Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080201079 | Method and apparatus for remote characterization of faults in the vicinity of boreholes - A method and system for characterization of fault conditions within a subterranean volume. In one embodiment, the system comprises means for generating a mathematical model of stress conditions within the volume, from which breakout conditions along a borehole trajectory can be predicted. The system further comprises means for sensing actual breakout conditions along a borehole extending through the volume. Predictive breakout data is compared with the actual sensed breakout conditions to assess the degree of correlation between the predictive data and the actual data, and thus the accuracy of the stress model. Means are provided for enabling a user to cause the mathematical model to be revised to reflect the presence of at least one active fault plane in the volume, where the presumed fault plane is not intersected by the borehole. The revised model is used to generate new predictive breakout data. The process of revising the stress model and assessing the correlation between predictive breakout conditions derived from the model and actual breakout conditions is repeatable in an iterative fashion to achieve an optimal correlation and hence an optimally accurate stress model reflecting fault conditions in the vicinity of but not necessarily penetrated by the borehole. | 08-21-2008 |
20090065252 | System and Method for Stress Field Based Wellbore Steering - A system and method for the geomechanical steering of the orientation of a wellbore is disclosed. In one embodiment, any available a priori data regarding the stress characteristics of a region of interest are used to develop a preliminary stress model for the region. A geosteered drilling operation is thereafter commenced, with the trajectory being steered in a direction relative to the stress model of the region. While drilling, real-time data is obtained from conventional down-hole instrumentation. The real-time data is used to refine the stress model for the region, such that the trajectory can be guided on an ongoing basis to achieve an optimal relationship with the measured stress characteristics of the region. | 03-12-2009 |
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 |
20100286918 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREDICTING PROPERTIES OF EARTH FORMATIONS - A method of predicting a property of an earth formation includes: injecting a fluid into at least one pre-existing feature of the formation at a plurality of constant pressures or flow rates; measuring a response from the at least one pre-existing feature at each of the plurality of constant pressures or flow rates; and estimating at least one property of the at least one pre-existing feature based on the response. An apparatus for predicting a property of an earth formation is also disclosed. | 11-11-2010 |
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 |
20120217008 | System and Method for Stress Field Based Wellbore Steering - A system, method and computer-readable medium for developing an earth formation is disclosed. A tool conveyed in a borehole induces a stress in the earth formation proximate a borehole. A sensor assembly obtains a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole. The values of the physical property are indicative of the induced stress in the formation. A processor forms an image of the borehole using the obtained measurements of the physical property, estimates an azimuthal variation with borehole depth of the induced stress in the formation from the formed image, and alters an operational parameter of a device for developing the earth formation using the estimated azimuthal variation with depth of the induced stress in the formation. | 08-30-2012 |
20120310613 | METHOD TO IMPROVE RESERVOIR SIMULATION AND RECOVERY FROM FRACTURED RESERVOIRS - A method for modeling flow properties over a series of time increments of a reservoir in an earth formation having a plurality of fractures is disclosed. The method includes: building a three-dimensional stress field representing stresses in the reservoir; building a three-dimensional discrete fracture network (NFM) having fracture flow properties using information obtained from a tool or changes to the stress field; running a flow simulation of the reservoir for a time increment using the NFM to model the flow properties of the reservoir for that time increment; computing a latest change in the three-dimensional stress field from the flow simulation; and incrementing the time increment and iterating the building the NFM using the latest change in the stress field, the running of the flow simulation using the latest NFM, and the computing a latest change in the stress field from the latest running of the flow simulation. | 12-06-2012 |
20140058686 | NATURAL FRACTURE INJECTION TEST - A method for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole includes: performing a borehole integrity test at a pressure less than a fracture gradient pressure of the formation to provide leakage data; injecting a fluid into the formation at a first pressure greater than the fracture gradient pressure during a first injection time interval using a fluid injector; measuring pressure versus time using a pressure sensor and a timer during a first test time interval to provide first pressure data; injecting a fluid into the formation at a second flow rate greater than the first flow rate during a second injection time interval using the fluid injector; measuring pressure versus time using the pressure sensor and the timer during a second test time interval to provide second pressure data; and estimating the property using the first pressure data, the second pressure data, and the leakage data. | 02-27-2014 |
20140077963 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING PROFILE-BASED ALERTS/ALARMS - A method of processing parameter data includes: receiving at least one alarm value for a selected interval, the at least one alarm value generated based on a comparison of estimated parameter values at one or more respective interval points with limits at the respective interval points; performing, by a processor, a statistical analysis of the at least one alarm value over the selected interval; and generating an alarm indication associated with the selected interval, the alarm indication corresponding to a result of the statistical analysis. | 03-20-2014 |
20140121972 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WELL DATA ANALYSIS - A method of processing data generated from an energy industry or oilfield operation includes: receiving a data set representing parameter values generated during at least a portion of the operation, the parameter values including values of a plurality of parameters relating to the operation; dividing the data set into a plurality of data subsets, each data subset including values for multiple parameters; determining a measure of similarity between data in each subset relative to data in one or more other subsets; displaying a map of the data set in at least two dimensions, the map including a visual representation of each subset positioned relative to a visual representation of the one or more other subsets based on the measure of similarity; and analyzing the map to estimate a condition associated with the operation. | 05-01-2014 |
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 |
20160053611 | System and Method for Using Pressure Pulses for Fracture Stimulation Performance Enhancement and Evaluation - A system and method of applying periodic energy pulses to a portion of a wellbore, fracture(s), and/or near wellbore to interrogate and/or stimulate at least a portion of the wellbore, fracture(s), and/or near wellbore. The system includes a downhole device that is configured to deliver periodic energy pulses to a portion of the wellbore. The downhole device may deliver various energy pulses such as pressure waves, seismic waves, and/or acoustic waves. Sensors may determine properties of a portion of the wellbore and/or fracture based on energy pulses detected within the wellbore. The sensors may be connected to the downhole tool, may be positioned within the wellbore, and/or may be positioned at the surface. The magnitude and/or frequency of the periodic energy pulses may be varied to change the stimulation and/or interrogation of the wellbore. | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090118639 | Active Stylet Safety Shield - A bone needle assembly has a cannula and a stylet including a shaft received in a cannula shaft. A stylet safety shield is carried by the stylet to cover a sharp tip of the stylet shaft when removed from the cannula shaft after the bone is penetrated. The stylet includes a shield release device that moves the shield somewhat out of a handle member of the stylet when the stylet is released from the cannula, so that the safety shield can be more easily grasped. | 05-07-2009 |
20090326481 | DISCRIMINATING ORAL-TIP ADAPTOR - An adaptor for discriminating connection of an oral tip of a source of liquid enteral product to a feeding line. In one embodiment, the adaptor includes an internal stop in the body having a contact surface that is angled with respect to a transverse plane extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connection port so that if the standard luer tip is inserted into the connection port, the luer tip does not make flush contact with the contact surface. In another embodiment, the adaptor includes an external stop surrounding the connection port generally adjacent to the first open end of the body. The adaptor may include an umbrella valve. In other embodiments, the adaptor includes a fluid release opening in fluid communication with the connection port extending generally radially through the adaptor body at a location spaced from the longitudinal ends of the body. | 12-31-2009 |
20100217152 | Device for Shielding a Sharp Tip of a Cannula and Method of Using the Same - A safety device for shielding a sharp tip of a tubular needle includes a shaft sized and shaped for being received into the passage of the tubular needle through a first end of the passage and extending to a second end of the passage. A shield is associated with the shaft and is constructed for receiving and substantially shielding the sharp tip of the needle. A catch is associated with the shaft. The catch prevents the withdrawal of the shaft from the passage of the needle when the shield is shielding the sharp tip of the needle. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217153 | Device for Shielding a Sharp Tip of a Cannula and Method of Using the Same - A safety device for shielding a sharp tip of a tubular needle includes a shaft sized and shaped for being received into the passage of the tubular needle through a first end of the passage and extending to a second end of the passage. A shield is associated with the shaft and is constructed for receiving and substantially shielding the sharp tip of the needle. A catch is associated with the shaft. The catch prevents the withdrawal of the shaft from the passage of the needle when the shield is shielding the sharp tip of the needle. | 08-26-2010 |
20100280410 | Needle Assembly with Removable Depth Stop - A needle assembly ( | 11-04-2010 |
20110015579 | Safety Reset Key and Needle Assembly - A needle assembly includes a mounting structure and a needle mounted on the mounting structure and extending outwardly from the mounting structure. The needle has a longitudinal axis, a sharp end and a central axial passageway. A safety shield is associated with the needle and includes a tubular housing having distal and proximal ends. The distal end of the housing has a funnel-shaped surface. A reset key is configured to engage the distal end of the housing. The reset key includes a support. A shaft extending from the support is adapted for inserting into the distal end the housing. The funnel-shaped surface guides the shaft into the housing to register the reset key with the safety shield. | 01-20-2011 |