Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus and method for generating an axisymmetric magnetic field having long, straight contour lines in the resonance region. A magnetically permeable member is used to shape the static magnetic field generated by an array of permanent magnets. The magnetically permeable member minimizes variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to vertical motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement. Further, the magnetically permeable member may minimize variations of the static magnetic field in the formation due to lateral motion of the apparatus while obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: A well optimization index WOI is an indicator for tracking trends and monitoring overall well performance. The WOI is a weighted average of two numbers reflecting operation execution performance (i.e., the Well Operation Time Ratio (WCTR)) and production result performance (i.e., the Productivity Index Ratio (PIR)). The WOI is calculated by a spreadsheet program used in a data-processing system. The spreadsheet program automatically generates the WOI for the well according to the expression: WOI = PI R ⁢ N + WCT R N + 1 ; wherein N is a weighting constant which represents a recovery of cost, that is estimated based on historical data.

Abstract: Method and system for subsurface logging utilizing a modified metallic tubular having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore adapted to receive a support member. The tubular including slotted stations to provide through-tubular signal transmission and/or reception. Pressure barrier means provide hydraulic isolation at the slotted stations. The support member is equipped with various sources and sensors, including an antenna adapted to generate a magnetic dipole moment with a transverse or controllable orientation, and adapted for engagement within the tubular. The apparatus is suitable for LWT, LWD, and TLC logging operations.

Abstract: A system and method of creating a filter for use with locally dense seismic data is disclosed. The method includes obtaining survey geometry characteristics from a locally dense seismic survey. A filter is designed which uses spatial derivatives of the wavefield of order between (1) and the maximum order of spatial derivatives of the wavefield that can be estimated within a group. The filter can be designed so as to separate up/down going components, p/s components, or both up/down and p/s components. Partial derivatives in space and time of the wavefield can be calculated, using, for example, a taylor series expansion as an approximation. The seismic data is filtered by combining estimated near surface material properties, the seismic data, and the calculated partial derivatives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for estimating brine water conductivity in a multiphase mixture of brine water and other substances by combining measured mixture permittivity and conductivity with a known or derived relationship between brine water conductivity and brine water permittivity. The mixture permittivity and conductivity are measured using an open-ended coaxial probe or other probes at microwave frequencies. A number of applications for the brine water conductivity estimate are disclosed including making salinity corrections of a dual energy flow meter.

Abstract: A method for identifying environmental effects in well log data includes selecting a plurality of models, each of the plurality of models including at least one parameter to be optimized; fitting the models to the well log data by optimizing the at least one parameter, the fitting producing a plurality of optimized models; determining an indicator of goodness of fit for each of the plurality of optimized models; and selecting a model representing a best fit of the well log data based on the indicator.

Abstract: An oilfield data analysis system is based on a four-tier software model which includes a “shared earth model” and a federation of “directory services”. The first tier is a universal graphical user interface (GUI) which can operate on any inexpensive computer as well as on an expensive workstation, i.e. a “web browser”. The second tier is an application server which is coupled to users via the worldwide web and serves geoscientific software applications. The third tier is a geometric modelling system where geometric data is stored and processed. The third tier embodies the “shared earth model”. The fourth tier is a database management system where non-geometric data is stored. According to the invention, there can be (and preferably are) multiple instances of each tier. Communication of data between different tiers is accomplished via XML data exchange.

Abstract: A method for optimally orienting perforations in a subterranean formation is disclosed, the optimization process being based on establishing the orientation of bedding planes in the formation and, where applicable, hole size effects while determining an orientation of the perforation that balances the stress concentration along the circumference of the cross-section between perforation and bedding plane in further improvements of the method inhomogeneous stress distributions and permeability are included into the optimization process.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance techniques are used in a fluid sampling tool that extracts a fluid from subsurface earth formations into a flow channel within the tool. The magnetic resonance techniques involve applying a static magnetic field and an oscillating magnetic field to the fluid in the flow channel, and magnetic resonance signals are detected from the fluid and analyzed to extract information about the fluid such as composition, viscosity, etc.

Abstract: A method of predicting values of formation parameters (e.g., compressional velocity, density, pore pressure, and fracture pressure) as a function of depth includes generating an initial prediction of a profile of the formation parameters and uncertainties associated therewith using information available regarding the formation, obtaining information related to the formation parameters during drilling, and updating the uncertainties as a function of the first prediction and the information obtained in a recursive fashion. Known equations are used for finding initial values, and uncertainties associated therewith are quantified by using probability density functions (PDFs). A Bayesian approach is utilized where “prior PDFs” describe uncertainty prior to obtaining additional information, and “posterior PDFs” account for the additional information acquired. As additional information is acquired while drilling, the posterior PDFs are redefined.

Abstract: A method of processing multi-component seismic measurement-while-drilling data that includes rotating the data to align energy in the data along a common axis and then combining the data. Another embodiment of the inventive method involves a technique for estimating the orientations and/or change in orientation of a bottom hole assembly associated with two or more series of multi-component seismic MWD data acquired at different times at the same source and receiver locations. Embodiments of the inventive method may be used to improve the signal to noise ratio of the data, to reduce downhole storage and transmission requirements, and to improve direct arrival time picks made using the data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting data downhole in a well bore, even during drilling operations, are disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises an antenna and some associated electronic circuitry. The antenna includes a plurality of arrayed transceiver elements and the electronic circuitry steers transmission or reception through the antenna by controlling the application of power to the array elements. In operation, a transceiver unit containing such an antenna is positioned proximate a remote sensor placed into a formation. An electromagnetic signal is then steered to communicate with the remote sensor over a wireless link.

Abstract: A visualization application will generate a Virtual Core representing a compilation of any formation property data, the compilation being a 2 and 1/2 D representation of any formation property. The compilation is generated by creating, in response to an integrated formation evaluation in 1D, a 2 and 1/2 D representation of each 1D formation property in the 1D formation evaluation, when the 1D property can be related to the 2 and 1/2 D physical magnitude combining the 2 and 1/2 D physical magnitude image with the 1D facies log thereby generating a 2 and 1/2 D facies image. The Software will also generate a Virtual Plug representing an average estimate of all formation properties over a prescribed surface or volume in the vicinity of a selection made on the compilation (i.e., on the Virtual Core). When an interaction with the Virtual Core occurs, all results generated by those interactions will be restored.

Abstract: An NMR instrument for determining formation fluid properties includes a housing adapted to move in a wellbore; a magnet disposed in the housing adapted to induce a static magnetic field; an antenna assembly disposed in the housing adapted to resonate at a first frequency and a second frequency, the first frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of a first nucleus, the second frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of a second nucleus, wherein the first nucleus is different from the second nucleus; means for inducing an RF magnetic field; and means for detecting NMR signals at the first frequency. A method of NMR measurement includes inducing a static magnetic field having a selected magnetic field strength in an earth formation sample; acquiring NMR measurements having J coupling information; and deriving the J coupling information from the NMR measurements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an acoustic resonator device capable of nucleating bubbles in a formation fluid under borehole-like conditions wherein the static pressure is higher than the bubble point pressure. The device is comprised of one or more coaxial layers forming a central conduit, wherein at least one of the coaxial layers is comprised of an electro-acoustic transducer material such as including piezoelectric or magnetorestrictive materials. This device is preferably designed to be in fluid communication with a host tool to allow in-situ sampling and bubble point determination. Also disclosed is an in-situ method of fluid analysis in a borehole for determining phase characteristics of a formation fluid using the device. Cavitation may be induced using the device in either a captured volume sample or a flow-line sample.

Abstract: Seismic detection apparatus comprising seismic detection means capable of detecting a plurality of seismic components over a defined tetrahedral volume is provided. The seismic detection means comprises four three-component geophones. Seismic data acquired by the geophones is processed to separate P-wave components from S-wave components. The geophones are spaced apart by distances smaller than the wavelength of the detected seismic components. The apparatus may be used on surface or in a marine environment or transition zone. A method of processing seismic data is also provided comprising acquiring seismic data relating to a wavefield over a selected volume of acquisition, and measuring the curl and divergence of the wavefield from the seismic data, to thereby identify seismic components within the seismic data. Additionally, an apparatus and method for hydrocarbon exploration is disclosed for using three or more seismic receivers placed in a plane and spaced closely to each other.

Abstract: An antenna structure is separately and independently formed with respect to a tubular adapted for long-term disposal within a wellbore. The antenna is adapted for easy and rapid deployment on the tubular. An independently formed ‘partial ring section’ (or arcuate shaped member) contains an antenna coil. In one embodiment, one or more of the independently formed partial ring sections is placed on the exterior of the tubular to form a well completion. In another embodiment, a plurality of partial ring sections are coupled to a spooled cable for rapid deployment of the antennas onto a tubular in the field. Another embodiment includes partial ring sections forming an antenna with multiple coils of differing orientation to provide directional sensitivity.

Abstract: A shaftless acoustic source is disclosed having a solenoid, a bullet and driving electronics. The bullet, which is positioned inside the solenoid's coil, can be accelerated by a magnetic force generated when a current pulse is applied to the coil. Acoustic energies are generated upon the impact of the bullet with an object, such as a borehole wall. This impact force can be described by the Hertzian Contact Theory (also referred to herein as Hertzian Theory) as a point of normal force with a time function similar to a half period sine function. A retraction device may be used to retract the bullet back into the solenoid after firing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting radiation phenomena in an area surrounding a wellbore traversing an earth formation. A logging instrument is equipped with combined radiation detectors to provide multiple measurements at the same axial position along the instrument axis, without the use of rotating parts within the instrument. Shielded or segmented detectors provide azimuthally focused detector sensitivity. A controllable radiation source is optionally disposed on the instrument for subsurface irradiation. Also disclosed is the use of radioactive materials in unison with the logging instrument to determine subsurface flow and reservoir characteristics.

Abstract: A smart card which includes a non-volatile read/write memory, a resolve buffer, a processor connected to the memory and the resolve buffer, and an installer module configured to cause the processor to receive computer code having unresolved references into the memory, and further configured to cause the processor to perform a method for resolving unresolved references. The method including steps for copying the contents of the memory into the resolve buffer, detecting unresolved references in the computer code, determining the resolved reference for each of the detected unresolved references, updating the contents of the resolve buffer with the resolved references, and replacing the contents of the memory with the contents of the resolve buffer.