Abstract: Techniques for measuring a displacement include generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field source; measuring a first magnitude of a component of the magnetic field using a sensor disposed within the magnetic field; displacing the magnetic field source; measuring a second magnitude of the component of the magnetic field using the sensor; determining a distance that the magnetic field source is displaced using the first magnitude and the second magnitude. An apparatus for measuring a radius of a hole includes a support member having at least one arm, each having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the support member; a magnet moveably attached to the support member via the second end of the each of the at least one arm; and a first magnetic sensor fixed to the support member. An apparatus of the invention may further include a second and third sensors.

Abstract: The invention is an interactive computer system for help in selecting well-services treatment fluid comprising a set of fluid families, a set of relevant fluid characteristics and a set of digital ratings of each fluid family with regard to these characteristics. The system further includes a set of job parameters pertaining to the treatment and qualitative ratings of said parameters estimating their relevance in the effective success of a treatment. An interface allows the user to enter the job parameters values known to him. Built in rules, associated with calculating means including an integrated spreadsheet, match fluid characteristics and job parameters and trigger the elimination of fluids that are not compatible with some value of the job parameters and compute a confidence index for the non-eliminated fluid families, said confidence index based on the one the sum of the products of the fluid families digital ratings and on the rating of the known job parameter.

Abstract: An electromagnetic well logging instrument is disclosed which includes at least one transmitter antenna oriented to have at least some magnetic dipole moment component transverse to an axis of the instrument. The instrument includes at least two receiver antennas oriented to have at least some magnetic dipole moment component transverse to the axis and parallel to the magnetic dipole moment component of the at least one transmitter antenna. The at least two receiver antennas are axially spaced apart from the transmitter antenna so that a response of the instrument to the transverse magnetic dipole moment component is axially substantially on one side of a more distant spaced one of the at least two receiver antennas.

Abstract: A method is provided for gathering information on the pore pressure in an earth formation surrounding a wellbore. The method includes the initial steps of selecting at least one suitable property (e.g., porosity, drilling fluid composition, etc.) of the drilling environment (which is defined by the wellbore and the surrounding formation) and at least one NMR parameter (e.g., T2 distribution) in an NMR measurement response. The method selects a suitable property for which values over a plurality of wellbore depths can be correlated with the characteristics or behavior of the pore pressure in the earth formation. The method further includes conducting an NMR measurement at a plurality of wellbore depths, thereby generating an NMR response from the drilling environment. The measured values of the NMR parameter in the NMR response are then correlated with values of the suitable property.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring a force F exerted on a piece in a given direction in the presence of external pressure Pe and temperature T. According to the invention: the response Rcap of a deformation sensor to the total force exerted on the piece is measured; said external pressure Pe and said temperature T are determined; and the force F exerted on the piece in said given direction is determined by a relationship between the response of said deformation sensor (Rcap) and a polynomial function of degree n of the pressure Pe [fn(Pe)], said relationship being such that: F=K.Rcap−fn(Pe) where K is a constant determined by calibration of the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for locating and determining the orientation of a fracture in an earth formation. Systems and methods for detecting a fracture in an earth formation using a propagation tool include producing electromagnetic fields using a TMD transmitter in the tool; measuring corresponding voltage signals detected with one or more TMD receivers in the tool; determining harmonics from the measured signal responses by shifting the responses (e.g. by 90 degrees) and performing an addition or subtraction using the shifted response. In some embodiments, the second harmonic is processed to determine the fracture orientation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of calculating a static formation temperature in a reservoir penetrated by a wellbore. One embodiment of the present invention comprises estimating the static formation temperature and calculating a formation fluid temperature at the wellbore, the calculation based, in part, on the estimated static formation temperature. The temperature of a sample of formation fluid at the wellbore is measured. The calculated formation fluid temperature at the wellbore is compared with the measured temperature of the sample of formation fluid. The static formation temperature is predicted by altering the estimate of the static formation temperature until an error between the calculated formation fluid temperature at the wellbore and the measured fluid formation temperature is minimized.

Abstract: An electromagnetic tomography system for determining properties of geological formation penetrated by at least one borehole lined with a conductive tubular includes a transmitter disposed in a first borehole and adapted to induce a magnetic field, a first receiver disposed in the first borehole and adapted to detect a magnetic field induced in the conductive tubular by the transmitter, and a second receiver adapted to detect a magnetic field induced in the geological formation by the transmitter.

Abstract: Tubulars for monitoring subsurface reservoir characteristics in directed orientations. Elongated tubulars for permanent subsurface disposal are equipped with antennas adapted to transmit or receive electromagnetic energy. A tilted antenna is disposed within a groove on the tubular exterior. The groove includes a sealed opening to allow for passage of electromagnetic energy therethrough and the antenna is disposed within the groove in alignment with the opening such that the antenna is substantially perpendicular to the opening at the intersection. Methods for subsurface reservoir monitoring using the tubulars are also presented.

Abstract: A method for generating a depth-indexed data structure for a reaming operation includes receiving, by a software process, i) well logging data that includes time-indexed data and depth measurement data for an oil well drilling rig, ii) a selection identifying a depth range for a reaming operation by the drilling rig, and iii) values for a certain parameter indicating an operating mode for the drilling rig. Then the software process extracts, responsive to the selected depth range and one of the values of the parameter, a section from the well logging data within the selected depth range, and generates from the section the depth-indexed data structure for the reaming operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical feedthrough including an optical fiber (11) and a protective tube (10) surrounding said fiber. In the invention, a seal (6) extends inside the annular space between the protective tube and the optical fiber, the length of said seal being greater than 50 mm.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a fluid front movement is provided. The method includes: determining at least two techniques for monitoring the fluid front movement; determining a configuration of monitoring sensors, corresponding to the at least two monitoring techniques, from a joint sensitivity study of the at least two techniques; acquiring data with the monitoring sensors; and monitoring the fluid front by joint inverting the data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for actively cooling instrumentation, such as electronic circuits, in a downhole tool. This apparatus includes a compressor, condenser and expansion valve connected in circuit to an evaporator or heat exchanger. The evaporator/heat exchanger includes an inner container positioned about the instrumentation, and an outer chamber positioned about the inner container. A cooling fluid absorbs heat from the instrumentation as it passes through the inner container. The fluid then passes into the outer container where it may absorb heat from the wellbore. The heated fluid is then pressurized via the compressor, condensed into liquid via the condenser and selectively released back into the internal container upon cooling via the expansion valve. The fluid continuously circulates through the system whereby the instrumentation is insulated from heat and/or cooled.

Abstract: A method for measuring a downhole formation pressure is disclosed which includes lowering a formation testing tool to a desired measuring position in a well borehole. Then a nozzle in the tool is extended so that the nozzle extends through the mud cake layer on a surface of a formation, forming a seal between the mud cake layer and a sealing surface of the nozzle. In an embodiment of the invention, the nozzle has a porous tip that extends into the invaded zone beyond the mudcake layer and is exposed to the formation pressure. In an alternate embodiment, the nozzle has a retractable tip that retracts into the nozzle. The nozzle and retractable tip are positioned in the mudcake and the retractable tip is retracted into the nozzle. The formation pressure is then communicated through the nozzle to a pressure sensor operatively connected to the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a well-bore sensor apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a downhole tool carrying at least one sensor plug for deployment into the sidewall of a well-bore. The apparatus may also be used in conjunction with a surface control unit and a communication link for operatively coupling the sensor plug to the surface control unit. The sensor plug is capable of collecting well-bore data, such as pressure or temperature, and communicating the data uphole via a communication link, such as the downhole tool or an antenna. The downhole data may then be analyzed and control commands sent in response thereto. The sensor plug and/or the downhole tool may be made to respond to such control commands. In some embodiments, multiple surface control units for corresponding wells may be networked for decision making and control across multiple well-bores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluidic torque in a downhole tool is provided. One or more rotatable components of the downhole tool comprise a deformable material, such as rubber or SMA, selectively deformable in response to the flow of fluid through the downhole tool. The rotatable components may include a rotor and/or a turbine of a generator in the downhole tool. Non-rotatable components, such as the stator of the generator, may also be deformable. The rotor, the stator, and/or turbine may comprise a deformable material capable of selectively deforming in response to the flow of drilling mud through the generator. The desired deformation and/or the desired torque may be controlled by adjusting the parameters of the components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to support a gyroscope within a downhole drilling tool. A packaging system is positioned within a drill collar of the drilling tool and includes a housing for the gyro and at least one centralizer supporting the housing within the drill collar. The system may also be provided with a down-hole end cap, an up-hole endcap and a loading device. A gyro compression mechanism that is capable of holding wires may also be included to provide power and communication while compressing the gyro to isolate it from shock or vibration.

Abstract: A graphical user interface of a well logging display program for editing data records included in well logging data includes multiple windows and controls for user interaction. The well logging data includes measurements of logging variables collected at successive depths to define the data records. The multiple windows include a first window for displaying depth versus time measurements, a second window for defining a logging variable, a third window for selecting and displaying a first set of instances of the logging variable, and a fourth window for selecting and displaying a second set of instances of the logging variable. The multiple controls include a bar line for selecting a splice point, and an interface button for instructing the program to edit the data records. The edited data records include measurements corresponding to the first and second set of instances being spliced in accordance with a predefined function.

Abstract: A flow meter for multiphase flows, includes a holdup measuring device having a Venturi located upstream thereof and separated therefrom by a distance that results in flow through the holdup measuring device being at least partially homogenized by the effect of the Venturi on the fluids flowing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphical method to design and modify the trajectory of a well bore. A well bore trajectory plan is comprised of hold and curve sections. Hold sections are generally described by specifying the attitude of the hold and the length of the hold. Curve sections can be described and represented in a variety of ways. The present invention introduces control points that are formed at the intersection of extensions/projections of the two hold sections contacting a curve section. The hold sections contact the curve section at tangent points. The tangent points for a curve section have the same distance to the control point. In operation, as a control point is moved, the direction and inclination of multiple sections of the well plan are simultaneously modified. These simultaneous modifications enable the user to quickly and intuitively modify a well plan.