Within A Borehole Patents (Class 324/338)
  • Patent number: 8289024
    Abstract: A wellbore tool for locating a target wellbore containing a conductive member from a second wellbore and directing the trajectory of the second wellbore relative to the target wellbore includes an electric current driver having an insulated gap; a three-axis magnetometer positioned within a non-magnetic housing that is disposed within a non-magnetic tubular, the three-axis magnetometer positioned below the electric current driver; a drill bit positioned below the three-axis magnetometer; a hollow tubular connected between the electric current driver and the three-axis magnetometer; and a measurement-while-drilling tool. The current driver generates an electric current across the gap to the portion of the tool below the insulated gap. In a method a current is generated across the insulated gap to the portion of the tool below the insulated gap to the conductive material in the target wellbore returning to a portion of the bottom hole assembly above the insulated gap thereby producing a target magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Clark, Christophe Dupuis, Gerald N. Minerbo
  • Publication number: 20120256634
    Abstract: An electrically stimulated electrode system comprises injection and return electrodes and a power supply for causing electrical current to flow through a subterranean formation. An electronic system for the injection electrode includes: a power harvester extracting electrical power from current flowing in the injection electrode, a control for the injection electrode current, a sensor of the injection electrode and/or formation, or a telemetry for the injection electrode and/or formation, or any combination thereof. A sensor comprises: a pair of spaced apart electrodes, a power conversion device connected to the spaced apart electrodes for providing electrical power, and a processor providing a representation of a current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Marian MORYS
  • Patent number: 8278928
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a position of a component in an earth formation is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a transmitter configured to emit a first magnetic field into the earth formation and induce an electric current in the component, the transmitter having a first magnetic dipole extending in a first direction; and a receiver for detecting a second magnetic field generated by the component in response to the first magnetic field, the receiver having a second magnetic dipole extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A method and computer program product for detecting a position of a component in an earth formation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexandre N. Bespalov
  • Patent number: 8278931
    Abstract: A method for providing an image of a formation surrounding a wellbore, includes: obtaining an apparent conductivity curve from main components of resistivity measurements of the formation; performing fitting for cross-components of the resistivity measurements; calculating scaling factors from the cross-component data; scaling apparent conductivity data by the calculated scaling factors; and plotting the scaled conductivity data to provide the image of the anisotropic formation. A system and a computer program product are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheng Fang, Andrew D. Kirkwood, Gulamabbas Merchant, Eric Hart, Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 8278930
    Abstract: Structure for deep MWD resistivity measurements suitable for both geo-steering and measurements ahead of the drill bit is disclosed. Alternating current is transmitted through a loop and an induction signal is measured by a two-coil bucking receiving system placed at some distance from the transmitter. To further reduce a parasitic effect of the currents in the pipe, a conductive copper shield wrapping around the pipe is used. The length of the shield is about one and one-half to two times longer than the longest transmitter/receiver spacing of the structure. The transmitter/receiver system is located in the center of the described electromagnetic shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gregory B. Itskovich
  • Publication number: 20120242342
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating at least one parameter of interest in an earth formation using a signal from a receiver where a quadrature component of a signal at a plurality of frequencies is used to estimate a misalignment angle between the receiver and a transmitter. The apparatus may include at least one receiver, at least one transmitter, and at least one processor configured to excite the transmitter and estimate the misalignment angle. The method may include acquiring data at a plurality of frequencies, estimating a misalignment angle, and estimating at least one parameter of interest using the misalignment angle. The method may include performing multi-frequency focusing on the signal received at each of the plurality of frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael B. Rabinovich, Leonty A. Tabarovsky
  • Patent number: 8274289
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are electromagnetic resistivity logging systems and methods that employ an antenna configuration having at most two transmitter or receiver antenna orientations that rotate relative to the borehole. The measurements made by this reduced-complexity antenna configuration enable the determination of at least seven components of a coupling matrix, which may be determined using a linear system of equations that express the azimuthal dependence of the measurements. For increased reliability, measurement averaging may be performed in azimuthally spaced bins. The coupling matrix components can then be used as the basis for determining logs of various formation parameters, including vertical resistivity and anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bittar, Guoyu Hu
  • Publication number: 20120235686
    Abstract: A sonde assembly of the invention includes a sonde housing in the form of a nonmagnetic tube having windows therein for permitting a radio signal to be transmitted out the tube from the inside, means such as a device enclosing a front end of the tube, a sonde disposed inside the non-magnetic tube and closely fitting in a sonde cavity thereof in engagement with a front end plug. The sonde comprises a sensor and a transmitter connected to the sensor to transmit a directional signal based on sensor output, which sensor and transmitter are disposed inside a non-magnetic sonde cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Earth Tool Company LLC
    Inventor: Steven W. Wentworth
  • Patent number: 8269501
    Abstract: Methods for imaging geological structures include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic probe in a proximity to the geological structures, generating a magnetic field in the geological structures and detecting a magnetic signal. The at least one magnetic probe may be on the surface of the geological structures or reside within the geological structures. The methods also include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic detector in the geological structures and measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic detector. Methods for using magnetic materials in dipole-dipole, dipole-loop and loop-loop transmitter-receiver configurations for geological structure electromagnetic imaging techniques are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, James M. Tour
  • Patent number: 8264419
    Abstract: Location determination is performed using a transmitter including an elongated generally planar loop antenna defining an elongation axis. The elongation axis is positioned along at least a portion of a path. A magnetic field is then generated which approximates a dipole field. Certain characteristics of the magnetic field are then determined at a receiving position radially displaced from the antenna elongation axis. Using the determined certain characteristics, at least one orientation parameter is established which characterizes a positional relationship between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The magnetic field may be transmitted as a monotone single phase signal. The orientation parameter may be a radial offset and/or an angular orientation between the receiving position and the antenna on the path. The antenna of the transmitter may be inserted into a first borehole to transmit the magnetic field to a receiver inserted into a second borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Merlin Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Guenter W. Brune, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau, Rudolf Zeller
  • Patent number: 8264228
    Abstract: Logging tools having protected tilted antennas are disclosed, along with construction methods therefor. In one method embodiment, a tilted antenna on a retrievable segment of a downhole tool is constructed by: forming an elliptical recess on the segment; forming an antenna within the elliptical recess; and forming an elliptical pattern of windows over and perpendicular to the axis of the elliptical antenna. Some tool embodiments comprise a retrievable segment of a downhole tool having an elliptical recess; an elliptical antenna disposed within the elliptical recess; and an elliptical pattern of windows formed over and perpendicular to the plane of the elliptical antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Randal T. Beste, Vadim Yuryevich Minosyan, Mark A. Sitka
  • Publication number: 20120217968
    Abstract: A logging tool and method to make subsurface measurements is disclosed, wherein the tool is placed within a borehole penetrating a formation. The tool has a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the tool, and at least one of the transmitter or receiver antennas has a dipole moment that is non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tool. The at least one non-coaxial antenna can rotate relative to the other antenna. Energy is transmitted from the transmitter antenna and a signal associated with the transmitted energy is measured at the receiver antenna while the at least one non-coaxial antenna rotates relative to the other antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Jean Seydoux, Reza Taherian
  • Patent number: 8248266
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating data between a downhole tool and a surface controller is provided that comprises a rotating drill string extending in a borehole and having a downhole telemetry module disposed proximate a bottom end thereof and transmitting a first signal across a telemetry channel. A surface telemetry module is disposed proximate a top end of the rotating drill string and is adapted to receive the first signal transmitted by the downhole telemetry module across the transmission channel. The surface telemetry module has a radio frequency transmitter disposed therein for transmitting a second signal related to the first signal. A stationary communication module has a radio frequency receiver adapted to receive the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John D. Macpherson, Frank W. Shepard, Ralf Zaeper, Volker Krueger
  • Patent number: 8237444
    Abstract: An apparatus for investigating a geological formation surrounding a borehole including a logging tool moveable through the borehole, an electromagnetic probe 1 including a pad 2 mounted on the logging tool for engagement with the borehole by a wall-engaging face of the pad, at least one transmitting antenna TxA, TxB mounted in the wall-engaging face, and a plurality of spaced receiving antennas RxA, RxB mounted in the wall-engaging face spaced in relation to the transmitting antenna TxA, TxB. At least one of the antennas RxA, RxB, TxA, TxB is an open-ended antenna forming a substantially pure electric dipole normal to the pad face and wherein the first transmitting antenna of the at least one pair of transmitting antennas is positioned above the plurality of spaced receiving antennas and the second transmitting antenna of the at least one pair of transmitting antennas is positioned below the plurality of spaced receiving antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Matthieu Simon
  • Patent number: 8237445
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for performing resistivity measurements of a borehole wall using a transverse octupole sensor. The sensor may be a resistivity sensor. Higher resolution is obtained with an octupole sensor than with lower-order-pole sensors. For the resistivity case, the ratio of dual-frequency measurements has reduced sensitivity to standoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexandre N. Bespalov, Sheng Fang
  • Patent number: 8222902
    Abstract: A retrievable tool for steering through an earth formation includes a first tool assembly and a tilted antenna attached to the first tool assembly. The tool also includes a second tool assembly attached to the first tool assembly and a tilted antenna attached to the second tool assembly. The first tool assembly attaches to the second tool assembly so that the antennas are tilted in predetermined directions. The tilted antennas are transmitter antennas or receiver antennas. Each tool assembly is a tubular cylinder with a longitudinal axis running the length of the cylinder, wherein the tubular cylinder has two ends, each end including a rotational attachment mechanism. The tool assemblies attach to each other through their rotational attachment mechanisms. The rotational attachment mechanism may be a screw-on mechanism, press-fit mechanism, or welded mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Clive D. Menezes, Martin D. Paulk
  • Publication number: 20120176138
    Abstract: A high-frequency data and/or power transmission system suitable for down-hole use including signal/power couplers, transmission line segments and signal repeaters. Signals and power are/is transmitted between couplers and/or between couplers and repeaters by means of electromagnetic resonance coupling. In at least a portion of the system, the transmission line segments form parallel data paths and the repeaters provide crossover capability between the data/power paths, thereby significantly improving reliability. The invention also includes methods of transmitting data and/or distributing high-frequency power through a downhole transmission system including multiple data/power paths and multiple crossovers wherein a fault location in one data/power path is bypassed by routing data and/or power to a parallel data/power path by means of electromagnetic resonance coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 8212567
    Abstract: An instrument disposed into a drill string for imaging an earth formation includes: at least one band antenna disposed over an intermediate layer disposed into a groove in an outer surface of the drill string. A method of fabrication is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Signorelli, Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 8198898
    Abstract: A downhole drill string component is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical cage with a hollow bore. An inner diameter of the cage is slideably connectable to a mandrel. A stab connection originates from one end of the cage and a plurality of downhole drill string instruments is circumferentially disposed around an outer diameter of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Katie George
  • Patent number: 8193813
    Abstract: A logging tool and method to make subsurface measurements is disclosed, wherein the tool is placed within a borehole penetrating a formation. The tool has a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the tool, and at least one of the transmitter or receiver antennas has a dipole moment that is non-coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the tool. The at least one non-coaxial antenna can rotate relative to the other antenna. Energy is transmitted from the transmitter antenna and a signal associated with the transmitted energy is measured at the receiver antenna while the at least one non-coaxial antenna rotates relative to the other antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Seydoux, Reza Taherian
  • Patent number: 8188749
    Abstract: A method that involves developing an electromagnetic property model of a near surface area and using this electromagnetic property model and electromagnetic data acquired using one or more electromagnetic transmitters located above the near surface area and one or more electromagnetic receivers located within a wellbore to determine one or more electromagnetic properties of a subsurface area. Also an electromagnetic data acquisition system that includes one or more electromagnetic transmitters capable of being operated on the earth's surface, one or more first electromagnetic receivers capable of being operated within a wellbore and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters, and one or more second electromagnetic receivers capable of being located on the earth's surface near the one or more electromagnetic transmitters and capable of receiving signals from the one or more electromagnetic transmitters. Related embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wilt, Garrett Kramer
  • Publication number: 20120130641
    Abstract: A towed marine source to borehole electromagnetic survey system and method for surveying employing the same is disclosed. The system includes a sea vessel adapted for traversal of sea water over a subsea formation, a power supply affixed to the sea vessel and a high moment loop source coupled to the power supply, and a signal generator by a tow cable; said signal generator being affixed to the sea vessel configured to control operating parameters of the high moment loop source. The system also includes a wellbore drilled in the subsea formation, a series of electromagnetic (EM) receivers positioned in the wellbore. Each receiver includes a sensor module having sensing elements to measure one or more of electric fields, electric currents, and magnetic fields produced by the high moment loop source when towed by the sea vessel, and a storage device configured to store data from measurements made by the sensor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: H. Frank Morrison, Garrett Kramer, Edward Nichols, David L. Alumbaugh, Michael J. Tompkins
  • Patent number: 8174265
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus (200) includes a tubular to operate downhole. The tubular has a longitudinal axis and has a cutout (210N) that has a direction that is other than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the tubular. The apparatus also includes an antenna (202A) positioned in the cutout of the tubular. The antenna is to perform at least one of a transmission or reception of an electromagnetic signal that has a path that is to traverse a subsurface formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Randal Thomas Beste
  • Patent number: 8164339
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring one or more earth formation properties during applications including formation evaluation and geosteering applications is provided. The apparatus includes: an elongated body; at least one recessed portion on a periphery of the elongated body; an electrically conductive coil forming a closed loop, at least a portion of the coil extending through the at least one recessed portion; and a u-shaped magnetically permeable and non-conductive material disposed between the coil and the at least one recessed portion, the u-shaped material partially surrounding the coil in the at least one recessed portion. A system for measuring one or more properties of an earth formation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheng Fang, Tsili Wang, Jack Signorelli, Roland E. Chemali
  • Patent number: 8164328
    Abstract: An eddy current system and method enables detection of sub-surface damage in a cylindrical object. The invention incorporates a dual frequency, orthogonally wound eddy current probe mounted on a stepper motor-controlled scanning system. The system is designed to inspect for outer surface damage from the interior of the cylindrical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Russell A. Wincheski, John W. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8159227
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a method for making directional resistivity measurements includes transmitting an axial electromagnetic wave in a borehole and receiving substantially pure axial and transverse components of the wave. A ratio of the axial and transverse components is computed and may be utilized as an indicator of various formation parameters. The invention advantageously enables the moment of the transmitting antenna to be canceled and therefore can result in improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International Inc.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Patent number: 8143906
    Abstract: Methods for making and systems employing pressure and temperature sensors are described. Embodiments include a capacitive element including a first conductor plate and a second conductor plate. Each plate includes a conductor layer formed on a substrate. In a pressure sensor embodiment, seal is positioned at or near the edges of the conductor plates, and a gas retained in a gap defined between the plates. In a temperature sensor embodiment, the gap defined between the plates is in fluid communication with the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Don M. Coates
  • Publication number: 20120068712
    Abstract: A resistivity tool is used with wired drill pipe and one or more wells. The resistivity tool has a transmitter, receiver modules located adjacent to the drill bit, and high sensitivity receiver modules located at greater distances from the drill bit relative to the receiver modules. The receiver modules and/or the high sensitivity receiver modules may also perform repeater functions for the wired drill pipe. The resistivity tool may provide information regarding a subsurface region of interest. The resistivity tool may be used in a system with sensors, and a distance between the sensors may be based on the type of measurement obtained by the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Reza Taherian, Jacques R. Tabanou, Emmanuel Legendre, Richard J. Meehan, Anthony N. Krepp, Michael A. Montgomery, Jean Seydoux, Eric Tabanou
  • Publication number: 20120059586
    Abstract: A transmitter on a bottomhole assembly (BHA) is used for generating a transient electromagnetic signal in an earth formation. A processor estimates the distance to a resistivity interface using a signal produced by a receiver on the BHA. The transmitter-receiver distance may be less than 1 m. The estimation of the distance is done in real time using a thin conductive sheet approximation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Arcady Reiderman, Michael B. Rabinovich, Sergey Martakov, Emma Iomdina
  • Patent number: 8121788
    Abstract: A method for correcting errors in LWD depths includes performing torque and drag model analysis using drillstring weight, downhole friction, weight on bit, thermal expansion, rig heave and tide to produce a corrected time-depth file, wherein the torque and drag model is automatically calibrated using effective block weight, drillpipe wear, and sliding friction; and correcting time-based LWD data using the corrected time-depth file to produce depth-corrected LWD data. A system for correcting errors in LWD depths includes a processor and a memory that stores a program having instructions for: performing torque and drag model analysis using drillstring weight, downhole friction, weight on bit, thermal expansion, rig heave and tide to produce a corrected time-depth file, wherein the torque and drag model is automatically calibrated using effective block weight, drillpipe wear, and sliding friction; and correcting time-based LWD data using the corrected time-depth file to produce depth-corrected LWD data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Georgiy Bordakov, Alexander Kostin
  • Patent number: 8120361
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing an azimuthally sensitive resistivity logging tool are disclosed. One such method involves transmitting a primary magnetic field from one or more coils placed on a drill collar and receiving several electrical signals, where each of the electrical signals is received from a respective one of several sensors. The sensors are distributed around a circumference of a drill collar, and an axis of at least one of the sensors is perpendicular to an axis of the drill collar. Each of the electrical signals indicates a respective magnitude of a measurement of a reflected magnetic field, where the reflected magnetic field is reflected from an anomalous geological formation. The method calculates a vector measurement of the reflected magnetic field, based upon the electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: CBG Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Sinclair, Joseph K. Clontz
  • Patent number: 8089268
    Abstract: A directional resistivity tool includes at least one receiver deployed axially asymmetrically between at least one pair of transmitters. The transmitters are configured to transmit electromagnetic waves at first and second correspondingly distinct frequencies f1 and f2 such that: f1/f2=L2/L1, where L1 and L2 represent the corresponding axial distances between the first and second transmitters and the receiver. Exemplary embodiments of the invention further include a method for reducing the near-bed anisotropy effect. The anisotropy effect may be advantageously reduced (or removed) while at the same time providing for freedom in selecting the axial transmitter and receiver spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Publication number: 20110316542
    Abstract: An LWD tool with a tubular having a longitudinal axis and a set of co-located antennas carried in a recess on the tubular is disclosed. The tool carries a shield having an open slot configuration and circumferentially surrounds the set of co-located antennas, a first end of the shield being mechanically and electrically connected to the tubular. The tool also includes an insulating ring carried on the tubular, at least a portion of the insulating ring being disposed between the tubular and a second end of the shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Mark T. Frey, Dean M. Homan
  • Publication number: 20110309833
    Abstract: Formation properties in a vertical section of a wellbore are determined by considering the vertical section as consisting of one or more segments. Measurements are obtained with a directional resistivity tool at two or more measurement stations within each segment for which the complex 0th harmonic coefficients for the obtained measurements are non-trivially different from one another. For each such segment, the phase shift and attenuation are determined using the complex 0th harmonic coefficients obtained for that segment and an inversion is performed for the formation properties using the determined phase shift and attenuation for that segment. Formation properties for that segment may be output to a display or memory storage device. For certain segments, one or more gain factors may be obtained. The gain factors are used to correct the measured voltages for certain neighboring segments and the corrected voltages inverted to obtain anisotropy and formation structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: JIAN YANG
  • Publication number: 20110298461
    Abstract: A drill string can include at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna. The transmit antenna transmits at least one electromagnetic signal into a region of an earth formation. The receive antenna receives the signal from the region of the earth formation. The transmit antenna comprises one of a magnetic dipole and an electric dipole, and the receive antenna comprises the other of the magnetic dipole and the electric dipole. At least one characteristic of the region of the earth formation is determined, based at least partially on the signal received by the receive antenna. A homogenous part of the electromagnetic signal may be reduced, to thereby increase a depth of detection of the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Burkay Donderici
  • Publication number: 20110291659
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the resistivity of formation surrounding a borehole comprising: an elongate conductive body; a pair of transmitter antennas comprising first and second antennas mounted on the body for inducing a current in the formation; and a pair of receiver antennas comprising first and second antennas mounted on the body for measuring an axial current running in the tool body at the location of the receivers; wherein the pair of transmitter antennas is located to one side of the pair of receiver antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Dominique Dion, Isabelle Dubourg
  • Patent number: 8061443
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a downhole sensor system comprises at least one downhole sensor disposed on or within a downhole component of a tool string. The downhole sensor is adapted to detect at least one characteristic of a downhole formation adjacent the downhole component. The downhole sensor has a variable sampling rate controlled by a processing element. The processing element is in electrical communication with a tool string rate-of-penetration sensor and/or a tool string rotational speed sensor. The processing element is adapted to vary the sampling rate in response to the rate-of-penetration and/or rotational speed of the tool string. In some embodiments, the system is a closed loop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Christopher Durrand
  • Patent number: 8049506
    Abstract: A wireless transceiver for transmitting data across a pipe joint is described herein. At least some illustrative embodiments include a wireless communication apparatus including a housing configured to be positioned inside/proximate of/to an end of a drill pipe. The housing includes an antenna with at least one RF signal propagation path parallel to the axis of the housing, and an RF module (coupled to the antenna) configured to couple to a communication cable, and to provide at least part of a data retransmission function between an antenna signal and a communication cable signal. A material (transparent to RF signals within the RF module's operating range) is positioned along the circumference, and at/near an axial end, of the housing closest to the antenna. At least some RF signals, axially propagated between the antenna and a region near said axial end, traverse the radiotransparent material along the propagation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aquatic Company
    Inventor: Alexander Lazarev
  • Patent number: 8049507
    Abstract: A transmitter on an instrument is used to induce currents in an earth formation when it is turned on or off. A Fourier transform is applied to transient measurements made in the receivers. A multifrequency focusing of the transformed data is used for applications like determination of a distance to an interface in the formation, controlling the drilling direction, determination of formation resistivities and formation strike directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael B. Rabinovich, Alexandre N. Bespalov, Stanislav W. Forgang, Daniel T. Georgi, Gregory B. Itskovich, Leonty A. Tabarovsky
  • Patent number: 8049508
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter of interest of an earth formation during drilling of a borehole. A first toroidal coil antenna induces a current along a path that includes a bottomhole assembly and the formation. A second toroidal coil antenna disposed at the drillbit and oriented at a non-zero angle to the longitudinal axis of the bottomhole assembly measures an electrical signal resulting from the current, the electrical signal being a parameter of interest of the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Matthias Gorek
  • Publication number: 20110248716
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a resistivity property of an earth formation involving electric current injected into a wall of a borehole. The apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a differential amplifier. The first electrode may be configured to impart an electric current into a borehole wall and be directly connected to a first input of the differential amplifier. The second electrode may be directly connected to a second input of the differential amplifier. The method may also include a summing circuit connected to the output of the differential amplifier. The method includes estimating a resistivity property using the output of the differential amplifier or the summing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Martin Folberth
  • Patent number: 8036830
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for imaging an earth formation. A downhole assembly having a resistivity sensor is conveyed in a borehole penetrating the earth formation. The resistivity sensor includes a plurality of antenna coils arranged along a radial line that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the downhole assembly and configured to obtain measurements of a resistivity property of the earth formation. A processor images the earth formation using the obtained measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Sheng Fang
  • Patent number: 8030935
    Abstract: Logging tools, methods, and computer programs for use in borehole logging are described. The logging tool includes three or more tensors, each tensor including one or more coils. Each coil is characterized by coil parameters including an axis orientation, a cross-sectional area, a number of turns, and a location. At least one of the coil axes is disposed at an angle to the borehole axis. One or more of the coil parameters are selected to minimize sensitivity to borehole current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiaqi Xiao, Li Gao
  • Patent number: 8030936
    Abstract: A downhole induction resistivity assembly that comprises a downhole tool string component. The tool string component comprises an induction transmitter. The transmitter is adapted to induce an induction field in the surrounding formation. A first induction receiver is spaced apart from the transmitter and is adapted to measure the induction field. A magnetic field generating mechanism is disposed adjacent on either or both sides of the transmitter and adapted to guide the transmitter's signal into the formation. A second induction receiver is disposed in close proximity to the magnetic field generating mechanism and is adapted to measure the magnetic field generated by the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Paula Turner, Harold Snyder, Clint Cook, Katie George
  • Publication number: 20110227577
    Abstract: An apparatus and related methods are described for detecting features of a reservoir surrounding a borehole, the apparatus being capable of emitting an electromagnetic wave signal and receiving a signal representing a response of the reservoir to the electromagnetic wave signal, wherein the emitted signal is a broadband signal selected from within the range of 1 Hz to 1000 Ghz and the received signal includes a directional characteristic to provide an azimuthal determination of the direction of a discontinuity within the formation as the discontinuity reflects or scatters at least part of the broadband signal; azimuthally scanning the surrounding formation; and inverting the received signal for deriving at least a distance of the reflecting discontinuity from the borehole using simultaneous inversion of the reflected or scattered wavefield at multiple frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tianhua Zhang, Mohammed Badri, Patrice Ligneul, Mahmood Akbar
  • Publication number: 20110231098
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining formation resistivity, anisotropy and dip from wellbore measurements includes moving a well logging instrument through subsurface formations. The instrument includes longitudinal magnetic dipoles and at least one of tilted and transverse magnetic dipoles. Formation layer boundaries and horizontal resistivities of the formation layers are determined from longitudinal magnetic dipole measurements. Vertical resistivities of the formation layers are determined by inversion of anisotropy sensitive measurements. Improved vertical resistivities of the formation layers and dips are determined by inverting symmetrized and anti-symmetrized measurements. Improved vertical resistivities, improved boundaries and improved dips are determined by inversion of the all dipole measurements. Improved horizontal resistivities, further improved layer boundaries and further improved dips are determined by inversion of all dipole measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Dzevat Omeragic, Keli Sun, Qiming Li, Tarek Habashy
  • Publication number: 20110221442
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation, particularly relating to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating electrical resistivity properties using at least one transverse toroid. The apparatus may include one or more transmitters for introducing electrical current to the earth formation. The transverse toroid may detect responsive electric signals from the earth formation at one or more frequencies and provide data from one or more depths of investigation. Further multiple transverse toroids may be used for detecting electric signals from a larger azimuthal range than a single transverse toroid. The method includes steps for using the apparatus to obtain data that may be used to estimate the parameter of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard, Rashid W. Khokar
  • Patent number: 8014963
    Abstract: A method for correcting data from a sensor electrode in a sensor includes determining a potential difference (V) between the sensor electrode and another sensor electrode; from the potential difference (V), determining a by-pass current (Ic) between the sensor electrode and the another sensor electrode; and from the by-pass current (Ic) and a measured current (I) from the sensor electrode, determining a corrected current (J) for the sensor electrode; wherein determining a potential (V1) for the sensor electrode comprises multiplying an intrinsic impedance (Zi1) by the measured current (I). A computer program product and other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Stanislav W. Forgang
  • Publication number: 20110210743
    Abstract: To analyze content of a subterranean structure, electric field measurements at plural source-receiver azimuths in a predefined range are received. Total magnetic field measurements are also received at plural source-receiver azimuths in the predefined range. The electric field measurements and the total magnetic field measurements are provided to an analysis module to enable determination of electrical resistivity anisotropy of the subterranean structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Tompkins, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 8008919
    Abstract: Transient measurements made at two spaced apart receivers responsive to separate activation of two transmitters symmetrically disposed about the two receivers. The transmitters and receivers are on an instrument having a conductive body induces currents in the earth formation. The effect of the conductive body is removed by using deconvolving the signal at one receiver using the measured signal at the other receiver. The symmetric transmitter configuration also enables compensation for receiver differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Roland E. Chemali