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(11)

EP 1 169 655 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 09.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/02 (21) Application number: 00917892.2 (22) Date of filing: 10.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01V 1/28 (86) International application number: PCT/US0006/523 (87) International publication number: WO 0054/074 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 12.03.1999 US 124054 P (71) Applicant: Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Houston, TX 77252-2189 (US)	(72) Inventors: WINBOW, Graham, A. Houston, TX 77079 (US) SCHNEIDER, William, A., Jr. Houston, TX 77040 (US) (74) Representative: HOFFMANN - EITLE  Patent- und Rechtsanwälte Arabellastrasse 4 81925 München 81925 München (DE)