Peter L Duncan

US Patent:

7663970, Feb 16, 2010

Filed:

Sep 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/522183

Inventors:

Peter M. Duncan - Houston TX, US
James D Lakings - Houston TX, US
Roderick A. Flores - Edgewood NM, US

Assignee:

Microseismic, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/28
G01V 1/32

US Classification:

367 38, 367 47, 181112

Abstract:

A method for seismic event mapping includes transforming seismic signals recorded at selected positions into a domain of possible spatial positions of a source of seismic events. An origin in spatial position and time of at least one seismic event is determined from space and time distribution of at least one attribute of the transformed seismic data.

US Patent:

7986587, Jul 26, 2011

Filed:

Mar 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/051962

Inventors:

Peter M. Duncan - Houston TX, US
James D Lakings - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Microseismic, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/00

US Classification:

367 40, 367 38

Abstract:

A method of imaging the Earth's subsurface using passive seismic emissions includes detecting seismic signals originating from within the Earth's subsurface over a selected time period using an array of seismic sensors deployed proximate the Earth's surface. Hypocenters of seismic events in the subsurface are determined from the detected signals. Seismic signals detected at selected ones of the seismic sensors are cross-correlated to signals detected at other selected ones of the seismic sensors. The cross-correlated signals are processed to obtain a reflectivity series at a geodetic position of the selected one of the seismic sensors. A spatial distribution of at least one seismic property in the subsurface is determined using the determined hypocenters and the reflectivity series.

US Patent:

8218394, Jul 10, 2012

Filed:

Jun 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/485081

Inventors:

Chuntao Liang - Houston TX, US
Michael P. Thornton - Houston TX, US
Peter M. Duncan - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Microseismic, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 1/36

US Classification:

367 40, 367 43, 367 50, 702 17, 702 18

Abstract:

A method of imaging the Earth's subsurface using passive seismic interferometry tomography includes detecting seismic signals from within the Earth's subsurface over a time period using an array of seismic sensors, the seismic signals being generated by seismic events within the Earth's subsurface. The method further includes adaptively velocity filtering the detected signals. The method further includes cross-correlating the velocity filtered seismic signals to obtain a reflectivity series at a position of each of the seismic sensors.

US Patent:

20090185448, Jul 23, 2009

Filed:

Jan 19, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/017010

Inventors:

Peter M. Duncan - Houston TX, US
James D. Lakings - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/36

US Classification:

367 40

Abstract:

A method of imaging the Earth's subsurface using passive seismic emission tomography includes detecting seismic signals from within the Earth's subsurface over a time period using an array of seismic sensors, the seismic signals being generated by seismic events within the Earth's subsurface. The method further includes inducing a seismic event within the Earth's subsurface during at least a segment of the time period over which the seismic signals are detected. The method further includes cross-correlating seismic signals detected at each of the seismic sensors to obtain a reflectivity series at a position of each of the seismic sensors.

US Patent:

20100238765, Sep 23, 2010

Filed:

Mar 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/407894

Inventors:

Vladimir GRECHKA - Missouri City TX, US
Petr KOLINSKY - Borovany, CZ
Leo EISNER - Houston TX, US
Peter M. DUNCAN - Houston TX, US
Michael P. THORNTON - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/00

US Classification:

367 38

Abstract:

A method for determining seismic anisotropy of subsurface rock formations includes measuring passive seismic signals at a plurality of locations above an area of the Earth's subsurface to be surveyed. The compressional- and shear-wave arrival times from at least one origin location of a seismic event occurring in the subsurface are determined from the measured seismic signals. The arrival times are inverted to obtain values of the seismic anisotropy parameters.

US Patent:

20110242934, Oct 6, 2011

Filed:

Apr 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/753919

Inventors:

Michael P. Thornton - Houston TX, US
Leo Eisner - Houston TX, US
Peter M. Duncan - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/28

US Classification:

367 14

Abstract:

A method for passive seismic surveying includes deploying seismic sensors in a plurality of spatially distributed wellbores disposed above a volume of subsurface formations to be evaluated. The sensors in each wellbore form a line of sensors. Each sensor generate optical or electrical signals in response to seismic amplitude. The seismic signals from each sensor are recorded for a selected period of time. The response of the seismic sensor recordings is beam steered to at least one of a selected point and a selected volume in the subsurface. At least one microseismic event is identified in the beam steered response.