Abstract: A distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing system includes a cable having a cable length. The cable has an elongated body having an outer surface, and at least one straight optical fiber extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable along the cable length; and one or more non-straight optical fibers, such as two orthogonal sinusoidal optical fibers extending along the cable length, or a helically wrapped optical fiber extending along the cable length. The sensing system further has light transmitting and receiving means optically connected to the optical fibers.

Abstract: A cost efficient and pressure resistant system for interconnecting fiber optical cables in-situ at a hydrocarbon fluid production facility comprises:—a pressure resistant light transparent window (41);—a first lens system (48A-C), which is arranged at one side of the window and configured to convert a first light beam transmitted through a first fiber optical cable (46A-C) into a collimated light beam (51A-C) that is transmitted through the window; and—a second lens system (50A-C), which is arranged at an opposite side of the window and configured to receive and reconvert the collimated light beam into a second light beam that is transmitted into a second fiber optical cable (47A-C).

Abstract: A distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing system comprises an elongate body having an outer surface, an optical fiber disposed on the outer surface at a first predetermined wrap angle, and light transmitting and receiving means optically connected to the fiber for. The elongate body may include at least one substantially flat face, and/or a layer of swellable elastomer surrounding the body, and/or an outer elastomeric tube surrounding the elastomer layer. There may be at least one sensor pad disposed in the outer layer, the sensor pad comprising a stiffener and at least one longitudinal fiber affixed thereto or embedded therein. There may be a body of protective material surrounding the tube, which may have an outer surface that includes at least one substantially flat face and at least one sensor pad disposed in the body.

Abstract: A method of distributed acoustic sensing includes providing a fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing system having a cable. A straight optical fiber extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cable along the cable length. A helically wrapped optical fiber extends along the cable length. The method includes transmitting optical signals into and receiving backscattered signals out of the optical fibers consisting of a component of said optical signals which component has been backscattered from impurities or inhomogeneities in the optical fibers, observing changes in the backscattered signals caused by axial stretching and compressing of the optical fibers caused by an incident wave, comparing the backscattered signals of the straight optical fiber and the helically wrapped fiber, and determining, based on the comparing of the backscattered signals, a direction of wave propagation of the incident wave with respect to the fiber axis for detecting broadside waves and axial waves distinguishably.

Abstract: A cost efficient and pressure resistant system for interconnecting fiber optical cables in-situ at a hydrocarbon fluid production facility comprises:—a pressure resistant light transparent window (41);—a first lens system (48A-C), which is arranged at one side of the window and configured to convert a first light beam transmitted through a first fiber optical cable (46A-C) into a collimated light beam (51A-C) that is transmitted through the window; and—a second lens system (50A-C), which is arranged at an opposite side of the window and configured to receive and re-convert the collimated light beam into a second light beam that is transmitted into a second fiber optical cable (47A-C).

Abstract: A distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing system comprises an elongate body having an outer surface, an optical fiber disposed on the outer surface at a first predetermined wrap angle, and light transmitting and receiving means optically connected to the fiber for. The elongate body may include at least one substantially flat face, and/or a layer of swellable elastomer surrounding the body, and/or an outer elastomeric tube surrounding the elastomer layer. There may be at least one sensor pad disposed in the outer layer, the sensor pad comprising a stiffener and at least one longitudinal fiber affixed thereto or embedded therein. There may be a body of protective material surrounding the tube, which may have an outer surface that includes at least one substantially flat face and at least one sensor pad disposed in the body.

Abstract: A distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing system comprises an elongate body having an outer surface, an optical fiber disposed on the outer surface at a first predetermined wrap angle, and light transmitting and receiving means optically connected to the fiber for. The elongate body may include at least one substantially flat face, and/or a layer of swellable elastomer surrounding the body, and/or an outer elastomeric tube surrounding the elastomer layer. There may be at least one sensor pad disposed in the outer layer, the sensor pad comprising a stiffener and at least one longitudinal fiber affixed thereto or embedded therein. There may be a body of protective material surrounding the tube, which may have an outer surface that includes at least one substantially flat face and at least one sensor pad disposed in the body.

Abstract: To protect a hydraulic, electric and/or other conduit in an annular space around a well casing against damage from perforating and other well operations the conduit is arranged in a groove in a U- or V-shaped protective gutter, which is secured to the outer surface of the well casing and which is capable of deflecting a shaped charge.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing polycaprolactone microcarriers is disclosed together with uses of the microcarriers.

Abstract: A distributed fiber optic acoustic sensing system comprises an elongate body having an outer surface, an optical fiber disposed on the outer surface at a first predetermined wrap angle, and light transmitting and receiving means optically connected to the fiber for. The elongate body may include at least one substantially flat face, and/or a layer of swellable elastomer surrounding the body, and/or an outer elastomeric tube surrounding the elastomer layer. There may be at least one sensor pad disposed in the outer layer, the sensor pad comprising a stiffener and at least one longitudinal fiber affixed thereto or embedded therein. There may be a body of protective material surrounding the tube, which may have an outer surface that includes at least one substantially flat face and at least one sensor pad disposed in the body.

Abstract: To protect a hydraulic, electric and/or other conduit in an annular space around a well casing against damage from perforating and other well operations the conduit is arranged in a groove in a U- or V-shaped protective gutter, which is secured to the outer surface of the well casing and which is capable of deflecting a shaped charge.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly comprises a sensor housing having a flexible wall that is configured to deform in response to a pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the sensor housing; -a first fiber optical cable section that is bonded to the flexible wall of the sensor housing such that the length of the first fiber optical cable section changes in response to deformation of the wall in response to the said pressure difference; a second fiber optical cable section which is bonded to a thermal reference body, which body is connected to the sensor housing by a strain decoupled connection mechanism, such as a tack weld or flexible glue, and is configured to deform substantially solely in response to thermal deformation, such that the length of the second fiber optical cable section solely changes in response to thermal deformation of the thermal reference body.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbon fluids through a well having a well casing string with a casing section which is surrounded by an annular space which comprises a sensor assembly for measuring electromagnetic and/or other physical properties of solid and fluid materials within the annular space, in an underground formation surrounding the annular space and/or within the interior of the section of the casing string, wherein the sensor assembly is mounted on a body of swellable material, such as a swellable rubber or other elastomeric material, which is secured to the outer surface of said casing section and presses the sensor assembly against the inner surface of the surrounding underground formation after the casing string has been lowered into the wellbore.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly comprises a sensor housing having a flexible wall that is configured to deform in response to a pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the sensor housing; —a first fiber optical cable section that is bonded to the flexible wall of the sensor housing such that the length of the first fiber optical cable section changes in response to deformation of the wall in response to the said pressure difference; a second fiber optical cable section which is bonded to a thermal reference body, which body is connected to the sensor housing by a strain decoupled connection mechanism, such as a tack weld or flexible glue, and is configured to deform substantially solely in response to thermal deformation, such that the length of the second fiber optical cable section solely changes in response to thermal deformation of the thermal reference body.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons through an instrumented smart well containing a well tubular (6,29-32) and an assembly of power, DTS and/or other sensing and/or signal transmission cables (13,40-44) comprising at least one power and/or signal transmission cable, which is bonded along at least part of its length to an outer surface of the well tubular (6,29-32) by an adhesive, which preferably is reusable and/or has a thermal conductive of at least 3 W/mK or at most 0.2 W/mK.

Abstract: A blade is made of a heat-treat-able and corrosion resistant steel, preferably 440C stainless, that has one or two sharp edges for resurfacing ice, such as at an ice rink with an ice resurfacing machine, such as a Zamboni® resurfacing machine. It uses at least one attached mounting bolt; and may have a removable safety cover mounted to it. The method of producing the blade includes: selecting a corrosion resistant metal; forming it to have one or two sharp edges; defining a receiver hole for receiving a threaded mounting bolt; heat-treating to a hardness of about 55; machining; and securing a mounting bolt through the blade to align with a mounting location. The blade may contain stiffening inserts. The blade may contain a bushing to secure and precisely locate the mounting bolt.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily protecting a surface of a glass article by coating the surface are provided. The methods include forming a stable, hydrophobic, removable film on the surface at the end of the glass manufacturing process while the glass is still at an elevated temperature (e.g., above 175° C.). The film reduces chip adhesion to the surface as a result of cutting and grinding. After cutting and grinding, the film is removed allowing the glass to be used in such processes as the manufacture of liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

Abstract: The invention relates to the transfer and distribution, notably in a biological or chemical analysis, of a small amount of liquid. The invention relates notably to a method which consists of providing a transfer tool (18) having at least one rod (10) whose lower surface (12) of pre-determined cross section is wettable and of which at least one side surface (14) is non-wettable; immersing the rod (10) into a reservoir containing a liquid, for a pre-determined period of time and at a pre-determined depth; removing the rod (10) from the reservoir so that a liquid drop is retained on the lower surface (12) of the rod (10); positioning the rod (10) over a receptor medium; and placing the drop in contact with a surface of a receptor medium. The invention also relates to the transfer tool (18) which has in its structure at least one rod (10) and to a method for making the transfer tool (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to the transfer and distribution, notably in a biological or chemical analysis, of a small amount of liquid. The invention relates notably to a method which consists of providing a transfer tool (18) having at least one rod (10) whose lower surface (12) of pre-determined cross section is wettable and of which at least one side surface (14) is non-wettable; immersing the rod (10) into a reservoir containing a liquid, for a pre-determined period of time and at a pre-determined depth; removing the rod (10) from the reservoir so that a liquid drop is retained on the lower surface (12) of the rod (10); positioning the rod (10) over a receptor medium; and placing the drop in contact with a surface of a receptor medium. The invention also relates to the transfer tool (18) which has in its structure at least one rod (10) and to a method for making the transfer tool (18).

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a process for modifying the properties of a hydroxylated surface of a three-dimensional substrate containing exposed zones and recessed zones, according to which a compound, such as a silane containing (a) reactive group(s), is selectively dry-transferred onto the exposed zones of said surface using a a flat stamping pad impregnated with said compound. The substrate may be made of glass and the compound may be a thiol or an alkyl- or aryl-tri(chloro or alkoxy) silane, inter alia. Use, in particular, for the production of microwell plates for biological cultures and printing plates.