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US 7,248,052 B2Granted
Electric power grid induced geophysical prospecting method and apparatus
OwnerW. Barry Weaver, Roy K. Warreninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A geophysical prospecting method and apparatus that utilizes the harmonics and sub harmonics waves induced into the earth by the electric power grid. The amplitude-frequency data are converted to amplitude-depth data and further converted to a differential curve. The resulting differential curve is compared to known patterns of the interested geological features, such as hydrocarbon reservoir, to identify whether the features exist and at what depth such geological features lie.
Claims7
A method of geological prospecting, comprising:
- (a) detecting a plurality of electromagnetic waves in the earth, wherein the plurality of electromagnetic waves are:
- induced in the earth by a power grid;
- in resonance with geological boundaries within the earth;
- and
- multiples of sub-harmonics of a power grid frequency;
- and
- (b) for one or more of the plurality of electromagnetic waves generating a base plot of amplitude vs. depth using the formula:
- d=(k/f)+b, where d is the depth in feet, f is the frequency in Hz, and k is a constant dependant on a phase velocity of the electromagnetic wave and b is a calibration constant and generating a differential plot of amplitude v. depth wherein the relationship between the base plot and the differential plot is indicative of the presence of a geological feature.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.