| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080225640 | Fracture Cluster Mapping - Method for identifying one or more fracture clusters in an area of interest. In one implementation, the method may include determining a first inclination of each fracture cluster using borehole data. The first inclination refers to a first average angle with respect to horizontal. The method may further include extracting a first set of fracture clusters from seismic data using a filter based on the first inclination and a strike azimuth of each fracture cluster. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080247268 | Autonomous Depth Control For Wellbore Equipment - A method for tracking a wellbore tool includes: obtaining a first image of the wellbore using an imager associated with the tool; obtaining a second image of the wellbore using the imager after a selected time period; matching the first image with the second image by shifting one of the first and second images; determining an amount of the shifting; and comparing the amount of the shifting with a reference distance to determine a distance of tool movement. A method for tracking a wellbore tool includes: obtaining an image of a wellbore feature using a first imager associated with the tool; moving the tool in the wellbore; and registering a distance of tool movement when the image of the wellbore feature is detected by a second imager spaced apart from the first imager, wherein the distance of tool movement equals a spacing between the first and second imagers. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080259727 | MICROSEISMIC EVENT DETECTION AND LOCATION BY CONTINUOUS MAP MIGRATION - The present invention provides methods and systems for microseismic hydraulic fracture monitoring in real-time. The methods and systems of the present invention may include continuous map migration of recorded microseismic signals. The methods and systems provide robust automated simultaneous detection and location of microseismic events. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080316860 | Borehole Seismic Acquisition System - A borehole seismic acquisition system is described with a plurality of sensors arranged so as to identify within the data measured by the pressure sensors P- and S-wave related signals converted at the boundary of the borehole into pressure waves, the sensors being best arranged in groups or clusters sensitive to pressure gradients in one or more directions. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090010102 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A SEISMIC WAVE VELOCITY MODEL ACCORDING TO INFORMATION RECORDED IN WELLS - The invention is a method for defining the development conditions of a hydrocarbon reservoir by updating a velocity model by means of log data. A first seismic depth image representative of the reservoir is established by using seismic data and a velocity model. A series of log data is acquired from wells. Differences between seismic reflector depths observed in the first seismic depth image and depths for these reflectors identified in the wells are measured. The velocity model is modified to minimize these errors, using a prestack kinematic inversion technique allowing constraints to be taken into account. A new seismic depth image from which the development conditions of the hydrocarbon reservoir are determined is deduced therefrom. The invention has application for hydrocarbon reservoir development. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090034366 | VSP Pattern Recognition in Absolute Time - A procedure to determine VSP-WD (Vertical Seismic Profiling—While Drilling) first breaks in absolute time is described. By combining a seismic surface source and firing complex seismic pattern unique in time (with a highly accurate surface—downhole time reference system), an automatic downhole procedure for first break detection on the downhole data, even under harsh conditions (low signal to noise ratio), is established. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72( | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090086574 | Superheterodyne seismic vibrator and method - A seismic energy source includes at least a first and a second acoustic radiator operatively coupled to a non-linear medium proximate an upper limit of formations in the Earth's subsurface. The first and second acoustic radiators are configured to convert electrical energy directly into acoustic energy. The source includes means for operating the first and the second acoustic radiator at respective first and second frequencies. The first and second frequencies are selected such that substantially no acoustic energy propagates through the non-linear medium. The first and the second frequencies are selected such that a difference therebetween is swept through a range of frequencies of seismic energy capable of propagating through the Earth's subsurface to at least one acoustic impedance boundary within the Earth's subsurface. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090129203 | MONOPOLE ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF PIEZOELECTRIC DISCS - A monopole acoustic transmitter with at least one disc assembly with a plurality of piezoelectric discs configured to optimized acoustic pressure output within a desired frequency range while meeting physical restrictions of LWD and MWD logging systems. The transmitter is disposed in a recess or “slot” in the perimeter of a logging tool housing to reduce acoustic pressure waves transmitted directly along the tool housing and to optimize acoustic energy transmission into the borehole environs. In order to increase acoustic pressure output at a desired logging frequency range, the plurality of piezoelectric discs in each of at least one disc assembly are connected electrically in parallel and fired simultaneously. The polarity of the discs and the wiring arrangement are such that each disc expands or contracts in a common direction during simultaneous firing by an applied voltage. The desired output frequency is obtained by selectively polarizing and dimensioning the discs within the one or more disc assemblies. Each disc assembly is preferably disposed within an oil filled pressure housing that is pressure and temperature compensated. The axis of the at least one disc assembly can be parallel or perpendicular to the major axis of the logging tool. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090154290 | METHOD FOR ENHANCING LOW FREQUENCY OUTPUT OF IMPULSIVE TYPE SEISMIC ENERGY SOURCES AND ITS APPLICATION TO A SEISMIC ENERGY SOURCE FOR USE WHILE DRILLING - A method for operating an impulsive type seismic energy source in a firing sequence having at least two actuations for each seismic impulse to be generated by the source. The actuations have a time delay between them related to a selected energy frequency peak of the source output. One example of the method is used for generating seismic signals in a wellbore and includes discharging electric current through a spark gap disposed in the wellbore in at least one firing sequence. The sequence includes at least two actuations of the spark gap separated by an amount of time selected to cause acoustic energy resulting from the actuations to have peak amplitude at a selected frequency. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090185445 | BOREHOLE APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTIMODE EXCITATION AND RECEPTION TO DETERMINE ELASTIC WAVE VELOCITIES, ELASTIC MODULII, DEGREE OF ANISOTROPY AND ELASTIC SYMMETRY CONFIGURATIONS - An acoustic borehole logging system for generation and detection of multipole modes used to determine elastic properties of earth formations characterized as inhomogeneous anisotropic solids. The system concurrently generates and senses monopole, dipole, quadrupole and any higher order pole in the borehole/formation system in order to characterize the elastic properties and stress state of material penetrated by the borehole. Multipole modes of all orders are induced simultaneously without the need for separate transmitter and receiver systems. Performance of the logging system is not compromised due to eccentering of the axis of the tool in the borehole, tool tilt with respect to the axis of the borehole, or mismatch of response sensitivity of multiple receivers within the tool. The system comprises apparatus for generating and sensing acoustic signals in a borehole in an earth formation, and further comprises a processing method by which the sensor response signals are processed and analyzed to obtain desired formation parameters of interest. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20100002540 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM ABOREHOLE, AND APPLICATION THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a device, positioned within a well bore, configured to generate and direct an acoustic beam into a rock formation around a borehole is disclosed. The device comprises a source configured to generate a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency; a transducer configured to receive the generated first and the second signals and produce acoustic waves at the first frequency and the second frequency; and a non-linear material, coupled to the transducer, configured to generate a collimated beam with a frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency by a non-linear mixing process, wherein the non-linear material includes one or more of a mixture of liquids, a solid, a granular material, embedded microspheres, or an emulsion. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100020638 | MONOPOLE ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER RING COMPRISING PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A monopole acoustic transmitter for logging-while-drilling comprising as a ring that comprises one or more piezoelectric arc segments. The ring is oriented in a plane whose normal is essentially coincident with the major axis of a logging tool in which it is disposed. The ring disposed within a recess on the outer surface of a short, cylindrical insert. The insert is inserted into a drill collar, rather than into the wall of the collar. The ring can comprise a continuous ring of piezoelectric material, or alternately arc segments or active ring segments of piezoelectric ceramic bonded to segments of other materials such as alumina to increase the frequency or heavy metals such as tungsten to reduce the frequency. The material and dimensions of the material used in-between the piezoelectric segments is chosen to alter the frequency of the ring. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100027376 | Optimizing Seismic Processing and Amplitude Inversion Utilizing Statistical Comparisons of Seismic to Well Control Data - A method for obtaining enhanced seismic data and optimized inverted reflectivities includes computing statistical well characterizations based upon band-limited well reflectivities for a subsurface region. Sets of processed seismic data are computed by applying differing processing sequences to seismic data corresponding to the subsurface region. Inverted reflectivities are computed by inverting the sets of processed seismic data. Statistical seismic characterizations are computed based upon the inverted reflectivities. Statistical difference measurements (SDMs) are computed between the statistical well and seismic characterizations. An optimal processing sequence is selected based upon the computed SDMs. Enhanced seismic data is obtained by processing the seismic data corresponding to the subsurface region. An optimal seismic inversion algorithm is obtained based upon the computed SDMs. The seismic data is inverted using the optimal seismic inversion algorithm to produce a set of optimized inverted reflectivities. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100142319 | Electromagnetic Linear Drive Source for Logging-While-Drilling/Wireline Acoustic Applications - An apparatus and method for providing a downhole acoustic source is disclosed. The acoustic source includes a piston configured to oscillate in an axial direction of the acoustic source and produce an acoustic signal in a medium in contact with an exterior surface of the piston, and an elastomer disposed on an interior side of the piston, an acoustic impedance of the elastomer selected to match an acoustic impedance of the piston. A permanent magnet is configured to provide a permanent magnetic field oriented in the axial direction, and a coil disposed on an interior side of the piston produces an alternating magnetic field in the region of the permanent magnetic field. The elastomer may be, for example, a silicon rubber, a silicone jelly, and a silicone oil. A plurality of acoustic sources may be arranged to produce an acoustic dipole configuration or an acoustic quadrupole configuration. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100149913 | ANALYSIS OF FRACTURE NETWORKS - A method of analysing the dynamic behaviour of fracture networks in a seismic volume is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of seismic time lapse vintages of the same geological volume; identifying and parameterising fractures within fracture networks of each vintage; determining one or more distributions of fracture parameters for the fracture networks of each vintage; and identifying changes to the fracture networks by comparing corresponding distributions across the vintages. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100165788 | ACOUSTIC TRANSCEIVER ASSEMBLY WITH BLOCKING ELEMENT - An acoustic transceiver assembly including a housing, an oscillator, and a blocking element. The housing has at least one inner wall defining a cavity. The cavity has a first end and a second end defining an axis of said acoustic transceiver assembly. The oscillator is provided in said cavity. The oscillator is provided with a transducer element, and a backing mass positioned adjacent to the transducer element. A blocking element is positioned inside the cavity and adjacent to the oscillator. The blocking element is adapted to restrain a portion of said backing mass at a first pressure to thereby restrain the backing mass from lateral movement relative to the axis of the acoustic transceiver assembly. The blocking element is also adapted to release the backing mass at a second pressure. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100195436 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DEPLOYING SEISMIC DEVICES - Methods and systems for acoustically determining reservoir parameters of subterranean formations. A tool comprising at least one seismic source or seismic receiver mounted thereon; a conveyance configured for movement of the acoustic tool in a borehole traversing the subterranean formations; and a source retainer configured or designed for permanent deployment in the borehole to removably retain the acoustic tool in the borehole. The source retainer when deployed provides acoustic coupling with the borehole and removably retains the acoustic tool in the borehole so that, over multiple deployments, the acoustic tool is repeatedly deployed at the same predetermined location and orientation relative to the subterranean formation, and with the same acoustic coupling to the borehole. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100238763 | SINGLE WELL RESERVOIR CHARACTERIZATION APPARATUS AND METHODS - An apparatus and a method for characterizing parts of a reservoir surrounding a borehole are provided including using at least one transmitter to emit a probing signal into the borehole and at least one receiver to receive a signal representing a response of the formation to the probing signal, with the distance separating the transmitter and the receiver being variable while suspended in the borehole using for example an apparatus which can be decoupled in the borehole into a stationary and a mobile section, carrying transmitter and receiver. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100238764 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE GEO-STRESSES REGIME FACTOR Q FROM BOREHOLE SONIC MEASUREMENT MODELING - Methods and systems for analyzing subterranean formations in-situ stress are disclosed. A method for extracting geological horizon on-demand from a 3D seismic data set, comprises receiving sonic log data; computing the anisotropic shear moduli C | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100296366 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEISMIC SIGNAL DETECTION - Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. An electrical current is applied to a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is located at a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor to compensate for gravitational acceleration. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100315899 | SELF-STABILIZING DYNAMIC DIAPHRAGM FOR BROAD BANDWIDTH ACOUSTIC ENERGY SOURCE - An apparatus for estimating a property in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus having: a carrier configured to be disposed in the borehole; and an acoustic transducer disposed at the carrier and configured to at least one of transmit and receive an acoustic wave used to estimate the property, the acoustic transducer comprising an acoustic diaphragm; wherein the acoustic diaphragm includes a surface in communication with a plurality of structural members configured to increase the rigidity of the surface, the surface being configured to interface with a medium that propagates the acoustic wave. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100322029 | SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a device, positioned within a well bore, configured to generate and direct an acoustic beam into a rock formation around a borehole is disclosed. The device comprises a source configured to generate a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency; a transducer configured to receive the generated first and the second signals and produce acoustic waves at the first frequency and the second frequency; and a non-linear material, coupled to the transducer, configured to generate a collimated beam with a frequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency by a non-linear mixing process, wherein the non-linear material includes one or more of a mixture of liquids, a solid, a granular material, embedded microspheres, or an emulsion. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110085415 | METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING SEISMIC DATA RECORDED BY TWO OR MORE SEPARATE RECORDING SYSTEMS - A method for synchronizing recordings of seismic sensor signals between at least two time indexed recording units includes cross-correlating signals recorded by each of a first and a second recording unit from a same reference sensor. The reference sensor is deployed proximate a subsurface volume to be evaluated and generates at least one of an optical and an electrical signal in response to seismic amplitude. Peaks in a power spectrum of the cross correlated signals are determined. The reference signals recorded by each of the first and second recording units are notch filtered using at least one notch frequency selected from the power spectrum. The notch filtered reference signals are cross correlated and a time offset between recordings made by the first recording unit and the second recording unit is determined from the cross-correlated, notch filtered signals. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110170372 | WALKAWAY VSP CALIBRATED SONIC LOGS - Methods and related systems are described relating to processing subsurface sonic and seismic data. The described techniques use anisotropy estimates derived from a walkaway VSP to calibrate elastic properties derived from sonic logs. An empirical relationship between the sonic derived anisotropy parameters is modified until the upscaled elastic properties from the sonic log data best matches the anisotropy parameters measured with the walkway VSP. The result is a set of elastic constants consistent with the walkaway VSP measurements. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110182141 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A LOGGING TOOL POSITION IN A BOREHOLE - The invention relates to the area of borehole acoustics, in particular, to monitoring a logging tool position in a borehole, namely detection and estimation of a borehole logging tool eccentricity based on the measurement and analysis of mixed surface waves waveforms. The method is characterized by the steps of registering acoustic signals generated by passage of acoustic waves in the borehole while logging and detecting the misalignment of the logging tool to the axis of the borehole by the presence of mixed surface waves. A system for monitoring a logging tool position in a borehole comprising means for registering acoustic signals generated by passage of acoustic waves while logging and data processing means for detecting mixed surface waves propagating along the borehole wall. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110222368 | Detecting Seismic Data in a Wellbore - In one general embodiment, a seismic tool system includes a cable adapted to be deployed within a borehole; and one or more seismic tools suspendable from the cable in the borehole. At least one of the seismic tools includes at least one seismic sensor enclosed within a housing; one or more rollers attached to the housing and adapted to engage the borehole; and a bow spring attached to the housing and including one or more rollers adapted to engage the borehole. The one or more of the rollers are in acoustic communication with the seismic sensor. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110267921 | MULTICOMPONENT SEISMIC INVERSION OF VSP DATA - A method for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield. The method includes obtaining an initial velocity model of a subterranean formation including acoustic velocities of wave propagation in proximity to the wellbore, determining an acquisition geometry for obtaining the VSP data including receiver locations within the wellbore and a source location, performing a seismic survey to obtain the VSP data based on the acquisition geometry, analyzing arrival signals of the VSP data to generate transit time data for wave propagation from the source location to the receiver locations, modifying the initial velocity model to generate an updated velocity model by performing a tomographic inversion of the transit time data, generating an elastic model of the subterranean formation by performing the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the updated velocity model, and adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267922 | MECHANICAL TUBE WAVE SOURCES AND METHODS OF USE FOR LIQUID FILLED BOREHOLES - The current application discloses methods and systems for generating mechanical tube waves in fluid filled boreholes penetrating subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the system of the current application comprises an energy storage chamber; a fast operating valve connected to the energy storage chamber; a pipe connected to the valve and extending to the liquid-filled borehole; where said energy storage chamber contains a first pressure that is substantially different from a second pressure in the pipe so that a fast operation of the valve generates a tube wave in the pipe. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110280101 | UNIPOLE AND BIPOLE ACOUSTIC LOGGING WHILE DRILLING TOOLS - An acoustic logging while drilling tool includes a single unipole acoustic transmitter longitudinally and azimuthally spaced apart from a single linear array of unipole acoustic receivers. In certain preferred embodiments, the linear array of unipole receivers is azimuthally spaced apart from the unipole transmitter by about either 90 or 180 degrees. A bipole logging while drilling tool includes two unipole acoustic transmitters and two linear arrays of unipole acoustic receivers. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110286304 | Downhole Acoustic Emission Formation Sampling - A method, system and apparatus for testing properties of a rock formation surrounding a wellbore in situ. The apparatus includes a tool body, one or more indenters, and one or more acoustic sensors. The body includes an outer surface that defines one or more cavities therein. Each cavity extends into the body. Each indenter is positioned within a corresponding cavity and is positionable into an operating position and a non-operating position. The acoustic sensor is positioned within the cavity and adjacent to the indenter. The indenter is positioned at least partially beyond the outer surface when in the operating position. The acoustic sensor senses one or more acoustic events occurring when the indenter is in the operating position. The apparatus is inserted into the wellbore. Once inserted, the indenter applies a load onto the rock formation causing cracking and the sensor receives the generated acoustic transmissions. The transmissions are analyzed. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110292763 | DETECTION OF SEISMIC SIGNALS USING FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED SENSORS - A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120014214 | TIME REVERSE IMAGING OPERATORS FOR SOURCE LOCATION WITH BOREHOLE DATA - A method and system for processing synchronous array seismic data includes acquiring synchronous passive seismic data from a plurality of sensors to obtain synchronized array measurements. A reverse-time data propagation process is applied to the synchronized array measurements to obtain a plurality of dynamic particle parameters associated with subsurface locations. Imaging conditions are applied to the dynamic particle parameters to obtain image values associated with subsurface energy source locations. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120026831 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING FORMATION ANISOTROPY WHILE DRILLING - A logging system for measuring anisotrophic properties of the materials penetrated by a borehole. A downhole or “logging tool” element of the system comprises a source section that comprises either a unipole or a dipole acoustic source. The receiver section comprises a plurality of receiver stations disposed at different axial spacings from the acoustic source. Each receiver station comprises one or more acoustic receivers. The system requires that the source and receiver sections rotate synchronously as the logging tool is conveyed along the borehole. Receiver responses are measured in a plurality of azimuthal angle segments and processed as a function of rotation angle of the tool. The logging system can be embodied as a logging-while-drilling system, a measurement-while-drilling system, and a wireline system that synchronously rotates source and receiver sections. All embodiments require that the acoustic source operate at a relatively high frequency. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120120761 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION - A system for investigating non-linear properties of a rock formation around a borehole is provided. The system includes a first sub-system configured to perform data acquisition, control and recording of data; a second subsystem in communication with the first sub-system and configured to perform non-linearity and velocity preliminary imaging; a third subsystem in communication with the first subsystem and configured to emit controlled acoustic broadcasts and receive acoustic energy; a fourth subsystem in communication with the first subsystem and the third subsystem and configured to generate a source signal directed towards the rock formation; and a fifth subsystem in communication with the third subsystem and the fourth subsystem and configured to perform detection of signals representative of the non-linear properties of the rock formation. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120762 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEISMIC SIGNAL DETECTION - Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. An electrical current is applied to a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is located at a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor to compensate for gravitational acceleration. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120127827 | TECHNIQUE AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A CROSS WELL SURVEY - A technique includes providing a source in a first well and a seismic receiver in a second well to detect a seismic event that is caused by the source. The technique includes referencing clocks in the source and receiver to a common reference time frame and determining a time in the reference time frame at which the seismic source generates the seismic event. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120182831 | ACOUSTIC VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS USING TILTED TRANSDUCERS - Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to emit acoustic pulses into a drilling fluid in a well bore, using a first acoustic transducer in a downhole tool, and detecting the acoustic pulses after reflection from the wall of the well bore, using a second acoustic transducer in the downhole tool. The faces of the first and second acoustic transducers are non-parallel. Further activities include emitting additional acoustic pulses into the drilling fluid using the second acoustic transducer, and detecting them using the second acoustic transducer. The acoustic velocity of the drilling fluid can be determined based on respective travel times. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120257475 | Optical Fiber Based Downhole Seismic Sensor Systems and Methods - Various optical fiber-based seismic monitoring system embodiments include a light source that drives an optical fiber positioned within a borehole. At least one light sensor analyzes Rayleigh backscattered light to obtain an acoustic signal for each of multiple points along the borehole. One or more processors operate to determine microseismic event direction, distance, and/or intensity based at least in part on phase information of said acoustic signals. The acoustic signal cross-correlations, semblances, or phase-sensitive similarity measures can be determined as a function of scanning direction to accurately determine the relevant microseismic event information. The optical fiber may be positioned in the cemented annulus of a cased borehole having a shape that extends along more than one dimension (e.g., an L-shaped borehole). | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120294115 | AUTOMATIC PROGRAMMED ACQUISITION USING DOWNHOLE SEISMIC SOURCES - The present disclosure relates to making seismic measurements using a seismic source disposed in a wellbore. One or more seismic sources are provided and carried on a conveyance mechanism. One or more seismic receivers are provided and placed on or near the earth's surface, in the same wellbore as the seismic sources, or in another wellbore. The one or more seismic sources are run into and/or out of the wellbore using a controller or sequencer. The one or more seismic sources are positioned, manually or automatically, at one or more locations in the wellbore, using a set of computer-controlled instructions. Seismic measurements are made at the one or more locations by activating the one or more seismic sources and detecting a seismic source signal using the seismic receivers. The receivers may be carried on a conveyance mechanism and their position controlled, manually or automatically, using the set of computer-controlled instructions. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120314537 | Methods and Systems for Seismic Signal Detection - Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. An electrical current is applied to a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is located at a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor to compensate for gravitational acceleration. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120327742 | Borehole Flow Modulator and Inverted Seismic Source Generating System - The present invention relates to the vertical seismic profiling (VSP) of geological formations in which profiling is used to obtain information for performing precise interpretations of geophysical seismic data and better understanding of geophysical information. The disclosure involves using a sound source for generating primary and secondary seismic pulses within well boreholes. The seismic profiling system obtains information regarding a geological formation traversed by a borehole with controllable downhole seismic pulse generators with drill string tool(s). The tool(s) have contact with and are coupled to the formation. A seismic pulsing device (SPD) is attached to a portion of the drill string and a valve controller is used to control opening and closing the valve causing high amplitude short duration ultra wide band pressure pulses, generating primary seismic waves sent into surrounding geological formations. This generates secondary seismic waves received that can be detected by geophones or similar devices. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130044566 | Seismic Source Controller and Display System - A seismic survey system for performing offset borehole seismic survey measurement operations. The system may include a first seismic survey subsystem having a first wireless digital communication device and a second seismic survey subsystem having a second wireless digital communication device and remotely located from the first seismic survey subsystem. The first and second digital communication devices may be configured to provide a digital communication link for transporting digital information between the first seismic survey subsystem and second seismic survey subsystem. The system may be configured to enable a user at the first seismic survey subsystem to remotely modify at least a portion of a first plurality of operating parameters associated with at least one source signal device located at the second seismic survey subsystem. The system may also be configured to utilize GPS information in order to improve accuracy of source signal firing timing synchronization. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130064039 | ACOUSTIC LOGGING WHILE DRILLING TOOL WITH ACTIVE CONTROL OF SOURCE ORIENTATION - The subject disclosure relates to sonic logging while drilling. A transmitter and at least one receiver are mounted on a drill collar for performing sonic investigations of the formation traversing a borehole. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130070560 | Arranging Source-Receiver Orientations to Reduce High-Order Modes in Acoustic Monopole Logging - The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation. The method may include using an acoustic sensor azimuthally positioned relative to a monopole acoustic source to reduce at least one high-order mode due to the monopole acoustic source. The monopole acoustic source may include one or more acoustic elements. The method may include generating a monopole acoustic pulse. The apparatus may include at least one acoustic source element and at least one acoustic sensor disposed on a housing configured for conveyance in a borehole. The at least one acoustic sensor may be azimuthally positioned relative to the at least one acoustic source to reduce at least one high-order mode. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130100768 | SIGNAL STACKING IN FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING - A method for obtaining information about a subsurface formation from acoustic signals that contain information about the subsurface formation, comprises a) transmitting an optical signal into a fiber optic cable ( | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130194892 | Autonomous System for Hydrofracture Monitoring - A system includes a plurality of sensor assemblies that are adapted to be deployed in a wellbore and acquire sensor data indicative of microseismic activity due to a hydraulic fracturing operation in the wellbore. At least one of the sensor assemblies includes a command interface and at least one sensor and is adapted to use the command interface to identify a command stimulus that is communicated downhole and initiate an acquisition by the sensor in response to identifying the command stimulus. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130250722 | SEISMIC METHODS AND SYSTEMS EMPLOYING FLANK ARRAYS IN WELL TUBING - Systems and method described herein provide for obtaining information which can be used to create a seismic image of a portion of the earth surrounding a well. A device for obtaining information for creating a seismic image proximate a well includes at least one set of acoustic transducers mounted to an exterior surface of a well tubing and configured to transmit at least one acoustic signal, at least one set of hydrophones mounted to the exterior surface of the well tubing and configured to receive at least one reflected acoustic signal; and a cable configured to convey information to and from the at least one set of acoustic transducers and the at least one set of hydrophones. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130265851 | Sensor System of Buried Seismic Array - Microseismic mapping using buried arrays with the integration of passive and active seismic surveys provides enhanced microseismic mapping results. The system is initially set up by recording seismic data with the buried array installation while shooting a significant portion of the 3D surface seismic survey. The 3D surface seismic survey provides the following data: shallow 3D VSP data from the buried arrays; P-wave and converted wave data for the area covered by the buried array that benefits from the planned data integration processing effort; and microseismic data and associated analysis. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130322209 | Methods and Systems for Microseismic Mapping - Methods and systems for the detection and localization of microseismic events are proposed which operate in real-time. Hypocenters in three spatial dimensions are provided along with an estimate of the event origin time. Sensor positions may be distributed in 3D space, and are not confined to linear arrays in vertical wells. A location of the event is approximated and a grid search, based on the approximate location of the event, is used to derive a residual function over a finer sampling followed by a gradient search of the residual function to optimize the location of the event. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130329522 | LOCATION OF DOWNHOLE LINES - A method of determining an azimuthal orientation of a well tool relative to a line in a well can include connecting at least one acoustic source to the well tool, the acoustic source having a known azimuthal orientation relative to the well tool, and detecting at least one acoustic signal transmitted from the acoustic source to an acoustic sensor, the acoustic sensor having a known azimuthal orientation relative to the line. A system for determining an azimuthal orientation of one or more lines relative to a well tool in a wellbore can include at least one acoustic source having a known azimuthal orientation relative to the well tool, and an optical waveguide connected to a distributed acoustic sensing instrumentation, the waveguide having a known azimuthal orientation relative to the lines, and in which the distributed acoustic sensing instrumentation detects acoustic signals transmitted from the acoustic source to the waveguide. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130343156 | Devices, Systems and Methods for Measuring Borehole Seismic Wavefield Derivatives - The disclosure provides devices, systems and methods for obtaining unaliased wavefield data despite using spatial sampling distances that are higher than conventional techniques and temporal sampling rates that are lower than conventional techniques. The devices can include an array of sensors for sampling a desired wavefield and at least one of its derivatives. The systems can include a multi-level array of such sensor configurations. The methods can include lowering such an array into a borehole and sampling data at distances that are greater than suggested by conventional theory, or lowering a multi-level array into a borehole and simultaneously gathering data at different depth levels. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130343157 | Neutrally-Buoyant Borehole Investigation Tools and Methods - The disclosure provides neutrally-buoyant tools for seismic data collection. The tools may range from several hundred meters to several kilometers in length and have integrated sensors which move along with the borehole fluid in response to a passing seismic wave. The disclosure also provides methods of deploying neutrally-buoyant tools, which includes using a tractor, adding a weight or both to the tool in order to overcome the difficulty of lowering a neutrally buoyant tool into a borehole, and optionally occasionally clamping the tool to the borehole to alleviate tension in the tool. This disclosure also provides methods of acquiring seismic data, which involves positioning a neutrally-buoyant tool in a borehole such that the tool is able to move relatively freely along with the borehole fluid in response to a seismic wave passing through the fluid, firing a seismic source, and using the sensors to collect seismic data generated thereby. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140098632 | Determining a Confidence Value for a Fracture Plane - Systems, methods, and software can be used to determine a confidence value for a fracture plane. In some aspects, a subset of microseismic events associated with a fracture treatment of a subterranean zone are selected. Confidence in associating the selected subset of microseismic events with a common fracture plane is determined. The confidence can be determined, for example, based on the number of microseismic events in the subset, a location uncertainty for each microseismic event in the subset, a moment magnitude for each microseismic event in the subset, a distance between each microseismic event and a fracture plane fitted to the microseismic events, an orientation of the fracture plane fitted to the microseismic events, or a combination of these and other factors. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140098633 | Geometrical Presentation of Fracture Planes - Systems, methods, and software can be used to analyze microseismic data from a fracture treatment. In some aspects, fracture planes are identified based on microseismic event data from a fracture treatment of a subterranean zone. Each fracture plane is associated with a subset of the microseismic event data. Confidence level groups are identified from the fracture planes. Each confidence level group includes fracture planes that have an accuracy confidence value within a respective range. A graphical representation of the fracture planes is generated. The graphical representation includes a distinct plot for each confidence level group. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140119159 | Methods For In-Situ Borehole Seismic Surveys Using Downhole Sources - Methods for in-situ reservoir investigation by borehole seismic methods are provided using receiver(s) and a downhole source. The downhole source may be a microseismic event, and may be located relative to the receiver(s) in any configuration. The downhole source may also be a controlled source that is positioned in a reverse vertical seismic profile (RVSP) geometry with respect to the receiver(s). The methods may involve locating the receiver(s) in a first well (which may have any orientation, including vertical or horizontal), and locating the source in a monitoring well (which may have any orientation, including vertical or horizontal), such that the source in the monitoring well is positioned at a greater depth in the formation than the receivers in the first well. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140140173 | Land Seismic Devices, Systems and Methods - Devices, systems and methods for land seismic. The devices include an above-ground storage tank in which an acoustic energy source is immersed in liquid. The above-ground storage tank may be portable, reusable, self-supporting and may lay flat when empty of liquid and rise on its own when being filled with liquid. The systems include the seismic source-storage tank device, one or more sensors for recording signals that are generated when the source is activated, and a processor for analyzing the recorded signals for geophysical information. The methods involve methods of inducing seismic waves using the seismic source-storage tank devices, and methods of conducting seismic surveys using the seismic source-storage tank devices. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140146639 | DETECTION OF SUBTERRANEAN VOIDS - A system for detecting subterranean voids includes a sensor array disposed in a subterranean location, an energy emitting device disposed on a position on a surface of terrain, the energy emitting device operative to emit wave patterns that propagate in a subterranean region proximate to the energy emitting device, and a control system communicatively connected to the sensor array, the control system operative to receive signals from the sensor array indicative of the direction and intensity of wave patterns emitted from the energy emitting device and output an indication to a user indicative of the location of a subterranean void. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140160888 | ACOUSTIC SENSING SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AN INTERFACE BETWEEN TWO MATERIALS - A system for locating an interface between a first material and a second material including one or more acoustic sensing elements operatively arranged to measure a characteristic of one or more acoustic signals at a plurality of locations along a length thereof. An instrumentation unit is coupled with the one or more acoustic sensing elements, and arranged to determine a difference between at least a first value of the characteristic measured at a first location and a second value of the characteristic measured at a second location of the plurality of locations for identifying the interface between the first material and the second material as being located between the first and second locations if the difference is greater than a preselected threshold amount. A method of locating an interface is also included. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140169127 | Data Processing Systems and Methods for Downhole Seismic Investigations - Methods and systems for investigating a formation surrounding a wellbore. The methods involve a semblance-based analysis of downhole data, for example low frequency downhole data. The semblance-based analysis includes group semblance mapping of the data, followed by single shot semblance map handling, followed by multiple shot data handling. The systems include a seismic source, a seismic receiver, and an electronics system for processing data according to a process including: group semblance mapping, single shot map handling, and multiple shot data handling. The seismic source may generate low frequency signals, and the seismic receiver may be two or more receiver subsystems that include at least two axially spaced-apart hydrophones and at least one multi-component geophone. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140169128 | Devices, Systems and Methods for Low Frequency Seismic Borehole Investigations - Downhole seismic sources that may be compatible measurement-while-drilling systems. The downhole seismic sources are integrated into drill string components, including drill collars of the bottom hole assembly. The downhole seismic sources may generate a low swept frequency signal suitable for imaging around the drill-string and ahead of the drill bit. Integrated downhole seismic systems including a downhole seismic source, receivers and optionally data processing capabilities. The integrated systems may be configured to determine the distance and orientation of bed boundaries, including ahead of the drill bit up to about 200 m to 500 m in depth. Methods for downhole seismic, including single well and cross-well seismic. The methods may include obtaining seismic information ahead of the drill bit. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140169129 | Downhole Receiver Systems and Methods for Low Frequency Seismic Investigations - Downhole seismic receiver systems that may be compatible with measurement-while-drilling systems. The downhole seismic receiver systems may be integrated into drill-string components, including drill collars of a bottom hole assembly. The downhole seismic receiver systems include one or more receiver subsystems which in turn include at least two or more same-type seismic sensors. The downhole seismic receiver systems are compatible with low frequency seismic sources and may be useful in determining orientation and location of bed boundaries around a wellbore and ahead of a drill-bit. The downhole seismic receiver systems can be operated with a downhole or surface source. Methods for downhole seismic, including single well and cross-well seismic. The methods may include analyzing data acquired by the receiver systems to obtain seismic information around the wellbore and ahead of the drill bit. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140269184 | LAND HYDROPHONE AND METHOD - A seismic sensor system collects seismic data in a well. The system includes a pipe to be deployed inside the well, the pipe having a distal end; a first sensor located inside the pipe, next to the distal end; and a bladder jacket in which the pipe is placed, the bladder jacket being configured to hold a fluid. The pipe has holes next to the first sensor so that the fluid surrounds and contacts the first sensor. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140307523 | BURIED ARRAY WIRELESS EXPLORATION SEISMIC SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for acquiring data using a wireless network and a number of nodes that may be configured to collect acquired data and forward data to a central recording and control system. The acquired data may include seismic and/or auxiliary data. A node for use in data acquisition may include an acquisition module in operative communication with a buried sensor array operable to output acquired data. The processor may also be operable to receive acquired data from another data acquisition module in the wireless network. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140313855 | ACOUSTIC GENERATOR AND ASSOCIATED METHODS AND WELL SYSTEMS - A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140328139 | Seismic Device With Sealed Housing And Related Methods - A seismic generation system may include an electrical source, a conductor coupled to the electrical source and to be positioned in a wellbore in a subterranean formation with a casing therein, and a seismic generation source assembly to be positioned in the wellbore and coupled to the conductor. The seismic generation source assembly may include a source element having a sealed housing, an armature within the sealed housing, source electromagnets coupled to the armature, and electromagnetic clamps coupled to the armature, each electromagnetic clamp having opposite magnetic poles. The sealed housing may include respective ferromagnetic portions adjacent the opposite magnetic poles of each electromagnetic clamp, and non-ferromagnetic portions between the opposite magnetic poles of each electromagnetic clamp. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140362664 | METHODS AND APPARATUS HAVING BOREHOLE SEISMIC WAVEFORM COMPRESSION - An illustrative seismic while drilling system includes a drill string having at least one seismic sensor that can be employed to detect seismic signals during pauses in the drilling process, e.g., when extending the length of the drill string. An embedded processor digitizes a signal from the seismic sensor to obtain a digital waveform and processes the digital waveform to derive a compressed waveform representation for storage or transmission. Compression is provided by adaptively reducing the sampling rate and quantization resolution subject to one or more quality constraints including, e.g., error in first break timing, error in first break sign, mean square error, and bit count. Reasonably good representations of the received acoustic waveforms can be achieve with less than 200 bits. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140369165 | Multi-Frequency Inversion of Modal Dispersions for Estimating Formation Anisotropy Constants - Systems and methods for the estimating a plurality of anisotropic elastic constants (C | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140376332 | Optical Fiber Well Deployment for Seismic Surveying - Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for optical fiber well deployment in seismic optical surveying. Embodiments of this disclosure may include methods of deploying a spooled optical fiber distributed sensor into the wellbore integrated in a ballast or weight for a seismic optic tool, to achieve deployment of a lightweight disposable fiber optic cable against the wellbore walls via gravity. The method may further include unspooling the spooled optical fiber distributed sensor and using the optical fiber as a distributed seismic receiver. Once the fiber optic distributed sensor is deployed according to methods of the present disclosure, surveys may be obtained and processed by various methods. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150016220 | SONIC/ACOUSTIC MONITORING USING OPTICAL DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING - Methods and apparatus for performing sonic well logging within a wellbore based on optical Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) are provided. A sonic well logging system based on DAS may be capable of producing the functional equivalent of tens, hundreds, or even thousands of acoustic sensors. In this manner, the emplacement of the sonic well logging system based on DAS may not be nearly as complex or expensive as emplacing a sonic well logging system based on traditional methods. Furthermore, multiplexing may be simpler, downhole electronics need not be used, and the sonic well logging system may be used in extreme, high temperature environments. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150029822 | Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Monitoring of Induced Seismicity and Vibration Using Linear Low Frequency and Rotational Sensors - The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enhanced monitoring of induced seismicity and industrial vibration to comprehensively measure all aspects of potentially damaging motion. The invention utilizes various combinations of multi-component low frequency linear seismic sensors and multi-component rotational seismic sensors. Sensors are jointly deployed in arrays on the free surface of the earth, and/or in arrays of shallow monitoring holes, which may be intended to be permanent deployments. The method has a wide range of risk/damage monitoring applications for industrial activity, and in oil and gas exploration and production for seismic surveys, hydraulic fracturing, and waste injection wells. This abstract is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the claims of this invention. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150055436 | IDENTIFYING OVERLAPPING STIMULATED RESERVOIR VOLUMES FOR A MULTI-STAGE INJECTION TREATMENT - In some aspects, a first boundary is computed based on microseismic event locations associated with a first stage of a multi-stage injection treatment of a subterranean region. A second boundary is computed based on microseismic event locations associated with a second stage of the multi-stage injection treatment. Based on the first and second boundaries, an overlap between stimulated reservoir volumes (SRVs) associated with the first and second stages is determined. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150055437 | IDENTIFYING AN AXIS OF A STIMULATED RESERVOIR VOLUME FOR A STIMULATION TREATMENT OF A SUBTERRANEAN REGION - In some aspects, a boundary is computed based on locations of microseismic events associated with a stimulation treatment of a subterranean region. A major axis of a stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) for the stimulation treatment is identified based on the boundary. In some examples, the boundary is an ellipsoid, and the major axis of the ellipsoid is identified. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150071034 | METHOD FOR INCREASING BROADSIDE SENSITIVITY IN SEISMIC SENSING SYSTEM - A method for collecting information about a subsurface region, comprises a) providing a set of data comprising a plurality of scattered signals, where each scattered signal is a portion of an acoustic seismic signal that has been scattered by and at least one scatterer and received at a receiver, b) using spatial deconvolution to process the scattered signals so as generate a coherent arrival, and c) using the coherent arrival to output human readable information about the subsurface region. The receiver may be a geophone or a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor and may be in a borehole or at the surface. The acoustic seismic signal may originate at the surface or below the surface and may be an active or passive source. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150071035 | Dynamic Threshold Methods For Filtering Noise and Restoring Attenuated High-Frequency Components of Acoustic Signals - Methods of providing for filtering noise and/or restoring attenuated spectral components in acoustic signals, are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a method includes dynamically filtering each of a plurality of raw FFT data samples of a record to remove or attenuate background noise contained therein to thereby produce a corresponding plurality of cleaned FFT data samples. The sample-specific background noise is removed or attenuated by a record-specific dynamic filter to produce the corresponding cleaned FFT data samples. The method can also include restoring the attenuated high-frequency components of the cleaned data samples through application of a record-specific Restoring Processor at least partially defined by a portion of the cleaned data samples and a Gain Function to thereby produce cleaned and restored data samples, and applying an inverse transformation to convert the cleaned and restored data samples into cleaned and restored data samples in time domain data. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150071036 | Dynamic Threshold Systems, Computer Readable Medium, and Program Code For Filtering Noise and Restoring Attenuated High-Frequency Components of Acoustic Signals - Systems, computer readable media, and program code to provide for filtering noise and/or restoring attenuated spectral components in acoustic signals, are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a system is configured for dynamically filtering each of a plurality of raw FFT data samples of a record to remove or attenuate background noise contained therein to thereby produce a corresponding plurality of cleaned FFT data samples. The sample-specific background noise is removed or attenuated by a record-specific dynamic filter to produce the corresponding cleaned FFT data samples. The system can also perform the operations of restoring the attenuated high-frequency components of the cleaned data samples through application of a record-specific Restoring Processor at least partially defined by a portion of the cleaned data samples and a Gain Function to thereby produce cleaned and restored data samples, and applying an inverse transformation to convert the cleaned and restored data samples into cleaned and restored data samples in time domain data. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150085610 | FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS VIA FMCW INTERROGATION - A system and method to obtain acoustic information from a borehole penetrating the earth are described. The system includes a light source to provide a continuous output beam and a modulator to modulate the continuous output beam with a modulation signal to provide a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) to be sent out on an optical fiber disposed along the borehole, the optical fiber including a plurality of reflectors at known locations along the optical fiber. The system also includes a processor to process a light reflection signal from the optical fiber to determine the acoustic information. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150103625 | ELECTROSEISMIC SURVEYING IN EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS - Systems, methods, and computer programs for monitoring production of fluids from a subterranean formation includes receiving, from a first sensor array at a first time, a first set of electromagnetic signals generated by an electro seismic or seismoelectric conversion of seismic signals caused, at least in part, by the production of fluid from the subterranean formation; receiving, from the first sensor array at a second time, a second set of electromagnetic signals generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of seismic signals caused, at least in part, by the production of fluid from the subterranean formation; and determining one or more reservoir properties based, at least in part, on the first and second sets signals received from the first sensor array. The first sensor array are arranged to monitor the production operation | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150103626 | ELECTROSEISMIC SURVEYING IN EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS - Systems, methods, and computer programs for monitoring a drilling operation in a subterranean formation include receiving, from a first sensor array, one or more signals caused, at least in part, by the fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; receiving, from the first sensor array, one or more electromagnetic signals generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the seismic signals caused, at least in part, by the fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; and determining a property of one or more of a fracture or the subterranean formation based, at least in part, at least in part, on the signals received from the first sensor array. The first sensor array is arranged to monitor the fracturing operation | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150109884 | DIPOLE SEISMIC SOURCE AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING RADIATION PATTERN - A seismic survey system for surveying a subsurface. The system includes a dipole seismic source buried in a well and configured to generate P-waves having a first radiation pattern and to generate S-waves having a second radiation pattern; plural seismic sensors distributed about the dipole seismic source and configured to record seismic signals corresponding to the P- and S-waves; and a controller connected to the dipole seismic source and configured to drive it. A longitudinal axis of the dipole seismic source is inclined with an inclination angle (θ) relative to gravity. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150109885 | METHOD FOR CORRECTING FIRST BREAK ARRIVAL TIME - The present disclosure cointegrates the traveltimes obtained from checkshot survey and integrated sonic log in obtaining a corrected traveltimes to more accurately determine the first break in seismic data. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150109886 | ACOUSTIC WAVE IMAGING OF FORMATIONS - An embodiment of a method of estimating characteristics of an earth formation includes: disposing an acoustic tool in a borehole in an earth formation, the acoustic tool including an acoustic multipole transmitter and at least one multipole acoustic receiver; transmitting acoustic signals into the borehole, the acoustic signals generating at least one acoustic body wave that radiates away from the borehole into a far-field formation region; measuring reflected signals including body waves reflected from reflective boundaries in the far-field formation region; identifying a reflective boundary in the formation and reflection attributes associated with the reflective boundary; and estimating at least one of a thickness, distance and a lateral extent of a hydrocarbon formation feature based on the reflected signals and the reflection attributes. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150124562 | Wellbore Signal Monitor with Tangential Seismic Sensors for Tube-Wave Noise Reduction - A sensor array is positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The sensor array includes a plurality of seismic sensors disposable about a perimeter of the wellbore and coupleable to a signal measurer with a configuration to provide three component seismic signal measurement within the wellbore. At least two of the seismic sensors are located at different azimuthal angles relative to one another and oriented tangentially to a longitudinal axis of the wellbore so as to receive tangential components of wellbore seismic signals to the exclusion of longitudinal and radial components of the wellbore seismic signals. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150146501 | Acoustic Isolater for a Downhole Tool - A downhole tool for acoustically imaging a subterranean formation having a transmitter and receiver and which includes an acoustic isolator between the transmitter and receiver. The acoustic isolator includes attenuation elements with rounded ends and that are connected in series by compression fittings. The compression fittings include sleeves that threadingly engage lock nuts and compressively engage the rounded ends. The contact interfaces between the compression fittings extend along a curved path thereby limiting acoustic transmission along the series of attenuation elements. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150293251 | Apparatus for Monopole and Multipole Sonic Logging of A Downhole Formation - A tool for monopole and multipole sonic logging includes an acoustic source section, an acoustic receiver section, and an isolator section disposed therebetween. The tool may include a mandrel having integrally formed alternating first portions having a first outer diameter and second portions having a second outer diameter. The second outer diameter is smaller than the first outer diameter, which allows the portions to function acoustically as a mass and spring system. The isolator section sufficiently mutes or delays extensional and flexural modes intrinsic to the logging tool itself. Thus, the effects of the tool presence on the measurements are minimized. In addition, a plurality of axially oriented grooves are defined in an outer surface of the acoustic receiver section, and each groove is configured for receiving an acoustic receiver module that includes a sensor, an amplifier, an A/D converter, and a digital multiplexer. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150316671 | Migration Velocity Analysis Method for VSP Data - Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) analysis is a technique commonly used to conduct geophysical surveys of subterranean features. The processing of a VSP includes several steps, usually including a final step of depth migration. In order to properly process and image VSP data using depth migration, a velocity model of the subsurface must be known or derived. A variety of criteria can be used to ascertain whether the velocity used for migration is accurate. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150331133 | MONOPOLE ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER RING COMPRISING PIEZOELECTRIC MATERIAL - A monopole acoustic transmitter for logging-while-drilling comprising as a ring that comprises one or more piezoelectric arc segments. The ring is oriented in a plane whose normal is essentially coincident with the major axis of a logging tool in which it is disposed. The ring disposed within a recess on the outer surface of a short, cylindrical insert. The insert is inserted into a drill collar, rather than into the wall of the collar. The ring can comprise a continuous ring of piezoelectric material, or alternately arc segments or active ring segments of piezoelectric ceramic bonded to segments of other materials such as alumina to increase the frequency or heavy metals such as tungsten to reduce the frequency. The material and dimensions of the material used in-between the piezoelectric segments is chosen to alter the frequency of the ring. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150337647 | Determining Seismic Sensor Orientation in a Wellbore - A well-logging tool includes a magnetic field logging tool and a borehole seismic array, which includes a plurality of seismic sensor devices coupled together in series. Each seismic sensor device includes a sensor housing and at least one seismic sensor carried by the sensor housing. A magnetometer is carried by the sensor housing to sense the local magnetic field. A controller cooperates with the magnetic field logging tool to generate a log of the local magnetic field relative to the true earth geographic pole. The controller cooperates with the borehole seismic array to determine an orientation of each seismic sensor device based upon the respective sensed local magnetic field and log of the local magnetic field relative to the earth geographic pole. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20160003960 | ACOUSTIC ISOLATOR FOR DOWNHOLE TOOLS - The disclosure addresses multiple embodiments of an acoustic isolator, and an acoustic logging tool which incorporates the acoustic isolator. The acoustic isolator is configured to minimize acoustic transmissions which could otherwise adversely affect acoustical measurements being made by an acoustic receiver. The described acoustic isolators include a plurality of longitudinally arranged mass members coupled to a central supporting structure, in a configuration to reduce acoustic transmissions in at least selected frequency ranges. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160018561 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN INTEGRATED ACOUSTIC AND INDUCTION LOGGING TOOL - An integrated acoustic and induction logging tool enables efficient logging operations and reduces logging string length. In some of the disclosed embodiments, an integrated acoustic and induction logging tool includes a mandrel compatible with acoustic logging operations and induction logging operations. The integrated acoustic and induction logging tool also includes an acoustic logging transducer set and an induction logging coil set, where a plurality of transducers of the acoustic logging transducer set are interspersed among a plurality of coils of the induction logging coil set along the mandrel. A related assembly method includes obtaining a mandrel compatible with acoustic logging and induction logging. The method also includes assembling an acoustic logging transducer set and an induction logging coil set along the mandrel, where a plurality of transducers of the acoustic logging transducer set are interspersed among a plurality of coils of the induction logging coil set along the mandrel. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160025884 | REFLECTION-ONLY SENSOR AT MULTIPLE ANGLES FOR NEAR REAL-TIME DETERMINATION OF ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF A FLUID DOWNHOLE - Methods, systems, and devices for determining a parameter of interest of downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly comprising a single solid acoustic transmission medium having a face immersed in the downhole fluid. Methods include using characteristics of a plurality of acoustic pulse reflections from a solid-liquid interface at the face of the solid acoustic transmission medium to estimate the parameter of interest in near real-time. The characteristics may comprise a corresponding reflection amplitude and the corresponding unique angle of reflection for each acoustic pulse reflection. Methods may include generating a two dimensional data set from measured characteristics, generating a curve by performing data fitting on the two dimensional data set, and using the reciprocal slope of the curve to estimate the parameter of interest. Methods may include estimating time-dependent values for the parameter of interest substantially continuously while the acoustic assembly is on a single logging run in the borehole. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160033663 | Control of Acoustic Transmitters for Downhole Measurement or Logging - The acoustic energy induced by a transmitter module of an acoustic logging tool is dependent on several factors. In some implementations, the induced acoustic energy is dependent on the electromagnetic energy input into the transmitter module, the response behavior of the transmitter module, and the operating conditions of the transmitter module. Variation in one or more of these factors can result in a corresponding variation in the induced acoustic. Thus, a desired acoustic signal can be produced by applying an appropriately selected input signal to the transmitter module, while accounting for other factors that influence the output of the transmitter module. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033665 | Seismic Detector - A technique facilitates seismic wave detection with a seismic receiver. The seismic receiver has a tool body, a vibrationally isolated sensor package mounted in the tool body, and a plurality of contact shoes. The contact shoes are mounted around the sensor package in a distribution which enables three-point contact with a surrounding wellbore wall regardless of the azimuthal orientation of the sensor package. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033666 | Method of Coalescence Microseismic Mapping Including Model's Uncertainty - A technique facilitates improved data acquisition and analysis with downhole tools and systems. The downhole tools and systems utilize arrays of sensing devices which are deployed in arrangements for improved sensing of data related to environmental features and/or tool parameters of tools located downhole in a borehole. For example, the tools and sensing systems may be operated to effectively sense and store characteristics related to components of downhole tools as well as formation parameters at, for example, elevated temperatures and pressures. Similarly, chemicals and chemical properties of interest in oilfield exploration and development also may be detected, measured and stored for analysis. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160041287 | ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT TOOL - An acoustic measurement tool comprises a transmitter for generating acoustic signals and at least one acoustic receiver spaced from the transmitter and configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, and which has encountered a medium of interest. Moreover, at least one acoustic reference receiver is located adjacent the transmitter and is configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, prior to the acoustic signal encountering the medium of interest. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160070014 | GUIDED ACOUSTIC WAVES ISOLATION SYSTEM FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS - An apparatus for estimating a property of a subsurface material includes a carrier configured to convey an acoustic wave guide though a borehole. The acoustic wave guide includes an acoustic plate configured to guide an acoustic wave along a path of the plate and an acoustic reservoir coupled to the acoustic plate and at least partially surrounding the acoustic plate. The acoustic reservoir has a mass greater than the mass of the acoustic plate and is configured to absorb acoustic wave leakage from the acoustic plate. A first acoustic transducer is coupled to the acoustic plate and configured to transmit an acoustic wave along the path. A second acoustic transducer is coupled to the acoustic plate and configured to receive the acoustic wave that travels along the path. A controller is configured to operate the first acoustic transducer and the second acoustic transducer in order to estimate the property. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160097871 | EVALUATION OF ROCK BOUNDARIES AND ACOUSTIC VELOCITIES USING DRILL BIT SOUND DURING VERTICAL DRILLING - Implementations provide identification of rock boundaries and evaluation of rock interval velocities in subterranean zones. Actions can include receiving acoustic signals associated with sounds produced by a well tool implemented to perform a well operation by contacting a portion of a subterranean zone, the acoustic signals being composed of source acoustic signals and reflected acoustic signals produced in response to the source acoustic signals, processing the acoustic signals to determine the source acoustic signals and the reflected acoustic signals and determining properties of the subterranean zone based on the source acoustic signals and the reflected acoustic signals. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160109606 | Acoustic Anisotropy and Imaging by Means of High Resolution Azimuthal Sampling - In an acoustic logging system utilizing one or more acoustic sources, each with a specified radiation pattern around a source orientation, an acoustic signal is transmitted into a formation with a source oriented in a first source orientation. An acoustic waveform is received in response with a receiver oriented in a first direction. The slowness of the formation in the first direction is calculated using the received acoustic waveform. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160116616 | Method to Enhance The Resolvability of Moment Tensor Inversion for Ill Conditioned Receiver Coverage - A technique facilitates enhanced microseismic monitoring. In a variety of applications, the technique may be used to enhance the resolvability of moment tensor inversion for ill-conditioned seismic receiver coverage. As a result, microseismic monitoring technique enhances the capability for monitoring many types of naturally occurring and created seismic events. For example, the technique may be employed to enhance hydraulic fracturing monitoring, induced seismicity monitoring, CO2 injection monitoring, other injection monitoring, mining, and/or other techniques which cause microseismic events. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160130934 | METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A LOGGING TOOL POSITION IN A BOREHOLE - The invention relates to the area of borehole acoustics, in particular, to monitoring a logging tool position in a borehole, namely detection and estimation of a borehole logging tool eccentricity based on the measurement and analysis of mixed surface waves waveforms. The method is characterized by the steps of registering acoustic signals generated by passage of acoustic waves in the borehole while logging and detecting the misalignment of the logging tool to the axis of the borehole by the presence of mixed surface waves. A system for monitoring a looging tool position in a borehole comprising means for registering acoustic signals generated by passage of acoustic waves while logging and data processing means for detecting mixed surface waves propagating along the borehole wall. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160130936 | PRESSURE COMPENSATED CAPACITIVE MICROMACHINED ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS - An apparatus for interrogating a subsurface material includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth, an array of acoustic transducers disposed on the carrier and configured to be compensated for ambient pressure in the borehole, and electronics coupled to the array and configured to operate the array to interrogate the subsurface material. Each acoustic transducer in the array includes a substrate, a bottom electrode disposed on the substrate, a top electrode disposed above the bottom electrode, an insulation layer disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode and defining a cavity into which the top electrode may deflect, and a pressure compensating fluid disposed in the cavity and in pressure communication with ambient pressure of the array. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160131798 | Electroseismic Surveying in Exploration and Production Environments - Systems, methods, and computer programs for monitoring a drilling operation in a subterranean formation include receiving, from a first sensor array, one or more signals caused, at least in part, by the fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; receiving, from the first sensor array, one or more electromagnetic signals generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the seismic signals caused, at least in part, by the fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; and determining a property of one or more of a fracture or the subterranean formation based, at least in part, at least in part, on the signals received from the first sensor array. The first sensor array is arranged to monitor the fracturing operation | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160154132 | METHOD OF ACOUSTIC WELL LOGGING | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160168983 | Scalable Borehole Acquisition System | 06-16-2016 |
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| 20160178779 | System and Methods for Removing Noise From Acoustic Impedance Logs | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160195629 | ACOUSTIC LOGGING TOOL | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160202368 | DISTRIBUTED SEISMIC SENSING FOR IN-WELL MONITORING | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160252639 | STRUCTURAL ELEMENT FOR SONIC TOOLS AND ACOUSTIC ISOLATORS | 09-01-2016 |
| 20180021815 | Ultrasonic Transducers with Piezoelectric Material Embedded in Backing | 01-25-2018 |
