Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole method and apparatus using a flexural mechanical resonator, for example, a tuning fork to provide real-time direct measurements and estimates of the viscosity, density and dielectric constant of formation fluid or filtrate in a hydrocarbon producing well. The present invention additionally provides a method and apparatus for monitoring cleanup from a leveling off of viscosity or density over time, measuring or estimating bubble point for formation fluid, measuring or estimating dew point for formation fluid, and determining the onset of asphaltene precipitation. The present invention also provides for intercalibration of plural pressure gauges used to determine a pressure differential downhole.

Abstract: Measurements made by a multicomponent logging tool in a borehole are inverted to obtain horizontal and vertical resistivities and formation dip and azimuth angles of a formation traversed by the borehole. The inversion is performed using a generalized Marquardt-Levenberg method. In this generalized Marquardt-Levenberg method, a data objective function is defined that is related to a difference between the model output and the measured data. The iterative procedure involves reducing a global objective function that is the sum of the data objective function and a model objective function related to changes in the model in successive iterations. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the formation azimuth angle is excluded from the iterative process by using derived relations between the multicomponent measurements.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for measuring the size, concentration and size distribution of particles in a fluid by determining the characteristics of an acoustic speckle signal of the particles and relating these characteristics to the size and concentration characteristics of the particles. The method and the apparatus are especially useful for the measurement of the size distribution of small particles in optically opaque liquids.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining resistivity images of a borehole having an oil-based mud includes a rotating measure electrode on a measurement-while-drilling apparatus. A modulated measure current is capacitively coupled to the formation through the non-conducting mud. The electrode may be carried on a stabilizer of the drilling assembly. An extendable arm may be used to maintain a desired distance between the electrode and the formation.

Abstract: Time lapse seismic measurements of a laminated reservoir including sands and shales are processed to determine changes in the laminated reservoir. An initial petrophysical model is obtained at a wellbore from measurements made with a multicomponent resistivity logging tool. Changes in the amplitude versus offset behavior of the reflections from the top of the reservoir are indicative of changes in fluid saturation and/or formation pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for conveying electrical power and data signals between a first location and a second location in a well borehole. The apparatus comprises a first drill pipe disposed at the first location, and a second drill pipe disposed at the second location. A second end of the second drill pipe is coupled to a first end of the first drill pipe. A first plurality of conductive pathways such as insulated wires extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the first drill pipe and terminate at the first end. A second plurality of conductive pathways extend longitudinally through at least a portion of the second drill pipe and terminate at the second end. A verification device is operatively associated with the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways for verifying electrical continuity between the first and second pluralities of conductive pathways.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an electronic component is cooled by using one or more containers of liquid and sorbent that transfer heat from the component to the fluid in the well bore. According to the present invention, a sorption cooling and heating system is provided for use in a well, such as down hole tool which is in a drill string through which a drilling fluid flows, or in a down hole tool, which is on a wire line. This cooling system comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, the sorption cooler comprising a water supply adjacent to a sensor or electronics to be cooled; a Dewar flask lined with phase change material surrounding the electronics/sensor and liquid supply; a vapor passage for transferring vapor from the water supply; and a sorbent in thermal contact with the housing for receiving and adsorbing the water vapor from the vapor passage and transferring the heat from the sorbed water vapor through the housing to the drilling fluid or well bore.

Abstract: The present invention is method of determining the distribution of shales, sands and water in a reservoir including laminated shaly sands using vertical and horizontal conductivities derived from nuclear, NMR, and multi-component induction data such as from a Transverse Induction Logging Tool (TILT). Making assumptions about the anisotropic properties of the laminated shale component and an assumption that the sand is isotropic, the TILT data are inverted. An estimate of the laminated shale volume from this inversion is compared with an estimate of laminated shale volume from nuclear logs using a Thomas-Stieber and Waxman-Smits model. A difference between the two estimates is an indication that the sands may be anisotropic. A check is made to see if a bulk water volume determined from the inversion is greater than a bulk irreducible water volume from NMR measurements. In one embodiment of the invention, NMR data are then used to obtain sand distribution in the reservoir.

Abstract: A formation fluid analysis tool has an optical probe that is inserted into the formation. The optical probe carries an internal reflectance crystal and is inserted into the formation so as to get past the mud cake, the flushed zone and the invaded zone and thus be in contact with virgin formation fluid. An acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) transmits a single wavelength of light from a broad band light source, the wavelength being controlled by a microwave signal from a processor. This monochromatic light is carried by an optic fiber to the internal reflectance crystal where it undergoes total reflection at the crystal faces in contact with the formation fluid. An evanescent wave propagates into the fluid with a depth of penetration related to the absorption of the light in the fluid. The reflected light carries information about this absorption which is determined by the chemical composition of the fluid. A return fiber conveys the reflected light back to a spectrometer.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a gravel pack assembly comprising a gravel pack body and a crossover tool. The crossover tool comprises auxiliary flow chambers and channels around a casing packer and a crossover tool check valve. The gravel pack body and crossover tool are assembled coaxially as a cooperative unit by a threaded joint. The assembly is threadably attached to the bottom end of a tool string for selective placement within the wellbore. Set of the packer secures the gravel pack body to the well casing and seals the casing annulus around the gravel pack assembly. After setting the packer, the tool string is rotated to release the threaded assembly joint between the crossover tool and the gravel pack extension. The desired flow function is determined by selective axial positionment of the crossover tool within the gravel pack body. When the gravel pack is in place, the crossover tool is axially positioned to flush residual aggregate from the tool string bore.

Abstract: A drilling fluid analyzing apparatus has at least two sensors is used to analyze drilling fluid that contains cuttings. The sensors are mounted vertically spaced in a well riser and in communication with well return fluid. The sensors convert the pressure exerted by the return fluid to signals that are then conveyed to a processor. The processor determines the density of the return fluid, and the fluid density is indicative of borehole cleaning efficiency. Two additional sensors may be added to the drilling fluid input mud pipe to sense the pressure exerted by the drilling mud before it is contaminated with cuttings.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an electronic component is cooled by using one or more containers of liquid and sorbent that transfer heat from the component to the fluid in the well bore. According to the present invention, a sorption cooling system is provided for use in a well, Such as down hole tool which is in a drill string through which a drilling fluid flows, or in a down hole tool, which is on a wire line. This cooling system comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in a wellbore, the sorption cooler comprising a water supply adjacent to a sensor or electronics to be cooled; a Dewar flask lined with phase change material surrounding the electronics/sensor and liquid supply; a vapor passage for transferring vapor from the water supply; and a sorbent in thermal contact with the housing for receiving and adsorbing the water vapor from the vapor passage and transferring the heat from the sorbed water vapor through the housing to the drilling fluid or well bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the internal diameter of a wellbore for a wireline formation sample taking instrument, including an hydraulically actuated probe and back up shoe for selective engagement with the wall of a wellbore, an hydraulic pump and selectively controllable valves for selectively controlling extension and retraction of the probe and back up shoe, and an hydraulic fluid reservoir to supply hydraulic fluid to the pump for extending and retracting the probe and back up shoe. The reservoir includes a pressure compensator for balancing the pressure in the reservoir to an hydrostatic pressure in the wellbore. A position sensor is coupled to the compensator to determine its position. The position of the compensator corresponding to the fluid volume in the reservoir, the extension distance of the probe and back up shoe, and the internal diameter of the wellbore at the location of the probe and back up shoe.

Abstract: An expandible packer provides a crescent-shaped cross-sectional area for more and larger diameter data cable and fluid control conduits by eccentrically offsetting the packer mandrel relative to the expandable element. The expandible element of the packer eccentrically surrounds the mandrel to provide an eccentric volume zone between the packer collars. One or more data cable or fluid carrier conduits may be laid between the collars within this eccentric zone, all of greater diameter than would be possible within an annulus between two concentric mandrels. The eccentric zone conduits are secured and protected by a compliant filler material such as rubber or other elastomer that is applied around and between the control conduits within the eccentric zone. This filler material is trimmed or cast to a substantially cylindrical surface about an axis that is substantially coextensive with the expandable element axis.

Abstract: An NMR logging apparatus and method are provided including an antenna having compensation for magnetostrictive ringing. The antenna comprises at least one inductive winding and a core having a first portion having positive magnetostriction in the presence of a radio frequency magnetic field, and a second portion having negative magnetostriction in the presence of the radio frequency magnetic field. The positive and negative portions may be tiles shaped as polygonal cylinders arranged with alternating positive and negative tiles forming at least one layer of a matrix, or the portions may be constructed using ferrite powder fixed in epoxy and shaped in polygonal cylinders.

Abstract: A method for correcting data measured by a well logging instrument for effects of cable yo-yo. The data are first preprocessed to reduce magnitude of spatial frequency components in the data occurring within a bandwidth of axial acceleration of the logging instrument which corresponds to the cable. Then eigenvalues of a matrix are shifted, over depth intervals where the smallest absolute value one of the eigenvalues changes sign, by an amount such that the smallest absolute value eigenvalue does not change sign. The matrix forms part of a system of linear equations by which the measurements made by the instrument are converted to values of a property of interest of earth formations. Artifacts which may remain in the data after the step of preprocessing are substantially removed by the eigenvalue shifting. In one embodiment, the step of preprocessing includes low pass filtering using a cutoff at the axial resolution limit of a sensor on the instrument.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a body with a threaded pin on the upper end for connecting to a drill string. Bit legs are formed symmetrically on the exterior of the body and extend downward. The lower portion of each bit leg is inclined and offset circumferentially from the upper portion. A cutter is mounted to the lower portion of each bit leg for rotation about a cutter axis. Nozzle bosses are located between each bit leg. A flow channel exists on both sides of each nozzle boss. The nozzle boss is inclined in a similar direction to the bit leg.

Abstract: An electrical cable has helically attached bristles for supporting the electrical cable when pulled through a string of coiled tubing to connect to an electrical submersible pump. The electrical cable and helically attached bristles have a circumscribed diameter greater than the inner diameter of the coiled tubing. The bristles deflect in a direction opposite the direction of pulling the electrical cable so that they grip the wall of the coiled tubing. The bristles apply a resistive frictional force to the wall of the coiled tubing, thereby transferring the weight of the electrical cable to the coiled tubing.

Abstract: An earth-boring bit has a bit body with at least one bearing shaft depending inwardly and downwardly therefrom. A cutter is mounted for rotation on each bearing shaft and has a cutter shell surface and a plurality of cutting elements arranged on the shell surface in generally circumferential rows. A pair of surfaces extends from the cutter shell surface on opposing sides of one of the circumferential rows of cutting elements. The pair of surfaces converge together to define a kerf crest that is oriented transversely to the axis of rotation of the cutter. The kerf crest projects from the cutter shell surface by an amount less than the cutting elements in the kerf row having the kerf crest.

Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having a body defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.