Abstract: A gaseous fuel monitoring system can include a gaseous fuel supply enclosure, an optical line extending along the gaseous fuel supply enclosure, and a relatively highly thermally conductive material contacting both the gaseous fuel supply enclosure and the optical line. The relatively highly thermally conductive material can comprise a pyrolytic carbon material. A method of detecting leakage from a gaseous fuel supply enclosure can include securing an optical line to the gaseous fuel supply enclosure, the securing comprising contacting a pyrolytic carbon material with the optical line and the gaseous fuel supply enclosure. A gaseous fuel monitoring system can include an optical interrogator connected to the optical line, which interrogator detects changes in light transmitted by the optical line due to changes in vibrations of the enclosure.

Abstract: A disclosed system for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes one or more downhole sensors that measure at least one analyte concentration in the downhole fluid, and a computer having analyte concentration characteristics for water from multiple sources. The computer uses the analyte concentration characteristics and the at least one analyte concentration measurement to determine an amount of water from at least one given source. A described method for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes associating with each of multiple sources of water a characteristic concentration of at least one analyte, obtaining measured concentrations of the at least one analyte with one or more downhole sensors, and deriving for at least one source of water a fraction of the downhole fluid attributable to that at least one source. The deriving may also be based upon measurements from distributed pressure and/or temperature sensors.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel monitoring system can include a gaseous fuel supply enclosure, an optical line extending along the gaseous fuel supply enclosure, and a relatively highly thermally conductive material contacting both the gaseous fuel supply enclosure and the optical line. The relatively highly thermally conductive material can comprise a pyrolytic carbon material. A method of detecting leakage from a gaseous fuel supply enclosure can include securing an optical line to the gaseous fuel supply enclosure, the securing comprising contacting a pyrolytic carbon material with the optical line and the gaseous fuel supply enclosure. A gaseous fuel monitoring system can include an optical interrogator connected to the optical line, which interrogator detects changes in light transmitted by the optical line due to changes in vibrations of the enclosure.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one source material; combining the at least one source material with a base fluid to form a treatment fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the treatment fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the treatment fluid.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing an acidizing fluid comprising a base fluid and at least one acid; introducing the acidizing fluid into a subterranean formation; allowing the acidizing fluid to perform an acidizing operation in the subterranean formation; and monitoring a characteristic of the acidizing fluid or a formation fluid using at least a first opticoanalytical device within the subterranean formation, during a flow back of the acidizing fluid produced from the subterranean formation, or both.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and at least one additional component; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; allowing the treatment fluid to perform a treatment operation in the subterranean formation; and monitoring a characteristic of the treatment fluid or a formation fluid using at least a first opticoanalytical device within the subterranean formation, during a flow back of the treatment fluid produced from the subterranean formation, or both.

Abstract: A downhole optical sensor system includes at least one optical sensor positioned in a borehole and coupled to an interface via a fiber optic cable. Each of the optical sensors includes a waveguide for conducting light, and a reagent region positioned between the waveguide and a fluid in the borehole to absorb a portion of the light from the waveguide, the portion being dependent upon a concentration of a chemical species in the fluid. A method for operating a well includes deploying one or more downhole optical sensors in a fluid flow path in the well, probing the one or more downhole optical sensors from a surface interface to detect concentrations of one or more chemical species, and deriving a rate of scale buildup or corrosion based at least in part on the detected concentrations.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one acid; combining the at least one acid with a base fluid to form an acidizing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the acidizing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the acidizing fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanate obtained form a process comprising the steps of reacting an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic primary amine, with phosgene in the presence of an inert solvent, wherein the initial reaction temperature is between 100 and 130° C. and the temperature is subsequently ramped to 150 to 180° C. during the course of the reaction, the solvent to amine weight ratio is 95:5 to 80:20, the total reaction pressure is maintained between 50 and 350 psig and the amine is rapidly dispersed in the phosgene through injection in a region of high efficiency mixing.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one fracturing fluid component; combining the at least one fracturing fluid component with a base fluid to form a fracturing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising a base fluid and at least one fracturing fluid component; introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein, thereby performing a fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid or a formation fluid using at least a first opticoanalytical device within the subterranean formation, during a flow back of the fracturing fluid produced from the subterranean formation, or both.

Abstract: The present invention is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanate obtained form a process comprising the steps of reacting an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic primary amine, with phosgene in the presence of an inert solvent, wherein the initial reaction temperature is between 100 and 130° C. and the temperature is subsequently ramped to 150 to 180° C. during the course of the reaction, the solvent to amine weight ratio is 95:5 to 80:20, the total reaction pressure is maintained between 50 and 350 psig and the amine is rapidly dispersed in the phosgene through injection in a region of high efficiency mixing.

Abstract: A disclosed system for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes one or more downhole sensors that measure at least one analyte concentration in the downhole fluid, and a computer having analyte concentration characteristics for water from multiple sources. The computer uses the analyte concentration characteristics and the at least one analyte concentration measurement to determine an amount of water from at least one given source. A described method for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes associating with each of multiple sources of water a characteristic concentration of at least one analyte, obtaining measured concentrations of the at least one analyte with one or more downhole sensors, and deriving for at least one source of water a fraction of the downhole fluid attributable to that at least one source. The deriving may also be based upon measurements from distributed pressure and/or temperature sensors.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for aliphatic or cycloaliphatic isocyanate. The process comprises reacting an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic primary amine, with phosgene in the presence of an inert solvent wherein the initial reaction temperature is between 100 and 130° C. and the temperature is subsequently ramped to 150 to 180° C. during the course of the reaction, the solvent to amine weight ratio is 95:5 to 80:20, the total reaction pressure is maintained between 50 and 350 psig and the amine is rapidly dispersed in the phosgene through injection in a region of high efficiency mixing.

Abstract: A disclosed downhole optical sensor system includes at least one optical sensor positioned in a borehole and coupled to an interface via a fiber optic cable. Each of the optical sensors includes a waveguide for conducting light, and a reagent region positioned between the waveguide and a fluid in the borehole to absorb a portion of the light from the waveguide, the portion being dependent upon a concentration of a chemical species in the fluid. A described method for operating a well includes deploying one or more downhole optical sensors in a fluid flow path in the well, probing the one or more downhole optical sensors from a surface interface to detect concentrations of one or more chemical species, and deriving a rate of scale buildup or corrosion based at least in part on the detected concentrations.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one acid; combining the at least one acid with a base fluid to form an acidizing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the acidizing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the acidizing fluid.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing at least one fracturing fluid component; combining the at least one fracturing fluid component with a base fluid to form a fracturing fluid; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the fracturing fluid.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing an acidizing fluid comprising a base fluid and at least one acid; introducing the acidizing fluid into a subterranean formation; allowing the acidizing fluid to perform an acidizing operation in the subterranean formation; and monitoring a characteristic of the acidizing fluid or a formation fluid using at least a first opticoanalytical device within the subterranean formation, during a flow back of the acidizing fluid produced from the subterranean formation, or both.

Abstract: Determining the microorganism load of a substance may be conducted readily using one or more integrated computational elements. By determining a substance's microorganism load, the substance's suitability for a variety of applications may be ascertained. Methods for determining the microorganism load of a substance using one or more integrated computational elements can comprise: providing a substance comprising a plurality of viable microorganisms; exposing the substance to a pulsed light source for a sufficient length of time to form at least some non-viable microorganisms; and determining a microorganism load of the substance using one or more integrated computational elements.

Abstract: In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing water from a water source; monitoring a characteristic of the water using a first opticoanalytical device that is in optical communication with a flow pathway for transporting the water; and introducing the water into a subterranean formation.