Abstract: A silica-based stationary phase for chromatography columns and the methods of preparing such. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, a silica-based stationary phase that is substantially free of polyethers (e.g., polymer glycols). Also, a chromatography column comprising a silica-based stationary phase substantially free of polyethers (e.g., polymer glycols) within its channels as either a thin-film coating and/or a monolith and/or a monolithic coating. More particularly, a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) chromatograph comprising a silica-based monolith substantially free of polyethers (e.g., polymer glycols) as the stationary phase within the micro-channels of the column.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the drilling of a wellbore having a drilling fluid that circulates in the wellbore during drilling, comprises: Extracting a plurality of gaseous compounds from a sample of drilling fluid exiting the wellbore, Measuring a quantity y(i) of at least a group of compounds, each group comprises comprising at least one extracted gaseous compound, Determining, from the measured quantity y(i) and an extraction coefficient ?(i) associated to each group, the content x(i) of each group of gaseous compounds present in the sample of drilling fluid, Deriving a drilling indicator from the content x(i) of at least one group of gaseous compounds.

Abstract: A mud gas analyzer and a well-site system using the mud gas analyzer are described. The mud gas analyzer includes at least one degasser adapted to extract gas from drilling mud passing through a flow path formed at least partially by a drill string within a well and an annulus positioned between an exterior surface of the drill string and a formation surrounding the well at a well-site, at least one gas analyzer adapted to interact with the gas extracted from the drilling mud. The gas analyzer determines an isotopic composition of a gas liberated from the drilling mud and generates a sequence of signals indicative of ratios of isotopes of a gas species liberated from the drilling mud.

Abstract: Safety device (10) for a fluid production well, comprising a valve (58) used to seal a passage, and which can move between an open position of the passage (52) and a closed position of the passage (52); and connecting biasing means (92) for permanently biasing the valve (58) towards the closed position thereof. The device comprises holding means (42) for holding the valve (58) in its open position against permanent biasing means (92), and actuating means (42, 44) which are configured to actuate the holding means (42), on reception of a maintenance signal, to generate: *a first displacement of the movement element (98) from the active valve biasing position to an intermediate valve biasing position, in which the valve (58) remains in its open position; and *a subsequent second return displacement of the movement element (58) from the intermediate valve biasing position to the active valve biasing position.

Abstract: Gas-extraction device (152) for extracting at least one gas contained in a drilling mud, the device comprising: —an enclosure (162), —an equipment (164) for supplying the drilling mud to the enclosure (162), —an equipment (170) for introducing a carrier gas into the enclosure (62; 162), wherein the device comprises a flow regulator (204) able to regulate the flow rate of a gas flow containing at least carrier gas, and a pressure controller situated downstream of the enclosure (162) configured for locally setting a pressure lower than the pressure of the enclosure (162), wherein the flow, regulator (204) is interposed between the pressure controller and the enclosure (162).

Abstract: Levels of kerogen and bitumen are computed in a sample of rock from DRIFTS measurements on the sample. The DRIFTS spectrum of a rock sample is measured, resulting in an estimate of bitumen and kerogen. Bitumen is then washed from the rock and DRIFTS is re-measured, resulting in an estimate of kerogen. Bitumen quantity is calculated by subtracting the washed sampled results from first DRIFTS measurements.

Abstract: A device (118) for automatically calibrating an analyzer (112) used for mud gas or fluid logging, comprising: a cabinet (140) having a plurality of dedicated reception slots (144), each slot (144) being configured for the insertion of a canister (148) containing a known calibration mixture, the cabinet (140) containing: a main line (174) to be connected to the analyzer (112), a connection assembly able to selectively connect each reception slot (144) to the main line (174), a control unit (151) for controlling the connection assembly to successively connect at least two successive slots (144) to the main line (174).

Abstract: The device comprises an extractor (53) having an outlet (71) at which a gas stream is sampled. The gas stream contains at least one hydrocarbon to be analyzed and at least one interfering compound. A transport line (54), is connected to the outlet (71) of the extractor (53) to transport the gas stream to an analyzer (55A) comprising a detector being able to measure at least one of the hydrocarbons to be analyzed contained in this gas stream. The device comprises a chemical reactor (141) located between the extractor (53) and the detector. At least a portion of the extracted gases is transported through the chemical reactor (141) where a selective catalytic reaction of at least one interfering compound is carried out without any substantial reaction of at least one of the hydrocarbons to be analyzed.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining at least one piece of information representative of a phase fraction of a fluid in a pipe. The method comprises the estimation of a number of counts received in each measuring interval based on each piece of representative information determined at a preceding iteration, then calculating a residual comprising a first criterion calculated from probabilities using a given statistical law to measure, for each energy, the number of counts measured in each interval, the given statistical law being parameterized based on the number of estimated counts.

Abstract: A radiation source device, a measuring device using the radiation source device, and a method of use of the measuring device are described. The radiation source device has a radiolucent window portion, a shielding portion, a radioactive element, and a fluorescent material. The shielding portion has a window portion cavity and the radiolucent window portion extends across and encompasses the window portion cavity. The radioactive element is positioned within the window portion cavity of the shield portion and emits first photons through the window portion cavity and the radiolucent window portion. The fluorescent material is positioned between the radioactive element and the radiolucent window portion. The fluorescent material receives the first photons from the radioactive element and generates second photons.

Abstract: This device includes a cable (32) having a smooth outer surface (40). The cable (32) includes a central conductor (42) and an annular outer sheath (44). The outer sheath (44) includes a polymer matrix (56) and mechanical reinforcing fibers (58, 60) embedded in the polymer matrix (56). The central conductor (42) includes a solid cylindrical metal core (48) having a smooth outer surface (52), a breaking strength greater than 300 daN and a lineic electrical resistance greater than 30 mohms/m.

Abstract: The tool includes a bearing member (70), a traction assembly (72) of the object (28), movably mounted in a first direction relative to the bearing member (70). It includes a plurality of hooking members (160), mounted radially mobile relative to the traction assembly (72) between a contracted configuration and a deployed configuration. The tool comprises means (164; 166) for keeping each hooking member (160) in its deployed configuration. It includes unlocking means (168; 170) that include an elastic stressing member (202; 222) applied on the holding means (164; 166). The elastic stressing member (202; 222) is capable of being compressed to cause the unlocking of the holding means (164; 166) and the passage of the hooking members (160) from their deployed configuration to their contracted configuration.

Abstract: Tension meter (82) for measuring a mechanical tension (F1) along a longitudinal direction (L) between a first element (84) and a second element (80) deployed in a well containing a fluid (50) having a fluid pressure, the tension meter comprising:—a bar (108) comprising a first portion (152), a second portion (154), and a measurement portion (156), and—a hollow member (110) defining a first chamber (169) surrounding the measurement portion, the bar being free to expand within the hollow member under the mechanical tension (F1) to be measured. The measurement portion includes at least one strain gauge (172). The tension meter includes first sealing elements for keeping the first chamber at a first chamber pressure, the measurement portion being subject to a compression force (F2) due to a difference between the fluid pressure and the first chamber pressure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the relative content of a first rock species and of a second rock species in a rock sample extracted from a wellbore. The method comprises adding a reactant to the rock sample, measuring a first information (PT1) relative to a first amount of compound produced at a first instant (T1) and a second information (PT2) relative to a second amount of compound produced at a second instant (T2). The method also comprises calculating the relative content of the first species in the rock sample from the first information (PT1) and calculating the relative content of the second species in the rock sample from the second information PT2). The method comprises determining a corrected amount (Cv) of compound generated by the reaction of the second species with the reactant at the first instant (T1), and calculating the relative content of the first species in the rock sample and the relative content of the second species in the rock sample based on the corrected amount (Cv).

Abstract: This device comprises a cable working line bearing a lower assembly and a winch for maneuvering the line. The hydraulic central unit (46) of the winch includes a tank (50) for storing a hydraulic control fluid, a pump (52) for driving the hydraulic fluid, connected to the tank (50) through an upstream conduit (54) and at least one hydraulic motor (56) for driving the drum (42) connected to the pump (52) through an intermediate conduit and connected to the tank (50) through a downstream conduit. The hydraulic central unit comprises a regulator (62) for the hydraulic fluid flow rate at the outlet of the pump (52). The regulator (62) is driven according to at least one hydraulic fluid pressure depending on the load exerted on the motor (56) by the rotary drum (42), said or each pressure being directly taken on one of said conduits.

Abstract: A fast field mud gas analyzer is presented. The fast field mud gas analyzer has a splitter system; a plurality of analytical lines composed of a micro chromatographic column and one or more detector; one or more heating element; and a computer system. The splitter system selectively applies a portion of an effluent sample flow through one or more outlets. The analytical lines are in fluid communication with the splitter system and receive at least a portion of the effluent sample flow. The micro chromatographic column separates portions of the effluent sample flow. The detector analyzes the separated portions and generates information indicative of analysis of the separated portions. The heating element heats the portion of the effluent sample flow within the analytical line. The computer system controls the splitter system and the one or more heating element and receives the information from the detectors.

Abstract: A device including a lower assembly (30) and a cable (32) for deploying the lower assembly (30) in the well (12). The lower assembly (30) includes a pyrotechnic system (72), and a firing assembly further including a module (86) for controlling a power battery (88) and a power module (150). The control module (86) includes arming means (112; 158) of the power module (150) capable of connecting the power battery (88) to the power module (150) upon receiving an electrical arming signal transmitted through the cable (32). It includes means (114; 160) for triggering the pyrotechnic system (72) capable of connecting the power module (150) to the pyrotechnic system (72), upon receiving a distinct electrical triggering signal posterior to the arming signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the relative content of a first rock species and of a second rock species in a rock sample extracted from a wellbore. The method comprises adding a reactant to the rock sample, measuring a first information (PT1) relative to a first amount of compound produced at a first instant (T1) and a second information (PT2) relative to a second amount of compound produced at a second instant (T2). The method also comprises calculating the relative content of the first species in the rock sample from the first information (PT1) and calculating the relative content of the second species in the rock sample from the second information PT2). The method comprises determining a corrected amount (Cv) of compound generated by the reaction of the second species with the reactant at the first instant (T1), and calculating the relative content of the first species in the rock sample and the relative content of the second species in the rock sample based on the corrected amount (Cv).

Abstract: This tool comprises an upper portion and a lower portion able to move relative to each other between a connected position and a completely disconnected position. The tool comprises an immobilization member that can be freed from the upper portion relative to the lower portion, a member for releasing the immobilization member, and a mechanism for moving the release member housed in the tool. The movement mechanism comprises an actuator and a receptor for receiving a control signal.

Abstract: A method for determining a first flow rate of a gas phase and a second flow rate of at least one liquid phase present in a polyphasic fluid circulating in a conduit is presented. The method essentially comprises circulating the polyphasic fluid through the neck of a venturi delimited by the conduit. The method further comprises estimating the first flow rate and the second flow rate by using a measured pressure difference of the fluid through the neck and a property representative of the relative surface occupied by the gas phase relative to a total surface over a cross-section of the neck. The step of estimating the first flow rate and the second flow rate further comprises (a1) calculating an amount representative of the liquid phase present in the gas rich core relative to the total amount of liquid phase in the neck and calculating the first and second flow rate as a function of the amount representative of the liquid phase present in the core calculated during step (a1).