Abstract: A tracer release method for monitoring fluid flow in a well utilizes a deformable container having a liquid tracer material which container has an outlet which debouches into the neck portion of a venturi in a well conduit. The container has a wall which is at least partly exposed to the fluid pressure at the relatively wide in- or outlet of the venturi, so that an amount of tracer is injected continuously or discontinuously into the well effluents which is proportional to the pressure difference p across the venturi, which pressure difference p is indicative of the fluid density &rgr; and squared fluid velocity &ugr;.

Abstract: In a borehole logging tool, the flow of conductive fluid into or out of a wellbore at the wellbore wall is detected and measured with a sensor loop proximate the borehole inner wall. The sensor loop includes a series of contiguous sensors that act as electromagnetic flowmeters and provide fluid measurements covering the entire circumference of the sensor loop. The sensor loop includes an elastic element that forces the sensor loop outward to maintain pressure along the sensor loop circumference against the interior borehole wall. The sensor loop is designed to lie at a non-perpendicular angle to the wellbore axis, and mechanical arms press the top and bottom of the loop against the borehole inner wall.

Abstract: In a borehole logging tool, the flow of conductive fluid into or out of a wellbore at the wellbore wall is detected and measured with a sensor loop proximate the borehole inner wall. The sensor loop includes a series of contiguous sensors that act as electromagnetic flowmeters and provide fluid measurements covering the entire circumference of the sensor loop. The sensor loop includes an elastic element that forces the sensor loop outward to maintain pressure along the sensor loop circumference against the interior borehole wall. The sensor loop is designed to lie at a non-perpendicular angle to the wellbore axis, and mechanical arms press the top and bottom of the loop against the borehole inner wall.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for fluid measurements which may be utilized to determine mass flow rates such as instantaneous mass flow of a fluid stream. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be utilized to compare an input mass flow to an output mass flow of a drilling fluid circulation stream. In one embodiment, a fluid flow rate is determined by utilizing a microwave detector in combination with an acoustic sensor. The acoustic signal is utilized to eliminate 2&pgr; phase ambiguities in a reflected microwave signal. In another embodiment, a fluid flow rate may be determined by detecting a phase shift of an acoustic signal across two different predetermined transmission paths. A fluid density may be determined by detecting a calibrated phase shift of an acoustic signal through the fluid. In another embodiment, a second acoustic signal may be transmitted through the fluid to define a particular 2&pgr; phase range which defines the phase shift.

Abstract: A tracer release method for monitoring fluid flow in a well utilizes a deformable container comprising a liquid tracer material which container has an outlet which debouches into the neck portion of a venturi in a well conduit. The container has a wall which is at least partly exposed to the fluid pressure at the relatively wide in- or outlet of the venturi, so that an amount of tracer is injected continuously or discontinuously into the well effluents which is proportional to the pressure difference p across the venturi, which pressure difference p is indicative of the fluid density &rgr; and squared fluid velocity &ugr;.

Abstract: A method monitors pumping operations of a vehicle that pumps various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more fluid-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. The values are recorded as a function of the time of day that the variables and engine speed were sensed. In some embodiments, the recorded values are communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

Abstract: A control system and method for determining optimal fluid injection pressure is based upon a model of a growing hydrofracture due to waterflood injection pressure. This model is used to develop a control system optimizing the injection pressure by using a prescribed injection goal coupled with the historical times, pressures, and volume of injected fluid at a single well. In this control method, the historical data is used to derive two major flow components: the transitional component, where cumulative injection volume is scaled as the square root of time, and a steady-state breakthrough component, which scales linearly with respect to time. These components provide diagnostic information and allow for the prevention of rapid fracture growth and associated massive water break through that is an important part of a successful waterflood, thereby extending the life of both injection and associated production wells in waterflood secondary oil recovery operations.

Abstract: During the determination of a fill level of liquid in a container, a measuring chamber, in which there is initially the same fill level as in the container, is completely filled with liquid. The time required for completely filling the measuring chamber is measured and compared with previously determined values. The fill level in the container is then determined by comparison of the measured values with the known values.

Abstract: A monitoring system determines characteristics of a fluid in a well. The system comprises a well module adapted to be disposed in a well, where the module comprises a probe and at least one sensor that senses characteristics of the fluid. The well module is capable of transmitting information concerning fluid characteristics. The system further comprises a data collection center, which is capable of receiving well information from the well module and generating information concerning characteristics of the fluid, a monitoring site, and a communication link that enables a user at the monitoring site to obtain information such as, but not limited to, real-time, historical, and a combination of real-time and historical concerning the characteristics.

Abstract: A method of performing a downhole well completion cleanup is provided. In a described embodiment, completion fluids from a first zone are flowed into a tubular string, and then the fluids are discharged into a second zone. An apparatus usable in the method is provided, in which a downhole pump is utilized to pump the fluids from one zone to the other. The pump may be operated in a variety of manners. The apparatus may also include fluid identification sensors and telemetry devices for monitoring the progress of the cleanup operation.

Abstract: In a hydrocarbon well, a speed measurement is performed at substantially the same level as a determination of the proportions of the phases of the fluid flowing along the well in at least one local region. To this end, local sensors are placed on the hinged arms of a centering device, and a speed-measuring spinner is placed between the arms.