Patents by Inventor Stacey M. Althaus
Stacey M. Althaus 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: 20240118224Abstract: A method and system for determining a mass of an absorbed gas and a mass of a pore gas in a sample using NMR spectroscopy is provided. The method includes acquiring a baseline NMR spectrum of a pressure cell containing the sample, saturating the sample with a gas, acquiring a saturated NMR spectrum and determining a differential NMR spectrum of the sample by subtracting the baseline NMR spectrum from the saturated NMR spectrum. The method also includes separating the differential NMR spectrum into an absorbed gas NMR spectrum to determine an absorbed gas NMR signal and a pore gas NMR spectrum to determine a pore gas NMR signal by performing a spectral deconvolution. The method further includes acquiring a normalization NMR spectrum of the pressure cell containing a gas to determine a gas calibration NMR signal and determining the mass of the absorbed gas and pore gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANYInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Mohammed Boudjatit, Houzhu Zhang
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Patent number: 11933935Abstract: A method may include obtaining, using a gamma-ray detector, first acquired gamma-ray data regarding a first core sample. The first acquired gamma-ray data may correspond to various sensor steps. The method may further include determining a sensitivity map based on the first acquired gamma-ray data. The method may further include obtaining, using the gamma-ray detector, second acquired gamma-ray data regarding a second core sample at the sensor steps. The method further includes generating a gamma-ray log using the sensitivity map and a gamma-ray inversion process.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Houzhu Zhang
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Publication number: 20240027378Abstract: A method and system for determining an uncorrupted NMR response from a sample at a predetermined measurement pressure is provided. The method includes obtaining a sample and a filler fluid with a negligible NMR response, determining a volume of filler fluid based on a dimension of the sample and an interior volume of a pressure cell, injecting the volume of filler fluid at a first temperature into the pressure cell and then changing the temperature of the volume of the filler fluid to a second temperature. The method also includes inserting the sample into the volume of filler fluid within the pressure cell, displacing an upper surface of filler fluid to a predetermined level within the interior volume of the pressure cell. The method still further includes establishing the predetermined measurement pressure within the pressure cell and determining the uncorrupted NMR response from the sample at the predetermined measurement pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicants: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Mohammed Boudjatit, Gary Eppler
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Publication number: 20240003838Abstract: Techniques for determining at least one rock property of a core sample include measuring a first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum signal of a test fluid enclosed at a particular pressure in a cylinder of an NMR pressure cell; measuring a second NMR spectrum signal of a core sample immersed in the test fluid; removing a background NMR spectrum signal from the first and second NMR spectrum signals to determine a bulk test fluid NMR spectrum signal and a combined test fluid and core sample NMR spectrum signal; determining a porosity of the core sample based on the bulk test fluid NMR spectrum signal, the combined test fluid and core sample NMR spectrum signal, a dimension of the core sample, and a dimension of the cylinder; and determining a fluid intake capacity of the core sample based on the porosity and the dimension of the core sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Stacey M. Althaus, Jin-Hong Chen
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Patent number: 11740381Abstract: A method for determining maximum recoverable hydrocarbon (EMR) in a tight reservoir is disclosed. The method includes determining, based on downhole logs, a total measure of hydrocarbon amount within the tight reservoir, determining, by at least attributing fluid loss during core surfacing of the core sample to hydrocarbons, a non-recoverable measure of hydrocarbon amount within a core sample of the tight reservoir, and determining an EMR measure based on the total measure of hydrocarbon amount and the non-recoverable measure of hydrocarbon amount, wherein during the core surfacing pore pressure reduces from a reservoir condition to a surface condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, HouZhu Zhang, Hui-Hai Liu, Mohammed Boudjatit
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Publication number: 20230152484Abstract: A method may include obtaining, using a gamma-ray detector, first acquired gamma-ray data regarding a first core sample. The first acquired gamma-ray data may correspond to various sensor steps. The method may further include determining a sensitivity map based on the first acquired gamma-ray data. The method may further include obtaining, using the gamma-ray detector, second acquired gamma-ray data regarding a second core sample at the sensor steps. The method further includes generating a gamma-ray log using the sensitivity map and a gamma-ray inversion process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANYInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Houzhu Zhang
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Patent number: 11598736Abstract: Techniques for determining grain density of a rock sample include identifying an untreated rock sample that includes a solid matrix and a fluid entrained within the solid matrix; measuring, using a gas porosimeter, a grain density of the untreated rock sample; measuring, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a volume of the fluid entrained within the solid matrix; and determining, based on the measured grain density of the untreated rock sample and the measured volume of the fluid, a grain density of the solid matrix of the untreated rock sample.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Stacey M. Althaus, Jin-Hong Chen, Mohammed Boudjatit
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Publication number: 20230012861Abstract: A method for determining maximum recoverable hydrocarbon (EMR) in a tight reservoir is disclosed. The method includes determining, based on downhole logs, a total measure of hydrocarbon amount within the tight reservoir, determining, by at least attributing fluid loss during core surfacing of the core sample to hydrocarbons, a non-recoverable measure of hydrocarbon amount within a core sample of the tight reservoir, and determining an EMR measure based on the total measure of hydrocarbon amount and the non-recoverable measure of hydrocarbon amount, wherein during the core surfacing pore pressure reduces from a reservoir condition to a surface condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicants: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, HouZhu Zhang, Hui-Hai Liu, Mohammed Boudjatit
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Publication number: 20220317074Abstract: Techniques for determining grain density of a rock sample include identifying an untreated rock sample that includes a solid matrix and a fluid entrained within the solid matrix; measuring, using a gas porosimeter, a grain density of the untreated rock sample; measuring, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), a volume of the fluid entrained within the solid matrix; and determining, based on the measured grain density of the untreated rock sample and the measured volume of the fluid, a grain density of the solid matrix of the untreated rock sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Stacey M. Althaus, Jin-Hong Chen, Mohammed Boudjatit
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Patent number: 11112525Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in the form of drill cuttings or core samples from the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jinhong Chen, Stacey M Althaus, Daniel T Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu
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Patent number: 11054540Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in the form of drill cuttings or core samples from the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jinhong Chen, Stacey M Althaus, Daniel T Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu
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Patent number: 11035977Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in the form of drill cuttings or core samples from the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jinhong Chen, Stacey M Althaus, Daniel T Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu
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Patent number: 10920556Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for fracturing geological formations in a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method includes forming a borehole in a hydrocarbon reservoir from a surface of the hydrocarbon reservoir extending downward into the hydrocarbon reservoir; transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) wave through the borehole; directing at least a portion of the EM wave to rocks at a location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir; and fracturing the rocks at the location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir by irradiating the rocks around the borehole using at least the portion of the EM wave, where the irradiating is performed by irradiating a first portion of the rocks by using the EM wave for a first duration and after irradiating the first portion of the rocks for the first duration, refraining from irradiating the first portion of the rocks for a second duration.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil ComoanvInventors: Jinhong Chen, Daniel T. Georgi, Stacey M. Althaus
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Patent number: 10858936Abstract: Techniques for determining geologic formation permeability include determining particular permeability values from an NMR log permeability data and particular permeability values of the core permeability measurements; determining a selected NMR permeability transform that includes inputs including the determined particular permeability values; minimizing a cost function to optimize the selected NMR permeability transform; calculating new permeability values for the wellbore between the terranean surface and a true vertical depth of the wellbore with the optimized NMR permeability transform; comparing the calculated new permeability values at particular depths between the terranean surface and the true vertical depth that match depths of the core permeability measurements; based on the comparison meeting a particular threshold, generating a user interface that renders one or more graphical representations of the optimized NMR permeability transform and the calculated new permeability values; and transmitting dType: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Hui-Hai Liu
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Publication number: 20200284133Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for fracturing geological formations in a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method includes forming a borehole in a hydrocarbon reservoir from a surface of the hydrocarbon reservoir extending downward into the hydrocarbon reservoir; transmitting an electromagnetic (EM) wave through the borehole; directing at least a portion of the EM wave to rocks at a location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir; and fracturing the rocks at the location below the surface in the hydrocarbon reservoir by irradiating the rocks around the borehole using at least the portion of the EM wave, where the irradiating is performed by irradiating a first portion of the rocks by using the EM wave for a first duration and after irradiating the first portion of the rocks for the first duration, refraining from irradiating the first portion of the rocks for a second duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Jinhong Chen, Daniel T. Georgi, Stacey M. Althaus
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Publication number: 20200124763Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in the form of drill cuttings or core samples from the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: JINHONG CHEN, Stacey M. Althaus, Daniel T. Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu
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Publication number: 20200124761Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in the form of drill cuttings or core samples from the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: JINHONG CHEN, Stacey M. Althaus, Daniel T. Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu
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Publication number: 20200124762Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in the form of drill cuttings or core samples from the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: JINHONG CHEN, Stacey M. Althaus, Daniel T. Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu
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Publication number: 20200102824Abstract: Techniques for determining geologic formation permeability include determining particular permeability values from an NMR log permeability data and particular permeability values of the core permeability measurements; determining a selected NMR permeability transform that includes inputs including the determined particular permeability values; minimizing a cost function to optimize the selected NMR permeability transform; calculating new permeability values for the wellbore between the terranean surface and a true vertical depth of the wellbore with the optimized NMR permeability transform; comparing the calculated new permeability values at particular depths between the terranean surface and the true vertical depth that match depths of the core permeability measurements; based on the comparison meeting a particular threshold, generating a user interface that renders one or more graphical representations of the optimized NMR permeability transform and the calculated new permeability values; and transmitting dType: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Jin-Hong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Hui-Hai Liu
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Patent number: 10557962Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) well logs are obtained from a well in the reservoir measures of the total fluid, including both water and hydrocarbon, in the shale of the reservoir. NMR measurement at the surface of shale subsurface samples obtained in from drill cuttings or core samples of the same well provide measures of total water content of the shale. At the surface, pressure on the subsurface sample becomes that of atmospheric pressure, and hydrocarbon gas contained in the shale cuttings bleeds off. The remaining fluid within the shale cuttings is then only water, which can be measured using NMR techniques. Compensation for the effect of drilling fluids (drilling mud) on the NMR measures from the fluid cuttings is also performed. The hydrocarbon gas content of the formation shale can be determined from the difference between formation NMR well log readings and NMR measurements from subsurface sample.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jinhong Chen, Stacey M. Althaus, Daniel T. Georgi, Hui-Hai Liu