Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110298461 | DEEP EVALUATION OF RESISTIVE ANOMALIES IN BOREHOLE ENVIRONMENTS - A drill string can include at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna. The transmit antenna transmits at least one electromagnetic signal into a region of an earth formation. The receive antenna receives the signal from the region of the earth formation. The transmit antenna comprises one of a magnetic dipole and an electric dipole, and the receive antenna comprises the other of the magnetic dipole and the electric dipole. At least one characteristic of the region of the earth formation is determined, based at least partially on the signal received by the receive antenna. A homogenous part of the electromagnetic signal may be reduced, to thereby increase a depth of detection of the characteristic. | 12-08-2011 |
20120234605 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF LOCATING DOWNHOLE ANOMALIES - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of determining the characteristics of geological formations in a well. One or more transmitters and receivers electrically imitate a moving antenna. The moving antenna produces a distribution of frequencies by utilizing the Doppler effect. Each anomaly in the well produces reflections with different frequency, amplitude and phase information. In various embodiments, location and characteristics of multiple anomalies can be identified simultaneously in a well. | 09-20-2012 |
20130032404 | Pulsed-Electric Drilling Systems and Methods With Formation Evaluation and/or Bit Position Tracking - Pulsed-electric drilling systems can be augmented with multi-component electromagnetic field sensors on the drillstring, at the earth's surface, or in existing boreholes in the vicinity of the planned drilling path. The sensors detect electrical fields and/or magnetic fields caused by the electrical pulses and derive therefrom information of interest including, e.g., spark size and orientation, bit position, at-bit resistivity and permittivity, and tomographically mapped formation structures. The at-bit resistivity measurements can be for anisotropic or isotropic formations, and in the former case, can include vertical and horizontal resistivities and an orientation of the anisotropy axis. The sensors can illustratively include toroids, electrode arrays, tilted coil antennas, magnetic dipole antennas aligned with the tool axes, and magnetometers. The use of multiple such sensors increases measurement accuracy and the number of unknown model parameters which can be derived using an iterative inversion technique. | 02-07-2013 |
20130105224 | Method and Apparatus For Sensing Elongated Subterranean Anomalies | 05-02-2013 |
20130141102 | OPTIMIZED ARRAYS FOR LOOK AHEAD-OF-BIT APPLICATIONS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of operation with respect to well logging. Apparatus and methods include a tool having an arrangement of transmitters and receivers to capture a signal from a first region relative to the tool such that signal contributions from a second region relative to the tool are cancelable, based on placement of the transmitters and receivers with respect to each other. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 06-06-2013 |
20130166215 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate with respect to environmental measurements. Apparatus and methods include a processing unit to generate a ratio from signals measured relating to an underground environment and to determine parameters of the underground environment based on the generated ratio. | 06-27-2013 |
20130169278 | IMAGING AND SENSING OF SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIRS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of sensing and/or mapping a subterranean reservoir. In various embodiments, arrangements of electromagnetic sensors are disposed relative to a subterranean reservoir such that a signal received by electromagnetic sensors of one arrangement, in response to activation of an electromagnetic transmitter, can be analyzed to map the subterranean reservoir. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 07-04-2013 |
20130248250 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF LANDING A WELL IN A TARGET ZONE - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to land a well in a target zone with minimal or no overshoot of target zone. The well may be directed to a target in the target zone based on the separation distance between a transmitter sensor ( | 09-26-2013 |
20130311094 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING INDUCTION MEASUREMENTS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to operate an induction measurement process in a borehole that addresses direct coupling of a signal between sensors of a measuring tool. Apparatus and methods can include a processing unit to generate formation parameters from signals received in the measurement tool. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 11-21-2013 |
20140019058 | IMPROVED TIME-BASED PROCESSING OF BROADBAND BOREHOLE ACOUSTIC DATA - Methods and systems for improving time-semblance processing of acoustic data are disclosed. Acoustic data is obtained from a tool in a formation. A delay filter is then designed and applied to the obtained acoustic data to obtain delayed acoustic data. Time semblance is then applied to this delayed acoustic data. | 01-16-2014 |
20140029382 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING OPTIMIZED BOREHOLE ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS - A system and method for measuring a formation property in a wellbore is disclosed. In the method, an acoustic measurement tool is introduced into a wellbore. The acoustic measurement tool may include a transmitter and a plurality of sensors. At least one of the plurality of sensors may be positioned in a non-uniform spacing configuration. The transmitter may transmit energy into the formation. The plurality of sensors may measure energy received from the formation. Additionally, a time semblance of the formation may be determined using at least one time semblance algorithm generalized for non-uniform sensor spacing. | 01-30-2014 |
20140032116 | MULTICOMPONENT BOREHOLE RADAR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed herein are multicomponent borehole radar tools and methods. At least some tool embodiments employ at least two antennas that receive reflections of electromagnetic pulses transmitted from the tool. A processor processes the receive signals to identify reflection signals and to determine a direction and/or distance to the sources of the reflection signals. Possible sources include formation boundaries, fluid boundaries, cased wells, and other features that cause contrasts in electromagnetic properties. In addition to reflection signals, the measured responses may include direct signal measurements that are useful for determining formation resistivity and permittivity. Each of the antennas may transmit and receive, and they may be collocated to reduce tool size and reduce processing complexity. Disclosed logging tool examples employ both electric and magnetic dipole antennas. | 01-30-2014 |
20140097848 | FIBEROPTIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS DETECTING EM SIGNALS VIA RESISTIVE HEATING - Fiberoptics can be employed to detect downhole electromagnetic signals via resistive heating. A disclosed electromagnetic energy detector embodiment includes an optically-interrogated temperature sensor; and a conductive element thermally coupled to the sensor, the conductive element having a temperature response to incident electromagnetic energy. The optically-interrogated temperature sensor may be a length or coil of optical fiber to which a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) or distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system is attached. The conductive element may be a metal coating on the fiber that experiences resistive heating in response to electromagnetic energy and creates an optically-measurable thermal response in the sensor. | 04-10-2014 |
20140191120 | Fiberoptic Systems and Methods for Formation Monitoring - A disclosed formation monitoring system includes a casing that defines an annular space within a borehole. An array of electromagnetic field sensors is positioned in the annular space and configured to communicate with the surface via a fiberoptic cable. A computer coupled to the fiberoptic cable receives said measurements and responsively derives the location of any fluid fronts in the vicinity such as a an approaching flood front to enable corrective action before breakthrough. A disclosed formation monitoring method includes: injecting a first fluid into a reservoir formation; producing a second fluid from the reservoir formation via a casing in a borehole; collecting electromagnetic field measurements with an array of fiberoptic sensors in an annular space between said casing and said borehole, said array communicating measurements to a surface interface via one or more fiberoptic cables; and operating on said measurements to locate a front between the first and second fluids. | 07-10-2014 |
20140191761 | Fiberoptic Systems and Methods for Subsurface EM Field Monitoring - A disclosed subsurface electromagnetic field monitoring system employs at least one fiberoptic cable to optically communicate measurements from an array of electromagnetic field sensors in a borehole. A data processing system that receives the measurements and responsively models the subsurface electromagnetic field, which in at least some cases is generated by a controlled source such as a downhole electric or magnetic dipole source or a casing that serves as an electrode for injecting a distributed current into the formation. At least some disclosed method embodiments include: receiving measurements from an array of electromagnetic field sensors via a fiberoptic cable in a borehole; modeling a subsurface electromagnetic field based on estimated formation parameters to predict said measurements; adjusting the estimated formation parameters to improve a match between predicted measurements and received measurements; and displaying the estimated formation parameters after matching the predicted measurements to the received measurements. | 07-10-2014 |
20140195188 | BOREHOLE ACOUSTIC NOISE MEASUREMENT AND PROCESSING - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire acoustic noise data by one or more receivers, the acoustic noise provided by a passive source comprising a down hole tool body moving with in a borehole, and/or a positioning device or a measurement device attached to the tool body. Additional operations may include processing the acoustic noise data to determine receiver calibration parameters, and/or formation properties. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 07-10-2014 |
20140222344 | ACOUSTIC SENSOR APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to acquire multiple output values provided by at least one elongated, unitary acoustic sensor operating as a secondary propagation medium. The sensor has multiple mechanical-to-electrical conversion probe points along its length, to provide corresponding multiple output values proportional to mechanical movement along the length of the sensor, the mechanical movement being induced by acoustic waves in a primary propagation medium comprising a geological formation and borehole fluid. Further activity may include processing the output values to determine slowness in an acoustic wave propagating between at least two of the probe points. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140244175 | COMPENSATED CROSSWELL TOMOGRAPHY METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A method and system to compensate for inaccuracies in crosswell tomography is presented. The method includes obtaining data from at least two receivers in response to transmissions from at least two transmitters. Next, at least one compensated value is derived based on the responses of the receivers to the transmitters. Finally, an inversion is performed based at least in part on the compensated value derived. This method eliminates inaccuracies that can be caused by sensor gain and phase variations in the inversion process. Inversion results with gain and phase compensation produce better imaging results that can better help determine the shape and boundaries of the reservoir. | 08-28-2014 |
20140249754 | LOOK-AHEAD OF THE BIT APPLICATIONS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods of operation with respect to well logging. Apparatus and methods can include a tool having an arrangement of spaced apart transmitter antennas and receiver antennas in transmitter-receiver antenna pairs to make shallow measurements and deep measurements. The signals acquired from the shallow measurements and deep measurements can be processed to provide a look-ahead signal in a drilling operation. The transmitter and receiver antennas can be oriented to cancel or substantially cancel out signals from layers between the transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna in response to the transmitter being operated downhole in a well. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 09-04-2014 |
20140306710 | MULTI-ARRAY LATEROLOG TOOLS AND METHODS WITH SPLIT MONITOR ELECTRODES - Multi-array laterolog tool systems and methods acquire a set of array measurements sufficient to provide laterolog tool measurements of differing array sizes. Such systems and method offer multiple depths of investigation while offering greater measurement stability in borehole environments having high resistivity contrasts. In at least some system embodiments, a wireline or LWD tool body has a center electrode positioned between multiple pairs of guard electrodes and a pair of return electrodes. At least some of the guard electrodes are positioned between component electrodes of associated split monitor electrodes that enable more accurate measurement of the guard electrode potential. The tool's electronics provide a current from the center electrode to the pair of return electrodes and currents from each pair of guard electrodes to the pair of return electrodes. Each of the currents may be distinguishable by frequency or distinguishable by some other means. | 10-16-2014 |
20140350858 | ENHANCED RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire formation signals from a deep measurement electromagnetic antenna array, where values of the formation signals depend on properties of a geological formation. Formation signals may also be acquired from an at-bit resistivity (ABR) sensor, where the ABR sensor comprises a drill bit electrically coupled to a toroid or to multiple electrodes, the electrodes separated by at least one gap. Further activities may include inverting the values of the formation signals to transform the values into an enhanced resistivity measurement for the geological formation, wherein the inverting comprises determining at least one of relative distance between layers of the geological formation, relative orientation of the layers to a housing, or a resistivity gradient of the layers, wherein the layers are not locally penetrated by the bit. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 11-27-2014 |
20140367092 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING DOWNHOLE CONDITIONS THROUGH FLUID SENSING - An apparatus and method may operate to mount one or more communication assemblies relative to the exterior of a casing being placed in a borehole. Two communication assemblies can be placed in longitudinally spaced relation to one another along the casing, wherein each communication assembly is configured to obtain excitation responses from electrodes of a fluid sensing component, where the excitation responses vary based on properties of fluids in one or more regions of the annulus surrounding the casing. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368199 | DOWNHOLE SENSING IN BOREHOLE ENVIRONMENTS - A drill string can include at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna. The transmit antenna transmits at least one electromagnetic signal into a region of an earth formation. The receive antenna receives the signal from the region of the earth formation. The transmit antenna comprises one of a magnetic dipole and an electric dipole, and the receive antenna comprises the other of the magnetic dipole and the electric dipole. At least one characteristic of the region of the earth formation is determined, based at least partially on the signal received by the receive antenna. A homogeneous part of the electromagnetic signal may be reduced, to thereby increase a depth of detection of the characteristic. | 12-18-2014 |
20150039231 | MEASUREMENT CORRECTION APPARATUS, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to calculate a map that transforms fast modeled measurement results into accurate modeled measurement results within a modeled data space, to make actual measurements using a tool disposed in a borehole, to transform a plurality of modeling parameter vectors into the fast modeled measurement results via modeling, to transform the fast modeled measurement results into the accurate modeled measurement results using the map, to locate a matching modeling parameter vector as one of the plurality of modeling parameter vectors that matches the accurate modeled measurement results to the actual measurement, and to display at least a portion of the matching modeling parameter vector to represent at least one property of a geological formation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described. | 02-05-2015 |
20150083409 | ROTATIONALLY-INDEPENDENT WELLBORE RANGING - In one example of a rotationally independent wellbore ranging system, a housing attached to a rotary component is positioned in a first wellbore and remains substantially stationary relative to the first wellbore when the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore. Multiple sensors affixed to the housing are operable to receive multiple ranging signals from a second wellbore while the rotary component rotates in the first wellbore, and provide the multiple ranging signals to a processor to determine a position of the first wellbore relative to the second wellbore. | 03-26-2015 |
20150083518 | ACOUSTIC SOURCE APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to rotate a rotatable driving member having at least one driving lobe, and to periodically contact at least one cam on a unitary driven member with the at least one driving lobe during rotation of the rotatable driving member, to set the driven member in motion. This motion can be used to launch an acoustic wave along an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the driving member, where the driving member disposed completely within the driven member. The signature of the acoustic wave can be at least partially determined by the profile of the cam and the rotation rate of the driving member. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 03-26-2015 |