Abstract: A method of data acquisition during survey of buried linear conductors. A first step involves passing a dynamic data stream of data from survey instruments through a filtering software adapted to reduce the volume of data being processed. A second step involves setting a survey interval within the software, the survey interval being a selected distance between survey points in order to provide a desired survey point density. A third step involves setting a geographic activation buffer within the software in relation to the survey interval. The filtering software is programmed to process data within the activation buffer separately from the dynamic data stream.

Abstract: The present invention recited a method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid within a fluid channel using a tracer element injection by an injection element and detected by a detection element at a location separate from the injection element location. The injection element and detection element of the present invention are in communication with a computational element, wherein the computation element is capable of measuring a parameter of a fluid in a fluid channel based upon time of flight data derived from the injection element and the detection element.

Abstract: A data compression technique for MWD applications uses feature detection, extraction, followed by image compression for only the region(s) of interest. The detection approach processes data in real time. It triggers on the start and end of a feature without processing any further features. This provides feature detection with zero latency. Compressing only the region of interest provides data compression with both higher resolution and higher compression ratio.

Abstract: A method of matching the impulse response of a hydrophone and the impulse of a geophone accelerometer comprises performing a calculus operation upon the response of one of the hydrophone and the accelerometer. A filter is then derived from the output of the calculus operation and the response of the other of the hydrophone and the accelerometer. The filter may then be used to match seismic data acquired by the one of the hydrophone and the accelerometer to seismic data acquired by the other of the hydrophone and the accelerometer. The calculus operation may comprise differentiating the hydrophone response, or integrating the accelerometer impulse response.

Abstract: A system and method for generating weather reports and the like which are precisely computed automatically for a particular individual user's geographic location, e.g., home or work, and which are provided to the individual user in both graphical and textual format in a user interactive manner. A personalized weather report presentation in accordance with the present invention may include a tabular presentation of a plurality of forecast weather conditions for the user location of interest throughout a day, along with a linked graphical representation of at least one of those weather conditions overlaid on a map centered at the user location of interest. Under user control, the user may select the time of the forecast weather conditions shown in the graphical portion of the presentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a seismic velocity field from seismic data including time-amplitude representations associated with source-receiver locations spaced apart by an offset distance and having a midpoint therebetween, the seismic data being arranged into common midpoint (CMP) gathers associated with respective CMP locations. A control plane having an edge intersecting a plurality of the CMP locations is defined, an initial velocity field for the control plane is produced, the initial velocity field including a plurality of time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations; and an optimized velocity field for the control plane is produced by adjusting the time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations in response to trends, relative to offset distance, in time values, associated with common seismic events, until said optimized velocity field satisfies a condition.

Abstract: A sensor system, method, and computer program product for determining physical characteristics of individual plants within a row located in an agricultural environment is provided. Embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, a sensor assembly including a plurality of emitters and a corresponding plurality of receivers disposed substantially opposite one another such that the receivers may receive a plurality of signals emitted by said emitters to generate a binary profile image of each plant within a row of plants positioned along a row axis. Embodiments of the present invention also include supplementary sensors for determining other plant characteristics including leaf pattern and plant location along the row axis. The method and computer program product embodiments of the present invention may also differentiate selected plants of interest from invasive or weed species using the outputs of the sensor device of the present invention.

Abstract: A system that collects parametric information that reflects local weather conditions receives signals from sensors. The signals are transmitted to a server that combines the information contained within the signals with weather data to determine local weather conditions and develop forecasts. The local weather conditions and forecasts may be transmitted to a vehicle and may be combined with navigation information to optimize travel routes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an estimate of the seismic illumination fold (x, p) in the migrated 3D domain at an image point x, for a dip of vector p characterized in that the illumination fold I (z, p; s, r) is estimated for each (source s, receiver r) pair in the seismic survey, by applying the following steps:—determination of the reflection travel time tr(·xr(p);s·r) from the source s to the specular reflection point z, on the plane reflector passing through the image point x and perpendicular to the dip vector p, and then return to the reflector r; starting from the diffraction travel time td(·z;s·r) from the source to the said image point x and then return to the reflector r;—incrementing the said illumination fold I (X, p; s, r) related to the said (source s, receiver r) pair as a function of the difference between the diffraction travel time td(x;s,r) and the reflection travel time tr(xr(p)issr).

Abstract: A method for processing and analyzing digital terrain data utilizing Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED). The method comprises defining approach azimuth and visibility limitations angle which are used for defining directional fans by determining fan opening angle, fan azimuth, and maximal range for terrain analysis. At least one directional fan data set is constructed from at least one source point within the DTED, where the directional fan includes line of sight information between said source point and DTED points located within said directional fan. The method further comprises interrogating said data sets by one or more queries to obtain terrain information for given approach conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for downhole analysis of formation fluids by deriving differential fluid properties and associated uncertainty in the predicted fluid properties based on downhole data less sensitive to systematic errors in measurements, and generating answer products of interest based on the differences in the fluid properties. Measured data are used to compute levels of contamination in downhole fluids using, for example, an oil-base mud contamination monitoring (OCM) algorithm. Fluid properties are predicted for the fluids and uncertainties in predicted fluid properties are derived. A statistical framework is provided for comparing the fluids to generate robust, real-time answer products relating to the formation fluids and reservoirs thereof. Systematic errors in measured data are reduced or eliminated by preferred sampling procedures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for automated location-dependent recognition of flood risks, whereas a central unit (20) comprises a lookup table (203) corresponding to a spatial high resolution grid (60/61) based on decentralized measurements of flood risk factors of a specific territory, whereas the system comprises distributed gauging stations (5/30/31/32), to measure river discharge parameters (T) within a grid cell (60/61), whereas the central unit (20) comprises a correlation-module (21) generating an event-specific averaged probabilistic water depth value (H) for an flood event based on the linked flood risk factors and the river discharge values, and whereas the system comprises an cell arbitrator module (22) accting on at least on grid-based composition module (23) according to the avaraged probabilistic water depth values (H).

Abstract: The invention allows construction of the architecture of sedimentary layers deposited on a topographic surface as a result of the passage of sedimentary currents, using cellular automata. The topographic surface is discretized into a set of cellular automata. Then, for each current and each automaton, a stationary physical state resulting from an iterative process wherein intermediate physical states are constructed by material and energy exchanges between the automata is determined. These automata are thus constructed so as to be representative of the action of the sedimentary currents on the construction of the sedimentary architecture. A set of geologic variables allowing the architecture of the sedimentary layers to be reconstructed is thus deduced from these stationary physical states. Preferred fields of application of the method are oil exploration and production and reservoir characterization.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating subsurface earth oil and gas formations. More particularly, methods and systems are provided for determining reservoir properties such as reservoir transmissibilities and average reservoir pressures of formation layer(s) using quantitative refracture-candidate diagnostic methods. The methods herein may use pressure falloff data from the introduction of an injection fluid at a pressure above the formation fracture pressure to analyze reservoir properties. The model recognizes that a new induced fracture creates additional storage volume in the formation and that a quantitative refracture-candidate diagnostic test in a layer may exhibit variable storage during the pressure falloff, and a change in storage may be observed at hydraulic fracture closure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting volcanic eruption and predicting plume hazards are described. The system comprises a processor and a database having the location of a plurality of volcanoes communicating with the processor. The system also comprises a lightning detector communicating with the processor. The system further comprises a weather radar communicating with the processor. Further still, the weather radar comprises program logic running on the processor. The program logic is configured to correlate the location of a volcano from the database with the presence of lightning from the lightning detector and a volcanic ash plume from the weather radar.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for visualizing a scene that is monitored for substance contamination. The scene is scanned with a substance detector to detect a substance, such as a harmful chemical or biological substance. The position of the substance is determined. Graphical element data that represents the detected substance in the scene is generated. A displayed view of the scene is augmented with the graphical element data based on the position of the detected substance to show the detected substance in the view of the scene and provide the user with the location and type of detected substance shown with reference to the environment.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for providing an indication or representation that describes the state of weather over a period in the past for a particular location. Observation data for the location is accumulated and stored over the period. Because forecast engines exist and can be adapted for use in determining the indication of weather, the observation data is converted into a format of forecast data. The data is then grouped into subsets and processed as forecast data. For each subset, a representation of weather is determined. The representations of weather for each subset are then processed to determine the representation of weather for the period of time.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating the fraction of water in formations being investigated use measurements of dielectric permittivity at a number of frequencies. The techniques have the advantage of minimizing or eliminating external inputs that can introduce inaccuracies.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method of collecting, EM data in the context(s) of hydrocarbon exploration, appraisal, development, and surveillance, which provides improved ground coupling between the electrodes and the earth or surface ice and, as a consequence, a higher quality transmitted and received signal is obtained thereby. Where the surface of the ground is saturated and frozen (e.g., in the case of a survey conducted on sea ice or frozen tundra), the survey instruments (sources and receivers) may be coupled more faithfully to the surface by drilling or melting holes into the ice (or frozen tundra) and inserting electrodes into the resulting holes. Each hole may (or may not) be lined with material to retard the loss of water therefrom. Preferably, each of the holes (source and receiver) will be filled with water (fresh or salt) before data collection begins.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for determining interval values of seismic quality factor, Q, from seismic data. Seismic data is recorded and preprocessed as necessary. Estimates of amplitude spectra are determined from the seismic data. Logarithms are taken of the amplitude spectra and weights derived from the amplitude spectra. Interval values of seismic quality factor, Q, are determined by performing a weighted fit to the log-amplitude spectra with a function that is parameterized by an initial wavelet, an attenuation profile (1/Q) and an absolute-scaling profile.