Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforation device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system provides sufficient thermal information to determine the mass flow rates of produced fluids within a well bore, using an optical fiber placed within or adjacent to the well bore without interference with production or prejudicing the integrity of the well. Mass flow rates of fluid in a conduit (20) located in a heat sink differing in temperature from the fluid are determined by obtaining a distributed temperature profile (32) of fluid flowing along a length of conduit (15) by using optical data obtained from a length of optical fiber in thermal contact therewith, obtaining a profile of the heat sink temperature external to the conduit, and deriving mass flow rates of fluids in the conduit from the said profiles and from measured thermal transfer parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for logging, controlling, or monitoring a subsea well or group of wells through a path not within production tubing. Preferred embodiments allow logging tools, wire rope, optic fibers, electrical cables, monitoring and measuring instruments and other items known to those skilled in the art of oil and gas production to be disposed into the well without interfering with the flow path through the production string. A further preferred embodiment includes the mooring or tethering of an instrument pod over the subsea well. The instrument pod is designed to provide on-board data storage, data processing, data receiving, and data transmission equipment, such that data from the well can be transmitted back to a receiving network where the data may be stored and processed into useful information for reservoir operators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the flow of fluid in the conduit, giving the example of oil in a well bore (12). A heat exchanger such as a cooling station (66) is placed in the well bore (12) and caused to create a slug of cooled oil whose passage, through the well (12) can be monitored by a temperature sensor in the form of a continuous fiber optic loop (62). Knowledge of the movement of the cooled slug of oil and of the free cross-section of the conduit (54) wherein the oil is flowing permits the volume flow-rate of oil to be calculated. Cooling stations (66) are cooled by Joule-Thompson cooling employing high pressure nitrogen gas. Cooling stations (66) may be placed at plural locations within the well bore (12) to monitor individual flows (68) from multiple flow sources.

Abstract: A method for conveying a tool into a borehole with the use of a tool conveying apparatus includes deploying the tool conveying apparatus into the borehole, transmitting fluid through the tool conveying apparatus, the tool conveying apparatus generating power from the flow of fluid therethrough, discharging fluid from the tool conveying apparatus and providing power to at least one tool carried thereby. The tool conveying apparatus also includes a communication system for transmitting data bi-directionally between the tool and the surface.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.

Abstract: A system and method for the remote measurement of physical parameters, comprising an optical fiber cable adapted to measure a physical parameter in a remote location, a conduit extending to the remote location and configured to accommodate the optical fiber cable, a cable installation mechanism configured to install the optical fiber cable through the conduit and place the optical fiber cable at the remote location, the cable installation mechanism including means for propelling a fluid along the conduit, and a seal between the optical fiber cable and the conduit.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed disconnect check valve mechanism having releasable connection with a payload tool and being selectively actuated downhole for disconnecting from the payload tool for retrieval by the tubing string, with the check valve enabled for direct circulating flow and preventing the inflow of wellbore fluids, while permitting the payload tool to remain in the well. A housing is connected to a tubing string, such as coiled tubing, and incorporates at least one check valve and defines a first disconnect connector which is releasably connected with a second disconnect connector of the payload tool housing. A check valve positioning mandrel is releasably retained at a check valve disabling position within the housing for establishing a reverse circulating flow path through the check valve and is released from the housing and moved to a check valve enabling position, closing the reverse circulating flow path and permitting direct circulating flow only.

Abstract: A tubing conveyed multi-position well treating tool having a tubular housing and a tubular inner member which are relatively positionable at “Set”, “Treat”, “Dump” and “Release” positions actuated by a mechanical indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism is loaded by a spring, such as a compressed gas spring or mechanical spring, which urges the tubular housing away from the tubing connection of the inner tubular member, thus requiring no set-down forces for tool actuation or indexing. The treating tool is anchored within the well casing by hydraulic pressure actuated buttons, thus eliminating the typical requirement for anchoring actuation by set-down forces. The treating tool is sealed within the casing by pressure energized packers which are activated by the hydraulic pressure of fluid supplied from the tubing. The tool provides a bypass passage to allow communication of the zones above and below the tool while isolating the straddled interval to be treated.

Abstract: A valve for downhole well service, having a rotary indexer carrying an elastically-loaded valve element on a valve seat surface in a flow passage, the valve element adapted to obstruct one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface when aligned therewith. The valve may additionally, or alternatively, comprise an elastically-loaded valve element mounted in one or more flow passages in the valve seat surface, this valve element adapted to obstruct the flow passage in which it is installed when urged into contact with the valve seat surface. When a valve element is mounted in one or more of the flow passages in the valve seat, the indexer comprises a protrusion positioned to engage such valve element and force it out of contact with the valve seat surface. The valve may be actuated by command from the surface by sending telemetry elements to a downhole telemetry data detector.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes introducing a fluid into the well in connection with a fluid efficiency test. The technique also includes measuring a temperature versus depth distribution along a section of the well in response to the introduction of the fluid.

Abstract: A technique usable with a subterranean well includes deploying a first optical sensor downhole in the subterranean well. The technique includes observing an intensity of backscattered light from the first optical sensor to measure a distribution of a characteristic along a portion of the well. The technique includes deploying a second sensor downhole to measure the characteristic at discreet points within the portion. The second sensor is separate from this first sensor and includes at least one interferometric sensor.

Abstract: An improved cup packer for use on wellbore tools is disclosed. The open end of the cup packer bore is filled with an elastomer to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the packer body includes an angularly protruding section at at least one of its ends, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the packer body is at its maximum at its bore. In an additional alternative embodiment of the invention, the open end of the packer is sealed by a screen to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A straddle packer tool for treatment of wells has a tool body supporting sealing elements in spaced relation for defining a sealed annulus zone within a wellbore. The tool body defines a treatment fluid passage having treatment ports that open to the sealed annulus zone for formation fracturing or other well treatment. The tool body has a bypass passage therethrough which is isolated from the treatment fluid passage and communicates with the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A check valve permits downward flow of well fluid from the bypass passage into the wellbore below the tool and prevents upward flow of fluid into the bypass passage. Bypass ports conduct fluid flow to and from the bypass passage and the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A packer actuated bypass valve is opened or closed to control the flow of well fluid within the bypass passage.

Abstract: A linkage apparatus for selectively gripping and releasing the inside walls of a conduit, the apparatus comprising: a first arm; a bi-directional gripping cam rotatably attached to the arm; and an extension and locking device adapted to selectively radially extend the arm from a tool housing to an inside wall of a conduit and adapted to selectively lock the arm in an extended position.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communication from an instrument disposed in a wellbore. The system includes a flow diverter selectively operable to conduct fluid flow between a first path along the interior of a housing and a second path along the interior of the housing. The system includes an initiator operatively coupled to the flow diverter to cause selective operation thereof in response to an event.

Abstract: A cable includes an electrical conductor, a first insulating jacket disposed adjacent the electrical conductor and having a first relative permittivity, and a second insulating jacket disposed adjacent the first insulating jacket and having a second relative permittivity that is less than the first relative permittivity. A method includes providing an electrical conductor, extruding a first insulating jacket having a first relative permittivity over the electrical conductor, and extruding a second insulating jacket having a second relative permittivity over the electrical conductor, wherein the second relative permittivity is less than the first relative permittivity.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: A tool string, such as one used for performing fracturing operations or other types of operations, includes a valve, a valve operator, and a sealing assembly that in one arrangement includes packers to define a sealed zone. The tool string is carried on a tubing, through which fluid flow may be pumped to the sealed zone. The valve operator is actuated in response to fluid flow above a predetermined flow rate. When the flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate does not exist, the valve operator remains in a first position that corresponds to the valve being open. However, in response to a fluid flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate, the valve operator is actuated to a second position to close the valve.