Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and characterizing fluids in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring a well bore is provided, the method including: providing a first quantity of one or more noble gases of a known volume; circulating at least a portion of the fluid and the one or more noble gases in a portion of the well bore; detecting a second quantity of the noble gases in a portion of the fluid that has been circulated in a portion of the well bore; and determining one or more parameters relating to the well bore (e.g., well bore volume, lag time, flow characteristics, and/or efficiency of a gas extraction system) based on the quantities of the noble gases provided and/or detected in the fluid and/or the relative times at which the noble gases are provided or detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and characterizing fluids in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring a well bore is provided, the method including: providing a first quantity of one or more noble gases of a known volume; circulating at least a portion of the fluid and the one or more noble gases in a portion of the well bore; detecting a second quantity of the noble gases in a portion of the fluid that has been circulated in a portion of the well bore; and determining one or more parameters relating to the well bore (e.g., well bore volume, lag time, flow characteristics, and/or efficiency of a gas extraction system) based on the quantities of the noble gases provided and/or detected in the fluid and/or the relative times at which the noble gases are provided or detected.