Patents by Inventor Michael Wilt
Michael Wilt 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).
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Publication number: 20150177413Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses to generate a crosswell data set are described. In certain aspects, a method includes producing a first electromagnetic field at the earth's surface with a transmitter at a first location, detecting in a first borehole a first field signal induced by the first electromagnetic field, detecting in a second borehole a second field signal induced by the first electromagnetic field, and generating a crosswell data set from the first field signal and the second field signal. A formation model may be created from the crosswell data set.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael Wilt, Ping Zhang, Nestor Cuevas, Jiuping Chen
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Publication number: 20150083404Abstract: A method may include modeling a bulk electromagnetic (EM) characteristic of a composite material including a fracturing fluid, a proppant, and a sensing additive. The method may further include generating a modeled propped fracture pattern for a subterranean formation having the composite material injected therein, and generating a three dimensional (3D) arrangement of cells based upon the bulk EM characteristic and the modeled propped fracture pattern using an effective medium theory (EMT) model, with each cell having a modeled localized EM characteristic associated therewith. The method may also include injecting the composite material into the subterranean formation to cause an actual propped fracture pattern, collecting EM data based upon the sensing additive within the actual propped fracture pattern, and determining a respective actual EM characteristic for each cell based upon the modeled localized EM characteristics and the collected EM data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Michael Wilt, Nestor Cuevas, Lindsey Heagy
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Publication number: 20140374091Abstract: A method may include forming a borehole in a subterranean formation, lining at least part of the borehole with an electrically conductive casing, and injecting a fracturing fluid, a proppant, and a sensing additive into the borehole to form a propped fracture pattern. The method may further include driving the electrically conductive casing so that the sensing additive generates an electromagnetic (EM) field, sensing the EM field, and mapping the propped fracture pattern based upon the sensed EM field.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Michael Wilt, Pabrita Sen
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Publication number: 20140239957Abstract: A method for mapping a subterranean formation having an electrically conductive wellbore casing therein may include using a low frequency electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and EM receiver operating at a low frequency of less than or equal to 10 Hertz to perform a first EM survey of the subterranean formation, and with either the low frequency EM transmitter or EM receiver within the electrically conductive well-bore casing. The method may further include injecting a magnetic fluid into the subterranean formation, and using the low frequency EM transmitter and EM receiver to perform a second EM survey of the subterranean formation after injecting the magnetic fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2012Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ping Zhang, David L. Alumbaugh, Michael Wilt
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Patent number: 8812237Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter characteristic of a rock formation is provided, the method including the steps of obtaining crosswell electromagnetic signals between two wells and using an inversion of said signals to investigate or delineate the presence of a resistivity anomaly, such as brine in a low resistivity background, wherein the resistivity anomaly is assumed to be distributed as one or more bodies characterized by a limited number of geometrical parameters and the inversion is used to determine said geometrical parameters. The method can also be applied to determine the trajectory of an in-fill well to be drilled.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael Wilt, Alberto Marsala, Steve Crary, Saleh B. Al-Ruwaili, Tarek M. Habashy, Shouxiang Ma
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Publication number: 20140200808Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) data acquisition method for a geological formation may include operating EM measurement devices to determine phase and amplitude data from the geological formation. The EM measurement devices may include at least one first EM measurement device within a borehole in the geological formation, and at least one second EM measurement device at a surface of the geological formation. The method may further include processing the phase data independent from the amplitude data to generate a geological constituent map of the geological formation, and identifying different geological constituents in the geological constituent map based upon the measured amplitude data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ping Zhang, Nestor Cuevas, Michael Wilt, Jiuping Chen
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Patent number: 8731987Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a model so predict measurements that are received by receivers due to transmissions by sources based on estimated positions of the receivers relative to the sources. The estimated positions each have at least two dimensions. At least some of the receivers and the sources are located in the well. On a computer, the estimated positions are automatically refined based on a comparison of the predicted measurements and actual measurements that are obtained by the receivers.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Jiuping Chen, Ping Zhang, Michael Wilt, Edward Nichols, David Alumbaugh
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Patent number: 8711655Abstract: An apparatus and a method for characterizing parts of a reservoir surrounding a borehole are provided including using at least one transmitter to emit a probing signal into the borehole and at least one receiver to receive a signal representing a response of the formation to the probing signal, with the distance separating the transmitter and the receiver being variable while suspended in the borehole using for example an apparatus which can be decoupled in the borehole into a stationary and a mobile section, carrying transmitter and receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kais Gzara, Kamal Babour, Michael Wilt, Ahmed El-Banbi
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Publication number: 20140035578Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system that uses a feedback induction coil to detect NMR signals generated within a substance is described herein. In one embodiment, the NMR system uses the Earth's magnetic field in conjunction with a transmitter coil that applies NMR sequences to a formation. The NMR sequences generate a weak NMR signal within the formation due to the weakness of the Earth's magnetic field. This weak NMR signal is detected using the feedback induction coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Yiqiao Song, Michael Wilt, Pabitra Sen
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Publication number: 20120191353Abstract: One embodiment of the invention involves a model-based method of inverting electromagnetic data associated with a subsurface area that includes developing a three-dimensional electromagnetic property model of the area, and restricting changes that may be made to the model during the electromagnetic data inversion process. Other related embodiments of the inventive method are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: MICHAEL WILT, HERVE DENACLARA, PING ZHANG, DAVID ALUMBAUGH, THOR JOHNSEN
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Patent number: 8188749Abstract: A method that involves developing an electromagnetic property model of a near surface area and using this electromagnetic property model and electromagnetic data acquired using one or more electromagnetic transmitters located above the near surface area and one or more electromagnetic receivers located within a wellbore to determine one or more electromagnetic properties of a subsurface area. Also an electromagnetic data acquisition system that includes one or more electromagnetic transmitters capable of being operated on the earth's surface, one or more first electromagnetic receivers capable of being operated within a wellbore and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters, and one or more second electromagnetic receivers capable of being located on the earth's surface near the one or more electromagnetic transmitters and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters. Related embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael Wilt, Garrett Kramer
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Publication number: 20110050232Abstract: A method that involves developing an electromagnetic property model of a near surface area and using this electromagnetic property model and electromagnetic data acquired using one or more electromagnetic transmitters located above the near surface area and one or more electromagnetic receivers located within a wellbore to determine one or more electromagnetic properties of a subsurface area. Also an electromagnetic data acquisition system that includes one or more electromagnetic transmitters capable of being operated on the earth's surface, one or more first electromagnetic receivers capable of being operated within a wellbore and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters, and one or more second electromagnetic receivers capable of being located on the earth's surface near the one or more electromagnetic transmitters and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters. Related embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael Wilt, Garrett Kramer
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Patent number: 7852087Abstract: A method that involves developing an electromagnetic property model of a near surface area and using this electromagnetic property model and electromagnetic data acquired using one or more electromagnetic transmitters located above the near surface area and one or more electromagnetic receivers located within a wellbore to determine one or more electromagnetic properties of a subsurface area. Also an electromagnetic data acquisition system that includes one or more electromagnetic transmitters capable of being operated on the earth's surface, one or more first electromagnetic receivers capable of being operated within a wellbore and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters, and one or more second electromagnetic receivers capable of being located on the earth's surface near the one or more electromagnetic transmitters and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters. Related embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael Wilt, Garrett Kramer
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Patent number: 7825664Abstract: A wireline tool string used in a wellbore to determine formation properties is disclosed which comprises one or more transmitter tools disposed within the tool string, each transmitter tool having three linearly independent coils; a receiver tool disposed within the tool string, wherein the receiver tool has three linearly independent coils; and a tool string component disposed between the one or mole transmitter tools and the receiver tool; wherein the one or more transmitter tools are selectably spatially separated from the receiver tool along the tool string to provide a desired depth of investigation and measurements made using the one or more transmitter tools and receiver tool are used to determine formation properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dean Homan, Edward Nichols, Michael Wilt, Jean Seydoux
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Publication number: 20100238763Abstract: An apparatus and a method for characterizing parts of a reservoir surrounding a borehole are provided including using at least one transmitter to emit a probing signal into the borehole and at least one receiver to receive a signal representing a response of the formation to the probing signal, with the distance separating the transmitter and the receiver being variable while suspended in the borehole using for example an apparatus which can be decoupled in the borehole into a stationary and a mobile section, carrying transmitter and receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kais Gzara, Kamal Babour, Michael Wilt, Ahmed El-Banbi
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Publication number: 20100225322Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to determine a property of an earth formation, comprising a mobile transmitter disposed at a predetermined elevated height above a surface of the earth formation, and one or more receivers moveably disposed in a wellbore penetrating the earth formation. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the mobile transmitter into the formation from a plurality of locations; and at the one or more receivers a signal is measured. Using the signal received by the one or more receivers, a property of the formation, such as resistivity, can be determined and mapped.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Garrett Kramer, Michael Wilt, Edward Nichols, Luis DePavia, H. Frank Morrison
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Publication number: 20100198519Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter characteristic of a rock formation is provided, the method including the steps of obtaining crosswell electromagnetic signals between two wells and using an inversion of said signals to investigate or delineate the presence of a resistivity anomaly, such as brine in a low resistivity background, wherein the resistivity anomaly is assumed to be distributed as one or more bodies characterized by a limited number of geometrical parameters and the inversion is used to determine said geometrical parameters. The method can also be applied to determine the trajectory of an in-fill well to be drilled.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicants: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Michael Wilt, Alberto Marsala, Steve Crary, Saleh B. Al-Ruwaili, Tarek M. Habashy, Shouxiang Ma
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Publication number: 20090150124Abstract: One embodiment of the invention involves a method for determining whether an electromagnetic survey will be able to distinguish between different subsurface conditions in an area that includes developing a three-dimensional electromagnetic property model of the area, and simulating an electromagnetic response of a field electromagnetic data acquisition system using the three-dimensional electromagnetic property model to determine if expected differences in an electromagnetic response of a electromagnetic data acquisition system are within detectability limits of the system. Another embodiment involves a model-based method of inverting electromagnetic data associated with a subsurface area that includes developing a three-dimensional electromagnetic property model of the area, and restricting changes that may be made to the model during the electromagnetic data inversion process. Other related embodiments of the inventive method are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Wilt, Herve Denaclara, Ping Zhang, David Alumbaugh, Thor Johnsen
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Publication number: 20090039889Abstract: A method that involves developing an electromagnetic property model of a near surface area and using this electromagnetic property model and electromagnetic data acquired using one or more electromagnetic transmitters located above the near surface area and one or more electromagnetic receivers located within a wellbore to determine one or more electromagnetic properties of a subsurface area. Also an electromagnetic data acquisition system that includes one or more electromagnetic transmitters capable of being operated on the earth's surface, one or more first electromagnetic receivers capable of being operated within a wellbore and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters, and one or more second electromagnetic receivers capable of being located on the earth's surface near the one or more electromagnetic transmitters and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters. Related embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Wilt, Garrett Kramer
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Publication number: 20080281667Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes providing a model so predict measurements that are received by receivers due to transmission by sources baaed on estimated positions of the receivers relative to sources. The estimated positions each have at least two dimensions. At least some of the receivers and the sources are located in the well. On a computer, the estimated positions are automatically refined based on a comparison of the predicted measurements and actual measurements that are obtained by the receivers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jiuping Chen, Ping Zhang, Michael Wilt, Edward Nichols, David Alumbaugh