Patents by Inventor Michael D. Kratz

Michael D. Kratz 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).

  • Method for calculating spatial and temporal distribution of the Gutenberg-Richter parameter for induced subsurface seismic events and its application to evaluation of subsurface formations
    Patent number: 8681583
    Abstract: A method for evaluating fractures induced in subsurface formations includes determining hypocenters and origin times of induced seismic events from seismic signals detected by seismic sensors deployed above a volume of the subsurface formations to be evaluated and recording the detected signals for a selected time. A modified Gutenberg-Richter exponent is determined for each induced seismic event having at least a selected number of other induced seismic events within a selected radial distance thereof. A spatial distribution of the modified Gutenberg-Richter exponents is used to determine at least one property of the induced fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microseismic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D Kratz
  • METHOD FOR CALCULATING SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE GUTENBERG-RICHTER PARAMETER FOR INDUCED SUBSURFACE SEISMIC EVENTS AND ITS APPLICATION TO EVALUATION OF SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20130044567
    Abstract: A method for evaluating fractures induced in subsurface formations includes determining hypocenters and origin times of induced seismic events from seismic signals detected by seismic sensors deployed above a volume of the subsurface formations to be evaluated and recording the detected signals for a selected time. A modified Gutenberg-Richter exponent is determined for each induced seismic event having at least a selected number of other induced seismic events within a selected radial distance thereof. A spatial distribution of the modified Gutenberg-Richter exponents is used to determine at least one property of the induced fractures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Michael D. Kratz