Abstract: A method, comprising: generating a macro P-wave velocity model, including resolution of residual moveout errors, using reflection tomography from a seismic data set; generating a diffraction response from the macro P-wave velocity model for a given common image gather location therein assuming a locally laterally invariant model; converting the generated diffraction response for the given common image gather location to a migrated reflection response to yield a modeled data set; comparing the modeled data set to the given common image point from the seismic data set; updating the macro P-wave velocity model based on the result of the comparison; and iterating the diffraction response generation, the diffraction response conversion, comparison, and update until the modeled data set converges to the common image gathers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing seismic data comprising a gather of seismic traces organised according to one or several acquisition parameters, each trace comprising a seismic signal defined by an amplitude as a function of time or depth, the method comprising the steps of: a) defining a base of elementary functions of the acquisition parameter(s), b) orthogonalising said elementary functions so as to define a base of orthogonal elementary functions c) for a given time or at a given depth, determining combination coefficients defining a combination of the orthogonal elementary functions, said combination being an estimator of a variation in the amplitude of the seismic signal as a function of the acquisition parameter(s).

Abstract: A computer-based method is provided for modeling and visualizing a property of a subterranean earth formation while drilling a borehole therethrough. The computer-based method gathers electromagnetic signals corresponding to a current measurement station location of a measurement-while-drilling tool, and generates a multilayer model corresponding to such electromagnetic signals. A histogram characterizing uncertainty of the multilayer model is used to generate a set of color hue values which represent predictions of the formation property for depth values above/below the tool, and a corresponding set of saturation values (which represent uncertainties for these predictions). A curtain plot is generated and displayed. The curtain plot employs colors to visualize formation property predictions for depth values above/below the tool over successive measurement station locations. A new column of the curtain plot is generated for the current measurement station location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for emergency rig monitoring are disclosed herein. The invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring an offshore rig. The rig monitoring systems and methods of use can relay information regarding the rig such as location, attitude (e.g. tilt, oscillation), and local water and weather conditions. The rig monitoring systems and methods can also facilitate emergency communication for rig personnel. Access to the information can be remotely initiated and the systems can be configured to automatically respond to such initiation. The rig monitoring systems are equipped with a self-sustainable power supply for operation under conditions where external power sources are unavailable. Such rig monitoring systems and methods are particularly useful on rigs that are located in waters subject to rapid and severe changes in local weather such as storms.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for evaluating water saturation characteristics in a geological formation penetrated by a borehole, including injection fluid introduced into the formation by an external injection process performed upon the formation. In various embodiments, the total water saturation may be obtained from the relationship provided by the Triple Water Equation, and used to map saturation in the formation and making drilling decisions.

Abstract: Methods for processing pyrolytic characterizing data (pcd) from reservoir rock samples obtained from known geographical locations under circumstances that are encountered during the drilling of wells provide information that is important for assessing the relative amounts of various hydrocarbon and organic matter types found in the reservoir and for characterizing the reservoir quality and preparing compositional modeling data, and include the steps of comparing the pcd for known end-member components typically found in the geographical location with the pcd derived from test samples and applying mathematical analyses to identify the predicted composition and quantitative measure of end-members. The method is applied to model hydrocarbon moveability, reservoir injectivity; contaminants and soil an aquifer pollutants.

Abstract: A method for updating a geological reservoir model by integration of dynamic data having application, for example, to petroleum reservoir development. An initial map (y) of petrophysical properties is constructed by means of a geostatistical simulator and of static data. Then an initial set of gradual pilot points (PPi) and at least one complementary set of gradual pilot points (PPc) are constructed. A combined set of gradual pilot points (PP(t)) is then constructed by combining these sets of gradual pilot points according to the gradual deformation method wherein at least one deformation parameter is a characteristic parameter of said pilot points (position and/or value). The initial map (y) is then modified, the deformation parameters are modified according to the dynamic data and the procedure is repeated until a stop criterion is reached and the geological reservoir model is updated by associating the map thus optimized with the grid of the model.

Abstract: The grain size of a pore-scale geometric model of a clastic earth formation are adjusted so that the NMR relaxation time distribution output of the model matches a measured NMR distribution. Fluid drainage and imbibing can be simulated. Additional properties of the earth formation are predicted using the pore-scale model. The additional properties may be based on additional measurements of properties of a fluid in the formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing wide area terrain mapping. The system comprises a digital elevation map (DEM) and mosaic generation engine that processes images that are simultaneously captured by an electro-optical camera (RGB camera) and a LIDAR sensor. The image data collected by both the camera and the LIDAR sensor are processed to create a geometrically accurate three-dimensional view of objects viewed from an aerial platform.

Abstract: Techniques for determining formation characteristics use measurements of dielectric permittivity at a number of frequencies. Determined characteristics include the vertical and horizontal formation dielectric constant and conductivity, the formation water conductivity, the water saturation, the cementation and the saturation exponents. In laminated formations these profiles can be determined for each lamina. Also, formation dielectric properties are used in determination of the rock type.

Abstract: Measurements made by multiarray and multicomponent induction resistivity measurements in a borehole are used for determining the orientation and length of fractures in an earth formation when the fractures have a fluid with a resistivity different from that of the earth formation. The apparatus and method may also be used in anisotropic earth formations where the vertical and horizontal resistivities are different.

Abstract: Parameters of a pore-scale geometric model of a clastic earth formation are adjusted so that the output of the model matches measurements made on a core sample. Additional properties of the earth formation are predicted using the pore-scale model. The additional properties may be based on additional measurements of properties of a fluid in the formation.

Abstract: A method of analyzing results from an underwater controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) survey of an area that is thought or known to contain a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is described. The method is based on a wavefield extrapolation of narrow-band electromagnetic field data obtained from pairs of source and receiver locations. The data comprise a plurality of discrete frequencies between 0.01 Hz and 60 Hz. The wavefield extrapolation is performed for each of these discrete frequencies to provide distributions of electromagnetic scattering coefficient as a function of position and depth beneath the survey area. These distributions may then be combined to provide a displayable image of electromagnetic scattering coefficient. The method is able to quickly provide a displayable image that is readily interpretable.

Abstract: For determining the regional impact of earthquake events, geographical regions are associated with reference measuring stations located in the respective geographical region. For each of the geographical regions, regional earthquake indices are determined based on instrumental intensity values that are received from the region-specific measuring stations and indicate the strength of seismic motion. Each of the intensity values are weighted with a weighting factor assigned to the reference measuring station that provided the intensity value. Associating only selected reference measuring stations with a geographical region and weighting the intensity values with station-specific weighting factors make it possible to select reference measuring stations and weighting factors according to the geographical distribution of replacement values and, thus, to provide earthquake indices that correlate accurately with potential earthquake damages.

Abstract: Pre-drill pore pressure and fracture gradient predictions obtained from seismic velocity data are used in well design taking into account uncertainties in the velocity estimation and in the models that use the velocities to determine pore pressure. Using geological constraints, limits are established on hydrocarbon column height. It is also possible to predict the relative number of casings required to reach target reservoirs.

Abstract: A method for predicting water clarity at a plurality of water depths for a location including providing training data to a neural network, the training data representative of water measurements at the location, thereafter receiving inputs including temperature, salinity, tidal information, water depth, and sediment data, and generating values for optical attenuation at a wavelength at a plurality of depths. In one embodiment, a default cloudy day algorithm operates at all times and a clear sky algorithm operates only when clear satellite images are available.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for displaying geological formation data obtained through well logging in the technical field of petroleum engineering. In one embodiment of this invention, two or more cylindrical surfaces are provided each representing a depth of investigation. The cylindrical surfaces can be dissected into different sectors along azimuths of interest to the human operator. Images of formation information data are attached to (or exposed by) cylindrical surfaces and wings exposed by dissection. Each sector can be displayed individually or together with other sectors so that the human operator can easily analyze the results. Further, the systems and methods can be used to display not only raw well logging data or processed well logging data, but also interpretations of the analysis so that a person unfamiliar with well logging analysis can easily comprehend the results of the analysis.

Abstract: A method for subsurface Earth surveying includes acquiring seismic data over a selected region of the Earth's subsurface. Seismoelectric data are acquired over a selected region of the Earth's subsurface. Electroseismic data are also acquired over a selected region of the Earth's subsurface. At least one type of electromagnetic survey data is acquired over a selected region of the Earth's subsurface. Survey volumes of the seismic data, the seismoelectric data, the electroseismic data and the electromagnetic data are matched, and a model of the Earth's subsurface is generated that accounts for all of the seismic data, the seismoelectric data, the electroseismic data and the electromagnetic data.

Abstract: Method of processing a collection of seismic cubes corresponding to one and the same acquisition zone and to various moments of acquisition, characterized in that at least one seismic cube which is an estimate of the component common to at least two seismic cubes corresponding to different moments of acquisition is determined and this estimate of common component is subtracted from at least one of the two initial cubes.

Abstract: An electromagnetic survey method for surveying an area of seafloor that is thought or known to contain a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising obtaining a first survey data set with a vertical electric dipole (VED) antenna for generating vertical current loops and a second survey data set with a vertical magnetic dipole (VMD) antenna for generating horizontal current loops. In an alternative embodiment, the VMD antenna is dispensed with and the horizontal electromagnetic field is derived from the naturally occurring magnetotelluric (MT) electromagnetic field. In another alternative embodiment, the VED data is compared with a background geological model instead of VMD or MT data. The invention also relates to a survey apparatus comprising VED and VMD antennae, to planning a survey using this method, and to analysis of survey data taken using this survey method.