Abstract: A method is for creating a gamma ray source downhole by creating a radioactive material through irradiation of an inert material by high energy neutrons, wherein the material to be activated may surround the neutron source in close proximity to form a compact gamma ray source. The gamma rays generated by the activation may be used to perform nuclear measurements downhole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the phase fraction of a fluid collected downhole is shown comprising an x-ray generator, a filter, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. The filter produces a radiation spectrum with a high energy portion and a low energy portion. Filtered radiation is passed through a sample fluid and the resulting attenuated radiation signal is used in calculating the phase fractions of oil, water, and gas in the sample fluid. In one embodiment, a second reference radiation detector measures the radiation directly from the x-ray generator and this measurement is used in normalizing the fraction result. The ratio of the high energy signal to low energy signal of the reference detector is used in controlling the input voltage of the x-ray generator thus ensuring a stable spectrum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the density and phase fractions of well services fluids is shown including an x-ray generator, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. Radiation is passed through the sample cell and fluid and the attenuated radiation signal is used to evaluate the fluid. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector measures a filtered radiation signal and controls the acceleration voltage and/or beam current of the x-ray generator using this information. The apparatus may be permanently affixed for long term monitoring or temporarily clamped on to a pipe in production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the density and phase fractions of well services fluids is shown including an x-ray generator, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. Radiation is passed through the sample cell and fluid and the attenuated radiation signal is used to evaluate the fluid. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector measures a filtered radiation signal and controls the acceleration voltage and/or beam current of the x-ray generator using this information. The apparatus may be permanently affixed for long term monitoring or temporarily clamped on to a pipe in production.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the phase fraction of a fluid collected downhole is shown comprising an x-ray generator, a filter, a sample cell, and a radiation detector. The filter produces a radiation spectrum with a high energy portion and a low energy portion. Filtered radiation is passed through a sample fluid and the resulting attenuated radiation signal is used in calculating the phase fractions of oil, water, and gas in the sample fluid. In one embodiment, a second reference radiation detector measures the radiation directly from the x-ray generator and this measurement is used in normalizing the fraction result. The ratio of the high energy signal to low energy signal of the reference detector is used in controlling the input voltage of the x-ray generator thus ensuring a stable spectrum.

Abstract: A radiation detector operating at high temperatures is shown comprising a scintillating material for producing light when excited by incident radiation, a photocathode, and an electron multiplier. The photocathode is deposited directly onto the surface of the scintillating material that is oriented toward the electron multiplier. Depositing the photocathode directly on the surface greatly decreases photon loss which is a problem of prior art systems. In a preferred embodiment, a metal flange is hermetically sealed to the scintillating material and this is fusion welded to the electron multiplier to create a vacuum envelope.

Abstract: A wireline-conveyed side-wall core coring tool for acquiring side-wall core from a geological formation for performing in-situ side-wall core analysis. The coring tool has a core analysis unit operable to measure geophysical properties of an acquired side-wall core. The measured geophysical properties may be used to determine the success of the acquisition of side-wall cores by the coring tool. The core analysis unit is operable of performing an in-situ interpretation of measured geophysical property of the side-wall core and transmitting in near real-time the measurements or the interpretation results to surface data acquisition and processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing a multiphase mixture by irradiating the mixture with X-rays, collecting the photons that emanate from the mixture in response to the irradiation, generating a signal responsive to the aggregate energy of the collected photons, and analyzing the signal to characterize the mixture. Preferably, the mixture is irradiated by repetitively pulsing an X-ray tube and the photons are collected using a multi-layer detector. The method and apparatus may be used to determine the flow rate, flow velocities, and/or composition of the multiphase mixture. In other embodiments, a plurality of X-ray sources and/or detectors may be used.