Integrated system for investigating sub-surface features of a rock formation

US9110179B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. · US
• LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC · US

Inventors

• Cung Vu · Houston, US
• Christopher Skelt · Houston, US
• Kurt Nihei · Oakland, US
• Paul A. Johnson · Santa Fe, US
• Robert Guyer · Reno, US
• James A. Ten Cate · Los Alamos, US
• Pierre-Yves Le Bas · Los Alamos, US
• Carène S. Larmat · Los Alamos, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 9, 2011
• Grant date: Aug 18, 2015
• Expiry date: Apr 1, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10K15/02
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

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.