Patents by Inventor Songhua Chen

Songhua Chen 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).

  • MODELING SUBTERRANEAN FLUID VISCOSITY
    Publication number: 20160231451
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for modeling subterranean formation viscosity are described. In some aspects, a method of training a subterranean fluid viscosity model based on NMR data includes accessing multiple relaxation-time distributions generated from NMR measurements of a fluid, normalizing each relaxation-time distribution to a common normalizing value, computing parameters for a plurality of weighted radial basis functions from the normalized relaxation-time distributions, and producing a subterranean fluid viscosity model that includes the weighted radial basis functions and the computed parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Songhua CHEN, Wei SHAO
  • Modeling Subterranean Formation Permeability
    Publication number: 20160231450
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for modeling subterranean formation permeability are described. In some aspects, a method of training a subterranean formation permeability model based on NMR data includes accessing relaxation-time distributions generated from NMR measurements associated with a subterranean region. Multiple sets of principal components are generated from the relaxation-time distributions. Each set of principal components represents a respective one of the relaxation-time distributions. Parameters for weighted radial basis functions are computed based on the sets of principal components. A subterranean formation permeability model that includes the weighted radial basis functions and the computed parameters is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Wei SHAO, Songhua CHEN
  • Azimuthally-selective downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool
    Patent number: 9377557
    Abstract: In some aspects, a downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool includes a magnet assembly and an antenna assembly. The NMR tool can operate in a wellbore in a subterranean region to obtain NMR data from the subterranean region. The magnet assembly produces a magnetic field in a volume about the wellbore. The antenna assembly produces excitation in the volume and acquires an azimuthally-selective response from the volume based on the excitation. The antenna assembly can include a transversal-dipole antenna and a monopole antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, Songhua Chen
  • Multiphase meter to provide data for production management
    Patent number: 9335195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a volume of a phase of a multiphase fluid flowing in a production tubular is provided. A magnetic field is imparted on the fluid to align nuclei of the multiphase fluid along a direction of the magnetic field. A radio frequency signal is transmitted into the multiphase fluid to excite the nuclei, and a signal is detected from the nuclei responsive to the transmitted radio frequency signal. An amplitude of the detected signal is determined and the volume of the phase flowing in the production tubular is determined using the determined amplitude and an amplitude of a calibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joo Tim Ong, Songhua Chen, Terry R. Bussear
  • NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) INTERECHO INTERVAL CONTROL METHODS AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20160033671
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging tool includes a pulsed magnetic field source which provides an NMR logging pulse sequence having a reduced interecho interval (TE). A controller in communication with the pulsed magnetic field source provides a pulse sequence designed to substantially align an echo peak with a measurement deadtime boundary, yielding a partial spin echo data recovery which is at least partially compensated by a substantially higher measurement density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC
    Inventor: Songhua CHEN
  • DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PARALLEL MICROFLUIDIC PRESSURE-VOLUME-TEMPERATURE ANALYSIS
    Publication number: 20160011328
    Abstract: A microfluidic device and method is described to parallelize a pressure-volume-temperature (“PVT”) analysis such that a portion of the pressure, temperature and volume analysis is performed separately from others. The resulting PVT data is then recombined statistically for a complete PVT analysis. The microfluidic device may also obtain compositional data of the fluid to perform an equation of state analysis or reservoir simulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Michael T. Pelletier, Robert S. Atkinson, JR., Songhua Chen
  • Downhole Differentiation of Light Oil and Oil-Based Filtrates by NMR with Oleophilic Nanoparticles
    Publication number: 20150212227
    Abstract: Downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods that utilize oleophilic nanoparticle may allow for differentiation of light oil and oil-based filtrates. For example, a method may involve drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation using an oil-based drilling fluid that comprises an oil base fluid and a plurality of oleophilic nanoparticles; performing a plurality of NMR measurements at a plurality of depths of investigation (DOI) of a near-wellbore portion of the subterranean formation; and producing an invasion profile of an oil-based drilling fluid filtrate into the near-wellbore portion of the subterranean formation based on the plurality of NMR measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Ronald E. Cherry, Magdalena Sandor
  • Method and apparatus for predicting petrophysical properties from NMR data in carbonate rocks
    Patent number: 9081117
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a property of an earth formation using a radial basis function derived from a catalog of rock samples. Parameters of a Thomeer capillary pressure fitting curve are derived and used for analyzing rocks with unimodal or multimodal pore size distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jianghui Wu, Songhua Chen, Bo Gao
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS OF DATA INVERSION
    Publication number: 20150177352
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to determine properties of a structure using data measurements on the structure. These measurements can be subjected to an inversion process that uses an optimization procedure conducted in a continuous function space. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Li, Songhua Chen
  • Downhole Differentiation of Light Oil and Oil-Based Filtrates by NMR with Oleophilic Nanoparticles
    Publication number: 20150145512
    Abstract: Downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods that utilize oleophilic nanoparticle may allow for differentiation of light oil and oil-based filtrates. For example, a method may involve drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation using an oil-based drilling fluid that comprises an oil base fluid and a plurality of oleophilic nanoparticles; performing a plurality of NMR measurements at a plurality of depths of investigation (DOI) of a near-wellbore portion of the subterranean formation; and producing an invasion profile of an oil-based drilling fluid filtrate into the near-wellbore portion of the subterranean formation based on the plurality of NMR measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Ronald E. Cherry, Magdalena Sandor
  • HYBRID SATURATION RECOVERY-INVERSION RECOVERY PULSE SEQUENCE FOR IMPROVED NMR LOGGING OF BOREHOLES
    Publication number: 20150145513
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging method includes providing a hybrid pulse sequence having a saturation pulse, an inversion pulse, and a detection sequence. The method also includes measuring echo signals in response to the hybrid pulse sequence. The method also includes deriving a spin-lattice time constant (T1) distribution from the measured echo signals. A NMR system includes a hybrid pulse sequence module to provide a hybrid pulse sequence with a saturation pulse, an inversion pulse, and a detection sequence. The NMR system also includes a control module to select a time interval between the saturation pulse and the inversion pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Songhua Chen
  • Azimuthally-Selective Downhole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Tool
    Publication number: 20150061665
    Abstract: In some aspects, a downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool includes a magnet assembly and an antenna assembly. The NMR tool can operate in a wellbore in a subterranean region to obtain NMR data from the subterranean region. The magnet assembly produces a magnetic field in a volume about the wellbore. The antenna assembly produces excitation in the volume and acquires an azimuthally-selective response from the volume based on the excitation. The antenna assembly can include a transversal-dipole antenna and a monopole antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, Songhua Chen
  • Downhole Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Tool with Transversal-Dipole Antenna Configuration
    Publication number: 20150061664
    Abstract: In some aspects, a downhole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool includes a magnet assembly and an antenna assembly. The NMR tool can operate in a wellbore in a subterranean region to obtain NMR data from the subterranean region. The magnet assembly produces a magnetic field in a volume about the wellbore. The magnet assembly includes a central magnet, a first end piece magnet spaced apart from a first axial end of the central magnet, and a second end piece magnet spaced apart from a second axial end of the central magnet. The antenna assembly includes a transversal-dipole antenna. In some cases, orthogonal transversal-dipole antennas produce circular-polarized excitation in the volume about the wellbore, and acquire a response from the volume by quadrature coil detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, Songhua Chen
  • NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE LOGGING TOOL HAVING MULTIPLE PAD-MOUNTED ATOMIC MAGNETOMETERS
    Publication number: 20150054503
    Abstract: Various disclosed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging systems and methods employ a plurality of NMR sensors, including atomic magnetometers, mounted on pads. Certain method embodiments include: utilizing the Earth magnetic field to pre-polarize the protons in a formation; utilizing a plurality of atomic magnetometers to obtain NMR measurements; and determining at least one characteristic relaxation time of the formation. The NMR sensor may optionally include a permanent magnet assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Ron Charles Balliet
  • Miniature NMR Drill Cutting Analyzer and Methods of Use
    Publication number: 20140312901
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sample analyzer has a plurality of NMR units arrayed in a predetermined relationship to each other. Each of the NMR units includes a sample chamber having a sensitive volume for containing a sample to be analyzed; a radio frequency (RF) transmitting and receiving device proximal the sample chamber; and a magnet surrounding the RF transmitting and receiving device and sample chamber for generating a substantially uniform magnetic field within the sensitive volume and substantially no magnetic field beyond an outside wall of the magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Rebecca Corina Jachmann
  • Method for correcting NMR and nuclear logs in formate mud filtrate invaded formations
    Patent number: 8866475
    Abstract: A method of calculating a porosity of a geological formation includes determining a bulk pore volume and a movable fluid pore volume in the geological formation in which drilling mud including a mud filtrate is introduced, calculating a porosity of the formation based on a bulk pore volume, and correcting the porosity based on the movable fluid volume in the geological formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, W. Allen Gilchrist, Jr.
  • Integrated radioactive source-free method and apparatus for porosity determination: NMR calibrated acoustic porosity
    Patent number: 8831885
    Abstract: NMR porosity measurements made in a gas free-formation are used to calibrate acoustic measurements. The calibration parameters are then used in conjunction with estimates of shale content to provide improved estimates of formation porosity in shaly intervals which may include a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Chun Lan, Songhua Chen, Fabio Brambilla
  • NMR TRACKING OF INJECTED FLUIDS
    Publication number: 20140145716
    Abstract: Formation testing systems and methods may inject fluids into a formation to initiate fractures and facilitate measurements of various formation properties. In accordance with certain disclosed embodiments, the injection tools are further provided with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensors to monitor the injected fluids and provide measurements of near-borehole fracture orientations and volumes. Contrast agents and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques may be employed. The fluid injecion may occur via an extendible isolation pad, via a fracturing jet, or via an injection port in an isolated region of the borehole. The systems may employ pressure monitoring in conjunction with the NMR sensors to further enhance estimates of formation and fracture properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ron Dirksen, Songhua Chen
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance 1H and 13C multiphase flow measurements, estimating phase selected flow rates from velocity distributions, volume fractions, and mean velocity
    Patent number: 8729893
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a flow rate of a phase of a multiphase fluid is disclosed. A first velocity distribution is obtained for a first set of nuclei in the fluid from a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal received for the fluid in response to a first NMR excitation signal. A second velocity distribution is obtained for a second set of nuclei in the fluid from an NMR signal received for the fluid in response to a second NMR excitation signal. A velocity of the phase is estimated from the first velocity distribution and the second velocity distribution. The flow rate of the phase is estimated using the estimated velocity of the phase and an estimated volume fraction of the phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Songhua Chen, Carl M. Edwards, Joo Tim Ong
  • Formation evaluation capability from near-wellbore logging using relative permeability modifiers
    Patent number: 8692547
    Abstract: Nano-particles that possess either selective fluid phase blocks or modify the relative permeability of an earth formation to different fluids are used to inhibit the invasion of borehole mud into the formation. This makes it possible to make formation evaluation measurements using sensors with a shallow depth of investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Tianping Huang