Patents by Inventor Tom R. Bratton

Tom R. Bratton 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: 9157318
    Abstract: A method for performing wellbore operations of a field having a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Randy Koepsell, Tom R. Bratton
  • Patent number: 8638639
    Abstract: To determine properties of a subterranean structure, information relating to dipole compressional data is collected based on measurements by a logging tool in a borehole. The information relating to the dipole compressional data is analyzed in multiple dimensions (e.g., multiple borehole axial planes) to determine the properties of the subterranean structure through which the borehole extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tom R. Bratton, Bikash K. Sinha, Samer Alatrach
  • Patent number: 8490693
    Abstract: A method for performing field operations is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a first set of acoustic radial profiles of a subterranean formation prior to induction of a fracture disposed about the wellbore, obtaining a second set of acoustic radial profiles of the subterranean formation subsequent to the induction of the fracture, comparing the first set of acoustic radial profiles and the second set of acoustic radial profiles based on a pre-determined criterion to generate a comparison result, determining, based on the comparison result, an orientation of one or more portions of the fracture, and adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Birchwood, Tom R. Bratton
  • Publication number: 20120173216
    Abstract: A method for performing wellbore operations of a field having a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: RANDY KOEPSELL, TOM R. BRATTON
  • Patent number: 8175807
    Abstract: A method for determining properties of a subterranean formation. The method includes determining at least one characterization parameter based on wave velocity measurement data, determining a plurality of elastic coefficients based on the at least one characterization parameter using a plurality of equations, determining an anisotropic stress profile of the subterranean formations based on the stiffness matrix of the subterranean formation comprising the plurality of elastic coefficients wherein the elastic coefficients are approximated using the plurality of equations, and displaying the anisotropic stress profile of the subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Suarez-Rivera, Tom R. Bratton
  • Publication number: 20110134720
    Abstract: To determine properties of a subterranean structure, information relating to dipole compressional data is collected based on measurements by a logging tool in a borehole. The information relating to the dipole compressional data is analyzed in multiple dimensions (e.g., multiple borehole axial planes) to determine the properties of the subterranean structure through which the borehole extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Tom R. Bratton, Bikash K. Sinha, Samer Alatrach
  • Publication number: 20110042080
    Abstract: A method for performing field operations including obtaining a first set of acoustic radial profiles of a subterranean formation prior to induction of a fracture disposed about the wellbore, obtaining a second set of acoustic radial profiles of the subterranean formation subsequent to the induction of the fracture, comparing the first set of acoustic radial profiles and the second set of acoustic radial profiles based on a pre-determined criterion to generate a comparison result, determining, based on the comparison result, an orientation of one or more portions of the fracture, and adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard A. BIRCHWOOD, Tom R. BRATTON
  • Patent number: 7828063
    Abstract: A technique involves facilitating fracturing operations along a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation. A stress device is deployed in a wellbore and activated to engage a surrounding wall. The stress device can then be manipulated to create a reduced stress region in the formation at a desired location along the wellbore. The reduced stress region facilitates the controlled formation of a fracture in the formation at the desired location. Furthermore, the stress device can be moved and the process repeated at multiple locations along the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Olsen, Tom R. Bratton
  • Publication number: 20090266548
    Abstract: A technique involves facilitating fracturing operations along a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation. A stress device is deployed in a wellbore and activated to engage a surrounding wall. The stress device can then be manipulated to create a reduced stress region in the formation at a desired location along the wellbore. The reduced stress region facilitates the controlled formation of a fracture in the formation at the desired location. Furthermore, the stress device can be moved and the process repeated at multiple locations along the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Tom Olsen, Tom R. Bratton
  • Publication number: 20090210160
    Abstract: A method for determining properties of a subterranean formation. The method includes determining at least one characterization parameter based on wave velocity measurement data, determining a plurality of elastic coefficients based on the at least one characterization parameter using a plurality of equations, determining an anisotropic stress profile of the subterranean formations based on the stiffness matrix of the subterranean formation comprising the plurality of elastic coefficients wherein the elastic coefficients are approximated using the plurality of equations, and displaying the anisotropic stress profile of the subterranean formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roberto Suarez-Rivera, Tom R. Bratton
  • Patent number: 7457194
    Abstract: Fracture- and stress-induced sonic anisotropy is distinguished using a combination of image and sonic logs. Borehole image and sonic logs are acquired via known techniques. Analysis of sonic data from monopole P- and S-waves, monopole Stoneley and cross-dipole shear sonic data in an anisotropic formation are used to estimate at least one compressional and two shear moduli, and the dipole fast shear direction. Fracture analysis of image logs enables determination of fracture types and geometrical properties. Geological and geomechanical analysis from image logs provide a priori discrimination of natural fractures and stress-induced fractures. A forward quantitative model of natural fracture- and stress-induced sonic anisotropy based on the knowledge of fracture properties interpreted from image logs allows the computation of the fast-shear azimuth and the difference in slowness between the fast- and slow-shear. The misfit between predicted and observed sonic measurements (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Romain C. A. Prioul, John Adam Donald, Randolph Koepsell, Tom R. Bratton, Peter Kaufman, Claude Signer
  • Publication number: 20080062814
    Abstract: Fracture- and stress-induced sonic anisotropy is distinguished using a combination of image and sonic logs. Borehole image and sonic logs are acquired via known techniques. Analysis of sonic data from monopole P- and S-waves, monopole Stoneley and cross-dipole shear sonic data in an anisotropic formation are used to estimate at least one compressional and two shear moduli, and the dipole fast shear direction. Fracture analysis of image logs enables determination of fracture types and geometrical properties. Geological and geomechanical analysis from image logs provide a priori discrimination of natural fractures and stress-induced fractures. A forward quantitative model of natural fracture- and stress-induced sonic anisotropy based on the knowledge of fracture properties interpreted from image logs allows the computation of the fast-shear azimuth and the difference in slowness between the fast- and slow-shear. The misfit between predicted and observed sonic measurements (i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Romain C.A. Prioul, John Adam Donald, Randolph Koepsell, Tom R. Bratton, Peter Kaufman, Claude Signer
  • Patent number: 7310285
    Abstract: A method of characterizing shear wave anisotropy in a formation includes obtaining crossed-dipole waveforms from a borehole penetrating the formation over a range of depths and frequencies, determining far-field slowness in a fast-shear and slow-shear direction using a low-frequency portion of the crossed-dipole waveforms, and determining near-wellbore slowness in the fast-shear and slow-shear directions using a high-frequency portion of the crossed-dipole waveforms. The method also includes marking a selected depth of the formation as having intrinsic anisotropy if at the selected depth the far-field slowness in the fast-shear direction is less than the far-field slowness in the slow-shear direction and the near-wellbore slowness in the fast-shear direction is less than the near-wellbore slowness in the slow-shear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: J. Adam Donald, Tom R. Bratton, John Walsh
  • Patent number: 7251566
    Abstract: A method for obtaining high-quality well logging data acquired during a drilling operation includes acquiring well logging data during a pump-off period when a mud pump is turned off; and extracting a subset of data from the acquired well logging data, wherein the subset of data corresponds to a quiet period within the pump-off period, wherein the quiet period is substantially free of interference from turning the mud pump on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Andrew Hawthorn, Tom R. Bratton, Bikash K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 6904365
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a formation property related to formation strength and stresses are disclosed. A method for determining a formation strength includes obtaining radial formation property measurements at different wellbore pressures; generating a radial stress profile based on a formation model; generating a radial stress function from the radial stress profile; and comparing the radial formation property measurements with the radial stress function to determine the formation strength. A method for determining a formation stress profile includes deriving formation parameters from a formation radial profiling; obtaining formation log data that comprise formation density data; estimating formation stresses from the formation log data; and deriving a radial stress profile based on a formation model, the derived formation parameters, and the estimated formation stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tom R. Bratton, Bikash Kumar Sinha, Thomas J. Plona, Benjamin P. Jeffryes
  • Publication number: 20040176911
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a formation property related to formation strength and stresses are disclosed. A method for determining a formation strength includes obtaining radial formation property measurements at different wellbore pressures; generating a radial stress profile based on a formation model; generating a radial stress function from the radial stress profile; and comparing the radial formation property measurements with the radial stress function to determine the formation strength. A method for determining a formation stress profile includes deriving formation parameters from a formation radial profiling; obtaining formation log data that comprise formation density data; estimating formation stresses from the formation log data; and deriving a radial stress profile based on a formation model, the derived formation parameters, and the estimated formation stresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tom R. Bratton, Bikash Kumar Sinha, Thomas J. Plona, Benjamin P. Jeffryes
  • Patent number: 6417667
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a diameter of a wellbore. The method includes inducing an electromagnetic field in the wellbore and a formation surrounding the wellbore from a first location along the wellbore. At a first time, a phase is measured, with respect to the field at the first location, of a signal induced by the electromagnetic field at a second and at a third location axially spaced apart from the first location and from each other. The measuring is repeated at a second time, and a resistivity of the formation, and the wellbore diameter at the first time and at the second time are determined from the measurements of phase made at the first and at the second times. Any ambiguity in the resistivity is resolved by using resistivity determined from the measurements made at the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tom R. Bratton