| SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120129737 | HETEROGENEOUS PROPPANT PLACEMENT IN A FRACTURE WITH REMOVABLE CHANNELANT FILL - A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant and a channelant through a wellbore into the fracture, heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands spaced apart by the channelant, and removing the channelant filler material to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The channelant can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include fibers to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and/or to inhibit settling of the proppant in the treatment fluid. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120127827 | TECHNIQUE AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING A CROSS WELL SURVEY - A technique includes providing a source in a first well and a seismic receiver in a second well to detect a seismic event that is caused by the source. The technique includes referencing clocks in the source and receiver to a common reference time frame and determining a time in the reference time frame at which the seismic source generates the seismic event. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125618 | METHOD FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING OF SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - The invention provides economically effective methods for hydraulic fracturing a subterranean formation that ensure improvement of the hydraulic fracture conductivity because of forming strong proppant clusters uniformly placed in the fracture throughout its length. One of these methods comprises: a first stage comprising injection of fracturing fluid into a borehole, the fluid containing thickeners to create a fracture in the formation; and a second stage comprising introduction of proppant into the injected fracturing fluid to prevent closure of the created fracture, and further, comprising introducing an agent into the fracturing fluid to provide formation of proppant clusters in the created fracture and channels for flowing formation fluids. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120118572 | METHODS OF LIMITING LEAK OFF AND DAMAGE IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURES - A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant and a channelant through a wellbore into the fracture, heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands spaced apart by the channelant, and removing the channelant filler material to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The channelant can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include fibers to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and/or to inhibit settling of the proppant in the treatment fluid. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120118558 | DOWNHOLE SENSING SYSTEM USING CARBON NANOTUBE FET - Subterranean sensing devices configured or designed for downhole use to sense a local condition in the well. The sensing devices comprise one or more transistor having at least one carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNT FET) configured or designed for operation downhole, within a borehole. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120117104 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF FACILITATING PETROLEUM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS - The present invention provides a system and method capable of facilitating the efficient analysis of oilfield data utilizing at least one computer database containing a plurality of stored petroleum engineering operations. In one embodiment, stored petroleum engineering operations may include individual petroleum engineering tasks/calculations, workflows comprising multiple engineering tasks/calculations, and/or third party applications capable of analyzing at least a portion of collected oilfield data. In one embodiment, petroleum engineering operations may be proven in the field, i.e., tested and proven to be accurate under real-world oilfield conditions, prior to storage upon the database. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a graphic user interface adapted to receive customer data and identify stored engineering operations associated thereto. Identified engineering operations stored upon the database may then be displayed and executed according to user instructions and/or predefined execution arrangements. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116837 | SOCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention provides a social risk management system and method capable of analyzing data pertaining to an economic venture, identifying social risks that may be encountered, generating specific prevention and mitigation measures for those hazards, and evaluating the results. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a user-friendly graphic user interface through which users may access the unique functionality of the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention is capable of utilizing feedback data to generate one or more evaluation reports illustrating the success, or lack thereof, of the implemented prevention/mitigation measures. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120111581 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING THE RESIDUAL BENDING AND FATIGUE IN COILED TUBING - The subject disclosure provides a reel and a gooseneck which significantly reduce residual bending of the coiled tubing. The subject disclosure discloses a gooseneck that provides reverse bending forces to reduce the residual bending as a result of the reel. Further, the subject disclosure discloses a gooseneck having an adjustable radius during the coiled tubing operations which optimizes the residual bending process. The subject disclosure also discloses a heating and cooling module. The heating and cooling modules are attached to the gooseneck and are used to reduce fatigue of the coiled tubing and elongate the life cycle of the coiled tubing. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120103627 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROL OF TOOLS IN A SUBTERRANEAN COMPLETION APPLICATION - A technique utilizes a completion system deployed for use in select groundwater applications. The completion system comprises a plurality of sensors, e.g. pressure probes, and a plurality of multi-function tools which are positioned to control the opening and closing of corresponding pumping ports and/or other devices. The multi-function tools can be controlled individually via communication signals, thus avoiding the need to retrieve and/or reconfigure portions of the completion to make operational changes to the pumping ports and/or other devices. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103615 | VISCOUS WELLBORE FLUIDS - A wellbore fluid contains a viscosifying polymer in which portions of the polymer are connected through formation of an inclusion complex involving cucurbituril 8 (i.e. CB[8]) as host molecule. The fluid contains guest molecules with first and second guest groups covalently attached wherein at least one of the guest molecules comprises a polymer chain. The CB [8] host and the guest molecules attach together through reception of first and second guest groups within CB[8] host cavities, thereby connecting polymer chains together as a larger, supramolecular polymer and enhancing viscosity of the fluid. Polymer molecules may be synthetic polymers and guest groups may be attached to monomers before polymerization. Alternatively guest groups may be attached to existing polymers which may be polysaccharide. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120103082 | DOWNHOLE FLOW METER - A technique facilitates flow monitoring in a well. A well component is designed for engagement with a well string deployed downhole into a wellbore. The well component has an internal flow passage through which well fluid is flowed. A sensor structure is mounted in the well component along the internal flow passage and comprises at least one sensor designed to sense a parameter related to fluid flow. The sensor structure is movable between a non-intrusive flow position with respect to the internal flow passage and a measurement position within the internal flow passage for measurement of the desired parameter. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120101730 | METHOD AND APPARATUS UTILIZING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR ESTIMATING RESIDUAL CARBON DIOXIDE SATURATION IN AQUIFIERS - Percolation theory is applied to establish a connection between magnetization decay of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and residual carbon dioxide saturation (S | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120097453 | Downhole Mechanism - In one aspect of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprises a fluid passageway formed between a first and second end. A valve mechanism is disposed within the fluid passageway adapted to substantially cyclically build-up and release pressure within the fluid passageway such that a pressure build-up results in radial expansion of at least a portion of the fluid passageway and wherein a pressure release results in a contraction of the portion of the fluid passageway. The valve mechanism disposed within the fluid passageway comprises a spring. Expansion and contraction of the portion of the fluid passageway varies a weight loaded to a drill bit disposed at a drilling end of the drill string. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120095733 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUMS FOR INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OPTIMIZATION - A method, system, and computer readable storage medium according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, may (a) provide a non-linear deterministic model representing the production system, the model including one or more inputs and one or more outputs, and associating a PDF with one or more of a first input and a first output, wherein the first input and the first output are not measured and not deterministically known; (b) linearize the model, and obtain a measurement of one or more of a second input and/or a second output; (c) determine, using a joint mean and covariance, a joint uncertainty related to one or more of the inputs and outputs; and (d) determine, using the joint mean and covariance and the measurement, a conditional mean and covariance for the one or more of the first input and first output. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120093667 | Power Cable For High Temperature Environments - An electrical power cable for high temperature environments comprises two or more sheathed conductors; each sheathed conductor comprising an electrical conductor, an electrical insulator surrounding the electrical conductor, and a sheath surrounding the electrical insulator; and a bonding material interconnecting the sheaths of the two or more sheathed conductors positioned adjacent to one another to form a cable. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092959 | TECHNIQUE AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF A SYSTEM OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURES - A technique includes determining a magnitude and frequency distribution of seismic events attributable to hydraulic fracturing in a given stage of a well. The technique includes based on the determined magnitude and frequency distribution, predicting at least one additional magnitude and frequency distribution of seismic events attributable to hydraulic fracturing in at least one additional stage of the well. The technique includes determining at least one seismic property of a system of hydraulic fractures based at least in part on the determined additional magnitude and frequency distributions. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120085538 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEPLOYING AND USING SELF-LOCATING TITLE OF THE INVENTION DOWNHOLE DEVICES - A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a plurality of location markers in a passageway of the well and deploying an untethered object in the passageway such that the object travels downhole via the passageway. The technique includes using the untethered object to sense proximity of at least some of the location markers as the object travels downhole, and based on the sensing, selectively expand its size to cause the object to become lodged in the passageway near a predetermined location. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120080189 | DEGRADABLE COMPOSITIONS, APPARATUS COMPRISING SAME, AND METHODS OF USE - Compositions, apparatus incorporating a composition, and methods of use are described, one composition embodiment consisting essentially of one or more reactive metals in major proportion, and one or more alloying elements in minor proportion, with the provisos that the composition is high-strength, controllably reactive, and degradable under defined conditions. Compositions of the invention may exist in a variety of morphologies, including a reactive metal or degradable alloy processed into an alloy of crystalline, amorphous or mixed structure that may constitute the matrix of other composition, for instance a composite. Methods of using apparatus comprising a composition, particularly in oilfield operations are also described (e.g. flow and displacement control, sensors, actuators). This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120078533 | PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SIGNALS - The process of determining similarities of signals resulting from a sample analysis step using the same type of measuring device, characterized by the fact that it comprises a step of determining a value for each parameter of an uncertainty model related to said signals by processing homologous characteristic elements in at least two signals derived from the analysis of similar samples, and a step of determining a measurement of similarity between signals based on each parameter value of the said uncertainty model and of homologous characteristic elements in the different signals whose similarity is being measured. In some embodiments, during the value determination step, a mathematical uncertainty model is optimized so that it corresponds to the theoretically expected differences between the homologous characteristic elements in the various signals from similar samples | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073835 | ORIENTABLE ECCENTRIC DOWNHOLE ASSEMBLY - An assembly employing multiple eccentric devices about a mandrel. The assembly is configured such that at least one of the eccentric devices is adjustably orientable relative another. Thus, for example, where the devices are packers disposed about completions tubing, the adjustable orientation may be utilized to ensure enough clearance is available for downhole advancement of the assembly. As such, the assembly may remain eccentric in nature without concern over damage during positioning, particularly to a communication line running to actuatable implements of equipment coupled to the completions assembly. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073805 | METHOD FOR MONITORING CEMENT PLUGS - A method for method of monitoring the parameters of a cement plug ( | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120073802 | COMPLEX TOOL FOR WELL MONITORING - A complex tool according to the invention comprises a cylindrical housing, a lever centralizer aligning the tool along the well axis and having at least six levers and a fluid flow temperature sensor and inflow temperature indicator located on the tool axis. A fluid phase composition sensors are located on the centralizer levers and distributed along the well bore circumference. An additional fluid phase composition sensor is located on the tool axis. At least one additional fluid flow temperature sensor and at least one additional inflow temperature indicator disposed on each lever and distributed along the well bore circumference and located on the same line with the phase composition sensors parallel to the tool axis. There is an additional upper lever centralizer in the tail part. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120072188 | STRESS AND FRACTURE MODELING USING THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION - Stress and fracture modeling using the principal of superposition is provided. A system simulates linearly independent far field stress models for a subsurface earth volume, computing stress, strain, and displacement values based on superposition of independent stress tensors. Based on the precomputed values, the system generates real-time recovery of paleostress values, or, stress, strain, and displacement parameters for any point in the subsurface volume as the user varies far field stress values. The system recovers one or more tectonic events, or a stress tensor represented by a ratio of principal magnitudes and associated orientation, using fault geometry, well bore data (fracture orientation and secondary fault plane data), GPS, InSAR, folded and faulted horizons, tiltmeters, slip and slikenlines on faults. The system uses different geologic data from seismic interpretation, well bore readings, and field observation to provide numerous results, such as predicted fracture propagation based on perturbed stress field. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067593 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLOW IN A WELLBORE - A technique facilitates controlling flow in a wellbore. One or more flow control valve assemblies may be designed for coupling with downhole well equipment. Each flow control valve assembly comprises a flow control valve which cooperates with a control module. The control module comprises a plurality of electrically controlled valves arranged to control flow of actuating fluid to the flow control valve. Each flow control valve assembly also comprises a hydraulic override system to enable hydraulic actuation of the flow control valve to a predetermined position when, for example, no electrical power is available for the electrically controlled valves of the control module. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067581 | MECHANISM FOR TREATING SUBTERANEAN FORMATIONS WITH EMBEDDED ADDITIVES - The subject disclosure discloses mechanisms for embedding and controlling multifunctional additives within a polymer matrix for use in oilfield applications. More particularly, the subject disclosure discloses methods of treating a subterranean formation with a polymer matrix comprising one or a plurality of polymers and one or a plurality of functional additives embedded into this polymer matrix. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067567 | DOWNHOLE COMPLETION SYSTEM WITH RETRIEVABLE POWER UNIT - A technique facilitates providing a downhole completion with electrical power. The technique may comprise placing an independent completion in a wellbore section. The independent completion is provided with a removable power unit having a power generator coupled to a power storage device. The technique further comprises communicating data or other signals between the independent completion located in the wellbore section and a second completion located in a separate wellbore section. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067118 | DISTRIBUTED FIBER OPTIC SENSOR SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED LINEARITY - A fiber optic sensor system includes an optical source to output a first optical signal to launch into an optical fiber, and a coherent detector to mix a coherent Rayleigh backscatter signal generated by the optical fiber in response to the first optical signal with a second optical signal output by the optical source and to generate a mixed output signal. A phase detection and acquisition system determines a phase difference between first and second locations along the optical fiber based on phase information extracted from the mixed output signal and combines the phase information extracted from multiple acquisitions to detect strain on the optical fiber sensor. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120065951 | METHOD TO PREDICT DENSE HYDROCARBON SATURATIONS FOR HIGH PRESSURE HIGH TEMPERATURE - A method for characterizing one or more properties of a geological formation including brine and a dense vapor phase includes inputting at least one first property of the geological formation including resistivity of a vapor phase into a model including an equation of state (EOS) model, the model accounting for a high temperature effect on the dense vapor where that the dense vapor has a non-infinite resistivity. At least the EOS model is solves to provide data relating to at least one second property of the geological formation. The data relating to the at least one second property is output to a display device for visual inspection. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065889 | Real-Time Fracture Detection And Fracture Orientation Estimation Using Tri-Axial Induction Measurements - A method for determining existence of a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore drilled through subsurface rock formations includes calculating vertical resistivity, horizontal resistivity, apparent formation dip, apparent formation azimuth and axial resistivity for a plurality of longitudinal instrument spacings using measurements from a triaxial induction well logging instrument disposed in the formation. A spread in the axial resistivity values is determined and the axial resistivity spread threshold therefrom. Fracture indicator values and fracture orientation values are calculated from transverse components of the triaxial induction measurements. Presence of a fracture is indicated when at least one of the fracture indicator value exceeds a selected threshold, the axial resistivity spread exceeds the spread threshold and when the apparent formation dip exceeds a selected threshold. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120064632 | ELECTRO-CHEMICAL SENSOR - The present invention provides an electrochemical sensor having a solid electrically conductive substrate and a compound immobilized thereon which has binding affinity for an analyte species to be detected and also displays electrochemical behaviour which is modified upon binding of that analyte species, so that binding of an analyte species can be detected by measuring electrochemical properties, such as by voltammetry. Desirably the immobilised compound contains both a first moiety with binding affinity for the analyte and a separate second moiety which is a redox system whose electrochemical oxidation/reduction properties become modified when the first moiety binds the analyte. The analyte binding moiety may be a diol or polyol and preferably is a sugar. The electrochemical sensor finds use in methods of analysing reservoir and process fluids, particularly at a subterranean location. The electrochemical sensor may be a component of a downhole tool, adapted for deployment downhole. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120063263 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEISMIC SIGNAL DETECTION - Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. The seismic sensors output displacement signals of a displacement sensor superimposed on velocity signals generated by a moving coil of the seismic sensors. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120061086 | Method of Preparing Polymer-Water Emulsion and Further Settling a Sticky Polymer Material In Downhole Environment - This invention relates to oil and gas production, more specifically, to the methods of producing polymer emulsion for downhole operations and mixing degradable (hydrolysable) polymer emulsion with the treatment fluid. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120059640 | THERMODYNAMIC MODELING FOR OPTIMIZED RECOVERY IN SAGD - One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to receive input as to physical characteristics of a resource recovery system and a resource reservoir; simulate fluid thermodynamics of the system and the reservoir; and output information as to phase composition, for example, in at least one dense phase affected by the resource recovery system. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059636 | DEVICE AND METHOD TO DETERMINE CONDUCTIVITY FOR HIGH PRESSURE-HIGH TEMPERATURE SERVICE - A method for characterizing one or more properties of a geological formation including brine, the method including inputting at least one first property of the geological formation into an equation of state (EOS) model, the EOS model accounting for a high temperature effect on the brine; solving the EOS model to determine at least one second property of the geological formation; and outputting the at least one second property to a display device. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059198 | DERIVATISATION OF CARBON - A molecular species is covalently attached to elemental carbon by exposing the carbon to a reaction mixture containing a strong base and a compound of the formula (I) or (II) in which X denotes a covalently attached atom or group capable of forming an X | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055712 | DRILLING APPARATUS - An apparatus for drilling a wellbore ( | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120055672 | System and Method for Managing Temperature in a Wellbore - A system and a method manage temperature in a wellbore. A thermal barrier may be positioned within the drill pipe and/or the drill collars to obtain a desired downhole temperature and/or control the effect of thermal energy in high-angle and horizontal wellbores. Downhole measurements, such as real-time measurements and/or recorded measurements, may be used to update models, such as steady state models and/or dynamic models. The downhole measurements may validate the static temperature gradient and may provide information about the thermal characteristics of the one or more formations in which the wellbore is located. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120046866 | OILFIELD APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRIBUTED VIBRATION SENSING TECHNOLOGY - Methods and apparatus for monitoring a hydrocarbon production system. A fiber optic sensor system is deployed into hydrocarbon production system, so as to extend to location of interest within the system, for instance, in conjunction with a downhole component or a surface component. The fiber optic system detects vibration present in the production system component, and provides a signal indicative of the vibration to a signal acquisition and analysis unit. The vibration of the production component is analyzed and a change in system flow condition/property or a change in production system component integrity is determined. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120044784 | DETERMINING A POSITION OF A GEOLOGICAL LAYER RELATIVE TO A WAVELET RESPONSE IN SEISMIC DATA - Determining geological layer location in a subterranean formation, including receiving seismic data representing an interaction of the geological layer with propagation of a seismic wave, identifying a source wavelet representing a portion of the seismic wave impinging on a boundary of the geological layer, providing a geological layer template of the geological layer including primary and secondary reflection interfaces associated with reflectivity based on material properties of the geological layer, generating a wavelet response template by applying the source wavelet to the geological layer template using a mathematical convolution operation to model seismic wave interference caused by the primary and secondary reflection interfaces, identifying an extremum of the seismic data, and determining, based on the extremum, the location of the geological layer in the subterranean formation using the wavelet response template. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043922 | Variable Freqency Drive with Dielectric Fluid-Immersed Transformer - A variable frequency drive system for controlling the frequency of a high-voltage power source supplied to a first electric motor includes a transformer section that includes a motorized loadbreak switch system, control power transformers, a controller programmed with control logic to ensure that the motorized loadbreak switch system opens contacts between the high-voltage power source and the variable frequency drive system once the power source is removed, and a tank containing a dielectric fluid, wherein the tank also contains, within the dielectric fluid, a manual isolation switch to supply or remove power to the transformer section, an impedance for use in soft-starting the variable frequency drive system, a primary winding, and a plurality of phase-shifted secondary windings. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043085 | WELLBORE SERVICE FLUID AND METHODS OF USE - A method is described to predict the composition of favorable bridging agents for a particular situation in which the solution thermodynamics of the chemicals used in the composition of the bridging material is carefully evaluated. Wellbore service fluids are also described that contain materials such as sodium bicarbonate, a material such as a salt containing water in a crystal structure, a material containing at least one boron-oxygen bond, or a non-polymer material having low solubility at low temperatures and high solubility at temperatures close to an expected long-term static bottom hole temperature. The material is provided in aqueous medium in sufficient concentration in the aqueous medium so as to act as a diverting agent during a hydraulic fracturing procedure using the fluid. The wellbore service fluid is pumped through the wellbore and the flow of the fluid is diverted using a plug that subsequently substantially dissolves due to changes in temperature and/or pressure. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043080 | METHODS FOR DOWNHOLE SAMPLING OF TIGHT FORMATIONS - There is provided a method of sampling a subterranean formation, including the steps of creating a side bore into the wall of a well traversing the formation, sealing the wall around the side bore to provide a pressure seal between the side bore and the well, pressurizing the side bore beyond a pressure inducing formation fracture while maintaining the seal, pumping a fracturing fluid adapted to prevent a complete closure of the fracture through the side bore into the fracture, and reversing the pumping to sample formation fluid through the fracture and the side bore. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043079 | SAND CONTROL WELL COMPLETION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A technique includes running a sand control completion system into a well, where the system includes at least one sensor, a gravel packing service tool and a sand control section. The sand control completion system is used to perform a gravel packing-related operation in the well in which a slurry is communicated downhole through the service tool to deposit gravel near the completion section. The technique includes regulating the gravel packing-related operation based at least in part on data acquired by said at least one sensor and communicated to an Earth surface of the well while the operation is being performed. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043078 | METHODS FOR TESTING STIMULATION FLUIDS - A method of testing the performance of a stimulation fluid by placing a sample of the stimulation fluid or a precursor thereof into the body of a downhole tool, positioning the tool in juxtaposition with a rock face at a downhole location, forming a sealing contact between the rock face and the tool; and injecting the sample into the rock face while monitoring pressure and/or flow rates during the injection of the sample into and/or production of formation fluid from the rock face to derive a measure of the effectiveness of the stimulation fluid in creating openings in the rock face. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120043077 | METHODS FOR BOREHOLE MEASUREMENTS OF FRACTURING PRESSURES - There is provided a method of testing a subterranean formation for fracture condition, including the steps of creating a side bore into the wall of a well traversing the formation, sealing the wall around the side bore to provide a pressure seal between the side bore and the well, pressurizing the side bore beyond a pressure inducing formation fracture while maintaining the seal and monitoring the pressure to identify the fracture condition. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120041681 | Water Fraction Measuring Sensor and Method - A sensor for measuring water fraction in a fluid mixture flowing in a conductive tubing within a borehole. The sensor comprises: an active probe, a reference probe, and an electronic unit. The active probe includes a first electrode and a second electrode isolated from each other by a first insulating layer, the first and second electrodes are preferably in contact with the fluid mixture. The reference probe is formed from an internal wall of the conductive tubing contacting the fluid mixture and isolated from the reference probe by a second insulating layer. The electronic unit is coupled to the first and second electrodes, and to the reference probe, the electronic unit preferably includes a capacitance module for measuring a capacitance between the active probe and the reference probe. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120037376 | System and Method For Well Clean-Up - A system and method for clean-up and subsea intervention operations in a subsea well or installation, including a light well intervention vessel configured to deploy and connect a subsea well intervention package on a subsea well or installation, and configured to perform subsea intervention operations; and an auxiliary vessel directly coupled to the same subsea well or installation and configured to receive and treat returns from the subsea well. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120035854 | SEISMIC ACQUISITION SYSTEM INCLUDING A DISTRIBUTED SENSOR HAVING AN OPTICAL FIBER - A seismic acquisition system includes a distributed optical sensor (having an optical fiber) and an interrogation subsystem configured to generate a light signal to emit into the optical fiber. The interrogation subsystem receives, from the distributed optical sensor, backscattered light responsive to the emitted light signal, wherein the backscattered light is affected by one or both of seismic signals reflected from a subterranean structure and noise. Output data corresponding to the backscattered light is provided to a processing subsystem to determine a characteristic of the subterranean structure. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120031624 | FLOW TUBE FOR USE IN SUBSURFACE VALVES - According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, an engaging member for operating a subsurface valve between an open position and a closed position includes a bottom portion comprising a terminal end adapted for contacting a valve closure member, the bottom portion having a first material characteristic and an upper portion having a second material characteristic that is quantitatively different from the first material characteristic. The material characteristics include, without limitation, strength, coefficient of friction, and the modulus of elasticity. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120029895 | MODEL-CONSISTENT STRUCTURAL RESTORATION FOR GEOMECHANICAL AND PETROLEUM SYSTEMS MODELING - A method for modeling a subterranean formation of a field, including receiving a structural model and restoring geological layers thereof to create boundary conditions each associated with a corresponding geological layer, and iteratively modeling each geological layer by alternatively applying a petroleum system model (PSM) and a geomechanical model (GMM) to a first geological layer while exchanging data between the PSM and GMM for convergence prior to applying the PSM and the GMM to a second geological layer. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029828 | CHRONO-STRATIGRAPHIC AND TECTONO-STRATIGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION ON SEISMIC VOLUMES - A method for performing chrono-stratigraphic interpretation of a subterranean formation. The method includes obtaining a seismic volume containing stratigraphic features of the subterranean formation deformed by structural events, performing structural restoration of the seismic volume to generate a restored seismic volume by removing deformation due to the structural events, performing a chrono-stratigraphic interpretation based on the restored seismic volume to generate chrono-stratigraphic objects each associated with a respective relative geologic age, and displaying the chrono-stratigraphic objects in a chrono-stratigraphic space according to the respective relative geologic age of each of the stratigraphic objects. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029827 | INTERACTIVE STRUCTURAL RESTORATION WHILE INTERPRETING SEISMIC VOLUMES FOR STRUCTURE AND STRATIGRAPHY - A method for performing seismic interpretation of a subterranean formation by enabling dual-domain interpretation of seismic features in the present day depth domain and simultaneously in a structurally restored “mapped” seismic domain. Specifically, seismic interpretation is performed on structurally restored seismic volumes while concurrently viewing the interpretation results in the structural domain. This increases the interpretation confidence by improved correlation of structural deformed events to their pre-structurally deformed geometry. The method includes the ability to progressively remove structural deformation from the seismic volume, corresponding to moving back in geologic time. The interpretation can be performed in either domain (present-day structure or structurally restored to a defined geologic event), and the interpretation will be mapped to any other computed geologic age or present structural age. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026832 | JOINT STRUCTURAL DIP REMOVAL - A method for structural dip removal. The method includes converting a seismic volume to a depth domain, extracting seismic dips from the seismic volume in the depth domain along a borehole trajectory, analyzing a borehole using the seismic dips to obtain structural dip data, and in response to determining that the seismic dips and borehole dips obtained from borehole imagery are consistent, generating a three dimensional (“3D”) structural model using the structural dip data. The method further includes performing a structural restoration using the 3D structural model to obtain depositional geometry data, removing structural dip from the borehole imagery using the 3D structural model to obtain sedimentary dip data, and performing a stratigraphic interpretation using the depositional geometry data and the sedimentary dip data. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120024523 | TOOL AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING FORMATION PARAMETER - An apparatus and method of measuring a parameter characteristic of a rock formation in an oil well is provided with a device for generating a sensing field within a volume of the rock formation and a device for causing a flow through the volume in the presence of the sensing field, further including sensors responsive to changes in the volume, wherein a sensor response is indicative of the amounts of fluid, particularly hydrocarbon and water saturations and irreducible hydrocarbon and water saturations. Measurements can be made before the flow affects the measuring volume and after onset of the flow through the measuring volume. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120023118 | PALEONEIGHBORHOOD HYDROCARBON SPATIAL SYSTEM - A paleogeographic search system is provided for locating geoscience data relevant to a geographic search aperture. The paleogeographic search system comprises a geodatabase, an interface, a paleogeographic reconstruction engine, and a host processor. The paleogeographic engine is configured to transform the geographic search aperture according to tectonic plate movements to a transformed search aperture that the geographic search aperture occupied in a geological age of interest. The host processor is configured to apply a paleoaugmented geographic search aperture to a geodatabase for additional oil exploration data relevant to the geographic search aperture today. The paleoaugmented geographic search aperture is defined by augmenting the transformed search aperture to include relevant proximal locations for the selected geological age of interest to create an augmented transformed search area; and transforming the augmented transformed search aperture, according to tectonic plate movements, to the paleoaugmented geographic search aperture in present day world geography. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022837 | Smoothing Of Stair-Stepped Geometry In Grids - Smoothing stair-stepped geometry in grids is described. An example system modifies grid cells in a geologic grid model to convert a stair-stepped approximation of a geologic feature into a smooth representation of the geologic feature. The system determines approximately horizontal segments within a stair-stepped pattern that are intersected by the true surface of the geologic feature as defined by model data. The system then extends approximately vertical segments between intersected horizontal segments to the nearest cell boundaries. Cell nodes defining the endpoints of these extended vertical segments are then repositioned to the true surface of the geologic feature, while horizontal segments are collapsed. Pillars of the grid model are shifted in various beneficial ways to accommodate the repositioned nodes. The basic fabric and structure of a grid model is preserved while geologic features that are usually modeled with a stair-stepped approximation can be modeled as smooth lines in the grid model. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021529 | Micro-Valve and Micro-Fluidic Device Using Such - A micro-valve ( | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120021524 | MICROSENSOR FOR MERCURY - Methods and devices for detecting a concentration of one or more element in hydrocarbon and/or natural gas in a oil and gas field application. The device including a microstructure having a low thermal mass suspended within a channel, the microstructure includes a supporting layer and a insulating layer; a controllable thermal device in communication with the supporting layer of the microstructure, wherein the controllable thermal device is controllably heated to one or more release temperature of the one or more element; a sensing layer arranged on the insulating layer to absorb molecules of the one or more element from hydrocarbon and/or natural gas; a detecting and measuring resistance device in communication with the sensing layer for measuring the resistance changes caused by absorption of molecules of the one or more element onto the sensing layer at a first temperature and a second temperature, and storing the data on a processor. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120020777 | DURABLE PUMPS FOR ABRASIVES - Durable pumps for abrasives are provided. In one implementation, an example centrifugal pump or pump stage for subsurface operation has a thrust washer located inside the circumference of a close-fitting clearance seal between an impeller shroud and the diffuser. The relocation of the thrust washer allows the clearance seal to protect the thrust washer from abrasives while the thrust washer supports the impeller against the reaction forces of axial fluid flow. In one implementation, the radius or size of a thrust washer or other seal-like feature is reduced in order to increase exposure of the bottom impeller shroud to pressured fluid, thus balancing pressure at the top and bottom of the impeller to decrease friction between the impeller and the thrust washer. Reducing the radius of the thrust washer also reduces surface area of the washer subject to friction and reduces the moment arm of a braking torque on the rotating impeller, thereby reducing power loss in the pump. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018998 | NON BASEPIPE-WELDED ACCESSORY ATTACHMENT - A gripping apparatus is provided having a stop collar with an accessory hardware coupled or otherwise attached thereto so as to not weld the accessory hardware directly to a production tubular. The gripping apparatus is adapted to grippingly engage the production tubular for downhole hydrocarbon recovery applications, and the accessory hardware can be a bracket or ring configured to support alternate path shunt tubes. The stop collar can also include centralizer blades coupled directly thereto, instead of welding the centralizer blades to the production tubular. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018224 | COMPLIANTLY COUPLED GAUGE PAD SYSTEM - A drill bit system for a drilling assembly is disclosed. The drill bit system may include a chassis, a head, and one or more compliantly coupled gauge pads. The head may include a first plurality of cutters coupled with an end of the head, and the head may be coupled with chassis. The one or more gauge pads may include a second plurality of cutters, and the one or more gauge pads may be movably coupled with the chassis. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018169 | DOWNHOLE DISPLACEMENT BASED ACTUATOR - A technique facilitates actuating a variety of components in a downhole environment. The technique utilizes displacement based activation of an atmospheric actuation chamber. Activation of the atmospheric actuation chamber may be initiated via a variety of mechanisms, including manipulation of a restraining device, translation of a seal, and/or destruction of a seal. The atmospheric actuation chamber is coupled in cooperation with the corresponding downhole component to enable selective activation of the downhole component. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018157 | BALLISTIC TRANSFER DELAY DEVICE - A ballistic transfer delay device and method of use. The ballistic transfer delay device does not include a firing pin and it is not pressure initiated. The device comprises a time delay fuse, a through-bulkhead initiator to initiate the time delay fuse, and an output booster to ballistically transfer the energy from the initiated time delay fuse. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120018156 | GAS CUSHION NEAR OR AROUND PERFORATING GUN TO CONTROL WELLBORE PRESSURE TRANSIENTS - A method for perforating a formation material proximate to a wellbore involving lowering a perforating gun string comprising a perforating gun and a gas-generating device downhole, providing wellbore fluid around the perforating gun, and providing a volume of gas proximate the perforating gun, by the gas-generating device, wherein the volume of gas is configured to reduce the shock produced upon firing of the perforating gun. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120016649 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN ADVANCING FLUID FRONT OF A RESERVOIR - A system and method for controlling an advancing water front in a reservoir toward a wellbore is provided. The system has a production control unit. The production control unit has a reservoir unit for producing a reservoir model and a production path unit for producing a production path model that determines at least one pressure parameter about the wellbore during a life of the wellbore. The production control unit has a production optimizer unit for producing a well plan that optimizes a function of the wellsite. The production control unit may be for controlling an advancing fluid front in the reservoir with at least one control device, and wherein a production path is constructed based on the well plan. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120016588 | Correction for Low Porosity Effects on Neutron Gamma Density - Systems, methods, and devices are provided to determine an accurate neutron-gamma density (NGD) measurement for a broad range of formations, including low-hydrogen-index or low-porosity formations and formations with heavy elements. For example, such an NGD measurement may be obtained by emitting neutrons into a formation such that some of the neutrons inelastically scatter off elements of the formation and generate inelastic gamma rays. The neutrons and inelastic gamma rays that return to the downhole tool may be detected. Some characteristics of certain formations are believed to affect the fast neutron transport of the formations. Thus, if a formation has one or more of such characteristics, a correction may be applied to the count rate of neutrons, the count rate of inelastic gamma rays, or the neutron transport correction function, upon which the neutron-gamma density (NGD) may be determined. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120014219 | Wellbore Telemetry And Noise Cancellation Systems And Methods For The Same - A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013481 | Wellbore Telemetry And Noise Cancellation Systems And Method For The Same - A method of signal processing includes providing at least a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor spaced in a drilling system and using an algorithm to separate the downwardly propagating waves from the upwardly propagating waves. In one or more examples, an algorithm may include determining a velocity of pressure signals in a wellbore, time-shifting and stacking pressure signals from at least the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a downwardly propagating noise signal, and subtracting the downwardly propagating noise signal from at least the signal from the first pressure sensor. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120012318 | Compositions And Methods For Servicing Subterranean Wells - Fluid compositions comprising an aqueous epoxy resin, a hardener and particles comprising silica, aluminosilicate or both are useful for establishing hydraulic isolation in cemented subterranean wells. Upon entering voids and cracks in or adjacent to the cement sheath, and contacting the set-cement surfaces, the composition reacts and forms a seal that prevents further leakage. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120011927 | METHOD OF DETERMINING SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION PARAMETERS - A method for assigning a wettability or related parameter to a subvolume of formation located between two or more boreholes is described with the method including the steps of obtaining measurements of the resistivity at the subvolume, obtaining further parameters determining a relation between resistivity and saturation from logging measurements along the two or more boreholes, obtaining geological measurement defining geological or rock-type boundaries within the formation between the two or more boreholes, selecting the subvolume such that it is not intersected by the geological or rock-type boundaries; transforming the resistivity measurements into the saturation at the subvolume; and—using the saturation and/or the further parameters to determine the wettability or related parameter for the subvolume. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120008459 | SIMULTANEOUS OR NEAR-SIMULTANEOUS ACQUISITION FOR BOREHOLE SEISMIC - A technique facilitates performance of seismic profiling, such as three-dimensional vertical seismic profiling. A downhole acquisition system is provided with acoustic receivers designed to receive acoustic source signals. The firing of acoustic source signals is synchronized with the downhole acquisition system. Additionally, the firing of two or more acoustic source signals is controlled to provide simultaneous or nearly simultaneous timing of one acoustic source signal with respect to another acoustic source signal. A processing system is used to acquire and process a data stream of the initial shot and a data stream of the additional shot occurring simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006546 | Compositions And Methods For Well Cementing - A retarder aid increases the applicable temperature range of phosphonate/borate cement-retarder systems to at least 302° C. (575° F.), and 207 MPa (30,000 psi). The retarder aid comprises a terpolymer of styrene sulfonate, maleic anhydride and acrylate of ethylene oxide. Cement slurries containing the retarder and retarder aid may be used for both primary-cementing and remedial-cementing applications. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006543 | DOWNHOLE OIL-WATER-SOLIDS SEPARATION - A technique facilitates separating fluids and solids and handling the separated solids downhole. A separator system is provided with a separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream passage, a water stream passage, and a solids passage. The separator operates to separate well fluid into substantially oil, water, and solids components and those components are directed to the corresponding passages. A flow restrictor may be used in cooperation with the separator to facilitate separation of the well fluid components. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120006468 | INLINE PLASMA TREATMENT OF AN OPTICAL FIBER CABLE STRUCTURE - To treat a surface of an optical fiber cable structure, substantially an entire length of the optical fiber cable structure is moved through an inline plasma treatment system. As the optical fiber cable structure is moved through the inline plasma treatment system, the surface of the optical fiber cable structure is continually exposed to plasma. Exposing the surface of the optical fiber cable structure to plasma modifies a characteristic of the surface of the optical cable structure to improve an ability of the surface of the optical fiber cable structure to adhere to a target material. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120004849 | EFFICIENT WINDOWED RADON TRANSFORM - One or more computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to define a Radon transform convolution mask; specify an angle that defines a line extending at least partially across a pixel image; and apply the mask successively to target pixels on the line to compute a statistical value for each of the target pixels where application of the mask identifies a set of pixels for computing the statistical value and where each successive application of the mask identifies a set of pixels that includes at least one pixel of a prior set and at least one pixel not included in the prior set to thereby reduce requirements for computing the statistical values. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120003111 | MECHANICAL SYSTEM FOR MOVEMENT ALONG A HOUSING AXIS - A mechanism for moving elements in a fluid filled housing a pump with the element to be moved attached rigidly to the pump or to a port assembly connected to the pump. The pump assembly or port assembly moves as a result of differential pressure created between a first and a second chamber separated from each other by the pump assembly or port assembly. Movement of the fluid in one direction increases or decreases pressure, the pressure change resulting in a net force in one direction or the other. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001506 | COMMUTATION SYSTEM FOR A DC MOTOR - A commutation system for a DC motor having a stator including a plurality of windings and a permanent magnet assembly, the assembly comprising: | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000655 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED CEMENT PLUG PLACEMENT - A method and apparatus for making real-time measurements of downhole properties during cement plug placement. A wired placement conduit is lowered downhole releasing a sensor package. The sensor package is capable of measuring downhole properties in real-time in the period while the cement plug sets. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000653 | HIGH SOLIDS CONTENT SLURRY METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A system and method are disclosed for low damage gravel packing. The system comprises a well bore; a gravel packing slurry comprising a carrier fluid and a solids mixture, wherein the solids mixture comprises a plurality of volume-averaged particle size distribution (PSD) modes such that a packed volume fraction (PVF) exceeds 0.75, wherein the solids mixture comprises at least a proppant PSD mode and a fines PSD mode; a pump to circulate the slurry in the wellbore and form a proppant pack; and a dispersant source effective to facilitate fines flowback from the pack. The method comprises circulating the slurry through a wellbore to form a proppant pack; contacting fines in the pack with a dispersant; and passing fluid through the pack to remove fines from the pack. Dispersants disclosed as present in the slurry or in another treatment fluid include polyelectrolyte, polysulfonate, polycarboxylate, lignosulfonates, polymelamine sulfonates, polystyrene sulfonates, polynaphthalene sulfonates, polyacrylates having a weight average molecular weight less than 10,000 Daltons, anionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120000641 | HIGH SOLIDS CONTENT SLURRIES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - High solids content slurry, systems and methods. The slurry comprises a carrier fluid and a solids mixture of first, second, third and fourth particle size distribution (PSD) modes wherein the first PSD mode is at least three times larger than the second PSD mode, which is larger than the third PSD mode, which is larger than the fourth PSD mode, and wherein at least one of the second and third PSD modes is less than 3 times larger than the respective third or fourth PSD mode. The method comprises forming the slurry, positioning a screen in a wellbore and circulating the slurry through the wellbore such that the solids mixture is deposited between the screen and the wellbore. The system comprises a pump to circulate the slurry, a workstring to position the screen and means for converting the slurry to a gravel pack. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110320177 | MULTIPHASE FLOW IN A WELLBORE AND CONNECTED HYDRAULIC FRACTURE - One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to iteratively solve a system of equations that model a wellbore and fracture network in a reservoir where the system of equations includes equations for multiphase flow in a porous medium, equations for multiphase flow between a fracture and a wellbore, and equations for multiphase flow between a formation of a reservoir and a fracture. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320147 | PRECISION MEASUREMENTS IN A FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED SENSOR SYSTEM - A fiber optic distributed vibration sensor provides a highly sensitive measurement of a measurand with a high degree of linearity. The distributed vibration sensor includes subsections configured to have a high sensitivity to a measurand of interest interspaced in an alternating manner with subsections having a low sensitivity to the measurand. The distributed vibration sensor is interrogated such that a phase difference between the backscattered signals generated in low sensitivity subsections surrounding a high sensitivity subsection can be determined. Characteristics of the measurand may then be determined based on the phase difference. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110320047 | DESIGN AND CONTROL OF MULTIPLE TUBING STRING WELL SYSTEMS - Design and control of well systems with multiple tubing strings is described. An example system models multiple tubing strings in wellbores as segments, with multiple control points selectively located among the segments. Each segment is modeled as one or more equations that describe characteristics of a fluid resource associated with the segment. The system can predict flow of fluids and energy in a wellbore by solving physical conservation equations subject to specified conditions. The system models multiple control points, and solves the equations to convergence to satisfy injection and production targets and specified constraints. Results may be used to improve production of the resource. The system can apply a variety of strategies to model wells via multiple control points, including conservation of mass and energy models, a global phase-component partitioning model, a conductive heat transfer model, a pseudo-pressure model, a non-Darcy flow model, a phase separation model, and so forth. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110315377 | Sensors in Swellable Materials - A downhole equipment includes a tubing configured for deployment in a wellbore; and a measurement unit disposed on outside of the tubing, wherein the measurement unit comprises a detector embedded in a swellable material. A method for formation property measurement includes deploying a downhole equipment to a predetermined location inside a wellbore, wherein the downhole equipment comprising a tubing and a measurement unit dispose on outside of the tubing, wherein the measurement unit comprises a detector embedded in a swellable material; allowing the swellable material to swell; and performing measurements. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110313737 | MEHTOD OF DETERMINING PARAMETER FROM SPARSE MEASUREMENT DATA - A method of simultaneously determining multiple parameters or a parameter distribution characterizing material properties of a volume under investigation using an inversion process of sparse measurements is described including the step of defining an initial model of the volume and modifying the initial model by matching the multiple parameters or parameter distribution with the measurements using alternatingly an iterative inversion method and a probabilistic inversion method, and determining the multiple parameters or parameter distribution after one or more iterations of the alternating inversions. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110313712 | METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FLUID PROPERTIES IN A POROUS MEDIUM - A method for a fluid parameters determination in a porous medium includes phase transition temperature measurement of the fluid in question in the free space, saturation of the porous medium of the known pore space geometry with the fluid in question, measurement of the phase transition temperature of the fluid in question in the particular porous material and calculation of the wetting angle or interface tension of the fluid between the liquid and solid phases of the fluid in the porous medium. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110313668 | NEUTRON POROSITY DEVICE AND MTHOD OF USE FOR REDUCTION OF THE LITHOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CORRECTIONS - Systems, methods, and devices for determining the porosity of a subterranean formation with reduced lithology error are provided. In one example, a downhole tool for such purposes may include a neutron source, a plurality of neutron detectors, and data processing circuitry. The neutron source may be configured to emit neutrons into a subterranean formation, and the plurality of neutron detectors may be configured to detect neutrons scattered from the subterranean formation. At least two of the plurality of neutron detectors may be disposed at different respective distances from the neutron source. The data processing circuitry may be configured to determine a porosity of the subterranean formation based at least in part on a weighted combination of the detector responses from each of the at least two of the plurality of neutron detectors. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110311374 | Submersible Pumping System - A technique is provided for pumping fluids in a subterranean wellbore. A submersible pumping system can be deployed in a wellbore for moving desired fluids within the wellbore. The pumping system energizes the desired fluid movement by reciprocating a working fluid between expandable members. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110311179 | COMPARTMENTALIZED FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED SENSOR - A distributed fiber optic sensor comprises a conduit having a plurality of sealed compartment extending along its length. A sensing optical fiber is disposed in the conduit and extends through the sealed compartment to form a series of separate sensing elements, each of which separately respond to a parameter of interest that is incident along the length of the conduit. The compartmentalized conduit is surrounding by a protective layer that includes ports therethrough to allow transmission of the parameter through the protective layer to the separate sensing elements. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110310101 | PILLAR GRID CONVERSION - One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to access data that define a pillar grid where pillar nodes of the pillar grid define logical cells of a reservoir model, partition the pillar grid into subvolumes, build surfaces to define boundaries for each of the subvolumes where each of the surfaces includes polygons defined by surface nodes, generate a mesh of property nodes for each of the subvolumes where at least some of the property nodes include properties derived from properties of the reservoir model, and store data that define the subvolumes, the surfaces and the meshes. Other examples include a method of processing information for subsequent visual presentation with respect to a reservoir model and techniques for merging models. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110309949 | Electromagnetic Telemetry Assembly With Protected Antenna - Oilfield drilling utilizes downhole data transmitted to surface for formation evaluation and steering of directional wellbores. A leading technology in providing subsurface to surface communication is Electro-Magnetic (EM) Telemetry. This technology is typically employed with a downhole antenna concentric with the bore of an electrically insulating “gap sub” portion of the system. The antenna blocks the bore from further use to conduct other sensors or equipment through. One aspect of the invention is to integrate the antenna into the structure of the gap sub, thereby clearing the bore for conducting other tools through, and also protecting the antenna from the harsh drilling environment, including abrasion, erosion, shock, and vibration. Another aspect of this invention enables the antenna to serve a secondary function as an anti-rotation feature between the two halves of the gap sub. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308807 | USE OF WIRED TUBULARS FOR COMMUNICATIONS/POWER IN AN IN-RISER APPLICATION - A method for controlling a subsea valve assembly includes connecting a subsea riser between a wellhead and a surface vessel. An in-riser control unit is attached to a wired pipe string and disposed within the subsea riser, resulting in the in-riser control unit being deployed in-riser. The wired pipe string is connected to a surface control unit and a communication signal is transmitted through the wired pipe string between the surface control unit and the in-riser control unit to control the subsea valve assembly. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110308787 | Downhole Fluid Filter - An apparatus for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising a tool having a sample flow line an inlet disposed with the tool and configured to establish fluid communication between the formation and the sample flow line to draw a fluid sample into the sample flow line, and an active filter positioned in the sample flow line and providing a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in the sample flow line. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110307227 | CHARACTERIZING FLOW PRODUCTION - A method for characterizing flow production of a well. The method includes generating a plurality of dimensionless decline curves from a mathematical model that characterizes an expected flow production of the well and generating an overlay curve based on production data pertaining to the well. After generating the mathematical model and the overlay curve, the method compares the overlay curve to the plurality of dimensionless decline curves. The method then calculates a reservoir effective drainage area for the well based on the comparison. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307179 | METHOD OF EXTRACTING FORMATION DENSITY AND PE USING A PULSED ACCELERATOR BASED LITHO-DENSITY TOOL - A method for a pulsed gamma-gamma density tool to simultaneously compensate for interactions due to the photoelectric effect and density variations caused by standoff enables a more precise determination of bulk formation density. This method includes the steps of providing a source of energetic particles and directing those energetic particles at a formation having a known photoelectric factor and electron density and capturing one or more photons either emitted or deflected from the formation either a first detector or a second detector. The first detector is spaced a first distance from the source, the second detector is spaced a second distance from the detector and a third distance separates the first detector from the second detector. Measuring a first total energy of the photons striking the first detector during a time interval and measuring a second total energy of the photons striking the second detector as a function of the time interval and disposing a first filter between the first detector and the formation effective to cause Pe response to match standoff influence thereby compensating for both effects simultaneously. In addition to the first filter, the required compensation may include a second filter between the second detector and the formation as well as adjustments to the respective first distance, second distance and third distance. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110307178 | SEGMENT IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION USING HORIZON STRUCTURE - One or more computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to perform geometrical calculations using seismic horizon data; and define horizon segments based on the geometrical calculations where each defined horizon segment includes points and where each point has a corresponding probability of that point belonging to a defined horizon segment. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304474 | Compact Wireless Transceiver - A communication device for an electromagnetic telemetry system for use in a well is adapted to be attached to a conductive pipe of the well and includes at least one transmitter unit for emitting a modulated electrical current in the pipe and at least one receiver unit for receiving the modulated electrical current transmitted in the pipe, the transmitter unit and the receiver unit each comprising an antenna with a magnetic core and a winding around the magnetic core, wherein the antenna is oriented such that the magnetic moment of the winding is tangential to the cross-section of the pipe for respectively emitting and receiving the modulated electrical current. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303463 | Method for Determining the Content of A Plurality of Compounds Contained In A Drilling Fluid - A method for the extraction of a gas fraction of each compound, the measurement of information representative of the gas fraction of each compound and the calculation, for each first compound of a first group of compounds, of the content of said first compound in the drilling fluid on the basis of information measured for the gas fraction of the first compound and on the basis of a first correction factor (ρ | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303461 | Clutch for a Jack Element - A downhole tool string, comprising a tool string bore and a drill bit located at the bottom of the tool string. The drill bit comprises a body intermediate a shank and a working surface. The working surface may comprise a substantially coaxial rotationally isolated jack element with a portion of the jack element extending out of an opening formed in the working surface to engage a subterranean formation. The tool string may comprise a driving mechanism adapted to rotate the jack. The clutch assembly disposed within the tool string bore may comprise a first end in communication with the jack element and second end in communication with the driving mechanism. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303408 | CONCENTRATION OF MINOR CONSTITUENT OF WELLBORE FLUID - A method of processing an aqueous fluid produced from a wellbore in order to collect or remove a minor constituent therefrom, comprises adding one or more solutes to the aqueous fluid so as to form an aqueous mixture which separates into two aqueous phases in contact with each other, with a first solute present at a greater concentration in the larger, first aqueous phase than in the second aqueous phase and a second solute present at a greater concentration in the smaller, second aqueous phase than in the first aqueous phase; while the compositions of the two phases are such that the said minor constituent preferentially partitions into the smaller, second aqueous phase so that the concentration of that constituent in the smaller second phase exceeds its concentration in the larger first aqueous phase. The second aqueous phase with the said constituent concentrated therein is then separated from the first aqueous phase. The process may be used to concentrate a tracer, such as an organic dye, into a reduced volume which can be transported to a remote laboratory. The process may alternatively be used to remove a contaminant or other minor constituent, so as to allow the first aqueous phase to be put to use, eg for cementing or hydraulic fracturing. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110303005 | METHOD OF DETERMINING THE DIP OF A FORMATION - A method of determining the dip or apparent dip of a section of a subterranean formation is described using the measurements of a borehole gravity meter and a dip-dependent model for the response of the gravity meter. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110301924 | DRILLING DYNAMICS - A method of determining movement dynamics of a drillstring is provided that includes the steps of calculating or measuring a friction coefficient for the sliding contact between the drillstring and the sidewall of a borehole, the friction coefficient being a varying function of non-zero sliding velocities; and predicting movement dynamics of the drillstring using the measured friction coefficient. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297400 | Expandable Packer Construction - A technique involves a packer formed as an expandable packer with an internal expandable bladder. The expandable bladder is formed with a section that is radially enlarged relative to an axial end of the expandable bladder when the bladder is in a relaxed state. The bladder configuration enables use of a reduced expansion ratio while still allowing expansion of the packer to a desired large diameter. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297397 | DEPLOYMENT OF DOWNHOLE PUMP USING A CABLE - Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method and a system to deploy a downhole pump within a well. The system includes the downhole pump disposed in a well, the downhole pump having a motor, and a cable having at least one strength member layer bonded to a cable core, in which a first end is connected to a power source disposed at a surface of the well and a second end is connected to the downhole pump. The cable is configured to support and power the downhole pump in the well. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297395 | REMOTE DRILLING AND COMPLETIONS MANAGEMENT - A methodology reduces the needed number of personnel on a rig by enabling performance of a variety of functions from a remote location. The method comprises utilizing a plurality of observation devices which monitor rig parameters remotely. Data from the observation devices is transmitted to a remote operations center used to analyze the data for determining operational changes to the rig. Control instructions may then be transmitted to the rig to implement the operational changes. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297393 | INTELLIGENT COMPLETION SYSTEM FOR EXTENDED REACH DRILLING WELLS - Apparatus and methods for completing, treating, and/or producing a wellbore are provided. The apparatus can include a tubular body defining an inner bore, one or more injection inflow control devices, and one or more production inflow control devices. The one or more injection inflow control devices can include one or more first check valves in fluid communication with the inner bore, with each first check valve being configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough from the inner bore to a region of the wellbore, and to substantially block a reverse fluid flow therethrough. The one or more production inflow control devices can include one or more second check valves coupled to the tubular body, each second check valve being configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough from the wellbore to the inner bore and to substantially block a reverse fluid flow therethrough. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110297375 | COMPOSTION FOR BOREHOLE TREATMENT - The invention is a composition, for use in treating oil wells, comprising fibres, hot melt adhesives and particulate solids. This composition has a wide range of applications including preventing or lessening lost circulation, wellbore strengthening or consolidation, controlling fluid loss, producing a “stress cage” effect, gravel packing, acting as an aid to cementing, and for proppant backflow control. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110295508 | USING MICROSEISMIC DATA TO CHARACTERIZE HYDRAULIC FRACTURES - Methods and apparatus that use microseismic event data, stress data, seismic data, and rock properties to predict the hydrocarbon production success of a well location are disclosed. An example method generates a hydrocarbon production function based on information associated with at least a first well location, obtains information associated with a second well location, and calculates the hydrocarbon production function using the information associated with the second well location to predict the hydrocarbon production of the second well location. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110292763 | DETECTION OF SEISMIC SIGNALS USING FIBER OPTIC DISTRIBUTED SENSORS - A fiber optic distributed vibration system for detecting seismic signals in an earth formation is provided. The system includes a fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole that extends into the earth formation and which is configured to react along its length to a seismic wave incident on the fiber optic cable from outside the borehole. An optical source launches an optical signal into the fiber optic cable while the seismic wave is incident thereon. A receiver detects coherent Rayleigh noise (CRN) produced in response to the optical signal. A processing circuit processes the detected CRN signal to determine characteristics of the earth formation. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110290992 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPTICAL MEASUREMENTS FOR WELLBORE SURVEY - A system of optical measurements for wellbore survey comprises a light conveyable cable, an optical measurement apparatus optically coupled to one end of the light conveyable cable, and a light source optically coupled to another end of the light conveyable cable. The light source produces light used for optical measurements in the optical measurement apparatus. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110290506 | DOWNHOLE MAGNETIC PARTICLE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR OIL AND GAS WELLS - The subject disclosure discloses an apparatus and method of conveying magnetic particles into a wellbore. A plurality of particles which are magnetically attracted to one another in response to exposure to a magnetic field are delivered downhole via a degradable material. The degradable material confines the particles and conveys the particles to a desired location downhole. The structure comprising the degradable material and the confined particles can be lowered into a subterranean well by a cable or wire, or alternatively released into the well under the influence of gravity and flow induced forces. The material degrades in response to conditions encountered in a subterranean environment thus releasing the particles. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110290493 | Compositions And Methods For Completing Subterranean Wells - Disclosed are compositions and methods for providing fluid-loss control in subterranean wells. Well-completion fluids contain fine particulate additives whose glass-transition temperatures are below the anticipated bottomhole temperature. The particles soften upon injection into the well, whereupon they soften and become deformable. The particles then migrate to the borehole wall and form a seal that reduces further fluid flow from the borehole into the formation. The additive may be supplied as a powder or in the form of a liquid suspension. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110290481 | Apparatus And Method For Launching Plugs In Cementing Operations - An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: a cylinder ( | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110288842 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING OILFIELD OPERATIONS - A method is provided for simulating oilfield operations. The method may include receiving two or more reservoir models to be simulated and receiving two or more surface models to be simulated. The method may further include automatically generating a communication file to couple the two or more reservoir models with the two or more surface models. Additionally, the method may include simulating the coupled reservoir models and surface models. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110288778 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATION OF SAGD PROCESS CHARACTERISTICS - The invention relates to thermally stimulated oil recovery in horizontal wells, namely to the methods for estimation of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) process characteristics. Method for estimation of SAGD process characteristics is characterized by the steps of measuring temperature along the injection well, measuring steam quality and injection rate at the inlet of the injection well, estimating the pressure distribution profile by using the data obtained, estimating steam injection profile by using the obtained pressure profile and injection rate combined with ID injection well model for pressure losses in the wellbore and heat exchange between injection well tubing and annulus. The obtained steam injection profile is used as an input parameter for a set of 2D cross-sectional analytical SAGD models taking into account reservoir and overburden formation properties impact on production parameters and SAGD characteristics. SAGD process characteristics are estimated on the basis of energy conservation law for condensed steam taking into account heat losses into the reservoir and overburden formation and hence the fluid production rate changing in time. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110286704 | System and Method for Performing and Protecting Hybrid Line Splices - A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable that has a fiber optic line and an electrical line includes the steps of providing a mechanical optic splice in the fiber optic line; providing a electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice; providing a jacket over the optic splice; installing a boot over the electrical splice; disposing the jacket and the boot in a slotted sleeve; positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing; and anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284731 | GAMMA-RAY DETECTORS FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS - Methods and related systems are described for gamma-ray detection. A gamma-ray detector is made depending on its properties and how those properties are affected by the data analysis. Desirable properties for a downhole detector include; high temperature operation, reliable/robust packaging, good resolution, high countrate capability, high density, high Z, low radioactive background, low neutron cross-section, high light output, single decay time, efficiency, linearity, size availability, etc. Since no single detector has the optimum of all these properties, a downhole tool design preferably picks the best combination of these in existing detectors, which will optimize the performance of the measurement in the required environment and live with the remaining non-optimum properties. A preferable detector choice is one where the required measurement precision (logging speed) is obtained for all of the required inelastic elements and/or minimization of unwanted background signals that complicate the data analysis. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284244 | Method And Apparatus For Suspending A Cable In A Pipe - Apparatus ( | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284241 | Overriding a Primary Control Subsystem Of A Downhole Tool - A system that is usable with a well may include a piston, a primary control subsystem and an override subsystem. The piston actuates the downhole tool, and the primary control subsystem may be connected to at least one hydraulic line in order to move the piston in response to pressure that is communicated to the tool via the hydraulic line(s). The override subsystem may be connected to the hydraulic line(s) to override the primary control subsystem and move the piston in response to pressure communicated to the tool via the hydraulic line(s). | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284240 | MECHANISM FOR ACTIVATING A PLURALITY OF DOWNHOLE DEVICES - A mechanism for selectively activating a plurality of downhole pathways including a) a valve having: i) a sleeve coupled for movement between an open and normally closed position; and ii) a valve magnet set mounted to the sleeve; and b) a dart for pumping in hole including a dart magnet set matched to the valve magnet set such that the dart couples to the valve when in close proximity and, in turn, the sleeve moves from the closed position to the open position. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284223 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR WELL CEMENTING - Organic compounds containing at least one nitrogen atom are particularly suitable as retarders for geopolymeric systems employed as well cements. Preferred compounds include aminated polymers, amine phosphonates, quaternary ammonium compounds and tertiary amines. The geopolymeric compositions are suitable for primary cementing and remedial cementing operations. The preferred temperature range within which the retarders operate is between about 20° C. and 120° C. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284221 | Apparatus And Methods For Completing Subterranean Wells - The external surface of a tubular body such as well casing is coated with a substance that, upon exposure to cement, is unstable and degrades. After installation in a subterranean well and subsequent cementation, the coating degrades and forms a gap between the external surface of the tubular body and the cement sheath. Forming the gap is useful for obtaining optimal stimulation during the hydraulic fracturing of unconventional shale-gas formations. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284217 | METHOD TO MEASURE INJECTOR INFLOW PROFILES - A method of determining the inflow profile of an injection wellbore, comprising stopping injection of fluid into a formation, the formation intersected by a wellbore having a section uphole of the formation and a section within the formation, monitoring temperature at least partially along the uphole section of the wellbore and at least partially along the formation section of the wellbore, injecting fluid into the formation once the temperature in the uphole section of the wellbore increases, and monitoring the movement of the increased temperature fluid as it moves from the uphole section of the wellbore along the formation section of the wellbore. The monitoring may be performed using a distributed temperature sensing system. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110284212 | DOWNHOLE FLUID COMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation is provided. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110283801 | LOW COST RESONATOR-BASED PRESSURE TRANSDUCER - An improved manufacturing process for resonator-based pressure transducers is described. The process is a batch process in which several resonators are shaped simultaneously, using an etching process such as plasma etching. The end pieces are also shaped, if required, for several transducers. The end pieces and resonators are sandwiched together prior to separating the individual transducer units. The individual transducer units are then separated using a cutting process. The described process can be used to manufacture pressure transducers having a substantially smaller size, for example 5-6 mm outer dimensions and 2-3 mm resonators. The outer shape of the transducers can be a non-circular cylindrical shape such as that of a right square prism or an octagonal prism. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110283206 | INTERACTIVE SPLIT FEATURE VISUALIZATION - Implementations of interactive split feature visualization are described. In one technique described herein, a user interacts with a computer generated model and performs an activation maneuver indicating interest in a feature represented within the model. Based on the activation maneuver, a presentation space is created in the model along a line of the feature. In one implementation the presentation space is formed by moving one or more portions of the model relative to each other, such that nothing in the model is obscured by the presentation space. Data associated with the feature can be displayed within the presentation space. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110282634 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NEAR WELL STRUCTURAL MODELING BASED ON BOREHOLE DIPS - A method for structure modeling of a formation penetrated by multiple wells includes obtaining borehole dips from borehole measurements; filtering the borehole dips based on a dip sequence analysis; computing structural dips based on the filtered dips; computing structural delineation by using the structural dips; projecting the structural dips to horizon point sets based on the structural delineation; and generating stratigraphic surfaces by mapping the projected horizon point sets. A system for structure modeling of a formation penetrated by multiple wells includes a processor and a memory that store a program having instructions for: obtaining borehole dips from borehole measurements; filtering the borehole dips based on a dip sequence analysis; computing structural dips based on the filtered dips; computing structural delineation by using the structural dips; projecting the structural dips to horizon point sets based on the structural delineation; and generating stratigraphic surfaces by mapping the projected horizon point sets. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278067 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WELL POSITIONING USING PHASE RELATIONS BETWEEN TRANSVERSE MAGNETIC FIELD COMPONENTS OF A TRANSVERSE ROTATING MAGNETIC SOURCE - Systems and methods for well-drilling operations involving magnetic ranging with a rotating magnetic source are provided. In one embodiment, a system for determining a relative location of a magnetic source includes a three-axis magnetometer and data processing circuitry. The three-axis magnetometer may measure a time-dependent magnetic field caused by a magnetic source rotating about an axis, which may include two transverse components transverse to the axis and the data processing circuitry may determine a transverse angle of rotation of the measurements such that one of the two transverse components is ±π/2 radians out-of-phase with the other when the measurements are transformed by the transverse angle of rotation. The data processing circuitry may determine a spatial relationship between the magnetic source and the three-axis magnetometer based at least in part on the transverse angle of rotation. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278013 | TELESCOPING ORIENTATION JOINT - An orientation joint for a subsea landing string equipped to maintain both unitary and telescoping configurations. For example, the joint may maintain a unitary configuration to provide continuous orientation definition while lowering a landing string within a blowout preventer (BOP). Additionally, the orientation joint may be configured to telescope and provide an appropriately sized uniform outer diameter surface to enable a sealing engagement with an aligned ram of the BOP. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110278012 | FRACTURE CLEAN-UP BY ELECTRO-OSMOSIS - A method is given for improving the clean-up of fracture fluid from a fracture by assisting Darcy flow by electro-osmotic effects. Proppants having suitable surface potential, and fracture fluids having suitable electrical conductivity are chosen. Then a suitable electric field is imposed, using electrodes placed on the surface or in adjacent wells. The current creates an electro-osmotic flow that carries fluid to the wellbore. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277999 | Single Packer System for Use In A Heavy Oil Environments - A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer comprises an outer seal layer, and the at least one drain is positioned in the outer seal layer. A viscosity system also is incorporated and enables the viscosity of a surrounding fluid to be selectively lowered for sampling. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277995 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CORROSION AND CRACKING OF ALLOYS DURING LIVE WELL TESTING - A tool string sub. A longitudinally extending tubular housing has an outside surface and an inside surface. A stepped circumferential portion of the inside surface of the housing bisects the interior surface of the housing. A degradation part is connected adjacent to the stepped portion of the housing and is supported by the housing and at least one moveable support part protruding inward and beyond the inner surface of the housing. The support part has a first position where the degradation part is at one stress and a second position where the degradation part is at a second stress greater than the first stress. At least one end of the tool string sub is adapted to connect with a tool string. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110277544 | PASSIVE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR A LIQUID FLOW - A passive liquid flow monitoring system includes a monitoring device made of a liquid-soluble material in which coded transponders are releasably retained. The monitoring device may be deployed proximate a region of interest in a hydrocarbon-producing well. Characteristics of a liquid flow in the region of interest may be determined based upon detection of transponders that are released from the monitoring device when the monitoring device is exposed to the liquid flow. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110276270 | METHOD TO DETERMINE CURRENT GAS SATURATION IN A NEAR-WELLBORE ZONE IN A VOLATILE OIL FORMATION - The invention is related to the development of volatile oil deposits and may be used to determine current gas saturation in a near-wellbore zone in a volatile oil formation. The method for the current gas saturation determination in the near-wellbore zone requires the measurement of the formation rock parameters and formation fluid parameters before the gas accumulation start in the near-wellbore zone and creation of the numerical model of the neutron logging signal change during the production period for the measured formation and formation fluid parameters and expected gas saturation value. During the production period when the well productivity decreases, neutron logging is performed and then the measured signals are matched with the model calculations and based on the provision of the best match of the measured and simulated neutron logging signals gas saturation is determined. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110276187 | PUMP CONTROL FOR FORMATION TESTING - A downhole formation fluid pumping and a sampling apparatus are disclosed that may form part of a formation evaluation while drilling tool or part of a tool pipe string. The operation of the pump is optimized based upon parameters generated from formation pressure test data as well as tool system data thereby ensuring optimum performance of the pump at higher speeds and with greater dependability. New pump designs for fluid sampling apparatuses for use in MWD systems are also disclosed. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272159 | HYDRAULIC FRACTURE HEIGHT GROWTH CONTROL - A method is given for creating a fracture, in a subterranean formation, that has a fluid flow barrier at the top, at the bottom, or at both the top and the bottom. The method is applied before or during a conventional hydraulic fracturing treatment and is used to limit undesired vertical growth of a fracture out of the productive zone. A lower-viscosity pad fluid is used to initiate the fracture; a higher-viscosity fluid containing barrier particles is then injected; a lower-viscosity particle-free fluid is then injected to promote settling (or rising) of the barrier particles and to finger through the slug of barrier particles and cut it into an upper and lower portion. If the barrier is to be at the bottom of the fracture, the barrier particles are denser than the fluids; if the barrier is to be at the top of the fracture, the barrier particles are less dense than the fluids. Optionally, between the barrier transport stage and the subsequent lower-viscosity stage, there may be a stage of a higher viscosity particle-free fluid that pushes the barrier particles farther into the fracture. To provide both upper and lower particles in one treatment, the pad stage may be of higher-viscosity, or the barrier particles may include particles less dense than, and more dense than, the fluid. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272148 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR COILED TUBING TESTING - A method and apparatus for testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within the wellbore. The method and apparatus enables isolation and testing of individual zones without the need to pull production tubing. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It may not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b). | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272140 | FIELD JOINT FOR A DOWNHOLE TOOL - A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110272134 | HIGH FREQUENCY SURFACE TREATMENT METHODS AND APPARATUS TO EXTEND DOWNHOLE TOOL SURVIVABILITY - A downhole device with compressive layer at the surface thereof. Such devices may be particularly well suited for survivability in the face of potentially long term exposure to a downhole environment. Techniques for forming protective compressive layers at the surfaces of such devices may include positioning devices within a chamber for bombardment by high frequency particles. As a manner of enhancing the compressive layer thickness and effectiveness, low temperature conditions may be applied to the device during the high frequency treatment. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110270591 | PROXY METHODS FOR EXPENSIVE FUNCTION OPTIMIZATION WITH EXPENSIVE NONLINEAR CONSTRAINTS - A method for optimizing expensive functions with expensive nonlinear constraints. The method includes selecting sample data for evaluating an expensive function of a simulation, generating a function proxy model for the expensive function and a constraint proxy model for an expensive nonlinear constraint of the expensive function using an approximation scheme, calculating a first solution point for the simulation using the proxy models, and evaluating the expensive function at the first solution point using the sample data. When the expensive function and the proxy models do not converge at the first solution point, the method further includes adding the first solution point to the sample data for updating the proxy models. The method further includes repeating the calculation and evaluation of solution points until the expensive function and the proxy models converge and, following convergence, identifying an optimal solution of the function proxy model and the constraint proxy model. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267921 | MULTICOMPONENT SEISMIC INVERSION OF VSP DATA - A method for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield. The method includes obtaining an initial velocity model of a subterranean formation including acoustic velocities of wave propagation in proximity to the wellbore, determining an acquisition geometry for obtaining the VSP data including receiver locations within the wellbore and a source location, performing a seismic survey to obtain the VSP data based on the acquisition geometry, analyzing arrival signals of the VSP data to generate transit time data for wave propagation from the source location to the receiver locations, modifying the initial velocity model to generate an updated velocity model by performing a tomographic inversion of the transit time data, generating an elastic model of the subterranean formation by performing the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the updated velocity model, and adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267074 | METHOD OF MEASURING A MULTIPHASE FLOW - A method of measuring the permittivity and/or conductivity of a multiphase fluid flowing through a conduit is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the signal from a first electromagnetic transmitter to a first electromagnetic receiver separated by a first distance, measuring the signal from the first electromagnetic transmitter to a second electromagnetic receiver separated by a second distance, measuring the signal from a second electromagnetic transmitter to the first electromagnetic receiver separated by a distance substantially equal to the second distance, measuring the signal from the second electromagnetic transmitter to the second electromagnetic receiver separated by a distance substantially equal to the first distance, and wherein the first and second distances are substantially different. This is followed by the step of combining the four signals to obtain a measurement of the phase-shift and amplitude-attenuation substantially independent of the gain values applied to the receivers and transmitters to provide an estimate of the mixture permittivity and/or conductivity of the multiphase fluid. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267070 | Ground Fault Detection For An Electrical Subsea Control System - A ground fault detection circuit for detecting ground faults in electrical subsea conductor lines including a first electrical conductor line, a second electrical conductor line, a first ground fault detection line, and a second ground fault detection line. The ground fault detection circuit further includes a first resistor operatively connected to a voltage source and the first ground fault detection line, a second resistor operatively connected to the voltage source and the second ground fault detection line, and a voltage detection device configured to detect the voltage at an output end of the first resistor to determine the presence of a ground fault in at least one of the first and second conductor lines. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110266008 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING DEVICES IN A WELL ENVIRONMENT - A technique facilitates formation of communication line connections in a well environment. An electro-optic splitter enables communication line connections which comprise electrical conductor connections and optical fiber connections. The electro-optic splitter comprises a universal block which enables the electrical conductor and optical fiber to pass through the universal block while also enabling splitting of at least one of the electrical conductor and optical fiber for additional connection to one or more downhole gauges or other devices. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265998 | METHOD FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING OF A LOW PERMEABILITY SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - A fracturing fluid containing proppant particles is injected into a fracture made in a low-permeability subterranean formation, providing a turbulent flow of the fluid in the fracture during injection. This allow to increase a fracture conductivity after its closure by means of preventing transverse migration of proppant particles within the fracture and the reduction of their setting rate. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265985 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOW DAMAGE GRAVEL PACKING - A method is disclosed for low damage gravel packing. The method includes combining a carrier fluid, a first amount of particulates, and a second amount of particulates into a slurry. The first amount of particulates have a first average size distribution and the second amount of particulates have a second average size distribution, and the first average size distribution is at least three times larger than the second average size distribution. The slurry includes particles which are at least partially degradable material, and with reactive solid constituents. The reactive solid reacts with the degradable material and/or a hydrolysis product of the degradable material. The method further includes positioning a screen in a wellbore, and circulating the slurry through the wellbore such that the first amount of particulates and the second amount of particulates are deposited on an outer surface of the screen. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110264431 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PORE PRESSURE PREDICTION - A method for performing an oilfield operation at a wellsite having a drilling rig configured to advance a drilling tool into a subsurface formation. The method includes generating a borehole temperature model for an area of interest using water depth information and a vertical stress model, generating a formation temperature model using the borehole temperature model, generating a mud-weight pressure model using the formation temperature model and pressure coefficients, generating a formation pore pressure model using the mud-weight pressure model, and adjusting the oilfield operation based on the formation pore pressure model. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110264429 | SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING A DRILLING OPERATION AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - A system and method for optimizing a drilling operation is provided. The system has a drilling a drilling operation optimization unit. The drilling operation optimization unit has a base model unit for producing a base model of the reservoir and a reservoir stress unit for producing a three dimensional stress model of the reservoir. The drilling operation optimization unit has a trajectory unit for determining at least one property for at least one wellbore trajectory based on the base model and the three dimensional stress model, wherein each of the wellbore trajectories is selectable by an operator. The system has an operator station for inputting data into the drilling operation optimization unit at the wellsite and a drilling tool for forming a wellbore along at least one of the at least one selected wellbore trajectories. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110259115 | STRUCTURAL LOAD MONITORING USING COLLARS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS WITH STRAIN SENSORS - A system and method for measuring loads on a pipe, including a pair of collars that can be secured around the outer surface of the pipe to be monitored in an axially spaced relationship; and a connecting element having a strain gauge is fixed to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the connecting element is arranged to measure distortion of the pipe due to applied loads, wherein the ends of the connecting element are attached to the collars such that when the collars are secured to the pipe, the ends of the connecting element are fixed against axial and circumferential movement relative to the pipe. The system includes the apparatus mounted on a pipe, such as a flexible pipe, in a subsea oil or gas installation. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110258007 | DATA SUBSCRIPTION - A method for managing oil field data based on one or more subscription elements. The method includes receiving the subscription elements having an area of interest, one or more data types and one or more dataset requirements. The area of interest includes one or more geographical properties that correspond to the oil field data, and the dataset requirements define how the oil field data is to be presented. After receiving the subscription elements, the method sends the subscription elements to a database engine. The method then receives the oil field data from the database engine such that the oil field data corresponds to the subscription elements. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257944 | MODELING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING INDUCED FRACTURE NETWORKS AS A DUAL POROSITY SYSTEM - A method for calibrating fracture networks. The method includes estimating an average fracture width of a fracture network using one or more of net fracturing pressure, Poisson's ratio, shear modulus, and fracture height; determining microseismic event envelope and base intensity data using a three-dimensional geomodel including microseismic event data; and determining hydraulic fracturing treatment (HFT) fracture intensity of post-hydraulic fracturing treatment (post-HFT) based on the average fracture width and HFT volume data. The method further includes calibrating the base intensity data to the HFT fracture intensity to obtain calibrated HFT fracture intensity, determining a proppant transportation and distribution scenario, and generating a dual porosity reservoir model based on the calibrated HFT fracture intensity and the proppant transportation and distribution scenario. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110257887 | UTILIZATION OF TRACERS IN HYDROCARBON WELLS - Monitoring of a wellbore which penetrates a reservoir is carried out by providing tracer material at one or more subterranean locations within or proximate the wellbore, so that tracer may enter the flow and be present in flow from the wellbore; repeatedly taking samples from the flow from the wellbore, and analyzing the samples for the presence of tracer, in the vicinity of the wellsite. Taking samples from the flow will generally be done at the surface and may be done by automatic equipment controlled by a programmed computer. The computer may be programmed to take action, such as operating a valve within the well, in response to detection of tracer. Sampling repeatedly and analyzing on site can provide information in something close to real time and thus integrates the use of tracers into an overall process of monitoring and control. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110255370 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO IMAGE SUBSURFACE FORMATION FEATURES - Methods of and apparatus to image one or more subsurface formation features are disclosed. An example method includes generating acoustic waves with a transmitter and receiving the acoustic waves and acoustic data contained therein at one or more receivers. The example method also includes extracting one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data from the acoustic data, estimating a dip of the one or more subsurface formation features, migrating the one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data with the estimated dip and mapping the migrated one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data. In addition, the example method includes identifying one or more permeable subsurface formation features using the mapped migrated one or more S-S, P-S or S-P reflected waveform data. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110253640 | IN-LINE FLOW SEPARATION OF FLUIDS IN A PIPE SEPARATOR - An in-line flow separator comprises an uphill section of pipeline which, in use, carries a gravitationally stratified flow of a first liquid and a second denser liquid. The second liquid forms a sump extending uphill from the foot of the uphill section, and an interface between the first and second liquids on the uphill section is inclined from the horizontal. An extraction port in the pipeline extracts the second liquid from the sump. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110253393 | SWELLABLE DOWNHOLE DEVICE OF SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT PROFILE - A swellable packer device upon exposure to brine in a well. The device may be swellable to a substantially constant profile in spite of significant fluctuations in brine concentrations. Thus, the likelihood of packer failure due to under-swelling or over-swelling is reduced. Indeed, the packer may be employed for long-term operations or isolations ranging from a couple of weeks to twenty years or more without undue concern over packer failure from under or over swelling. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110253392 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLOW IN A WELLBORE - A technique enables control over flow in a wellbore with a flow control system. The flow control system combines a flow reduction mechanism with a flow control device, such as a valve. The flow reduction mechanism comprises a closure member which can be selectively moved between an unactuated and actuated position, allowing relatively greater flow through the flow control device in the unactuated position. The flow reduction mechanism actuates prior to or in conjunction with the flow control device to reduce flow and thus reduce the loading forces that would otherwise act against the flow control mechanism upon closure of the flow control device. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110253375 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING MERCURY FROM FORMATION EFFLUENTS - An apparatus and related methods for removing hazardous trace elements from hydrocarbon reservoir effluent is implemented by placing an adsorbing volume of material designed to adsorb the hazardous trace elements into the vicinity of a producing formation face at a downhole location; and letting the reservoir effluent flow through the volume of adsorbing material | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110253364 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING DENSITY IN A CASED-HOLE WELLBORE - The invention relates to techniques, such as a system for generating a density of a cased wellbore. The system includes at least one downhole tool deployable into the cased wellbore, a radiation source supportable by the downhole tool for passing radiation through the subterranean formation, at least one detector supportable by the downhole tool for measuring the radiation, and a measurement tool for generating at least one apparent density log from the measured radiation. The measurement tool has at least one quality indicator tool for generating at least one quality indicator and for generating at least one compensated density log based on the apparent density log and the quality indicator whereby error is removed therefrom. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110252879 | APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING DOWNHOLE FLUID TEMPERATURES - Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures are described. An example apparatus for measuring a temperature of a downhole fluid includes a sensing element for measuring a physical or chemical property of the downhole fluid, and a plurality of electrical connections to enable the sensing element to measure the chemical or physical property and provide an output signal representative of the chemical or physical property, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is configured to function as a thermocouple to sense a temperature of the downhole fluid. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110249531 | GENERATING AN IMAGE OF A SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURE - Different values of at least one migration parameter are selected. An imaging technique is applied a plurality of times, where each application of the imaging technique uses a corresponding different one of the different values. Each application of the imaging technique produces a corresponding image of a subterranean structure. An aggregate of the images is computed to produce an output image of the subterranean structure. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247834 | MULTIPLE ACTIVATION-DEVICE LAUNCHER FOR A CEMENTING HEAD - The invention relates to a multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head, comprising a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. Then the invention relates to various methods involving such system. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247828 | FLUID DISPLACEMENT METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR HYDROCARBONS IN SUBSEA PRODUCTION TUBING - The method for subsea well intervention includes creating a lubricator section within the production tubing of the well. The lubricator section can then be flushed of hydrocarbons facilitating further well intervention from the open water. An intervention device that facilitates flushing production tubing that has equipment, such as electric submersible pumps, is deployed in the wellhead, for example in the valve tree. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110247813 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLOW THROUGH A SAND SCREEN - A technique enables an improved filtering of sand, a desired distribution of produced or injected fluid, and a reduction in erosion of completion components positioned in a production or injection well. The technique employs a base pipe and a sand screen surrounding the base pipe. The base pipe comprises a plurality of flow restriction elements arranged in a selected pattern along the base pipe to provide a desired distribution of the fluid flowing into or out of the sand screen. The pattern of flow restriction elements also maintains a flow rate of the flowing fluid below an erosive flow rate across the entire sand screen. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110246154 | DETERMINE FIELD FRACTURES USING GEOMECHANICAL FORWARD MODELING - A method for fracture modeling of a field. The method includes receiving, using a central processing unit (CPU), a structural model of the field, the structural model comprising field data, restoring each of a plurality of geological layers from the structural model to create a plurality of boundary conditions, iteratively forward modeling each of the plurality of geological layers, defined by one of the plurality of boundary conditions, using geomechanical properties by and redetermining the fractures resulting from the internal stress and the internal strain for each previously processed geological layer of the plurality of geological layers using the geomechanical properties, when each of the plurality of layers is forward modeled, generating, using the CPU and geostatistical modeling, a fracture model with the fractures resulting from the internal stress and the internal strain of the plurality of layers, and presenting the fracture model for use in planning a field operation. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110246140 | DATA SET INVERSION USING SOURCE-RECEIVER COMPRESSION - Source-receiver compression is used to help design surveys and mitigate the computational costs of data set inversion. The source-receiver compression is based on data redundancy and sensitivity. More particularly, a compressed source array is produced for minimum redundancy and maximum sensitivity to reservoir model parameters. The synthesized transmitter array has a reduced number of sources, thereby reducing the number of forward model simulations needed to carry out the inversion. Furthermore, the data collected at the receivers employed in the survey can be compressed. This has the implication of reducing the computational cost of constructing the Jacobian matrix and inverting the corresponding Hessian matrix. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110245113 | METHOD OF SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION TREATMENT - A method of treating a subterranean formation with a xanthan-viscosified cesium formate brine wherein the pH and/or another characteristic selected from density, xanthan loading, sodium formate loading, potassium formate loading and combinations thereof are modified to delay solid hydrogel formation and maintain pumpability. Also disclosed is a method of delaying onset of solid hydrogel formation, in a gel comprising cesium formate brine viscosified with xanthan polymer, comprises introducing acid into the brine in an amount effective for a pH from 7 to 11, wherein the acid introduction is before, during or after xanthan viscosification and prior to hydrogel formation, wherein the hydrogel formation in the acidified gel occurs at a later time relative to the same gel at a natural pH. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242936 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO IDENTIFY LAYER BOUNDARIES IN SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS - Methods and apparatus to identify layer boundaries in subterranean formations are described. An example method of identifying a layer boundary of a subterranean formation includes transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter into a borehole of the subterranean formation and receiving the acoustic signal at a receiver coupled to the downhole tool and spaced from the transmitter. Additionally, the example method includes logging an energy value associated with the acoustic signal received by the receiver as the downhole tool is moved in the borehole and identifying a change in the logged energy value associated with an impedance change in the subterranean formation to identify the layer boundary. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240316 | Apparatus And Method For Launching Plugs In Cementing Operations - An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: —a cylinder ( | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240314 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYING OPTICAL FIBER - A technique is provided for utilizing optical fiber in a well environment. A well system is combined with a tube-in-tube system designed to protect one or more internal optical fibers. The tube-in-tube system has an entry at one end and a turn around at an opposite end to enable fluid flow between a flow passage within an inner tube and a flow passage within an annulus between the inner tube and a surrounding outer tube. An optical fiber is deployed in and protected by the tube-in-tube system. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240312 | PERMANENT CABLE FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS IN OIL WELL APPLICATIONS - A technique facilitates the employment of an electric submersible pumping system or other well system downhole into a wellbore. The electric motor system is coupled with a signal carrying cable for conveyance to a desired downhole location in the wellbore. The signal carrying cable is constructed with sufficient strength to solely support the electric motor system during deployment and use in the wellbore without addition of a separate supporting mechanism. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240290 | SHUNT ISOLATION VALVE - Gravel packing apparatus and method. The apparatus can include a conduit configured to extend between first and second wellbore intervals and through an isolation valve assembly separating the first and second intervals, and a sliding sleeve configured to slide between an open position and a closed position, wherein the sliding sleeve in the open position is configured to allow a flow of gravel slurry through the conduit between the first and second intervals, and the sliding sleeve in the closed position is configured to completely isolate the first and second intervals from each other. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240287 | DETECTION OF TRACERS USED IN HYDROCARBON WELLS - In an arrangement for monitoring of flow within a hydrocarbon well or reservoir by means of one or more tracers which are placed at subterranean locations such that they may be present in flow produced from the well, the analysis of the flow produced from the well is carried out using an electrochemical method, preferably voltammetry, to detect tracer chosen to undergo a detectable electrochemical reaction. The tracer may be provided as nanoparticles in the well fluid. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110240163 | FIBRE OPTIC TAPE ASSEMBLY - An optical fibre tape assembly for attaching an optical fibre to the surface of a pipe comprising; at least one optical fibre; and a tape having an attachment means to enable attachment of the tape to the pipe; wherein the optical fibre runs longitudinal along the tape and is integral with the tape. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239889 | DETONATION TO IGNITER BOOSTER DEVICE - A detonating device includes a high explosive portion comprising high explosive; a low explosive portion comprising low explosive; and a transition portion between the high explosive portion and the low explosive portion, wherein the transition portion comprises a mixture of high explosive and low explosive. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110239754 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING INCURSION OF WATER IN A WELL - A technique facilitates detection of water incursion in a hydrocarbon well. Well equipment is positioned in a wellbore with one or more downhole components or regions comprising a tracer material. The tracer material is released in the presence of water to indicate incursion of water at a specific location along the wellbore. A sensor system is employed to detect the released tracer material. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110235981 | CONNECTOR APPARATUS FOR DOWNHOLE TOOL - Embodiments and methods are disclosed herein that relate to a connection assembly to communicatively couple one or more cables to each other. The connection assembly includes a cable having a housing with a communication line disposed therein, a connection apparatus having a housing with a communication line disposed therein, and a weld coupling disposed between an end of the housing of the connection apparatus and an end of the housing of the cable such that the end of the housing of the connection apparatus and the end of the housing of the cable are connected to each other through the weld coupling. The communication line of the connection apparatus is communicatively coupled to the communication line of the cable, and the end of the housing of the connection apparatus has substantially the same diameter as the end of the housing of the cable. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235460 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO OPTIMIZE THE MIXING PROCESS - A system for mixing a liquid material and a solid material comprises (i) a base unit for the liquid material and the solid material; (ii) a liquid material supply; (iii) a solid material supply; (iv) a liquid/solid mixing output; (v) an injection unit connected to the liquid material supply and to the solid material supply and the injection unit injecting the liquid material and the solid material in the base unit; (vi) a separation and extraction unit simultaneously separating and extracting surplus gas arising from the mixing of the liquid material and the solid material. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110233936 | ENHANCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENERGY HARVESTING FROM FLOWING FLUID - An apparatus and method to enhance the efficiency of an energy harvesting device is disclosed. A modulator module creates fluctuations in the flow at a predetermined frequency or group of frequencies and these fluctuations increase mechanical vibrations which are then harvested by an energy harvesting module. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110231164 | GENERATING FACIES PROBABLITY CUBES - A method for generating one or more geological models for oil field exploration. The method includes receiving one or more well facies logs, a vertical facies proportion curve, a lateral proportion map, a variogram model and a global target histogram. The method then includes generating a facies probability cube using a modified Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGSIM) algorithm, the well facies logs, the vertical facies proportion curve, the lateral proportion map and the variogram model. After generating the facies probability cube, the method includes matching the facies probability cube to the global histogram and generating the geological models based on the matched facies probability cube. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110229099 | FIBER OPTIC CABLE - A fiber optic cable includes a strain element including a first optical fiber and an optical element including a second optical fiber. The optical element is compliantly coupled with the strain element to transfer a portion of strain experienced by the strain element to the optical element. A fiber optic cable includes a strain transfer member, a central optical fiber disposed through the strain transfer member, and a tight jacket mechanically coupling the central optical fiber and the strain transfer member. The fiber optic cable further includes a compliant layer disposed about and affixed to the strain transfer member; a peripheral optical fiber disposed in the compliant layer, such that a portion of the strain experienced by the strain transfer member is transferred to the peripheral optical fiber via the compliant layer; and a protective cover disposed about the compliant layer. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110227577 | SINGLE WELL RESERVOIR IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHODS - An apparatus and related methods are described for detecting features of a reservoir surrounding a borehole, the apparatus being capable of emitting an electromagnetic wave signal and receiving a signal representing a response of the reservoir to the electromagnetic wave signal, wherein the emitted signal is a broadband signal selected from within the range of 1 Hz to 1000 Ghz and the received signal includes a directional characteristic to provide an azimuthal determination of the direction of a discontinuity within the formation as the discontinuity reflects or scatters at least part of the broadband signal; azimuthally scanning the surrounding formation; and inverting the received signal for deriving at least a distance of the reflecting discontinuity from the borehole using simultaneous inversion of the reflected or scattered wavefield at multiple frequencies. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110227447 | Brush And Brush Housing Arrangement To Mitigate Hydrodynamic Brush Lift In Fluid-Immersed Electric Motors - A brush and brush housing arrangement for use with an electric brushed motor containing viscous fluid. The brush and brush housing arrangement comprises a brush housing and at least one brush. The at least one brush comprising a first end that is in contact with a rotating commutator of the motor when in use and an opposed second end. At least one open-faced channel in a surface of the brush extends from the first end to the second end. The open-faced channel provides an exit for entrained fluid from the brush and brush housing, minimizing or eliminating brush lift caused by fluid being forced between the rotating commutator and the brush. Additional pressure relief channels for allowing escape of entrained fluid may be located in the housing. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110226530 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRIPPING PIPE - Methods of adjusting a velocity at which a drill string is moved within a well are provided. One method includes adjusting the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well based upon a hookload associated therewith. Another method includes adjusting the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well based upon the actual velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well. Another method includes adjusting the velocity at which the drill string is moved within the well based upon the volume of fluid displaced by the drill string flowing from the well as it is lowered into the well. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110226469 | VIRTUAL FLOWMETER FOR A WELL - A technique includes inducing a distributed temperature change along a portion of a wellbore and measuring a time varying temperature along the portion of the wellbore due to the induced change. The technique includes determining a distributed flow rate in the portion based at least in part on the measured time varying temperature before the temperature reaches equilibrium. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110225111 | USE OF GENERAL BAYESIAN NETWORKS IN OILFIELD OPERATIONS - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of using General Bayesian Networks to automate oilfield operations. In certain aspects, a Monte-Carlo method is used to propagate probability density functions for root-variables to continuous-valued hidden variables reflecting some oilfield operation properties. Evidence in the form of observed properties are used to weight samples used in the Monte-Carlo process thereby propagating the observed values onto other variables. The inferred probability distributions are provided to an oilfield control system or monitoring system. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110224835 | INTEGRATED FLOW ASSURANCE SYSTEM - A flow assurance system comprising a plurality of flow assurance devices, each for performing a different flow assurance function. A platform device interfaces with the plurality of flow assurance devices to integrate the different flow assurance functions and enable a single point of entry of data for the flow assurances devices of the system. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110220411 | DOWNHOLE ACOUSTIC SENSING TOOL AND METHOD - An acoustic sensing tool for use with a carrier disposed in a wellbore may include a base and a resilient clamp disposed around the base. The clamp may move between a retracted position, in which the clamp interior surface engages the carrier, and an expanded position, in which the clamp exterior surface engages the wellbore. A sensor is coupled to the clamp. An actuator is movable along the base and operably coupled to the clamp. The actuator is operable to move the clamp between the retracted and expanded positions and configured to maintain contact with the clamp in both the retracted and expanded positions so that movement of the actuator in a first direction causes the housing to move to the expanded position, and movement of the actuator in a second, opposite direction causes the housing to move to the retracted position. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110220410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ONLINE AUTOMATION - A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a proces in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and fo each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to tha model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations ar evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation t the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result tha may be input to a process control program. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110220358 | ASSEMBLIES FOR THE PURIFICATION OF A RESERVOIR OR PROCESS FLUID - A sugar-based assembly is provided for the removal of a component from a reservoir or process fluid. The sugar-based assembly comprises a sugar optionally bound to a support, and where the support is present, the sugar is bound directly to the support or via a linker group, and the use of the sugar-based assembly in methods of purification of reservoir or process fluids, including subterranean reservoir and process fluids. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110220350 | IDENTIFICATION OF LOST CIRCULATION ZONES - Method and apparatus for identifying lost circulation in subterranean wells, in particular, methods for treating the identified lost circulation zones with fluid compositions that are pumped into a wellbore enter voids in the subterranean-well formation through which wellbore fluids escape, and form a seal that limits further egress of wellbore fluid into the lost-circulation zone. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110215802 | MODIFIED PULSE SEQUENCE TO ESTIMATE PROPERTIES - Methods and related systems are described for estimating fluid or rock properties from NMR measurements. A modified pulse sequence is provided that can directly provide moments of relaxation-time or diffusion distributions. This pulse sequence can be adapted to the desired moment of relaxation-time or diffusion coefficient. The data from this pulse sequence provides direct estimates of fluid properties such as average chain length and viscosity of a hydrocarbon. In comparison to the uniformly-spaced pulse sequence, these pulse sequences are faster and have a lower error bar in computing the fluid properties. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110214883 | LARGE BORE COMPLETIONS SYSTEMS AND METHOD - A technique facilitates use and installation of a large bore completion system. The technique comprises providing infrastructure during an initial completion stage and deploying a monitoring system. Based on data from the monitoring system, an intelligent completion may later be deployed as necessary to control production, injection, or other well related fluid flows. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110210645 | DOWNHOLE STATIC POWER GENERATOR - A downhole static power generator according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure comprises a static charge accumulator comprising a dielectric material having a surface to contact a flowing dielectric fluid. The static charge accumulator may be configured to accumulate electrical-potential in response to the dielectric fluid flowing across the surface. In addition, an electrical-potential storage device may be provided to receive the electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator. A charge harvesting device may also be provided to shunt electrical-potential from the static charge accumulator to the electrical-potential storage device. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110208666 | BUSINESS DRIVEN TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS SYSTEM - A method for business driven training includes obtaining a vocational profile for a user, where the vocational profile includes a vocational type for the user; obtaining training information for the user using the vocational type, where the training information includes assessments and completed training of the user; and determining a training program for the user based on the training information, where the training program specifies required training courses to obtain a promotion certification for the user. The method further includes generating a qualifications profile based on the training information, where the qualification profile specifies services that the user is capable of providing, and displaying the qualifications profile and a progress of the user in the training program, where the qualification profile includes a proficiency for each of the services that the user is capable of providing. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110203846 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION DURING DRILLING OPERATIONS - An apparatus and method are provided for obtaining formation data while drilling. The apparatus may include a drill string and a plurality of sensors. At least two of the plurality of sensors are spaced apart along the drill string a approximately the same distance as a length of a segment of the drill string. The segment of the drill string is either added to or removed from the rest of the drill string as the drill string moves in the borehole during a drilling operation. The method may include providing numerous sensors along a drill string and repeating a cycle of various functions. The cycle may include performing an operation moving the drill string relative to the borehole and stopping movement of the drill string. Additional functions may include changing an overall length of the drill string and performing the formation property while the drill string is relatively stationary. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110203801 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMATION ISOLATION - A technique employs a formation isolation valve that utilizes a ball rotatably mounted within a valve housing. The valve is designed to enable rotation of the ball about a fixed axis without translation of the ball. Rotation of the ball is achieved by connecting an arm to the ball at a position offset from the axis of rotation. A movable mandrel also is connected to the arm to enable selective actuation of the ball. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110203793 | METHOD OF GRAVEL PACKING MULTIPLE ZONES WITH ISOLATION - A gravel pack system and method for zonal isolation is disclosed by using a swellable element in conjunction with a primary isolation device, such as a cup packer. The zones may be isolated by both the isolation device and the swellable element. Shunt tubes may be used to convey a gravel slurry to each zone. At least one upper shunt tube extends through the isolation device to provide the slurry to the zone therebelow. Once the gravel packing is completed, the swellable member may be activated to provide and supplement a hydraulic seal between adjacent zones. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110200840 | CYLINDER WITH POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND INTERIOR - A rigid composite structure includes a tubular body made from a metallic material and having a first bore formed therein along a longitudinal axis, and one or more segments formed from a super hard material disposed within the first bore. Each segment has a hole formed in the center thereof, and the segments may be positioned end-to-end and adjacent to one another to align the center holes about the longitudinal axis and form a second bore. The segments can be held under compression within the first bore of the tubular body. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110198848 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNHOLE POWER GENERATION - A technique facilitates generation of electric power in well environments. The technique involves combining a cooperating stator and rotor assembly to create an electromagnetic generator. The cooperating stator and rotor assembly utilize an electromagnet which works with a generator coil to create electrical power. Use of the electromagnet enables the electromagnetic field created during generation of electrical power to be selectively eliminated. Elimination of the electromagnetic field allows magnetic particles to be freely flushed from the electromagnetic generator. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110198097 | AUTONOMOUS INFLOW CONTROL DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - A valve assembly for regulating fluid flow in a horizontal wellbore. A housing can be coupled to a production tubular. A chamber is defined within the housing and can be in fluid communication through a flow channel with an inner annulus formed adjacent the wellbore. A piston and a biasing member can be disposed within the chamber, where the biasing member biases the piston into a first position. A flowpath is defined within the housing and communicable with both the production tubular and the inner annulus. The flowpath can include one or more nozzles disposed therein, and the piston can be configured to move between the first position allowing fluid flow through the flowpath to the production tubular and a second position preventing fluid flow to the production tubular. | 08-18-2011 |
