Patents by Inventor John P. Horkowitz

John P. Horkowitz 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: 9851468
    Abstract: The accurate determination of formation hydrocarbon or water saturation is a useful step in the petrophysical evaluation of petroleum reservoirs. This disclosure presents a new method for estimating hydrocarbon saturation directly from a porosity log and a total organic carbon (TOC) log. The method is enabled by the recent development of a geochemical spectroscopy logging tool that combines inelastic and capture gamma ray measurements to provide a robust and accurate TOC log. The method differs from the prior approach of using carbon-to-oxygen ratios that is most often applied in cased hole evaluation. The main advantages of this method are that it does not use knowledge of formation water resistivity, it does not rely on a resistivity model, it does not use an extensive calibration database, and it is largely independent of clay or other lithology effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael M. Herron, Susan Herron, James A. Grau, John P. Horkowitz, Paul R. Craddock, Robert Badry
  • Patent number: 9335435
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Publication number: 20160047938
    Abstract: A method for correcting determined sulfur content in formations penetrated by a wellbore for sulfur in the wellbore includes determining an amount of sulfur from spectral analysis of gamma rays detected by a well logging instrument disposed in the wellbore. The gamma rays result from imparting neutrons into the formations. The method includes determining if strontium is present in fluid disposed in the wellbore. An amount of strontium is determined from the spectral analysis. A corrected sulfur content of the formation is determined based on the determined amount of strontium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Grau, David Alan Rose, John P. Horkowitz
  • Patent number: 9238962
    Abstract: A logging tool capable of making different types of measurements is provided, and a plurality of measurements on a formation are obtained. Certain mineral properties of the formation are assumed and a mixed properties theorem for the formation is invoked. Upper and lower velocity limits for sonic waves traveling through the formation are determined using the above information. Biot's constant is also computed using the above information. LWD data on the formation is obtained and an effective stress is determined. A total stress is determined and, from that and the other information, a pore pressure is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alexis S. Husser, Colin Michael Sayers, Aron Kramer, John P. Horkowitz, Geoff Weller
  • Publication number: 20150285944
    Abstract: The accurate determination of formation hydrocarbon or water saturation is a useful step in the petrophysical evaluation of petroleum reservoirs. This disclosure presents a new method for estimating hydrocarbon saturation directly from a porosity log and a total organic carbon (TOC) log. The method is enabled by the recent development of a geochemical spectroscopy logging tool that combines inelastic and capture gamma ray measurements to provide a robust and accurate TOC log. The method differs from the prior approach of using carbon-to-oxygen ratios that is most often applied in cased hole evaluation. The main advantages of this method are that it does not use knowledge of formation water resistivity, it does not rely on a resistivity model, it does not use an extensive calibration database, and it is largely independent of clay or other lithology effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Michael M. Herron, Susan Herron, James A. Grau, John P. Horkowitz, Paul R. Craddock, Robert Badry
  • Publication number: 20150073713
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 8892362
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Publication number: 20140019051
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES P. BRADY, ANDREW HAWTHORN, JOHN P. HORKOWITZ, JEAN SEYDOUX, JACQUES R. TABANOU, JIAN YANG, DAVID L. ALUMBAUGH
  • Patent number: 8532928
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Alumbaugh, James Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jian Yang, Bernadette Tabanou
  • Publication number: 20130160998
    Abstract: Compositions of lost circulation materials are provided that are useful for identifying the location of fluid loss in a wellbore. The compositions include additives which enhance a property of the composition such that they can be detected by an LWD or MWD tool capable of measuring the property when the composition is deployed in a region of loss, and can be distinguished by the LWD or MWD tool from the formation and mud fluid. Methods are also provided for using the composition to detect the location of fluid loss and for controlling the loss of fluid from the wellbore. The methods involve deploying the compositions in loss regions by adding the compositions to drilling mud, and measuring a property of the compositions using an LWD or MWD tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Francois M. Auzerais, Dzevat Omeragic, Slaheddine Kefi, Dean M. Homan, John P. Horkowitz, Benoit Vidick, Dominique Malard, Robert Utter, Andrew Hawthorn
  • Patent number: 8473212
    Abstract: A method for processing well logging data includes method dividing the well logging data into a number of constant dimensional effect segments, where each constant dimensional effect segment defines an interval having a similar dimensional effect on the log response. The well logging data is taken from a highly deviated well. The method further includes dividing the constant dimensional effect segments into a number of constant property intervals, each constant dimensional effect segment including at least one corresponding constant property interval, and each constant property interval defining a wellbore distance over which a formation property is substantially constant that results in a log response having a low variance. The method further includes providing the constant property intervals to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Rasmus, John P. Horkowitz, Koji Ito, Christian Stolte, Shahzad Asif, Bernadette Tabanou
  • Publication number: 20120215451
    Abstract: A logging tool capable of making different types of measurements is provided, and a plurality of measurements on a formation are obtained. Certain mineral properties of the formation are assumed and a mixed properties theorem for the formation is invoked. Upper and lower velocity limits for sonic waves traveling through the formation are determined using the above information. Biot's constant is also computed using the above information. LWD data on the formation is obtained and an effective stress is determined. A total stress is determined and, from that and the other information, a pore pressure is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Alexis S. Husser, Colin Michael Sayers, Aron Kramer, John P. Horkowitz, Geoff Wellter
  • Publication number: 20110098929
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Jacques R. Tabanou, Bernadette Tabanou, David Alumbaugh, James Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jian Yang
  • Publication number: 20100312478
    Abstract: A method for processing well logging data includes method dividing the well logging data into a number of constant dimensional effect segments, where each constant dimensional effect segment defines an interval having a similar dimensional effect on the log response. The well logging data is taken from a highly deviated well, which may include portions deviated at greater than 90-degrees. The method further includes dividing the constant dimensional effect segments into a number of constant property intervals, each constant dimensional effect segment including at least one corresponding constant property interval, and each constant property interval defining a wellbore distance over which a formation property is substantially constant that results in a log response having a low variance. The method further includes providing the constant property intervals to an output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: JACQUES R. TABANOU, John C. Rasmus, John P. Horkowitz, Koji Ito, Christian Stolte, Shahzad Asif, Bernadette Tabanou
  • Patent number: 7528600
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring fluid flow in a wellbore in an earth formation using time-of-flight (TOF) sensing and remote detection nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, by applying a magnetic field to the formation to polarize spins present in a portion of the formation, providing an encoding shell in the formation, selecting an encoding volume from the encoding shell, applying an encoding signal to excite the spins in the encoding volume, introducing a time delay to the encoding signal, providing a detection shell in the formation, applying a detection signal to the detection shell, detecting an NMR signal generated by the migration of spins from the encoding shell to the detection shell, and collecting TOF data corresponding to time elapsed from when a spin is encoded to when the spin reaches the detection shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pabitra N. Sen, Yi-Qiao Song, John P. Horkowitz
  • Publication number: 20080136409
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring fluid flow in a wellbore in an earth formation using time-of-flight (TOF) sensing and remote detection nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, by applying a magnetic field to the formation to polarize spins present in a portion of the formation, providing an encoding shell in the formation, selecting an encoding volume from the encoding shell, applying an encoding signal to excite the spins in the encoding volume, introducing a time delay to the encoding signal, providing a detection shell in the formation, applying a detection signal to the detection shell, detecting an NMR signal generated by the migration of spins from the encoding shell to the detection shell, and collecting TOF data corresponding to time elapsed from when a spin is encoded to when the spin reaches the detection shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Pabitra N. Sen, Yi-Qiao Song, John P. Horkowitz
  • Patent number: 6675101
    Abstract: A method for supplying a customer with well log data including obtaining wellsite properties from the customer, recommending at least one tool string and analysis software tool combination using the wellsite properties, processing well log data using customer domain information and the least one tool string and analysis software tool combination to obtain processed well log data, viewing the processed well log data using an interactive viewer, manipulating the customer domain information, and updating the processed well log data on the interactive viewer using the manipulated customer domain information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank P. Shray, Denis J. Heliot, John P. Horkowitz, Thomas J. Neville, Pascal F. Rothnemer