Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080198375 | Downhole laser measurement system and method of use therefor - A downhole laser measurement system useful for evaluating the chemical or elemental composition of geologic formations or formation fluids or interrogating a fiber optic sensor includes a pressure housing, wherein the pressure housing further includes a laser disposed in communication with a laser temperature control chamber; a laser light feedthrough; and an optical sensor array. An associated method of using a laser measurement system in a downhole well bore includes disposing a laser measurement system downhole in a well bore; using the laser to create a laser light, and then outputting the light to an optical sensor array. | 08-21-2008 |
20080277162 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEAT FLOW IN A DOWNHOLE TOOL - An apparatus is disclosed for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool using a thermal rectifier material. The thermal rectifier material is positioned between a heat source and a heat sink for reducing flow of heat returning from the heat sink to the heat source. That is, the thermal rectifier conceptually operates as a “thermal check valve” so that heat, which has flowed (or been pumped) out of a region, has difficulty returning to that region. Another embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool, which includes a thermal rectifier material surrounding a liquid supply, wherein the thermal rectifier material allows more heat to flow through the thermal rectifier in a first direction away from the liquid supply than in a direction through the thermal rectifier material toward from the liquid supply. A method for controlling heat flow in a downhole tool using a thermal rectifier material is also disclosed. | 11-13-2008 |
20080314139 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ION-SELECTIVE DISCRIMINATION OF FLUIDS DOWNHOLE - In a particular embodiment, a method and system are disclosed for measuring ion concentrations for a fluid and determining a degree of sample cleanup during sampling of a fluid downhole. The method includes but is not limited to deploying an ion selective sensor downhole, exposing the fluid to the ion selective sensor downhole, measuring ion concentrations of the fluid over time during sampling and estimating a degree of sample clean up from the ion concentration measurements. The system includes but is not limited to a tool deployed in a wellbore, an ion selective sensor in the tool, a processor in communication with the ion selective sensor and a memory for storing an output from the ion selective sensor. | 12-25-2008 |
20090015253 | SYSTEM AND METHOD IMPLEMENTING INHERENTLY CONDUCTING POLYMERS FOR DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS - Embodiments of conductive polymers and instruments using the conductive polymers in geophysical exploration are provided. Methods for fabrication are included. | 01-15-2009 |
20090032259 | DOWNHOLE APPLICATIONS OF COMPOSITES HAVING ALIGNED NANOTUBES FOR HEAT TRANSPORT - In one aspect, an apparatus is disclosed that includes an anisotropic nanocomposite element in thermal communication with a heat-generating element for conducting heat away from the heat-generating element along a selected direction. In another aspect, a method of conveying heat away from a heat-generating element is disclosed that includes transferring heat from the heat-generating element to an anisotropic nanocomposite element that is configured to conduct heat along a selected direction, and transferring heat received by the anisotropic nanocomposite element to a heat-absorbing element. | 02-05-2009 |
20090044617 | DOWNHOLE GAS DETECTION IN DRILLING MUDS - Apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting gas in return fluids. A semi-permeable interface is disposed on a tool sub, the semi-permeable interface being in communication with a fluid cell and with a return fluid in an annular region defined by an outside the tool sub and a borehole wall. A sensor responsive to a gas carried by the return fluid is disposed in the fluid cell to sense the gas that enters the fluid cell from the return fluid via the semi-permeable interface. | 02-19-2009 |
20090044618 | GRAVITATIONAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING TRUE VERTICAL DEPTH IN A BOREHOLE - A method for measuring true vertical depth in a borehole, the method including: measuring gravitational acceleration in the borehole; and determining the true vertical depth from the measurement. | 02-19-2009 |
20090059332 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DUAL PATH LENGTH OPTICAL ANALYSIS OF FLUIDS DOWNHOLE - A method is disclosed for changing an optical path length through a fluid downhole, comprising interspersing an optically transmissive member into a first optical path through the fluid, thereby creating a second shorter optical path through the fluid. In another embodiment, the method further comprises measuring an intensity of light, I | 03-05-2009 |
20090066959 | Apparatus and Method for Estimating a Property of a Fluid in a Wellbore Using Photonic Crystals - A method, system and an apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid in a wellbore are disclosed. In one aspect, the fluid may be exposed to light and light reflected by or passed through the fluid may be separated into a plurality of channels by a plurality of photonic crystals, each providing light corresponding to particular center wavelength. In another aspect, the light may be passed through a plurality of photonic crystals to provide light centered about one or more wavelengths. The fluid then may be exposed to the light output from the photonic crystals. Light detected from the fluid corresponding to each center wavelength is processed to estimate the parameter of interest. | 03-12-2009 |
20090097093 | DOWNHOLE USES OF PRESSURE-TUNED SEMICONDUCTOR LIGHT SOURCES - An instrument for use in a borehole, the instrument including a pressure tuned light source disposed in a housing adapted for insertion into the borehole. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100925 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COATING FLEXURAL MECHANICAL RESONATORS - An illustrative embodiment is disclosed, including but not limited to an apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, including but not limited to a piezoelectric flexural mechanical resonator disposed in the fluid downhole; an electrode embedded in the piezoelectric flexural mechanical resonator; and a substantially transparent conductive coating covering the piezoelectric flexural mechanical resonator. A method is disclosed for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, the method including but not limited to embedding an electrode in a piezoelectric flexural mechanical resonator; coating the piezoelectric flexural mechanical resonator with a substantially transparent conductive coating; and disposing a piezoelectric flexural mechanical resonator disposed in the fluid downhole. | 04-23-2009 |
20090114013 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED LIGHT SOURCE AND LIGHT DETECTOR FOR GRAVIMETER - An instrument for measuring gravitational acceleration from within a borehole, the instrument including: a light source having a semiconductor that comprises a bandgap greater than about two electron volts (eV); and a gravimeter for receiving light from the light source and providing output light with a characteristic related to the gravitational acceleration, the gravimeter implemented at least one of a nano electromechanical system (NEMS) and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS); wherein the light source and the gravimeter are disposed in a housing adapted for insertion into the borehole. | 05-07-2009 |
20090126486 | ORIENTATION INDEPENDENT GRAVITY SENSOR - An instrument for measuring gravitational acceleration, the instrument including: a plurality of accelerometers disposed about a three-dimensional structure, the plurality of accelerometers providing output used for measuring the gravitational acceleration; wherein each accelerometer in the plurality is implemented by at least one of a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) and a nano-electromechanical system (NEMS). | 05-21-2009 |
20090153845 | FIBER OPTIC REFRACTOMETER - A downhole refractometer apparatus and method include a light source, an optical fiber that receives light emitted from the light source and a fluid cell that receives a downhole fluid. A metalloid interface member is disposed to provide an interface with the downhole fluid in the fluid cell, and a light detecting device detects a light reaction at the metalloid interface member, the downhole fluid property being estimable at least in part based on the light reaction. | 06-18-2009 |
20090173150 | Early Kick Detection in an Oil and Gas Well - A stepped reflector on the outside of a bottomhole assembly produces two reflections in response to excitation of a transducer. The velocity of the fluid in the borehole is estimated using the two reflections. Alternatively, a change in the gas content of the borehole fluid is estimated from changes in the electrical impedance of a transducer in contact with the borehole fluid. | 07-09-2009 |
20090188668 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING FLUID PROPERTIES - A downhole fluid sample container includes a fluid sample container detachably coupled to a downhole sub, the fluid sample container having an internal chamber for receiving the downhole fluid. At least one semimetal (for example, silicon or germanium) window is coupled to the fluid sample container, the window being substantially transparent to electromagnetic energy wavelengths within a selected band. A method includes transmitting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy source to downhole fluid through at least one semimetal window in a container, receiving an electromagnetic energy response with a spectrometer, and estimating the downhole fluid property based at least in part on the electromagnetic energy response. | 07-30-2009 |
20090199630 | FIBER OPTIC SENSOR SYSTEM USING WHITE LIGHT INTERFEROMETERY - A downhole fiber optic apparatus for acquiring downhole information includes a carrier conveyable in a borehole, an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, and a fiber optic sensor that receives electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter and generates an optical output signal representative of the downhole information. A method for acquiring downhole information includes conveying a carrier in a borehole, emitting electromagnetic energy from an electromagnetic energy emitter coupled to the carrier, receiving electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter with a fiber optic sensor, and generating an optical signal representative of the downhole information using the fiber optic sensor. | 08-13-2009 |
20090205822 | Downhole Local Mud Weight Measurement Near Bit - A method for detecting a change in a wellbore fluid includes estimating at least two pressure differences in the wellbore fluid and estimating a change in a density of the fluid using the at least two pressure differences. The density change may be estimated by the equation, Δρ=(ΔP | 08-20-2009 |
20090235732 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING TRUE VERTICAL DEPTH IN A BOREHOLE - A system for measuring a true vertical depth of a downhole tool is provided. The system includes: a first optical clock located at a first depth and having a first frequency; a second optical clock disposable at a downhole location and having a second frequency at the downhole location; and a processor for receiving the first frequency and the second frequency, and calculating a true vertical depth of the second optical clock based on a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. A system and computer program product for measuring a true vertical depth of a downhole tool are also provided. | 09-24-2009 |
20090292474 | Estimating gas-oil ratio from other physical properties - A method for characterizing a desired property of a fluid downhole is described. In some non-limiting examples, the method comprises receiving an input signal representing sound speed of a fluid downhole, processing the input signal using a correlation equation expressing the desired property in terms of at least sound speed to produce an output signal representing the desired property, and outputting the output signal. In some examples, the correlation equation is derived through a chemometric analysis of a training data set, the training data set comprises a plurality of input values and a plurality of output values derived from said input values, between the desired fluid property and the first measured property, and the output values are calculated from the input values using a series of correlation equations. In at least one example, the desired property is gas oil ratio. In another example, the desired property is gas brine ratio. In a further example, the series of correlation equations comprises the Batzle and Wang relations. In another example, the receiving comprises receiving a plurality of input signals representing a plurality of measured properties of a fluid downhole and the processing comprises processing the plurality of input signals using the correlation equation expressing the desired property in terms of the plurality of measured properties. | 11-26-2009 |
20100024436 | DOWNHOLE TOOL WITH THIN FILM THERMOELECTRIC COOLING - Apparatus and method for cooling a die downhole are disclosed. The apparatus includes a semiconductor die. A thin film thermoelectric cooling layer is coupled to the semiconductor die, and a heat spreader is coupled to the thin film thermoelectric cooling layer. A method includes conveying a semiconductor die on a carrier to a downhole location and activating a thin film thermoelectric cooling layer coupled to the semiconductor die. The method further includes pumping heat from the thin film thermoelectric cooling layer using a heat spreader coupled to the thin film thermoelectric cooling layer. | 02-04-2010 |
20100091288 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING A FLUID PROPERTY - Apparatus and method for estimating a fluid property include an optic member having a material within the optic member responsive to the fluid property. A detector is operably associated with the optic member that detects a change in the material, the change being indicative of the fluid property. | 04-15-2010 |
20100145620 | ROTATABLE ORIENTATION INDEPENDENT GRAVITY SENSOR AND METHODS FOR CORRECTING SYSTEMATIC ERRORS - A method to correct for a systematic error of a sensor having a plurality of accelerometers configured to measure gravitational acceleration, the method including: rotating the plurality of accelerometers about a first axis; obtaining a first set of calibration measurements from the plurality of accelerometers from the rotation about the first axis; determining a first systematic error for each accelerometer in the plurality using the first set of calibration measurements; and removing the first systematic error from sensor measurements to correct for the systematic error. | 06-10-2010 |
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 |
20100147349 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNHOLE VOLTAGE GENERATION - A system for supplying voltage to a downhole component is disclosed. The system includes: a pyroelectric material disposed in electrical communication with the component, the component configured to be disposed within a borehole in an earth formation; and a heating unit in operable communication with the pyroelectric material and configured to change a temperature of the pyroelectric material and cause the pyroelectric material to generate a voltage to activate the component. A method of supplying voltage to a downhole component is also disclosed. | 06-17-2010 |
20100147523 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOWNHOLE COOLING OF COMPONENTS UTILIZING ENDOTHERMIC DECOMPOSITION - A system for controlling a temperature of a downhole component is disclosed. The system includes: a cooling material in thermal communication with the downhole component; and a container configured to house the cooling material therein, the cooling material configured to undergo an endothermic reaction and decompose at a selected temperature and absorb heat from the downhole component. | 06-17-2010 |
20100175467 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND ANALYZING DOWNHOLE FORMATION FLUIDS - A device for sampling fluid from an earth formation is disclosed. The device includes: an inlet port disposable in fluid communication with the fluid in a borehole; an injector including an injection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, the injector configured to receive a portion of the fluid and direct the fluid toward an analysis unit for analyzing constituent materials in the fluid; and a high pressure valve configured to admit the portion of the fluid at a borehole pressure and release the portion of the fluid into the injector, the portion having a volume that is less than or equal to about one microliter. A system and method for analyzing constituents of fluid in a borehole in an earth formation is also disclosed. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177310 | EVANESCENT WAVE DOWNHOLE FIBER OPTIC SPECTROMETER - An apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, is provided an includes: an optical fiber that receives light emitted from a light source and including an unclad portion adapted for contacting the fluid; a photodetector for receiving optical signals from the portion; and a spectrometer for obtaining an evanescent spectrum of the fluid from the portion. A method and a system are included. | 07-15-2010 |
20100187413 | High Temperature Photodetectors Utilizing Photon Enhanced Emission - An apparatus for estimating a property of a subterranean material, the apparatus including: a photon induced emission device configured to be disposed in a borehole penetrating the subterranean material and to provide an output related to an induced emission interaction with a received photon that generates an electron that is used for providing the output; wherein the output is used for estimating the property. | 07-29-2010 |
20100223010 | Wide Band Gap Semiconductor Photodetector Based Gamma Ray Detectors for Well Logging Applications - A gamma ray detector uses a scintillation detector having a response that matches a response characteristic of a photodiode. The detector may be used to measure natural gamma rays and/or gamma rays produced by interaction of neutrons from a neutron source with the earth formation. | 09-02-2010 |
20100315900 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH RESOLUTION SOUND SPEED MEASUREMENTS - An apparatus for estimating an influx of a formation fluid into a borehole fluid, the apparatus having: a carrier; an acoustic transducer disposed at the carrier; a first reflector disposed a first distance from the acoustic transducer and defining a first round trip distance; a second reflector disposed a second distance from the acoustic transducer and defining a second round trip distance; and a processor in communication with the acoustic transducer and configured to measure a difference between a first travel time for the acoustic signal traveling the first round trip distance and a second travel time for the acoustic signal traveling the second round trip distance to estimate the influx of the formation fluid; wherein the acoustic transducer, the first reflector, and the second reflector are disposed in the borehole fluid that is in the borehole. | 12-16-2010 |
20110016962 | Detector for Characterizing a Fluid - An apparatus for characterizing a fluid property in a vessel may include a first member and a second member. The first member and the second member may be oriented at a non-zero angle. The second member may be responsive to the motion of the first member, and the first member may be acoustically coupled to the fluid by the vessel. Also, a method for characterizing the fluid includes using the response of the second member to estimate the fluid property. | 01-27-2011 |
20110017454 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF HEAT DISSIPATERS FOR ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS IN DOWNHOLE TOOLS - Devices and related methods for reducing a thermal loading of one or more components may include a housing having an interior for receiving the component(s), and a thermally conductive flowable material in thermal communication to the component(s). | 01-27-2011 |
20110114385 | Brine Salinity From Sound Speed - Temperature and pressure measurements that are made downhole are used to predict a compressional wave velocity for pure water under downhole conditions. The predicted velocity and a measured compressional velocity of a formation brine are used in a non-iterative method to estimate a value of the formation brine salinity that is between 0 and 1. | 05-19-2011 |
20110205841 | Acoustic Transducer with a Backing Containing Unidirectional Fibers and Methods of Making and Using Same - The disclosure, in one aspect, provides an apparatus that includes an acoustic transducer and a backing in contact with a side of the transducer. The backing includes substantially unidirectional fibers in a matrix of a material that has high shear wave acoustic attenuation. The fibers contact the side of the transducer at an angle configured to convert substantially all of the compressional waves that enter the backing for the transducer into shear waves, which shear waves are then attenuated by the matrix of the backing material. | 08-25-2011 |
20110214879 | TACTILE PRESSURE SENSING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - A device and related method for conducting a wellbore operation controls a tool by using at least one pressure estimated at a contact between a reaction surface and a contact face associated with the tool. The device may include a contact face and a sensor associated with the contact face. The sensor may be configured to estimate a pressure applied to the contact face. | 09-08-2011 |
20110222369 | Acoustic Transducer with a Liquid-Filled Porous Medium Backing and Methods of Making and Using Same - In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus that includes an acoustic transducer, and a backing coupled to the transducer, wherein the backing includes solid grains with fluid between the grains. | 09-15-2011 |
20110251795 | DIELECTRIC SPECTROSCOPY FOR DOWNHOLE FLUID ANALYSIS DURING FORMATION TESTING - An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid, the apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the Earth; a downhole fluid extraction device disposed at the carrier and configured to extract the downhole fluid; and a dielectric spectrometer disposed at the carrier and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the extracted downhole fluid at a plurality of frequencies and to measure a plurality of responses to determine a permittivity of the extracted downhole fluid as a function of frequency; wherein the permittivity is used to estimate the property. | 10-13-2011 |
20110304346 | METHOD FOR TREATING AND SEALING PIEZOELECTRIC TUNING FORKS - Disclosed is an apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid. The apparatus includes: a piezoelectric resonator configured to be disposed in the fluid; an electrode embedded in the piezoelectric resonator and included in a resonator circuit configured to output an electrical signal related to the property; a discontinuity defined by a surface of the piezoelectric resonator, the discontinuity altering an impedance of the resonator circuit if a high-dielectric fluid or a conductive fluid is disposed in the discontinuity; and an insulating material disposed in the discontinuity. | 12-15-2011 |
20120055243 | Acoustic Transducers Using Quantum Tunneling Composite Active Elements - In one aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for use downhole that includes at least one acoustic sensor. In one aspect, the acoustic sensor includes a chamber and an active element comprised of a quantum tunneling composite in the chamber. In another aspect, the acoustic sensor may further include a pair of conductive layers on a pair of sides of the active element. The chamber is filled with an electrically non-conductive fluid. The active element may be placed in the chamber in a manner that causes the active element to be responsive to acoustic waves along a selected direction or in a manner that enables the active element to be non-directional. | 03-08-2012 |
20120063268 | Simultaneous Ultrasonic Cross-Correlation and Transit Time Measurements for Multiphase Flow Rate Analysis - Pairs of acoustic transducers positioned at different radial distances in a conduit are used to measure travel times of acoustic signals in opposite directions and inclined to the direction of a fluid flow in the borehole. These contrapropagation measurements are used to estimate fluid velocity and volumetric flow rates of the fluid components in the conduit. | 03-15-2012 |
20120089335 | FLUID PRESSURE-VISCOSITY ANALYZER FOR DOWNHOLE FLUID SAMPLING PRESSURE DROP RATE SETTING - Methods and apparatus for estimating a hydrocarbon fluid parameter using a hydrocarbon fluid testing module. The method may include estimating a hydrocarbon fluid parameter value where a precipitate begins to form in a hydrocarbon fluid sample. The method may also include extracting a hydrocarbon fluid sample under pre-precipitate conditions; changing at least one hydrocarbon fluid parameter, generating information indicative of precipitate formation; and communicating the estimated value of the hydrocarbon fluid parameter at the precipitate formation point. The method may also include producing hydrocarbon fluid sample from a formation using the estimated value and a bubble point. The disclosure also includes an apparatus for implementing the method. | 04-12-2012 |
20120118040 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING AND ANALYZING DOWNHOLE FORMATION FLUIDS - A device for sampling fluid from an earth formation is disclosed. The device includes: an inlet port disposable in fluid communication with the fluid in a borehole; an injector including an injection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet port, the injector configured to receive a portion of the fluid and direct the fluid toward an analysis unit for analyzing constituent materials in the fluid; and a high pressure valve configured to admit the portion of the fluid at a borehole pressure and release the portion of the fluid into the injector, the portion having a volume that is less than or equal to about one microliter. A system and method for analyzing constituents of fluid in a borehole in an earth formation is also disclosed. | 05-17-2012 |
20120170406 | Early Kick Detection in an Oil and Gas Well - An apparatus, method and compute-readable medium for detecting a gas influx event in a borehole fluid during a drilling operation is disclosed. A measurement of an acoustic velocity of the borehole fluid is obtained at an acoustic sensor disposed in a borehole. A measurement of temperature of the borehole fluid is obtained at a temperature sensor disposed in the borehole. A process compares the measurement of the acoustic velocity of the borehole fluid to the measurement of the temperature of the borehole fluid to detect the gas influx event. | 07-05-2012 |
20120267519 | RUGGEDIZED HIGH TEMPERATURE COMPATIBLE RADIATION DETECTOR - Disclosed is an apparatus configured to detect radiation at high temperatures in a borehole penetrating the earth. The apparatus includes a scintillation material that interacts with the radiation to generate photons, at least one solid-state photodetector optically coupled to the scintillation material and configured to detect the radiation by detecting the generated photons, and at least one optical element disposed between the scintillation material and the at least one solid-state photodetector and configured to concentrate the photons generated in the scintillation material onto the at least one solid-state photodetector. | 10-25-2012 |
20120272727 | SPRING FORCE NODAL MOUNTING METHOD FOR RESONATOR SENSOR - A resonator in the fluid for displacing the fluid has a sensing section and a non-sensing section. A compression contact member coupled to the mounting body compressively secures the resonator non-sensing section in a mounting body. The apparatus may further include a pressure feed through module received in the mounting body that is in signal communication with the resonator. | 11-01-2012 |
20120303347 | METHOD FOR PHYSICAL MODELING OF RESERVOIRS - Disclosed is method for simulating materials subsurface to the earth. The method includes: receiving dimensions of each subsurface material to be simulated; receiving a value of a property for each of subsurface materials to be simulated; and constructing a three-dimensional physical model of the subsurface materials using a three-dimensional printer, the three-dimensional printer being configured to print one or more layers of a print material for each of the subsurface materials being represented in the model wherein dimensions and a property value of the print material for each subsurface material being represented corresponds to the dimensions and the property value for that subsurface material. | 11-29-2012 |
20120305313 | Apparatus and Method for Determining Inclination and Orientation of a Downhole Tool Using Pressure Measurements - In one aspect, a method of estimating one of inclination and orientation of a downhole device is provided that includes the features of taking pressure measurements at a plurality of locations on the downhole device in the wellbore, wherein at least one location in the plurality of locations is vertically displaced from at least one other location, and estimating the one of the inclination and orientation of the downhole device from the plurality of pressure measurements. In another aspect, a downhole tool is disclosed that in one configuration includes a device for estimating inclination and/or orientation of the downhole tool that further includes a body containing a liquid therein and a plurality of pressure sensors arranged in the body configured to provide pressure measurements of the liquid in the body, wherein a pressure sensor in the plurality of pressure sensors is vertically disposed from at least one other sensor in the plurality of sensors. | 12-06-2012 |
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 |
20130037270 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INJECTING A FLUID INTO A FORMATION DOWNHOLE - A method is disclosed, including but not limited to positioning a tool containing an injection liquid in a well bore formed in a formation; injecting the injection liquid through a probe into the formation; and withdrawing formation fluid from the formation through the probe. A system is disclosed for performing functions useful in positioning a tool containing an injection liquid in a well bore formed in a formation; injecting the injection liquid through a probe into the formation; and withdrawing formation fluid from the formation through the probe. | 02-14-2013 |
20130091716 | Apparatus and Method for Determining the Direction East - In one aspect a method of determining direction east is provided that in one embodiment includes dropping objects under influence of gravity, determining locations where the objects drop, and determining the direction east from the locations where the objects drop. | 04-18-2013 |
20130104572 | DOWNHOLE REFRIGERATION USING AN EXPENDABLE REFRIGERANT | 05-02-2013 |
20130118248 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING A DOWNHOLE FLUID PROPERTY USING A CHARGED PARTICLE DENSITOMETER - An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, the apparatus including but not limited to a carrier that is conveyable in a borehole; a test cell carried by the carrier for capturing a fluid downhole; a fluid channel immersed in the fluid downhole, the fluid channel having a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall faces the second wall; at least on charged particle source placed at location along the first wall of the fluid channel; and at least one charged particle detector placed at a location along the second wall of the fluid channel, wherein the at least one radioactive detector is in positioned to be in particle communication with the at least one of the charged particle source. | 05-16-2013 |
20130118730 | DOWNHOLE TOOLS INCLUDING ANOMALOUS STRENGTHENING MATERIALS AND RELATED METHODS - Downhole tools for use in wellbores in subterranean formations comprise a body comprising at least one anomalous strengthening material. Methods of forming downhole tools for use in wellbores in subterranean formations comprise forming a body comprising at least one anomalous strengthening material. Methods of using downhole tools in wellbores in subterranean formations comprise disposing a body comprising at least one anomalous strengthening material in a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The at least one anomalous strengthening material may be exposed to a temperature within the wellbore higher than a temperature at a surface of the subterranean formation and a yield strength of the at least one anomalous strengthening material may increase. | 05-16-2013 |
20130119245 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING A DOWNHOLE FLUID PROPERTY USING A CHARGED PARTICLE DENSITOMETER - An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for estimating a property of a fluid downhole, the apparatus including but not limited to a carrier that is conveyable in a borehole; a test cell carried by the carrier for capturing a fluid downhole; a fluid channel immersed in the fluid downhole, the fluid channel having a first wall and a second wall, wherein the first wall faces the second wall; at least on charged particle source placed at location along the first wall of the fluid channel; and at least one charged particle detector placed at a location along the second wall of the fluid channel, wherein the at least one radioactive detector is in positioned to be in particle communication with the at least one of the charged particle source. | 05-16-2013 |
20130180710 | CARBON DIOXIDE CONTENT OF NATURAL GAS FROM OTHER PHYSICAL PROPERTIES - An apparatus and method are described to estimate a fraction of carbon dioxide present in a downhole fluid. The apparatus includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth. The apparatus also includes a pressure sensor disposed at the carrier and configured to measure an ambient pressure of the downhole fluid and an ambient temperature sensor disposed at the carrier and configured to measure a temperature of the downhole fluid. A processor of the apparatus receives the ambient pressure and the ambient temperature measurements and solves for the fraction of carbon dioxide in the downhole fluid using a correlation function with the ambient pressure and the ambient temperature as inputs to the correlation function. | 07-18-2013 |
20130270008 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR AT-BIT RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS FOR AN EARTH-BORING DRILLING TOOL - A cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool comprises a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and a sensor coupled with the cutting surface, the sensor configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. An earth-boring drilling tool comprises a bit body and an instrumented cutting element coupled with the bit body. The cutting element includes a cutting body having a cutting surface thereon, and at least one sensor located proximate the cutting surface. The at least one sensor is oriented and configured to determine resistivity of a contacting formation. A method of determining resistivity of a subterranean formation during a drilling operation comprises energizing a sensor of an instrumented cutting element of a drill bit, sensing a return signal flowing on or through the subterranean formation through the instrumented cutting element, and determining a resistivity of the subterranean formation based, at least in part, on the return signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130283888 | GASEOUS GRAVIMETER - An apparatus for estimating gravitational acceleration includes: a chamber having a longitudinal axis and configured to contain a first gas; a first cavity ring-down spectrometer configured to measure a density of the first gas at a first location along the longitudinal axis using a first optical cavity having a first optical axis and configured to resonate light rays that are absorbed by the first gas in the first optical cavity, wherein the first optical axis has at least a vector component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and a processor configured to receive a first density measurement from the first cavity ring-down spectrometer and to estimate the gravitational acceleration using the first density measurement. | 10-31-2013 |
20140060811 | DOWNHOLE ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS INCLUDING BARRIER COATINGS - An apparatus for performing a downhole operation includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation; and a deformable component configured to be disposed in the borehole, the deformable component including an elastomeric material and a barrier coating disposed on a surface of the elastomeric material, the barrier coating having properties configured to resist permeation of downhole gases into the elastomeric material at downhole temperatures. | 03-06-2014 |
20140174147 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING CHARACTERISTICS OF A SENSOR CONTAINING INTERFEROMETER - In one aspect, an apparatus for estimating a characteristic of a sensor is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a chamber housing sensor, wherein the sensor includes a suspended movable force mass having an opening therethrough, a first partially reflective member that moves with the force mass and a second partially reflective member spaced from the first partially reflective member, a source of buoyant fluid configured to supply the buoyant fluid to the chamber at a plurality of pressures, a device for directing light to the first and second partially reflective members at a plurality of angles, a detector for providing signals corresponding to light passing through the second partially reflective member corresponding to each of the plurality of angles and each of the plurality of pressures, and a processor for determining the characteristic of the sensor from the signals provided by the detector. | 06-26-2014 |
20140212983 | THERMAL H2S DETECTION IN DOWNHOLE FLUIDS - An apparatus for detecting a chemical of interest in a fluid or estimating a concentration of the chemical in the fluid includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating an earth formation; a first temperature sensor disposed at the carrier and configured to sense a temperature of the fluid and provide a first temperature output; and a second temperature sensor disposed at the carrier and covered with an exothermic reaction material that experiences an exothermic reaction when exposed to the chemical of interest and configured to sense a temperature and provide a second temperature output. The apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor and configured to detect the chemical or estimate the concentration using the first temperature output and the second temperature output. | 07-31-2014 |
20140247694 | Acoustic Standoff and Mud Velocity Using a Stepped Transmitter - A system, apparatus and method for determining an acoustic property of a fluid in a wellbore is disclosed. A faceplate is placed in the wellbore with a stepped surface of the faceplate in contact with the fluid. The stepped surface includes a non-stepped face and a stepped face. A first portion of an acoustic pulse passes from the faceplate into the fluid via the non-stepped face and a second portion of the acoustic pulse passes from the faceplate into the fluid via the stepped face. A first reflected acoustic pulse related to the first portion of the acoustic pulse is received. A second reflected acoustic pulse related to the second portion of the acoustic pulse is received. A measurement of the first reflected acoustic pulse and a measurement of the second reflected pulse are used to determine the acoustic property of the fluid in the wellbore. | 09-04-2014 |
20140284049 | Method of Determination of Fracture Extent - A pressure pulse is initiated from the wellbore into the fractured formation where the frac fluid brings into the fractures a material that is responsive to the pressure pulse alone. Alternatively, or with a combination with a wellbore pressure pulse, well conditions such as time exposure and temperature can initiate local pressure pulses within the fracture with the result being signal generation of an electromagnetic signal that is measured with multiple sensors to allow triangulation of the location of the fracture extremities. The material can be a piezoelectric material that responds to the pressure pulse or ferromagnetic materials that similarly respond to the pulse to create the measured signals. The material can be delivered initially with the frac fluid or at different points in time during the fracture operation. Different materials with unique signal generating characteristics can be used to get a clearer picture of the extent of the fracture. | 09-25-2014 |
20140300889 | Apparatus and Method for Determining a Fluid Property Downhole Using a Bulk Reading Refractometer - In one aspect, an apparatus for determining a property of a fluid is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a transparent member having an axis and a first end substantially perpendicular to the axis and a second end having an outer surface at a first angle to the axis, a light source directing light at the first end, a detector placed spaced from the second end, the space between the second end and the detector containing a fluid, wherein the detector detects light exiting from the outer surface at a second angle to the axis and passing through the fluid, and a controller for determining the second angle from the light detected by the detector. A processor determines the bulk fluid refractive index from the light detected by the detector and a property of the fluid therefrom. | 10-09-2014 |
20140326506 | CUTTING ELEMENTS COMPRISING SENSORS, EARTH-BORING TOOLS COMPRISING SUCH CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING WELLBORES WITH SUCH TOOLS - An earth-boring tool includes a cutting element comprising a hard material and at least one of a signal generator configured to provide an electromagnetic or acoustic signal to an interface between a surface of the hard material and a surface of a subterranean formation, and a sensor configured to receive an electromagnetic or acoustic signal from the interface. A method of forming a wellbore includes rotating the earth-boring tool within a wellbore and cutting formation material with a cutting element, transmitting a signal through the cutting element to an interface between the cutting element and the formation material, and measuring a response received at a sensor. A cutting element includes a transmitter oriented and configured to dispense a signal to an interface between the cutting surface and a surface of a formation and a sensor oriented and configured to measure a signal from the interface. | 11-06-2014 |
20150054512 | DIELECTRIC SPECTROSCOPY FOR FILTRATE CONTAMINATION MONITORING DURING FORMATION TESTING - An apparatus for estimating a volume fraction of a formation fluid in a sample having a filtrate contaminant includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole; a downhole fluid extraction device disposed at the carrier and configured to extract a sample of a formation fluid through a wall of the borehole; and a dielectric spectrometer and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the extracted sample at a plurality of frequencies and to measure a plurality of responses to determine a permittivity of the extracted sample fluid as a function of frequency. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to receive the permittivity of the extracted sample as a function of frequency from the dielectric spectrometer and to estimate the volume fraction of the formation fluid using a permittivity at a selected frequency in the plurality of frequencies for the sample as measured by the dielectric spectrometer. | 02-26-2015 |
20150083418 | Well Stimulation Methods and Proppant - A well stimulation method includes using a well formation containing fractures and placing proppant in the fractures. A plurality of individual particles of the proppant includes a core containing a swellable material. The method includes swelling the core and increasing a size of the fractures using the swelling core. A proppant particle includes a core containing a swellable material and a dissolvable layer encapsulating the core. | 03-26-2015 |