Abstract: An apparatus for calculating an azimuth angle includes a two-axis earth magnetic sensor, which is mounted on a device that requires azimuth information, for measuring a strength of an earth magnetic field according to the azimuth information if the device moves, an inclinometer for calculating an attitude such as a roll angle and a pitch angle, a signal conditioning unit including an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for converting sensor data into a digital value, a microprocessor for calculating the azimuth information by compensating for an attitude error using outputs of the two-axis earth magnetic sensor and the inclinometer, a serial communication interface for transmitting the data processed by the microprocessor, and an LCD module for displaying the azimuth information calculated by the microprocessor.

Abstract: According to certain disclosed embodiments of the invention, there is provided a wind power management system to monitor performance of wind turbine generators situated in wind farms, each having a number of wind turbine generators. A real-time wind power portfolio manager receives and stores in real-time data being produced by the wind turbine generator parks. The manager has a reporting module for generating profile reports for the performance of the wind turbine generators. The manager has a server to provide the reports on-line regarding the wind turbine generators. The server stores the real-time data to enable the reports to be based on the history of the project for each one of the parks.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining, without carrying out a well-velocity survey or making a priori assumption on the velocity of the first medium, the primary static corrections to be applied to sets of seismic traces after seismic prospecting operations in an underground zone. A velocity model allows calculation of the corrections is essentially obtained by performing, for each position of the common midpoint, a continuous and progressive inversion of the first arrival times (time-distance curves), from short offsets to longer offsets, so as to allow going from a sequence of pairs connecting the offsets to the arrival times picked to a sequence of vertical data connecting the depth to the velocity or propagation of the waves.

Abstract: A gas detection method includes carrying out respective neutron and density logs, using neutron and density detectors, along a length of well. The density log is corrected for the dimensions and properties of the well casing. The corrected density log is then combined with the neutron log to compensate for regions of artificially high density outside the casing. The compensated density log is continuously calibrated against the neutron log. The dynamically calibrated density and neutron logs are inspected for crossovers that signify the presence of gas in a formation.

Abstract: An induction logging tool is used on a MWD bottom hole assembly. Due to the finite, nonzero, conductivity of the mandrel, conventional multi frequency focusing (MFF) does not work. A correction is made to the induction logging data to give measurements simulating a perfectly conducting mandrel. MFF can then be applied to the corrected data to give formation resistivities.

Abstract: A control system and method for determining optimal fluid injection pressure is based upon a model of a growing hydrofracture due to waterflood injection pressure. This model is used to develop a control system optimizing the injection pressure by using a prescribed injection goal coupled with the historical times, pressures, and volume of injected fluid at a single well. In this control method, the historical data is used to derive two major flow components: the transitional component, where cumulative injection volume is scaled as the square root of time, and a steady-state breakthrough component, which scales linearly with respect to time. These components provide diagnostic information and allow for the prevention of rapid fracture growth and associated massive water break through that is an important part of a successful waterflood, thereby extending the life of both injection and associated production wells in waterflood secondary oil recovery operations.

Abstract: A simultaneous rapid open and closed loop bode measurement plot is described in which testing of the servo controlled instrument occurs under closed loop conditions using a binary pseudo-random sequence. The binary pseudo-random sequence is injected into the servo while the system under test is operating closed loop in order to generate bode plots for open loop and closed loop conditions. The present invention provides measurement results approximately 1,000 times faster than a swept sinusoid approach and provides superior dynamic range as compared to random white noise test input sources.

Abstract: System and method providing surveillance of an asset such as a process and/or apparatus by providing training and surveillance procedures that numerically fit a probability density function to an observed residual error signal distribution that is correlative to normal asset operation and then utilizes the fitted probability density function in a dynamic statistical hypothesis test for providing improved asset surveillance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining direction and relative magnitude of maximum horizontal stress in sedimentary basins within Earth's crust. In particular the method uses seismic reflection data in determining the direction and magnitude of stresses. The method involves identifying from seismic data faults which cut the upper continental crust and uses those faults in conjunction with globally simultaneous compressional structures such as anticline to map the horizontal stresses. The invention has a particular application in the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry and has the advantage of providing the results pre-drill.

Abstract: A seismic communication system suitable to communicate information to an underground device is disclosed. A seismic source (preferably on or near the surface of the earth) generates a timed series of seismic shots. These shots are then detected by one or more seismic receivers underground. Depending on the timing of these seismic shots, and the communication protocol selected, various information may be communicated to the underground target. Such a system is particularly desirable when the underground device includes a perforating gun because the perforating gun may not only be remotely detonated without the drawbacks of previous methods, but the detonation of the perforating gun charges may also be detected, giving an indication whether substantially fewer than all of the explosive charges detonated. The seismic communication system may also be used, as a component within a multi-functional well seismic system, for seismic reservoir monitoring or seismic monitoring of well operations.

Abstract: A standalone digital data recorder of site background noise, by seismological transducer, providing at least data H and V in the form of analog signals, includes an acquisition and analog/digital conversion card, which includes at least two analog channels and a digital output, each analog channel including an input, a programmable gain analog signal amplifier and a filter, an analog multiplexer being provided between the filters and an analog/digital converter; a user interface; a removable storage device for storing data, a drive unit for an operating program, which includes a unit for enabling recording conditions, recording and warning of the end of the recording.

Abstract: A method for decimating seismic traces in an acquisition of 3D data, recording, for each trace, the corresponding source-receiver couple coordinates (Sa1, Ra1), positioning on a decimation grid (D), divided into cells, the source-receiver couple that corresponds to each trace, regrouping all source-receiver couples into iso-path trace collections, where each collection regroups the traces whose seismic paths are identical or similar, organizing the traces in each iso-path collection, and selecting the first trace in each iso-path collection.

Abstract: According to the present invention, environment indicators computed for a particular environment from among multiple environments are converted into a common transmittable data format. The environment indicators are transmitted in the common transmittable data format to a data processing system, wherein the data processing system has access to a personal storage device proffered by a particular user. An environment sensitivity profile for the particular user associated with the particular environment, is retrieved from the personal storage device to the data processing system. An environment indicator analyzer application executing on the data processing system analyzes the multiple environment indicators received at the data processing system according to the environmental sensitivity profile and determines control signals for adjusting multiple environmental control systems that control the particular environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in seismic prospecting are disclosed. The method comprises partitioning a plurality of converted split shear-wave data resulting from a common event and recorded at a plurality of azimuths and a plurality of offsets as a function of the azimuths and offsets; separating fast and slow split shear-wave wavefields in the partitioned data; deriving at least one attribute of at least one of the separated fast and slow shear-wave wavefields; and analyzing the derived attribute. The apparatus comprises, in one aspect, a program storage medium encoded with instruction that perform the method when executed by a computing device or a computer programmed to perform the device.

Abstract: A method for determining a formation profile surrounding a well bore includes receiving field log data for the formation and generating a Jacobian matrix responsive to the provided field log data. A quasi-Newton update is used to update the Jacobian matrix for each necessary iteration until a generated formation profile converges with the received field log data.

Abstract: To provide a soil characteristics survey device capable of efficiently acquiring high precision data information about the distribution of soil characteristics in an agricultural field, and managing the data information collectively. The soil characteristics survey device is composed of a pedestal connected to the rear of the tractor, a control unit (a computer) mounted on the pedestal, and a soil excavating unit attached below the rear end of the pedestal. While being towed by a vehicle 2 such as a tractor, the device surveys in real time the distribution of soil characteristics in a given agricultural field. At the top of the control unit is attached a GPS antenna. The soil excavating unit 50 is composed of a shank 51 connected to the bottom of the pedestal and a sensing unit which is fixed so the bottom of the shank 51 and advance in the soil approximately parallel to the ground at a predetermined depth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for open-loop waveform acquisition. In general, in one aspect, the invention provides a method for open-loop waveform acquisition. The method includes acquiring an S-curve of an acquisition loop of an electron-beam probe system. The S-curve represents a response of the acquisition loop to changes of potential differences between the acquisition loop and a device under test. The method includes calibrating the acquisition loop to obtain a linear region in the acquired S-curve and using the linear portion of the acquired S-curve to calculate voltage at a probe point of the device under test.

Abstract: The invention is a method for analyzing spatially-varying noise in seismic data. Transitions between data values at adjacent data locations in a seismic data set are represented by Markov chains. Transition probability matrices are constructed from the Markov chains. Data values are predicted from the calculated transition probabilities. Noise values are determined from the predicted data values.

Abstract: Applicant has developed a method for predicting the structure of a zeolite including the cation positions and distributions. The method comprises using combinatorial minimization and molecular mechanics techniques. One important aspect of the technique is the bumping of two cations. Another aspect of the invention is predicting the adsorption isotherms of the invention using a biased-Grand Cononical Monte Carlo technique which contains electrostatic and dispersion interaction terms between gas molecules and the zeolite.

Abstract: After FEMA flood maps are scanned and converted to raster maps on a computer system, they are georeferenced. The georeferenced raster maps are stored on the system. Map inset polygons are surrounded by a virtual bounding box and a determination is made whether each grid rectangle intersects any bounding box. For each such intersection, the relevant inset polygon is traced to determine if it actually intersects the grid rectangle. If there is such intersection, the inset polygon is added to a list attached to the grid rectangle. At the end of the process, the list for each grid rectangle identifies each inset polygon intersected thereby. When an address of a property subject to a flood zone determination is entered into the system and geocoded, the grid rectangle containing the address is immediately called up. If only one inset polygon is on the list, it is used to make the flood determination.