Abstract: In situ density and compressibility of a fluid sample are determined for a fluid sample collected downhole. The density and compressibility of the fluid sample is determined by measuring a distance to a piston contained within the sample chamber using an external magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetic field emanating from a magnetic provided on the piston internal to the sample chamber. The testing is performed quickly and at the surface in a noninvasive fashion (i.e., without opening the sample chamber).

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a density of a fluid is provided. The sensor (200) includes a flow tube (104) for receiving the fluid and a vibration driver (102) coupled to the flow tube, the vibration driver configured to drive the flow tube to vibrate. The sensor also includes a vibration detector (106) coupled to the flow tube, the vibration detector detecting characteristics related to the vibrating flow tube, and a distributed temperature sensor (202) coupled to the flow tube, the distributed temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the flow tube as the flow tube vibrates. The sensor further includes measurement circuitry (110) coupled to the vibration detector and the distributed temperature sensor, the measurement circuitry determining a density of the fluid from the detected characteristics related to the vibrating flow tube and the measured temperature of the flow tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the characteristics of a downhole fluid. The method for measuring the characteristics of a downhole fluid includes passing a downhole fluid sample through an analyzer, analyzing the downhole fluid sample by illuminating the downhole fluid sample with light from a light source and detecting light that interacts with the fluid sample. The method is applicable to detecting carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide directly in a downhole environment.

Abstract: A sampling tool to sample formation fluids in a wellbore is disclosed. The sampling tool may include a sample chamber having a fluid inlet port and a tubular portion. A first piston may be sealably and movably disposed within the tubular portion. One or more surfaces of the first piston and the sample chamber may, at least in part, define a sample space. A second piston may be sealably and movably disposed within the first piston.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable of sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments.

Abstract: A method of determining anisotropy in a borehole is disclosed. An array of measurements along the borehole is obtained and a first depth in the borehole is selected. An arbitrary plane oriented with respect to the borehole at the first depth is designated and an anisotropy for the first depth with respect to the arbitrary plane is determined. The arbitrary plane is repositioned at the first depth and an anisotropy for different positions of the arbitrary plane at the first depth is determined. A minimum anisotropy coefficient with respect to the arbitrary plane at the first depth is identified based on anisotropy for different positions of the arbitrary plane. An anisotropy tensor for the first depth is then identified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable of sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments.

Abstract: A separator for downhole measuring during sampling in a subterranean formation. The separator allows for mixed fluid phases to be separated while flowing formation fluid therethrough.

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: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring properties of formation material and fluid in a borehole wall. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a cylinder with a drawdown piston slideably disposed therein, a probe assembly and a passageway configured to provide fluid communication between the probe assembly and the cylinder. The probe assembly has a housing, a piston slideably disposed within the housing, the piston having a throughbore and a pad coupled thereto, and a tubular slideably disposed within the throughbore. The drawdown piston is translatable from a first position toward a second position to draw fluid into the probe assembly, the passageway and the cylinder, and translatable from the second position toward the first position to increase pressure of fluid in the passageway.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to measure formation fluid and obtain data, the data having measurement levels that vary over a parameter. The data is grouped in one or more categories, each category having data falling within a range, and the grouped data is analyzed as a function of the parameter. In some embodiments, the grouped data is used to identify at least one fluid type of the formation fluid using the grouped data.

Abstract: A down hole apparatus includes a first expandable packer and a second expandable packer, where the first expandable packer longitudinally spaced from the second expandable packer. The apparatus further includes an optional expandable bladder disposed at a longitudinal location between the first expandable packer and the second expandable packer. The expandable bladder inflates to displace drilling fluid between the first and second bladder elements. The down hole apparatus can optionally displace drilling fluid between the first and second bladder elements with another fluid. Fluids and/or slurry can be selectively removed using ports between the first and second expandable packers, and optionally placed in sample chambers, or expelled to the bore hole.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for downhole formation testing including use of a probe having inner and outer channels adapted to collect or inject injecting fluids from or to a formation accessed by a borehole. The probe straddles one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations and uses the inner channels to collect fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable of sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments.

Abstract: A separator for downhole measuring during sampling in a subterranean formation. The separator allows for mixed fluid phases to be separated while flowing formation fluid therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole formation testing based on the use of one or more elongated sealing pads capable of sealing off and collecting or injecting fluids from elongated portions along the surface of a borehole. The modified sealing pads increase the flow area by collecting fluids from an extended portion along the surface of a borehole, which is likely to straddle one or more layers in laminated or fractured formations. A tester device using the elongated sealing pads can be deployed and withdrawn using an extendible element pressing the pads to the borehole. Various designs and arrangements for use with a fluid tester, which may be part of a modular fluid tool, are disclosed in accordance with different embodiments.

Abstract: A down hole apparatus includes a first expandable packer and a second expandable packer, where the first expandable packer longitudinally spaced from the second expandable packer. The apparatus further includes an optional expandable bladder disposed at a longitudinal location between the first expandable packer and the second expandable packer. The expandable bladder inflates to displace drilling fluid between the first and second bladder elements. The down hole apparatus can optionally displace drilling fluid between the first and second bladder elements with another fluid. Fluids and/or slurry can be selectively removed using ports between the first and second expandable packers, and optionally placed in sample chambers, or expelled to the bore hole.

Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.

Abstract: A method and system for statistical pressure gradient and fluid contact analysis. The method and system include planning for a pressure gradient test by using expected parameters and statistical expected error analysis to set the actual pressure gradient test parameters within an acceptable range of reliability. The method and system may account for one or more fluids within a formation and may also perform fluid contact analysis as part of planning the overall pressure gradient test. The method and system also include performing the planned pressure gradient test and comparing the measured data and statistical measured data error analysis with statistical expected error analysis of the measured data. The method and system may also include the graphical display of both the expected and measured data to optimize the pressure gradient analysis and the pressure gradient test procedure.