Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method and system is disclosed for developing a subterranean geomechanics model of a complex geological environment. The method can include estimating a pore pressure field, a stress field, a geomechanics property field, and a geological structure field from a geological concept model; geostatistically interpolating vectors and tensors from the estimated fields; and combining the results from the estimated fields and the geostatistically interpolated vectors and tensors to derive a geostatistical geomechanical model of the geological environment.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program configured to provide an electronic method for seismic time-lapse characterization of an underground formation are provided. The method includes decomposing, with microprocessor executing a predefined set of instructions stored in a memory, baseline and monitor seismic survey data of a formation into a four dimensional Clifford Algebraic form; extracting, via the microprocessor, time delays from a matrix of decomposed sensor measurement vectors generated based on the four dimensional Clifford Algebra form; and determining, via the processor, time strains for the underground formation from differences in the extracted time delays from the matrix before displaying the determined time strains for the underground formation to a user via a monitor or a hard copy printed document. A procedure is also provided to calibrate and refine the static and dynamic models of an underground formation using the results from the seismic time-lapse characterization.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program configured to provide an electronic method for seismic time-lapse characterization of an underground formation are provided. The method includes decomposing, with microprocessor executing a predefined set of instructions stored in a memory, baseline and monitor seismic survey data of a formation into a four dimensional Clifford Algebraic form; extracting, via the microprocessor, time delays from a matrix of decomposed sensor measurement vectors generated based on the four dimensional Clifford Algebra form; and determining, via the processor, time strains for the underground formation from differences in the extracted time delays from the matrix before displaying the determined time strains for the underground formation to a user via a monitor or a hard copy printed document. A procedure is also provided to calibrate and refine the static and dynamic models of an underground formation using the results from the seismic time-lapse characterization.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method and system is disclosed for developing a subterranean geomechanics model of a complex geological environment. The method can include estimating a pore pressure field, a stress field, a geomechanics property field, and a geological structure field from a geological concept model; geostatistically interpolating vectors and tensors from the estimated fields; and combining the results from the estimated fields and the geostatistically interpolated vectors and tensors to derive a geostatistical geomechanical model of the geological environment.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method and system is disclosed for developing a subterranean geomechanics model of a complex geological environment. The method can include estimating a pore pressure field, a stress field, a geomechanics property field, and a geological structure field from a geological concept model; geostatistically interpolating vectors and tensors from the estimated fields; and combining the results from the estimated fields and the geostatistically interpolated vectors and tensors to derive a geostatistical geomechanical model of the geological environment.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed for developing an N-phasic finite element model for performing fully coupled analyses of multi-phase compositional fluid flow and heat flow in nonlinearly deforming porous solid media with time-dependent failure. The method can include formulating a finite element model of the behavior of a coupled solid-fluid formation, having complex geometry and behavior, and applying the model to derive the response of the formation in the form of one or more displacement fields for the solid phases and one or more pressure fields for the fluid phases in a zone of interest in a formation. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is disclosed for estimating the uncertainties in the derived displacement and pressure field solutions for the response of the fully coupled solid-fluid phases.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed for developing an N-phasic finite element model for performing fully coupled analyses of multi-phase compositional fluid flow and heat flow in nonlinearly deforming porous solid media with time-dependent failure. The method can include formulating a finite element model of the behavior of a coupled solid-fluid formation, having complex geometry and behavior, and applying the model to derive the response of the formation in the form of one or more displacement fields for the solid phases and one or more pressure fields for the fluid phases in a zone of interest in a formation. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is disclosed for estimating the uncertainties in the derived displacement and pressure field solutions for the response of the fully coupled solid-fluid phases.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program configured to provide an electronic method for seismic time-lapse characterization of an underground formation are provided. The method includes decomposing, with microprocessor executing a predefined set of instructions stored in a memory, baseline and monitor seismic survey data of a formation into a four dimensional Clifford Algebraic form; extracting, via the microprocessor, time delays from a matrix of decomposed sensor measurement vectors generated based on the four dimensional Clifford Algebra form; and determining, via the processor, time strains for the underground formation from differences in the extracted time delays from the matrix before displaying the determined time strains for the underground formation to a user via a monitor or a hard copy printed document. A procedure is also provided to calibrate and refine the static and dynamic models of an underground formation using the results from the seismic time-lapse characterization.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed for developing an N-phasic finite element model for performing fully coupled analyses of multi-phase compositional fluid flow and heat flow in nonlinearly deforming porous solid media with time-dependent failure. The method can include formulating a finite element model of the behavior of a coupled solid-fluid formation, having complex geometry and behavior, and applying the model to derive the response of the formation in the form of one or more displacement fields for the solid phases and one or more pressure fields for the fluid phases in a zone of interest in a formation. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is disclosed for estimating the uncertainties in the derived displacement and pressure field solutions for the response of the fully coupled solid-fluid phases.

Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method and system is disclosed for developing a subterranean geomechanics model of a complex geological environment. The method can include estimating a pore pressure field, a stress field, a geomechanics property field, and a geological structure field from a geological concept model; geostatistically interpolating vectors and tensors from the estimated fields; and combining the results from the estimated fields and the geostatistically interpolated vectors and tensors to derive a geostatistical geomechanical model of the geological environment.

Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.

Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.

Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.

Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.

Abstract: An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer and a matching layer assembly having at least one matching layer and a barrier layer. In various exemplary embodiments, the at least one matching layer includes first and second matching layers formed from a glass ceramic work piece and the barrier layer includes corrugated titanium. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. A method for fabricating an acoustic sensor is also provided.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezo-composite transducer element. In various exemplary embodiments, the acoustic sensor further includes a composite backing layer, at least one matching layer, and a barrier layer deployed at an outermost surface of the sensor. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. Exemplary embodiment of this invention may further provide improved signal to noise characteristics. Methods for fabricating acoustic sensors and downhole measurement tools are also provided.