Patents by Inventor Martin D. Hürlimann

Martin D. Hürlimann 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: 10962674
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments are directed to applying a nuclear magnetic resonance sequence to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Various embodiments include applying a series of refocusing pulses to the substance, each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses having at least two segments, and a total pulse duration less than or equal to approximately 1.414 times T180. Various embodiments can further include applying an excitation pulse to the substance in the inhomogeneous static magnetic field, where the excitation pulse generates an initial magnetization that is aligned with a refocusing axis produced by a refocusing cycle that is performed after the excitation pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Martin D. Hürlimann, Soumyajit Mandal, Van Mai Do, Yi-Qiao Song
  • Patent number: 10197652
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) property are described herein. The method includes applying a static magnetic field to a substance and applying an NMR pulse sequence to the substance. The NMR pulse sequence comprises a first pulse sequence segment applied at a first frequency to a shell and a second pulse sequence segment applied at a second frequency. The first pulse sequence segment generates a resonant signal in the shell and the second pulse sequence segment generates a characteristic within the resonant signal. The resonant signal is detected and an NMR property is determined using the characteristic within the detected resonant signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventors: Martin D. Hürlimann, Yi-Qiao Song, Soumyajit Mandal
  • Patent number: 10001578
    Abstract: A method for applying a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sequence is described herein. The method includes applying a series of refocusing pulses to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses includes a central axis, a total pulse duration greater than t180, and at least five segments (e.g., 5, 7, 11, 20, and 21). The phase of each segment is substantially anti-symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse. In a more particular embodiment, the phase of each segment is also symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse and the five segments include a substantially constant amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soumyajit Mandal, Van D. M. Koroleva, Troy Borneman, Martin D. Hürlimann
  • Publication number: 20170357025
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments are directed to applying a nuclear magnetic resonance sequence to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Various embodiments include applying a series of refocusing pulses to the substance, each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses having at least two segments, and a total pulse duration less than or equal to approximately 1.414 times T180. Various embodiments can further include applying an excitation pulse to the substance in the inhomogeneous static magnetic field, where the excitation pulse generates an initial magnetization that is aligned with a refocusing axis produced by a refocusing cycle that is performed after the excitation pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: MARTIN D. HÜRLIMANN, SOUMYAJIT MANDAL, VAN MAI DO, YI-QIAO SONG
  • Patent number: 9720128
    Abstract: An NMR method and apparatus for analyzing a sample of interest applies a static magnetic field together with RF pulses of oscillating magnetic field across a sample volume that encompasses the sample of interest. The RF pulses are defined by a pulse sequence that includes a plurality of measurement segments configured to characterize a plurality of relaxation parameters related to relaxation of nuclear magnetization of the sample of interest. Signals induced by the RF pulses are detected in order to derive the relaxation parameters. The measurement segments of the pulse sequence include at least one first-type measurement segment configured to characterize relaxation of spin-lattice interaction between nuclei of the sample of interest in a rotating frame (T1?) at a predefined frequency. The T1? parameter can be measured in conjunction with the measurement of other relaxation and/or diffusion parameters as part of multidimensional NMR experiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ravinath Kausik Kadayam Viswanathan, Lukasz Zielinski, Martin D. Hürlimann
  • Patent number: 9715033
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for analyzing a composition of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid. The methods include using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool to conduct an NMR measurement on the hydrocarbon-containing fluid to obtain NMR data. A non-NMR tool, such as an optical tool, is used to conduct additional measurements on the hydrocarbon-containing fluid and to obtain non-NMR data on the fluid. An indication of the composition of the fluid can be determined by using the NMR data and the non-NMR data in an inversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denise E. Freed, Yi-Qiao Song, Lalitha Venkataramanan, Lukasz Zielinski, Nicholas A. Bennett, Martin D. Hürlimann
  • Patent number: 9703003
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of analyzing a composition of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid including using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool to conduct a NMR relaxation measurement, a diffusion measurement, or both on the hydrocarbon-containing fluid to obtain NMR data, using a non-NMR tool to conduct an additional measurement of a reference fluid to obtain non-NMR data wherein the additional measurement comprises gas chromatography, optical observation, or both, and using the NMR data and the non-NMR data in an inversion process to determine an indication of the composition of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid. In some embodiments, the indication is determined over 4 chain length nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas N. Bennett, Yi Zeng, Lalitha Venkataramanan, Denise E. Freed, Martin D. Hürlimann
  • Patent number: 9658358
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments are directed to applying a nuclear magnetic resonance sequence to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Various embodiments include applying a series of refocusing pulses to the substance, each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses having at least two segments, and a total pulse duration less than or equal to approximately 1.414 times T180. Various embodiments can further include applying an excitation pulse to the substance in the inhomogeneous static magnetic field, where the excitation pulse generates an initial magnetization that is aligned with a refocusing axis produced by a refocusing cycle that is performed after the excitation pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin D. Hürlimann, Soumyajit Mandal, Van Mai Do, Yi-Qiao Song
  • Publication number: 20150323698
    Abstract: A method for applying a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sequence is described herein. The method includes applying a series of refocusing pulses to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses includes a central axis, a total pulse duration greater than t180, and at least five segments (e.g., 5, 7, 11, 20, and 21). The phase of each segment is substantially anti-symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse. In a more particular embodiment, the phase of each segment is also symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse and the five segments include a substantially constant amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: SOUMYAJIT MANDAL, VAN D. M. KOROLEVA, TROY BORNEMAN, MARTIN D. HÜRLIMANN
  • Publication number: 20150168585
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of analyzing a composition of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid including using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool to conduct a NMR relaxation measurement, a diffusion measurement, or both on the hydrocarbon-containing fluid to obtain NMR data, using a non-NMR tool to conduct an additional measurement of a reference fluid to obtain non-NMR data wherein the additional measurement comprises gas chromatography, optical observation, or both, and using the NMR data and the non-NMR data in an inversion process to determine an indication of the composition of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid. In some embodiments, the indication is determined over 4 chain length nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: NICHOLAS N. BENNETT, YI ZENG, LALITHA VENKATARAMANAN, DENISE E. FREED, MARTIN D. HÜRLIMANN
  • Publication number: 20150168586
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for analyzing a composition of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid. The methods include using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool to conduct an NMR measurement on the hydrocarbon-containing fluid to obtain NMR data. A non-NMR tool, such as an optical tool, is used to conduct additional measurements on the hydrocarbon-containing fluid and to obtain non-NMR data on the fluid. An indication of the composition of the fluid can be determined by using the NMR data and the non-NMR data in an inversion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denise E. FREED, Yi-Qiao SONG, Lalitha VENKATARAMANAN, Lukasz ZIELINSKI, Nicholas A. BENNETT, Martin D. HÜRLIMANN
  • Publication number: 20140232391
    Abstract: An NMR method and apparatus for analyzing a sample of interest applies a static magnetic field together with RF pulses of oscillating magnetic field across a sample volume that encompasses the sample of interest. The RF pulses are defined by a pulse sequence that includes a plurality of measurement segments configured to characterize a plurality of relaxation parameters related to relaxation of nuclear magnetization of the sample of interest. Signals induced by the RF pulses are detected in order to derive the relaxation parameters. The measurement segments of the pulse sequence include at least one first-type measurement segment configured to characterize relaxation of spin-lattice interaction between nuclei of the sample of interest in a rotating frame (T1?) at a predefined frequency. The T1? parameter can be measured in conjunction with the measurement of other relaxation and/or diffusion parameters as part of multidimensional NMR experiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: RAVINATH KAUSIK KADAYAM VISWANATHAN, LUKASZ ZIELINSKI, MARTIN D. HÜRLIMANN
  • Publication number: 20130325348
    Abstract: Systems and methods for quickly determining wettability using a derived relationship between the two Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxation times T1,oil and T2,oil combined with downhole or laboratory based NMR measurements. The derived relationship between T1,oil, T2,oil and wettability can be developed empirically for example from core-sample data. Once the relationship is defined, it can be used in the field or laboratory to quickly determine wettability from NMR measurements that measure T1,oil and T2,oil directly, or a function depending on them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDREA VALORI, MARTIN D. HÜRLIMANN, BENJAMIN NICOT, HENRY N. BACHMAN
  • Publication number: 20130234704
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) property are described herein. The method includes applying a static magnetic field to a substance and applying an NMR pulse sequence to the substance. The NMR pulse sequence comprises a first pulse sequence segment applied at a first frequency to a shell and a second pulse sequence segment applied at a second frequency. The first pulse sequence segment generates a resonant signal in the shell and the second pulse sequence segment generates a characteristic within the resonant signal. The resonant signal is detected and an NMR property is determined using the characteristic within the detected resonant signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: MARTIN D. Hürlimann, YI-QIAO SONG, SOUMYAJIT MANDAL
  • Publication number: 20130162247
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments are directed to applying a nuclear magnetic resonance sequence to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Various embodiments include applying a series of refocusing pulses to the substance, each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses having at least two segments, and a total pulse duration less than or equal to approximately 1.414 times T180. Various embodiments can further include applying an excitation pulse to the substance in the inhomogeneous static magnetic field, where the excitation pulse generates an initial magnetization that is aligned with a refocusing axis produced by a refocusing cycle that is performed after the excitation pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: MARTIN D. HÜRLIMANN, SOUMYAJIT MANDAL, VAN MAI DO, YI-QIAO SONG
  • Publication number: 20130057277
    Abstract: A method for determining surface relaxivity of a rock formation in a wellbore includes using measurements of nuclear magnetic resonance properties of the rock formation made from within a wellbore penetrating the rock formations includes determining nuclear magnetic relaxation properties from the measurements of the nuclear magnetic resonance properties. A diffusion property of the rock formation is determined from the measurements of the nuclear magnetic resonance properties. The surface relaxivity of the rock formation is determined from the relaxation properties and the diffusion property. The surface relaxivity and other nuclear magnetic resonance properties are used to infer wettability and/or fluid saturation of the rock formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Lukasz Zielinski, Martin D. Hürlimann (Hurlimann), Philip Singer, Raghu Ramamoorthy
  • Patent number: 8362767
    Abstract: A method for utilizing received formation data to determine one or more fluid instance such as reservoir wettability while in one of a subterranean environment or a surface environment. The method comprising: (a) obtaining at least one set of formation data wherein the set of formation data includes magnetic resonance data from two or more samples within an approximate common characteristic region in the reservoir; (b) computing from the at least one set of received formation data a first fluid instance of the one or more fluid instance using at least two mathematical variables from the group consisting of one of oil saturation, water saturation, T1, T2, diffusion coefficient, tortuosity from long time diffusion coefficient or some combination thereof; and (c) interpreting the computed first fluid instance as at least one wettability property between the fluids in a formation located in the subterranean environment and the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Martin D. Hürlimann, Yi-Qiao Song
  • Patent number: 6894493
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the presence of magnetic materials in a media, such as an earth formation. More specifically, the method of the present invention correlates a diffusion-relaxation calibration function representative of magnetic materials with a 2-D function developed using diffusion-editing to determine the presence and relative content of magnetic materials in a media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Martin D. Hürlimann, Abigail Matteson, Jermane Edward Massey, David F. Allen
  • Patent number: 6850060
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of measuring the molecular displacement of a fluid is disclosed comprising: (a) applying a strong magnetic field gradient to the fluid; (b) applying a sequence of oscillating magnetic field pulses to the fluid wherein the sequence includes a first portion followed by a second portion, wherein the first portion spatially modulates the magnetization state of the fluid and the second portion monitors the evolution of the modulation; (c) detecting magnetic resonance signals from the fluid; and (d) analyzing the detected signals to determine the molecular displacement of the fluid. This method may be used to determine the diffusion of the fluid or the restricted diffusion of the fluid through the porous media if the fluid is within a porous media (such as earth formation, bone, wood or other material). Also disclosed is a logging tool configured to implement this methodology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Qiao Song, Martin D. Hürlimann, Charles Flaum
  • Patent number: 6580272
    Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance logging methods that detect and analyze a steady state free precession (SSFP) signal are described. In some embodiments, Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) spin echoes are detected along with the SSFP signals. From the SSFP signal, either alone or in combination with CPMG signals, information about a region of an earth formation, such as porosity, bound fluid volume and diffusion, may be extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Denise Freed, Martin D. Hürlimann, Ulrich Scheven