Seismology Patents (Class 702/14)
  • Patent number: 11221432
    Abstract: Changes to interpreted horizons in a subsurface representation are propagated to synthetic horizons in the subsurface representation by maintaining relative distances between the synthetic horizons and interpreted horizons. Distance ratios of synthetic horizons between interpreted horizons are applied to changed interpreted horizons to derive new locations of synthetic horizons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Friedemann Ulrich Maximilian Baur, Gregory Ian Ball, Chao Zhao, Barry Jay Katz, Brian S. Cabote
  • Patent number: 11215723
    Abstract: A method is disclosed and includes receiving a seismic cube. The seismic cube includes a three-dimensional image of a portion of a subsurface area. The method further includes providing the seismic cube to a machine learning process. The machine learning process includes one or more neural networks used for predicting a location of a subsurface seismic layer in the received seismic cube. The method also includes receiving, from the machine learning process, the prediction of the location of the subsurface seismic layer in the seismic cube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Nader Salman
  • Patent number: 11208886
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide methods of hydrocarbon management and associated systems and/or computer readable media including executable instructions. Such methods (and by extension their associated systems and/or computer readable media for implementing such methods) may include obtaining geophysical data (e.g., seismic or other geophysical data) from a prospective subsurface formation (that is, a potential formation or other subsurface region of interest for any of various reasons, but in particular due to potential for production of hydrocarbons) and using a trained machine learning (ML) system for direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI) analysis of the obtained geophysical data. Hydrocarbon management decisions may be guided by the DHI analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Steffen, Cody J. MacDonald, Jie Zhang
  • Patent number: 11195016
    Abstract: A pile head analysis system captures a plurality of images of a construction site including a pile using a camera mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), acquires the images, generates a three-dimensional model of the construction site, detects a pile head from the three-dimensional model, and determines consistency between the detected pile head and preliminarily acquired design information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Sasaki, Koji Onishi, Masaki Takanashi, Kiyoyasu Takahashi, Shugo Akiyama
  • Patent number: 11181654
    Abstract: A method of at least partially deghosting recorded seismic s-waves, wherein recorded seismic data is provided, wherein the recorded seismic data has been recorded at a receiver located beneath the Earth's surface, and wherein the recorded seismic data includes s-wave data. The method may include the steps of finding a model of the Earth's crust for use in deghosting the recorded seismic data using the s-wave data, wherein the model includes at least one region and wherein the model includes the Earth's surface and the location of the receiver, using the model to find a deghosting operator that, when applied to the s-wave data, at least partially deghosts the s-wave data, and applying the deghosting operator to the s-wave data to at least partially deghost the s-wave data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Harald Westerdahl, Ben King, Marit Stustad Guttormsen, Svend Østmo
  • Patent number: 11175422
    Abstract: Identifying a low permeable conglomerate diagenetic trap can be implemented according to a method that comprises: determining a first relation curve between a depth and a critical physical property of a known diagenetic trap in a target work area, and a second relation curve between a reservoir physical property of the known diagenetic trap and a designated seismic attribute; determining a third relation curve between the depth and the critical physical property in the target work area and the designated seismic attribute according to the first relation curve and the second relation curve; and performing a diagenetic trap identification of the target work area according to the third relation curve. Identification accuracy of a low permeable conglomerate diagenetic trap can thereby be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: PetroChina Company Limited
    Inventors: Yongqiang Qu, Jianguo Pan, Lu Yin, Guodong Wang, Duonian Xu, Tuanyu Teng, Bin Wang, Jianhua Qu, Dezi Li, Linjun Huang, Yongping Ma, Xuezhen Chen
  • Patent number: 11163079
    Abstract: The method for producing a geological vector model (GVM) based on seismic data includes the step of forming a Model-Grid, which includes creating a network of small units, called patches, to which a relative geological age is assigned, a set of patches with the same relative geological age corresponding to a geological layer, called the geological horizon. The method includes the step of sampling the Model-Grid in two directions perpendicular to each other, enabling the Model-Grid to be sampled in a plurality of vertical planes and the step of forming two-dimensional geological vector models (2DGVM). The step of forming includes forming two-dimensional horizons (Hb) with distinct relative geological ages using the patches belonging to each sampled plane, each two-dimensional geological vector model (2DGVM) corresponding to a vertical plane originating from the sampling of the Model-Grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ELLIS
    Inventors: Fabien Pauget, Sebastien Lacaze
  • Patent number: 11163092
    Abstract: System and method for scalable and reliable scheduling of iterative seismic full wavefield inversion algorithms with alternating parallel and serial stages of computation on massively parallel computing systems. The workers are independent, initiating actions and unaware of each other, and given limited information. This enables application of optimal scheduling, load-balancing, and reliability techniques specific to seismic inversion problems. The central dispatcher specifies the structure of the inversion, including task dependency, and keeps track of progress of work. Management tools enable the user to make performance and reliability improvements during the execution of the seismic inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Aleksandar Bobrek, Anoop A. Mullur, Christopher S. Beard, Arrian M. Brantley, Michael B. Townsley, Pavel Dimitrov
  • Patent number: 11126694
    Abstract: Automatic calibration for modeling a field includes performing model calibration iterations based on measurements of the field. Each model iteration includes obtaining, during the field operation, a current measurement of the field, generating likelihood values corresponding to model realizations of the field, where each likelihood value is generated by at least comparing the current measurement of the field to a modeling result of a corresponding model realization, selecting, based on the likelihood values, at least one selected model realization from the model realizations, generating, by at least adjusting a first input value of the at least one selected model realization, an adjusted model realization of the field based on the at least one selected model realization, and adding the adjusted model realization to the model realizations. Automatic calibration for modeling a field further includes generating a calibrated modeling result of the field based on the adjusted model realization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Claudio Schirrmann, Adrian Kleine, Christian Vogt
  • Patent number: 11125898
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present application include acquiring a monitoring region and each observation point therein; partitioning the monitoring region into N layers of grids according to a seismic source positioning accuracy, wherein a side length of a grid cell of an i-th layer of grid is D/2i-1, i=1, . . . N, and D is an initial side length of the grid cell and not more than a double of a distance between the respective observation points; searching all nodes in a first layer of grid to acquire a node satisfying a preset condition therefrom; from i=2, determining and searching nodes satisfying a first preset requirement in the i-th layer of grid, to acquire a node satisfying the preset condition therefrom, until a search in an N-th layer of grid is completed, wherein a node satisfying the preset condition acquired in the N-th layer of grid is a seismic source point location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: China National Petroleum Corporation, BGP Inc., China National Petroleum Corporation
    Inventors: Qihu Jin, Congwei Liu, Yanpeng Li, Fei Li, Gang Xu, Fangdong Chu
  • Patent number: 11119231
    Abstract: A method for generating a plurality of structural models for a geological setting involves identifying a poorly imaged portion of an input seismic data set. A set of geologically valid kinematic base models are selected to define a kinematic evolution scenario. A correspond set of kinematic base model parameters is defined for the models. A structural model is generated for both a well-imaged portion of the seismic data and the poorly imaged portion. A misfit between the input horizons and the and the modeled horizons is calculated and steps are repeated for a predetermined number of iterations to produce a best-fit model. The steps are repeated then to produce a plurality of best-fit models of geologically plausible solutions for the geological setting. The method is particularly suitable for complex geological settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Dian He
  • Patent number: 11119233
    Abstract: A subsoil region is represented using a grid having columns of cells arranged in an array of horizontal positions. The cells of a column are delineated by geological layering of the subsoil region. The method, used for estimating elastic parameters in the subsoil region, comprises obtaining seismic traces and performing seismic inversion for the columns of cells. The seismic inversion for a column comprises selecting a set of elastic parameter values that minimizes a cost function regardless of statistical distribution of the elastic parameter values. The set of elastic parameter values is selected among a plurality of candidate sets of elastic parameter values each having values of elastic parameters for the cells of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOTAL SA
    Inventor: Pierre Thore
  • Patent number: 11118998
    Abstract: An inspection specifying unit specifies a member position that is a point and a type of damage that is a soundness determination target on the basis of building structure information. An inspection data analysis unit acquires the image data from an inspection data acquisition unit, analyzes the image data, and determines from the image data, whether or not there is damage of the type of damage specified as the inspection target, and the degree of damage in a case where there is the damage. A damage influence degree calculation unit calculates the degree of damage influence for each damage. A soundness determination unit determines the soundness of the entire building on the basis of the degree of damage influence for each damage. A soundness output unit outputs the soundness determined in to a display, a printer, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takamori, Satoshi Kubota, Masayuki Negoro
  • Patent number: 11105955
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for processing gravity and magnetic data in geological resource exploration. The method includes: acquiring first (i) potential field data and (ii) gradient data of an observation surface, performing upward continuation of the acquired data using a wave-number domain conversion method to obtain second and third gradient data and second potential field data, and determining third potential field data using a fourth-order explicit scheme Milne method according to the first, second, and third gradient data, and the second potential field data; calculating fourth gradient data using an ISVD method according to the third potential field data; and correcting the third potential field data using a fourth-order implicit scheme Simpson method according to the fourth gradient data, the first potential field data, and the first and second gradient data to obtain corrected third potential field data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
    Inventors: Chong Zhang, Qingtian Lyu
  • Patent number: 11099290
    Abstract: A system and method for attenuating surface waves in common shot gathers of seismic data recorded by a set of geophones by: iteratively executing a genetic algorithm over a plurality of generations to generate an optimal one-dimensional (1D) Earth model based on the common shot gather data by, successively refining a pool of candidate Earth models to better fit the common shot gather data, until optimal Earth models in sequential generations converge; generating synthetic surface wave data based on the optimal Earth model and canceling the synthetic surface wave data from the common shot gather data to generate new common shot gather data that reduces the noise due to surface waves; and iteratively executing the genetic algorithm over each new common shot gather data until optimal Earth models generated in sequential iterations of the genetic algorithm converge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: EMERSON PARADIGM HOLDING LLC
    Inventors: Jianyong Bai, Orhan Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 11092708
    Abstract: This disclosure describes processes and systems for generating a seismic image of a subterranean formation from recorded seismic data gathers obtained in a marine seismic survey of the subterranean formation. The seismic data comprises recorded pressure and vertical velocity wavefields that are used to separate the recorded pressure wavefield into upgoing and downgoing pressure wavefields. A seismic image is computed from the subterranean formation based on a product of the downgoing pressure wavefield and a migration operator applied to the upgoing pressure wavefield. The downgoing pressure wavefield is a boundary source wavefield and the upgoing pressure wavefield is boundary receiver wavefield of the migration operator. The seismic image is iteratively updated by computing a residual seismic image based on the upgoing pressure wavefield and adding the residual seismic image to the seismic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Shaoping Lu, Faqi Liu, Alejandro A. Valenciano Mavilio, Nizar Chemingui
  • Patent number: 11084512
    Abstract: In an example, the autonomous vehicle (“AV”) can be configured among the other vehicles and railway to communicate with a rider on a peer to peer basis to pick up the rider on demand from a location on a track, like a railway, tram or other track, rather than the rider being held hostage to -a fixed, railway schedule. The rider can have an application on his/her cell phone, which tracks each of the AVs. and contact them using the application on the cell phone. In an example, the AV is configured for both on-track and off track operation with different operating parameters for on-track and off track, including speed, degree of autonomy, sensors used etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Glydways, Inc.
    Inventor: Vinod Khosla
  • Patent number: 11080525
    Abstract: Methods of identifying a flying object using digital imaging that may include: obtaining data of a propagating wavefield through a propagating volume that includes a volume above the earth's surface; obtaining a reference digital image of the propagating volume; selecting a holographic computational method of wavefield imaging; selecting a wavefield based on one or more parameters; calculating a sampling ratio by dividing a number of data samples in the data subset by a number of image samples in the data subset; decimating the data subset; generating a new digital image based on the selected holographic computational method of imaging, the decimated data subset, and parameters corresponding to the data subset; and determining a quantitative difference measure between the reference digital image and the new digital image, and image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Euram Geo-Focus Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Norman Neidell
  • Patent number: 11079509
    Abstract: Automatic propagation of real-world parent seismic images to efficiently generate a collection of realistic synthetic child training images to train a model for accurate automatic seismic interpretation. A 3D structural model in a present-day geological space (e.g., GB) depicting subsurface locations of particles (e.g., in region B) may be transformed by a 3D coordinate space transformation (e.g., uvtB) to a depositional space (e.g., G*B) depicting past depositional locations of those particles (e.g., corresponding depositional region B). A real-world parent image depicting subsurface locations of particles (e.g., in region A) may be transformed, via a forward transformation (e.g., uvtA), to a depositional seismic image in the depositional space of the three-dimensional structural model (e.g., G*A=G*B). A reverse transformation (e.g., uutB?1) may transform the depositional seismic image from the depositional space into synthetic child training images in the present-day geological space (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: EMERSON PARADIGM HOLDING LLC.
    Inventors: Anne-Laure Tertois, Jean-Laurent Mallet, Zvi Koren
  • Patent number: 11014104
    Abstract: A state determination device determines a state of a paint device including an air motor that rotates by a supply of a gas, a rotational shaft that serves as a rotational center of the air motor, and a rotary atomizer head that is connected to the rotational shaft and sprays paint. The paint device further includes a vibration detection unit that detects a vibration of the paint device, and the state determination device includes a frequency component acquisition unit and an abnormality determination unit. The frequency component acquisition unit acquires a frequency component caused by a contact between the rotational shaft and the air motor from a detection result by the vibration detection unit. The abnormality determination unit determines whether an abnormality of the air motor exists or not based on an acquisition result by the frequency component acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Masaru Terada, Steinar Riveland
  • Patent number: 11016840
    Abstract: A coarse error correction system for detecting, predicting, and correcting errors in neural networks is provided. The coarse error correction system receives a first set of statistics that are computed from values collected from a neural network during a training phase of the neural network. The coarse error correction system computes a second set of statistics based on values collected from the neural network during a run-time phase of the neural network. The coarse error correction system detects an error in the neural network during the run-time phase of the neural network by comparing the first set of statistics with the second set of statistics. The coarse error correction system increases a voltage setting to the neural network based on the detected error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Swagath Venkataramani, Schuyler Eldridge, Karthik V. Swaminathan, Alper Buyuktosunoglu, Pradip Bose
  • Patent number: 11016213
    Abstract: A method includes receiving desired locations of nodes for deployment on a seabed of a seismic survey where each of the nodes includes a sealed housing and, within the sealed housing, at least one battery and spaced seismic sensors electrically powered by the at least one battery; determining locations of the nodes as deployed on the seabed where at least some of the determined locations differ from their corresponding desired locations; acquiring seismic data sensed by the spaced seismic sensors of the nodes where the acquired seismic data corresponds to the determined locations; and, based at least in part on the acquired seismic data, a spacing of the spaced seismic sensors and the desired locations, generating seismic data for the desired locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nicolas Goujon
  • Patent number: 10996362
    Abstract: Inversion for marine seismic imaging of a full reflected wavefield can include generating an image of a subsurface formation by full wavefield migrating a recorded seismic wavefield and generating numerically modeled data using the image. A mismatch between the numerically modeled data and the seismic wavefield can be determined. Responsive to determining that the mismatch exceeds an inversion match threshold, the image can be updated using the mismatch between the numerically modeled data and the seismic wavefield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Shaoping Lu, Faqi Liu, Nizar Chemingui
  • Patent number: 10996371
    Abstract: A computer executable algorithm adapted to propagate a boundary surface of a seed that is placed within a region of interest of a visual representation of a 3D seismic data so as to follow a natural contour of said region of interest, wherein said algorithm is executable to: (i) generate at least one attribute volume comprising at least on attribute derivable from said 3D seismic data set; (ii) generate at least one characteristic parameter for a plurality of candidate events of said 3D seismic data within a predefined gate region located forward of said propagating boundary surface; (iii) generate and assign a probability characteristic for said plurality of candidate events based on said at least one attribute volume and said at least one characteristic parameter; and propagate said boundary surface towards and incorporating any one of said plurality of candidate events that fulfils an acceptance criteria of said probability characteristic so as to generate a surface along the natural contour of said region
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Foster Findlay Associates Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Purves, James Lowell, Dale Norton, Jonathan Henderson
  • Patent number: 10983234
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to processes and systems that generate enhanced-resolution seismic images by interpolating sparsely recorded seismic data. Structured dictionary learning is employed to train a set of basis vectors, called “atoms,” and corresponding sparse coefficients on patches of the recorded seismic data. The atoms are constrained to represent the geometric structure of reflection events in the recorded seismic data gather. Linear combinations of the atoms are used to compute interpolated patches over a finer receiver-coordinate grid. The interpolated patches replace the original patches in the recorded seismic data to obtain interpolated seismic data that can be used to generate an image of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Pierre Turquais, Endrias Asgedom, Walter Söllner
  • Patent number: 10983232
    Abstract: A seismic rock physics inversion method based on a large area tight reservoir includes steps: building a multi-scale rock physics model; analyzing fluid sensitivities of rock physics parameters in two scales of acoustic logging and ultrasonic wave, and sifting the rock physics parameters that are most sensitive to a porosity and a gas saturation in a plurality of observation scales; building a single-well rock physics template, preferably a standard template; considering lateral variations and heterogeneity of reservoir geological features, fine-tuning input parameters of the rock physics template according to gas testing situations of all wells in a large work area, optimizing the whole work area and building a three-dimensional work area rock physics template data volume, and combining the data volume with pre-stack seismic inversion to calculate a porosity and a saturation of a target layer; and smoothing a result and finally outputting a reservoir parameter inversion data volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: HOHAI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jing Ba, Wenhui Tan, Wei Qian, Wei Cheng
  • Patent number: 10962669
    Abstract: A method for seismic processing includes steps of receiving seismic data comprising seismic waveforms acquired from a plurality of seismic receivers and a plurality of seismic sources in a subterranean area; generating a plurality of full wavefields at a plurality of corresponding propagation time steps based on a seismic velocity and a density model of the subterranean area; and applying a wavefield filter to the plurality of full wavefields to obtain a plurality of filtered wavefields. Each of the plurality of full wavefields propagates in all directions. On the other hand, each of the plurality of filtered wavefields is attenuated in or opposite to a target direction. The target direction is selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Min Zhou
  • Patent number: 10962666
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a technique for marine seismic imaging that processes data acquired from two or more different seismic surveys in a combined manner to advantageous effect. The different seismic surveys may use seabed sensors at same positions on the seabed, but they may have different shot locations and may be performed at different times. In one use case, the technique may be used to image a subsurface location that is difficult to image using either survey alone. In another use case, the technique may be used to image a subsurface location under an obstruction. The technique may also be utilized to efficiently monitor a reservoir over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Didier B. P. Lecerf
  • Patent number: 10948618
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for automated seismic interpretation that includes receiving, at one or more processors, a pre-stack seismic dataset representative of the subsurface volume of interest; performing, via the one or more processors, a machine learning algorithm on the pre-stack seismic dataset to identify seismic facies based on AVA clusters, wherein the identified seismic facies include cluster sequences in depth for a plurality of spatial x-y locations in the subsurface volume; performing, via the one or more processors, seismic interpretation of the seismic dataset based on the identified seismic facies to generate a digital image of the seismic interpretation; and displaying the digital image of the seismic interpretation on a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Laura L. Bandura, David M. Sibley, Jr., Adam D. Halpert, Lisa R. Goggin
  • Patent number: 10942285
    Abstract: A method for seismic processing includes receiving seismic data representing a subsurface volume. The seismic data includes a first horizontal component and a second horizontal component. The first and second horizontal components are rotated such that the first horizontal component is substantially aligned with a source of a seismic wavefield and the second horizontal component is substantially transverse to the source of the seismic wavefield. A splitting intensity is determined at a boundary of the subsurface volume using the first and second horizontal components after the first and second horizontal components are rotated. An anisotropic parameter is determined for a portion of the subsurface volume as a function of time using the splitting intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniele Boiero, Claudio Bagaini
  • Patent number: 10942287
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented in this disclosure for semblance-based anisotropy parameter estimation using isotropic depth-migrated common image gathers. Far-offset image gathers can be generated from seismic data associated with a subterranean formation migrated based on an isotropic depth migration that uses an isotropic velocity model. Based on the far-offset image gathers, a plurality of semblance values can be calculated as a function of an anisotropy parameter of the subterranean formation for the different depths and the surface locations. Effective values of the anisotropy parameter of the subterranean formation can be then chosen that result in maxima of the plurality of semblance values for the different depths and the surface locations. Anisotropy model of the subterranean formation can be obtained based on the effective values of the anisotropy parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Fan Xia, Shengwen Jin
  • Patent number: 10928536
    Abstract: Mapping is performed of chemostratigraphic signatures of hydrocarbon reservoirs in three dimensions. Up-scaled chemostratigraphic data from well cuttings and well cores are tied with high-resolution elastic wireline data at well locations in the reservoir. The wireline data is used to determine suitable seismic attributes for mapping the desired chemostratigraphic property, and are obtained by performing pre- and/or post-stack inversions. A multi-attribute template, derived from the well data, is developed to characterize the reservoir in terms of its chemostratigraphic properties. The seismic data is then inverted to map the chemostratigraphic signatures of reservoir in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rudi Lubbe, Neil William Craigie, Nikolaos Andreas Michael
  • Patent number: 10912494
    Abstract: A sensor interface circuit enables signal reconstruction on data received from a sensor prior to sending the data to various sensor clients. Multiple sensor clients have different frequencies configured to receive sensor data. The sensor interface circuit performs signal reconstructions including data interpolation to generate interpolated data signal having frequencies corresponding to the different frequencies configured for the different sensor clients. Signal reconstruction can also include filtering the data. The sensor interface circuit sends the reconstructed data to the multiple clients in accordance with their different frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ke Han, Dong Wang, He Han, Dror Lederman, Lev Lavy, Yehiel Shilo
  • Patent number: 10914854
    Abstract: A surface-consistent refraction analysis automatically derives near surface corrections during seismic data processing. Residual time lags are evaluated in multiple CMP-offset-azimuth bins by similarity analysis with a pilot trace where a correlation window is centered at the refracted arrival. The similarity analysis may take the form of computerized cross-correlation, or other criteria such as semblance. The residuals are then used to build a system of linear equations that is simultaneously inverted for surface-consistent shot and receiver time shift corrections plus a possible subsurface residual term. The refraction analysis steps are completely automated and require a fraction of the time needed for conventional near surface analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Federico Miorelli
  • Patent number: 10908307
    Abstract: A method of evaluating processing imprint on seismic signals includes receiving a first and a second seismic dataset of a reservoir. A first and a second synthetic dataset are generated, where the second synthetic dataset is generated by multiplying at least a portion of data in the first synthetic dataset by a scaling factor. A first and a second combined dataset are generated by adding the respective seismic dataset and the respective synthetic dataset. A first and a second processed dataset are generated by applying a seismic processing step on the first and the second combined dataset, respectively. A difference factor between the first and the second processed dataset is calculated. Based on the difference factor and the scaling factor, it is determined whether the seismic processing step is able to preserve signal amplitude changes between the first and the second seismic dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Andrey Bakulin, Robert Smith, Abdullah Alramadhan
  • Patent number: 10877172
    Abstract: Prediction and subtraction of multiple diffractions may include transforming previously acquired seismic data from a time-space domain to a transformed domain using a dictionary of compressive basis functions and separating, within the transformed previously acquired seismic data, a first portion and a second portion of the transformed previously acquired seismic data. Prediction and subtraction of multiple diffractions may also include predicting a plurality of multiple diffractions based on the separated first and second portions and adaptively subtracting the predicted multiple diffractions from the previously acquired seismic data. Prediction and subtraction of multiple diffractions may also include inverse transforming a particular seismic data set from the transformed domain to the time-space domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Robertus Franciscus Hegge, Paolo Terenghi, Andreas Klaedtke, Amr Ahmed Mahmoud Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 10852450
    Abstract: A method for refraction-based surface-consistent amplitude compensation and deconvolution includes receiving seismic traces, the seismic traces generated using at least one source and at least one receiver; calculating an amplitude residual for each seismic trace; determining surface-consistent amplitude residuals for the at least one source and the at least one receiver based on the amplitude residual for each seismic trace; and performing surface-consistent amplitude correction to each seismic trace by applying the determined surface-consistent amplitude residuals for the at least one source and the at least one receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Diego Rovetta
  • Patent number: 10816684
    Abstract: A method, including: calibrating a linear rock physics model to well log properties; generating a plurality of pseudo-well models for a subsurface region using a Monte Carlo approach; generating synthetic seismic traces from each of the plurality of pseudo-well models; computing top and base isochron from the synthetic seismic traces; computing seismic attributes in an interval specified by the top and base isochron on the synthetic seismic traces; correlating the seismic attributes to rock properties; and transforming seismic data into low-side, most-likely, and high-side estimates of rock properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Kyle J. Basler-Reeder, Michael P. Matheney, Edward B. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 10808527
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a first fracture formed from a wellbore at a first location; a second fracture formed from the wellbore at a second location; a wellbore seal positioned in the wellbore between the first and second locations and configured to fluidly seal a first portion from a second portion of the wellbore; a pressure gauge positioned in the first portion; a pressure gauge positioned in or uphole of the second portion; and a control system configured to communicably couple to the pressure gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Reveal Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhendu Kashikar, Erica Whilhelmina Catharina Coenen, Sean Andrew Spicer
  • Patent number: 10810742
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an image processing method and processing system. The method includes obtaining an image and selecting a calibration area of the image. The method also includes reading a feature parameter corresponding to the calibration area from a preset segmentation model. The method further includes segmenting the image by using the feature parameter, to generate a segmentation result corresponding to the calibration area. This image segmentation by using the feature parameter obtained from the segmentation model provides a high accuracy segmentation rate and can be applied in wide scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Antai Guo, Deqiang Jiang
  • Patent number: 10795040
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product analyze time-series data such as seismic data collected from a subsurface formation by splitting a time-series data set such as an individual seismic trace into a plurality of spectral components, each having an associated frequency, determining an instantaneous frequency for each spectral component, determining a frequency difference for each spectral component based at least in part on the associated and instantaneous frequencies therefor, and determining a tuning parameter based at least in part on the determined frequency difference of each spectral component. Doing so enables, for example, thin-bed structures in the subsurface formation to be identified, and in some instances, thicknesses of such structures to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Aarre
  • Patent number: 10782431
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems, for smoothing seismic data. One computer-implemented method includes obtaining, by a hardware data processing apparatus, a plurality of seismic data samples; forming, by the hardware data processing apparatus, guiding vectors using the plurality of seismic data samples and a plurality of guiding structure attributes; generating, by the hardware data processing apparatus, a structure guided directional weighted vector filter using the guiding vectors and a plurality of weighting factors; filtering, by the hardware data processing apparatus, the seismic data samples using the structure guided directional weighted vector filter to generate smoothed seismic data; and initiating output of the smoothed seismic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Saleh A. Dossary, Jinsong Wang, Bander K. Jumah
  • Patent number: 10776967
    Abstract: A system and method for well log vectorization are described that assist geologists or other technicians to rapidly and accurately vectorize well log curves that are visually evident in a raster well log image. The resulting digital well log curves are instrumental for qualitative interpretation and quantitative analysis of geologic information measured along well bores. The system and method simplifies and makes more efficient and accurate the process of vectorizing well log curves that are displayed in a digital raster log image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Drilling Info, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Witte, Isaac Witte, Ran Xuan
  • Patent number: 10746889
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for estimating faults in a three-dimensional seismic image block. Directrices are generated within respective first cross-sections of the seismic image block based on points selected by a user. Similarly, generatrices are generated within respective second cross-sections of the block based on points selected by the user. The user inputs relationships between directrices and generatrices. A fault is estimated within the seismic image block as a surface including at least one directric and at least one generatrix having a relationship therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Noomane Keskes, Georges Sibille
  • Patent number: 10739478
    Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for seismic data processing. The method may receive seismic data for a region of interest. The seismic data may be acquired in a seismic survey. The method may determine sparse seismic data by selecting shot points in the acquired seismic data using statistical sampling. The method may determine simulated seismic data based on an earth model for the region of interest, a reflection model for the region of interest, and the selected shot points. The method may determine an objective function that represents a mismatch between the sparse seismic data and the simulated seismic data. The method may update the reflection model using the objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard T. Coates, Darrell Coles, Wei Dai, Kun Jiao
  • Patent number: 10725189
    Abstract: A method is described for seismic facies identification including receiving a seismic dataset representative of a subsurface volume of interest; performing a machine learning algorithm on the seismic dataset to identify seismic facies and generate a classified seismic image; and identifying geologic features based on the classified seismic image. The method may be executed by a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Konstantin Osypov, David Wilkinson, Laura L. Bandura, Adam Dean Halpert
  • Patent number: 10718876
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for a manner of geologic analysis using time-lapse seismic data. The method includes steps of receiving a first seismic attribute volume inverted from a seismic dataset recorded at a first time, a second digital seismic attribute volume inverted from a seismic dataset recorded at a second time, and a range of geological and geophysical parameters possible in the subsurface volume of interest; identifying a layer and area of interest; computing an attribute difference volume from the seismic attribute volumes; performing probabilistic attribute analysis of at least two of the first digital seismic attribute volume, the second digital seismic attribute volume, and the attribute difference volume using the range of geological and geophysical parameters; estimating time-lapse reservoir properties based on the probabilistic attribute analysis; and outputting visual information depicting the time-lapse reservoir properties via a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Magill, David C. Bartel
  • Patent number: 10721325
    Abstract: A method for fetching a content from a web server to a client device is disclosed, using tunnel devices serving as intermediate devices. The client device accesses an acceleration server to receive a list of available tunnel devices. The requested content is partitioned into slices, and the client device sends a request for the slices to the available tunnel devices. The tunnel devices in turn fetch the slices from the data server, and send the slices to the client device, where the content is reconstructed from the received slices. A client device may also serve as a tunnel device, serving as an intermediate device to other client devices. Similarly, a tunnel device may also serve as a client device for fetching content from a data server. The selection of tunnel devices to be used by a client device may be in the acceleration server, in the client device, or in both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: LUMINATI NETWORKS LTD.
    Inventors: Derry Shribman, Ofer Vilenski
  • Patent number: 10713561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a multiplexed neural core circuit. One embodiment comprises a core circuit including a memory device that maintains neuronal attributes for multiple neurons. The memory device has multiple entries. Each entry maintains neuronal attributes for a corresponding neuron. The core circuit further comprises a controller for managing the memory device. In response to neuronal firing events targeting one of said neurons, the controller retrieves neuronal attributes for the target neuron from a corresponding entry of the memory device, and integrates said firing events based on the retrieved neuronal attributes to generate a firing event for the target neuron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza Rivera, John V. Arthur, Andrew S. Cassidy, Paul A. Merolla, Dharmendra S. Modha
  • Patent number: 10713398
    Abstract: A global objective function is initialized to an initial value. A particular model simulation process is executed using prepared input data. A mismatch value is computed by using a local function to compare an output of the particular model simulation process to corresponding input data for the particular model simulation process. Model objects associated with the particular model simulation process are sent to another model simulation process. An optimization process is executed to predict new values for input data to reduce the computed mismatch value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mokhles Mustapha Mezghani, Nazih F. Najjar, Mahdi AbuAli, Rainer Zuhlke, Sedat Inan, Conrad K. Allen