Method and apparatus for determining the nature of subterranean reservoirs using refracted electromagnetic waves

US6859038B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• STATOIL ASA · NO
• Norges Geotekniske Insitutt · NO

Inventors

• Svein Ellingsrud · Trondheim, NO
• Terje Eidesmo · Trondheim, NO
• Fan-Nian Kong · Oslo, NO
• Harald Westerdahl · Råholt, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 2002
• Grant date: Feb 22, 2005
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A90/30
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and devices are disclosed for determining if hydrocarbons or water is present in a subterranean reservoir are described. Certain embodiments involve an electromagnetic field applied by a transmitter on the seabed and detected by at least one antenna also on the seabed, wherein a refracted wave component is sought in the wave field response, and is analyzed to determine the nature and contents of the resevoir.