Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.

Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.

Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.

Abstract: A system (20) for monitoring deformation of a substantially cylindrical casing (14). The system (20) includes at least two strings (22) of interconnected sensors (24) that are wrapped around the casing (14) so as not to intersect one another. At least one of the strings (22) includes a series of at least two segments (S). The series of segments (S) includes a segment (S) arranged at one wrap angle (?) and another segment (S) arranged at a different wrap angle (?).

Abstract: A system for making temperature and pressure measurements distributed over a distance comprises a plurality of Bragg grating measurement points disposed in an optical fiber with a predetermined spacing between adjacent Bragg grating measurement points and a substrate with the optical fiber disposed thereon, at least a portion of the optical fiber being wrapped around the substrate with at least one predetermined wrap angle, wherein the predetermined wrap angle and predetermined spacing are selected to enable a temperature measurement signal to be distinguished from a bending measurement signal, wherein the substrate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion greater than a second coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber and wherein the substrate comprises a hollow tube portion and a solid rod portion, each having optical fiber disposed thereon.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a subsurface formation from acoustic signals that contain information about to the subsurface formation, comprises: providing a fiber optic having a proximal end and a remote end, with the proximal end being coupled to a light source and a proximal photodetector, wherein said fiber optic cable includes randomly spaced impurities and selectively placed Bragg gratings and wherein the fiber optic cable is acoustically coupled to the subsurface formation so as to allow the acoustic signals to affect the physical status of at least one grating: transmitting at least one light pulse into the cable; receiving at the photodetector a first light signal indicative of the physical status of at least one first section of the cable, and outputting at least one item of information to a display.

Abstract: A method for imaging a structure disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth, the method including: selecting a splice housing having a first port configured to seal the housing to a first fiber optic cable and a second port configured to seal the housing to a fiber optic sensor configured to image the structure, wherein the housing includes a sealed interior volume sufficient to contain a splice of optical fibers for protection and to enable a functional bend of at least ninety degrees for at least one spliced optical fiber; disposing a splice between an optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable and an optical fiber of the fiber optic sensor in the splice housing; disposing the splice housing containing the splice in the borehole; attaching the fiber optic sensor to the structure; and disposing the structure in the borehole after the splice housing is disposed in the borehole.

Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.

Abstract: A system (20) for monitoring deformation of a substantially cylindrical casing (14). The system (20) includes at least two strings (22) of interconnected sensors (24) that are wrapped around the casing (14) so as not to intersect one another. At least one of the strings (22) includes a series of at least two segments (S). The series of segments (S) includes a segment (S) arranged at one wrap angle (?) and another segment (S) arranged at a different wrap angle (?).

Abstract: A string of interconnected strain sensors applied to a cylindrical object for monitoring deformation of the object. The string of interconnected strain sensors is applied in a selected zig-zag pattern. A possibility is to drape a pliable support structure around the object, to which the the string of strain sensors has been mechanically coupled in the selected zig-zag pattern.

Abstract: A method for imaging a structure disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth, the method including: selecting a splice housing having a first port configured to seal the housing to a first fiber optic cable and a second port configured to seal the housing to a fiber optic sensor configured to image the structure, wherein the housing includes a sealed interior volume sufficient to contain a splice of optical fibers for protection and to enable a functional bend of at least ninety degrees for at least one spliced optical fiber; disposing a splice between an optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable and an optical fiber of the fiber optic sensor in the splice housing; disposing the splice housing containing the splice in the borehole; attaching the fiber optic sensor to the structure; and disposing the structure in the borehole after the splice housing is disposed in the borehole.

Abstract: A system and a method that are useful for making temperature measurements that are distributed over a distance. In one aspect, the system comprises a plurality of Bragg grating measurement points disposed in an optical fiber with a predetermined spacing between adjacent Bragg grating measurement points. The system also comprises a substrate with the optical fiber disposed thereon, the optical fiber wrapped around the substrate with at least one predetermined wrap angle. The predetermined wrap angle and the predetermined spacing may be selected to allow a temperature measurement signal to be distinguished from a bending measurement signal. The substrate may have a first coefficient of thermal expansion greater than a second coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber and may comprise alternating sections of hollow tube and solid rod.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information about a subsurface formation from acoustic signals that contain information about to the subsurface formation, comprises: providing a fiber optic having a proximal end and a remote end, with the proximal end being coupled to a light source and a proximal photodetector, wherein said fiber optic cable includes randomly spaced impurities and selectively placed Bragg gratings and wherein the fiber optic cable is acoustically coupled to the subsurface formation so as to allow the acoustic signals to affect the physical status of at least one grating: transmitting at least one light pulse into the cable; receiving at the photodetector a first light signal indicative of the physical status of at least one first section of the cable, and outputting at least one item of information to a display.

Abstract: A method for obtaining location information about a well as it is being drilled through a subsurface, comprises: providing at least one fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole within acoustic range of the well, the proximal end of the cable being coupled to a light source and a photodetector, the fiber optic cable being acoustically coupled to the subsurface formation so as to allow acoustic signals in the subsurface to affect the physical status of the cable, providing an acoustic source in the well, transmitting at least one light pulse into the cable, receiving at the photodetector a first light signal indicative of the physical status of at least one first section of the cable. The first section is selected so that the first light signal provides information about the position of the acoustic source, and outputting at least the information to a display.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid properties with a distributed sensor in a wellbore having an inner surface, a top and a bottom comprising causing the distributed sensor to assume a helical shape, pulling the distributed sensor towards the bottom of the wellbore, while retaining the helical shape of the distributed sensor, feeding the distributed sensor into the wellbore so that the distributed sensor is in substantially continuous contact with the inner surface, and allowing the distributed sensor to become at least partially supported by friction at the inner surface.

Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for treating a subsurface formation. The method includes providing one or more explosives into portions of one or more wellbores selected for the explosion in the formation. The wellbores are formed in one or more zones in the formation. The explosives are controllably exploded in one or more of the wellbores such that at least some of the formation surrounding the selected wellbores has an increased permeability. One or more heaters are provided in the one or more wellbores.

Abstract: Methods for determining a preferred application of a plurality of transducers or sensors to a structure are disclosed for monitoring and imaging deformation of the structure as it is subjected to various forces.

Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous, passive detection and measurement of tensile and compressional strain in a structure utilizing a shielded optic fiber, the optic fiber having one or more Bragg gratings thereon, the gratings and shield being disposed in a curved path on the structure and a baseline response for the grating is made using an optical source and detector. Changes in tensile or compressional forces on the structure will result in changes in the curve of the grating, resulting in a frequency shift for the returned light.