Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Heaton

Nicholas J. Heaton 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: 8941383
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a geometry of a borehole includes forming an nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) caliper with a plurality of coils and coupling the NMR caliper to a borehole assembly. The NMR caliper may be calibrated for porosity and the T2 of the drilling mud, prior to drilling, at the surface. After drilling commences, scans of the borehole may be conducted with each coil of the NMR caliper. Each scan may include propagating RF energy across a range of frequencies with each coil in order to excite a NMR signal at varying depths. Borehole wall distances from the NMR caliper may be determined by reviewing a plurality of T2 distributions from CPMG measurements derived from the scans. In some embodiments, borehole wall distances from the NMR caliper may be determined by reviewing porosity values derived from the scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Hopper, Nicholas J. Heaton, David T. Oliver, Luis E. Depavia, Yi-Qiao Song, Martin D. Hurlimann
  • Publication number: 20130106413
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a geometry of a borehole includes forming an nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) caliper with a plurality of coils and coupling the NMR caliper to a borehole assembly. The NMR caliper may be calibrated for porosity and the T2 of the drilling mud, prior to drilling, at the surface. After drilling commences, scans of the borehole may be conducted with each coil of the NMR caliper. Each scan may include propagating RF energy across a range of frequencies with each coil in order to excite a NMR signal at varying depths. Borehole wall distances from the NMR caliper may be determined by reviewing a plurality of T2 distributions from CPMG measurements derived from the scans. In some embodiments, borehole wall distances from the NMR caliper may be determined by reviewing porosity values derived from the scans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Tim Hopper, Nicholas J. Heaton, David T. Oliver, Luis E. Depavia, Yi-Qiao Song, Martin D. Hurlimann
  • Patent number: 7603237
    Abstract: A method to determine formation properties using two or more data sets in which the solutions corresponding to the data sets represent shared and distinct formation properties. The method analyzes the data sets and computes distributions for the shared and distinct formation properties from which the formation properties are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Jack A. La Vigne, Ralf Heidler, Henry N. Bachman
  • Patent number: 7388374
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for interpretation of multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance data taken on a sample of an earth formation. Specifically, a set of NMR data is acquired for a fluid sample located either in a borehole or in a laboratory environment. From the set of NMR data, a multi-dimensional distribution is calculated using a mathematical inversion that is independent of prior knowledge of fluid sample properties. The multi-dimensional distribution is graphically displayed on a multi-dimensional map. Each fluid instance or artifact visible on the graph is identified as representing a probable existence of a detected fluid. One or more quantitative formation evaluation answers for one or more fluid instances is computed based on the multi-dimensional distribution associated with the respective fluid instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chanh Cao Minh, Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Publication number: 20080082270
    Abstract: A method to determine formation properties using two or more data sets in which the solutions corresponding to the data sets represent shared and distinct formation properties. The method analyzes the data sets and computes distributions for the shared and distinct formation properties from which the formation properties are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Jack A. La Vigne, Ralf Heidler, Henry N. Bachman
  • Patent number: 7034528
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for interpretation of multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance data taken on a sample of an earth formation. Specifically, a set of NMR data is acquired for a fluid sample located either in a borehole or in a laboratory environment. From the set of NMR data, a multi-dimensional distribution is calculated using a mathematical inversion that is independent of prior knowledge of fluid sample properties. The multi-dimensional distribution is graphically displayed on a multi-dimensional map. Each fluid instance or artifact visible on the graph is identified as representing a probable existence of a detected fluid. One or more quantitative formation evaluation answers for one or more fluid instances is computed based on the multi-dimensional distribution associated with the respective fluid instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chanh Cao Minh, Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Patent number: 6960913
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for extracting information about a system of nuclear spins from a region of an earth formation. Specifically, a set of NMR data is acquired for a fluid sample located either in a borehole or in a laboratory environment. From the set of NMR data, a multi-dimensional distribution is calculated using a mathematical inversion that is independent of prior knowledge of fluid sample properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Patent number: 6867589
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons in a fluid sample includes deriving a difference measurement from a first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and a second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, wherein the first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and the second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement have difference values in an acquisition parameter such that molecular diffusion affects the first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and the second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement to a different extent; and determining a presence of hydrocarbons from the difference measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Patent number: 6859032
    Abstract: A method for determining a molecular property of each constituent in a mixture of hydrocarbons includes deriving at least one dynamic parameter for each constituent in the mixture from NMR data measured on the mixture; and calculating the molecular property for the each constituent in the mixture from the at least one dynamic parameter for each constituent. The step of deriving the at least one dynamic parameter may include generating a model that includes a plurality of components for the constituents of the mixture and iteratively modifying the model components to optimize the model with respect to the NMR data. The at least one dynamic parameter includes a parameter selected from the group consisting of a longitudinal relaxation time, a transverse relaxation time, a ratio of longitudinal to transverse relaxation time, and a diffusion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Robert Freedman
  • Publication number: 20040169511
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for interpretation of multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance data taken on a sample of an earth formation. Specifically, a set of NMR data is acquired for a fluid sample located either in a borehole or in a laboratory environment. From the set of NMR data, a multi-dimensional distribution is calculated using a mathematical inversion that is independent of prior knowledge of fluid sample properties. The multi-dimensional distribution is graphically displayed on a multi-dimensional map. Each fluid instance or artifact visible on the graph is identified as representing a probable existence of a detected fluid. One or more quantitative formation evaluation answers for one or more fluid instances is computed based on the multi-dimensional distribution associated with the respective fluid instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chanh Cao Minh, Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Patent number: 6703832
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbon-bearing zones in a formation penetrated by a wellbore includes acquiring at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, each of the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements acquired from a volume of investigation at a different radial depth from the wellbore; and determining whether the formation bears hydrocarbons by comparing the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. A method for detecting fines invasion in a formation surrounding a wellbore includes acquiring at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, each of the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements acquired from a volume of investigation at a different radial depth from the wellbore; and determining whether the fines invasion has occurred by comparing the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Robert Freedman
  • Publication number: 20040027123
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbons in a fluid sample includes deriving a difference measurement from a first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and a second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, wherein the first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and the second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement have difference values in an acquisition parameter such that molecular diffusion affects the first nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and the second nuclear magnetic resonance measurement to a different extent; and determining a presence of hydrocarbons from the difference measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Publication number: 20040027122
    Abstract: A method for detecting hydrocarbon-bearing zones in a formation penetrated by a wellbore includes acquiring at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, each of the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements acquired from a volume of investigation at a different radial depth from the wellbore; and determining whether the formation bears hydrocarbons by comparing the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements. A method for detecting fines invasion in a formation surrounding a wellbore includes acquiring at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, each of the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements acquired from a volume of investigation at a different radial depth from the wellbore; and determining whether the fines invasion has occurred by comparing the at least two nuclear magnetic resonance measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Robert Freedman
  • Patent number: 6600315
    Abstract: A method that is usable with an NMR measurement apparatus includes averaging first spin echo trains acquired from different regions of a sample to form a second spin echo train. The first spin echo trains are used to produce a first estimate of a property of the sample, and the first estimate has a first resolution and a first accuracy. The second spin echo train is used to produce a second estimate of the property, and the second estimate has a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution and a second accuracy that is higher than the first accuracy. The first and second estimates are combined to produce a third estimate of the property. The third estimate has a third resolution near the first resolution of the first estimate and a third accuracy near the second accuracy of the second estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Charles Flaum, Chanh Cao Minh
  • Publication number: 20030128032
    Abstract: A method for determining a molecular property of each constituent in a mixture of hydrocarbons includes deriving at least one dynamic parameter for each constituent in the mixture from NMR data measured on the mixture; and calculating the molecular property for the each constituent in the mixture from the at least one dynamic parameter for each constituent. The step of deriving the at least one dynamic parameter may include generating a model that includes a plurality of components for the constituents of the mixture and iteratively modifying the model components to optimize the model with respect to the NMR data. The at least one dynamic parameter includes a parameter selected from the group consisting of a longitudinal relaxation time, a transverse relaxation time, a ratio of longitudinal to transverse relaxation time, and a diffusion rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Robert Freedman
  • Patent number: 6559639
    Abstract: A permeability estimation technique for use with spin echo signals that are received from a sample includes summing indications of the amplitudes of the spin echo signals. The results of the summing are used to determine an indication of a permeability of the sample, without using a distribution of relaxation times in the determination. The products of indications of the amplitudes of the spin echo signals may be summed, and the results of the summing may be used to determine an indication of a permeability of the sample, without using a distribution of relaxation times in the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chanh Cao Minh, Nicholas J. Heaton, Abdurrahman Sezginer
  • Patent number: 6522138
    Abstract: A method for retrieving corrected individual measurements from a series of sequentially pairwise-combined measurements. The method includes providing an initial estimate for a first one of the corrected individual measurements, deriving temporary estimates for other ones of the corrected individual measurements by subtracting the initial estimate from the first sequentially pairwise-combined measurements to produce an estimate for a second one of the corrected individual measurements, and repeating the subtraction from each of the next sequentially pairwise-combined measurements until temporary estimates for each of the corrected individual measurements are obtained, and correcting errors in the temporary estimates to generate error-corrected estimates by filtering an alternating error component associated with the initial estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Publication number: 20030011366
    Abstract: A permeability estimation technique for use with spin echo signals that are received from a sample includes summing indications of the amplitudes of the spin echo signals. The results of the summing are used to determine an indication of a permeability of the sample, without using a distribution of relaxation times in the determination. The products of indications of the amplitudes of the spin echo signals may be summed, and the results of the summing may be used to determine an indication of a permeability of the sample, without using a distribution of relaxation times in the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: CHANH CAO MINH, NICHOLAS J. HEATON, ABDURRAHMAN SEZGINER
  • Publication number: 20010035751
    Abstract: A method for retrieving corrected individual measurements from a series of sequentially pairwise-combined measurements. The method includes providing an initial estimate for a first one of the corrected individual measurements, deriving temporary estimates for other ones of the corrected individual measurements by subtracting the initial estimate from the first sequentially pairwise-combined measurements to produce an estimate for a second one of the corrected individual measurements, and repeating the subtraction from each of the next sequentially pairwise-combined measurements until temporary estimates for each of the corrected individual measurements are obtained, and correcting errors in the temporary estimates to generate error-corrected estimates by filtering an alternating error component associated with the initial estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Heaton
  • Patent number: 6255818
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance measurement apparatus that is subject to relative motion between the apparatus and a specimen along a path includes a magnet, antennae and a circuit. The magnet polarizes the specimen, and the antennae are spatially distributed along the path. The circuit uses the antennae to perform magnetic resonance measurements and use the spatial distribution of the antennae to establish different polarization times for the magnetic resonance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Heaton, Dylan H. Davies, M. Reza Taherian, Boqin Q. Sun, Abdurrahman Sezginer