Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid in a borehole penetrating the earth includes a piezoelectric material configured to be at least partially immersed in the fluid and embedded with a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair. An electronic unit is coupled to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair and configured to measure motion impedance of the fluid caused by motion of the piezoelectric material by applying a first electrical stimulus to the first electrode pair and a second electrical stimulus to the second electrode pair and by receiving a first electrical signal from the first pair of electrodes and a second electrical signal from the second pair of electrodes to estimate the property. The resulting motion impedance measurement has a reduced influence from electrical properties of the fluid.

Abstract: A apparatus for use in a borehole in an earth formation. The apparatus may include: an electromagnetic source; an anisotropic permittivity material, either natural or manufactured, receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic source; and a detector for estimating the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the anisotropic permittivity material as an indication of a parameter of interest. Also, a method of estimating a parameter of interest using the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a property of a chemical, the sensor including: a light source; and a mixing medium in optical communication with the light source and exposed to the chemical; wherein four wave mixing of light interacting with the mixing medium provides a signal that indicates the property.

Abstract: A method for detecting the formation of at least one phase in a mixture, particularly a hydrocarbon mixture. The method may include using a probe to expose a portion of the mixture to electromagnetic radiation to determine the value of a parameter of interest indicative of the formation of a phase. The method may also include using the value of the parameter of interest with a correlation between a known property of the mixture and the value of a parameter of interest to detect the formation of a phase.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating a hydrocarbon fluid parameter using a hydrocarbon fluid testing module. The method may include estimating a hydrocarbon fluid parameter value where a precipitate begins to form in a hydrocarbon fluid sample. The method may also include extracting a hydrocarbon fluid sample under pre-precipitate conditions; changing at least one hydrocarbon fluid parameter, generating information indicative of precipitate formation; and communicating the estimated value of the hydrocarbon fluid parameter at the precipitate formation point. The method may also include producing hydrocarbon fluid sample from a formation using the estimated value and a bubble point. The disclosure also includes an apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating a downhole fluid property using a carrier conveyable into a well borehole, one or more light sources carried by the carrier, the one or more light sources comprising at least one quantum cascade laser light source, a fluid sample cell that receives light emitted from the one or more light sources, and at least one photodetector that detects light emitted from the one or more light sources after the light interacts with a fluid in the fluid sample cell.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring force, the sensor including: a light source; and a mixing medium in optical communication with the light source and exposed to the force; wherein four wave mixing of light interacting with the mixing medium provides a signal that indicates the force.

Abstract: A wellbore drilling system utilizes optical fibers to measure parameters of interest and to communicate data. One or more electrical conductors are used to provide power to the components of the drilling system. The acquisition electronics for operating fiber optic sensors can be positioned at the surface and/or in the wellbore. In some embodiments, one optical fiber includes a plurality of sensors, each of which can measure the same or different parameters. A multiplexer multiplexes optical signals to operate such sensor configurations. Optical fiber sensors for acoustic measurements can include a cylindrical member wrapped by one or more optical fibers. The sensors can be configured as needed to provide a 3D representation of the pressure measurements.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating a property of a downhole fluid including a carrier that is conveyed in a borehole, and a semiconductor electromagnetic energy source carried by the carrier, the semiconductor electromagnetic energy source having an active region that includes one or more nitride-based barrier layers that are modulation-doped using a nitride-based doped layer.

Abstract: A gallium-nitride semiconductor apparatus may include an active region having one or more nitride-based barrier layers that are modulation-doped using a nitride-based doped layer. An active region may have at least two nitride-based barrier layers, and a nitride-based blocking layer may be disposed between the at least two barrier layers.

Abstract: A sensor adapted for measuring acceleration, the sensor including a light source for illuminating an optical cavity; the optical cavity oriented for receiving light from the source, the optical cavity comprising a quality factor greater than or equal to about 10,000; and a photodetector for measuring a resonant frequency of light emitted from the optical cavity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating a downhole fluid parameter include a high-gain semiconductor light emitter device conveyed into a well borehole, a semiconductor light emitter having a gain region that produces light having a first center wavelength responsive to a selected fluid property, the semiconductor light emitter being carried by the carrier. The apparatus may include an electrical current source that applies an electrical current pulse train to the semiconductor light emitter and an analyzer device that analyses a first response of light emitted from the semiconductor light source after emitted light interacts with the fluid, the analyzed first response being used to estimate the fluid property using the first center wavelength.

Abstract: A apparatus for use in a borehole in an earth formation. The apparatus may include: an electromagnetic source; an anisotropic permittivity material, either natural or manufactured, receiving electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic source; and a detector for estimating the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the anisotropic permittivity material as an indication of a parameter of interest. Also, a method of estimating a parameter of interest using the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for downhole formation testing using a spectrometer includes a carrier conveyable into a well borehole that traverses a subterranean formation of interest, a plurality of semiconductor light sources disposed on the carrier, a fluid sample cell that receives light emitted from the plurality of semiconductor light sources, and at least one photodetector that detects light emitted from the plurality of semiconductor light sources and after the light interacts with a fluid in the fluid sample cell.

Abstract: A laser spectroscopy system can determine the identity and/or quantity of a component of a fluid at a remote location such as downhole in a wellbore or inside a pipeline, particularly at high temperature, e.g. from about 75 to 175° C., without additional or external cooling. The system includes a fiber laser doped with a rare earth element (e.g. Nd3+, Tm3+, Er3+, Th3+, Ho3+, Yb3+, Pr3+) and generates light in a wavelength between about 900 to about 3000 nm. The system may analyze a drilling mud such as an oil based mud or crude oil, and may detect components such as methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and the like.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring in a borehole at least one of orientation, acceleration and pressure, the sensor including: a light source; a birefringent material receiving light from the source; and a photodetector for measuring light transmitted through the birefringent material to measure the at least one of orientation, acceleration and pressure.

Abstract: A method for estimating a chemical composition of a material in a borehole penetrating the earth, the method includes: placing an analysis unit into the borehole; placing a sample of the material onto an enhanced surface of the analysis unit, the enhanced surface having a feature configured to increase an electric susceptibility of the sample at an interface between the sample and the enhanced surface; illuminating the sample at the interface with a first light beam and a second light beam; measuring sum frequency light generated from the illuminating; and analyzing the sum frequency light to estimate the chemical composition of the material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating a downhole parameter include a high-gain semiconductor device having a plurality of semiconductor layers forming an active region, the active region having a bandgap offset that provides device operation through at least the temperature environment of a downhole location, the high-gain semiconductor device being used at least in part to estimate a downhole parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for estimating a property of a downhole fluid including a carrier that is conveyed in a borehole, and a semiconductor electromagnetic energy source carried by the carrier, the semiconductor electromagnetic energy source having an active region that includes one or more nitride-based barrier layers that are modulation-doped using a nitride-based doped layer.

Abstract: A gallium-nitride semiconductor apparatus may include an active region having one or more nitride-based barrier layers that are modulation-doped using a nitride-based doped layer. An active region may have at least two nitride-based barrier layers, and a nitride-based blocking layer may be disposed between the at least two barrier layers.