Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20090025470 | TRACER METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of monitoring the flow of fluid within or from an oil or gas reservoir includes inserting a solid tracer into the reservoir. The tracer comprises at least one metal selected from caesium, niobium, tantalum, tellurium, terbium, lanthanum, gold, iridium, osmium, silver, platinum, palladium, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, hafnium, indium, a metal of the Lanthanide series of the periodic table, or a salt thereof. A sample of fluid within or flowing from the reservoir is collected and analysed to determine the amount of the tracer contained in the sample. A perforation tool allows for insertion of the tracer within the formation. | 01-29-2009 |
20090056434 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING FLUID CONTENT DOWNHOLE - Method and apparatus for estimating a downhole fluid parameter include a high-gain semiconductor light emitter device conveyed into a well borehole, a semiconductor light emitter having a gain region that produces light having a first center wavelength responsive to a selected fluid property, the semiconductor light emitter being carried by the carrier. The apparatus may include an electrical current source that applies an electrical current pulse train to the semiconductor light emitter and an analyzer device that analyses a first response of light emitted from the semiconductor light source after emitted light interacts with the fluid, the analyzed first response being used to estimate the fluid property using the first center wavelength. A current modulator modulates the electrical current pulse train to vary a temperature of the gain region to change the first center wavelength in the emitted light to a second center wavelength and a second response of the emitted light is analyzed by the analyzer device after interaction with the fluid to estimate the fluid property using the second center wavelength. | 03-05-2009 |
20090084175 | SPECTROSCOPIC PH MEASUREMENT USING OPTIMIZED MIXTURES OF REAGENTS TO EXTEND MEASUREMENT RANGE - An indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than that the reagents individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture. | 04-02-2009 |
20090090176 | ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSOR - An electrochemical sensor for measuring contents of a fluid or gas at high pressure and/or high temperature, for use, for example, in a wellbore for hydrocarbon applications, is provided. The sensor includes: a bulkhead-like electrode assembly including a cylindrical housing and a cylindrical electrode structure. The cylindrical electrode structure includes a cylindrical conductive pin extending from a high pressure region to a low pressure region and an electrode connected to one end of the pin at the high pressure region and having an electrode surface for exposure to a flow path of the fluid or gas in the high pressure region. At least a part of the surface of the pin is protected from direct contact with the fluid or the gas by an insulating coating impermeable to the fluid or gas. The pin may include an alternating pattern of protruding and receded portions. | 04-09-2009 |
20100018304 | IN SITU MEASUREMENTS IN FORMATION TESTING TO DETERMINE TRUE FORMATION RESISTIVITY - A borehole formation testing system that measures resistivity of near borehole formation in situ rather than the measuring resistivity of fluid drawn into a formation tester tool. A radially extendable probe assembly contacts and forms a hydraulic seal with the wall of a borehole using a pad. Electrode contacts are disposed on the contact surface of the pad and electrically contact the near borehole formation. Response of the electrode contacts are used to determine resistivity of the near borehole formation. This resistivity is with a deeper formation resistivity measurement to determine if virgin formation fluid is at or in the vicinity of the pad. Alternately, a plurality of resistivity measurements is made at the formation tester pad and virgin formation fluid at or near the pad is determined from the rate of change of the plurality of resistivity measurements. | 01-28-2010 |
20100147064 | WIDE LIQUID TEMPERATURE RANGE FLUIDS FOR PRESSURE BALANCING IN LOGGING TOOLS - An apparatus for performing a measurement in a borehole penetrating the earth, the apparatus including: a logging tool; an enclosed instrument cell disposed at the logging tool, the instrument cell being configured to perform the measurement; and a fill liquid disposed in the cell wherein the fill liquid remains in a liquid state and is nonflammable from 20° C. to 300° C. | 06-17-2010 |
20100192683 | PORTABLE GAS MONITOR - A portable monitor used to measure landfill gas and landfill well parameters. The portable monitor includes a control unit and a measuring unit that can communication wirelessly with one another. The control unit and/or measuring unit can includes a heating arrangement to increase the temperature of one or more components in the control unit and/or measuring unit in cold environments. | 08-05-2010 |
20100223990 | Apparatus and Method for Formation Testing - An apparatus made according to one embodiment may include a first chamber configured to receive fluid under pressure and to compress a gas in a second chamber in pressure communication with the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is configured to discharge the fluid out from the first chamber when pressure of the fluid in the first chamber is reduced. | 09-09-2010 |
20110005310 | METHODS FOR CONTACTING A SURFACE WITH A FLUID CONTAINING A MARKER TO DETERMINE THE WETTABILITY OF THE SURFACE - Methods of determining the wettability of a surface under predetermined conditions, wherein the surface simulates or is a downhole surface for use in an oil or gas operation. The methods include the steps of: (A) contacting the surface with at least a first fluid; and then (B) observing the surface for the presence or absence of a marker to determine the wettability of the surface. According to a first aspect of the inventions, the first fluid comprises a first marker, and the step of contacting is under first predetermined conditions. This aspect also includes the additional step of contacting the surface with a second fluid comprising a second marker. According to a second aspect of the inventions, the step of contacting the surface with the first fluid is under predetermined conditions, and the surface is contacted with a second fluid comprising a second marker. According to a third aspect of the inventions, the first fluid comprises a first marker, the surface is contacted with a second fluid comprising a second marker, and both steps of contacting are performed under predetermined conditions. | 01-13-2011 |
20110011174 | RETRIEVABLE DOWNHOLE TESTING TOOL - A retrievable downhole testing tool that is adapted to be temporarily installed in a well is disclosed. The retrievable downhole testing tool comprises a variable choke, a tool control unit adapted to control the variable choke, and at least two measuring sensors adapted to measure physical parameters including pressure. At least one measuring sensor is situated above the variable choke, and at least one measuring sensor is situated below the variable choke. The retrievable downhole testing tool is pre-programmed with a specified test sequence for controlling a downhole flow rate using the variable choke and for executing downhole measurements of physical parameters at specified flow periods. The specified test sequence is adapted according to a pre-defined stability criterion using the tool control unit. | 01-20-2011 |
20110088462 | DOWNHOLE MONITORING WITH DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC/VIBRATION, STRAIN AND/OR DENSITY SENSING - Distributed acoustic, vibration, density and/or strain sensing is utilized for downhole monitoring. A method of tracking fluid movement along a wellbore of a well includes: detecting vibration, density, strain (static and/or dynamic) and/or Brillouin frequency shift in the well using at least one optical waveguide installed in the well; and determining the fluid movement based on the detected vibration, density, strain and/or Brillouin frequency shift. Another method of tracking fluid movement along a wellbore of a well includes: detecting a change in density of an optical waveguide in the well; and determining the fluid movement based on the detected density change. | 04-21-2011 |
20110167901 | METHODS TO CHARACTERIZE SAG IN FLUIDS - Systems and methods for direct and indirect measurement of the density of a fluid which exhibits sag characteristics is disclosed. The sag measurement system includes a test container for holding a fluid mixture to be analyzed and a suction port on the test container. A pump is coupled to the suction port for circulating the fluid mixture from the test container through a circulation loop. A measurement device is coupled to the circulation loop and a return port directs the fluid mixture from the circulation loop back to the test container at substantially the same vertical location as the suction port. The fluid mixture flowing through the circulation loop passes through the measurement device before returning to the test container through the return port. The measurement device is operable to monitor the particle distribution of the fluid mixture as it changes due to gravity. | 07-14-2011 |
20110232377 | BI-DIRECTIONAL FLOW AND DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE SENSING IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS - A method of determining characteristics of fluids flowed between a wellbore and multiple zones intersected by the wellbore can include measuring a first distributed temperature profile of the fluids along the wellbore while the fluids flow in one direction through the wellbore, and measuring a second distributed temperature profile of the fluids along the wellbore while the fluids flow in an opposite direction through the wellbore. Another method can include flowing the fluids in a first direction through an annulus formed between tubular strings in the wellbore, measuring a first distributed temperature profile of the fluids while flowing the fluids in the first direction, flowing the fluids in a second, opposite direction through the annulus, and measuring a second distributed temperature profile of the fluids along the wellbore while flowing the fluids flow in the second direction. | 09-29-2011 |
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 |
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 |
20120085161 | TORSIONALLY VIBRATING VISCOSITY AND DENSITY SENSOR FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS - An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest in a downhole fluid using a fluid analyzer. The fluid analyzer may include: a member configured to vibrate in response to an energy source, a housing to enclose the member and receive a fluid, and a sensor configured to respond to shear waves induced in the fluid by the vibration of the member. The member may be formed at least in part of a material responsive to a magnetic field or a piezoelectric material. Also disclosed is a method of use for the apparatus. | 04-12-2012 |
20120152012 | Method of Determining Surface Level, and a Soil Moisture Sensor - A method of determining the surface level of an area subject to flood, furrow or surface irrigation. The method includes the steps of providing at least one measuring cup positioned below the surface level but within the area and providing a water level sensor within or integrated with the at least one measuring cup. The levels provided by the water level sensor are used to calculate the surface level by determining the inflection point between the rapid increase of the monitored levels when the front of irrigation water passes the water level sensor. A further aspect of the disclosure is the provision of a soil moisture sensor, said sensor comprising an auger adapted to be inserted into the ground with minimum soil disturbance, said auger having means for measuring soil moisture. | 06-21-2012 |
20120210779 | BUBBLE LOGGING TOOL - The present invention relates to a logging tool for detecting an element present in a fluid surrounding the tool downhole. The element is at least one bubble, particle or debris in the fluid, and the tool has a longitudinal axis and comprising an emitting device for emitting radiation, a lens for transmitting the radiation in a predetermined pattern of radiation, and a receiving device. | 08-23-2012 |
20120285231 | Testing Additives for Production Enhancement Treatments - Fluid tests may be performed to determine suitability of an additive for a production enhancement treatment. In one aspect, a measuring device is used to determine a result of adding a sample of solid material to a test fluid that includes an additive. The result may include, for example, a change in surface tension, a change in contact angle, and/or another result. The measured result is used to determine the suitability of the additive for use in a stimulation treatment for a subterranean formation. For example, the additive may be determined suitable for use during a pad phase of a fracture treatment, during a proppant-laden phase of a fracture treatment, and/or for other phases and/or types of stimulation treatments. | 11-15-2012 |
20130000398 | ELECTROMAGNETICALLY HEATED THERMAL FLOWMETER FOR WELLBORE FLUIDS - A method of measuring multiphase flow of components in a wellbore fluid mixture by selectively heating components (e.g. oil and water) in the flow with electromagnetic energy, and detecting the heated components at a known distance downstream. The flow and velocity of components in the flow stream can be estimated with the present method. Example types of electromagnetic waves include infrared, microwaves, and radio waves. The different components can be heated simultaneously or at different times. The heated components can be detected with one or more temperature probes, and oil wet or water wet probes can be used to improve thermal contact to the corresponding components in the fluid stream. | 01-03-2013 |
20130031970 | METHODS FOR MONITORING THE FORMATION AND TRANSPORT OF A FRACTURING FLUID USING OPTICOANALYTICAL DEVICES - In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one fracturing fluid component; combining the at least one fracturing fluid component with a base fluid to form a fracturing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the fracturing fluid. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031971 | METHODS FOR MONITORING FLUIDS WITHIN OR PRODUCED FROM A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION DURING FRACTURING OPERATIONS USING OPTICOANALYTICAL DEVICES - In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising a base fluid and at least one fracturing fluid component; introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein, thereby performing a fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid or a formation fluid using at least a first opticoanalytical device within the subterranean formation, during a flow back of the fracturing fluid produced from the subterranean formation, or both. | 02-07-2013 |
20130031972 | METHODS FOR MONITORING A WATER SOURCE USING OPTICOANALYTICAL DEVICES - In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing water from a water source; monitoring a characteristic of the water using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the water; and introducing the water into a subterranean formation. | 02-07-2013 |
20130091942 | DOWNHOLE MONITORING WITH DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC/VIBRATION, STRAIN AND/OR DENSITY SENSING - Distributed acoustic, vibration, density and/or strain sensing is utilized for downhole monitoring. A method of tracking fluid movement along a wellbore of a well includes: detecting vibration, density, strain (static and/or dynamic) and/or Brillouin frequency shift in the well using at least one optical waveguide installed in the well; and determining the fluid movement based on the detected vibration, density, strain and/or Brillouin frequency shift. Another method of tracking fluid movement along a wellbore of a well includes: detecting a change in density of an optical waveguide in the well; and determining the fluid movement based on the detected density change. | 04-18-2013 |
20130139583 | METHODS TO CHARACTERIZE SAG IN FLUIDS - Systems and methods for direct and indirect measurement of the density of a fluid which exhibits sag characteristics is disclosed. The sag measurement system includes a test container for holding a fluid mixture to be analyzed and a suction port on the test container. A pump is coupled to the suction port for circulating the fluid mixture from the test container through a circulation loop. A measurement device is coupled to the circulation loop and a return port directs the fluid mixture from the circulation loop back to the test container at substantially the same vertical location as the suction port. The fluid mixture flowing through the circulation loop passes through the measurement device before returning to the test container through the return port. The measurement device is operable to monitor the particle distribution of the fluid mixture as it changes due to gravity. | 06-06-2013 |
20130255368 | Methods and Apparatus for Determining A Viscosity of Oil in A Mixture - Methods and apparatus for determining a viscosity of oil in a mixture are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining water fractions of a mixture flowing into a downhole tool and determining viscosities of the mixture. The mixture includes water and oil. The example method also includes determining a viscosity of the oil based on the water fractions and the viscosities. | 10-03-2013 |
20130298662 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TESTING LOST CIRCULATION MATERIALS - Apparatus and methods for simulation of bore hole fractures are disclosed. A device for simulating a fracture in a subterranean formation comprises a housing, a gap in the housing, and one or more shims positioned inside the gap. The shims cover at least a portion of a surface of a wall forming the gap. The device further comprises an inlet for directing a sample fluid into the gap. The sample fluid flows through the gap and flows out of the gap through an outlet. | 11-14-2013 |
20130327137 | Method For Measuring Pressure In An Underground Formation - The invention relates to a method for measuring pressure in an underground formation containing a fluid, comprising the following consecutive steps:
| 12-12-2013 |
20140123746 | MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A measurement system including a container including an element moveable within an internal volume of the container. A sensor wirelessly measures the position of the element within the container and transmits the measured position information. Also included is an information system capable of reading the position information from the sensor. | 05-08-2014 |
20140144224 | MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BOREHOLE OPERATIONS - An assembly for monitoring a fluid operation including a plug member operatively arranged to impede fluid flow past the plug when the plug member is engaged with a seat. A conveyor is coupled to the plug and operatively arranged for positioning the plug at a desired location. A signal conductor is disposed with the conveyor. At least one sensor is coupled with the signal conductor for monitoring one or more parameters related to the fluid operation. A method of monitoring a fluid operation is also included. | 05-29-2014 |
20140216149 | Wellbore Fluid Testing Assembly - An assembly for the test chamber of a wellbore fluid testing apparatus for simulating fractures in a wellbore is provided comprising base plate of a first diameter having an aperture therethrough configured to be removably secured within the test chamber. A solid end plate of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter is provided that is removably secured to the base plate. One or more intermediate plates is provided that is located between the base plate and the end plate, each intermediate plate also having an aperture therethrough. At least one shim or spacer is provided to space the intermediate plates from any adjacent intermediate plate and/or to space the end plate from the adjacent intermediate plate. The spacer is configured to be removably secured to the assembly and to permit fluid flow in in the assembly through the aperture in the base plate and the opposed face of the intermediate plate and an adjacent intermediate plate or the base plate. | 08-07-2014 |
20140230538 | System And Method for Removing Noise From Measurement Data - System and/or methods for removing noise from measurement data are disclosed. For example, pressure measurements may be used to identify a flow regime using the derivative of each of the pressure measurements. A time window may be defined about each pressure measurement and numerous or even all pressure measurements within the time window may be used to calculate the pressure derivative of each pressure measurement. A least-squares method or a least-absolute-deviations method may be used to compute a pressure-derivative curve. The iteratively-reweighted least-squares method may be used to solve least-absolute-deviation problems to compute a pressure-derivative curve with enhanced smoothing. | 08-21-2014 |
20140238122 | Apparatus and Method for Measuring Phase Behavior - An apparatus for measuring phase behavior of a reservoir fluid comprises a first sample container and a second sample container in fluid communication with a microfluidic device defining a microchannel. A first pump and a second pump are operably associated with the sample containers and the microfluidic device to fill the microchannel with a reservoir fluid and to maintain a predetermined pressure of reservoir fluid within the microchannel. | 08-28-2014 |
20140283593 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DOWNHOLE ANALYSIS - Advanced remote self-contained chromatographic systems and techniques for analyzing a mixture comprising components having a wide range of boiling points. The chromatographic systems and techniques can utilize components and techniques that allow staged, simultaneous, and/or sequential vaporization of an analyte to facilitate rapid analysis. The chromatographic systems and techniques can also utilize components and techniques that focus eluents from a first separation stage prior to reduce characterization time in subsequent stages. | 09-25-2014 |
20150075272 | EVALUATION OF FLUID-PARTICLE MIXTURES BASED ON DIELECTRIC MEASUREMENTS - A system is described for evaluating coagulation of particles in a downhole fluid-particle mixture based on dielectric measurements. An example downhole treatment is one in which flocs are used to plug a high-permeability subterranean formation zone as part of a stimulation procedure. An injection tube is positioned within the wellbore to the high-permeability zone. An instrumented section of tubing includes one or more dielectric probes that are positioned and configured to make dielectric measurements of the particle-fluid mixture flowing in the tubing or in the annulus. The downhole dielectric measurements are used to indicate whether or not the particle-fluid mixture has the desired structural properties. An operator on the surface can make adjustments in real-time according to the received dielectric measurements. | 03-19-2015 |
20150128692 | Real-Time Flow Injection Monitoring Using Distributed Bragg Grating - A system, method and computer-readable medium for monitoring a fluid injection at a downhole location in a wellbore is disclosed. A member is provided in the wellbore. The member includes a passage for flow of fluid and a fiber optic cable including a plurality of temperature sensitive sensors wrapped around the member. A selected temperature signal is imparted into the fluid flowing in the member. A temperature of the fluid exiting the member at the downhole location is measured using the plurality of temperature sensors. The measured temperature and the imparted temperature signal are compared to determine a flow parameter of the injected fluid. | 05-14-2015 |
20150135815 | VARIABLE GEOMETRY FRACTURE SEALING TESTER - A fracture insert is disclosed including a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion disposed opposite the first cylindrical portion defining a radial gap therebetween to form an axial flow channel. The axial flow channel provides a flow path for a drilling fluid from a top of the cylindrical portions to a bottom of the cylindrical portions and the radial gap provides a flow path for the drilling fluid from the axial flow channel to a radial terminus of the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion. | 05-21-2015 |
20150300164 | SENSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND APPLICATIONS - An optical fiber-based sensor assembly in the form of a cable assembly that can measure at least both pressure characteristics and temperature characteristics of a pressurized fluid in a channel in which the sensor cable assembly is disposed. | 10-22-2015 |
20150354343 | MEASURING SETTLING IN FLUID MIXTURES - A method and apparatus for measuring a property of settling of a first phase in a second fluid phase of a mixture. In order to measure the property of settling, the mixture may be contained in a chamber, an acoustic wave may be repeatedly passed vertically through the mixture, a transit time may be measured for each acoustic wave to traverse the mixture, and the property of settling using a change in the transit times of the acoustic waves may then be determined. In various embodiments, the property of settling can be a degree of settling. | 12-10-2015 |
20160033382 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TESTING LOST CIRCULATION MATERIALS - Apparatus and methods for simulation of bore hole fractures are disclosed. A device for simulating a fracture in a subterranean formation comprises a housing, a gap in the housing, and one or more shims positioned inside the gap. The shims cover at least a portion of a surface of a wall forming the gap. The device further comprises an inlet for directing a sample fluid into the gap. The sample fluid flows through the gap and flows out of the gap through an outlet. | 02-04-2016 |
20160061029 | CEMENT EVALUATION - Surface equipment of a cement analysis system (CAS) estimates a first drilling fluid slowness (FSLO) and a first drilling fluid acoustic impedance (ZMUD) based on a type and density of wellbore drilling fluid. A second FSLO is estimated based on a thickness and diameter of wellbore casing and transit time for energy emitted by a downhole tool to travel to and from the casing. An FSLO graphical interface is generated based on the first and second FSLO. A second ZMUD is estimated based on the drilling fluid type and density and one of the first and second FSLO selected utilizing the FSLO graphical interface. A ZMUD graphical interface is generated based on the first and second ZMUD. The downhole tool then obtains log data utilizing at least one parameter selected utilizing the ZMUD graphical interface. The log data includes a final ZMUD measured with respect to wellbore depth. | 03-03-2016 |
20160069857 | Evaluating Effectiveness of Ceramic Materials for Hydrocarbons Recovery - Example methods and systems are described for evaluating an effectiveness of ceramic particles to recover heavy oil from a subterranean region. In some aspects, a heavy oil recovery evaluation system includes a vessel containing a mixture of heavy oil and sand, the vessel including a chamber to receive a plurality of ceramic particles and water, a probe connected to the vessel to transfer energy from an energy source for energizing the plurality of ceramic particles, wherein the energized ceramic particles convert the water into steam to recover the heavy oil from the mixture, and a computer system connected to the vessel to evaluate an effectiveness of the plurality of ceramic particles to recover heavy oil from the mixture. | 03-10-2016 |
20160102541 | WELL MONITORING, SENSING, CONTROL AND MUD LOGGING ON DUAL GRADIENT DRILLING - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for tracking system parameters in each of two or more circulatory systems, such as in a dual gradient drilling system. The systems and methods may include defining each of multiple circulatory systems and simultaneously tracking one or more system parameters for each circulatory system. Systems and methods may further include tracking a discrete portion of fluid circulating in each circulatory system, and associating one or more system parameters with each tracked discrete portion of fluid. Such association may be maintained as each portion of fluid circulates in each respective circulatory system. | 04-14-2016 |
20160376888 | Multiphase Thermal Flowmeter for Stratified Flow - A method and system for evaluating both fluid type and fluid flow downhole by applying thermal energy in a flow of the fluid, and monitoring downstream temperature over time to generate a temperature profile. The type of fluid being evaluated can be determined by comparing the measured temperature profile to profiles over time of known fluids because these profiles depend upon these fluids' thermal diffusivities and flow rates. Further, stratified flow in a deviated wellbore can be analyzed by conducting the fluid evaluation at different radial locations in the flow stream so that the presence of water, liquid hydrocarbons, and gas can he identified. The system can include a pivoting arm that selectively spans the wellbore diameter, and which includes multiple thermal sources, each with corresponding thermal sensor, that are spaced along the arm. A frame can be provided for each of the sources and sensors, which is automatically self-oriented along the direction of fluid flow like a weather vane. | 12-29-2016 |