Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
Cooling of downhole components is effected using an expendable refrigerant, such as water. Refrigerant, in thermal communication with a component to be cooled, is evaporated in an evaporator. Vapor is removed from the evaporator and released into a borehole, in order to cool the component. A pump may be used to remove the vapor from the evaporator and force the vapor into the borehole.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
Techniques for evaluating physical aspects of a formation fluid from within a wellbore include changing at least one of a pressure on and a temperature of a sample of the formation fluid and transmitting at least one acoustic pulse through the fluid sample and analyzing acoustic information collected. Apparatus and methods for the evaluating involve using at least one acoustic transducer. Analyzing typically involves use of formulae that relate equation (s) of state and other properties for the fluid to a change in the sound speed in the fluid.
Abstract:
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.