Abstract: A method and system for characterizing formation fluids contaminated with drilling mud that compensates for the presence of such drilling mud. The operations that characterize formation fluids contaminated with drilling mud can be carried out in real-time. The operations also characterize a wide array of fluid properties of petroleum samples contaminated with drilling mud in a manner that compensates for the presence of drilling mud. The operations characterize the viscosity and density of petroleum samples contaminated with drilling mud at formation conditions in a manner that compensates for differences between formation conditions and flowline measurement conditions. The operations also derive live fluid density unaffected by contamination of mud filtrate based on a scaling coefficient dependent on measured gas-oil ratio of the formation fluid.

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a fluid analyzer for use in a wellbore are described. An example method of generating calibration data for a fluid analyzer for use in a downhole tool involves lowering a downhole tool including a fluid analyzer to a location in a wellbore, measuring, via the fluid analyzer, a characteristic value of a calibration fluid or a vacuum while the fluid analyzer is at the location, obtaining an expected characteristic value for the calibration fluid or the vacuum at the location, and comparing the measured characteristic value to the expected characteristic value to generate a calibration value for the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing deposits on components in a downhole tool are described. An example apparatus to remove a deposit on an inner surface of a flowline in a downhole tool includes a movable scraper disposed in a flowline of a downhole tool. The movable scraper is configured to selectively obstruct the flowline so that a fluid flowing in the flowline moves the movable scraper in the flowline. Additionally, the movable scraper has an outer surface configured to engage an inner surface of the flowline so that movement of the outer surface along the inner surface removes a deposit on at least a portion of the inner surface.

Abstract: A downhole characterization apparatus for formation fluids is provided. The apparatus comprises a downhole tool including a flowline for flowing the formation fluids capable of isolating a quantity of the formation fluids in a portion thereof; and a pump unit for depressurizing the isolated formation fluids; and a measurement controller which controls the downhole tool. The measurement controller includes a rough value estimation unit which estimates a rough value of the bubble point pressure of the formation fluids; and a speed controller which controls the depressurizing speed of the pump unit such that the isolated formation fluids are depressurized at a first speed to a certain pressure which is a predetermined value higher than said estimated rough value, and the isolated fluids are depressurized at a second speed which is slower than said first speed in order to measure a precise value of the bubble point pressure.

Abstract: An example method for determining a partial density of a compound in a downhole fluid may comprise exposing the downhole fluid to an electromagnetic radiation, and measuring a spectrum of radiation absorption by the downhole fluid. An absorption peak of the compound may be identified in the measured spectrum. A first parameter indicative of radiation absorption by the downhole fluid may be determined in the identified absorption peak. Second and third parameters indicative of radiation absorptions by the downhole fluid may be determined essentially out of the identified absorption peak. A weighted combination of the second and third parameters may be computed, and the partial density of the compound may be determined from a difference between the weighted combination and the first parameter.

Abstract: A method of downhole characterization of formation fluids is provided. The method includes: estimating a rough value of the bubble point pressure of the formation fluids; depressurizing the formation fluids at a first speed to a certain pressure which is a predetermined value higher than the estimated rough value while the formation fluids are isolated in a portion of the flowline; and depressurizing the isolated fluids at a second speed which is slower than the first speed in order to measure a precise value of the bubble point pressure.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis tool capable of fluid analysis during production logging that includes a phase separator and a plurality of sensors to perform analysis on the fluids collected at a subsurface location in a borehole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing deposits on components in a downhole tool are described. An example apparatus to remove a deposit on an inner surface of a flowline in a downhole tool includes a movable scraper disposed in a flowline of a downhole tool. The movable scraper is configured to selectively obstruct the flowline so that a fluid flowing in the flowline moves the movable scraper in the flowline. Additionally, the movable scraper has an outer surface configured to engage an inner surface of the flowline so that movement of the outer surface along the inner surface removes a deposit on at least a portion of the inner surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a presence of a non-conductive coating on electrodes in fluid resistivity measurement devices are described. An example method of determining a presence of a non-conductive coating on electrodes of a fluid resistivity measurement device involves obtaining a first electrical potential value associated with a substantially uncoated condition of first and second electrodes of a fluid resistivity measurement device. The example method also involves measuring a second electrical potential value at a location between the first and second electrodes, comparing the first and second electrical potential values, and determining the presence of a non-conductive coating on at least one of the first and second electrodes based on the comparison.

Abstract: Methods for performing downhole fluid compatibility tests include obtaining an downhole fluid sample, mixing it with a test fluid, and detecting a reaction between the fluids. Tools for performing downhole fluid compatibility tests include a plurality of fluid chambers, a reversible pump and one or more sensors capable of detecting a reaction between the fluids.

Abstract: A method and system for characterizing asphaltene gradients of a reservoir of interest and analyzing properties of the reservoir of interest based upon such asphaltene gradients. The analysis employs a correlation that relates insoluble asphaltene concentration to spectrophotometry measurement data measured at depth.

Abstract: A method of downhole characterization of formation fluids is provided. The method includes: estimating a rough value of the bubble point pressure of the formation fluids; depressurizing the formation fluids at a first speed to a certain pressure which is a predetermined value higher than the estimated rough value while the formation fluids are isolated in a portion of the flowline; and depressurizing the isolated fluids at a second speed which is slower than the first speed in order to measure a precise value of the bubble point pressure.

Abstract: A method for providing services to a customer of a nail salon is disclosed. The method includes placing at least one instrument for use in performing a manicure and/or pedicure into a sterilization pouch. The sterilization pouch is sealed and processed in an autoclave in order to sterilize the instrument(s) within the pouch. The pouch is then unsealed in the presence of the customer, prior to using the instrument(s) to perform the manicure and/or pedicure. Optionally, the customer may be explicitly informed that the instrument(s) is sterile, verbally and/or by a writing.

Abstract: Methods for performing downhole fluid compatibility tests include obtaining an downhole fluid sample, mixing it with a test fluid, and detecting a reaction between the fluids. Tools for performing downhole fluid compatibility tests include a plurality of fluid chambers, a reversible pump and one or more sensors capable of detecting a reaction between the fluids.

Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis tool capable of fluid analysis during production logging that includes a phase separator and a plurality of sensors to perform analysis on the fluids collected at a subsurface location in a borehole.

Abstract: A combination camera/projection system includes an image forming device, a light source, a projection lens, a detector array such as a CCD, and a beam splitter such as a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) disposed to direct light from the light source to the image forming device, and from the image forming device to the projection lens, and from the projection lens to the detector array.

Abstract: A projection subsystem includes a light engine that provides a collection lens, a collimator and at least one solid state light emitter. A projection lens assembly receives the image and provides a projection beam having a luminous flux level. The projection subsystem has a portability efficacy.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for downhole analysis of formation fluids by deriving fluid properties and associated uncertainty in the predicted fluid properties based on downhole data, and generating answer products of interest based on differences in the fluid properties. Measured data are used to compute levels of contamination in downhole fluids using an oil-base mud contamination monitoring (OCM) algorithm. Fluid properties are predicted for the fluids and uncertainties in predicted fluid properties are derived. A statistical framework is provided for comparing the fluids to generate, in real-time, robust answer products relating to the formation fluids and reservoirs thereof. Systematic errors in measured data are reduced or eliminated by preferred sampling procedures.

Abstract: A curable composition is provided comprising an oligomer having a plurality of pendent and/or terminal ethylenically unsaturated, free-radically polymerizable functional groups, a free-radically polymerizable crosslinking agent, and/or a diluent monomer, and a photoinitiator. The composition, when cured, is non-yellowing, exhibits low shrinkage and low birefringence making it suitable for many optical applications such as optical lenses, optical fibers, prisms, light guides, optical adhesives, and optical films.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for forming a three dimensional image of an object tooth includes a projection unit capable of generating a projected light pattern and a detector unit capable of detecting an image pattern received from the object tooth. An optical transceiver unit transmits the projected pattern generated by the projection unit to the object tooth and receives the image pattern from the object tooth. The optical transceiver is formed of an integrated body having at least first and second transmitting faces and a reflecting surface that reflects light propagating within the body. In some embodiments, the projected pattern light is polarized in one polarization state and the detected image light is polarized in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state.