Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: Asphaltene may be effectively broken into smaller molecules by first elucidating the structure of the asphaltene and then developing a catalyst system based on the elucidated structure. The structure may be determined based on a series of analytical techniques including NMR, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and LDI. The most probable structure is determined using computational methods based on quantum mechanics and classical molecular dynamics and the catalyst system is developed for the most probable structure.

Abstract: An apparatus made according to one embodiment may include a first chamber configured to receive fluid under pressure and to compress a gas in a second chamber in pressure communication with the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is configured to discharge the fluid out from the first chamber when pressure of the fluid in the first chamber is reduced.

Abstract: A sample tank for receiving and storing sampled connate fluid from a subterranean geological formation. The sample tank includes a piston coaxially disposed within the tank. The piston can be disposed close to the end of the tank where the sampled fluid is introduced into the tank and urged along the length of the tank as sampled fluid is added to the tank. The piston includes an agitator for mixing the fluid and keeping particulates suspended within the fluid. The agitator includes a magnetic member, and is rotated by applying a varying electromagnetic field to the member.

Abstract: An apparatus made according to one embodiment may include a first chamber configured to receive fluid under pressure and to compress a gas in a second chamber in pressure communication with the first chamber, wherein the second chamber is configured to discharge the fluid out from the first chamber when pressure of the fluid in the first chamber is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the true temperature of connate fluid within a subterranean geological formation is provided herein. The method includes generating a flow of connate fluid, measuring the temperature of the flow over time until the measured temperature reaches a limiting value termed the stabilized temperature. Multiple events of temperature sampling events can be conducted at different flow rates of the connate fluid. The stabilized temperature values can then be ascendingly organized based on the value of their respective flow rates. The limiting value reached by the stabilized temperatures is taken to be substantially equal to the actual temperature of the connate fluid residing within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sample tank having a window for introduction of electromagnetic energy into the sample tank for analyzing a formation fluid sample down hole or at the surface without disturbing the sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is performed on the sample to provide a downhole in situ or surface on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. A flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is pressurized to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a pressurized well bore fluid sample collected downhole in an earth boring or well bore. The CDR continuous by measures the temperature and pressure for the down hole sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is also performed on the small amount of sample to provide an on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation a flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is overpressured or supercharged to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample to the CDR.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole spectrometer for determination of dew point pressure to determine an associated optimal pumping rate during sampling to avoid precipitation of asphaltenes in a formation sample. A sample is captured at formation pressure in a controlled volume. The pressure in the controlled volume is reduced. Initially the formation fluid sample appears dark and allows less light energy to pass through a sample under test. The sample under test, however, becomes lighter and allows more light energy to pass through the sample as the pressure is reduced and the formation fluid sample becomes thinner or less dense under the reduced pressure. At the dew point pressure, however, the sample begins to darken and allows less light energy to pass through it as asphaltenes begin to precipitate out of the sample. Thus, the dew point is that pressure at which peak light energy passes through the sample.

Abstract: A sample tank for receiving and storing sampled connate fluid from a subterranean geological formation. The sample tank includes a piston coaxially disposed within the tank. The piston can be disposed close to the end of the tank where the sampled fluid is introduced into the tank and urged along the length of the tank as sampled fluid is added to the tank. The piston includes an agitator for mixing the fluid and keeping particulates suspended within the fluid. The agitator includes a magnetic member, and is rotated by applying a varying electromagnetic field to the member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the true temperature of connate fluid within a subterranean geological formation is provided herein. The method includes generating a flow of connate fluid, measuring the temperature of the flow over time until the measured temperature reaches a limiting value termed the stabilized temperature. Multiple events of temperature sampling events can be conducted at different flow rates of the connate fluid. The stabilized temperature values can then be ascendingly organized based on the value of their respective flow rates. The limiting value reached by the stabilized temperatures is taken to be substantially equal to the actual temperature of the connate fluid residing within the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a formation gradient. The device comprises probes that are a set distance apart, disposing the device into a wellbore and measuring formation pressure with the probes provides formation pressures that can be correlated with the set distance. The measured pressures and correlated set distance is used to determine the formation gradient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole spectrometer for determination of dew point pressure to determine an associated optimal pumping rate during sampling to avoid precipitation of asphaltenes in a formation sample. A sample is captured at formation pressure in a controlled volume. The pressure in the controlled volume is reduced. Initially the formation fluid sample appears dark and allows less light energy to pass through a sample under test. The sample under test, however, becomes lighter and allows more light energy to pass through the sample as the pressure is reduced and the formation fluid sample becomes thinner or less dense under the reduced pressure. At the dew point pressure, however, the sample begins to darken and allows less light energy to pass through it as apshaltenes begin to precipitate out of the sample. Thus, the dew point is that pressure at which peak light energy passes through the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus store energy in an energy storage medium located in an energy storage chamber. As a sampling tool descends into the borehole, the energy storage medium is pressurized with hydrostatic pressure. A sample is collected in a sample chamber by pumping formation fluid into the sample chamber against hydrostatic pressure. The energy storage medium applies the energy stored in the energy storage medium to the sample through a pressure communication member. A pressure multiplier member increases the pressure applied on the sample by the energy storage medium through the pressure communication member to keep pressure on the sample. A biasing water pressure is applied to the sample at the surface so that the energy storage chamber can be removed from the sample chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determination of the quality of a formation fluid sample including monitoring permeability and mobililty versus time to determine a filtrate contamination level, single phase state without gas and solids in the formation fluid, as it existed in the formation and the determination of laminar flow from the formation. The present invention also enables determination of an optimal pumping rate to match the ability of a subsurface formation to produce a single phase formation fluid sample in minimum time. The method and apparatus also detect pumping problems such as sanding and loss of seal with borehole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a down hole spectrometer for determination of dew point pressure to determine an associated optimal pumping rate during sampling to avoid precipitation of asphaltenes in a formation sample. A sample is captured at formation pressure in a controlled volume. The pressure in the controlled volume is reduced. Initially the formation fluid sample appears dark and allows less light energy to pass through a sample under test. The sample under test, however, becomes lighter and allows more light energy to pass through the sample as the pressure is reduced and the formation fluid sample becomes thinner or less dense under the reduced pressure. At the dew point pressure, however, the sample begins to darken and allows less light energy to pass through it as apshaltenes begin to precipitate out of the sample. Thus, the dew point is that pressure at which peak light energy passes through the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole sample tank and a plurality of micro sample chambers. The micro sample chambers can have at least one window for introduction of visible, near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR) and other electromagnetic energy into the tank for samples collected in the micro sample chamber downhole from an earth boring or well bore. The window is made of sapphire or another material capable of allowing electromagnetic energy to pass through the window. The entire micro sample chamber can be made of sapphire or another material capable of allowing electromagnetic energy to pass another material enabling visual inspection or analysis of the sample inside the micro sample chamber. The micro sample chamber enables immediate testing of the sample on location at the surface to determine the quality of the sample in the main sample tank or to enable comprehensive testing of the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus store energy in an energy storage medium located in an energy storage chamber. As a sampling tool descends into the borehole, the energy storage medium is pressurized with hydrostatic pressure. A sample is collected in a sample chamber by pumping formation fluid into the sample chamber against hydrostatic pressure. The energy storage medium applies the energy stored in the energy storage medium to the sample through a pressure communication member. A pressure multiplier member increases the pressure applied on the sample by the energy storage medium through the pressure communication member to keep pressure on the sample. A biasing water pressure is applied to the sample at the surface so that the energy storage chamber can be removed from the sample chamber.