorber comprises a piston and cylinder assembly co-operating with a gas-filled accumulator acting as a spring.

Abstract: A fairing for reducing the drag produced by a lead-in cable which is being used to tow one or more seismic streamers forming part of a wide streamer array comprises a plurality of fairing sections, each having a central bore to receive the lead-in and a streamlined profile. The sections are coupled together end-to-end by swivel couplings which permit rotation of the sections relative to each other, so that each section can adopt the optimum orientation for drag reduction. Drag reduction is further enhanced by providing the upper and lower surfaces of the leading edge of each fairing section with respective sets of longitudinally extending ridges/grooves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for testing a large plurality of displayed data points of recorded spatial data to determine and display trends created by different sets of the data points within the recorded spatial data. An analysis operator interactively uses an onscreen graphic tool called a widget to set trend search parameters after studying the displayed data points, and uses a pop-up menu to set other search and display parameters for the trend search. The onscreen graphic tool permits the user to easily see on-screen, and manually set, search parameters indicating the direction of a search from a user selected starting point, how far each step of a search will be performed for adjacent data points in a fault line, within what angle the search will be performed on either side of the user indicated search direction, and if trend searches being performed are in one or both directions from the user selected starting point in the recorded spatial data.

Abstract: A workstation computer system, and its associated method and program storage device, stores a novel software package known as "Variance Cube". The computer system is responsive to a plurality of seismic signals propagating through a cubic volume of an earth formation for generating a cube, representing said cubic volume of earth, where the cube includes a plurality of seismic data samples and where each seismic data sample has a corresponding "variance value" assigned thereto. The computer system also generates one or more maps, such as a time slice map, representing one or more slices through the cube. Each map displays and is used to determine certain geologic features which exist along the corresponding slice through the cube, each map including a plurality of the variance values representing the geologic features, each such variance value being defined as the degree to which an amplitude of each seismic data sample in the cube at a particular reflection time "t" varies about an average amplitude.

Abstract: An automatic, non-artificially extended, fault surface based horizon modeling method and apparatus produces a final faulted horizon model which is a three dimensional representation of a faulted earth formation including all the horizons and all the faults in response to seismic data, well log data, and fault surfaces and relationships data. The horizon modeling apparatus produces the final faulted horizon model by filtering input horizon data and removing bad (wrong-sided) data points.

Abstract: An integrated data communication and data access system includes a first cache memory operatively connected to a first application and a first conversion means operatively connected to the first cache memory and interfacing between a first operator of the first application and the first cache memory for receiving original data having a first format from the first operator and converting the original data having the first format into original data having a second format, the first application storing the original data having the second format in the first cache memory and in a database when the first application sets a persistant or a transient storage state.

Abstract: An automatic, non-artificially extended, fault surface based horizon modeling method and apparatus produces a final faulted horizon model which is a three dimensional representation of a faulted earth formation including all the horizons and all the faults in response to seismic data, well log data, and fault surfaces and relationships data. The horizon modeling apparatus produces the final faulted horizon model by filtering input horizon data and removing bad (wrong-sided) data points.

Abstract: An interpretation workstation based apparatus having an "Auto Fault" software stored therein automatically identifies a plurality of fault cuts in each of a plurality of horizons in a seismic data volume in response to a plurality of predetermined "horizon time structures".

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for generating time slice maps and/or horizon maps, representative of a time slice or a horizon in an earth formation that is subject to a seismic operation, in response to received seismic data includes the steps of: (a) cross correlating a plurality of seismic traces from the seismic data and a corresponding plurality of quadrature traces associated, respectively, with the plurality of seismic traces to obtain a corresponding plurality of cross correlation functions "Q(.tau.)", (b) obtaining a plurality of particular values from the plurality of cross correlation functions "Q(.tau.)", at least one particular value being obtained from each cross correlation function, and (c) assigning the plurality of particular values to a respective plurality of reflection points on a map, each particular value being assigned to a different one of the reflection points, thereby constructing the time slice map and/or the horizon map.

Abstract: A processing system stores a special software known as the Cubemath software. The Cubemath software allows the processing system to process, analyze, and interpret a second set of seismic data relative to a first set of seismic data obtained from either a repeat seismic operation or a single seismic two processing method operation. A first set of 3D seismic data is collected at a particular location on the surface of the earth at time "t1", and a second set of 3D seismic data is collected at that same particular location on the surface of the earth (at a different time "t2" when the repeat seismic operation is being performed).

Abstract: A valve for use downhole in a wellbore can be repeatedly opened and closed any number of times in response to a pressure signal transmitted down the annulus of the wellbore. The valve is set and changes from a first position to a second position in response to a first pressure signal transmitted down the annulus, a pressure value of the first pressure signal transmitted down the annulus being greater than a pressure value of a pressure existing in an inside annular space of the valve by an amount at least equal to a predetermined value. The valve resets itself and changes back from the second position to the first position in response to a second pressure signal transmitted down the annulus, the pressure value of the pressure existing in the inside annular space of the valve being greater than a pressure value of the second pressure signal transmitted down the annulus by an amount at least equal to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A valve adapted to be disposed in a wellbore for use during a drill stem test includes one or more rupture discs which, when ruptured by one or more annulus pressures or a tubing pressure, moves a mandrel in either of two different longitudinal directions. When the mandrel is moved, one of four possible events could occur. First, a pair of flapper valves will close, and, after the pair of flapper valves close, a reversing port will open. Second, a ball valve will successively close and open and, simultaneously, a reversing port will successively open and close. Third, a port will move into congruence with a one-way check valve allowing a fluid to flow from within an internal area within the valve to an external area around the valve. Fourth, a port will move out of congruence with a one-way check valve thereby preventing a fluid from flowing from the external area around the valve to an internal area within the valve.

Abstract: A new zonal isolation method and apparatus perforates a plurality of zones of a formation, while isolating each perforated zone from every other zone, with one trip into wellbore, and without requiring the circulation of a kill fluid throughout the wellbore following perforation to kill the well so that a packer and/or a perforating gun may be removed from the well. The new zonal isolation apparatus includes a perforating gun and a plug or packer connected to the perforating gun. The new zonal isolation method includes detonating the perforating gun thereby creating a set of perforations in the formation; moving the perforating gun and plug/packer uphole until the plug/packer is situated at a particular position in the wellbore which is disposed directly above the set of perforations in the formation; and setting the plug/packer at the particular position in the wellbore.

Abstract: A multiple wellbore tool apparatus consisting of a plurality of microprocessor implemented wellbore tools is disposed in a fluid filled wellbore, and an input stimulus having a predetermined signature propagates down the wellbore fluid to all of the wellbore tools. The plurality of wellbore tools each include a microprocessor implemented controller board as well as an included wellbore tool and an acoustic receiver transmitter transducer connected to an output of the controller board. In addition, each of the microprocessors of each controller board include a memory which stores its own unique microcode programming. In response to the input stimulus, the controller board of a first wellbore tool determines that a correspondence exists between the signature of the stimulus and information stored therein and generates an output signal.

Abstract: A packer assembly adapted to be disposed in a wellbore includes a packer and a packer lock apparatus, the packer lock apparatus including a lock and release apparatus for locking the packer in an unset condition, releasing the lock on the packer which locks the packer in the unset condition when the packer is lowered into a smaller diameter casing in the wellbore, allowing the packer to begin changing from the unset condition to a set condition, and a time delay apparatus for requiring a predetermined time period to elapse, following the release by the lock and release apparatus of the lock on the packer, before the packer can be fully changed from the unset condition to the set condition. As a result, the entire packer will be disposed within the smaller diameter casing before the packer is fully set.

Abstract: A perforating gun includes a multiplicity of shaped charges, the multiplicity of shaped charges including a plurality of planes of charges, each plane of charges including a plurality (N) of shaped charges and a detonating cord running down through the axial center of each of the plurality of planes of charges. The plurality (N) of shaped charges are equally spaced at an angle 360/N about the detonating cord. The plurality of planes of charges: (1) are rotated at an angle of 180/N relative to one another, and (2) are axially packed together along the longitudinal axis of the gun so that the charges in one plane are nearly touching the charges in the adjacent plane, yet they all share the same centered detonating cord. The proximity of one plane to another is close enough such that one plane of charges detonates within a few microseconds of its neighboring plane of charges.