Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method of and associated system for placing nodes in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes receiving user-specified parameters regarding the network. The parameters can include a layout of a building or other space, and requirements for the WLAN. An algorithm then employs these parameters to automatically create and optimized layout of multiple wireless access points for the WLAN. The method can display the layout and provide various types of information to the user.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of storing or transporting a sample comprises: inserting a sample container into a holding device, wherein the sample container contains the sample, wherein the sample container does not meet United States transportation regulations, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, and wherein the holding device comprises a chamber and an opening; and storing or transporting the holding device. According to another embodiment, a holding device for containing a container comprises: a chamber; and an opening, wherein the holding device meets or exceeds United States transportation regulations, wherein the container contains a sample, and wherein United States regulations require the sample to be stored or transported according to the United States transportation regulations.

Abstract: A system and method for converting wellhead surface fluid pressures to bottom hole pressures through use of real-time fluid characteristic data determined using an Integrated Computational Element (“ICE”) computing device in conjunction with wellhead surface pressure measurements.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a well face during formation testing at a drill site is disclosed. A collection chamber disposed in a formation tester tool may be at least partially filled with cleansing fluid. The formation tester tool may be introduced into a wellbore and the cleansing fluid may be ejected through a probe coupled to the formation tester tool. The collection chamber may then be at least partially filled with a formation fluid sample. A face of the probe may be contacted by a retractable cleaning mechanism coupled to the formation tester tool.

Abstract: A method for collecting a formation fluid for testing includes introducing a formation sample tool having a first port and a second port into a wellbore. A first fluid is injected through the first port into the formation to clear a sample passage and allow access to uncontaminated formation fluid. A second fluid is injected through the second port into the formation to provide a barrier adjacent to or around the sample passage. A sample of the uncontaminated formation fluid is removed from the formation through the first port.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.

Abstract: An optical computing device and method utilizing an Integrated Computational Element (“ICE”) to predict and/or mitigate hydrate formation.

Abstract: A method of complying with a regulatory agency's requirement comprises: determining a minimum number of properties of a reservoir fluid using an analyzer, wherein the minimum number of properties is sufficient to comply with the regulatory agency's requirement, and wherein the step of determining comprises: (A) contacting the reservoir fluid with radiated energy; and (B) detecting the interaction between the radiated energy and the reservoir fluid. A method of determining the economic value of a produced reservoir fluid comprises: (A) producing the reservoir fluid; (B) determining at least one property of the reservoir fluid using the analyzer; (C) determining the flow rate of the reservoir fluid, wherein the step of determining the flow rate is performed during the step of producing; and (D) calculating the economic value of the produced reservoir fluid using the at least one property and the flow rate of the reservoir fluid.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a fluid sample from a reservoir comprises: collecting the sample in a sample container, wherein the sample container includes a sample receptacle, and wherein the step of collecting comprises allowing or causing the sample to flow into the sample receptacle; determining at least one property of the sample using an analyzer, wherein the analyzer is located at one end of the sample receptacle, wherein the step of determining comprises: (A) contacting the sample with radiated energy; and (B) detecting the interaction between the radiated energy and the sample, wherein the step of determining is performed during the step of collecting and during fluid flow of the sample into the sample receptacle. Another method comprises: transferring the sample from the sample container to a second container, wherein the step of determining is performed after the step of collecting and during fluid flow of the sample.

Abstract: A method of using data obtained from a sample of a reservoir fluid comprises: collecting the sample in a sample container, wherein the sample container includes a sample receptacle, and wherein the step of collecting comprises allowing or causing the sample to flow into the sample receptacle; determining at least one compositional component of the sample using an analyzer, wherein the step of determining is performed during the step of collecting; and using an equation of state to predict a potential change in at least one property of the reservoir fluid based on the determination of the at least one compositional component of the sample. Another method comprises: transferring the sample from the sample container to a second container, wherein the step of determining is performed after the step of collecting and during fluid flow of the sample.

Abstract: A pressure differential flow meter for determining the flow rate of a fluid comprises a constriction device, wherein the constriction device is capable of creating at least a first area of constriction and a second area of constriction having cross-sectional areas that are different, wherein the constriction device automatically moves from the first area of constriction to the second area of constriction when the pressure differential increases above or falls below a predetermined range, and wherein the pressure differential is based on the fluid velocity of the fluid flowing in the flow meter. A method of determining the flow rate of a fluid using the pressure differential flow meter comprises flowing the fluid through the flow meter.

Abstract: Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining fluid samples in a subterranean wellbore comprises a carrier assembly configured to be disposed in a subterranean wellbore; a sampling chamber operably associated with the carrier assembly; a pressure assembly coupled to the sampling chamber and configured to pressurize a fluid sample obtained in the sampling chamber, wherein the pressure assembly is configured to contain a pressure generating agent; an activation mechanism configured to activate the pressure generating agent; and a power device operably associated with the carrier assembly and configured to provide an impulse for activating the activation mechanism, wherein the power device is not disposed on the pressure assembly.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a well face during formation testing at a drill site is disclosed. A collection chamber disposed in a formation tester tool may be at least partially filled with cleansing fluid. The formation tester tool may be introduced into a wellbore and the cleansing fluid may be ejected through a probe coupled to the formation tester tool. The collection chamber may then be at least partially filled with a formation fluid sample. A face of the probe may be contacted by a retractable cleaning mechanism coupled to the formation tester tool.

Abstract: Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.

Abstract: Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.

Abstract: A surface well testing facility for dispersing separated hydrocarbon gas into separated oil from a multiphase well fluid for improved oil mobility and combustion efficiency. A multiphase fluid is produced from a well. The gas constituent and the oil constituent are separated from the multiphase fluid, the oil constituent having an undesirable viscosity. Both the gas constituent and the oil constituent are measured. Thereafter, at least a first portion of the gas constituent is injected into the oil constituent. The first portion of the gas constituent is mixed with the oil constituent such that the first portion of the gas constituent is dispersed into the oil constituent to form an oil/gas mixture having a viscosity that is lower than the undesirable viscosity of the oil constituent and a BTU content higher than the oil constituent.

Abstract: Methods of actuating a well tool can include releasing chemical energy from at least one portion of a reactive material, thermally expanding a substance in response to the released chemical energy, and applying pressure to a piston as a result of thermally expanding the substance, thereby actuating the well tool, with these steps being repeated for each of multiple actuations of the well tool. A well tool actuator can include a substance contained in a chamber, one or more portions of a reactive material from which chemical energy is released, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to thermal expansion of the substance in response to each release of chemical energy. A well tool actuator which can be actuated multiple times may include multiple portions of a gas generating reactive material, and a piston to which pressure is applied due to generation of the gas.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method of and associated system for placing nodes in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes receiving user-specified parameters regarding the network. The parameters can include a layout of a building or other space, and requirements for the WLAN. An algorithm then employs these parameters to automatically create and optimized layout of multiple wireless access points for the WLAN. The method can display the layout and provide various types of information to the user.