Abstract: A system for making pressure measurements in a formation surrounding a wellbore includes a sensor which, in use, is positioned into direct pressure communication with the formation from a predetermined location in the wellbore, and a means for isolating the sensor, when in use, from pressure effects arising from the wellbore.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining the wettability of an underground formation traversed by a borehole, the method comprising: determining the critical water fraction of the underground formation; determining the critical water fraction of the underground formation taken entirely oil-wet, which is called the oil-wet critical water fraction; and combining the critical water fraction and the oil-wet critical water fraction in order to determine the wettability of the underground formation.

Abstract: A method for constructing a lateral hole (303) departing from a main well (302) at a determined depth, the lateral hole (303) having a direction of elongation forming a determined angle with the main well (302), comprises positioning a drilling machine (301) at the determined depth in the main well (302), drilling the lateral hole (303) departing from a wall of the main well (302), in substantially the direction of elongation forming the determined angle with the main well (302), using the drilling machine (301), constructing a tubular (305) for the lateral hole (303) at a downhole location, and positioning the constructed tubular (305) into the lateral hole (303).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modeling a reservoir, comprising: receiving a set of wettability logs from a wettability logging tool adapted to be disposed in a wellbore; generating a wettability map in response to the wettability logs; generating a gridded simulation model, the gridded simulation model including a plurality of grid cells; determining, for each grid cell of the gridded simulation model, a local value of wettability from the wettability map; determining, for each grid cell of the gridded simulation model, a permeability model and a capillary pressure model from the local value of wettability associated with each grid cell; and generating a set of simulation results representing a model of the reservoir.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining the wettability of an underground formation traversed by a borehole, the method comprising: determining the critical water fraction of the underground formation; determining the critical water fraction of the underground formation taken entirely oil-wet, which is called the oil-wet critical water fraction; and combining the critical water fraction and the oil-wet critical water fraction in order to determine the wettability of the underground formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a tool for treating at least one wall in a critical zone of a borehole, in particular a borehole for development of a hydrocarbon, water, gas or analogous field, the method consisting in reinforcing the wall of the critical zone by a coating obtained from a base fluid which is pumped from the surface to a tool (1) to be projected against the wall of the critical zone where it forms the coating once it has set, the method being characterized in that it consists in storing at least one additive or activator in liquid form in a reservoir (R) of the tool (1), and in projecting the additive simultaneously with the base fluid against the wall of the critical zone via at least one injector (I) in order to activate setting of the base fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of isolating an open hole fitted with a slotted liner, the method consisting in pumping a cement or a resin to the level of the slotted liner by means of injection apparatus provided with lips for scrapping the slotted liner downstream from the injection point so that the cement or resin fills the entire borehole upstream from the injection apparatus and also fills the space behind the slotted liner while the apparatus is being raised towards the surface. The invention also provides injection apparatus particularly adapted to implement the method, which apparatus can advantageously be displaced by means of coiled tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expandable liner for completing a hole in an underground formation, the liner being constituted by a spiral-wound strip with the longitudinal edges of the strip having complementary touching profiles so that after it has been expanded, the liner is circular in section. The invention also provides a method of completing a well finally or temporarily by installing a spiral-wound liner of the invention, expanding it, and optionally cementing it.

Abstract: Methods for providing an image at the surface of a formation surrounding a borehole in real-time include associating resistivity measurements with a predetermined number of preselected toolface positions. The resistivity measurements are subjected to data compression and transmitted uphole by MWD telemetry. At the surface, the compressed resistivity measurements are associated with the preselected toolface positions and with a calculated translational distance value. The resistivity measurements are decompressed and/or converted to pixel information. The pixel information is arranged according to toolface position and translational distance to create a high resolution of the formation. These processes are repeated over time so that the image created represents the formation over a selected distance.

Abstract: Device to permanently link a metal joining piece and a composite material tube, to a tube subjected to static pressure up to 150 MPa. The assembly consists of a metal part constituting a sealing (8) and joining (7) piece with a collar (2), onto which the composite material (1) is attached. A tubular anti-abrasion and anti-corrosion (6) sleeve, flush-mounted in the metal joining piece and protected by a ring (9) at its end ensures total isolation of the composite/metal joint from corrosive fluids which may be flowing through the tube. In particular, the application of the device to oil industry sensors.

Abstract: The invention is a non-intrusive system for measuring the flow rates of insulating or conducting fluids in conduits. It results from the combination of an electromagnetic flowmeter, operating with conducting fluids, and of a triboelectric noise cross-correlation flowmeter, operating with insulating fluids. The system is equipped with a non-intrusive device for measuring fluid conductivity. The electronic signal processing unit uses the conductivity value to decide which of the two sensors is providing a signal effectively representing the fluid flow rate. The electromagnetic flowmeter may use electrodes of small cross-section in contact with the fluid or, more advantageously, it may be of the capacitive type using larger section electrodes isolated from the fluid.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensitive element has elements for collecting charges appearing between the sides of the piezoelectric element. These elements include a flexible insulating strip having one the same face two distinct conductive layers each of which has an annular layer for contact with the piezoelectric sensitive element and connected by a connecting layer to a terminal layer. Application is to the detection of pinging in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A system for use in a motor vehicle, made up of a group of sensors such as accelerometers, a microprocessor, and a group of passenger-safety devices. The sensors' inform the microprocessor of the levels of acceleration at different points in the vehicle. The microprocessor processes this information, checks the sensors' functioning, the power source and the safety devices. In the case of a strong shock, the microprocessor triggers the safety devices suited to the particular situation: electromagnetic door-openers, safety belts with pyrotechnic tightening action, inflatable air bags, and loosening devices for safety belts.