Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to draw a formation fluid sample into a sampling port included in a down hole tool or tool body, to vaporize some part of the fluid sample to substantially fill an injection port with a gas phase, to differentiate gas components in the gas phase to provide differentiated gas components along a concentration gradient in a receiving section, to detect the differentiated gas components with a detector, and to determine a fingerprint of the differentiated gas components. The receiving section may comprise a diffusion section. A reaction section and a vacuum section may be used for waste consumption and/or absorption.

Abstract: Optical measurement devices including one or more sealing assemblies are described. The sealing assemblies are configured for use at relatively high temperatures and pressures, such as temperatures over 200 degrees F. and pressures over 10,000 psi. The sealing assemblies can include a deformable seal element surrounded on each side by a backup seal element. In some examples, the deformable seal element is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of a fluoroelastomer or polytetrafluoroethylene, and the backup seal elements are formed of a material selected from a group consisting of flexible graphite or metal foil. Optionally, at least one additional seal element functioning as an extrusion barrier can be placed on the opposite side of one or both backup seal elements from the deformable seal element. The additional seal element can be formed of polyether ether ketone or flexible graphite, for example. Additional devices and assemblies are described.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing optical analysis downhole with an interferogram (a light beam having frequency components with a time variation that identifies those frequency components. The interferogram is produced by introducing an interferometer into the light path, with the two arms of the interferometer having a propagation time difference that varies as a function of time. Before or after the interferometer, the light encounters a material to be analyzed, such as a fluid sample from the formation, a borehole fluid sample, a core sample, or a portion of the borehole wall. The spectral characteristics of the material are imprinted on the light beam and can be readily analyzed by processing electronics that perform a Fourier Transform to obtain the spectrum or that enable a comparison with one or more templates. An interferometer designed to perform well in the hostile environments downhole is expected to enable laboratory-quality measurements.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to discharge a plurality of spike fluids into a fluid flowing in a flow channel, transmit energy to the fluid using an energy source coupled to the flow channel, receive the energy modified by the fluid as photometric energy, convert the photometric energy to at least one photometric signal, compare the at least one photometric signal with a reference signal to determine at least one photometric property of the fluid, and determine at least one component of the fluid using the at least one photometric property supplied to a generalized standard addition method (GSAM). Additional apparatus, systems, and methods, including the use of multivariate curve resolution (MCR) to refine GSAM results, are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to transmit energy to a nanofiber sampling coil and/or a nanofiber reference coil. Further activity may include receiving the energy as modified by evanescent interaction with a sampled material located proximate to the sampling coil and/or as modified by propagation through the reference coil, and comparing the energy modified by evanescent interaction with the energy modified by propagation through the reference coil to determine a spectroscopic property of the sampled material. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods, including the use of nanofibers and fluorescence induced by evanescent radiation to conduct spectroscopic analysis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and tools optically analyze downhole fluid properties in situ. Some disclosed downhole optical radiometry tools include a tool body having a sample cell for fluid flow. A light beam passes through the sample cell and a spectral operation unit (SOU) such as a prism, filter, interferometer, or multivariate optical element (MOE). The resulting light provides a signal indicative of one or more properties of the fluid. A sensor configuration using electrically balanced thermopiles offers a high sensitivity over a wide temperature range. Further sensitivity is achieved by modulating the light beam and/or by providing a reference light beam that does not interact with the fluid flow. To provide a wide spectral range, some embodiments include multiple filaments in the light source, each filament having a different emission spectrum. Moreover, some embodiments include a second light source, sample cell, SOU, and detector to provide increased range, flexibility, and reliability.

Abstract: A multivariate optical element (MOE) calculation device is used in an apparatus for determining a property of petroleum in real time flowing in a pipe in petroleum field stream pipes or pipe line. Multiple apparatuses are provided for determining the amount of each of a plurality of properties. An internal reflectance element (IRE) can be used to determine the property of the petroleum from a surface of the petroleum flowing in a pipe. A cleaning apparatus can be provided to clean the surface of the IRE in the pipe and a turbulence generator can be provided in the pipe to insure homogeneity of the petroleum being analyzed prior to analysis. A bellows may be provided in the apparatus housing to compensate for pressure differentials between the housing and the flowing petroleum in the pipe. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method to determine formation measurements, the method comprising placing a sample in a reservoir, removing aliquots from the reservoir containing the sample or continuously monitoring the reservoir or headspace as the sample and reservoir equilibrate and analyzing the aliquots or readings sufficient to provide diffusion measurements.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to monitor flow of single and multiple phase fluids. Sensors of a tool can be dispersed along the tool to collect measurements to be processed using an autocorrelation operation on the collected measurements to provide information relative to the phases of the fluid. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of flowing fluid from a formation, the method comprising: sensing presence of a reservoir impairing substance in the fluid flowed from the formation; and automatically controlling operation of at least one flow control device in response to the sensing of the presence of the substance. A well system, comprising: at least one sensor which senses whether a reservoir impairing substance is present; and at least one flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid from a formation in response to indications provided by the sensor.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises apparatus adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an alignment apparatus which is separable from an adjustable fixture. The apparatus moveably captures the sensor to, inter alia, facilitate-coupling thereof to an actuator used to position the sensor during measurements. In a second aspect, improved sensor apparatus is disclosed adapted to minimize the effects of shear during sensor movement and monitoring as well as maximize the lateral and proximal search area available to the sensor within the apparatus. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to measure isotopic characteristics of a number of sample types. Embodiments of the invention combine novel and existing components to produce more accurate isotopic information. Further, embodiments of the invention allow for isotopic readings to be taken and analyzed outside of a laboratory. An example of such an embodiment is an apparatus comprising a combustion furnace; a reactant tube passing through the combustion furnace; an injector coupled to one, or a combination of, the combustion furnace, and reactant tube, to introduce a sample; a laser isotopic measurement device coupled to the reactant tube on the exit end; and a processor electrically coupled to one, or a combination of, the injector, the combustion furnace, the reactant tube, and the isotopic measurement device, in which a carrier gas transports the sample through the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method of drilling and/or perforating uses a laser beam to remove material, such as to perforate the casing, cement and formation or drill a well bore. The system and method can further or alternately encompass material analysis that can be performed without removing the material from the well bore. The analysis can be performed apart from or in connection with drilling operations and/or perforating the casing, cement and formation. The analysis can be used in a feed back loop to adjust material removal, adjust material analysis, determine the location of future material removal, and for other uses.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to draw a formation fluid sample into a sampling port included in a down hole tool or tool body, to vaporize some part of the fluid sample to substantially fill an injection port with a gas phase, to differentiate gas components in the gas phase to provide differentiated gas components along a concentration gradient in a receiving section, to detect the differentiated gas components with a detector, and to determine a fingerprint of the differentiated gas components. The receiving section may comprise a diffusion section. A reaction section and a vacuum section may be used for waste consumption and/or absorption.

Abstract: A method to measure compliance with a pharmaceutical regimen, by the steps of: (a) ingesting a dose of a medication (10) into the gastrointestinal tract of a person, the dose of medication (10) comprising a drug formulation (13) and a permanent magnet (14); (b) as a result of the ingestion of step (a), detecting passage of the permanent magnet (14) past at least two magnetic field sensors (20) positioned apart from each other and adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract; and (c) measuring compliance with the pharmaceutical regimen by way of the detection of step (b).

Abstract: A multivariate optical element (MOE) calculation device is used in an apparatus for determining a property of petroleum in real time flowing in a pipe in petroleum field stream pipes or pipe line. Multiple apparatuses are provided for determining the amount of each of a plurality of properties. An internal reflectance element (IRE) is used to determine the property of the petroleum from a surface of the petroleum flowing in a pipe. A cleaning apparatus is provided to clean the surface of the IRE in the pipe and a turbulence generator is provided in the pipe to insure homogeneity of the petroleum being analyzed prior to analysis. A bellows may be provided the apparatus housing to compensate for pressure differentials between the housing and the flowing petroleum in the pipe. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive interacted energy at an optical calculation device attached to a down hole housing to be deployed in a down hole environment. Further activities may include optically compressing data carried by the interacted energy into at least one orthogonal component, using the optical calculation device, sending a signal associated with the at least one orthogonal component to a remote surface computer, and determining a property of petroleum located in the down hole environment using the remote surface computer, based on the signal. The optical calculation device may comprise a multivariate optical element (MOE). Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore includes a prediction unit operable to predict a change in a drilling event while the wellbore is being drilled and prior to the drilling event change occurring. The prediction unit monitors surface and downhole data and well inflows to predict drilling events. The prediction unit may activate alarms for predefined drilling conditions, such as a kick alarm to provide an early warning of a dangerous influx of formation fluids into the wellbore.

Abstract: A tablet, pill or capsule containing a material which produces sound waves when the tablet, pill or capsule is exposed to the gastrointestinal system. A two step method for oral drug compliance monitoring. The first step is to ingest a tablet, pill or capsule containing a material which produces sound waves when the tablet, pill or capsule is exposed to the gastrointestinal system of a person. The second step is to detect the sound waves produced when the tablet, pill or capsule is exposed to the gastrointestinal system to confirm that the person has ingested the tablet, pill or capsule.