Abstract: Estimating wear on bottom hole assembly (BHA) components utilizes a rock hardness index using analysis of drill cutting. Estimating the amount of wear on borehole assembly components comprises measuring the rock properties in drilled cuttings from a borehole. A hardness value is assigned to each mineral present in the drilled cuttings. A hardness index is calculated for a drilled borehole interval. A wear resistance factor is assigned to each BHA component of the BHA. The wear resistance factor depends on the wear resistance of each BHA component. A wear value for each BHA component is calculated based on the hardness index for the drilled borehole interval, the wear resistance of the BHA component, and drilling parameters.

Abstract: An enclosure for non-organic electronic components is provided which includes an inner cavity for housing non-organic electronic components and a neutron shielding barrier surrounding the inner cavity and the electronic components housed within the cavity. The barrier is formed from a neutron reflecting material in solid or powdered form and a neutron absorbing material in solid or powdered form. An optional structural support is provided in certain aspects of the enclosure design.

Abstract: A scintillation crystal can include Ln(1-y)REyX3, wherein Ln represents a rare earth element, RE represents a different rare earth element, y has a value in a range of 0 to 1, and X represents a halogen. In an embodiment, the scintillation crystal is doped with a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, or a mixture thereof, and the scintillation crystal is formed from a melt having a concentration of such elements or mixture thereof of at least approximately 0.02 wt. %. In another embodiment, the scintillation crystal can have unexpectedly improved proportionality and unexpectedly improved energy resolution properties. In a further embodiment, a radiation detection apparatus can include the scintillation crystal, a photosensor, and an electronics device. Such a radiation detection apparatus can be useful in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method of creating a well image log of a cased well is provided. A passive cased well image logging tool assembly including a logging tool body, a plurality of gamma ray radiation sensors and a spatial positioning device is moved through at least a portion of the wellbore at a logging speed of no greater than 750 feet per hour. Corrected gamma ray radiation data is vertically sampled at a vertical distance sampling rate of once every vertical distance sampling interval, wherein the vertical distance sampling interval is no greater than 1.75 inches. Based on the sampled data, a well image log is prepared. A passive cased well image logging tool assembly for use in a cased well is also provided.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is an acoustic logging tool for determining a characteristic of a ground formation during a drilling operation. The acoustic logging tool includes a transmitter section that houses a transmitter that is configured to emit an acoustic signal and a receiver section spaced from the transmitter section along an axial direction. The receiver section includes a receiver that is configured to receive at least a portion of the acoustic signal. The acoustic logging tool also includes an isolator section positioned between the transmitter section and the receiver section along the axial direction.

Abstract: Fracture porosity and permeability variations with increasing effective stress, are measured and determined by laboratory testing of rock cylindrical core plugs of various types (carbonate, silico-clastic, shale, e.g.) and dimensions. The testing can be implemented for both natural and induced fractures propagating axially in the rock core plug. The testing begins with initial testing, sample preparation and obtaining measurements on an intact plug to define matrix properties in the rock core plug. A rock core plug with defined matrix properties is then after further preparation, subjected to an axial shear fracture (natural or induced) propagating through its body. Measurements are then obtained from the plug with an axial shear fracture (natural or induced) propagating through its body to determine fracture properties.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evaluating an earth formation intersected by a borehole. Methods include using at least one transmitter to generate electromagnetic (EM) waves propagating through the formation; generating measurement signals at at least one receiver responsive to the propagating EM waves; taking a plurality of propagation measurements from the measurement signals representative of the propagating EM waves, where each propagation measurement of the plurality comprises at least one of: i) a relative phase shift between a first wave of the plurality of propagating EM waves and a second wave of the plurality of propagating EM waves; and ii) a relative attenuation between a first wave of the plurality of propagating EM waves and a second wave of the plurality of propagating EM waves; and performing a single inversion which uses the plurality of propagation measurements as input and generates at least one petrophysical parameter as output.

Abstract: A well advisor system and console for monitoring and managing well drilling and production operations. The system may be accessed through one or more workstations, or other computing devices, which may be located at a well site or remotely. The system is in communication with and receives input from various sensors. It collects real-time sensor data sampled during operations at the well site. The system processes the data, and provides nearly instantaneous numerical and visual feedback through a variety of graphical user interfaces (“GUIs”), which are presented in the form of an operation-specific console. The input and data provides information related to geologic uncertainty concerning a well being drilled, with a focus on the safety of the drilling operation.

Abstract: A method for inferring incident count rates of electromagnetic energy at a detector is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting electromagnetic radiation through a fluid and receiving a portion of the electromagnetic radiation at a detector. The method also includes measuring the energy spectrum of the portion of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector and using the measured energy spectrum and a physical model of detector response to electromagnetic radiation to infer incident count rates for discrete energy levels of the portion of the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing hybrid fluorescent material includes dispersing Lu3Al5O12:Ce fluorescent material particles in a first solution; mixing the first solution in a second solution, the second solution including a mixture of a first metallic salt containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of yttrium, gadolinium, and terbium, a second metallic salt containing aluminum and/or gallium, and a third metallic salt containing cerium, wherein the mixing attaches (Y,Gd,Tb)3(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce fluorescent material precursor particles on surfaces of the Lu3Al5O12:Ce fluorescent material particles to obtain a hybrid fluorescent material precursor; separating the hybrid fluorescent material precursor particles from the first and second solutions; and calcining the hybrid fluorescent material precursor particles to obtain a hybrid fluorescent material of Lu3Al5O12:Ce fluorescent material particles covered by (Y,Gd,Tb)3(Al,Ga)5O12:Ce fluorescent material.

Abstract: A downhole tool is described that includes at least three sections welded together. The downhole tool has a downhole section, an intermediate tool section mounted to the downhole section with a lower weldment, and an uphole section positioned opposite the downhole section mounted to the intermediate tool section with an upper weldment. The downhole tools as described herein include an elongate internal passage that extends from the downhole section to the uphole section through the lower weldment and the upper weldment. The elongate internal passage is sized to receive drilling fluid therethrough. Furthermore, one or more of the downhole section, the intermediate tool section, and the uphole section includes: a) at least one sensor module, b) a cavity, and c) a plurality of bores (holes). In certain embodiments, the downhole tool may be triple combo tool, an acoustic logging tool, or a directional tool, such as a steerable tool.

Abstract: An integrated logging tool includes an outer housing and an insert, the insert positioned within the outer housing. The integrated logging tool further includes a gamma sensor within the insert.

Abstract: Managing application programming interface (API) execution logging is provided. It is determined whether a log trigger definition corresponding to a log include definition is satisfied. In response to determining that the log trigger definition corresponding to the log include definition is satisfied, an execution log of the API is transferred from memory to a file in a storage device. The execution log of the API and a set of API definitions in the file is analyzed using natural language processing to identify a usability context pattern corresponding to the API. A specific set of API log definitions for the API is recommended based on the identified usability context pattern corresponding to the API.

Abstract: Described herein are a pressure-sealed detector housing for securing a detector, such as a gamma ray detector in a tool for use in a wellbore. A detector housing is described which includes a body portion with an internal cavity to receive the detector, and having flanges extending therefrom. The flanges can extend, in some cases, generally alongside at least a portion of the internal cavity. Flanges may have one or more mounting holes for mounting the housing to a tool. An opening will be provided in the detector housing to provide access to the internal cavity to facilitate placement of the detector therein. A closure device is coupled into the opening to substantially seal the opening and provide electrical connections to the detector.

Abstract: Methods and systems including establishing a wellbore heterogeneity profiling factor (HPF), establishing a cement quality curve representing a volumetric void space of a completion profile, and comparing the wellbore HPF and the cement quality curve, thereby determining a cement volumetric void space in a wellbore at a target depth having the completion profile.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to generate a two-dimensional image of the well can include control of measurements in a well to generate a log of the well and use of such measurements and/or logs with a log of a reference well. The boundary positions of layers of the well can be correlated with corresponding boundary positions from the reference well. Such apparatus and methods or similar apparatus and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method to interpret and quantify mineral compositions and concentrations, the method including: determining, with a computer, mineral composition models from a non-linear inversion of core or log elemental and mineral concentration data; and determining, with a computer, mineral concentrations for subsurface region from a linear inversion of core or geochemical log data from the subsurface region or analogous region and the mineral composition models.

Abstract: A system and a method for calculating and assigning one or more indicative properties (e.g., cetane number, pour point, cloud point, aniline point) of a fraction of an oil sample based on an index calculated and assigned based on near infrared spectroscopy data of the sample.

Abstract: Estimation of mobile device presence inside a defined region is facilitated. In one example, a device receives location information representing locations of a mobile device and corresponding time information for the locations of the mobile device. The device determines an estimated path of travel for the mobile device based on the location information and, based on the corresponding time information for the locations of the mobile device, determines whether the estimated path of travel traverses, at a defined time period of interest, a defined region that includes a defined portion.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a high-voltage generator for supplying voltage and current to an electronic radiation source in high-temperature environments is provided, the control mechanism including at least one voltage feedback loop for monitoring the output of the generator; at least one environmental temperature monitor; a control bus; and at least one control processor.

Abstract: A scintillation crystal can include Ln(1-y)REyX3, wherein Ln represents a rare earth element, RE represents a different rare earth element, y has a value in a range of 0 to 1, and X represents a halogen. In an embodiment, the scintillation crystal is doped with a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, or a mixture thereof, and the scintillation crystal is formed from a melt having a concentration of such elements or mixture thereof of at least approximately 0.02 wt. %. In another embodiment, the scintillation crystal can have unexpectedly improved proportionality and unexpectedly improved energy resolution properties. In a further embodiment, a radiation detection apparatus can include the scintillation crystal, a photosensor, and an electronics device. Such a radiation detection apparatus can be useful in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A monitoring device provided for monitoring the delivery of fluids through a drip chamber. The device includes an electromagnetic radiation (EMR) source and an EMR detector. The device includes a tubing set mount for receiving a flange or other portion of a tubing set, such that fluid falling through the drip chamber of the tubing set is detected by the detector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for investigating a rock sample, in which wideband electromagnetic response data are obtained and processed by inversion in order to determine values for a plurality of parameters of the rock sample. The wideband electromagnetic response data is derived from electromagnetic measurements of the rock sample at frequencies that fall within a wideband of frequencies, wherein the wideband of frequencies includes a low frequency sub-band that is sensitive to conductivity of the rock sample and a high frequency sub-band that is sensitive to the permittivity of the rock sample. In one embodiment, the inversion can employ a wideband model that accounts for two different polarization mechanisms. The wideband model can be used to describe predicted electromagnetic response of the rock sample at frequencies that fall within the wideband of frequencies.

Abstract: Methods of elemental imaging of a formation include acquiring spectral gamma ray measurement, acquiring a total gamma ray image, deriving structure information of the formation from the total gamma ray image, and applying the structure information to the spectral gamma ray measurement to form an elemental image. In the present methods, the structure information of the formation is derived from comparing the total gamma ray logs for each azimuthal sector to a derived total gamma ray log. The derived total gamma ray log is acquired from the total gamma ray image by summing over all azimuth bins or the spectral gamma ray measurement by summing over all energy bins.

Abstract: A two-dimensional laser triangulation sensor for measuring small diameter holes. The housing of the sensor is cylindrical and consists of two coaxial cylindrical parts, joined by their ends. The cylindrical parts of the housing have different diameters, and an optical circuit of the sensor is disposed in the cavity of the larger diameter cylindrical part of the sensor housing, said optical circuit consisting of a laser emitter, an electronic printed circuit board with a built-in CMOS array, and a focusing lens, which is mounted at an angle to the electronic printed circuit board. The larger diameter cylindrical part of the housing is provided with an aperture, in which a protective glass is mounted. A power supply and computation unit is disposed in the cavity of the smaller diameter cylindrical part of the housing.

Abstract: A method for determining weight fractions of a plurality of elements in a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore includes determining weight fractions of a first plurality of elements using measurements of capture gamma rays made in the wellbore. The capture gamma rays result from bombardment of the formations with high energy neutrons. A weight fraction of a second plurality of elements is determined using measurements of inelastic gamma rays made in the wellbore resulting from bombardment of the formations with high energy neutrons. The weight fraction for the second plurality is determined by setting a transformation factor for those elements common to both the first and second plurality to result in a statistically equivalent weight fraction for the common elements as determined for the first plurality of elements. Weight fractions of elements in the second plurality not common to the first plurality of elements is determined using the set transformation factor.

Abstract: A soil imaging probe has a housing with an interior cavity and an outer surface exposed for sliding contact with soil. A window is mounted in the outer surface for providing optical communication between the soil and the interior cavity. An optical module is positioned within the interior cavity. The optical module includes at least one light source and a camera mounted in a block. An indexing surface is defined in the interior cavity to maintain the optical module at a predetermined fixed distance from the window to keep the camera focused on the soil outside the window. An elastomeric fill material fills the interior cavity and substantially surrounds the optical module to reduce energy transference from the housing of the probe to the optical module. An image processing method is also provided to identify pixels in an image captured by the camera that show potential hydrocarbon contamination.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for measuring a local permeability of a porous material. A probe can be positioned perpendicular to the surface of the material. The probe can be configured to sense a velocity of a fluid flowing over the surface. The probe can be positioned at a distance determined based on an average porosity of the material. The probe can take measurements at various positions at the distance by moving a minimum dimension between each measurement.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for correcting a downhole natural gamma-ray measurement performed in a wellbore. A gamma-ray measurement including at least a gamma-ray count rate is obtained by a gamma-ray detector disposed in a bottom hole assembly having a mud channel inside of the assembly, such that mud flows downwards in the mud channel and upwards outside of the assembly and a neutron source situated above the gamma-ray detector and activating the mud.

Abstract: Systems and methods for horizontal well correlation and geosteering, which include using a correlated 2D model and updated 3D model to determine target lines from the end of a horizontal section of the wellbore to a target point in the formation.

Abstract: Distributed optical sensing systems utilize compressive sensing techniques to determine parameters sensed by a waveguide. The system generates light that is sent along a sensing waveguide, thereby producing backscattered light. A compressive sampling filter forms part of the system, and is used to selectively block portions of the generated light or the backscattered light. The backscattered light is received by a receiver and used to determine one or more parameters.

Abstract: Various apparatus or methods are arranged to operate a tool downhole in a well, where the tool has a detection package operable to detect gamma rays. Spectra peaks of the detected gamma rays can be determined in each of selected energy windows. Distribution of radiation tracer can be determined in one or more regions around the tool from ratios of the spectra peaks. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods having a gamma ray detection package can operate in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of using integrated computational elements to determine unknown interferents in a fluid being monitored. One method includes monitoring a fluid with an optical computing device comprising at least two integrated computational element (ICE) cores configured to optically interact with a fluid and detect a corresponding at least two characteristics of the fluid, each ICE core being designed and manufactured with reference to known spectra related to the at least two characteristics of the fluid, generating output signals corresponding to the at least two characteristics of the fluid with the optical computing device, wherein an intensity of each output signal corresponds to a concentration of the at least two characteristics of the fluid, and calculating a representative spectrum of the fluid with a signal processor based on the known spectra of the at least two characteristics and the intensity of each output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for wellbore logging and method of use are provided for measurement of the annular materials interposed between the logging tool and formation and the apparent formation bulk density in open-hole, cased-hole or other conduit. The logging tool can be centralized in the borehole. Non-collimated gamma radiation is emitted into the surrounding media and the amount of radiation which returns to the tool is measured by multiple omni-directional detectors spaced a pre-set distances from the source to provide multiple radial depths of investigation. The annular thickness and density of materials interposed between the logging tool and the formation may be determined from the detector responses and be used to derive the apparent formation bulk density.

Abstract: A method for determining a corrected neutron gamma density of a formation includes emitting neutrons into a formation using a neutron source to generate gamma-rays. Additionally, the method includes detecting a first count rate of gamma-rays and a gamma-ray spectrum using at least a gamma-ray detector of the downhole tool. The method also includes detecting a second count rate of neutrons using a neutron detector. The method includes using a processor to perform a gamma-ray spectroscopy analysis on the formation based on the gamma-ray spectrum and determining a correction based on results of the gamma-ray spectroscopy analysis. The method includes applying the correction to the first count rate or the second count rate and determining a neutron gamma density of the formation based on a first corrected count rate of gamma-rays or a second corrected count rate of neutrons. The method also includes outputting the determined density of the formation.

Abstract: An integrated nuclear sensor includes a scintillator connected directly to the photocathode of a photomultiplier tube. The scintillator may be thermally fused to the photocathode. The scintillator can be supported within a scintillator housing by a potting layer that is formed from an elastomer. The scintillator can include a reflector or a reflective coating applied to the outside surface of the scintillator. The reflective coating can be a vapor deposition coating applied to the scintillator.

Abstract: A system includes a vessel floating on a body of water. The system also includes at least one conduit extending from the vessel to below the body of water. The system also includes a scanning device disposed within the at least one conduit. The scanning device includes at least one two-dimensional (2D) line scanner and a rotary encoder coupled to the at least one 2D line scanner. The scanning device is configured to generate three-dimensional (3D) image data of a surface of the at least one conduit or at least one component disposed within the at least one conduit.

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 detector assembly includes a scintillator configured to generate a light signal in response to an impinging radiation signal from an object, where the scintillator has a first end and a second end. Further, the detector assembly includes a first detector disposed adjacent the scintillator and configured to receive a first portion of the light signal from the scintillator and a second detector operatively coupled to the second end of the scintillator and configured to receive a second portion of the light signal from the scintillator. The detector assembly also includes a reflector operatively coupled to the scintillator and the first detector and configured to guide the light signal from the scintillator to the first detector, where the reflector is configured to redirect the first portion of the light signal by a determined amount to reduce a path length between a radiation source, the object, and the scintillator.

Abstract: A downhole sensor array includes sensor housings, and each sensor housing contains one or more of a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor. Cable segments connect the sensor housings. A weld joint bonds a sensor housing to a jacket of a cable segment, and a conductor of the cable segment and the jacket of the cable segment may be separated by a void proximate the weld joint. Methods relate to forming such sensor arrays.

Abstract: A method for determining a petrophysical property of a formation includes detecting gamma rays at two different spaced apart positions from a position of emitting neutrons into the formation at an energy level sufficient to induce inelastic scatting gamma rays. The neutrons are emitted in a plurality of bursts of neutrons into the formation, the bursts each having a first selected duration. Each burst is followed by a wait time having a second selected duration, the gamma rays detected during each of the bursts and each of the wait times. A ratio of numbers of gamma rays detected during the bursts is determined (burst ratio). A ratio of numbers of gamma rays detected during the wait times is determined (capture ratio). The burst ratio is used to correct the capture ratio. The petrophysical property is determined from the corrected capture ratio.

Abstract: A logging tool may include a stabilization source configured to emit gamma rays, a gamma ray detector configured to collect gamma rays from the stabilization source and a formation and an analysis module. The analysis module may be configured to determine a photopeak of the stabilization source in a gamma ray spectrum including counts of the gamma rays collected by the gamma ray detector and perform resolution calculations using the photopeak to determine a resolution of the gamma ray detector.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a neutron generator including an ion source that generates ions; a target that outputs neutrons when the ions impact the target; one or more power supplies that supply electrical power to the ion source and the target; and a control system. The control system determines one or more rules that describe relationships between operational parameters, useful life, reliability, neutron output, environment, and constraints of the neutron generators; determines one or more operational parameter setpoints based at least in part on the one or more rules; and instructs the one or more power supplies to adjust electrical power supplied to the ion source, the target, or both based at least in part on the one or more operational parameter setpoints.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring radioactive material of an ingot, in which an ingot having a volume produced by subjecting metal waste generated in nuclear fuel processing or production facilities to melting decontamination undergoes gamma spectroscopy using a NaI detector to measure gamma rays of U-235 (185.72 keV, 57.2%) among uranium isotopes, followed by performing detector calibration using a certified reference material and self-absorption correction depending on the density of a medium using MCNP computer code, and which enables rapid determination of whether the ingot subjected to melting decontamination may be self-disposed of or not.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of measuring radioactive material of an ingot, in which an ingot having a volume produced by subjecting metal waste generated in nuclear fuel processing or production facilities to melting decontamination undergoes gamma spectroscopy using a HPGe detector to measure gamma rays of U-235 (185.72 keV, 57.2%) among uranium isotopes, followed by performing detector calibration using a certified reference material and self-absorption correction depending on the density of a medium using MCNP computer code, and which enables rapid determination of whether the ingot subjected to melting decontamination may be self-disposed of or not.

Abstract: A radiation logging tool is provided that includes a scintillator detector for use on a wellbore tool string to characterize earth formations. The scintillator detector has a shutter to allow for the collection of data differentiating between incident radiation, such as backscatter signal, and system noise, such as dark current, vibration noise, electronics thermal noise, and electrostatic noise. The radiation logging tool provides for a method of calibrating and measuring incident radiation by the removal of system noise. The shutter is positioned between the photosensor and scintillation member of the scintillator detector, and is able to switch between open and closed states while the scintillation detector is deployed. Measurements of signal noise can be used to calibrate the sampling signal of incident radiation on the scintillator detector.

Abstract: The accurate determination of formation hydrocarbon or water saturation is a useful step in the petrophysical evaluation of petroleum reservoirs. This disclosure presents a new method for estimating hydrocarbon saturation directly from a porosity log and a total organic carbon (TOC) log. The method is enabled by the recent development of a geochemical spectroscopy logging tool that combines inelastic and capture gamma ray measurements to provide a robust and accurate TOC log. The method differs from the prior approach of using carbon-to-oxygen ratios that is most often applied in cased hole evaluation. The main advantages of this method are that it does not use knowledge of formation water resistivity, it does not rely on a resistivity model, it does not use an extensive calibration database, and it is largely independent of clay or other lithology effects.

Abstract: A method for improving the measurement accuracy of scintillation based radiation detectors for ionizing radiation pulses when the multi-channel analyzer of the radiation detector is exposed to continuously varying temperatures.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating density of material surrounding a borehole in mineral exploration, the method including inserting a tool into a drilling rod located within a borehole, the tool having a gamma radiation source and at least one sensor; raising the tool within the drilling rod; receiving gamma count readings at the at least one sensor; sending the gamma count readings to a computing device; and removing effects of the drilling rod from the gamma count readings at the computing device to calculate a density of material surrounding the borehole.

Abstract: It is proposed a method for monitoring an electrical power supply line comprised in a seismic cable and extending along the seismic cable. The seismic cable includes: a plurality of seismic sensors arranged along the seismic cable, a plurality of controllers arranged along the seismic cable, and an optical transmission line extending along the seismic cable for carrying data signals from or towards the controllers. The electrical power supply line supplies at least one pair of master and slave controllers. The master controller of a given pair of master and slave controllers performs a step of monitoring a portion of the electrical power supply line between the master and slave controllers, by using an optical loop established on a portion of the optical transmission line between the master and slave controllers, and starting from the master controller and passing through the slave controller.