Abstract: A fluid sampling and analysis module for a downhole fluid characterization apparatus configured for operation downhole, within a borehole. The fluid sampling and analysis module comprises a primary flowline for fluids withdrawn from a formation to flow through the fluid sampling and analysis module, a bypass flowline in fluid communication with the primary flowline and a single valve, interconnecting the primary flowline and the bypass flowline, operable to a first position for formation fluids to flow in the primary flowline and to a second position for formation fluids to flow, via the bypass flowline, in the primary flowline.

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: Methods and apparatus for decreasing a density of a downhole fluid are described. An example apparatus to analyze a downhole fluid includes a chamber to decrease a density of at least a portion of a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally, the example apparatus includes a sensor to measure a pressure of at least the portion of the sample in the chamber. Further, the example apparatus includes a fluid measurement unit to measure a characteristic of at least the portion of the sample based on a relationship between the pressure of at least the portion of the sample in the chamber and a predetermined pressure. Further yet, the example apparatus includes a control unit to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid based on the characteristic.

Abstract: A method of monitoring acoustic activity in a formation from a wellbore includes positioning a flow manipulation device into the wellbore, the flow manipulation device defining a flow path through which fluid may flow. Fluid is then pumped into the wellbore and through the manipulation device. A sensor disposed near the manipulation device is then coupled to the formation, the formation is fractured with fluid, and acoustic events in the formation are detected with the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining formation parameters including a seismic array for receiving seismic waves at plurality of depth simultaneously, thereby enabling a determination of a formation velocity by using a difference in the seismic waves received by the various portions of the array.

Abstract: Method for identifying one or more fracture clusters in a formation surrounding a reservoir. In one implementation, the method may include generating a P to S image, comparing the P to S image to one or more images from a borehole, and identifying one or more fracture clusters using the P to S image and the borehole images.

Abstract: Deploying systems and methods for deploying a plurality of seismic devices into a borehole comprising a cable including a plurality of inter-connected cable segments and ellipsoid seismic units with at least two rows of offset seismic protrusions to establish at least three points of contact between the seismic units and adjacent cylindrical surface of a borehole casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for azimuth measurements is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing and a plurality of gyro sensors aligned in the housing. Each of the plurality of gyro sensors has an input axis for angular velocity measurements. There is provided a drive unit for rotating each of the plurality of gyro sensors about a rotation axis. Each of the plurality of gyro sensors changes orientation of the input axis with the drive unit.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for downhole positioning of sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, tiltmeters and geophones. The sensor or sensors are mounted within the spherical rotor of a spherical motor such that the device can be actively positioned in one or more orientations by activating the spherical motor.

Abstract: A method that uses downhole fluid analysis in order to selectively collect and retain formation fluid samples in a drilling environment, as well as, control drilling using downhole fluid analysis.

Abstract: A completion system for use in a well includes a first completion section and a second section. The first completion section has a sand control assembly to prevent passage of particulates, a first inductive coupler portion, and a sensor positioned proximate to the sand control assembly that is electrically coupled to the first inductive coupler portion. The second section is deployable after installation of the first completion section. It includes a second inductive coupler portion to communicate with the first inductive coupler portion, to enable communication between the first completion section's sensor and another component coupled to the second section.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes changing the temperature of a local environment of a distributed temperature sensor, which is deployed in a region of the well and using the sensor to acquire measurements of a temperature versus depth profile. The region contains at least two different well fluid layers, and the technique includes determining the depth of a boundary of at least one of the well fluid layers based at least in part on a response of the temperature versus depth profile to the changing of the temperature.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for use in establishing watertight connections, such as for subsea applications. The connector comprises a receptacle component (100) that includes a fluted, insulated male contact pin (52) with an isolation tube (5) substantially surrounding the insulated male contact pin over at least part of its length and containing oil therein, and a plug component (200) that includes a sliding contact pin assembly (19) and a release mechanism (40). The release mechanism (40) enables linear tolerance sliding action between the receptacle component and the plug component after establishing electrical communication between the mating components. The sliding contact pin assembly further includes a shuttle pin (24) that is urged rearwardly during mating to operate the release mechanism, thereby allowing the male contact pin and front contact band (20) to move relative to the central spring support rod (30) of the plug component.

Abstract: There is disclosed a contact pin assembly for a high voltage electrical connection, the contact pin assembly comprising: an electrically-conductive outer member which is supportable from a support member, the outer member having a bore extending therethrough, the bore defining a smooth inner face of the outer member and being divergent towards opposite ends of the outer member; a contact pin, ends of which are arranged to be connected directly or indirectly to cables, the contact pin extending through the bore and having a profiled portion which defines a smooth outer face of the contact pin and which is divergent towards opposite ends of the contact pin, the contact pin being concentric with the bore; an electrically-conductive layer provided adjacent the inner face, the electrically-conductive layer being in electrical communication with the outer member and conforming with the profile of the inner face; an annular space between the profiled portion and the electrically-conductive layer; electrical insulati

Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an power converter and a controller. The power converter translates electrical power into hydraulic power downhole in the well to generate a first hydraulic signal to cause a downhole tool to transition to a first state and a second hydraulic signal to cause the tool to transition to a different second state. The controller responds to stimuli that are communicated from the surface of the well to cause the actuator to generate one of the first and second hydraulic signals.

Abstract: A method for providing a protected splice in a hybrid cable that has a fiber optic line and an electrical line includes the steps of providing an optic splice in the fiber optic line; providing a electrical splice in the electrical line proximate to the optic splice; connecting a tube over the optic splice; installing a boot over the electrical splice; disposing the tube and the boot in a slotted sleeve; positioning the slotted sleeve within a housing; and anchoring the housing to the hybrid cable on opposing sides of the splices.

Abstract: A connector for a connection assembly for providing electrical power to a submersible electrical component in a deepwater environment, such as a subsea well, includes a ceramic body having a metallized inner passageway. A conductive contact extends through the passageway and has a contact end and a cable connecting end. A conductive sleeve is disposed about an outer surface of the ceramic body. The ceramic body is retained within a connector housing that has an interface chamber and a cable retaining chamber. The contact end of the connector contact is disposed within the interface chamber, and the cable connecting end of the contact is disposed within the cable retaining chamber. The sleeve is attached to the housing to provide a seal between the interface chamber and the cable retaining chamber. When the connector is engaged with a complementary connector, a Faraday cage is provided within the interface chamber to manage the electrical field about the connection interface between the connectors.

Abstract: A technique is provided to control flow in subterranean applications, such as hydrocarbon fluid production applications. The technique utilizes an material formed, at least in part, of material that swell in the presence of a specific substance or substances. The material is deployed as a membrane outside a base pipe to desired subterranean locations. Once located, the material allows the flow of hydrocarbon fluids but swells upon contact with the specific substance or substances to limit inflow of undesirable fluids.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying underperformance in a pumping system used to produce a desired fluid. Various conditions are sensed during operation of the pumping system, and those sensed conditions are used to determine measured parameters that are provided with an associated confidence factor. The measured parameters in conjunction with the confidence factors are compared to a reference composite curve for the specific pumping system to determine whether actual performance has satisfied underperformance criteria or moved across a threshold into underperformance.