Formation Characteristic Patents (Class 702/11)
  • Patent number: 10371847
    Abstract: A technique facilitates seismic exploration by identifying time differences between clocks employed during the seismic exploration. According to an embodiment, a seismic signal is output from a source and has an incident wave and a reflected wave. The seismic signal is received by at least one receiver which outputs data to a control system. The control system is employed to compare a symmetry of the propagation of the incident wave and the reflected wave. The symmetry data is then used to determine a temporal change of the time base of the at least one receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru Ikegami, Shinji Yoneshima
  • Patent number: 10358914
    Abstract: Sensor assemblies are deployed in a borehole for a well, such as an oil well or other hydrocarbon recovery well. The sensor assemblies may be coupled to a casing string (e.g., the exterior of the casing), and detect RFID tags or other properties of material (e.g., fluids) in an annulus surrounding the casing string. During cementing or other operations, RFID tags may be used to track fluids. RFID detection circuits may be used to scan at different frequencies, and corresponding results may be compared by various means and processes to determine the presence of RFID tags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Roberson, Scott Goodwin, Charles Bartee, Craig W. Roddy, Krishna M. Ravi
  • Patent number: 10359530
    Abstract: An acoustic logging method includes obtaining first horizontal transverse isotropy (“HTI”) angles resulting from a time domain HTI algorithm. The method further includes obtaining one or more second HTI angles resulting from a frequency domain HTI algorithm. The method further includes generating a first HTI anisotropy log including a relative angle log based on the first and second HTI angles. The method further includes generating a first color map of the first HTI anisotropy log and displaying the first color map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Vincent Collins
  • Patent number: 10301929
    Abstract: A method and logging tool for evaluating leakage within a wellbore. In an embodiment, a percussive hammer assembly is selectively actuated to strike the interior wall of a casing, thereby propagating a sound wave along the casing. An array of acoustic detectors are selectively recorded during short time windows based on sound propagation times from the percussive hammer assembly to each acoustic detector, thereby avoiding the need to continuously sample acoustic detectors and collecting voluminous data. A self-tuning mode may be provided to determine sound propagation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Bondarenko, Ryan Le
  • Patent number: 10274625
    Abstract: A method is described for porosity mapping of low porosity subsurface reservoirs using seismic data and well logs. The method may compute dry-frame rock properties using fluid substitution modeling based on the well log data; perform porosity expansion of the dry-frame rock properties based on rock physics to generate expanded rock properties; generate synthetic seismic data based on the expanded rock properties; calibrate the seismic dataset with the synthetic seismic data; generate an estimated porosity map based on the calibrated seismic dataset and the synthetic seismic data; and identify geologic features based on the estimated porosity map. The method may be executed by a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Prasenjit Roy, Donna J. Venable, William Savran
  • Patent number: 10197702
    Abstract: Methods of forming a geologic map usable for identifying prospective resource accumulations beneath the earth-surface are disclosed herein. The methods include obtaining a seismic stratigraphic structure of a subsurface region of the earth, determining a plurality of potential resistivity boundaries from the seismic stratigraphic structure, obtaining an electromagnetic data set resulting from an electromagnetic data acquisition of the subsurface region, recovering a resistivity map of the subsurface region by performing an inversion process guided by the seismic information, and resolving a geologic map from the resistivity map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Zhijun Du, Md. Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, Eivind Rødnes Vesterås, Allan John McKay
  • Patent number: 10167703
    Abstract: Information associated with a plurality of constraints for well placement is received. For each of the plurality of constraints, information associated with the constraint is converted into a binary matrix. An overall constraint matrix is determined by convolving the binary matrices associated with the plurality of constraints. Feasible regions are determined based on the overall constraint matrix. Optimal well locations are determined within the feasible regions. The optimal well locations and a number of the optimal wells are output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Zeid M. Al-Ghareeb
  • Patent number: 10168447
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium provide automatic geosteering by automatically updating a geosteering structure model based upon observed data gathered during a drilling operation. In some embodiments, automatic updates may be used to introduce vertical shifts into a geosteering structure model to match synthetic log data with observed log data. In addition, in some embodiments an evolutionary algorithm may be used to introduce such vertical shifts and thereby provide an optimal match between the synthetic and observed log data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan Priezzhev, Aaron Scollard, Zhengang Lu
  • Patent number: 10162081
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for evaluating a volume of interest of an earth formation. The method may include modeling the volume as being in one of two states using a plurality of measurements corresponding to a plurality of measurement types, and may include assigning a relative credence indicator value to each measurement in dependence upon the corresponding measurement value and using the relative credence indicator value for each of the plurality of measurements to estimate the state of the volume by estimating the state of the volume using a state indicator value derived from the relative credence indicator values. The first state of the two states may correspond with presence of a condition associated with the formation, and the second state of the two states may correspond with absence of the condition. The condition may comprise presence of a fluid in the formation having a selected fluid type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Tobias Kischkat, Eick Niemeyer, Stefan Sroka
  • Patent number: 10156138
    Abstract: A method for collecting a formation fluid for testing includes introducing a formation sample tool having a first port and a second port into a wellbore. A first fluid is injected through the first port into the formation to clear a sample passage and allow access to uncontaminated formation fluid. A second fluid is injected through the second port into the formation to provide a barrier adjacent to or around the sample passage. A sample of the uncontaminated formation fluid is removed from the formation through the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 10140757
    Abstract: A map having surfaces that are depicted at different levels that are not related to topography, with boundaries between the surfaces, where the boundaries are disposed at travel ways. The travel ways form cliff faces in the map between the surfaces, with information items disposed on the cliff faces at positions corresponding to items of interest at locations along the travel ways where the information items are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: Felix R Gaiter
  • Patent number: 10132128
    Abstract: Methods, computing systems, and computer-readable media for removing fluid from a structure. The system may include sensors disposed within the structure (such as a multi-lateral well) that measure properties of the fluid at the location of the sensors and generate data representing the properties. A computing system receives the data and, using the data, monitors the composition of the fluid at the locations of the sensors. The computing system also displays information about the composition of the fluid at the locations of the sensors. The computing system may, in response to a change in the composition, indicate that the removal process is complete for a particular section and stop the flow for that section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrea Pound, Varma Gottumukkala
  • Patent number: 10113411
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces methods and apparatus for acquiring a borehole image corresponding to a sidewall surface of a borehole that penetrates a subterranean formation, wherein the subterranean formation comprises structural elements and a varying geophysical characteristic. The borehole image comprises structure corresponding to the structural elements, texture corresponding to the varying geophysical characteristic, and coverage gaps (605) in which the structure and texture are missing. Trends corresponding to the structure are extracted from the borehole image. Missing structure within the gaps (605) is reconstructed based on the extracted trends. Missing texture within the gaps is simulated based on the borehole image and the reconstructed structure. A fullbore image is constructed based on the borehole image, the reconstructed structure within the gaps, and the simulated texture within the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andriy Gelman, Tuanfeng Zhang, Neil F. Hurley
  • Patent number: 10114142
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for investigating a downhole formation using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool having two or more radio frequency receiving coils. While the tool is moving through the borehole, the formation is magnetized and resulting signals are obtained. In accordance with the present approach, the acquired signals can be resolved azimuthally and can be reconstructed to obtain an indication of a parameter of the formation at multiple locations along the length of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventors: Lalitha Venkataramanan, Robert Callan, Lukasz Zielinski, Martin Hurlimann, Timothy Andrew John Hopper
  • Patent number: 10100638
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for characterizing a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest traversed by at least one wellbore that includes (a) using a numerical model to simulate over geological time a non-equilibrium concentration of an asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore, (b) analyzing fluid samples acquired from at least one wellbore that traverses the reservoir of interest to measure concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore, (c) comparing the non-equilibrium concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore resulting from the simulation of (a) to the concentration of the asphaltene component as a function of location within the wellbore as measured in (b), and characterizing the reservoir of interest based upon the comparing of (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kang Wang, Youxiang Zuo, Yi Chen, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 10102311
    Abstract: A method for estimating a property of an earth formation includes: obtaining a sample of rock; scanning the sample to determine internal rock damage; measuring a deformation parameter of the sample; constructing a mathematical model of the sample that replicates the determined and measured internal rock damage distribution; simulating the one or more tests using the mathematical model; obtaining a rock deformation parameter using the one or more simulated tests corresponding to the measured rock deformation parameter; comparing the rock deformation parameter obtained from the one or more simulated tests to the corresponding measured rock deformation parameter; adjusting parameters of the mathematical model based upon the rock parameter obtained from simulation not being within a selected range of the measured rock parameter; and providing the mathematical model as a verified mathematical model based upon the rock parameter obtained from simulation being within a selected range of the measured rock parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Holland, Tobias Hoeink, Wouter Van Der Zee
  • Patent number: 10073189
    Abstract: An inversion based calibration method for downhole electromagnetic tools includes processing an inversion of a formation model using acquired electromagnetic measurement data to obtain formation parameters and calibration parameters for at least one measurement array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrei I. Davydychev, Michael Thiel, Dzevat Omeragic, Steve F. Crary
  • Patent number: 10048702
    Abstract: Controlling release of earthquake energy, in one aspect, may include a controller device injecting fluid into bore holes at dynamically regulated levels to cause controlled seismic events. The bore holes are placed along a fault line with a potential for hazardous earthquakes, and installed with sensors and fluid flow controls communicating with the controller device. The seismic events caused by injecting the fluid are monitored via the sensors. Based on the monitoring, the injecting of the fluid to one or more of the bore holes may be regulated dynamically to control the sizes of the seismic events along the fault line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Florence, Eric B. Libow, Jordan T. Moore, Walker L. Sherk, Thomas S. Wallace, Pu Yang
  • Patent number: 10036826
    Abstract: A method is disclosed herein. The method includes disposing an electromagnetic logging tool in a borehole penetrating a formation, the electromagnetic logging tool being part of a drill string in the formation, the drill string having a drill bit. The method includes acquiring measurements using the electromagnetic logging tool. Further, the method includes using a processor, applying a pixel-based inversion to the acquired measurements to determine at least one formation property, wherein applying the pixel-based inversion includes using adaptive regularization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Thiel, Dzevat Omeragic, Tarek M. Habashy
  • Patent number: 10012028
    Abstract: A system utilized to geosteer a downhole assembly provides a real-time, 3-Dimensional (“3D”) visualization of the downhole assembly and surrounding formation as it moves through the formation. The 3D visualization, or model, may be updated in real-time and may display real-time data related to various downhole conditions and geologic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Blair Johnson, Bronwyn Michaell Calleja
  • Patent number: 9995844
    Abstract: Method and system are described for modeling one or more geophysical properties of a subsurface volume (102). The present disclosure provides method of modeling the subsurface comprising obtaining one or more subsurface volumes and performing at least two operations (104) on the subsurface volumes. A graph of operations is determined (106) based on each of the at least two operations in which the graph of operations includes a description of each of the at least two operations and a flow path for the each of the at least two operations (108). The graph of operation is stored (110). A specific operation within the graph of operations may then be identified (112). An additional operation may be created and connected to the graph of operations at a node associated with the specific operation to provide an additional branch to the graph of operations (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Pavel Dimitrov, Matthias Imhof, Martin Terrell
  • Patent number: 9946980
    Abstract: High-frequency data capture for diagnostics is provided. An example system collects device data at a high acquisition rate. The collected data can be diagnostic when a critical event occurs, but need not be stored permanently or transmitted to a remote server unless needed. In an implementation, the data is stored in a dynamic circular buffer and the resolution of the data is tapered in real-time to maintain a lean data size of the entire buffer contents. High-resolution is maintained for recent data, while a decreasing resolution is applied to aging data. A triggering event changes the system from transmitting low bandwidth status information to transmitting the entire leaned-down data record stored in the buffer. After the triggering event, the system can also transmit incoming diagnostic data to the remote server at a high data resolution, and then can taper the resolution of the data transmission over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffery P Anderson
  • Patent number: 9898560
    Abstract: Simulation system and method for a reservoir represented by a model having a plurality of matrix nodes, a plurality of fracture nodes, a fracture zone and a fracture-free zone are described. One embodiment includes computer-implemented steps of, for each of a plurality of matrix nodes in interconnected zones, characterizing the matrix nodes as dual matrix nodes or non-dual matrix nodes. Dual matrix nodes may be treated as a block and eliminated, after which the coefficient matrix and RHS vector for the model are updated. In-fill patterns between and among fracture nodes and non-dual matrix nodes resulting from the elimination are determined. For non-dual matrix nodes, the nodes are merged to a fracture grid, after which the coefficient matrix and RHS vector for the model are updated accordingly. The resultant linear system is linearly solved, and backsolving is performed for any eliminated dual matrix nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Edward Hinkley, Qinghua Wang, James William Watts, Graham Christopher Fleming, Dominic Camilleri, Kefei Wang, Wei David Liu
  • Patent number: 9897711
    Abstract: A method for imaging microseismic events includes determining a hypocenter of microseismic events generated by at least one stage of a hydraulic fracturing procedure from recorded signals detected by seismic sensors disposed above a wellbore in the subsurface. Spatial position of the microseismic events occurring sequentially in the fracturing procedure is determined with reference to a center of fracturing procedure. Each microseismic event is assigned to one of a plurality of selected size bins defined positionally with reference to the center of the fracturing procedure. A property of each microseismic event assigned to each bin is aggregated and an image of the aggregated property is generated with respect to position referenced to the center of the fracturing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Microseismic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Grealy
  • Patent number: 9880302
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying reservoir drainage patterns from microseismic data for illustrating flow paths towards ports. The method includes: determining moment tensor data for each of a plurality of microseismic events in the reservoir; inferring crack formation data in the reservoir in dependence on the moment tensor data; and calculating stream lines that represent predicted flow of fluids through the reservoir in dependence on the inferred crack formation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Engineering Seismology Group Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Wuestefeld, Adam Mirza Baig, Theodore Ivan Urbancic
  • Patent number: 9835029
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for determining a viscosity-pressure profile of downhole fluid by measuring the viscosity at several different pressures during a sampling operation. According to certain embodiments, the viscosity may be measured at different times during a sampling operation and used to generate the viscosity-pressure profile. For example, the viscosity may be measured at the beginning of pumping, during filling of a sample chamber, during a pressure-build up period, and while retracting the probe. The measured viscosities may then be employed to determine a profile that represents the change in viscosity that occurs with pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hadrien Dumont, Youxiang Zuo, Beatriz E. Barbosa
  • Patent number: 9805144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for exploiting a geological reservoir which may be a reservoir storing gas (for example CO2). The exploitation (EX) of the geological reservoir is carried out according to an exploitation scheme (SE) defined on the basis of a reservoir model (MR) with the reservoir model being matched (CAL) in relation to dynamic data (DD). According to the invention, the reservoir model (MR) is made representative by a multiple-scale parameterization, with at least two reservoir models (MR1, MR2) that have a different number of mesh cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Mickaele Le Ravalec, Caroline Gardet
  • Patent number: 9791588
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and products for evaluating an earth formation. Methods include estimating at least one property of the earth formation using at least one polarization parameter estimated using a real part and an imaginary part of a permittivity of the earth formation at a plurality of frequencies, where the real parts and the imaginary parts are based on measurements obtained using an electromagnetic tool in a borehole penetrating the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vitaly Nikolaevich Dorovsky
  • Patent number: 9702240
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to land a well in a target zone with minimal or no overshoot of a target zone. The well may be directed to a target in the target zone based on the separation distance between a transmitter sensor (212) and a receiver sensor (214) being sufficiently large to detect a boundary of the target zone from a distance from the boundary of the target zone such that collected received signals from activating the transmitter sensor (212) can be processed in a time that provides minimal or no overshoot of a target zone. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Baris Guner, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9696441
    Abstract: A method of estimating stress in an earth formation is disclosed. The method includes: dividing a domain including at least a portion of an earth formation into a first region and a second region; estimating a first vertical stress in the first region and representing the first vertical stress as at least one point load; estimating a second vertical stress in the second region by a point load based method using the first vertical stress; and estimating at least one horizontal stress based on the second vertical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Cem Ozan, Martin Brudy, Wouter Van der Zee
  • Patent number: 9658357
    Abstract: This invention relates to petroleum industry, in particularly, to control and monitoring of processes related to reservoir stimulation. A method of real time diagnostic of fracture operations with combination of tube waves and microseismic monitoring, comprising performing a fracture in a wellbore, recording microseismic activity generated during the fracturing operations. Determining of microseismic event locations, generating low frequency pressure waves (tube waves) near the wellbore, recording of tube waves reflections from the fractures in real time and analyzing microseismic event locations and tube waves reflections from the fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Artem Valeryevich Kabannik, Denis Yurievich Emelyanov, Bruno Lecerf, Kirill Leonidovich Tarasenko, Andrey Vladimirovich Bogdan, Dmitry Sergeevich Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 9652565
    Abstract: A computerized system creates and communicates to a user a wellbore property-height profile of a selected property, such as permeability, at each cell location defining the wellbore. The property-height value is determined based on a “summation from base” algorithm. The system may also be used to create a property-height profile in horizontal and slant wells, by creating a plurality of vertical pseudo-wells which intersect the trajectory of the horizontal or slant well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Steven Duffy Russell, Muhammad Razi B. Abu-Bakar, Khalid S. Al-Wahabi
  • Patent number: 9631483
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to process acoustic signals according to joint time-frequency processing. The joint time-frequency processing can combine features of both time-based processing and frequency-based processing. This processing may be based on delay calculation from amplitude phases generated from the acoustic signals. The joint time-frequency processing may be applied to a variety of applications to evaluate properties associated with a borehole or surrounding formations. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Arthur Cheng
  • Patent number: 9519492
    Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing functional interface properties for data objects through a value map. The value map may or may not be visible at the client interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Hannu Rouhiainen, Bernd Ruehlicke, Oddvar Gjerde
  • Patent number: 9519865
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to provide pipe analysis, annulus analysis, or one or more combinations of pipe analysis and annulus analysis with respect to one or more pipes in a wellbore. The analysis can include application of clustering and classification methods with respect to the status and the environment of the one or more pipes in the wellbore. In various embodiments, the clustering and classification can be used in characterizing borehole annular material including cement bond quality evaluation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Quirein, Philip Edmund Fox, Jerome Allen Truax, Dingding Chen
  • Patent number: 9513402
    Abstract: Method for imaging of a hydraulic fracture generated by fluid injection. Microseismic data of the hydraulic fracture treatment is collected and analyzed for the location and magnitude of microseismic events. The seismic energy or moment of the micro seismic events is calculated (11) and plotted with the size of events scaled by their energy or moment (12). The cumulative seismic energy or moment is calculated as a function of distance from the perforation point (13). The fracture dimensions are determined by applying cut-offs, based on selected criteria, to the cumulative energy or moment estimates (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Anupama Venkataraman, Sean D. Every, Bruce M. Kofron
  • Patent number: 9507889
    Abstract: Analysis of a seismic event, such as a microseismic event caused by hydraulic fracturing, comprises measuring seismic waves emitted by the event and converting the measurements into two values for magnitude of explosion or implosion and for magnitude of displacement discontinuity at a plane, together with two directions, a direction of a normal to the plane and a direction of displacement; where the two values and the two directions compose the moment tensor describing the seismic event. The measurements may be converted into the moment tensor and decomposed into the values and directions. The values and directions associated with several seismic events may be displayed concurrently on a graphic display as a graphic representation of multiple events, where each event may be depicted with magnitude of expansion or contraction represented by a volume and the plane represented as a laminar object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Chapman, Walter Scott Leaney, Adrian Alexander
  • Patent number: 9488047
    Abstract: A method is described for producing an amended realization of a geostatistical model of a hydrocarbon reservoir using the Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion. The KL expansion may be used to produce amended realizations for history matching and is widely used. However, it is necessary in order to use the KL expansion to perform singular value decomposition of the covariance matrix of the model to provide eigenvectors and eigen values for use in the expansion. In a typical geostatistical model, the covariance matrix is too large for singular value decomposition to be performed. Prior solutions to this problem involved reducing the resolution of the model so as to reduce the size of the covariance matrix. In the method described, a plurality of random realizations are generated and an approximation of the covariance matrix is constructed from the realizations, the approximation matrix having smaller dimensions than the true covariance matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Yong Zhao, Martin Mlacnik
  • Patent number: 9429010
    Abstract: A component of the hydrocarbon well system and a first supply line to the component can be isolated from other components of the hydrocarbon well system. The component and the first supply line can be pressurized to a test pressure with a test fluid. Then, a pressure and a temperature of the test fluid in the component that was pressurized can be measured over a period of time. The pressure and the temperature that were measured can be analyzed and a pressure integrity of the component can be determined based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Winters, Ronald Livesay, Stephen Edwards, Jim McKay
  • Patent number: 9411071
    Abstract: A method of estimating at least one mechanical property value of a rock formation in the geologic past. In one embodiment, a correlation model is generated which correlates at least one mechanical property with a porosity value and a composition value relative to a first rock type. An estimation of a past porosity value and a past composition value is then generated for the rock formation at a point of time in the past. A mechanical property value at the point of time in the past is identified in the correlation model based on the estimated past porosity and past composition values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Gary G. Gray, Brian R. Crawford, Pablo F. Sanz Rehermann, Jessica Lundin
  • Patent number: 9411915
    Abstract: A method of selecting the positions of wells to be drilled for the development of a petroleum reservoir from a set of reservoir images. Well configurations are optimized by calculating a first quality criterion using a flow simulator applied to a limited number of reservoir images. Previously obtained configuration simulation results previously obtained are used for configurations physically close to the configuration to be assessed. A second reservoir development quality criterion is calculated for the optimized configurations using a flow simulator applied to each image of the reservoir. Finally, the well location corresponding to the optimized configuration having the best second quality criterion is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: IPF ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Zyed Bouzarkouna, Didier Yu Ding, Anne Auger
  • Patent number: 9399901
    Abstract: A method for characterizing flow production of a well. The method includes generating a plurality of dimensionless decline curves from a mathematical model that characterizes an expected flow production of the well and generating an overlay curve based on production data pertaining to the well. After generating the mathematical model and the overlay curve, the method compares the overlay curve to the plurality of dimensionless decline curves. The method then calculates a reservoir effective drainage area for the well based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Bobby D. Poe
  • Patent number: 9353619
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating a pore pressure of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole and an associated uncertainty. The method includes: conveying a carrier through the borehole; performing formation measurements at a plurality of depths in the borehole using a downhole tool coupled to the carrier; defining a first depth interval and a second depth interval deeper than the first depth interval, the first depth interval including a first set of formation measurement points and the second depth interval including a second set of formation measurement points; establishing a plurality of trendlines of depth versus formation measurements using a processor with each trendline in the plurality of trendlines extending from a point in the first depth interval through a point in the second depth interval; and calculating a pore pressure line and associated uncertainty using the plurality of trendlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Stefan Wessling
  • Patent number: 9347308
    Abstract: A system and method for surface steerable drilling are provided. In one example, the system receives toolface information for a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and non-survey sensor information corresponding to a location of the BHA in a borehole. The system calculates an amount of incremental progress made by the BHA based on the non-survey sensor information and calculates an estimate of the location based on the toolface information and the amount of incremental progress. The system repeats the steps of receiving toolface information and non-survey sensor information and calculating an amount of incremental progress to calculate an estimate of a plurality of locations representing a path of the BHA from a first survey point towards a second sequential survey point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: MOTIVE DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy Chen
  • Patent number: 9341734
    Abstract: A method for performing detection of a bed boundary can include deploying a tool body with a longitudinal axis in a borehole, modulating the magnetic moments of electromagnetic signals to be transmitted by the first transmitter and the second transmitter, firing the first transmitter and the second transmitter substantially simultaneously, utilizing the receiver to receive and measure the modulated electromagnetic signals from the first transmitter and the second transmitter, and computing the orientation and location of the bed boundary based on the amplitudes and phases of the electromagnetic signals received and measured at the receiver. The tool body can be deployed with a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and a receiver, all of which are oriented in different directions. The vector of the total magnetic moment of the modulated electromagnetic signals can electrically rotate during firing. A corresponding apparatus for detection of a bed boundary is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ce Liu, Jing Li
  • Patent number: 9322261
    Abstract: A cloud computing method for geosteering during directional drilling of a wellbore. The method includes a cloud processor, cloud data storage, and client devices in communication with the cloud processor through a network. The cloud processor receives data from directional drilling equipment and presents that data to users in an executive dashboard. Users can send data and/or commands to the directional drilling equipment. The executive dashboard can present: a portion of interest in a stratigraphic cross section for user identification of: the drill bit in the stratigraphic cross section, formations in the stratigraphic cross section, and other formation data. The method can be used to: identify a projected path for the drill bit, import data, compute wellbore profiles and stratigraphic cross sections, plot actual drilling paths, overlay the actual drilling path onto the projected path, and present control buttons to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SELMAN AND ASSOCIATES, LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings
  • Patent number: 9274242
    Abstract: A method for estimating fracture aperture from multi-axial electromagnetic induction measurements made in a wellbore includes determining a fracture indicator and a fracture orientation indicator. The value of the fracture indicator is determined from components of the measurements made transverse to the tool axis. A relationship between the value of the fracture indicator and the fracture aperture for the subsurface formation is determined by estimating the fracture indicator using a plurality of values of fracture aperture and a resistivity of drilling fluid in the wellbore over a background formation with estimated horizontal resistivity and vertical resistivity. The fracture aperture is determined using the determined fracture indicator and the determined relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Peter T. Wu
  • Patent number: 9268056
    Abstract: A method for pulsed neutron well logging of a subsurface formation, includes irradiating the formation with a plurality of bursts of neutrons of a group of selected durations; detecting gamma rays resulting from interaction of the neutrons during a group of selected time gates which contains at least some early and late gamma ray counts. The gamma rays are detected at at least two axially spaced apart locations from a position of the irradiating. A weighted sum of the numbers of gamma rays detected in each of the time gates is calculated. A ratio of the weighted sum of detected gamma rays at a first axial spacing to the weighted sum at a second axial spacing is determined. The ratio is used to determine a hydrogen index of the subsurface formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, David Rose
  • Patent number: 9229124
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing microseismic waveforms. The methods and systems provide determining a measure of waveform fit in the frequency-domain comprising constructing, in the frequency-domain, at least one of an amplitude misfit functional and a cross phase functional between arrivals; and estimating source parameters and/or model parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: W. Scott Leaney
  • Patent number: 9229910
    Abstract: A method for evaluating portions of a reservoir includes classifying producing reservoir portions in the reservoir into multiple classifications based on production data associated with the producing reservoir portions. Each classification corresponds to a range of the production data. The method further includes generating a correlation between the classifications of the producing reservoir portions to a petrophysical property and elastic property of the subterranean formation, generating, based on the correlation, a spatial distribution function of reservoir quality to represent predicted classifications as a function of physical locations in the reservoir, and evaluating, using the spatial distribution function, a physical location in the reservoir for reservoir quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gorka Garcia Leiceaga, Joel Herve Le Calvez