| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 367028000 | Amplitude measurement | 56 |
| 20090296522 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELINEATING A SECOND WELLBORE FROM A FIRST WELLBORE - Disclosed herein is a method of delineating a second wellbore from a first wellbore. The method includes, emitting acoustic waves from a tool in the first wellbore, receiving acoustic waves at the tool reflected from the second wellbore, and determining orientation and distance of at least a portion of the second wellbore relative to the tool. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20100067327 | SONIC BOREHOLE CALIPER AND RELATED METHODS - A method and apparatus for determining an effective cross-sectional area of a borehole including one or more sources for generating tube or Stoneley waves in the borehole; receivers for measuring amplitudes of the waves; and means to relate said measured amplitudes to said effective cross-sectional area or related parameters. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100284247 | Petrophysics-Guided Processing of LWD Acoustic Data - Formation evaluation measurements are used to estimate formation lithology. The estimated lithology is used to provide an estimate of acoustic wave slowness. The estimated acoustic wave slowness is used to provide processing parameters for acoustic data that are less sensitive to noise. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20120033528 | Pipelined Pulse-Echo Scheme for an Acoustic Image Tool for Use Downhole - The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for estimating borehole parameters using a plurality of reflections caused by a plurality of acoustic pulses. The reflections may overlap each other and/or the acoustic pulses. The methods may include estimating an envelope of the received acoustic signal at the at least one element of the array of transducers; and estimating at least one arrival time of at least one of the plurality of overlapping events from the envelope of the received acoustic signals, the arrival times being characteristic of the geometry of the borehole. The method may also include imaging the borehole wall. The apparatus may include an array of transducers on a rotatable transducer assembly with at least one element on the array configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pulses and receive reflections and a processor configured to perform the method. | 02-09-2012 |
| 367029000 | Peak amplitude | 3 |
| 20090251993 | SHEAR WAVE TRANSDUCER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A wave generating device and method of using the same wherein the device is for producing a shear wave in a ground layer wherein the generated wave emanates from a bore hole in the ground layer and passes through the ground layer toward a receiver spaced from the bore hole. This wave having a given waveform and the bore hole being defined by at least one bore wall that extends from a surface of the ground layer to a bottom extent of the bore hole. The device including a driver having an outer layer extending in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and having a radially outwardly facing surface generally parallel to the longitudinal axis which is configured to engage an associated bore wall of an associated bore hole. The driver further including a coil assembly fixed relative to the outer layer, an inner assembly configured to move relative to the coil assembly and the inner assembly having at least one magnetic field emitter producing an inner magnetic field and the coil assembly having at least one coil of wire wherein the at least one magnetic field passes through the at least one coil. The device further including an electrical connection between the at least one coil of the driver and an associated power source such that when the associated power source is in an on condition the outer layer vibrates longitudinally relative to the inner assembly thereby producing a wave in an associated ground layer extending outwardly from the device. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20100061183 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING IN WELLS OR TUBULARS - An ultrasonic imaging method is provided. A wideband acoustic pulse is fired at a wall. A wideband response signal is received. The wideband response signal is processed to select an impedance measurement frequency. A wavelet having a characteristic frequency approximately equal to the impedance measurement frequency is fired. A wavelet response signal is received. A reflection coefficient is determined from the wavelet response signal. An impedance measurement is calculated from the reflection coefficient. Related tools and systems are also disclosed. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100246325 | Method and Apparatus for Acoustic Impedance and P-Wave Anisotropy Measurements - Measurements of impedance are made using a piezoelectric transducer oriented at different angles to a formation bedding plane. The impedance measurements are then used to estimate the anisotropic velocity of the formation. | 09-30-2010 |
| 367030000 | Amplitude comparison | 1 |
| 20150309196 | METHODS FOR EVALUATING ROCK PROPERTIES WHILE DRILLING USING DRILLING RIG-MOUNTED ACOUSTIC SENSORS - Methods for identifying rock properties in real-time during drilling, are provided. An example of an embodiment of such a method includes positioning one or more acoustic sensors to detect drill sounds emanating from the drill bit and the rock encountered during drilling operations, connecting the sensors to select components of a drilling rig to maximally pick up the drill sounds of the drill bit engaging rock during drilling operations. The method also includes providing and deploying an inductive telemetry, wireless telemetry, or wired transmitting system. The method also includes providing and configuring a computer to analyze the “raw” acoustic signals received from the acoustic sensors through the respective transmitting system. | 10-29-2015 |
| 367031000 | Of noncompressional acoustic wave energy | 37 |
| 20080247270 | Resistivity Measurement Through Metal Casing Using Magnetic Field and Magnetoacoustic Phenomena - Measurements of acoustic velocities are made through a case borehole in the absence and presence of an applied magnetic field. A formation resistivity parameter may be estimated from differences in the acoustic velocities. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20090168595 | METHOD FOR GAS ZONE DETECTION USING SONIC WAVE ATTRIBUTES - A method for determining on a real time logging while drilling (LWD) basis gas within earth formations traversed by a borehole. Continuous LWD acoustic measurements are recorded and processed including coherent energy and attenuation attributes to detect downhole gas zones and kick during drilling operations. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090185446 | Identification of Stress in Formations Using Angles of Fast and Slow Dipole Waves in Borehole Acoustic Logging - Cross-dipole measurements are obtained in a borehole. By estimating a direction of polarization of the fast shear mode at low and high frequencies and comparing the estimated distances, a cause of anisotropy is established. Formation stresses and directions may be estimated. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090185447 | 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 |
| 20090257307 | AUTOMATED MUD SLOWNESS ESTIMATION - An integrated framework is described for automating some or all of mud slowness estimation for both fast and slow formations. An estimation of fluid slowness based on monopole radial profiling is calculated if conditions permit. Alternatively, an estimation of fluid slowness based on Scholte wave slowness is estimated if conditions do not permit calculation based on monopole radial profiling. Tool standoff may also be estimated based on monopole radial profiling. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20100020639 | ESTIMATING FORMATION STRESSES USING SONIC DATA - Maximum and minimum horizontal stresses are estimated using radial profiles of shear moduli for a deviated borehole. Inversion enables estimation of maximum and minimum horizontal stresses using radial profiles of three shear moduli associated with an orthogonal set of axis defined by the deviated borehole azimuth from the North and the deviation of the longitudinal axis of the borehole from the vertical. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100034052 | ANISOTROPY MEASUREMENT WHILE DRILLING - Methods and apparatus facilitating measurement of anisotropy are disclosed. According to some aspects, anisotropy can be determined while drilling. Monopole/quadrupole interactions, as well as monitoring dipole excitations and other methods, may be used to find the principal shear directions of a formation while drilling or during wireline or other operations. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100202252 | MULTI-MODE DOWNHOLE ACOUSTIC SOURCE - A multimode acoustic source device for disposition in a borehole formed in a subterranean formation is aligned along an axial axis of the borehole and has a plurality of radiating plates circumferentially disposed about the axial axis. A drive mechanism is proposed to independently and reversibly move each radiating plate from a first position to a second position in a direction transverse to the axial axis. This enables the multimode source to generate each of several azimuthal modes for logging a subterranean formation. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100302903 | ESTIMATING SUBSURFACE ELASTIC PARAMETERS - A method for estimating subsurface elastic parameters is described herein. One or more slowness vectors may be determined based on a vertical seismic profile of a subsurface area. A model containing anisotropy parameters and a well deviation estimate may be generated based on survey data. The slowness vectors may be corrected for the well deviation estimate based on the model. One or more modeled slowness vectors may be calculated using the corrected slowness vectors and the anisotropy parameters in the model. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100309748 | Method and Apparatus for Determining Radial Shear Velocity Variation From Dipole Acoustic Logging - A radial shear velocity profile of an earth formation is obtained by using dipole and/or cross-dipole measurements. The non-uniqueness in the inversion is addressed by using a constraint based on the fact that high-frequency dipole shear waves are mostly sensitive to the near-borehole shear velocity. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110019500 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND LOGGING TOOL FOR ESTIMATING PERMEABILITY OF A FORMATION - The invention relates to the methods for determining the permeability of a geological formation saturated with a liquid and provides for a method, a system and a logging tool for estimating permeability. The method comprises exciting a formation with acoustic energy pulses propagating into the formation, measuring the acoustic response signals produced by the acoustic exciting and the electromagnetic signals produced by said acoustic energy pulses within the formation and separating components from said measured acoustic response signals and said measured electromagnetic signals representing Stoneley waves propagating through the formation. The acoustic response signals and electromagnetic signals representing Stoneley waves propagating through the formation are synthesized. The separated acoustic response signal and electromagnetic signal components and the synthesized Stoneley wave signals are compared. The permeability is determined from differences between the synthesized Stoneley wave signals and the separated acoustic response signal and electromagnetic signal components. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110058451 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO COMBINE MONOPOLE AND MULTIPOLE ACOUSTIC LOGGING MEASUREMENTS TO DETERMINE SHEAR SLOWNESS - Methods and apparatus to combine monopole and multipole acoustic logging measurements to determine shear slowness are disclosed. An example method to determine shear slowness of a formation from acoustic logging data disclosed herein comprises determining a plurality of mixed coherence values corresponding to a respective plurality of possible shear slowness values, each mixed coherence value determined by combining a monopole coherence value determined from monopole logging data and a multipole coherence value determined from multipole logging data, the monopole and multipole coherence values each being determined for a particular possible shear slowness value corresponding to the mixed coherence value, and using the particular shear slowness value corresponding to a maximum mixed coherence value in the plurality of mixed coherence values to represent the shear slowness of the formation. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110090758 | METHOD FOR INTERPRETING REPETITIVE SEISMIC DATA CONSIDERING SEISMIC FREQUENCY BAND IN THE EVALUATION OF PORE PRESSURES - A method for exploiting underground porous media via injection or production of a fluid is disclosed, wherein repetitive seismic records are interpreted taking into consideration seismic frequency band in the evaluation of pore pressures. After inversion of 4D seismic data, at least two sets of seismic speeds are available, corresponding to different moments in time. A Hertz-type power-law is then used to evaluate pore pressures, wherein the Hertz coefficient is determined using laboratory ultrasound or sonic measures. Then the coefficients are adjusted using a measure of the attenuation of the ultrasound or sonic waves. Fluid flow is then monitored within the porous media by determining whether variation in seismic speed is due to the variation of pore pressure or to fluid substitution, using the adjusted Hertz equation. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110134719 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO DETERMINE ANISOTROPY INDICATORS FOR SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS - Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to determine anisotropy indicators for subterranean formations are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes computing a first shear slowness value from measured quadrupole waves, computing a second shear slowness value from measured Stoneley waves, and comparing the first and second shear slowness values to determine an anisotropy indicator representative of anisotropy of a subterranean formation. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110255370 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO IMAGE SUBSURFACE FORMATION FEATURES - Methods of and apparatus to image one or more subsurface formation features are disclosed. An example method includes generating acoustic waves with a transmitter and receiving the acoustic waves and acoustic data contained therein at one or more receivers. The example method also includes extracting one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data from the acoustic data, estimating a dip of the one or more subsurface formation features, migrating the one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data with the estimated dip and mapping the migrated one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data. In addition, the example method includes identifying one or more permeable subsurface formation features using the mapped migrated one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110280102 | METHODS FOR MAKING ACOUSTIC ANISOTROPY LOGGING WHILE DRILLING MEASUREMENTS - A method for determining an acoustic anisotropy of a subterranean formation includes measuring acoustic wave slownesses at three or more toolface angles while rotating a logging while drilling tool in a borehole. Compressional, shear, and/or guided wave slownesses may be measured. The measured slownesses are fit to a mathematical model to obtain maximum and minimum slownesses. The maximum and minimum slownesses are processed to determine the acoustic anisotropy of the formation. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20120092958 | Estimation of anisotropy from compressional waves from array sonic waveforms in well logging - The present invention provides an improved method for estimating anisotropic formation from wave data using present-day logging tools that allow for the detection of compressional wave splitting to identify fracture direction. This methodology for analyzing compressional waveforms uses the Alford rotation method. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120120766 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION USING COMPRESSIONAL ACOUSTIC SOURCES - A system and method for investigating rock formations outside a borehole are provided. The method includes generating a first compressional acoustic wave at a first frequency by a first acoustic source; and generating a second compressional acoustic wave at a second frequency by a second acoustic source. The first and the second acoustic sources are arranged within a localized area of the borehole. The first and the second acoustic waves intersect in an intersection volume outside the borehole. The method further includes receiving a third shear acoustic wave at a third frequency, the third shear acoustic wave returning to the borehole due to a non-linear mixing process in a non-linear mixing zone within the intersection volume at a receiver arranged in the borehole. The third frequency is equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120120767 | DATA ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INVESTIGATING SUB-SURFACE FEATURES OF A ROCK FORMATION - A system and a method includes generating a first signal at a first frequency; and a second signal at a second frequency. Respective sources are positioned within the borehole and controllable such that the signals intersect in an intersection volume outside the borehole. A receiver detects a difference signal returning to the borehole generated by a non-linear mixing process within the intersection volume, and records the detected signal and stores the detected signal in a storage device and records measurement parameters including a position of the first acoustic source, a position of the second acoustic source, a position of the receiver, elevation angle and azimuth angle of the first acoustic signal and elevation angle and azimuth angle of the second acoustic signal. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120147702 | FILTERING ACOUSTIC WAVEFORMS IN DOWNHOLE ENVIRONMENTS - Methods and apparatus to filter acoustic waveforms in downhole environments are described. An example method involves receiving acoustic waveform data representing acoustic signals traversing at least a portion of a borehole adjacent a subterranean formation and performing a direct transform operation on the acoustic waveform data to generate wavelet map data. The wavelet map data comprises a time-frequency representation of the acoustic waveform data. The example method also involves identifying a waveform of interest via the wavelet map data, extracting data associated with the waveform of interest from the wavelet map data, generating filtered wavelet map data based on the extracted data, and performing an inverse transform operation on the filtered wavelet map data to generate filtered acoustic waveform data | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120163123 | STRESS IN FORMATIONS FROM AZIMUTHAL VARIATION IN ACOUSTIC AND OTHER PROPERTIES - The present disclosure is related to methods and apparatuses for acoustic velocity well logging. The method may include estimating a magnitude of a principal horizontal stress in a borehole in a formation. The method may include obtaining a far field stress orientation and making a measurement of near borehole stress orientation. The present disclosure also includes an apparatus configured to be conveyed into a borehole and perform the method. Formation stresses and directions may be estimated. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120287754 | Methods and Apparatus to Optimize Parameters in a Downhole Environment - Methods and apparatus to optimize parameters in a downhole environment are described. An example downhole tool includes a transmitter to transmit a signal into a subterranean formation and one or more receivers to receive at least a portion of the acoustic signal. The downhole tool also includes a processor configured to determine slownesses of different acoustic modes at a frequency of the signal received. Each of the slownesses is associated with a first parameter and a second parameter. The different acoustic modes have substantially different sensitivities to at least one of the first parameter or the second parameter. The processor to invert the determined slownesses of the different acoustic modes to determine an optimized value of the first parameter and an optimized value of the second parameter. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120327743 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING PROPERTIES OF A FORMATION - A method for determining properties of a formation comprises disposing at least one acoustic logging tool in a well and moving the logging tool along the well. An acoustic logging is performed during movement of the acoustic logging tool together with simultaneous thermal treatment of the formation. A temperature of a formation zone being thermally treated is measured as well as attenuation and velocity of the Stoneley waves excited by the acoustic logging tool. Based on the obtained dependencies of measured parameters as functions of the formation zone temperature formation relative phase permeabilities, formation fluid viscosity and viscous flow activation energy are determined. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130021874 | Methods for Locating A Cement Sheath in A Cased Wellbore - A distributed acoustic wave detection system and method is provided. The system may include a fiber optic cable deployed in a well and configured to react to pressure changes resulting from a propagating acoustic wave and an optical source configured to launch interrogating pulses into the fiber optic cable. In addition, the system may include a receiver configured to detect coherent Rayleigh noise produced in response to the interrogating pulses. The CRN signal may be used to track the propagation of the acoustic waves in the well. Such capability allows the location of the cement sheath, as well as measuring the bonding of cement to at least a casing string at least partially surrounded by a cement sheath. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130044567 | METHOD FOR CALCULATING SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE GUTENBERG-RICHTER PARAMETER FOR INDUCED SUBSURFACE SEISMIC EVENTS AND ITS APPLICATION TO EVALUATION OF SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS - A method for evaluating fractures induced in subsurface formations includes determining hypocenters and origin times of induced seismic events from seismic signals detected by seismic sensors deployed above a volume of the subsurface formations to be evaluated and recording the detected signals for a selected time. A modified Gutenberg-Richter exponent is determined for each induced seismic event having at least a selected number of other induced seismic events within a selected radial distance thereof. A spatial distribution of the modified Gutenberg-Richter exponents is used to determine at least one property of the induced fractures. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130077437 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE RIGIDITY OF A GEOLOGICAL LAYER - The present invention refers to a method for determining the rigidity of a geological layer in terms of propagation velocity of the elastic waves within a geological system delimited by a free surface ( | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130235693 | CORRECTION OF SHEAR LOG FOR ELASTIC ANISOTROPY - A method is described for determining a shear wave velocity of a transversely isotropic region of an earth formation traversed by a wellbore with a non-zero relative dip angle between a longitudinal axis of the wellbore and an axis of symmetry of the TI region. A sonic tool is used to measure shear velocities in the TI region with polarisations orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the wellbore. One of the shear velocities is identified as a quasi-shear velocity. A shear wave velocity is calculated, as a function of the quasi-shear velocity, for propagation in a direction along the axis of symmetry of the TI region. Where the orientation of the sonic tool is not known and the measured shear velocities comprises a fast shear velocity and a slow shear velocity, the method comprises identifying either the fast or the slow shear velocity as a quasi-shear mode. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130235694 | GEOLOGICAL MEDIUM EXPLORATION - Systems and methods for geological medium exploration are provided herein. A method of geological medium exploration may include generating vibrations in a geological medium and recording wave-fields at a surface and in a borehole. Additionally, the method may include obtaining a wave field modification operator and applying the wave-field operator to a full range of seismic data to achieve a spectrally-modified wave field. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130242697 | Sonic Borehole Caliper and Related Methods - A method and apparatus for determining an effective cross-sectional area of a borehole including one or more sources for generating tube or Stoneley waves in the borehole; receivers for measuring amplitudes of the waves; and means to relate said measured amplitudes to said effective cross-sectional area or related parameters. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130322210 | Methods and Apparatus for Modeling Formations - Methods and apparatus for modeling formations are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a source spaced from receivers. The source is to transmit a signal and the receivers are to receive at least a portion of the signal. The example apparatus also includes a processor to process waveform data associated with the signal by generating a parameter estimate used in an inversion of Stoneley dispersion to enable a Stoneley shear slowness to substantially correspond to a slow-shear slowness when the apparatus is at least partially positioned in a horizontal wellbore of a vertical transverse isotropy formation. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20140043938 | Cased-Hole Radial Profiling of Shear Parameters from Sonic Measurements - Cased-hole radial profiling of shear parameters from sonic measurements is disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include determining a variation of a first shear modulus at a first radial position from a cased borehole in a formation based on a first weighted average of fractional variations of Stoneley wave velocities for different wavenumbers, the first weighted average based on first weights determined using a perturbation model including parameters to model the borehole casing, and determining variations of second and third shear moduli at respective second and third radial positions from the borehole based on second and third weighted averages of fractional variations of respective first and second flexural wave velocities for different wavenumbers, the first and second flexural wave velocities associated with respective first and second orthogonal borehole axial planes of the formation, the second and third weighted averages based on respective second and third weights determined using the perturbation model. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140086009 | Methods and Apparatus for Waveform Processing - Methods and apparatus for waveform processing are disclosed. An example method includes estimating a theoretical value of a first input parameter and setting a second input parameter to a known value. The known value is different than an actual value of the second input parameter. The method also includes identifying a frequency band using a processor that minimizes an effect of the second input parameter on a shear slowness inversion value. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140169130 | Methods and Apparatus for Waveform Processing - Methods and apparatus for waveform processing are disclosed. An example method includes representing waveform data using space time propagators in the Discrete Radon Transform Domain. The method also includes identifying signals within the represented waveform data using a Sparisty Penalized Transform. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140169131 | THERMOELASTIC LOGGING - A method for thermoelastic logging in a borehole of a subterranean formation. The method includes generating, by a computer processor, a reference dispersion based on a borehole wave dispersion measurement of the borehole, wherein the reference dispersion represents far-field elastic properties in the subterranean formation, analyzing, by the computer processor, a difference between the reference dispersion and the borehole wave dispersion measurement based on a thermoelastic model of the subterranean formation to generate an analysis result, and determining, by the computer processor and based on the analysis result, a temperature dependent parameter of the subterranean formation. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140204710 | Methods and Apparatus for Estimating Borehole Mud Slownesses - Methods and apparatus for estimating borehole mud slownesses are disclosed. An example method includes estimating a borehole drilling fluid slowness value based on a tube wave modulus value, a tube-wave slowness value, and a drilling fluid density value. The borehole is associated with an anisotropic elastic medium. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20150301214 | PREDICTING HYDRAULIC FRACTURE PROPAGATION - The present disclosure is related to methods and apparatuses for acoustic velocity well logging. The method may include estimating a magnitude of a principal horizontal stress in a borehole in a formation. The method may include obtaining a far field stress orientation and making a measurement of near borehole stress orientation. The present disclosure also includes an apparatus configured to be conveyed into a borehole and perform the method. Formation stresses and directions may be estimated. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20160114354 | ASYMMETRIC BENDER BAR TRANSDUCER - Apparatus and techniques are described, such as for obtaining information indicative of an acoustic characteristic of a formation, including using a transducer assembly, comprising a base plate, a first piezoelectric slab and a second piezoelectric slab. The base plate includes a first region extending axially in a first direction beyond the first and second piezoelectric slabs along a specified axis of the base plate and a second region extending axially in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the first and second piezoelectric slabs. In various examples, a length of the first region along the specified axis is different than a length of the second region to provide an asymmetric configuration. In various examples, an anchoring element is mechanically coupled to the base plate at a location corresponding to a node location of a specified acoustic vibration mode. | 04-28-2016 |
| 367032000 | Frequency dependent determination | 11 |
| 20100085835 | NOVEL CURVE-FITTING TECHNIQUE FOR DETERMINING DISPERSION CHARACTERISTICS OF GUIDED ELASTIC WAVES - A method for estimating a slowness of an earth formation, the method including: transmitting acoustic energy into the earth formation using an acoustic source; receiving the acoustic energy with an array of acoustic receivers, each acoustic receiver being configured to provide acoustic waveform data related to the received acoustic energy; transforming the acoustic waveform data into a frequency domain to provide frequency domain data; calculating a slowness-frequency coherence function using the frequency domain data; selecting slowness dispersion data from peaks of the slowness-frequency coherence function; fitting a curve to the slowness dispersion data; and estimating the slowness from the curve. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100110831 | EXPLORING A SUBSURFACE REGION THAT CONTAINS A TARGET SECTOR OF INTEREST - A system and method are disclosed for exploring a subsurface region that contains a target sector of interest. The method comprises providing information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest and a seismic source. The method comprises controlling the seismic source to provide seismic waves in a narrowband selected on the basis of the information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest. The method comprises activating the seismic source so as to introduce seismic waves into the subsurface sector and sensing reflections of the seismic waves at a seismic receiver. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100265794 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ESTIMATE COMPRESSIONAL TO SHEAR VELOCITY (VP/VS) RATIO IN A REGION REMOTE FROM A BOREHOLE - In some aspects of the disclosure, a method for creating three-dimensional images of non-linear properties and the compressional to shear velocity ratio in a region remote from a borehole using a conveyed logging tool is disclosed. In some aspects, the method includes arranging a first source in the borehole and generating a steered beam of elastic energy at a first frequency; arranging a second source in the borehole and generating a steerable beam of elastic energy at a second frequency, such that the steerable beam at the first frequency and the steerable beam at the second frequency intercept at a location away from the borehole; receiving at the borehole by a sensor a third elastic wave, created by a three wave mixing process, with a frequency equal to a difference between the first and second frequencies and a direction of propagation towards the borehole; determining a location of a three wave mixing region based on the arrangement of the first and second sources and on properties of the third wave signal; and creating three-dimensional images of the non-linear properties using data recorded by repeating the generating, receiving and determining at a plurality of azimuths, inclinations and longitudinal locations within the borehole. The method is additionally used to generate three dimensional images of the ratio of compressional to shear acoustic velocity of the same volume surrounding the borehole. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100265795 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CREATE THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGES OF NON-LINEAR ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES IN A REGION REMOTE FROM A BOREHOLE - In some aspects of the disclosure, a method for creating three-dimensional images of non-linear properties and the compressional to shear velocity ratio in a region remote from a borehole using a conveyed logging tool is disclosed. In some aspects, the method includes arranging a first source in the borehole and generating a steered beam of elastic energy at a first frequency; arranging a second source in the borehole and generating a steerable beam of elastic energy at a second frequency, such that the steerable beam at the first frequency and the steerable beam at the second frequency intercept at a location away from the borehole; receiving at the borehole by a sensor a third elastic wave, created by a three wave mixing process, with a frequency equal to a difference between the first and second frequencies and a direction of propagation towards the borehole; determining a location of a three wave mixing region based on the arrangement of the first and second sources and on properties of the third wave signal; and creating three-dimensional images of the non-linear properties using data recorded by repeating the generating, receiving and determining at a plurality of azimuths, inclinations and longitudinal locations within the borehole. The method is additionally used to generate three dimensional images of the ratio of compressional to shear acoustic velocity of the same volume surrounding the borehole. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100322031 | 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 |
| 20110080803 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a method of generating a beam of acoustic energy in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes generating a first acoustic wave at a first frequency; generating a second acoustic wave at a second frequency different than the first frequency, wherein the first acoustic wave and second acoustic wave are generated by at least one transducer carried by a tool located within the borehole; transmitting the first and the second acoustic waves into an acoustically non-linear medium, wherein the composition of the non-linear medium produces a collimated beam by a non-linear mixing of the first and second acoustic waves, wherein the collimated beam has a frequency based upon a difference between the first frequency range and the second frequency, and wherein the non-linear medium has a velocity of sound between 100 m/s and 800 m/s. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080804 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a method of generating a beam of acoustic energy in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes generating a first acoustic wave at a first frequency; generating a second acoustic wave at a second frequency different than the first frequency, wherein the first acoustic wave and second acoustic wave are generated by at least one transducer carried by a tool located within the borehole; transmitting the first and the second acoustic waves into an acoustically non-linear medium, wherein the composition of the non-linear medium produces a collimated beam by a non-linear mixing of the first and second acoustic waves, wherein the collimated beam has a frequency based upon a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency; and transmitting the collimated beam through a diverging acoustic lens to compensate for a refractive effect caused by the curvature of the borehole. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080805 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A BEAM OF ACOUSTIC ENERGY FROM A BOREHOLE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In some aspects of the invention, a method of generating a beam of acoustic energy in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes generating a first broad-band acoustic pulse at a first broad-band frequency range having a first central frequency and a first bandwidth spread; generating a second broad-band acoustic pulse at a second broad-band frequency range different than the first frequency range having a second central frequency and a second bandwidth spread, wherein the first acoustic pulse and second acoustic pulse are generated by at least one transducer arranged on a tool located within the borehole; and transmitting the first and the second broad-band acoustic pulses into an acoustically non-linear medium, wherein the composition of the non-linear medium produces a collimated pulse by a non-linear mixing of the first and second acoustic pulses, wherein the collimated pulse has a frequency equal to the difference in frequencies between the first central frequency and the second central frequency and a bandwidth spread equal to the sum of the first bandwidth spread and the second bandwidth spread. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20120075951 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMAGING OF NON-LINEAR AND LINEAR PROPERTIES OF FORMATIONS SURROUNDING A BOREHOLE - In some aspects of the disclosure, a method and an apparatus is disclosed for investigating material surrounding the borehole. The method includes generating a first low frequency acoustic wave within the borehole, wherein the first low frequency acoustic wave induces a linear and a nonlinear response in one or more features in the material that are substantially perpendicular to a radius of the borehole; directing a first sequence of high frequency pulses in a direction perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the borehole into the material contemporaneously with the first acoustic wave; and receiving one or more second high frequency pulses at one or more receivers positionable in the borehole produced by an interaction between the first sequence of high frequency pulses and the one or more features undergoing linear and nonlinear elastic distortion due to the first low frequency acoustic wave to investigate the material surrounding the borehole | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120092959 | TECHNIQUE AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF A SYSTEM OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURES - A technique includes determining a magnitude and frequency distribution of seismic events attributable to hydraulic fracturing in a given stage of a well. The technique includes based on the determined magnitude and frequency distribution, predicting at least one additional magnitude and frequency distribution of seismic events attributable to hydraulic fracturing in at least one additional stage of the well. The technique includes determining at least one seismic property of a system of hydraulic fractures based at least in part on the determined additional magnitude and frequency distributions. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20130114376 | AUTOMATIC DISPERSION EXTRATION OF MULTIPLE TIME OVERLAPPED ACOUSTIC SIGNALS - Slowness dispersion characteristics of multiple possibly interfering signals in broadband acoustic waves as received by an array of two or more sensors are extracted without using a physical model. The problem of dispersion extraction is mapped to the problem of reconstructing signals having a sparse representation in an appropriately chosen over-complete dictionary of basis elements. A sparsity penalized signal reconstruction algorithm is described where the sparsity constraints are implemented by imposing a l | 05-09-2013 |
