Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for evaluating a volume of interest of an earth formation. The method may include modeling the volume as being in one of two states using a plurality of measurements corresponding to a plurality of measurement types, and may include assigning a relative credence indicator value to each measurement in dependence upon the corresponding measurement value and using the relative credence indicator value for each of the plurality of measurements to estimate the state of the volume by estimating the state of the volume using a state indicator value derived from the relative credence indicator values. The first state of the two states may correspond with presence of a condition associated with the formation, and the second state of the two states may correspond with absence of the condition. The condition may comprise presence of a fluid in the formation having a selected fluid type.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a viscosity or density of a fluid downhole includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth. A pump is disposed at the carrier and configured to pump the fluid. A flow restriction element is configured to receive a flow of the fluid pumped by the pump and to reduce pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow restriction element. A sensor is configured to measure a differential pressure across the flow restriction element and to provide an output that is used to estimate the viscosity or density.

Abstract: A method for measuring viscosity in a borehole includes: pumping downhole fluid through at least one tube disposed in a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation; taking at least one differential pressure measurement of the fluid in the at least one tube via a pressure transducer; and estimating a viscosity of the fluid based on the differential pressure measurement.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for evaluating a volume of interest of an earth formation. The method may include modeling the volume as being in one of two states using a plurality of measurements corresponding to a plurality of measurement types, and may include assigning a relative credence indicator value to each measurement in dependence upon the corresponding measurement value and using the relative credence indicator value for each of the plurality of measurements to estimate the state of the volume by estimating the state of the volume using a state indicator value derived from the relative credence indicator values. The first state of the two states may correspond with presence of a condition associated with the formation, and the second state of the two states may correspond with absence of the condition. The condition may comprise presence of a fluid in the formation having a selected fluid type.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping a downhole fluid includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth and a pump disposed at the carrier and configured to pump the downhole fluid. A multi-phase electric motor is coupled to the pump and configured to receive multi-phase electrical energy from a power source in order to operate the pump. The multi-phase electrical motor includes multiple windings and a switch configured to connect the multiple windings in a configuration selected from a plurality of configurations. The plurality of configurations includes (i) a first configuration where one terminal of each winding of the multiple windings is uniquely connected to one terminal of another winding and (ii) a second configuration where one terminal of each winding of the multiple windings is commonly connected to one terminal of each of the other windings.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid includes: a flexural mechanical resonator having at least one magnetic permeable element traversing a pressure-retaining wall with a portion of the magnetic permeable element protruding into the fluid, the portion of the magnetic permeable element protruding into the fluid being configured to oscillate; and a monitor for receiving a response of the flexural mechanical resonator to estimate the property.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, tools and methods for estimating a property or characteristic of a fluid downhole. In one aspect, the method may include: heating the fluid at a selected or first location during a first time phase, taking temperature measurements of the fluid substantially at the selected location during a second time phase, and estimating the property of the downhole fluid using temperature measurements. Temperature measurements may also be taken at a location spaced apart from the first location and used to estimate the property of the fluid. The tool may include a device that heats the fluid during a first time phase and takes temperature measurements of the fluid during a second time phase. A processor uses the temperature measurements and a model to estimate a property of interest of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping a downhole fluid includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth; a pump disposed at the carrier and configured to pump the downhole fluid; a multi-phase electric motor coupled to the pump and configured to receive multi-phase electrical energy from a power source in order to operate the pump, the multi-phase electrical motor having multiple windings; and a switch configured to connect the multiple windings in a configuration selected from a plurality of configurations that includes (i) a first configuration where one terminal of each winding of the multiple windings is uniquely connected to one terminal of another winding and (ii) a second configuration where one terminal of each winding of the multiple windings is commonly connected to one terminal of each of the other windings.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid of interest downhole includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating an earth formation; an emitter disposed at the carrier and configured to emit electromagnetic energy; and a sample chamber configured to contain a sample of the fluid of interest and having a window transmissive to electromagnetic energy emitted by the emitter, the electromagnetic energy interacting with the sample of the fluid of interest with a characteristic related to the property; wherein a path of the emitted electromagnetic energy from the emitter to the window of the sample chamber traverses a gas or a vacuum.

Abstract: A method for measuring viscosity in a borehole includes: pumping downhole fluid through at least one tube disposed in a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation; taking at least one differential pressure measurement of the fluid in the at least one tube via a pressure transducer; and estimating a viscosity of the fluid based on the differential pressure measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transmitting data from a tool disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth to a receiver. The method includes disposing the tool in a borehole and receiving a series of measurements using a processor disposed at the tool. A telemetry system transmits a latest received measurement that meets acceptance criteria to the receiver after completion of transmission of a previously transmitted measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a viscosity or density of a fluid downhole includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating the earth. A pump is disposed at the carrier and configured to pump the fluid. A flow restriction element is configured to receive a flow of the fluid pumped by the pump and to reduce pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow restriction element. A sensor is configured to measure a differential pressure across the flow restriction element and to provide an output that is used to estimate the viscosity or density.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest in a downhole fluid using a fluid analysis module. The fluid analysis module may include: a first transducer configured to generate a surface wave in a fluid. The first transducer may include one or more of: a piezoelectric crystal, a electromagnetic transducer, and a surface acoustic wave crystal. The apparatus may use the first transducer or a second transducer to generate a signal indicative of the dissipation of the surface wave in the fluid. The apparatus may include a compensator configured to reduce mechanical pressure on the transducer. The method may include estimating a parameter of interest of the fluid using a signal indicative of the dissipation of the surface wave.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid includes: a flexural mechanical resonator having at least one magnetic permeable element traversing a pressure-retaining wall with a portion of the magnetic permeable element protruding into the fluid, the portion of the magnetic permeable element protruding into the fluid being configured to oscillate; and a monitor for receiving a response of the flexural mechanical resonator to estimate the property.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of a fluid in an earth formation, the apparatus including: a logging instrument configured to be conveyed in a borehole penetrating the formation; and a plurality of light sources disposed at the logging instrument; wherein each of the light sources is configured to illuminate a sample of the fluid with a light beam causing the sample to fluoresce light with a characteristic related to the property, each of the light sources being configured to provide a light beam with a solid angle and a distance traveled to the sample, the solid angle and the distance being configured to concentrate the beam at an area of the sample that is overlapped substantially a same amount by a beam from another light source in the plurality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a fluid property downhole includes an electromagnetic energy emitter, a window having an input interface that receives electromagnetic energy emitted from the electromagnetic energy emitter and converges the electromagnetic energy entering the window, a fluid interface and an output interface. A detector detects electromagnetic energy exiting the window from the output interface.

Abstract: Tools and methods for downhole sample analysis are provided. An apparatus for sampling a downhole fluid includes a tool having at least one surface element wetted by a downhole fluid such as drilling fluid, return fluid or production fluids such as asphaltenic hydrocarbons. At least one surface element disposed on the tool can include a fluid-repellent material disposed on a substrate for repelling at least a portion of the downhole fluid wetting the surface element.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a system, tools and methods for estimating a property or characteristic of a fluid downhole. In one aspect, the method may include: heating the fluid at a selected or first location during a first time phase, taking temperature measurements of the fluid substantially at the selected location during a second time phase, and estimating the property of the downhole fluid using temperature measurements. Temperature measurements may also be taken at a location spaced apart from the first location and used to estimate the property of the fluid. The tool may include a device that heats the fluid during a first time phase and takes temperature measurements of the fluid during a second time phase. A processor uses the temperature measurements and a model to estimate a property of interest of the fluid.