Patents by Inventor Horst Rueter

Horst Rueter 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: 7388382
    Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for measuring resistivity of Earth formations from within a conductive pipe inside a wellbore drilled through the formations. The instrument includes a plurality of housings connected end to end and adapted to traverse the wellbore. At least one electrode is disposed on each housing. Each electrode is adapted to be placed in electrical contact with the inside of the pipe. The instrument includes a source of electrical current, a digital voltage measuring circuit and a switch. The switch is arranged to connect the source of electrical current between one of the electrodes and a current return at a selectable one of the top of the pipe and a location near the Earth's surface at a selected distance from the top of the pipe, and to connect selected pairs of the electrodes to the digital voltage measuring circuit. The pairs are selected to make voltage measurements corresponding to selected axial distances and selected lateral depths in the Earth formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Patent number: 7328107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter, Leon A. Thomsen
  • Publication number: 20070255499
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Kurt Strack, Horst Rueter, Leon Thomsen
  • Patent number: 7272503
    Abstract: A method for determining spatial distribution of resistivity of Earth formations surrounding a wellbore having a conductive pipe therein includes measuring resistivity of the Earth formations using measurements of current leakage along the pipe at selected axial positions. Electromagnetic properties of the Earth formations are measured from within the pipe. The measurements of electromagnetic properties correspond to a larger axial distance and to a greater lateral distance than the measurements of resistivity from current leakage. The current leakage and electromagnetic measurements are jointly inverted to obtain a model of the spatial distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Publication number: 20070168134
    Abstract: A method for determining spatial distribution of resistivity of Earth formations surrounding a wellbore having a conductive pipe therein includes measuring resistivity of the Earth formations using measurements of current leakage along the pipe at selected axial positions. Electromagnetic properties of the Earth formations are measured from within the pipe. The measurements of electromagnetic properties correspond to a larger axial distance and to a greater lateral distance than the measurements of resistivity from current leakage. The current leakage and electromagnetic measurements are jointly inverted to obtain a model of the spatial distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Kurt Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Patent number: 7203599
    Abstract: A method for controlled source electromagnetic Earth surveying includes deploying a plurality of electromagnetic sensors in a selected pattern at the top of an area of the Earth's subsurface to be surveyed. At least one of a transient electric field and a transient magnetic field is applied to the Earth in the vicinity of the sensors at a plurality of different positions. At least one of electric field amplitude and magnetic field amplitude at each of the sensors is recorded each time the transient electric field and/or magnetic field is applied. Each recording is adjusted for acquisition geometry. An image is generated corresponding to at least one sensor position using at least two stacked, adjusted recordings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Leon A. Thomsen, Horst Rueter
  • Patent number: 7202671
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining spatial distribution of resistivity of Earth formations surrounding a wellbore having a conductive pipe therein. The method includes measuring resistivity of the Earth formations using measurements of current leakage along the pipe at selected axial positions. Electromagnetic properties of the Earth formations are measured from within the pipe. The measurements of electromagnetic properties correspond to a larger axial distance and to a greater lateral distance than the measurements of resistivity from current leakage. The current leakage and electromagnetic measurements are jointly inverted to obtain a model of the spatial distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Patent number: 7034538
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring formation resistivity through a conductive pipe in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a sonde adapted to be moved through the wellbore, and a plurality of voltage measurement electrodes are disposed on the sonde at spaced apart locations. At least one current source electrode is disposed on the sonde. All the electrodes are adapted to make electrical contact with the pipe. The apparatus includes a digital voltage measuring circuit controllably coupled to selected ones of the voltage measurement electrodes and digitally controlled current sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Publication number: 20060028208
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining spatial distribution of resistivity of Earth formations surrounding a wellbore having a conductive pipe therein. The method includes measuring resistivity of the Earth formations using measurements of current leakage along the pipe at selected axial positions. Electromagnetic properties of the Earth formations are measured from within the pipe. The measurements of electromagnetic properties correspond to a larger axial distance and to a greater lateral distance than the measurements of resistivity from current leakage. The current leakage and electromagnetic measurements are jointly inverted to obtain a model of the spatial distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Patent number: 6975121
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring formation resistivity through a conductive pipe in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a sonde adapted to be moved through the wellbore, and a plurality of voltage measurement electrodes are disposed on the sonde at spaced apart locations. At least one current source electrode is disposed on the sonde. All the electrodes are adapted to make electrical contact with the pipe. The apparatus includes a digital voltage measuring circuit controllably coupled to selected ones of the voltage measurement electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Publication number: 20050264295
    Abstract: An instrument is disclosed for measuring resistivity of Earth formations from within a conductive pipe inside a wellbore drilled through the formations. The instrument includes a plurality of housings connected end to end and adapted to traverse the wellbore. At least one electrode is disposed on each housing. Each electrode is adapted to be placed in electrical contact with the inside of the pipe. The instrument includes a source of electrical current, a digital voltage measuring circuit and a switch. The switch is arranged to connect the source of electrical current between one of the electrodes and a current return at a selectable one of the top of the pipe and a location near the Earth's surface at a selected distance from the top of the pipe, and to connect selected pairs of the electrodes to the digital voltage measuring circuit. The pairs are selected to make voltage measurements corresponding to selected axial distances and selected lateral depths in the Earth formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Kurt Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Publication number: 20050206385
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring formation resistivity through a conductive pipe in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a sonde adapted to be moved through the wellbore, and a plurality of voltage measurement electrodes are disposed on the sonde at spaced apart locations. At least one current source electrode is disposed on the sonde. All the electrodes are adapted to make electrical contact with the pipe. The apparatus includes a digital voltage measuring circuit controllably coupled to selected ones of the voltage measurement electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Kurt Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Publication number: 20050206375
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring formation resistivity through a conductive pipe in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a sonde adapted to be moved through the wellbore, and a plurality of voltage measurement electrodes are disposed on the sonde at spaced apart locations. At least one current source electrode is disposed on the sonde. All the electrodes are adapted to make electrical contact with the pipe. The apparatus includes a digital voltage measuring circuit controllably coupled to selected ones of the voltage measurement electrodes and digitally controlled current sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Kurt Strack, Horst Rueter
  • Patent number: 6891376
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction logging method is disclosed. The method includes measuring electromagnetic induction response in earth formations surrounding a wellbore. The measuring is performed on an electrically conductive sonde support. The measured response is deconvolved with respect to a response of an instrument not having an electrically conductive sonde support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: KJT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tilman Hanstein, Horst Rueter, Kurt M. Strack
  • Publication number: 20050001623
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction logging method is disclosed. The method includes measuring electromagnetic induction response in earth formations surrounding a wellbore. The measuring is performed on an electrically conductive sonde support. The measured response is deconvolved with respect to a response of an instrument not having an electrically conductive sonde support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Tilman Hanstein, Horst Rueter, Kurt Strack
  • Publication number: 20040183538
    Abstract: An electromagnetic induction logging instrument is disclosed, which includes an electrically conductive support. At least one magnetic dipole transmitter antenna is disposed on the support. At least one magnetic dipole receiver antenna is disposed on the support and is axially spaced apart from the position of the transmitter antenna. The instrument includes a magnetically permeable shield disposed between the support and the transmitter and receiver. The shield extends substantially the distance between the transmitter and receiver. A measurement while drilling instrument is also disclosed, including an electrically conductive collar, at least one transmitter antenna disposed at a selected position on the collar and at least one receiver antenna disposed on the collar axially spaced apart from the transmitter antenna. A magnetically permeable shield is disposed between the collar, and the transmitter and receiver, and extends substantially the distance between the transmitter and receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Tilman Hanstein, Horst Rueter, Kurt M. Strack
  • Publication number: 20040035634
    Abstract: A wellbore seismic receiver system is disclosed which includes a system housing adapted to traverse a wellbore and a sensor housing adapted to be placed in contact with a wall of the wellbore. The sensor housing has at least one seismic sensor disposed therein. A compliant chamber couples the sensor housing to the system housing, and a controllable source of pressurized gas is coupled to an interior of the chamber. The gas source is adapted to selectively pressurize the chamber to place the sensor housing in contact with the wall of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Horst Rueter