Patents by Inventor Stephen James Bourne

Stephen James Bourne 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).

  • Publication number: 20110139462
    Abstract: A method of investigating an underground formation underneath the earth's surface, comprising obtaining a first data set representing change in a predetermined seismic parameter over a period of time for a plurality of points in the underground formation, which first data set is derived from a time-lapse seismic survey of the earth formation spanning the period of time; obtaining a second data set representing geodetic deformation over substantially the same period of time at a plurality of locations on the earth's surface, which second data set is derived from a geodetic survey spanning the period of time; jointly processing the first and second data sets to obtain a map of a parameter related to volume change in the underground formation; wherein a geomechanical model of the underground formation is postulated; also a method of producing hydrocarbons and a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen James BOURNE
  • Publication number: 20100107753
    Abstract: A method of detecting a lateral boundary of a compacting or expanding region in a subsurface formation, which method comprises determining non-vertical deformation of the earth' s surface above the subsurface formation over a period of time; identifying at least on contraction area and at least one adjacent dilatation area of the earth' s surface from the non-vertical deformation over the period of time; and using the contraction area and the adjacent dilatation area as an indication of a lateral boundary of the compacting or expanding region; and a method for producing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen James Bourne, Paul James Hatchell
  • Publication number: 20100042326
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a subsurface formation underneath a sea bed, the method comprising determining non-vertical deformation of the sea floor over a period of time and inferring a parameter related to a volume change in the subsurface formation from the non-vertical deformation of the sea. Determining the non-vertical deformation of the sea floor comprises selecting a plurality of locations on the sea floor and determining a change in distance between at least one pair of the locations over the period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen James Bourne, Paul James Hatchell