Abstract: For use in logging downhole in an earth borehole, a method for determining a characteristic of oil, includes: providing and determining the viscosity of a plurality of crude oil samples; performing test measurements, using a predetermined operating mode, on media including the crude oil samples to obtain test data; applying a test processing procedure to the test data to obtain an output test parameter relating to the test data and the predetermined operating mode; deriving, for the plurality of crude oil samples, a correlation relating the output test parameter to the viscosities of the crude oil samples; performing downhole measurements in the measurement region with a logging device, operated with substantially the predetermined operating mode, to obtain logging data, and applying a measurement processing procedure to the logging data to obtain an output logging parameter; and determining the oil characteristic using the output logging parameter and the correlation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for performing a stochastic analysis of one or more hydrocarbon reservoir exploitation strategies taking into consideration one or more uncertain parameters. The method optimizes an objective function that considers the gain in value of a reservoir management goal attributable to these exploitation strategies. The methodology may be used to decide whether or not to implement a strategy. Alternatively, it may be used to decide which competing strategy will yield the maximum benefit. In another embodiment of the present invention, the value of information obtained from the installation of additional sensors or new measurements is also considered.

Abstract: A method of processing seismic data obtained using a seismic vibrator that includes estimating travel times of direct wave arrivals between the seismic vibrator and an array of seismic receiver locations and wavefield deconvolving the seismic data using the direct wave arrival travel times. Also a related method of producing a high-frequency geological subsurface image that includes acquiring seismic data having significant harmonic energy using a seismic vibrator, estimating direct wave arrival travel times between the seismic vibrator and an array of seismic receiver locations, wavefield deconvolving the seismic data using the estimated direct wave arrival travel times, and using the wavefield deconvolved seismic data to produce a high-frequency geological subsurface image. A further related computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein practicing the inventive method.

Abstract: A wireline-conveyed side-wall core coring tool for acquiring side-wall core from a geological formation for performing in-situ side-wall core analysis. The coring tool has a core analysis unit operable to measure geophysical properties of an acquired side-wall core. The measured geophysical properties may be used to determine the success of the acquisition of side-wall cores by the coring tool. The core analysis unit is operable of performing an in-situ interpretation of measured geophysical property of the side-wall core and transmitting in near real-time the measurements or the interpretation results to surface data acquisition and processing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and methods for improving the stability of a wellbore during drilling operations using a rotary drill string. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for enhancing the performance of the filter or mud cake layer on the wall of the wellbore as a protective and isolating layer.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to devices, systems and methods for determining a penetration depth of an induced oscillation in a porous medium. In certain examples, the devices, systems and methods are designed to detect a magnetic resonance signal in the presence of an induced oscillatory fluid flow in a porous medium to determine penetration depth of the induced oscillation in the porous medium. In some examples, the mobility of a fluid in the porous medium may be determined from the determined penetration depth.

Abstract: Logging-while-drilling apparatus and methodologies for measuring streaming potential in an earth formation are provided. The apparatus and methodologies can be utilized to find information relevant to the drilling operations. In particular, since the streaming potential measurement relates directly to fluid flow, the streaming potential measurements can be used to track flow of fluids in the formation. In turn, this information may be used to find information relevant to the drilling operations, such as under-balanced drilling conditions, abnormal formation pressures, open fractures, the permeability of the formation, and formation pressure.

Abstract: A novel method is presented to automatically design a multi-well development plan given a set of previously interpreted subsurface targets. This method identifies the optimal plan by minimizing the total cost as a function of existing and required new platforms, the number of wells, and the drilling cost of each of the wells. The cost of each well is a function of the well path and the overall complexity of the well.

Abstract: Fracture- and stress-induced sonic anisotropy is distinguished using a combination of image and sonic logs. Borehole image and sonic logs are acquired via known techniques. Analysis of sonic data from monopole P- and S-waves, monopole Stoneley and cross-dipole shear sonic data in an anisotropic formation are used to estimate at least one compressional and two shear moduli, and the dipole fast shear direction. Fracture analysis of image logs enables determination of fracture types and geometrical properties. Geological and geomechanical analysis from image logs provide a priori discrimination of natural fractures and stress-induced fractures. A forward quantitative model of natural fracture- and stress-induced sonic anisotropy based on the knowledge of fracture properties interpreted from image logs allows the computation of the fast-shear azimuth and the difference in slowness between the fast- and slow-shear. The misfit between predicted and observed sonic measurements (i.e.

Abstract: An indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than that the reagents individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture.

Abstract: A method for analyzing formation fluid in earth formation surrounding a borehole includes storing analytical reagent in a reagent container in a fluids analyzer in a formation tester and moving the formation tester, including the reagent, downhole. Reagent from the reagent container is injected into formation fluid in the flow-line to make a mixture of formation fluid and reagent. The mixture is moved through a spectral analyzer cell in the fluids analyzer to produce a time-series of optical density measurements at a plurality of wavelengths. A characteristic of formation fluid is determined by spectral analysis of the time-series of optical density measurements.

Abstract: A method for determining thermal capture cross-sections of formations surrounding an earth borehole, including the following steps: providing a logging device that is moveable through the borehole; transmitting, from the logging device, bursts of neutrons into the formations; detecting, at the logging device, resultant gamma ray counts, and deriving a measurement spectrum from the gamma ray counts; deriving a forward model comprising a combination of model exponential components having respective model decay times and model amplitudes; deriving an error function that depends on comparison between the forward model and the measurement spectrum; and determining, by regularized inversion, optimized exponential components of the model that substantially minimize the error function; the optimized exponential components being indicative of the thermal capture cross-sections of the formations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for high-temperature and high-pressure measurement of pH and/or alkalinity of a fluid is described.

Abstract: A wireline drill train is used to drill an elongated, small diameter, lateral branch borehole from near the base of a main well. The drill train, includes a drill module, a first self-propelled thrust module coupled to the drill module, and a second self-propelled thrust module pivotally coupled to the first self-propelled thrust module. Each thrust module includes at least two extendible thrusters. Each extendible thruster includes a six-bar mechanism and a traction tread. The drill train further includes a first articulated linkage linking the first self-propelled thrust module to the drill module, and a second articulated linkage linking the second thrust module to the first thrust module. The second articulated linkage includes a thrust-transmission bar and three retractable stiffener bars.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for downhole analysis of formation fluids by deriving differential fluid properties and associated uncertainty in the predicted fluid properties based on downhole data less sensitive to systematic errors in measurements, and generating answer products of interest based on the differences in the fluid properties. Measured data are used to compute levels of contamination in downhole fluids using, for example, an oil-base mud contamination monitoring (OCM) algorithm. Fluid properties are predicted for the fluids and uncertainties in predicted fluid properties are derived. A statistical framework is provided for comparing the fluids to generate robust, real-time answer products relating to the formation fluids and reservoirs thereof. Systematic errors in measured data are reduced or eliminated by preferred sampling procedures.