Formation Characteristic Patents (Class 702/11)
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Patent number: 10371847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Toru Ikegami, Shinji Yoneshima
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Patent number: 10358914Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Roberson, Scott Goodwin, Charles Bartee, Craig W. Roddy, Krishna M. Ravi
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Patent number: 10359530Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventor: Mark Vincent Collins
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Patent number: 10301929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Oleg Bondarenko, Ryan Le
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Patent number: 10274625Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Prasenjit Roy, Donna J. Venable, William Savran
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Patent number: 10197702Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: PGS GEOPHYSICAL ASInventors: Zhijun Du, Md. Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, Eivind Rødnes Vesterås, Allan John McKay
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Patent number: 10167703Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Zeid M. Al-Ghareeb
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Patent number: 10168447Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ivan Priezzhev, Aaron Scollard, Zhengang Lu
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Patent number: 10162081Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: BAKER HUGHES A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Tobias Kischkat, Eick Niemeyer, Stefan Sroka
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System and method for collecting a representative formation fluid during downhole testing operations
Patent number: 10156138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, B. Raghava Reddy -
Patent number: 10140757Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Inventor: Felix R Gaiter
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Patent number: 10132128Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Andrea Pound, Varma Gottumukkala
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Patent number: 10113411Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Andriy Gelman, Tuanfeng Zhang, Neil F. Hurley
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Patent number: 10114142Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Inventors: Lalitha Venkataramanan, Robert Callan, Lukasz Zielinski, Martin Hurlimann, Timothy Andrew John Hopper
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Patent number: 10100638Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kang Wang, Youxiang Zuo, Yi Chen, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 10102311Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Marc Holland, Tobias Hoeink, Wouter Van Der Zee
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Patent number: 10073189Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Andrei I. Davydychev, Michael Thiel, Dzevat Omeragic, Steve F. Crary
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Patent number: 10048702Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Christopher R. Florence, Eric B. Libow, Jordan T. Moore, Walker L. Sherk, Thomas S. Wallace, Pu Yang
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Patent number: 10036826Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Thiel, Dzevat Omeragic, Tarek M. Habashy
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Patent number: 10012028Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATIONInventors: Paul Blair Johnson, Bronwyn Michaell Calleja
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Patent number: 9995844Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Pavel Dimitrov, Matthias Imhof, Martin Terrell
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Patent number: 9946980Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Jeffery P Anderson
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Patent number: 9898560Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Landmark Graphics CorporationInventors: Richard Edward Hinkley, Qinghua Wang, James William Watts, Graham Christopher Fleming, Dominic Camilleri, Kefei Wang, Wei David Liu
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Patent number: 9897711Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Microseismic, Inc.Inventor: Michael H. Grealy
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Patent number: 9880302Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Engineering Seismology Group Canada Inc.Inventors: Andreas Wuestefeld, Adam Mirza Baig, Theodore Ivan Urbancic
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Patent number: 9835029Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Hadrien Dumont, Youxiang Zuo, Beatriz E. Barbosa
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Patent number: 9805144Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Mickaele Le Ravalec, Caroline Gardet
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Patent number: 9791588Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Vitaly Nikolaevich Dorovsky
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Patent number: 9702240Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Service, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Baris Guner, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
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Patent number: 9696441Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Cem Ozan, Martin Brudy, Wouter Van der Zee
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Patent number: 9658357Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Artem Valeryevich Kabannik, Denis Yurievich Emelyanov, Bruno Lecerf, Kirill Leonidovich Tarasenko, Andrey Vladimirovich Bogdan, Dmitry Sergeevich Kuznetsov
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Patent number: 9652565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Steven Duffy Russell, Muhammad Razi B. Abu-Bakar, Khalid S. Al-Wahabi
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Patent number: 9631483Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Arthur Cheng
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Patent number: 9519492Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Landmark Graphics CorporationInventors: Hannu Rouhiainen, Bernd Ruehlicke, Oddvar Gjerde
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Patent number: 9519865Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2011Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: John Quirein, Philip Edmund Fox, Jerome Allen Truax, Dingding Chen
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Patent number: 9513402Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Anupama Venkataraman, Sean D. Every, Bruce M. Kofron
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Patent number: 9507889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher Chapman, Walter Scott Leaney, Adrian Alexander
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Patent number: 9488047Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Yong Zhao, Martin Mlacnik
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Patent number: 9429010Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Warren Winters, Ronald Livesay, Stephen Edwards, Jim McKay
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Patent number: 9411071Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Gary G. Gray, Brian R. Crawford, Pablo F. Sanz Rehermann, Jessica Lundin
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Patent number: 9411915Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: IPF ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Zyed Bouzarkouna, Didier Yu Ding, Anne Auger
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Patent number: 9399901Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Bobby D. Poe
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Patent number: 9353619Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Stefan Wessling
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Patent number: 9347308Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: MOTIVE DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Todd W. Benson, Teddy Chen
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Patent number: 9341734Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Inventors: Ce Liu, Jing Li
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Patent number: 9322261Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SELMAN AND ASSOCIATES, LTD.Inventors: Thomas H. Selman, Matthew J. Jennings
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Patent number: 9274242Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Peter T. Wu
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Patent number: 9268056Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Tong Zhou, David Rose
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Patent number: 9229124Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: W. Scott Leaney
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Patent number: 9229910Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Gorka Garcia Leiceaga, Joel Herve Le Calvez