Michael A Norris

US Patent:

6490529, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/703226

Inventors:

Michael W. Norris - Cypress TX
Douglas L. Bremner - Houston TX
Thomas J. Fleure - Houston TX

Assignee:

Westerngeco, L.L.C. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 128

US Classification:

702 17

Abstract:

A method for identifying optimal seismic energy source configurations for a selected seismic survey area. Physical properties of the surface or near-surface soil or rock are assessed and are tested to determine the response of such soil to energy source characteristics and geometries. A test model for a source is generated and is projected to create a far-field seismic response model. A seismic event is initiated within the survey area to measure seismic data, and such measured data is compared against the far-field seismic response model. Differences can be assessed to permit modifications to the model, and the model can be tested for different types and configurations of seismic source energy sources.

US Patent:

6662899, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

May 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/860680

Inventors:

Michael Norris - Cypress TX
Peter Aronstam - Houston TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V 140

US Classification:

181102, 181112, 367 25, 16625001

Abstract:

One or more autonomous devices are deployed in the well to provide a moveable sensor source or obstruction for coupling a tube wave seismic signal into the formation adjacent the well bore. The autonomous devices move in the well and provide moveable obstructions or discontinuities which couple tube waves existing in the well bore or production tubing into the formation adjacent the well bore. Wellbore tube wave energy is converted to body wave energy at minor borehole obstructions or irregularities that become sources of seismic energy. A well bore may contain a plurality of minor obstructions or discontinuities. Each obstruction or discontinuity position along the borehole has an associated unique waveform source coda that may be measured for processing the wavefield radiated into the earth formation surrounding the well bore. A plurality of sensors detects the radiated seismic energy after the seismic energy has transited intervening earth formations. The system may be employed as a permanent monitoring device for mineral resource management so that measurements may be acquired at many different times.

US Patent:

6712141, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Oct 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/694141

Inventors:

Terry R. Bussear - Friendswood TX
Michael W. Norris - Cypress TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 4700

US Classification:

16625017, 166 66, 16625001, 181102, 181108

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for placing acoustic devices in wellbores. The method comprises: providing a tubing with at least one anchoring device in the wellbore, where the anchoring device is extendable to the wellbore to exert a force on the wellbore; attaching at least one acoustic device to at least one anchoring device; placing the tubing in the least one acoustic device attached to the at least one anchoring device in the wellbore; and setting the anchoring device to extend to the wellbore to exert a force on the wellbore, thereby coupling the acoustic device to the wellbore. The wellbore system comprises a tubing that has an annular space between the tubing and the wellbore. At least one anchoring device is disposed on an outer surface of the tubing and extends to and exerts a force on the wellbore. An acoustic device is attached to the anchoring device.

US Patent:

6983796, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Jan 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/754879

Inventors:

Christian F. Bayne - The Woodlands TX, US
Benn A. Voll - Houston TX, US
J. Todd Broome - The Woodland TX, US
James R. Zachman - The Woodlands TX, US
Graeme H. Falconer - Aberdeen, GB
Michael W. Norris - Cypress TX, US
David A. Bilberry - Houston TX, US
Steve B. Hodges - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/04
E21B 43/08
E21B 23/03

US Classification:

166278, 166 51, 166 651, 166385, 166235, 439190

Abstract:

A technique for providing auxiliary conduits in multi-trip completions is disclosed. The technique has particular applicability to liner mounted screens which are to be gravel packed. In the preferred embodiment, a protective shroud is run with the gravel pack screens with the auxiliary conduits disposed in between. The auxiliary conduits terminate in a quick connection at a liner top packer. The gravel packing equipment can optionally be secured in a flow relationship to the auxiliary conduits so as to control the gravel packing operation. Subsequent to the removal of the specialized equipment, the production tubing can be run with an auxiliary conduit or conduits for connection down hole to the auxiliary conduits coming from the liner top packer for a sealing connection. Thereafter, during production various data on the well can be obtained in real time despite the multiple trips necessary to accomplish completion. The various completion and/or production activities can also be accomplished using the auxiliary conduits such as actuation of down hole flow control devices, chemical injection, pressure measurement, distributed temperature sensing through fiber optics, as well as other down hole parameters.

US Patent:

8162297, Apr 24, 2012

Filed:

May 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/303534

Inventors:

Michael W. Norris - Cypress TX, US
Steven E. Heiney - Houston TX, US
Warren S. Ross - Houston TX, US
Marvin L. Johnson - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B01F 3/04

US Classification:

2611221, 261124, 367 15, 367 24

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as suppressing surface-related multiple reflections in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes.

US Patent:

8276889, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Mar 15, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/421234

Inventors:

Michael W. Norris - Cypress TX, US
Steven E. Heiney - Houston TX, US
Warren S. Ross - Houston TX, US
Marvin L. Johnson - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

B01F 3/04

US Classification:

261120, 2611221, 261124

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as modifying the characteristics of a seismic source used in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes () to create a curtain of diverse-sized bubbles ().

US Patent:

20030218939, Nov 27, 2003

Filed:

Jan 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/351928

Inventors:

Jose Casarsa - Houston TX, US
Terry Bussear - Round Rock TX, US
Michael Norris - Cypress TX, US
Dean Fanguy - Houma LA, US

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01V001/00

US Classification:

367/035000

Abstract:

Methods and equipment are described for placement of an array of seismic sensor sets along a horizontal section of wellbore for monitoring microseismic activity during and after hydro-fracturing. A perforated wellbore liner is positioned in the horizontal wellbore production section with sonic transmission enhancement devices such as longitudinal blade centralizers for acoustically coupling seismic sensing devices to the production formation. Internally of the perforated liner, a coiled tube is placed having an array of signal cable connected seismic sensor sets. The seismic sensor sets are linked to the coiled tube wall by sonic transmission enhancement devices and the tube wall linked by acoustic transmission enhancement devices to the perforated liner.

US Patent:

20100182870, Jul 22, 2010

Filed:

Jul 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/669734

Inventors:

Michael W. Norris - Cypress TX, US
Marvin L. Johnson - Chromo CO, US

International Classification:

G01V 1/38

US Classification:

367 15

Abstract:

The described invention relates to a method for acquiring seismic data in icy waters comprising positioning a fixed structure or movable vessel () at or near an established water opening; deploying into the water opening, from said structure or vessel one or more ROV or AUV units (), said ROV or AUV units remaining connected to said structure or vessel; operating the one or more ROV or AUV units to deploy seismic sensors recording equipment () and/or one or more seismic source equipment () on or near the water bottom; generating and applying control signals to one or more of the more ROV or AUV units to generate and to record seismic signals (); operating the one or more ROV or AUV units on the water bottom to move () and/or recover () the seismic source equipment and/or seismic sensors recording.