Abstract: A system for estimating a property of a region of interest includes an acoustic measurement device including a transmitter configured to emit an acoustic signal having at least one selected frequency configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole in an earth formation and produce internal diffuse backscatter from earth formation material behind the surface and within the region of interest, and a receiver configured to detect return signals from the region of interest and generate return signal data. The system also includes a processing device configured to receive the return signal data, process the return signal data to identify internal diffuse backscatter data indicative of the internal diffuse backscatter, calculate one or more characteristics of the internal diffuse backscatter, and estimate a property of the region of interest based on the one or more characteristics of the internal diffuse backscatter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a presence of oil-based mud (OBM) in a downhole fluid. Methods include generating measurement values by measuring one or more gross physical properties of the downhole fluid with at least one sensor, the measurement values comprising at least one measurement value representative of each gross physical property; and estimating with at least one processor a relative concentration of OBM with respect to the downhole fluid by using a model correlating the measurement values with the relative concentration. Methods may include taking measurements from the downhole fluid in situ and/or estimating the relative concentration in real-time with respect to generating the measurement values. The model may comprise a correlation prediction function mapping the measurement values to the relative concentration, which may use the measurement values as input to predict the relative concentration.

Abstract: An example method includes disposing a carrier in a borehole in an earth formation. The carrier includes a logging assembly for performing a formation evaluation of the earth formation using a sensor in proximity to a borehole wall of the borehole, fluid being disposed at least partially between the sensor and the borehole wall. The method further includes estimating an apparent dielectric loss angle of the fluid to determine a stand-off effect caused by the fluid. The method further includes estimating a formation dielectric loss angle and determining a formation resistance based at least in part on the formation dielectric loss angle. The method further includes adjusting the formation evaluation based at least in part on the estimated formation resistance that accounts for the stand-off effect caused by the fluid. The method further includes performing a wellbore operation based at least in part on the adjusted formation evaluation.

Abstract: A system for estimating a property of a region of interest includes an acoustic measurement device including a transmitter configured to emit an acoustic signal having at least one selected frequency configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole in an earth formation and produce internal diffuse backscatter from earth formation material behind the surface and within the region of interest, and a receiver configured to detect return signals from the region of interest and generate return signal data. The system also includes a processing device configured to receive the return signal data, process the return signal data to identify internal diffuse backscatter data indicative of the internal diffuse backscatter, calculate one or more characteristics of the internal diffuse backscatter, and estimate a property of the region of interest based on the one or more characteristics of the internal diffuse backscatter.

Abstract: A method for estimating a chemical composition of hydrocarbons of interest includes: performing a measurement for each physical property of a plurality of physical properties of the hydrocarbons of interest using a sensor to provide a value for each different physical property being measured; and estimating the chemical composition of the hydrocarbons of interest by using a correlation prediction function for each chemical component in the chemical composition in terms of the different physical properties being measured.

Abstract: An example method includes disposing a carrier in a borehole in an earth formation. The carrier includes a logging assembly for performing a formation evaluation of the earth formation using a sensor in proximity to a borehole wall of the borehole, fluid being disposed at least partially between the sensor and the borehole wall. The method further includes estimating an apparent dielectric loss angle of the fluid to determine a stand-off effect caused by the fluid. The method further includes estimating a formation dielectric loss angle and determining a formation resistance based at least in part on the formation dielectric loss angle. The method further includes adjusting the formation evaluation based at least in part on the estimated formation resistance that accounts for the stand-off effect caused by the fluid. The method further includes performing a wellbore operation based at least in part on the adjusted formation evaluation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a presence of oil-based mud (OBM) in a downhole fluid. Methods include generating measurement values by measuring one or more gross physical properties of the downhole fluid with at least one sensor, the measurement values comprising at least one measurement value representative of each gross physical property; and estimating with at least one processor a relative concentration of OBM with respect to the downhole fluid by using a model correlating the measurement values with the relative concentration. Methods may include taking measurements from the downhole fluid in situ and/or estimating the relative concentration in real-time with respect to generating the measurement values. The model may comprise a correlation prediction function mapping the measurement values to the relative concentration, which may use the measurement values as input to predict the relative concentration.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a fluid sample downhole that has at least a target fluid and an undesirable fluid may include receiving the fluid sample into a sample tank positioned that has a main chamber and isolating at least a portion of the undesirable fluid from the target fluid in the main chamber. A related apparatus may include a conveyance device configured to be conveyed along a borehole and a fluid sampling tool positioned along the conveyance device. The conveyance device may include a probe receiving the fluid sample from a formation; a pump drawing the fluid sample through the probe; and at least one sample tank receiving the fluid sample from the pump. The sample tank may include a main chamber receiving the fluid sample and an isolation volume isolating at least a portion of the undesirable fluid from the target fluid in the main chamber.

Abstract: A method of estimating properties of wellbore cement by penetrating the cement, and monitoring the amount of energy or power required for penetrating the cement. Penetrators include a drill bit that bores into the cement, and probes or pins that are forced into the cement. The energy or power monitored can be current and/or voltage supplied to a motor that drives the drill bit or probe. Comparing the monitored energy or power with that required to penetrate a reference cement sample of known properties can yield information about the cement being sampled. When the wellbore is lined with multiple coaxially disposed strings of casing with cement between adjacent strings and on the outer surface of the outer string; the method further includes obtaining core samples from portions of each string, each layer of cement, and formation adjacent the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for communicating in a borehole includes running a pipe or tubing into a borehole the pipe or tubing conveying a sensor, running a wireline through the pipe or tubing, connecting the wireline with the sensor, attaching a converter sub to the pipe or tubing, communicating to surface information on the wireline in a method different than wireline.

Abstract: A method for estimating a chemical composition of hydrocarbons of interest includes: performing a measurement for each physical property of a plurality of physical properties of the hydrocarbons of interest using a sensor to provide a value for each different physical property being measured; and estimating the chemical composition of the hydrocarbons of interest by using a correlation prediction function for each chemical component in the chemical composition in terms of the different physical properties being measured.

Abstract: A method for communicating in a borehole includes running a pipe or tubing into a borehole the pipe or tubing conveying a sensor, running a wireline through the pipe or tubing, connecting the wireline with the sensor, attaching a converter sub to the pipe or tubing, communicating to surface information on the wireline in a method different than wireline.

Abstract: A tool insertable into a wellbore for sampling formation fluids includes a body, and sample probe assemblies that project radially outward from the body and into sampling contact with the wellbore wall. Packers are provided on the outer terminal ends of the sample probe assemblies and which are urged against the wellbore wall. Actuator driven linkage assemblies selectively deploy and retract the packers from and back into the body. The sample probe assemblies are disposed at substantially the same axial location on the body, and are angularly spaced about an axis of the body. Each sample probe assembly is independently actuated, so that a discrete azimuthal portion can be sampled, and each has a dedicated sample container for storing sampled formation fluid.

Abstract: A tool insertable into a wellbore for sampling formation fluids includes a body, and sample probe assemblies that project radially outward from the body and into sampling contact with the wellbore wall. Packers are provided on the outer terminal ends of the sample probe assemblies and which are urged against the wellbore wall. Actuator driven linkage assemblies selectively deploy and retract the packers from and back into the body. The sample probe assemblies are disposed at substantially the same axial location on the body, and are angularly spaced about an axis of the body. Each sample probe assembly is independently actuated, so that a discrete azimuthal portion can be sampled, and each has a dedicated sample container for storing sampled formation fluid.

Abstract: A method of estimating properties of wellbore cement by penetrating the cement, and monitoring the amount of energy or power required for penetrating the cement. Penetrators include a drill bit that bores into the cement, and probes or pins that are forced into the cement. The energy or power monitored can be current and/or voltage supplied to a motor that drives the drill bit or probe. Comparing the monitored energy or power with that required to penetrate a reference cement sample of known properties can yield information about the cement being sampled. When the wellbore is lined with multiple coaxially disposed strings of casing with cement between adjacent strings and on the outer surface of the outer string; the method further includes obtaining core samples from portions of each string, each layer of cement, and formation adjacent the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a fluid from a sampling zone in a borehole intersecting a formation may include a sampling tool having a port positioned in the sampling zone and a permeable media filling an annular space surrounding the port. The permeable media may include a circumferential support face, a first plurality of radial flow channels, and a second plurality of radial flow channels. The support face extends axially and uniformly along a length of the sampling zone. The circumferential support face contacts a borehole wall. The first plurality of radial flow channels conveys fluid between the borehole wall and the port. The second plurality of radial flow channels conveys fluid between the borehole wall and a location isolated from the port.

Abstract: A system and method of gathering sample cores from a subterranean formation with coring bit assemblies, where each of the coring bit assemblies retain a sample core within. Included is a container equipped with compartments for individual storage of each coring bit assembly and coring sample, so that each sample can be stored at the pressure at which it was obtained. The coring bit assemblies can be sequentially inserted into the container after being used to collect its sample core. In this instance, scaling devices, such as o-ring seals or a coining surface, are provided in the container. Bach coring bit assembly can also be disposed in a chamber, that is selectively scaled after the coring bit assembly gathers its coring sample.

Abstract: A tool insertable into a wellbore for sampling formation fluids includes a body, and sample probe assemblies that project radially outward from the body and into sampling contact with the wellbore wall. Packers are provided on the outer terminal ends of the sample probe assemblies and which are urged against the wellbore wall. Actuator driven linkage assemblies selectively deploy and retract the packers from and back into the body. The sample probe assemblies are disposed at substantially the same axial location on the body, and are angularly spaced about an axis of the body. Each sample probe assembly is independently actuated, so that a discrete azimuthal portion can be sampled, and each has a dedicated sample container for storing sampled formation fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a closure pressure of a fractured formation surrounding a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an isolation device for isolating a section of the wellbore, a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid from the wellbore under pressure into the isolated section of the wellbore to cause a fracture in the formation proximate the isolated section, a receiving unit for receiving fluid from the isolated section at a constant or substantially constant rate due to pressure difference between the formation and the receiving unit, and a sensor for determining pressure of the formation during receiving of the fluid into the receiving unit. The apparatus further includes a controller for determining the closure pressure from the determined pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a fluid from a sampling zone in a borehole intersecting a formation may include a sampling tool having a port positioned in the sampling zone and a permeable media filling an annular space surrounding the port. The permeable media may include a circumferential support face, a first plurality of radial flow channels, and a second plurality of radial flow channels. The support face extends axially and uniformly along a length of the sampling zone. The circumferential support face contacts a borehole wall. The first plurality of radial flow channels conveys fluid between the borehole wall and the port. The second plurality of radial flow channels conveys fluid between the borehole wall and a location isolated from the port.