Patents Examined by Donald E. McElheny
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Patent number: 7333893Abstract: Method for removing effects of shallow resistivity structures in electromagnetic survey data to produce a low frequency resistivity anomaly map, or alternatively imaging resistivity structures at their correct depth levels. The method involves solving Maxwell's electromagnetic field equations by either forward modeling or inversion, and requires at least two survey data sets, one taken at the source frequency selected to penetrate to a target depth, the other a higher frequency able to penetrate only shallow depths.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Olivier M. Burtz, James J. Carazzone, Dmitriy A. Pavlov
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Patent number: 7333891Abstract: Measurements are made with a multicomponent logging tool in an earth formation. The measurements are inverted without using a selected cross-component measurement. The model is then used to predict the value of the selected cross-component. A misalignment angle of the tool is estimated from the predicted and actual values of the selected cross-component.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael B. Rabinovich, Leonty A. Tabarovsky, Bill H. Corley, Luis M. Pelegri
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Patent number: 7330791Abstract: A method to extract fault surfaces from seismic data (1,3) is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) generating at least two fault sticks (5) from the same fault from at least two slices of the seismic data wherein each slice comprises at least one fault stick from the same fault, (b) constructing an initial three-dimensional fault surface (7) containing the fault sticks, and (c) reconstructing the initial fault surface (9) using a deformable surface model to fit discontinuity or coherency information in the seismic data in an iterative process. Techniques are disclosed for constructing the initial fault surface from interpreter-provided fault nodes, and for performing the deformable surface iteration by defining an energy function for the fault surface and then minimizing the surface energy.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.Inventors: Chul-Sung Kim, Dominique G. Gillard, James E. Holl, Mark Dobin, Thomas A. Hauge
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Patent number: 7330792Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing complex wave attributes from limited view measurements of a scattering object. The method involves the analytic continuation of the Fourier transform of the object function into the area in which there is an absence of K-space coverage by requiring objects to be an even function. (It is assumed that physical objects are even functions, and it is this assumption that allows analytic continuation.) When the object function is not centered at the origin, the measurements are shifted to the origin prior to determining the analytic continuation and returned to their original location following analytic continuation.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Inventor: Alan Witten
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Patent number: 7330790Abstract: A method of seismo electromagnetic detecting of hydrocarbon deposits has the steps of simultaneously initiating an electromagnetic field and a seismic wave in investigated geological region so that an electromagnetic signal originates by vibrating of hydrocarbon deposit surface excited by the electromagnetic field and travels from the surface, recording the electromagnetic signal together with transient electromagnetic process in the region, and making a conclusion about a hydrocarbon deposit based on the recorded electromagnetic sign together with the transient electromagnetic process.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Seismic Sciences, Inc.Inventor: Andrey Berg
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Patent number: 7328108Abstract: A method of processing multi-component seismic data acquired at a receiver station comprises determining a calibration filter that calibrate a first component of the seismic data relative to a second component of the seismic data in order to compensate for differences in coupling between the two components. The determination of the calibration filter comprises processing the data in the common shot domain. This allows optimisation criteria to be applied to the up- and down-going constituents of particle velocity, and this is simpler than prior art methods of applying optimisation criteria to the up-going and down-going constituents of the pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.Inventors: Johan Olof Anders Robertsson, Aslaug Strommen Melboe, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, Remco Muijs
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Patent number: 7328107Abstract: A method for determining spatial distribution of properties of the Earth's subsurface includes obtaining seismic data over a survey area of the Earth's subsurface. Controlled source electromagnetic survey data are obtained over substantially the same survey area. An initial model of the Earth's subsurface for each of the seismic data and the electromagnetic data is generated. Further data may include gravity, magnetics, seismics any type and borehole data. Each model is optimized on at least one model parameter. Consistency is determined between the models; and the at least one model parameter is adjusted and the optimizing and determining consistency are repeated until the models are consistent. Constraints are successively derived from the data sets and also cross checked against reservoir data where available.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter, Leon A. Thomsen
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Patent number: 7324899Abstract: Mineral exploration needs a reliable method to distinguish between uneconomic mineral deposits and economic mineralization. A method and system includes a geophysical technique for subsurface material characterization, mineral exploration and mineral discrimination. The technique introduced in this invention detects induced polarization effects in electromagnetic data and uses remote geophysical observations to determine the parameters of an effective conductivity relaxation model using a composite analytical multi-phase model of the rock formations. The conductivity relaxation model and analytical model can be used to determine parameters related by analytical expressions to the physical characteristics of the microstructure of the rocks and minerals.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignees: University of Utah, University of Utah Research FoundationInventor: Michael S. Zhdanov
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Patent number: 7321827Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for forecasting probability of precipitation values and most probable precipitation amount values for, preferably, three hour time period increments starting from the present hour through approximately hour 96 (i.e., four days) or beyond. The values are recalculated at the beginning of each hour, based upon existing forecasting information and meteorological data. The values are communicated to end users through a communications channel such as the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Accuweather, Inc.Inventors: Joel N. Myers, Michael A. Steinberg, James T. Candor
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Patent number: 7317990Abstract: A method for distributed processing in a subsurface environment includes running a local program on a local computation unit, wherein the local program is configured to call a remote procedure to be executed by a remote computation unit, wherein the local computation unit and the remote computation unit are disposed in a subsurface environment; initiating a remote procedure call; executing the remote procedure on the remote computation unit, while the local computation unit performs another operation; and returning a result from the executing the remote procedure to the local computation unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Anshuman Sinha, Alain Dumont
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Patent number: 7317991Abstract: Multicomponent measurements made in a cross-bedded earth formation are processed to give one or more equivalent TI models. Resistivity information about the cross-bedding is obtained from one of the TI models and a measured cross-bedding angle. Resistivity information about the cross-bedding may also be obtained using a combination of two or more of the equivalent TI models.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Tsili Wang, Daniel T. Georgi
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Patent number: 7317988Abstract: A method is provided for updating a legend of a spatial display for use with graphical user interface of a field computer linked to one or more sensors for sensing data or information from a piece of equipment performing an agricultural operation. The method provides a field computer with a graphical user interface, at least one sensor operatively linked to the field computer, and a piece of equipment performing an agricultural operation and in operative communication with the at least one sensor for sensing data or information for display on the graphical user interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.Inventor: Brett Johnson
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Patent number: 7315782Abstract: A broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of remotely-located communicator devices. The network comprises a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit, and a communication network. The user input database contains a plurality of user profiles. At least some of which contain parameters provided from a pre-defined user profile. Each user profile includes a user identifier code. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather analysis unit automatically and continuously compares the parameters and the spatial locations of the corresponding communicator devices with real-time weather data to generate individualized weather output signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Spatial Content Services, LPInventors: Steven A. Root, Michael R. Root
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Patent number: 7313479Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time well-site interpretation of array resistivity log data. An inversion of data with different depths of investigation is carried out after data shoulder-bed correction. The formation model used by inversion is constructed with the layer boundaries obtained from an imaging tool or other log measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Michael A. Frenkel
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Patent number: 7313478Abstract: A method for determining field readiness using moisture modeling of a plurality of fields in a region of interest includes (a) generating a detailed set of moisture factors covering a plurality of scenarios for each field element of the plurality of field elements for a particular field; (b) repeating act (a) for each field of the region of interest; (c) generating a general set of moisture factors for a particular field of the plurality of fields to be applied to each field element of the plurality of field elements in the particular field; (d) repeating act (c) for each field of the plurality of fields in the region of interest; and (e) estimating soil moisture for each field element in the region of interest based on the detailed set of moisture factors and the general set of moisture factors.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Noel Wayne Anderson, Mark William Stelford, Stephen Michael Faivre
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Patent number: 7308362Abstract: Seismic data is collected by using an electrical submersible pump assembly in a well that is producing well fluid. By sweeping the rotational speed of the pump assembly through a selected range at selected intervals, seismic waves of varying frequency are emitted. These seismic waves are then picked up with a seismic sensor located at the surface or located in another well. If the seismic sensors are located in another well, the signal from the sensor may be transmitted to the surface by superimposing the data onto the power cable leading to the pump located in that other well. The seismic survey may be repeated at regular intervals, and the results will reveal the changes that have taken place over time in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Robert H. McCoy, Francis D. Doherty, James C. Jackson
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Patent number: 7305304Abstract: A system and method for making a decision of whether to carry additional fuel on an aircraft for a particular flight based on a forecast, such as for low visibility and ceiling. Preferably, observations-based probabilistic forecasts are utilized. The forecast probability of the weather at the planned aerodrome being below a prescribed minimum level is calculated using statistical regression analysis of past data. An optimal probability is estimated using cost parameters on an individual flight bases. If this forecast probability is greater than the optimal probability for a particular flight, then extra fuel is carried by that flight. This is in contrast to current practice whereby the same categorical forecast is applied to all flights. The combination of improved short-term forecasts and identification of optimal forecast probabilities minimizes the financial impact of errors and weather forecasts on airline operations thereby providing a superior financial outcome.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: The Board of Regents, University of OklahomaInventors: Stephen M. Leyton, Ross Keith
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Patent number: 7305305Abstract: A system and a method for remotely controlling logging equipment in drilled holes are provided. The method includes inputting a first command associated with either a logging tool or a hoist device coupled to the logging tool utilizing an input device operably coupled to a first computer. The first computer is located at a position remote from the logging tool. The method further includes transmitting a first communication signal having the first command from the first computer to a second computer. The method further includes controlling operation of either the logging tool or the hoist device based on the first command utilizing the second computer.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Nick Beeson
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Patent number: 7305306Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for downhole analysis of formation fluids by deriving fluid properties and associated uncertainty in the predicted fluid properties based on downhole data, and generating answer products of interest based on differences in the fluid properties. Measured data are used to compute levels of contamination in downhole fluids using 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, in real-time, robust answer products relating to the formation fluids and reservoirs thereof. Systematic errors in measured data are reduced or eliminated by preferred sampling procedures.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Lalitha Venkataramanan, Go Fujisawa, Bhavani Raghuraman, Oliver Mullins, Andrew Carnegie, Ricardo Vasques, Chengli Dong, Kai Hsu, Michael O'Keefe, Henri-Pierre Valero
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Patent number: 7302346Abstract: A device and method for determining a geophysical characteristic of a borehole using at least one logging device is provided, wherein the at least one logging device includes at least one sensing device. The method includes associating the at least one sensing device with the borehole, wherein the at least one sensing device includes a sensing device measurement length. The method also includes operating the at least one sensing device to generate borehole data responsive to a borehole portion disposed essentially adjacent the sensing device measurement length, wherein the borehole data includes start time of scan, location of the at least one sensing device at start time of scan, stop time of scan and location of the at least one sensing device at stop time of scan. Furthermore, the method includes correlating the borehole data to determine the geophysical characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chung Chang, Marwan Moufarrej, Sandip Bose, Tarek Habashy