Abstract: Detection and sampling of dissolved hydrocarbons of interest in an environment expected to have hydrocarbon molecules, such as a water column or interstitial water in sediment. An apparatus comprising at least one oleophilic film frame is deployed into the environment and the at least one oleophilic film frame is exposed thereto for a defined period of time, and thereafter isolated from the environment to cease exposure thereto. Hydrocarbon molecules scavenged by the oleophilic film may be analyzed to determine their type and/or concentration.

Abstract: A first completion system with electrical isolation, electronics, and a first side of a coupler is installed in a borehole drilled in a geological formation. A second completion system is installed in the borehole after installation of the first completion system. The second completion system has a second side of the coupler aligned with the first side of the coupler and an umbilical which carries power from a surface of the geological formation to the second side of the coupler. Power is sent from the second side of the coupler to the first side of the coupler, from the first side of the coupler to a first side of the electrical isolation, and from the first side of the electrical isolation to a second side of the electrical isolation via an isolation barrier. The power at the second side of the electrical isolation is provided to the electronics.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for position acquisition and/or monitoring are disclosed. The position acquisition and/or monitoring can be performed with improved intelligence so that data acquisition, transmission and/or processing is reduced. As a result, the position acquisition and/or monitoring is able to be performed in a power efficient manner.

Abstract: Testing water contamination around oil or gas wells. To determine a testing zone around an oil or gas well, multiple variables are received by data processing apparatus. The variables include variables associated with an oil or gas well, variables associated with an entity performing hydraulic fracturing in the oil or gas well, and variables associated with inhabitable regions surrounding the oil or gas well, to name a few. The multiple variables are processed by the data processing apparatus. In response to the processing, a zone around the oil or gas well within which to test for contamination due to the hydraulic fracturing in the oil or gas well is determined.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting fluid invasion of an annular space in a pipe structure. The system includes a thermal element and a temperature sensing element placed in the vicinity of each other in the annular space of the pipe structure. A thermal signal is generated by the thermal element. The temperature sensing element is connected to a monitor that monitors and processes the thermal signal. As the thermal signal changes when conducted through different types of fluids, the invasion of an annular space by seawater that normally contains oil or gas may be reliably detected.

Abstract: A method for the determination of an inflow profile and bottom-hole area parameters (perforation zone parameters, bottom-hole area pollution parameters) in a multipay well comprises changing a production rate and measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing into the well as a function of time for each pay zone. Then a derivative of this temperature with respect to a logarithm of a time passed after the well production rate has been changed for each pay zone is determined. An inflow profile and other parameters are calculated based on a value of said derivative when it becomes constant and on a time after which the value of the derivative becomes constant.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for position acquisition and/or monitoring are disclosed. The position acquisition and/or monitoring can be performed with improved intelligence so that data acquisition, transmission and/or processing is reduced. As a result, the position acquisition and/or monitoring is able to be performed in a power efficient manner.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine downhole fluid parameters are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a velocity of a portion of a downhole tool moving in a well and determining a response of a fluid sensor disposed on the portion of the downhole tool. The fluid sensor includes a resistance temperature detector at least partially immersed in a fluid in the well. The example method further includes determining a velocity of the fluid based the velocity of the portion of the downhole tool and the response of the fluid sensor.

Abstract: A measurement device is configured in a shaped charge package to be utilized in a perforating gun section tool string. The measurement device may include for example thermal conductivity detectors (TCD) configured to measure fluid flow velocity and/or thermal characteristics of the flowing fluid. The measurement device may include for example a pair laterally spaced TCDs each having sensor faces positioned co-planar with a surface across which the fluid flows. The measurement device may include a recessed TCD, having a sensor face recessed below an opening in the exterior surface.

Abstract: A technique includes inducing a distributed temperature change along a portion of a wellbore and measuring a time varying temperature along the portion of the wellbore due to the induced change. The technique includes determining a distributed flow rate in the portion based at least in part on the measured time varying temperature before the temperature reaches equilibrium.

Abstract: Method and system for predicting a need for introducing anti-fouling additives to a hydrocarbon stream in a hydrocarbon refinery. The method comprises characterizing whether the hydrocarbon stream is a non-high solvency dispersive power (“HSDP”) crude and performing at least one of determining whether the hydrocarbon stream is subject to filterable solids levels greater than about 100 wppm or classifying whether the hydrocarbon stream has an expected low flow velocity during normal operating conditions within the refinery. The method further comprises indicating, using a processor, that anti-fouling additives are recommended if the hydrocarbon stream is characterized to be a non-HSDP crude and either the hydrocarbon stream is determined to be subject to filterable solids levels greater than about 100 wppm or the hydrocarbon stream is classified as having expected low flow within a heat exchanger of the refinery.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining downhole fluid parameters are disclosed herein. An example method includes deploying a downhole apparatus into a wellbore. The downhole apparatus includes a sensor including a heater and a temperature sensor. The example method also includes sending a signal to a downhole apparatus by changing a velocity of a fluid traversing the wellbore. The example method also includes detecting a change in the velocity of the fluid with the sensor and operating the downhole apparatus based on the change in velocity.

Abstract: A technique includes inducing a distributed temperature change along a portion of a wellbore and measuring a time varying temperature along the portion of the wellbore due to the induced change. The technique includes determining a distributed flow rate in the portion based at least in part on the measured time varying temperature before the temperature reaches equilibrium.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining downhole fluid parameters are disclosed herein. An example method includes disposing a downhole tool in a well. The downhole tool has a sensor including a heater and a temperature sensor. The example method further includes flowing a fluid in the well. The example method also includes determining a first velocity of the fluid at a first depth via the sensor and, based on the first velocity of the fluid, a first parameter of the well at the first depth is determined.

Abstract: Device and method for performing distributed fluid velocity measurement. An elongate device comprising along its length, a heated core (200), at least one outer layer (240) around the core, the outside surface of the outer layer (240) defining an outside surface of the device, and a distributed temperature sensor (230) located between the heated core (200) and the outside surface of the device. The method immerses the device in one or more fluids along its length, measures the ambient temperature of the fluids at points along it's length, heats the heated core (200) for a predetermined heating period and measures the temperature again at the same points. Using pre-installed knowledge the device can obtain distributed and/or point fluid velocity measurements.

Abstract: A method for monitoring production from a methane hydrate reservoir includes obtaining a plurality of temperature measurements in a wellbore connected with the methane hydrate reservoir; and deriving a parameter relating to conversion of methane hydrate to carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrate by injection of liquid CO2, wherein the deriving uses a modeling program and the plurality of temperature measurements, wherein the modeling program uses at least one parameter relating to a thermodynamic properties that are substantially different between methane and CO2. The at least one parameter relating to thermodynamic properties may include Joule-Thomson coefficients of methane and CO2. The parameter relating to the conversion of methane hydrate to CO2 hydrate may include a ratio of methane and CO2 in a mixed fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a logging tool for determining the properties of a fluid surrounding the tool arranged downhole in a casing comprising a wall and having a longitudinal extension. The logging tool has a substantially longitudinal cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, and the logging tool comprises a sensor unit comprising an anemometer having a resistance probe electrically connected with three other resistors, a voltmeter and an amplifier for forming a bridge circuit, such as a Wheatstone bridge, having bridge current and bridge voltage. The invention further relates to a method for determining the properties of a fluid by means of the logging tool.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a system comprising one or more subsystems, which can be practiced alone or in combination, which together allow for monitoring of groundwater, rock, and casing for production flow and leakage of hydrocarbon fluids. A flow measurement subsystem measures flow of hydrocarbons in the horizontal casing string. A well mechanical integrity monitoring subsystem monitors the mechanical integrity of the natural gas production well, including the junctures of a completed well. An aquifer monitoring subsystem directly monitors water aquifer(s) underneath and surrounding a natural gas production well or pad, including monitoring wells or existing water wells. A communication subsystem is used to communicate measurements taken downhole to the surface. The present invention may be used to enhance the production from a gas bearing shale formation, mitigate liability associated with hydrocarbon migration, and monitor for a loss of mechanical integrity of a well.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to measure fluid flow rates are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a circulator to selectively circulate a fluid in a flowline, a generator thermally coupled to the flowline at a first location and controllable to form a heat wave in the fluid, a sensor thermally coupled to the flowline at a second location to measure a first value representative of the heat wave, a phase detector to determine a second value representative of a wavelength of the heat wave based on the first value, a frequency adjuster to control the generator to form the heat wave in the fluid at a first frequency, the first frequency selected so that the second value is substantially equal to a distance between the first and second locations, and a flow rate determiner to determine a flow rate of the fluid based on the first frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures are described. An example apparatus for measuring a temperature of a downhole fluid includes a sensing element for measuring a physical or chemical property of the downhole fluid, and a plurality of electrical connections to enable the sensing element to measure the chemical or physical property and provide an output signal representative of the chemical or physical property, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is configured to function as a thermocouple to sense a temperature of the downhole fluid.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining flow profiles in a deviated well. The system and method utilize temperature measurements and a modeling technique that enable the use of temperature profiles in deriving flow profiles for fluid injected into deviated wells.

Abstract: A method of monitoring fluid flow uses an optical fiber having a heatable coating. The fiber is disposed within flowing fluid, and the heatable coating heated so that heat is transferred from the coating to the fluid. Optical measurements of the temperature of the heatable coating are made, where the temperature of the heatable coating depends on the flow velocity of the flowing fluid, and the temperature measurement is used to derive information about the flow. The coating may be an electrically resistive layer on the outer surface of the fiber, that is heated by passing electric current through it. This allows distributed flow measurements to be made. Alternatively, discrete measurements can be made if the coating is provided as a thin film layer on an end facet of the fiber. The coating is heated by directing light at a wavelength absorbed by the thin film material along the fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are useful for determining the flowrate of fluid flowing within a passage. The method comprises the step of measuring the equilibrium temperature of a location of interest within or proximate to the passage within which fluid flows. The temperature of the location of interest is perturbed to a second temperature, and the temperature of the location of interest is then allowed to return to its equilibrium temperature. The temperature of the location of interest is monitored as it transitions between the second temperature and the equilibrium temperature. The monitored temperature transition is then used to determine the flowrate of the fluid flowing within the passage.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid properties with a distributed sensor in a wellbore having an inner surface, a top and a bottom comprising causing the distributed sensor to assume a helical shape, pulling the distributed sensor towards the bottom of the wellbore, while retaining the helical shape of the distributed sensor, feeding the distributed sensor into the wellbore so that the distributed sensor is in substantially continuous contact with the inner surface, and allowing the distributed sensor to become at least partially supported by friction at the inner surface.

Abstract: Wellbore heat loop systems, fillers for bores in the systems, and methods of the use of such systems; the systems in certain aspects having a heat loop wellbore in the earth having heat loop pipe extending down to one side of a bottom member and up therefrom on another side thereof, the bottom member in certain aspects having a body with first and second bores therethrough, the second bore sized and configured for securement thereat of an end of coil tubing; and, in certain aspects, filler material around the heat loop in the wellbore with a gel material mixed with the water.

Abstract: A heater cable is deployed in a well bore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or carried by the heater cable which is placed along a desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string is utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. The heater cable is heated above the temperature of the well bore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.

Abstract: A technique usable with a subterranean well includes deploying a first optical sensor downhole in the subterranean well. The technique includes observing an intensity of backscattered light from the first optical sensor to measure a distribution of a characteristic along a portion of the well. The technique includes deploying a second sensor downhole to measure the characteristic at discreet points within the portion. The second sensor is separate from this first sensor and includes at least one interferometric sensor.

Abstract: A well fluid sampling tool (5) having a sample chamber (315) at least partly contained within an at least partially evacuated jacket (160, 165, 170), the outermost wall (160) of the jacket (160, 165, 170) being adjacent to or forming an outermost wall of the tool (5). In such a tool (5) the evacuated jacket (160, 165, 170) acts to maintain the sample as originally retrieved, e.g. in single phase form (at original temperature).

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system provides sufficient thermal information to determine the mass flow rates of produced fluids within a well bore, using an optical fiber placed within or adjacent to the well bore without interference with production or prejudicing the integrity of the well. Mass flow rates of fluid in a conduit (20) located in a heat sink differing in temperature from the fluid are determined by obtaining a distributed temperature profile (32) of fluid flowing along a length of conduit (15) by using optical data obtained from a length of optical fiber in thermal contact therewith, obtaining a profile of the heat sink temperature external to the conduit, and deriving mass flow rates of fluids in the conduit from the said profiles and from measured thermal transfer parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the flow of fluid in the conduit, giving the example of oil in a well bore (12). A heat exchanger such as a cooling station (66) is placed in the well bore (12) and caused to create a slug of cooled oil whose passage, through the well (12) can be monitored by a temperature sensor in the form of a continuous fiber optic loop (62). Knowledge of the movement of the cooled slug of oil and of the free cross-section of the conduit (54) wherein the oil is flowing permits the volume flow-rate of oil to be calculated. Cooling stations (66) are cooled by Joule-Thompson cooling employing high pressure nitrogen gas. Cooling stations (66) may be placed at plural locations within the well bore (12) to monitor individual flows (68) from multiple flow sources.

Abstract: An earth energy transfer system with a moving energy transfer fluid, the system for transferring energy for an entity, the system, in certain aspects, having apparatus and related items for measuring an amount of energy transferred for the entity to or from the moving energy transfer fluid, and apparatus and related items for invoicing the entity for the amount of energy transferred. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for calculating a price for the amount of energy transferred, said invoicing based on said price. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for transmitting a signal indicative of a measured amount of energy transferred from the apparatus and related items for measuring to the apparatus and related items for invoicing. Methods are disclosed for using such systems to measure and calculate an amount of energy transferred and/or to invoice an entity for the transferred energy.

Abstract: A method for detecting inflow of fluid in a well while drilling, wherein the drilling is carried out using an installation including a hollow cylindrical drill string (3) wherein is injected fresh mud, a tubing (5) defining with the drill string (3) an annular space (7) through which the loaded mud rises; it involves continuously measuring a heat flow; then continuously calculating on the basis of the quantity the value of a characteristic representing a thermal equilibrium obtained in the absence of a fluid occurrence formation; and detecting variations in the characteristic, the variations representing a thermal imbalance, resulting from inflow of fluid in the well (1). The invention is particular by applicable in operating oil drilling installations particularly deep at sea.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heater cable (10) that may be deployed in a wellbore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or are carried by the heater cable. The heater cable carrying the fiber optics is placed along the desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string may be utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. In one aspect of this invention, the heater cable is heated above the temperature of the wellbore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.

Abstract: A fluid flow device for determining fluid flow rates in soils includes a conduit for receiving a fluid. The conduit has a reduced channel portion to form a reduced channel portion which amplifies the fluid flow rate of the fluid. A sensor device is coupled in sensing relation relative to the conduit and configured for measuring the amplified fluid flow rate as the fluid flows through the reduced channel portion.

Abstract: An earth energy transfer system with a moving energy transfer fluid, the system for transferring energy for an entity, the system, in certain aspects, having apparatus and related items for measuring an amount of energy transferred for the entity to or from the moving energy transfer fluid, and apparatus and related items for invoicing the entity for the amount of energy transferred. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for calculating a price for the amount of energy transferred, said invoicing based on said price. The system, in certain aspects, including apparatus and related items for transmitting a signal indicative of a measured amount of energy transferred from the apparatus and related items for measuring to the apparatus and related items for invoicing. Methods are disclosed for using such systems to measure and calculate an amount of energy transferred and/or to invoice an entity for the transferred energy.