Abstract: A downhole-reconfigurable tool string is utilized to obtain targeted measurements for formation evaluation and reservoir characterization. Tool string hardware and corresponding analysis software are dynamically adjusted to meet specific reservoir description needs identified during or before the logging run with the downhole-reconfigurable tool string. A technique for utilizing the downhole-reconfigurable tool string includes four different steps. The first step includes detecting first order features and identifying second order features. The second step includes enhancing measurements relative to the second order features by reconfiguring tool hardware to extract at least the desired information of the reservoir in terms of its static and dynamic properties, and software focusing to enhance the sensitivity to a particular reservoir attribute. The third step is performing an inversion to reconstruct the reservoir property as accurately as possible.

Abstract: A method of determining the nature of a submarine or subterranean reservoir having an electromagnetic characteristic is described. The method comprises analyzing data associated with the application of a time varying electromagnetic field from above the reservoir using a data analysis methodology that does not utilize an estimate of the reservoir's geometry in determining one or more characteristics of the reservoir.

Abstract: A predetermined condition in a fluid-filled wellbore system can be detected by generating at least one sound in the wellbore system in response to the condition, such that a detectable change is created in some characteristic of the emitted sound, and detecting the at least one sound and the change, the detection being indicative that the predetermined condition has occurred. Equipment for facilitating detection of the condition can include a trigger operable in response to the condition; a generator operable to emit sound in the borehole and to create a detectable change in some characteristic of the emitted sound in response to the trigger; and at least one sensor operable to monitor the sound and detect the change, the detection being indicative that the predetermined condition has occurred. It is also possible to estimate a value of a property of a fluid-filled wellbore system.

Abstract: Tubewaves are used to transmit an indication of the depth at which a condition is detected in a well. In particular, the depth is calculated based on the difference in arrival time at the surface of a first tubewave which propagates directly upward in the borehole and a second tubewave which initially travels downward and is then reflected upward. The tubewaves may be generated by a canister designed to implode at a certain pressure. After being introduced into the flowline at an above ground inlet, the canister is carried downhole by gravity and the fluid being pumped. When the canister reaches a depth at which its pressure tolerance is exceeded, it implodes and generates the tubewaves. An analyzer at the surface detects the tubewaves with a hydrophone array and generates a pressure versus depth profile of the well, i.e., one data point for each implosion.

Abstract: Tools for investigating an earth formation in the presence of either oil-base or water-base mud include a circuit which induces current into the formation in a focused manner, and a sensor electrode which is isolated from the circuit, at least partially surrounded by the circuit, and located in the area in which the current is focused. The current inducing circuit may be an oppositely polarized double-dipole circuit to which voltage is applied with the two dipoles sharing a common radiating element over which a focused area is formed. Insulators separate the outer electrodes of the double-dipole circuit from the common radiating element. Alternatively, the current inducing circuit is a coil arranged in a partial toroidal configuration in an insulated area that at least partially surrounds the focused area and which separates the focused area from return electrodes.

Abstract: A technique includes measuring a first pressure of well fluid in a first region. The well fluid is produced from a formation into the first region. A second pressure of well fluid is measured in a second region. The second region is isolated from the first region, and the well fluid in the second region is in communication with the formation characteristics (skin, horizontal permeability or vertical permeability, as examples) of the formation is determined from the first and second measured pressures.

Abstract: A technique includes measuring a first pressure of well fluid in a first region. The well fluid is produced from a formation into the first region. A second pressure of well fluid is measured in a second region. The second region is isolated from the first region, and the well fluid in the second region is in communication with the formation. characteristics (skin, horizontal permeability or vertical permeability, as examples) of the formation is determined from the first and second measured pressures.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a position of a wellbore with respect to layer boundaries in earth formations. The method includes projecting a trajectory of the wellbore onto an initial model of the earth formations, selecting a segment of the trajectory and calculating along the segment expected responses of a well logging instrument. Differences between the expected responses and responses measured by the instrument along the segment are determined. The model is adjusted, the expected responses are recalculated and the differences are again determined. These are repeated until the differences fall below a selected threshold. In one embodiment, the trajectory of the wellbore can be adjusted to remain within a selected distance of a selected one of the layer boundaries.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating values for formation parameters such as permeability, relative permeability, and skin factors for a plurality of locations in the formation are provided. Fluid is forced into a capped borehole at a measured rate, and a borehole logging tool is run in the borehole to measure indications of pressure and conductivity. Estimates of the parameters and the measured fluid flow rate(s) into the formation are used in conjunction with a jointly inverted pressure transient model and saturation-conductivity model in order to compute indications of expected pressure and indications of expected conductivity-related profiles as a function of depth and time. The expected pressures and expected conductivity related profile indications are then compared to the pressures and conductivity indications measured by the borehole logging tool, and an iterated comparison between the computed values and the measured values is used to provide determinations of the formation parameters.

Abstract: A method of logging an underground formation from within a borehole includes the steps of emitting an electromagnetic signal from a first location in a borehole, determining a time at which the signal is emitted, detecting a direct component of the signal which has passed from the first location to a second location without being reflected, determining a time at which the direct component arrives at the second location and determining the speed of the signal in the underground formation from the time at which the signal is emitted, the time of arrival of the direct component and the spacing of the first and second locations. The speed of the signal can be used for radar logging of the formation.

Abstract: A borehole logging tool such as a wireline logging tool or a logging-while drilling tool includes a tool body; a transmitting antenna located in the body; a pulser for causing the transmitting antenna to transmit an electromagnetic signal; a receiving antenna, located in the body, which includes an array of receiver elements disposed around the longitudinal axis of the tool body; and electronics for measuring the difference in signals detected by pairs of elements in the array. The receiver elements can be linear dipole elements and the electronics for analyzing the signals measures the difference in signals measured by pairs of elements so as to determine the direction of a reflecting structure from the tool.

Abstract: A method for measuring multiphase flows in a conduit using series of microwave antennae arranged around the circumference of the conduit so as to transmit microwave energy into, or detect propagated microwave energy in the conduit, the method including the steps of: transmitting microwave energy from each antenna in turn while detecting microwave energy at the non-transmitting antenna and integrating the results from all antennae so as to characterize the flow in the conduit. Apparatus for performing the method includes means for exciting each antenna in turn to transmit microwave energy into the pipe and means for detecting microwave energy at the non-transmitting antennae, and means for integrating the results from all transmitters to characterize the flow in the conduit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of slot antennas which can provide two-dimensional quantitative dielectric and conductivity images of formations in the region surrounding an earth borehole. The antennas are mounted in a wall-engaging member of a logging device that is moveable through the borehole. Selected ones of the antennas are energized at given times to transmit electromagnetic energy into the formations, the electromagnetic energy being received at other antennas for processing to obtain formation properties.

Abstract: A slot antenna has a square aperture and two current probes at angles to each other in the aperture. The two current probes are excited simultaneously or separately with different signals. By adjusting the amplitude or phase of the signals in the current probes, the angle of the magnetic moment of the antenna can be adjusted. An array of such antennas in an electromagnetic propagation tool for a well-logging device simultaneously provides better standoff performance by adjusting tile magnetic moment to be parallel to a borehole axis, and better image response by adjusting the magnetic moment to be perpendicular to the formation bed. The array can be excited to function as an endfire and broadside array of an electromagnetic propagation tool.

Abstract: A spontaneous potential (SP) sub is interconnected between two metallic housings of a wellbore apparatus and is lowered into a wellbore. A spontaneous potential (SP) of an earth formation trasversed by the wellbore is measured by the SP sub, and a log is generated from the sub which is representative of the spontaneous potential of the formation, the log being substantially free of a special type of distortion which typified the prior art SP measurements taken by prior art SP measurement apparatus. The SP sub includes a measurement electrode, monitoring electrodes placed on both sides of the measurement electrode, a bucking electrode placed on both sides of the monitoring electrodes, current driving circuitry connected to the bucking electrodes, and receiving circuitry connected to the monitoring electrodes. The current driving circuitry delivers a current of sufficient magnitude to each bucking electrode such that the voltage potential between the monitoring electrodes is approximately equal to zero.

Abstract: A form of the disclosure is directed to determining properties of formations surrounding an earth borehole having a standoff layer. A method is disclosed for determining the conductivity and permittivity of the standoff layer and the conductivity and permittivity of the formations adjacent the standoff layer. A further form of the disclosure is directed to an electromagnetic logging apparatus having transmitting and receiving antennas in RTTR, RRTTRR or TTRRTT arrangements.

Abstract: A slot antenna has a square aperture and two current probes at angles to each other in the aperture. The two current probes are excited simultaneously or separately with different signals. By adjusting the amplitude or phase of the signals in the current probes, the angle of the magnetic moment of the antenna can be adjusted. An array of such antennas in an electromagnetic propagation tool for a well-logging device simultaneously provides better standoff performance by adjusting the magnetic moment to be parallel to a borehole axis, and better image response by adjusting the magnetic moment to be perpendicular to the formation bed. The array can be excited to function as an endfire and broadside array of an electromagnetic propagation tool.