Patents by Inventor Xiao Ming Tang

Xiao Ming Tang 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: 9030911
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of delineating a second wellbore from a first wellbore. The method includes, emitting acoustic waves from a tool in the first wellbore, receiving acoustic waves at the tool reflected from the second wellbore, and determining orientation and distance of at least a portion of the second wellbore relative to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8880348
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method implemented by a processor for imaging a formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: obtaining acoustic data in a depth-time domain using an acoustic downhole tool disposed at a depth in the borehole, the acoustic downhole tool having an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver; transforming the acoustic data in the depth-time domain into a Radon domain using a Radon transform; filtering the acoustic data in the Radon domain to increase a signal of interest in the acoustic data in the Radon domain; determining a location of a point in the formation that reflected acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic source to the acoustic receiver, the location of the point being represented in the Radon domain; and inverting the location of the point represented in the Radon domain into a radius-depth domain to image the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Zarema Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 8576659
    Abstract: Measurements of impedance are made using a piezoelectric transducer oriented at different angles to a formation bedding plane. The impedance measurements are then used to estimate the anisotropic velocity of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sergey Egerev, Victor Yushin, Oleg Ovchinnikov, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Zarema Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 8456952
    Abstract: A method for estimating a slowness of an earth formation, the method including: transmitting acoustic energy into the earth formation using an acoustic source; receiving the acoustic energy with an array of acoustic receivers, each acoustic receiver being configured to provide acoustic waveform data related to the received acoustic energy; transforming the acoustic waveform data into a frequency domain to provide frequency domain data; calculating a slowness-frequency coherence function using the frequency domain data; selecting slowness dispersion data from peaks of the slowness-frequency coherence function; fitting a curve to the slowness dispersion data; and estimating the slowness from the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Chen Li, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20130070560
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation. The method may include using an acoustic sensor azimuthally positioned relative to a monopole acoustic source to reduce at least one high-order mode due to the monopole acoustic source. The monopole acoustic source may include one or more acoustic elements. The method may include generating a monopole acoustic pulse. The apparatus may include at least one acoustic source element and at least one acoustic sensor disposed on a housing configured for conveyance in a borehole. The at least one acoustic sensor may be azimuthally positioned relative to the at least one acoustic source to reduce at least one high-order mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Yibing Zheng, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, David H. Lilly
  • Patent number: 8379483
    Abstract: A radial shear velocity profile of an earth formation is obtained by using dipole and/or cross-dipole measurements. The non-uniqueness in the inversion is addressed by using a constraint based on the fact that high-frequency dipole shear waves are mostly sensitive to the near-borehole shear velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20120109528
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method implemented by a processor for imaging a formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes: obtaining acoustic data in a depth-time domain using an acoustic downhole tool disposed at a depth in the borehole, the acoustic downhole tool having an acoustic source and an acoustic receiver; transforming the acoustic data in the depth-time domain into a Radon domain using a Radon transform; filtering the acoustic data in the Radon domain to increase a signal of interest in the acoustic data in the Radon domain; determining a location of a point in the formation that reflected acoustic energy emitted from the acoustic source to the acoustic receiver, the location of the point being represented in the Radon domain; and inverting the location of the point represented in the Radon domain into a radius-depth domain to image the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Vladimir Dubinsky, Zarema Dubinsky
  • Patent number: 8004932
    Abstract: Cross-dipole measurements are obtained in a borehole. By estimating a direction of polarization of the fast shear mode at low and high frequencies and comparing the estimated distances, a cause of anisotropy is established. Formation stresses and directions may be estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Yibing Zheng, Daniel Moos, Xiao Ming Tang, Vladimir Dubinsky, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7970544
    Abstract: Stoneley-wave data acquired in the LWD environment are used to characterize/estimate formation permeability. Real-time Stoneley-wave time-delay/slowness and center-frequency/attenuation data are used to indicate/characterize formation permeability even during drilling. The use of stabilizers mounted at the tool ends helps maintain the tool position from severe decentralization, reducing ambiguities in the permeability characterization/estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7924652
    Abstract: The method disclosed is useful for estimating anisotropic properties of an earth formation. The method includes extracting travel time values of components of the acoustic wave induced from a downhole tool and reflected from a boundary bed formation. The method further includes obtaining a travel time ratio of the wave components and using the travel time ratio to estimate the anisotropic properties of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Vladimir Dubinsky, Yibing Zheng
  • Patent number: 7911877
    Abstract: Passive suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Patterson, Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov
  • Publication number: 20100309748
    Abstract: A radial shear velocity profile of an earth formation is obtained by using dipole and/or cross-dipole measurements. The non-uniqueness in the inversion is addressed by using a constraint based on the fact that high-frequency dipole shear waves are mostly sensitive to the near-borehole shear velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7813219
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the permeability of a subterranean formation and the hydrocarbon and/or water content of the formation. The method includes emitting an acoustic signal, such as a Stoneley wave into the formation and sending an electro-magnetic pulse into the formation. An analysis of the response of the Stoneley wave in conjunction with an analysis of a measurement of the electrical potential within the wellbore provides information pertinent to permeability and fluid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Vladimir Dubinsky, Vitaly N. Dorovsky, Xiao Ming Tang
  • Publication number: 20100246325
    Abstract: Measurements of impedance are made using a piezoelectric transducer oriented at different angles to a formation bedding plane. The impedance measurements are then used to estimate the anisotropic velocity of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sergey Egerev, Victor Yushin, Oleg Ovchinnikov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Zarema Dubinsky, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7787327
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a bond between a formation and a bonding material. The method includes emitting a shear wave into the tubular, recording the response of the shear wave, and evaluating the response to obtain bond information. The bond information includes bond material thickness and efficacy of the bond between cement and formation. The method includes studying and utilizing the time lag of the direct wave and wave events, as well as the interference of these waves on a spectral graph. A calibration method is included as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov, Edward Domangue
  • Patent number: 7773454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus useful to determine the integrity of a cement bond log disposed in the annular space between a casing and a wellbore. The method and apparatus produce a transversely polarized shear wave and emit the wave through the casing and into the wellbore. The transversely polarized shear wave attenuates upon passage through the cement bond log. The integrity of the cement bond log can be determined through an analysis and evaluation of the attenuation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Gregory Barolak, Douglas J Patterson, Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Xiao Ming Tang
  • Publication number: 20100097887
    Abstract: Passive suppression of casing signals is used to improve the ability to measure formation velocities. Passive suppression includes the use of a magnet slidably coupled to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Patterson, Xiao Ming Tang, Alexei Bolshakov
  • Publication number: 20100085835
    Abstract: A method for estimating a slowness of an earth formation, the method including: transmitting acoustic energy into the earth formation using an acoustic source; receiving the acoustic energy with an array of acoustic receivers, each acoustic receiver being configured to provide acoustic waveform data related to the received acoustic energy; transforming the acoustic waveform data into a frequency domain to provide frequency domain data; calculating a slowness-frequency coherence function using the frequency domain data; selecting slowness dispersion data from peaks of the slowness-frequency coherence function; fitting a curve to the slowness dispersion data; and estimating the slowness from the curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Xiao Ming Tang, Chen Li, Douglas J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7681450
    Abstract: A method useful for evaluating the presence and/or the quality of the cement bond of a downhole tubular. The method involves measuring radial resonance modes of the tubular, and comparing those measured values to the unbound tubular resonant values of a calibration ring. For a well bonded tubular, the measured radial resonance should be greater than that of the unbound tubular calibration ring. In regions where a fluid, such as water surrounds the outside of the tubular, or the cement is otherwise not bonded to the outer surface of the tubular, the measured response should be less than the calibrated response. The calibration ring should have the same diameter, wall thickness, and be made of the same material as the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexei Bolshakov, Vladimir Dubinsky, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson, Dimitri Donskoy, Joseph Gregory Barolak
  • Patent number: 7672784
    Abstract: Dispersive array acoustic data are acquired. A histogram is determined from the semblance-frequency coherence of the data. The low frequency limit of the data is estimated by matching the statistics of the histogram to the statistics of a modeling function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Yibing Zheng, Xiao Ming Tang, Douglas J. Patterson