Abstract: A device and a method for testing a viscosified fluid containing particulate indicate when the particulate is in suspension within the fluid and when it is not. The device and method stir the fluid and particulate mixture for a time during which the viscosity of the fluid changes such that during a first period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate remains suspended in the fluid and during a second period of the stirring time substantially all the particulate settles out of suspension in the fluid. A signal is generated during the first and second periods such that the signal has a characteristic that changes from the first period to the second period to indicate the change in particle carrying ability of the fluid. Other characteristics, including crosslinking time, can also be determined. A test chamber includes interacting projections extending from the inner surface of a cup receiving the fluid and from an axial support extending into the fluid in the cup.

Abstract: An object to be displaced in an oil or gas well includes a body that is movable through a conduit of an oil or gas well and an electrical circuit that is connected to the body. The electrical circuit can include an active or passive radio frequency identification tag, at least the passive type of which is responsive to an externally generated alternating current electromagnetic signal such that the electrical circuit transmits a responsive signal for reception outside the object as the object moves through the conduit. A detector apparatus for an oil or gas well generally comprises: a body movable through a conduit of an oil or gas well; an electrical circuit connected to the body, the electrical circuit for transmitting an electromagnetic signal for reception away from the body as the body moves through the conduit; and a receiver disposed relative to the conduit and the body to receive the electromagnetic signal from the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A fluid property monitor includes a transducer assembly to impart multiple frequency energy to a conduit in one or more modes and to receive resonant frequency energy from the conduit. The resonant frequency energy is responsive to the imparted energy, the conduit and a fluid in the conduit. The fluid property monitor can also be defined as including: a frequency signal generator connected to cause multiple frequency energy to be transferred to a conduit having a fluid to be monitored; and a spectral analysis signal processor connected to receive and process electrical signals generated in response to vibrations propagated through the conduit and the fluid in the conduit in response to transferred multiple frequency energy. Particular implementations can be adapted as a densitometer, a coherent flow detector, and other particular fluid parameter detectors.

Abstract: A downhole force generator includes a longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly (including, for example, a motor and a threaded shaft that is extended and retracted by operation of the motor) adapted to be moved into a well. A controller is also adapted to be moved into the well and is connected to the longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly. The controller includes a memory containing a program to control the longitudinal force generating and transmitting assembly to obtain at least one desired operating condition in the well. A sensor can be connected to the controller. A self-contained power source adapted to be moved into the well can also be used. A method of providing an infinitely variable linear force in an oil or gas well is a particular application for such a downhole force generator. This particular method comprises sensing in the well a parameter responsive over a continuum to changes in a selected operating condition in the well.

Abstract: A well perforating apparatus has a first perforating gun section, a second perforating gun section, and a longitudinally collapsible unitary section connected between the first and second perforating gun sections. The unitary section can include a deformable member, or a frangible member, or a flexible member. One specific such member is a cable, such as implemented with a length of wireline material or slickline material. In a method of perforating a well having a plurality of zones to be perforated, a well perforating apparatus is lowered into the well. This includes separating a first perforating gun section from a second perforating gun section such that one gun section is adjacent one zone to be perforated and such that the other perforating gun section is adjacent another zone to be perforated.

Abstract: A method controlling development of an oil or gas reservoir uses a neural network and genetic algorithm program to define a neural network topology and the optimal inputs for that topology. The topology is defined from identified and selected (1) parameters associated with the formation or formations in which actual wells are drilled in the reservoir and (2) parameters associated with the drilling, completion and stimulation of those wells and (3) parameters associated with the oil or gas production from the wells. Subsequent drilling, completion and stimulation of the reservoir is determined and applied based on hypothetical alternatives input to the topology and resulting outputs.

Abstract: A method of indicating the release of a plug, such as a cementing plug for an oil or gas well, includes releasing a plug from a retained position in a tube system, and in response to releasing the plug, opening an electrical circuit to which the plug was connected in the retained position. The method also includes generating, in response to opening the electrical circuit, a plug release indicator signal. The indicator signal can be generated in response to, for example, a low frequency electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: To test coiled tubing, at least one test is performed on a coiled tubing that has been used, such as in an oil or gas well. Performing such test includes obtaining a specific output data event (e.g., a nondestructive evaluation test readout) for the used coiled tubing. The specific output data event is compared with a predetermined sequence of output data events (e.g., a collection of data defining a "lifeline" for the coiled tubing) for determining where the sequence and the specific output data event correspond. A coiled tubing status indication is generated in response to where the specific output data event corresponds with the sequence as a measure of a point in the useful life of the used coiled tubing.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe data network, such as one defining a system for acquiring and transferring data from inside a hazardous zone at an oil or gas well to outside the hazardous zone, includes a fixed number of at least one data signal conductor and a fixed number of at least one intrinsic safety barrier forming part of the overall network that allows for the use of more transducers than there are intrinsic safety barrier(s).

Abstract: Automated objective crosslink time and crosslink temperature determinations are provided in a method of testing for chemical crosslinking of a fluid. A fluid having a crosslinking agent is placed in a vessel and a paddle is rotated through the fluid in the vessel at substantially a constant rotational speed. A paddle torque parameter is sensed at sequential times and digital signals are encoded to define digital torque data representing values of the sensed torque parameter. In response to stored digital torque data and digital time data, a baseline torque parameter value and a change in the digital torque data representing increasing torque of the paddle are determined. In response to the baseline torque parameter value and the change in the digital torque data, a crosslink time for the fluid is determined. A crosslink temperature can also be determined. This is determined in response to the crosslink time and stored digital temperature data that has been obtained at sequential times.

Abstract: A continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises flowing at least three separate streams of different essential materials directly into a predetermined mixing unit at the oil or gas well, wherein each of the essential materials is required to obtain a predetermined defining characteristic of the slurry.

Abstract: An apparatus that connects to a standard PCMCIA interface of a microprocessor-based computer which typically communicates with only a single external device through the interface enables the computer to communicate with multiple external devices through the one PCMCIA interface. The apparatus operates to implement a method which transfers data from multiple devices to a personal computer through a single PCMCIA interface.

Abstract: A continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises flowing at least three separate streams of different essential materials directly into a predetermined mixing unit at the oil or gas well, wherein each of the essential materials is required to obtain a predetermined defining characteristic of the slurry.

Abstract: An intelligent automatic gain stabilization method and apparatus for a radiation detection instrument automatically locate the position of a predetermined characteristic within an energy spectrum, automatically determine whether the characteristic is properly located, and automatically provide gain adjustment to the output of the radiation detection instrument to maintain measurement accuracy of the system.

Abstract: A method of tracking material in a well comprises the steps of: (a) creating in a computer a model of the structure of the well, including defining a first plurality of sets of data to define sectors of a flow path in the well; (b) creating in the computer a first model of the material in the well, including defining a second plurality of sets of data to define initial conditions of material within the sectors; and (c) creating in the computer, in response to the first plurality of sets of data and the second plurality of sets of data, a second model of the material in the well, including defining a third plurality of sets of data of current conditions of material within the sectors.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises continuously flowing substances for creating a slurry in response to a slurry flow rate factor and continuously flowing another substance for the slurry in response to a flow rate of at least a predetermined one of the other substances or the slurry itself. The method can include density control, slurry (tub) level control, and a combination of such controls. The method can operate in either closed loop or open loop manner, and control can be effected with either of two types of control signals depending on whether the controlled device is an integrating or non-integrating type. The method can also provide for bumpless transition between manual and automatic control.

Abstract: A plug container, such as can be used during a cementing operation at an oil or gas well, includes one or more plug holders which seal against a bypass sleeve when the plugs carried in the holders are released to separate columns of fluid pumped into the well. The bypass sleeve is responsive to fluid pressure so that when sufficient fluid pressure is applied to the bypass sleeve, it lifts the plug holder(s) and uncovers one or more cleanout ports in at least one plug holder. The uncovered cleanout port(s) allow residue fluid, such as cement, to flow out of the plug container. The pressurized fluid can be applied through a hose connected to a single structural member of the plug container so that the hose does not need to be disconnected when the remainder of the plug container is being assembled or disassembled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide data security for battery backed memory during power up and power down. A reversing sequential power up and power down process is used to control the write process for the memory during the operating voltage transitions of power up and power down. The apparatus is combined in a housing with a microprocessor and a memory to provide an instrument for an oil or gas well.

Abstract: A force sensor and a force sensing method use crystal rods as both force responsive elements and light transmission media in combination with light input circuitry and processing circuitry to sense an applied force, such as oil or gas well pressure or fluid flow friction.

Abstract: An inverter fluid that intermixes with a non-aqueous (e.g., oil) external/aqueous internal fluid to cause external/internal inversion is designed. This includes testing a selected inverter fluid with a test fluid having a composition nominally equivalent to the composition of the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid. A quantity of the designed inverter fluid is made and placed in the annulus of a well, such as an oil or gas well, to remove the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid on at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the annulus. This can include pumping the inverter fluid along with a stream of cement. The inverter fluid displaces at least part of the non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid in the annular region and inverts the coating of non-aqueous external/aqueous internal fluid sufficient to remove the coating ahead of the cement.