By Induction Or Resistivity Logging Tool Patents (Class 702/7)
  • Publication number: 20150127264
    Abstract: The wettability of a formation may be estimated using a multi-frequency dielectric measurement tool. Multi-frequency dielectric dispersion measurements are made using the multi-frequency dielectric measurement tool on a sample. The bulk density and the total porosity of the sample are also otherwise acquired. The bulk density, matrix permittivity, total porosity, and multi-frequency dielectric dispersion measurements are input into a petrophysical dielectric model and the petrophysical dielectric model is applied to obtain inversion results. A wettability state of the sample is determined using the inversion results and one or more reservoir management decisions are made based on the determined wettability state of the sample. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium may be provided that has stored on it one or more programs that provide instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Khaled Hadj-Sassi, Mohammed Badri
  • Patent number: 9008970
    Abstract: A method and system to compensate for inaccuracies in crosswell tomography is presented. The method includes obtaining data from at least two receivers in response to transmissions from at least two transmitters. Next, at least one compensated value is derived based on the responses of the receivers to the transmitters. Finally, an inversion is performed based at least in part on the compensated value derived. This method eliminates inaccuracies that can be caused by sensor gain and phase variations in the inversion process. Inversion results with gain and phase compensation produce better imaging results that can better help determine the shape and boundaries of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner, Michael S. Bittar, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9008986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method to calibrate logging measurements from a logging tool for which one or more attributes vary over the course of logging. A logging tool is provided and a pre-logging calibration function for the logging tool is obtained. Logging measurements are made using the logging tool, and a post-logging calibration function for the logging tool is obtained. A variable calibration function using the pre-logging calibration function and the post-logging calibration function is determined, and the logging measurements are calibrated using the variable calibration function. The variable calibration function may be discrete or continuous and linear or non-linear. A non-linear calibration function may be based on measurements of one or more of the varying attributes of the logging tool. A discrete calibration function may have three or more calibration factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Kenneth Dennis, Swapnesh Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 9002648
    Abstract: A system and method for use in a downhole tool having distance measurement, feature detection, and primary measurement devices positioned therein are provided. In one example, the method includes recording a first plurality of features and corresponding positions in a first log using the feature detection device and the distance measurement device, respectively. A first feature of the first plurality of features is selected and the position corresponding to the first feature is identified. The feature detection device is aligned relative to the first feature based on the identified position. A first primary measurement is taken using the primary measurement device while the feature detection device is aligned relative to the first feature. The steps of recording, selecting, moving, and taking are repeated to obtain a second primary measurement while the feature detection device is aligned relative to a second feature of a second plurality of features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Harold G. Pfutzner
  • Patent number: 9002649
    Abstract: Various resistivity logging tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. At least some tool embodiments include transmit and receive antennas that measure the electromagnetic response of the formation, at least one of which is tilted to provide a directional sensitivity. A processor converts the response (measured as a function of the tool's rotation angle) into a set of inversion parameters, which are then used to estimate the anisotropic properties of the formation. The set of inversion parameters includes at least one parameter based on an antipodal sum of the response signal, and may further include parameters based on an antipodal difference and an average of the signal response. Antipodal sum and difference values at different rotational orientations can be included in the set of inversion parameters, and they may be normalized to reduce environmental effects. Some tool embodiments collect the relevant formation measurements using parallel or perpendicular tilted antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Yumei Tang, Shanjun Li
  • Publication number: 20150088426
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for detecting bed boundary locations are described. In some aspects, the boundaries of a subsurface layer are identified based on a measurement from a logging point and a gradient associated with the measurement from the logging point. A first measurement is generated based on operating a transmitter and a receiver of a resistivity logging tool at a first tool depth. The gradient is calculated from the first measurement and a second measurement. The second measurement is generated based on operating the transmitter and the receiver of the resistivity logging tool at a second, different tool depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Yumei Tang
  • Publication number: 20150081220
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for determining the location, composition and concentration of a hydrocarbon containing plume in environmental seawater. These systems and methods disclosed use multiple complex admittance measurements from seawater in order to identify the contents, concentration, and location of the hydrocarbon containing plume. In preferred variations system includes a sensor array that substantially simultaneously records plume location, depth, and composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Leonid Matsiev, James Bennett
  • Publication number: 20150073712
    Abstract: A logging method and a logging tool for approximating a logging tool response in a layered formation are provided. The method includes obtaining a first layered profile of at least one first measurement log provided by a logging tool using a squaring process, obtaining a filtered measurement log from the first layered profile using a forward physical model for the logging tool, and estimating an approximation of the forward physical model using a parameterized function so as to provide a first logging tool response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Josselin Kherroubi, Laurent Mosse, Ollivier Faivre
  • Publication number: 20150073713
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 8972193
    Abstract: A method of estimating a parameter of a formation contacting a borehole with an instrument that includes a mandrel and a pad includes providing a measurement voltage to the pad; applying a biasing voltage to the mandrel while the measurement voltage is applied to the pad; measuring a received current during at least a portion of time the measurement voltage is provided; and estimating the parameter based on the received current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Stanislav Wilhelm Forgang, Assol Kavtorina
  • Patent number: 8965702
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole. The apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes disposed downhole and configured to inject an electrical current into the earth formation using an applied voltage and/or measure electrical current resulting from an injection of the electrical current. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to perform a series of formation measurements that include injecting current into the earth formation using a unique subset of electrodes in the plurality of electrodes and measuring current in the earth formation using one or more electrodes not used for the current injecting. The processer sums the measured currents for the electrodes wherein the sum of electrical currents for at least one electrode that measured electrical current is substantially in phase with the applied voltage; and uses the sum of in phase currents to estimate the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Leonty A. Tabarovsky, Stanislav W. Forgang
  • Patent number: 8960326
    Abstract: A geo-steering method for drilling a formation penetrated by multiple wells. The method comprises computing a stratigraphic target formation window, computing a target line utilizing an instantaneous formation dip angle correlated to offset well data from an offset well. The method further comprises calculating a target window from actual drilling data overlaying the target window over the stratigraphic target formation window to drill on the target line, identifying target deviation from target line using overlaid windows, generating a target deviation flag when the overlaid results differ above or below the stratigraphic target formation window or user inputted target deviation flag parameters, wherein the target deviation flag stops drilling by the rig. The method performs another actual survey, creating a new window, starting drilling, creating a new target window, overlaying the two windows and monitoring for target deviations, repeating the process until target depth is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Danny T. Williams
  • Publication number: 20150047902
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate a drilling operation relative to formation boundaries. The apparatus and methods can include operating one or more transmitters in a borehole in a formation having a thickness between two boundaries, selecting thickness models based on applying responses from operating the one or more transmitters such that the thickness of the formation is between the two thickness models, and generating a value of a distance to a nearest boundary based on linearization of the thickness models with respect to a long distance investigation parameter and a short distance investigation parameter. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yumei Tang, Wenshan Yu, Michael S. Bittar
  • Patent number: 8958922
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for optimized decision-making in water supply networks and/or water supply operations. The system includes at least one central data processing device and a control system having at least one integration device. The system also includes at least one functional unit for identifying and/or processing status information affecting the respective network or operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Frederik Blank, Markus Gauder, Heinrich-Martin Schreyer, Stefan Lauxtermann
  • Patent number: 8954280
    Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing a formation are disclosed. A tool is placed in the formation. The tool comprises a perpendicular antenna set and a parallel antenna set. The perpendicular antenna set comprises at least one transmitter antenna oriented perpendicular to at least one receiver antenna and the parallel antenna set comprises at least one transmitter antenna oriented parallel to at least one receiver antenna. Data is obtained from the tool and used to determine a compensated geosignal for each of the perpendicular antenna set and the parallel antenna set. The determined compensated geosignal is used to characterize the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shanjun Li, Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Michael Bittar
  • Publication number: 20150039231
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to calculate a map that transforms fast modeled measurement results into accurate modeled measurement results within a modeled data space, to make actual measurements using a tool disposed in a borehole, to transform a plurality of modeling parameter vectors into the fast modeled measurement results via modeling, to transform the fast modeled measurement results into the accurate modeled measurement results using the map, to locate a matching modeling parameter vector as one of the plurality of modeling parameter vectors that matches the accurate modeled measurement results to the actual measurement, and to display at least a portion of the matching modeling parameter vector to represent at least one property of a geological formation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Ferhat Turker Celepcikay, Burkay Donderici, Luis Emilio San Martin, Junsheng Hou
  • Publication number: 20150032375
    Abstract: A method for obtaining gain corrected triaxial electromagnetic propagation measurements with an offset correction includes deploying an electromagnetic logging tool in a subterranean borehole. The logging tool includes at least first and second axially spaced triaxial transmitters and at least first and second axially spaced triaxial receivers. A plurality of full tensor voltage measurements may be acquired and processed tensor term by tensor term to obtain a full tensor, gain corrected quantity. The processing may optionally include (i) removing a full tensor voltage offset from the acquired full tensor voltage measurements to obtain a corresponding plurality of offset corrected voltage tensors and (ii) processing the offset corrected voltage tensor term by tensor term to obtain the full tensor, gain and offset corrected quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Bertrand, Dean M. Homan, Mark Frey, Luc Argentier
  • Publication number: 20150032376
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to provide a skin-effect correction. The skin-effect correction can be based on a pre-calculated correction coefficient library. In various embodiments, a skin-effect correction procedure can be applied that only uses a single-frequency R-signal measurement. In addition, an embodiment of a skin-effect correction procedure using a single-frequency R-signal measurement can be applied whenever the quality of the data from one of the multiple frequencies normally used in a multi-frequency method is reliable. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Junsheng Hou, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 8942925
    Abstract: A method of determining the dielectric constant of a formation, comprising acquiring phase-related and amplitude-related measurements for electromagnetic signals propagating though the formation from a transmitter to a receiver; deriving a complex-valued quantity comprising terms relating to the phase shift and attenuation of the signals; defining a one-component complex-valued relationship relating the phase shift, attenuation and complex dielectric constant; and using the derived complex-valued quantity in the defined relationship to obtain a calculated value of the complex dielectric constant. An apparatus for determining the dielectric constant of a formation, comprises a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic signals into the formation; a receiver for receiving the electromagnetic signals that have propagated from the transmitter through the formation; and means for determining the dielectric constant of the formation in accordance with a method according to the first aspect of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Luling
  • Patent number: 8942941
    Abstract: An apparatus for modifying an output signal indicative of a downhole parameter that may include a carrier conveyable in a wellbore; a negative error compensator; and an output signal device. The negative error compensator may be configured to modify the output of the device to increase or decrease a characteristic of the output signal from the output signal device. Also, a method for modifying an output signal indicative of a downhole parameter that may include modifying a characteristic of an output signal produced by a output signal device in a wellbore using a negative error compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanislav W. Forgang, Luis M. Pelegri
  • Publication number: 20150012217
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating standoff and/or caliper in a wellbore for oil-based mud drilling are provided. The systems include a sensor having a primary electrode and at least two secondary electrodes, and an electronics subsystem having a controller and a processor for driving the system and correlating current measurements with standoff and/or caliper. The electrodes are positioned relative to one another such that there is a distinct flow of current between the primary electrode and each secondary electrode. In operation, a single excitation frequency is applied to the primary electrode and a simultaneous measurement of current flowing between the primary electrode and each secondary electrode is obtained. Standoff is estimated from the measurements. The estimations can be independent of formation properties when an appropriate excitation frequency is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Emmanuel Legendre
  • Publication number: 20150012216
    Abstract: An oil-based mud formation imaging tool for measuring electrical properties of surrounding formation includes at least one base plate, a first port and a second port deployed on the base plate, surface conductors covering both sides of the base plate, and inside conductors deployed in the first port and the second ports and with gaps from the edges of the first and second ports. The first port is fed with electromagnetic signals by a waveguide and a coupling is formed between the imaging tool and the surrounding formation accordingly. Resonance signals are induced at the second port to be used to compute corresponding formation resistivity and dielectric constant. A corresponding imaging method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Yue Liu, Qingjie Bai, Qihui Zhao, Yuzhou Lu, Tao Huang, Zhong Wang, Suming Wu, Ce Liu
  • Publication number: 20150006081
    Abstract: A computer-based method includes receiving a first data set of electrical resistivity measurements from a plurality of electrodes arranged to measure electrical resistivity in or around a subsurface area of interest using a first set of acquisition parameters, processing, with one or more computer-based processors, the first data set of electrical resistivity measurements using a first set of processing parameters to produce a first multi-dimensional model of electrical resistivity in the subsurface area of interest; and modifying one or more of the acquisition parameters or one or more of the processing parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Roelof Jan Versteeg
  • Patent number: 8917094
    Abstract: Downhole tools and techniques acquire information regarding nearby conductors such as pipes, well casing, and conductive formations. At least some method embodiments provide a current flow along a drill string in a borehole. The current flow disperses into the surrounding formation and causes a secondary current flow in the nearby conductor. The magnetic field from the secondary current flow can be detected using one or more azimuthally-sensitive antennas. Direction and distance estimates may be obtainable from the azimuthally-sensitive measurements, and can be used as the basis for steering the drillstring relative to the distant conductor. Possible techniques for providing current flow in the drillstring include imposing a voltage across an insulated gap or using a toroid around the drillstring to induce the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Jing Li
  • Publication number: 20140372040
    Abstract: A method for logging a formation or sample includes obtaining a plurality of multiaxial conductivity measurements from the formation or sample. A horizontal resistivity measurement, a dip measurement and a dip azimuth measurement are derived from the plurality of multiaxial conductivity measurements. A sharp vertical resistivity measurement is derived from a subset of the plurality of multiaxial conductivity measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Gong Li Wang, Thomas D. Barber, Charles A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140368197
    Abstract: A resistivity measuring tool used in a drillstring having a drill bit on a distal end for drilling a wellbore in a formation includes a tool body having a longitudinal axis, a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore, at least one axial antenna including a wire winding for generating an axial magnetic moment parallel with the longitudinal axis, and at least one transverse antenna. The transverse antenna includes an antenna body disposed within a pocket extending radially inward from an outer surface of the tool body and one or more turns of wire wound around the antenna body, the wire winding generating a transverse magnetic moment orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Tsili WANG
  • Patent number: 8901931
    Abstract: A method for water monitoring about a deviated well is disclosed. The method includes positioning a series of electromagnetic (EM) receivers in a completed deviated wellbore, said receivers being spaced along substantially the length of the well located in a region of a reservoir to be monitored. The method also includes positioning an electromagnetic (EM) source at a first Earth surface location. Then the EM source is activated for a first survey measurement of the reservoir, and an EM field detected at each EM receiver is recorded. The EM source is moved to a second Earth surface location, and activated for a second survey measurement of the reservoir, and an EM field detected at each EM receiver is recorded. From the first and second survey measurements at each of the receivers, an inversion is performed to determine position of water about (and specifically below) the horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Cengiz Esmersoy
  • Publication number: 20140350858
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire formation signals from a deep measurement electromagnetic antenna array, where values of the formation signals depend on properties of a geological formation. Formation signals may also be acquired from an at-bit resistivity (ABR) sensor, where the ABR sensor comprises a drill bit electrically coupled to a toroid or to multiple electrodes, the electrodes separated by at least one gap. Further activities may include inverting the values of the formation signals to transform the values into an enhanced resistivity measurement for the geological formation, wherein the inverting comprises determining at least one of relative distance between layers of the geological formation, relative orientation of the layers to a housing, or a resistivity gradient of the layers, wherein the layers are not locally penetrated by the bit. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Burkay Donderici
  • Publication number: 20140350859
    Abstract: A method of estimating formation parameters in a directional drilling process by acquiring electromagnetic logging while drilling (LWD) measurements over a non-uniform forward modeling grid and inverting, using a pixel-based inversion method, the LWD measurements over a uniform inversion grid. The inversion algorithm may be applied using a sliding window scheme that allows the formation parameters to be estimated independently and in parallel across a plurality of overlapping windows which span the entirety of the inversion grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Yun Lin, Aria Abubakar, Tarek M. Habashy
  • Patent number: 8892362
    Abstract: A technique provides a methodology for improving surveys of subterranean regions. The methodology comprises estimating macro anisotropy and an intrinsic or micro anisotropy of an overburden. A surface electromagnetic survey is conducted, and the data from the survey is inverted based on or including information gained from estimating the macro anisotropy and/or intrinsic anisotropy. A processor system can be used to conduct the inversion with the adjustments for anisotropy to improve the information provided by the survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Brady, Andrew Hawthorn, John P. Horkowitz, Jean Seydoux, Jacques R. Tabanou, Jian Yang, David L. Alumbaugh
  • Patent number: 8886463
    Abstract: To characterize an earth subterranean structure using a measurement assembly including electromagnetic (EM) receivers and one or more EM sources, measured voltage data collected by EM receivers in response to transmission by one or more EM sources is received. Based on a model, predicted EM data is computed. Inversion is iteratively performed according to a function that computes a difference between the measured voltage data and a product of a term containing the predicted EM data and a term containing distortion data that accounts at least for distortion effect by an environment of the measurement assembly. The inversion is iteratively performed to solve for parameters of the model and the distortion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Aria Abubakar, Tarek Habashy, David Alumbaugh, Ping Zhang, Guozhong Gao, Jianguo Liu
  • Publication number: 20140324353
    Abstract: Various resistivity logging tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. At least some system embodiments include a logging tool and at least one processor. The logging tool provides transmitter-receiver coupling measurements that include at least direct coupling along the longitudinal tool axis (Czz), direct coupling along the perpendicular axis (Cxx or Cyy), and cross coupling along the longitudinal and perpendicular axes (Cxz, Cyz, Czx, or Czy). The processor combines a plurality of the coupling measurements to obtain inversion parameters. Based at least in part on the inversion parameter, the processor performs an inversion process to determine a vertical conductivity and, based in part on the vertical conductivity, determines borehole corrected values for said transmitter-receiver coupling measurements. One or more of the borehole corrected values can be provided as a function of borehole position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Junsheng Hou, Luis E. San Martin, Dagang Wu
  • Patent number: 8862405
    Abstract: A method and system for producing look-ahead profiles measurements includes positioning an energy transmitter, such as a transmitting antenna, proximate to a borehole assembly tool. One or more energy receivers, such as receiving antennas, are positioned along a length of the borehole assembly. Next, energy is transmitted to produce look-ahead scans relative to the borehole assembly tool. Look-ahead graph data with an x-axis being a function of a time relative to the position of the borehole assembly tool is generated. The look-ahead graph is produced and displayed on a display device. The look-ahead graph may track estimated formation values based on earth models. The estimated formation values are displayed below a tool position history line that is part of the look-ahead graph. The estimated formation values in the look-ahead graph may be based on inversions of resistivity data from the look-ahead scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Seydoux, Andrei I. Davydychev, Denis Heliot, Bennett N. Nicholas
  • Patent number: 8862406
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for reducing current leakage between a measure electrode and a logging tool body during borehole investigations in an earth formation involving electric current and non-conductive drilling fluid. The apparatus may include one or more transmitters disposed on a pad body, configured to inject an electric current into the earth formation, and coupled to the mandrel and one or more measure electrodes. The measure electrodes may be configured to receive current from the formation and coupled to a back plate of the pad body. The apparatus may be configured to maintain a selected ratio between pad body to logging tool body impedance and transmitters to logging tool body impedance sufficient to reduce current leakage between the earth formation and the logging tool body. The transmitter/mandrel and measure electrode/back plate may be electrically isolated from one another. The method may include using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, David R. Beard, Fei Le
  • Patent number: 8849572
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the concentration of a conductive fluid present in a fluid filled bore hole is described. Such apparatus are known as water hold-up meters and are frequently used in oil, gas and water filled bore holes. In bore hole applications, data bandwidth between a down hole device and the surface can be limited, while determining water hold-up based on down hole measurements can be data intensive. A technique is proposed for calculating the water hold up that requires less data to be transmitted between the down hole device and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Guy Harvey Mason, James Andrew Gulliver, Derek George Hayes, Paul Franklin Steel, Kenneth Tomkins, Andrew John Stevens
  • Patent number: 8838389
    Abstract: Various techniques for generating a polar display include a method, which involves receiving information identifying a formation property of an anomaly within a geologic formation from a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool that includes several sensors. The formation property is identified by at least one magnitude and at least one distance. The formation property is also identified relative to a corresponding property of the geologic formation. The method also involves receiving information identifying an azimuthal angle from the MWD tool, where the azimuthal angle relates a position of the anomalous formation to a position of a first sensor. The method then generates a graphic, based upon the at least one magnitude and the at least one distance and the azimuthal angle, and displays the graphic on a polar display, in which a center of the polar display corresponds to a location of the borehole in which the MWD tool is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: CBG Corporation
    Inventors: Paul L. Sinclair, Thomas A. Springer, Joseph K. Clontz
  • Publication number: 20140257703
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for logging a formation by combining results for a zero-dimensional inversion of conductivity measurements with results for a higher-order inversion of a subset of the conductivity measurement. The higher order inversion can include a 1D-radial portion and a 1D-axial portion. The combined results can include formation characteristics such as Rh, Rv, dip, and azimuth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Thomas D. Barber
  • Publication number: 20140257702
    Abstract: Continuous capillary pressure (Pc) curves of subsurface rock formations adjacent wells are determined based on translation relaxation time (T2) data from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and from wireline well logs, such as resistivity logs, to obtain water saturation (Sw) of the rock in the formations. The T2 data and the hydrocarbon density, water density, free water level, and paleo-water level of the formation are processed to obtain parameters of Thomeer hyperbolas that closely conform to water saturation values obtained from the other well logs. The Thomeer hyperbolas so determined are converted to capillary pressure curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Al-Ibrahim, Mokhles Mustapha Mezghani, Johannes Jacobus Buiting
  • Patent number: 8829907
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus having: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a transmitter disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy at a first frequency into the formation; a first antenna disposed at the carrier and configured to receive electromagnetic signals from the formation as a result of the transmitted electromagnetic energy interacting with the formation; and an active filter coupled to the antenna and configured to filter electromagnetic signals received by the antenna to let the electromagnetic signals at the first frequency pass for processing to estimate the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Signorelli, Sheng Fang, Samuel Bell
  • Publication number: 20140249754
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of operation with respect to well logging. Apparatus and methods can include a tool having an arrangement of spaced apart transmitter antennas and receiver antennas in transmitter-receiver antenna pairs to make shallow measurements and deep measurements. The signals acquired from the shallow measurements and deep measurements can be processed to provide a look-ahead signal in a drilling operation. The transmitter and receiver antennas can be oriented to cancel or substantially cancel out signals from layers between the transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna in response to the transmitter being operated downhole in a well. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Michael S. Bittar
  • Publication number: 20140244174
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to detect and locate conductive structures below the earth's surface. Tools can be configured with receiving sensors arranged to receive signals generated from a conductive structure in response to a current flowing on the conductive structure. Magnetic-related values from the signals can be processed, relative to the tool, to determine a position of a conductive structure from which the signal was generated in response to current flowing on the conductive structure. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Shanjun Li, Michael S. Bittar, Dagang Wu
  • Publication number: 20140244175
    Abstract: A method and system to compensate for inaccuracies in crosswell tomography is presented. The method includes obtaining data from at least two receivers in response to transmissions from at least two transmitters. Next, at least one compensated value is derived based on the responses of the receivers to the transmitters. Finally, an inversion is performed based at least in part on the compensated value derived. This method eliminates inaccuracies that can be caused by sensor gain and phase variations in the inversion process. Inversion results with gain and phase compensation produce better imaging results that can better help determine the shape and boundaries of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner, Michael S. Bittar, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 8816689
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting reservoir data. The method includes providing one or more electromagnetic sources for generating an electromagnetic field in a reservoir and providing one or more electromagnetic sensors equipped with capacitive electrodes. The electromagnetic source is located separately from the electromagnetic sensor. The electromagnetic sensor may either be located within a well or at the surface, is capable of measuring the electromagnetic field in three dimensions, and may be isolated from the well fluids. The data collected by the electromagnetic sensors can be used to create a model of the oil reservoir, including the water saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Timothy H. Keho, Michael Anthony Jervis, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 8812237
    Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter characteristic of a rock formation is provided, the method including the steps of obtaining crosswell electromagnetic signals between two wells and using an inversion of said signals to investigate or delineate the presence of a resistivity anomaly, such as brine in a low resistivity background, wherein the resistivity anomaly is assumed to be distributed as one or more bodies characterized by a limited number of geometrical parameters and the inversion is used to determine said geometrical parameters. The method can also be applied to determine the trajectory of an in-fill well to be drilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Wilt, Alberto Marsala, Steve Crary, Saleh B. Al-Ruwaili, Tarek M. Habashy, Shouxiang Ma
  • Patent number: 8812282
    Abstract: A method for efficient inversion of measured geophysical data from a subsurface region to prospect for hydrocarbons. Gathers of measured data (40) are encoded (60) using a set of non-equivalent encoding functions (30). Then all data records in each encoded gather that correspond to a single receiver are summed (60), repeating for each receiver to generate a simultaneous encoded gather (80). The method employs iterative, local optimization of a cost function to invert the encoded gathers of simultaneous source data. An adjoint method is used to calculate the gradients of the cost function needed for the local optimization process (100). The inverted data yields a physical properties model (110) of the subsurface region that, after iterative updating, can indicate presence of accumulations of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jerome R. Krebs, David L. Hinkley
  • Publication number: 20140229112
    Abstract: Adsorbed gas in a formation may be estimated. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data for a subsurface geological formation is obtained, and at least a portion of the NMR data is corrected to produce corrected NMR data. A NMR-based estimate of formation porosity is determined using the corrected NMR data. Dielectric permittivity data for the subsurface geological formation is obtained, and a dielectric permittivity-based estimate of the formation water-filled porosity is determined using the dielectric permittivity data. A gas volume is determined using the determined NMR-based estimate of the formation porosity and the determined dielectric permittivity-based estimate of the formation water-filled porosity. The gas volume may be determined by subtracting the determined dielectric permittivity-based estimate of the formation water-filled porosity from the determined NMR-based estimate of the formation porosity. The gas volume per unit volume of the formation may be determined using an equation of state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ashish Datey, Timothy Andrew John Hopper, Lalitha Venkataramanan
  • Patent number: 8803527
    Abstract: A multicomponent induction logging tool uses a nonconducting mandrel. A central conducting member including wires that electrically connect at least one of the antennas to another of the antennas. Electrodes disposed about the transmitter antenna form a conductive path through a borehole fluid to the central conducting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael B. Rabinovich, Alexandre N. Bespalov, Stanislav W. Forgang
  • Publication number: 20140207382
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for evaluating fluid saturation in an earth formation using complex dielectric permittivity. The method may include estimating fluid saturation using an estimated rate of change at a frequency of an imaginary part of permittivity relative to a real part of permittivity. The method may include performing dielectric permittivity estimates using an electromagnetic tool in a borehole. The apparatus may include the electromagnetic tool and at least one processor configured to store information obtained by the electromagnetic tool in a memory. The at least one processor may also be configured to estimate the fluid saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Vitaly N. Dorovsky, Denis N. Gapeyev, Timofey Eltsov
  • Patent number: 8786288
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole. The method includes conveying a carrier through the borehole and performing a plurality of electrical measurements on the formation using a sensor disposed at the carrier and having a plurality of electrodes disposed in a concentric arrangement wherein a standoff distance between the sensor and a wall of the borehole has an influence on each electrical measurement in the plurality of electrical measurements. The method further includes determining an impedance for each electrical measurement in the plurality of electrical measurements and inputting the determined impedances into an artificial neural network implemented by a processor. The artificial neural network outputs the property wherein the outputted property compensates for the influence of sensor standoff distance on each electrical measurement in the plurality of electrical measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthias Gorek, Gregory B. Itskovich, Frank Daschner, Reinhard Knöchel, Assol Kavtorina
  • Patent number: 8788208
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating a pore pressure of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole and an associated uncertainty. The method includes: conveying a carrier through the borehole; performing formation measurements relating to porosity 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 comprising a first set of formation measurement points and the second depth interval comprising a second set of formation measurement points; establishing a plurality of trendlines of depth versus porosity-related measurements using a processor with each trendline in the plurality of trendlines extending from a point in the first depth interval through a point in the second depth interval; and calculating a pore pressure line and associated uncertainty using the plurality of trendlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stefan Wessling, Jianyong Pei