Abstract: A flow control device for use in a wellbore to allow flow of formation fluid into the wellbore comprises a valve member adapted to move when disposed in the wellbore. A fluid line supplies a working fluid under pressure to move the valve member to allow the fluid to flow into the wellbore. A sensor in the wellbore, and associated with the fluid line, provides an indication of a position of the valve member. A method of determining a state of a flow control tool within a wellbore comprises supplying fluid under pressure to the flow control tool to move a flow control member of the tool into the state. Pressure of the supplied fluid is detected downhole. The state of the flow control device is determined from the detected pressure of the supplied fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is discussed for characterizing a fluid sample downhole of aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds, aromatic hydrocarbon compound, or connate mud filtrates containing carbon-13 isotopes using an enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal on a measurement-while-drilling device. To enhance the carbon-13 NMR signal these nuclei are being hyperpolarized. Either the Overhauser Effect (OE) or the Nuclear Overhauser Effect or optical pumping and the Spin Polarization Induced Nuclear Overhauser Effect (SPINOE) can serve as a mechanism for hyperpolarization of the carbon-13 nuclei.

Abstract: A resistivity imaging device injects currents in two orthogonal directions using two pairs of return electrodes and performing impedance measurements of the buttons placed between the returns.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for high resolution spectroscopy (approximately 10 picometer wavelength resolution) using a tunable optical filter (TOF) for analyzing a formation fluid sample downhole and at the surface to determine formation fluid parameters. The analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other fluid parameters which can be estimated after developing correlations to a training set of samples using a neural network or a chemometric equation.

Abstract: The grain size of a pore-scale geometric model of a clastic earth formation are adjusted so that the NMR relaxation time distribution output of the model matches a measured NMR distribution. Fluid drainage and imbibing can be simulated. Additional properties of the earth formation are predicted using the pore-scale model. The additional properties may be based on additional measurements of properties of a fluid in the formation.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying and forecasting the lithology and wellbore conditions to be encountered while conducting drill string operations in a wellbore. A method and system is described for predicting and modeling lithology while operating a drill string in a wellbore, comprising: developing a 3-D lithological model of a subsurface area; projecting a well path through said subsurface area; determining an open cylinder lithology display of said projected well path; and recording said determined open cylinder display. The open cylinder lithology display (the Predictive Stratigraphy Image) may be displayed with geological or structural cross-sections to compare the well path and the predicted well path, with the actual subsurface environment. Data acquired during drilling operations can be used in real time to update the model or the Predictive Stratigraphy Image, and the results compared with Predictive Image Logs and other wellbore images and data.

Abstract: Measurements made by multiarray and multicomponent induction resistivity measurements in a borehole are used for determining the orientation and length of fractures in an earth formation when the fractures have a fluid with a resistivity different from that of the earth formation. The apparatus and method may also be used in anisotropic earth formations where the vertical and horizontal resistivities are different.

Abstract: NMR spin echo signals are corrected for axial motion of the borehole logging tool. The correction is applied to an averaged echo train using an average velocity determined from surface measurements over the duration of averaging of the echo trains. An additional correction may be applied to correct for excess polarization or incomplete polarization of nuclear spins due to an insufficient wait time between pulse sequences.

Abstract: Bitumen extraction done using a process comprising: (a) preparing a bitumen froth comprising particulate mineral solids and hydrocarbons dispersed in aqueous lamella in the form of an emulsion; (b) adding a sufficient amount of a paraffinic solvent to the froth to induce inversion of the emulsion and precipitate asphaltenes from the resultant hydrocarbon phase; (c) mixing the froth and the solvent for a sufficient time to dissolve the solvent into the hydrocarbon phase to precipitate asphaltenes; and (d) subjecting the mixture to gravity or centrifugal separation for a sufficient period to separate substantially all of the water and solids and a substantial portion of the asphaltenes from the bitumen; wherein a separation enhancing additive is present in the process. The separation enhancing additive is a polymeric surfactant that has multiple lipophilic and hydrophilic moieties, which can effect easier handling of asphaltene sludges and less foaming during solvent recovery.

Abstract: An active differential pressure device (APD device) in fluid communication with a returning fluid creates a differential pressure across the device, which controls pressure below the APD Device. In embodiments, a control unit controls the APD Device to provide a selected pressure differential at a wellbore bottom, adjacent a casing shoe, in an intermediate wellbore location, or in a casing. In one arrangement, the control system is pre-set at the surface such that the APD Device provides a substantially constant pressure differential. In other arrangements, the control system adjusts an operating parameter of the APD Device to provide a desired pressure differential in response to one or more measured parameters. Devices such as an adjustable bypass can be used to control the APD Device. In other embodiments, one or more flow control devices coupled to the return fluid reduce the effective pressure differential provided by the APD Device.

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

Abstract: A method for determining the extent of recovery of materials injected or otherwise introduced into oil wells or subsurface formations is practiced using a portable device. The portable device can also be used to determiner the occurrence of a predetermined condition in an oil well such as water break through in a production zone, or the opening or closing of a sliding sleeve. When, for example, water breakthrough is detected, the zone producing too much water can be plugged, using, for example, a flow-through bridge plug, if there are other producing zones further downhole.

Abstract: Pre-drill pore pressure and fracture gradient predictions obtained from seismic velocity data are used in well design taking into account uncertainties in the velocity estimation and in the models that use the velocities to determine pore pressure. Using geological constraints, limits are established on hydrocarbon column height. It is also possible to predict the relative number of casings required to reach target reservoirs.

Abstract: A device and system for improving efficiency of subterranean cutting elements uses a controlled oscillation super imposed on steady drill bit rotation to maintain a selected rock fracture level. In one aspect, a selected oscillation is applied to the cutting element so that at least some of the stress energy stored in an earthen formation is maintained after fracture of the rock is initiated. Thus, this maintained stress energy can thereafter be used for further crack propagation. In one embodiment, an oscillation device positioned adjacent to the drill bit provides the oscillation. A control unit can be used to operate the oscillation device at a selected oscillation. In one arrangement, the control unit performs a frequency sweep to determine an oscillation that optimizes the cutting action of the drill bit and configures the oscillation device accordingly. One or more sensors connected to the control unit measure parameters used in this determination.

Abstract: A medium having a plurality of computer readable files relating to geophysical seismic data recorded thereon. The files include a map display having multiple levels of geographic detail and including a plurality of surface seismic data lines. A plurality of compressed seismic data files is also included, each file producing a corresponding geophysical display when its corresponding surface seismic data line is selected. The files also include a plurality of references to a plurality of full seismic data files. Each of the compressed seismic data files has less information content than its corresponding full seismic data file.

Abstract: NMR spin echo signals are corrected for axial motion of the borehole logging tool. The correction is applied to an averaged echo train using an average velocity determined from surface measurements over the duration of averaging of the echo trains. An additional correction may be applied to correct for excess polarization or incomplete polarization of nuclear spins due to an insufficient wait time between pulse sequences. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: NMR data are acquired using a phase-alternation of the tipping pulse. Averaged properties are estimated over a window length. The averaged properties are inverted to undo the effects of the averaging. A matrix defined in terms of Walsh functions is used in the inversion.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a fluid sample withdrawn from an earth formation. The method includes performing nuclear magnetic resonant spin echo measurements on the fluid sample at a nuclear magnetic resonant frequency of carbon-13. Amplitudes of the spin echo measurements are summed. The summed measurements are spectrally analyzed. The fluid is characterized by determining whether aromatic hydrocarbons are present by measuring an amplitude of the spectrally analyzed spin echo measurements at about 130 part per million shift from the carbon-13 frequency. The fluid is also characterized by determining whether aliphatic hydrocarbons are present by measuring an amplitude of the spectrally analyzed spin echo measurements at about 30 parts per million frequency shift.