Patents by Inventor Colin Sayers

Colin Sayers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12117581
    Abstract: A method of predicting pore pressure based on seismic data can include obtaining seismic inversion data based in part on seismic data collected from a formation. The method also includes calculating a pore-pressure transform, wherein the pore-pressure transform comprises parameters derived using measured pore pressure data, upscaled sonic logs, and density logs, wherein the pore-pressure transform comprises an objective function to reduce unphysical variations in predicted pore pressure corresponding to depth. Additionally, the method can include adjusting the pore-pressure transform for sampling bias caused by pore pressure measurements being restricted to a plurality of lithologies by accounting for a difference between upscaled seismic velocities and average sonic velocities within each of the lithologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin Sayers, Lennert den Boer
  • Publication number: 20220043176
    Abstract: A method of predicting pore pressure based on seismic data can include obtaining seismic inversion data based in part on seismic data collected from a formation. The method also includes calculating a pore-pressure transform, wherein the pore-pressure transform comprises parameters derived using measured pore pressure data, upscaled sonic logs, and density logs, wherein the pore-pressure transform comprises an objective function to reduce unphysical variations in predicted pore pressure corresponding to depth. Additionally, the method can include adjusting the pore-pressure transform for sampling bias caused by pore pressure measurements being restricted to a plurality of lithologies by accounting for a difference between upscaled seismic velocities and average sonic velocities within each of the lithologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Colin Sayers, Lennert den Boer
  • Publication number: 20180045559
    Abstract: Systems capable of seismically investigating the earth can include seismic sources and a disposable seismic sensor such as a fiber optic seismic sensor included within a drill string. The fiber optic seismic sensor can include a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings. Related methods can include using the seismic sources and the fiber optic seismic sensor to conduct seismic investigations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Hawthorn, Joel Herve Le Calvez, Colin Sayers, Jefferson Alford, Edward Michael Tollefsen
  • Publication number: 20070288170
    Abstract: In general, the invention relates to a method for pore pressure prediction. The method includes obtaining a compressional wave (P-wave) velocity and a shear wave (S-wave) velocity for a pre-drill location, calculating an effective stress at the pre-drilling location using a stress-velocity relationship equation, the compressional wave (P-wave) velocity and the shear wave (S-wave) velocity, obtaining a total stress at the pre-drill location, calculating a predicted pore pressure, at the pre-drill location, using the effective stress, the total stress and a stress-pressure relationship equation, and adjusting a drilling operation associated with the pre-drill location, based on the predicted pore pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin Sayers, Richard Birchwood
  • Publication number: 20070183260
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus that use microseismic event data, stress data, seismic data, and rock properties to predict the hydrocarbon production success of a well location are disclosed. An example method generates a hydrocarbon production function based on information associated with at least a first well location, obtains information associated with a second well location, and calculates the hydrocarbon production function using the information associated with the second well location to predict the hydrocarbon production of the second well location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Donald Lee, Lennert den Boer, Colin Sayers, Patrick Hooyman
  • Publication number: 20070038377
    Abstract: A method for pore pressure prediction. The method includes obtaining a stress sensitivity coefficient, obtaining a compressional wave (P-wave) velocity and a shear wave (S-wave) velocity for a pre-drill location and obtaining a first predicted pore pressure. Further, the method includes iteratively performing calculating a total stress value associated with the pre-drill location using the first predicted pore pressure associated with the pre-drill location, and calculating a second predicted pore pressure associated with the pre-drill location using a stress-pressure relationship equation, a stress-velocity relationship equation, the stress sensitivity coefficient, a reference location, and at least one selected from a group consisting of the P-wave velocity and the S-wave velocity for the pre-drill location, and adjusting a drilling operation associated with the pre-drill location, based on the second predicted pore pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Colin Sayers, Richard Birchwood
  • Publication number: 20060283589
    Abstract: A method of characterizing a fractured reservoir in a field includes measuring seismic reflection coefficient of the fractured reservoir as a function of angle of incidence and azimuth, predicting seismic reflection coefficient of the fractured reservoir as a function of angle of incidence and azimuth using an elastic stiffness tensor and an elastic compliance tensor of the fractured reservoir, determining components of an excess compliance tensor due to the presence of fractures in the fractured reservoir by matching the predicted seismic reflection coefficient to the measured seismic reflection coefficient, and characterizing one or more properties of the fractured reservoir using the excess compliance tensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventor: Colin Sayers