Abstract: Systems and methods of determining fluid properties are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine a saturation pressure of a fluid includes a housing having a detection chamber and a heater assembly partially positioned within the detection chamber to heat a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a sensor assembly to detect a property of the fluid and a processor to identify a saturation pressure of the fluid using the property of the fluid.

Abstract: A method for determining a property of a formation is described herein. The method includes positioning a wellbore tool at a location within a wellbore. A formation fluid is withdrawn from the formation using the wellbore tool. The formation fluid is passed through a flow line within the wellbore tool and a formation fluid sample is extracted from the flow line. The method further includes analyzing the formation fluid sample within the wellbore tool to determine a property of the formation fluid sample. The analysis is performed by excluding mud filtrate contamination within the flow line.

Abstract: Accurate, real-time detection of dew point of a gaseous sample can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A gaseous sampling chamber defining an interior volume includes a patterned structure having a roughened surface exposed to the gaseous sampling chamber. The patterned structure includes an open volume accessible by the roughened surface, for example, representing at least about 10% of the interior volume of the gaseous sampling chamber. An illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the patterned structure. A light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of illumination returned from the patterned structure. A condensate detector is configured to determine a presence of a condensate on the roughened surface in response to an optical property of the patterned surface as modified by the presence of dew.

Abstract: A technique facilitates the monitoring of thermodynamic properties of reservoir fluids. The technique utilizes a modular sensor assembly designed to evaluate a sample of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid within a cell body. A variety of sensors may be selectively placed into communication with a sample chamber within the cell body to evaluate the sample at potentially high pressures and temperatures. The sensors may comprise a density-viscosity sensor located in-situ to efficiently measure both the density and viscosity of the sample as a function of pressure and temperature. Other sensors, such as an optic sensor, may also be positioned to measure parameters of the sample while the sample is retained in the sample chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining fluid properties are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine a saturation pressure of a fluid includes a housing having a detection chamber and a heater assembly partially positioned within the detection chamber to heat a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a sensor assembly to detect a property of the fluid and a processor to identify a saturation pressure of the fluid using the property of the fluid.

Abstract: Accurate, real-time detection of dew point of a gaseous sample can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A gaseous sampling chamber defining an interior volume includes a patterned structure having a roughened surface exposed to the gaseous sampling chamber. The patterned structure includes an open volume accessible by the roughened surface, for example, representing at least about 10% of the interior volume of the gaseous sampling chamber. An illumination source is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the patterned structure. A light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of illumination returned from the patterned structure. A condensate detector is configured to determine a presence of a condensate on the roughened surface in response to an optical property of the patterned surface as modified by the presence of dew.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for fabricating a device or a part, the method including the step of growing at least one material from a vapor phase, by a CVD process, for example a MO-CVD process, on a heated base substrate, wherein the at least one material conforms to one of at least one topographical pattern of the base substrate, one or more predefined geometrical shape on the base substrate or both. The method includes removing the base substrate embedded in the CVD deposited material, as well as optionally machining a portion of the CVD deposited material.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and/or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and/or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.

Abstract: A gas separation and detection tool for performing in situ analysis of borehole fluid is described. The tool operates by introducing a reagent to a test sample and causing the resulting mixture to flow through a microfluidic channel where optical testing is performed. The optical testing detects a change in a characteristic of the reagent in response to expose to one or more particular substances in the test sample. The test sample may be borehole fluid, a mixture of borehole fluid and scrubbing fluid subsequently mixed with reagent, a mixture of reagent and gas separated from borehole fluid, or a mixture of scrubbing fluid and gas separated from borehole fluid which is subsequently mixed with reagent. A membrane may be employed to separate one or more target gasses from the borehole fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for performing fluid analysis is described having: (a) a submersible housing having a fluid analysis means and a power supply to provide power to said system; and (b) a substrate for receiving a fluid sample, having embedded therein a fluid sample inlet, a reagent inlet, a fluid sample outlet, and a mixing region in fluid communication with the fluid sample inlet, the reagent inlet, and the fluid sample outlet, and wherein the substrate includes a fluid drive means for moving the fluid sample through the substrate, and wherein the substrate interconnects with the housing. At least a portion of the fluid analysis means may be embedded in the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for fabricating a device or a part, the method including the step of growing at least one material from a vapor phase, by a CVD process, for example a MO-CVD process, on a heated base substrate, wherein the at least one material conforms to one of at least one topographical pattern of the base substrate, one or more predefined geometrical shape on the base substrate or both. The method includes removing the base substrate embedded in the CVD deposited material, as well as optionally machining a portion of the CVD deposited material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing a hydrocarbon mixture are disclosed, comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and at least one photodetector positioned to detect energy transmitted by the LED through a sample of the hydrocarbon mixture. In at least one embodiment an optical filter is coupled to the output of the LED to mitigate the adverse effects of the LED's sensitivity to temperature.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.

Abstract: High-resolution measurement of a parameter is provided at multiple different locations simultaneously along an optic fiber. Light within a predefined range of wavelengths is transmitted into an optic fiber that contains multiple birefringent fiber optic pressure transducers, each including a Fiber Bragg Grating. Each grating defines a spatially modulated index of refraction and a wavelength that is unique within the system. A sweeping comb filter is used to apply optical comb filtering to light reflected from the transducers so as to pass filtered light having multiple spectral portions, each spectral portion associated with one transducer. The free spectral range of the sweeping comb filter is set to be approximately equal to the spectral range of a single spectral portion. Wavelength division multiplexing is applied to the filtered light so as to separate the spectral portions.

Abstract: High-resolution measurement of a parameter is provided at multiple different locations simultaneously along an optic fiber. Light within a predefined range of wavelengths is transmitted into an optic fiber that contains multiple birefringent fiber optic pressure transducers, each including a Fiber Bragg Grating. Each grating defines a spatially modulated index of refraction and a wavelength that is unique within the system. A sweeping comb filter is used to apply optical comb filtering to light reflected from the transducers so as to pass filtered light having multiple spectral portions, each spectral portion associated with one transducer. The free spectral range of the sweeping comb filter is set to be approximately equal to the spectral range of a single spectral portion. Wavelength division multiplexing is applied to the filtered light so as to separate the spectral portions.

Abstract: A technique usable with a subterranean well includes deploying a first optical sensor downhole in the subterranean well. The technique includes observing an intensity of backscattered light from the first optical sensor to measure a distribution of a characteristic along a portion of the well. The technique includes deploying a second sensor downhole to measure the characteristic at discreet points within the portion. The second sensor is separate from this first sensor and includes at least one interferometric sensor.

Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.