Abstract: An optical fiber (FD) that can be used for measuring pressure is arranged as follows. The optical fiber (FD) comprises a core (CO) and a cladding (CL) surrounding and contacting the core (CO). A stress-applying arrangement (SE1, SE2), which is embedded in the cladding (CL), applies constant anisotropic stress on the core (CO). This causes the core (CO) to exhibit a deformation. A pressure conversion arrangement (HO1, H02), which is also embedded in the cladding (CL), converts isotropic external pressure applied to the optical fiber (FD) into pressure-dependent anisotropic stress applied to the core (CO). The pressure conversion arrangement (HO1, H02) is disposed with respect to the stress-applying arrangement (SE1, SE2) so that the pressure-dependent anisotropic stress enhances the deformation of the core (CO) caused by the constant anisotropic stress.

Abstract: A method for method of monitoring the parameters of a cement plug (2) in a wellbore comprises; pumping a cement slurry down a wellbore to form a cement plug (2); providing a cable (1) through the cement plug (2) before the cement plug sets, wherein the cable comprises a sensor (4) for monitoring parameters of the cement plug; locating the sensor at the bottom of the cement plug (2); operating the sensor to measure parameters of the cement plug; and transmitting information regarding the measurement to the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus (14) for supporting a cable (16) in a fluid-filled pipe (10) extending through an underground borehole, comprising a body for connection to an end of the cable extending along the pipe, the body being buoyant in the fluid filling the pipe, such that when the body is connected to the end of the pipe, it floats at or near the surface (15) of the fluid in the pipe. A method of supporting a cable in a fluid-filled pipe using such apparatus, comprises connecting the cable to the body, and dropping the body into the pipe so as to float on the surface of the fluid filing the pipe.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for use in a wellbore (32) made of a casing (30) and an annular (33) with a fluid within, comprising: a reel (40) of wound optic fiber line (10) fixed to an object (20) within the casing, and a light transmitter/receiver device (12) able to generate a signal through the optic fiber line and to measure a change of said signal; wherein the optic fiber line is: (a) on a first position fixed to a reference point (4) linked to the light transmitter/receiver device, and is (b) on a second position unwound from the reel; wherein the light transmitter/receiver device is able to measure the change of said signal when occurring at the second position; and the apparatus having a system able to measure the flow rate of the fluid exiting the annular at the surface level Q.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for determining the location and/or the displacement of an object (20) in a wellbore (1), comprising: a reel (40) of wound optic fiber line (10) (or fiber) fixed to the object, and a light transmitter/receiver device (12) able to generate a signal and to measure a change of said signal; wherein the optic fiber line is: on a first position fixed to a reference point linked (4) to the light transmitter/receiver device and is on a second position unwound from the reel. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor and/or an actuator. Accordingly, the invention discloses the associated method to locate an object within the wellbore, the associated method to determine a property of an environment surrounding an object within the wellbore, and the associated method to actuate an object within the wellbore.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring a parameter within a well comprising: a first apparatus comprising a first reel of first wound optic fiber line (or fiber) able to be unwound from the first reel, at least a first sensor able to measure the parameter of the well, wherein information on said parameter can be transmitted trough the first optic fiber; a second apparatus comprising a second reel of second wound optic fiber line able to be unwound from the second reel, an extremity of the second optic fiber being fixed to a reference point; a light transmitter or receiver device linked to the reference point and able to generate or detect a light pulse through the second optic fiber line; and means to exchange said light pulse between first and second optic fiber line.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer, and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the slurry includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are provided to a control system which provides control signals to automatically control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer, and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the slurry includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are provided to a control system which provides control signals to automatically control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method of determining the shear threshold of a drilling mud consists in placing a detecting head with a spherical surface near to a porous wall, in pouring the drilling mud around the detecting head, in forcing the mud to pass through the porous surface so as to form a mud cake above the porous surface and around the detecting head which has a diameter D, and in measuring both the time required for the mud cake to reach a measurable or pre-determined height, and also the torque opposing rotation of the detecting head corresponding to that height.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: A method for continuously mixing a borehole fluid such as cement includes using a measurement of the solid fraction of a cement slurry as it is being mixed to determine the ratio of the solid and liquid components to be added to the slurry. A system for mixing the includes a liquid material (water) supply including a flow meter; a solid material (cement) supply; a mixer which receives the liquid and solid materials and includes an output for delivering materials from the mixer to a delivery system; a device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer; and a flow meter in the output; wherein measurements from the flow meters and the device for measuring the amount of material in the mixer are used to control the amount of solid and/or liquid material added to the mixer.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for analyzing a multi-phase fluid flowing along a hydrocarbon well in order to determine, at each depth, the average static proportion of one of the phases by means of a local measurement. At each depth the local static proportion of the phase under investigation is determined at a point in the flow, which point is situated on a circle having a radius r in the transverse -section corresponding to the depth, where the radius r is substantially equal to 0.7 R, and R is equal to radius of the well. The local static proportion at this point is related to the average static proportion by a determined relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring mass rate of flow of fluid has a fluid driven turbine including a bladed rotor mounted in a conduit through which the fluid flows. The rotor blades are elastically deformable under the action of the flowing fluid and the angles of inclination a and b of successive blades are different. Sensors are provided to measure blade deformation.