Patents by Inventor Paul Meldahl
Paul Meldahl 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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Patent number: 8797549Abstract: A interferometer apparatus for studying the surface of an object, the apparatus comprising a source producing an object beam of coherent light, a source producing a reference beam which is coherent with the object beam, and a detector or a plurality of detectors arranged in a line or array, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the object beam is diverging or substantially collimated, and wherein, in use the diverging or substantially collimated object beam is directed towards the surface of the object to produce a reflected object beam reflected from the surface of the object, the detector(s) is/are focused to a point beneath the surface of the object, and the reflected object beam is combined with the reference beam and detected by the detector(s). Also provided is a corresponding method for conducting an interferometric study of the surface of an object.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Statoil Petroleum ASInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen
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Patent number: 8498176Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a seismic exploration. A seismic event is applied to the earth's surface, particles at the earth's surface move in response to the event and the response to the event is detected using an interferometer. The earth's surface and the interferometer move with respect to each other. The detectors of the interferometer may be arranged in an array. The detected response may be analyze.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Statoil ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen
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Patent number: 8400871Abstract: Seismic exploration techniques and the seismic imaging of subsurface layers, particularly apparatus for seismic exploration near the seafloor, are disclosed. The apparatus enables controlled-depth towing of detectors to be carried out a short distance above the seafloor. The apparatus includes a streamer depth controller and at least one altitude keeper device, attached at intervals along the length of a towed streamer. The streamer carries detectors for measuring, for example, P- and S-waves in the seafloor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Statoil ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Kjell Vie, Jan Adland
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Publication number: 20110102806Abstract: A interferometer apparatus for studying the surface of an object, the apparatus comprising a source producing an object beam of coherent light, a source producing a reference beam which is coherent with the object beam, and a detector or a plurality of detectors arranged in a line or array, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the object beam is diverging or substantially collimated, and wherein, in use the diverging or substantially collimated object beam is directed towards the surface of the object to produce a reflected object beam reflected from the surface of the object, the detector(s) is/are focused to a point beneath the surface of the object, and the reflected object beam is combined with the reference beam and detected by the detector(s). Also provided is a corresponding method for conducting an interferometric study of the surface of an object.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: STATOIL ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen
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Patent number: 7933003Abstract: A method of studying a surface using an interferometer, in which there is relative motion between the surface and the interferometer, the motion having a total velocity Vtot which includes a transversal or traversing component Vt and a longitudinal component Vl.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Statoil ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen
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Publication number: 20100128561Abstract: Seismic exploration techniques and the seismic imaging of subsurface layers, particularly apparatus for seismic exploration near the seafloor, are disclosed. The apparatus enables controlled depth towing of detectors to be carried out a short distance above the seafloor. The apparatus includes a streamer depth controller and at least one altitude keeper device, attached at intervals along the length of a towed streamer. The streamer carries detectors for measuring, for example, P- and S-waves in the seafloor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: STATOIL ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Kjell Vie, Jan Adland
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Patent number: 7720609Abstract: A method of assessing acquisition errors in seismic images in a seismic data volume. The method includes selecting a seismic attribute in a seismic data volume and then stacking seismic quality image measurements taken along the selected attribute. The stacked measurements are then related on the basis of any vertical correlation and any vertically correlated feature is identified as a cobweb. Any identified cobwebs are removed from the seismic data volume.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Statoil ASAInventor: Paul Meldahl
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Patent number: 7660188Abstract: The present invention provides a seismic exploration and imaging system for producing seismic survey reports of subsea geological structures. The exploration system provides a method in which both P-waves and S-waves are detected without the need for placing detection apparatus in contact the seabed. A seismic event is applied (12) to the earth's surface (13), and the detected response including P-waves and S-waves in the earth's. The detecting apparatus comprises a means for monitoring and recording the response to the seismic event in the form of movements of particles at the earth's surface, from a position spaced from the earth's surface. Particles at the surface will respond both to P-wave and S-wave stimulation and so their movements will be representative of the two waves. These movements are detected from a distance.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Statoil ASAInventor: Paul Meldahl
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Patent number: 7583387Abstract: An instrument for studying an object (12) comprising a movable interferometer having a laser source and a plurality of detectors (24) arranged in an array. The laser source is expanded and arranged to direct a converging object beam (21) towards a point (22) or line beyond the object (12) whereby a speckle pattern of light reflected from the object (12) is detected by the detector or detector array (24). The point (12) or line at which the laser source is arranged to converge the object beam (21) is approximately the same distance beyond the object (12) as the object is spaced from the source. The speed of movement of the instrument, the sampling rate of the detectors (24) and size of the area (23) of the object illuminated by the converging laser object beam (21) are arranged so that sequential areas (23) of the object (12) studied overlap.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Statoil ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen, Johan Ole Lokberg
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Publication number: 20090128800Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying our seismic exploration which comprises generating a seismic event; applying the seismic event to the earth's surface; detecting a response to the event, using an interferometer, in which there is relative motion between the earth's surface and the interferometer, the detected response including P-waves and S-waves in the earth's surface; and analysing the detected response; and in which: the detecting step comprises monitoring and recording the response to the seismic event in the form of movements of particles at the earth's surface, from a position spaced from the earth's surface, the detecting step being carried out over a response period, the response period being a predetermined period of time after the seismic event; and the analysing step comprises analysing the movements of particles at the earth's surface in the recorded response to the seismic event during the response period; the said relative motion having a total velocity Vtot which includes a transversal or tType: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen
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Publication number: 20080316496Abstract: A method of studying a surface using an interferometer, in which there is relative motion between the surface and the interferometer, the motion having a total velocity Vtot which includes a transversal or traversing component Vt and a longitudinal component Vl.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: STATOIL ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen
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Publication number: 20080147327Abstract: A method of assessing acquisition errors in seismic images in a seismic data volume. The method comprises selecting a seismic attribute in a seismic data volume and then stacking seismic quality image measurement taken along the selected attribute. The stacked measurements are then related on the basis of any vertical correlation and any vertically correlated feature is identified as a cobweb. Any identified cobwebs are removed from the seismic data volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventor: Paul Meldahl
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Publication number: 20080007715Abstract: An instrument for studying an object (12) comprising a movable interferometer having a laser source and a plurality of detectors (24) arranged in an array. The laser source is expanded and arranged to direct a converging object beam (21) towards a point (22) or line beyond the object (12) whereby a speckle pattern of light reflected from the object (12) is detected by the detector or detector array (24). The point (12) or line at which the laser source is arranged to converge the object beam (21) is approximately the same distance beyond the object (12) as the object is spaced from the source. The speed of movement of the instrument, the sampling rate of the detectors (24) and size of the area (23) of the object illuminated by the converging laser object beam (21) are arranged so that sequential areas (23) of the object (12) studied overlap.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2005Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: STATOIL ASAInventors: Paul Meldahl, Eiolf Vikhagen, Johan Ole Lokberg
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Publication number: 20060126433Abstract: The present invention provides a seismic exploration and imaging system for producing seismic survey reports of subsea geological structures. The exploration system provides a method in which both P-waves and S-waves are detected without the need for placing detection apparatus in contact the seabed. A seismic event is applied (12) to the earth's surface (13), and the detected response including P-waves and S-waves in the earth's. The detecting apparatus comprises a means for monitoring and recording the response to the seismic event in the form of movements of particles at the earth's surface, from a position spaced from the earth's surface. Particles at the surface will respond both to P-wave and S-wave stimulation and so their movements will be representative of the two waves. These movements are detected from a distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: June 15, 2006Inventor: Paul Meldahl
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Patent number: 6735526Abstract: A method of combining directional seismic attributes using a supervised learning approach which may include extracting seismic information from acquired data in a direction along the spatial direction of a body of interest. The method is applicable both to onshore and offshore exploration and provides a more reliable means of detecting, separating and identifying geological features, for example gas chimneys, faults, layers, and any other type of geological objects with a spatial direction and shape. The method is also suited for the detection of reservoir changes by the use of time lapse seismic techniques.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.Inventors: Paul Meldahl, Roar Heggland, P. F. M. De Groot, A. H. Bril
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Publication number: 20030200030Abstract: A method of processing acquired seismic data which comprises extracting seismic information from the acquired data in a direction along the spatial direction of a body of interest thereby producing directional seismic attributes. Any preferred embodiment, the method incorporated unsupervised or supervised learning techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Applicant: Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S.Inventors: Paul Meldahl, Roar Heggland, P.F.M. De Groot, A. H. Bril