Abstract: Elemental analysis of an earth formation (including Aluminum) is obtained using measurements from a gamma ray logging tool. The inelastic spectrum of Aluminum is determined from measurements made in a water tank. From the elemental analysis, an estimate of the mineralogy of the formation is made treating the problem as one of Linear Programming (maximizing an objective function subject to equality and/or inequality constraints.

Abstract: A system for communicating between a first location and a second location comprises a jointed tubular string having a first section and a second section connected at a connection joint, with the tubular string having a fluid in an internal passage thereof. A first acoustic transducer is mounted in the internal passage of the first section proximate the connection joint, and a second acoustic transducer is mounted in the internal passage of the second section proximate the connection joint. A signal transmitted from the first location to the second location is transmitted across the connection joint as an acoustic signal in the fluid from the first acoustic transducer to the second acoustic transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for mating a base unit with a transmitter unit has a first face provided with a plurality of bores that spatially conform to a pattern of the mounting elements of the base unit and a second face that has a plurality of bores that spatially conform to the pattern of the mounting elements of the transmitter unit. To hydraulically connect the flow bores of the base unit and the transmitter unit, the plate includes a plurality of fluid conduits. Each flow conduit hydraulically connects a flow bore of the base unit to an associated flow bore of the transmitter unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly hydroxyalkylated, glyoxal crosslinked, purified hydroxyalkyl guar useful as additive in the building industry, and to a method for its preparation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole method and apparatus using molecularly imprinted polymers to analyze a downhole fluid sample or determine the percentage of oil based mud filtrate contamination in a formation fluid sample.

Abstract: Phase-sensitive measurements are made by a resistivity imaging tool in a borehole having non-conductive mud in a conductive earth formation at a plurality of frequencies. From the phase sensitive measurements, the formation resistivity can be determined with higher sensitivity than is possible with the single frequency measurements. Tool standoff can also be determined from a knowledge of the mud resistivity and/or dielectric constant. Formation resistivity may also be determined when the effect of formation capacitance cannot be ignored.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling the formation of liquid or gas slugs along a pipeline. In embodiments, an injection unit injects a liquid surface tension reducing agent, such as a foamant, into the pipeline upstream of the high point. A control unit can be used to control the injection unit. In certain arrangements, the control unit adjusts the injection of the agent based on measured parameters of interest. In embodiments where the control unit utilizes temperature measurements, one or more temperature sensors are positioned along the pipeline. The control unit utilizes the temperature measurements to determine whether a predetermined condition exists or a liquid or gas slug is present.

Abstract: Impedance measurements made by a galvanic resistivity tool in a borehole in an earth formation are corrected by a factor that depends on the mud conductivity and the mud dielectric constant. Standoff measurements are not necessary.

Abstract: A caliper tool used on a drilling tubular and having extensible members that remain decoupled with respect to the borehole wall during caliper measurements and while the extensible members are extended to allow movement in and through the borehole. A processor processes known and measured information to determine the size and shape of the borehole. Formation evaluation instruments may be included to allow formation evaluation substantially simultaneously with the caliper measurements.

Abstract: A system is provided that monitors at the wellsite injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through wellbores and controls the supply of such additives from remote locations. The selected additive is supplied from a source at the wellsite into the wellbore via a suitable supply line. A flow meter in the supply line measures the flow rate of the additive through the supply line and generates signals representative of the flow rate. A controller at the wellsite determines the flow rate from the flow meter signals and in response thereto controls the flow rate of the additive to the well. The wellsite controller interfaces with a suitable two-way communication link and transmits signals and data representative of the flow rate and other parameters to a second remote controller. The remote controller transmits command signals to the wellsite controller representative of any change desired for the flow rate.

Abstract: Multifrequency focusing is applied to measurements made with a multicomponent resistivity logging tool in an earth formation having resisitivity anisotropy. From knowledge of relative dip and azimuth of the borehole relative to the formation, two modes can be separated, one of which is dependent substantially on the horizontal resistivity. Alternatively, mode separation and angle determination can be made simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that assess reservoir compartmentalization by determining whether there are compositional differences such as whether the isotopic ratios of carbon (13C/12C) or of oxygen (17O/18O) are the same or different in various parts of the reservoir. A quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectrometer is provided for analysis of reservoir samples taken in various parts of the reservoir for comparison of geochemical composition to estimate reservoir compartmentalization.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for selectively firing a gun train formed of a plurality of guns. Conventionally, the guns each include a detonator assembly that detonates upon receiving a firing signal transmitted by a surface source. In one embodiment of the present invention, an operator provided in the gun train selectively couples one or more of the guns to the signal transmission medium. The operator has an safe state wherein the operator isolates the gun from the firing signal and an armed state wherein the operator enable the transmission of the firing signal to the gun. A control signal is used to move operator between the safe state and the armed state. In some embodiments, two or more guns are each provided with a separate operator. In other embodiments, one operator can selectively engage two or more guns.

Abstract: A controllable seismic source is used in a seismic-while-drilling system for obtaining VSP data. Coded information is sent downhole about the signal generated by said controllable source. The information about the seismic source is used for reconstructing the source waveform and processing the VSP data. Optionally, a reference signal measured at one depth of the BHA is used for processing of signals at subsequent depths.

Abstract: Measurements made by a resistivity imaging tool in a borehole having non-conductive mud in a conductive earth formation are corrected using the tool standoff. The correction involves removing a calibration signal determined in a medium of high conductivity from the measured impedance. The magnitude and/or the real part of the impedance may be used.

Abstract: A packer includes one or more anchors for securing the packer in a wellbore and a pair of seal elements that form a fluid seal. The packer assembly is hydraulically set and, thus, it can be located at any desired position within the wellbore. The packer assembly is secured within the wellbore by a staged setting process through use of shear pins that have increasingly stepped shear values. Redundancy in packer sealing is provided by the use of two seal elements to establish fluid sealing. The design of the packer assembly also provides hydraulic isolation of the actuating portions of the packer assembly upon setting.

Abstract: A misalignment angle between the transmitter and receiver antenna of a multicomponent induction logging tool are estimated from quadrature component signals at multiple frequencies. A transmitter antenna having a first axial direction on a logging tool is excited at a plurality of frequencies. Signals responsive to the excitation are received at a receiver antenna having a second axial direction. A direct field between the transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna is obtained by performing multi-frequency focusing of the received signals. The misalignment angle is estimated from the direct field.

Abstract: Cross-component measurements made at a plurality of toolface angles are processed to remove bias. The amplitude of the resulting sinusoid is used to estimate a distance to an interface in an earth formation.

Abstract: In systems and methods for production of hydrocarbons fluids from a formation surrounding a wellbore, a production assembly is cemented into place, and excess cement is then cleaned from the production tubing and liner. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced and artificial gas lift assistance is provided. All of this may be accomplished in a single trip (mono-trip) of the production tubing.

Abstract: A pulsed neutron tool with three or more detectors is used for making measurements inside casing. The measurements may be used to determine gas saturation at a constant gas pressure, pressure at constant gas saturation, or to determine both gas saturation and gas pressure.