Abstract: A fire rated door includes a core, a first decorative panel and a second decorative panel. The core includes: (a) a fire resistant center panel having a bottom, a top, a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, wherein the fire resistant center panel is made of a first fire resistant material, and (b) an extruded fire resistant border attached to the first side, the second side, the first end and the second end of the fire resistant center panel, wherein the extruded fire resistant border is made of a second fire resistant material having a higher density than the first fire resistant material. The first decorative panel is attached to the top of the fire resistant center panel and the extruded fire resistant border. The second decorative panel is attached to the bottom of the fire resistant center panel and the extruded fire resistant border.

Abstract: A protective window shutter is designed to cover and uncover a door mounted “peek through” metal framed window. The shutter is made up of two shutter sections, rotatable in relation to each other. The first shutter section is secured adjacent to the window's metal frame and the second shutter section is rotatable from a first position in which the two sections are folded on each other, to a second position in which the second section is extended out from the first section, over the window. The shutter sections are maintained in the closed position by the attraction of metal strike plates on the first shutter section and corresponding magnets encased within the second shutter. The second section is maintained over the window by the attraction of the magnets to the window's metal framing. The shutter sections are made of high strength, lightweight PVC or like material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller-screen arrangement having covering roller screens which are arranged axially one beside the other and can be jointly rolled up onto, and unrolled from, a winding roller, wherein the free ends of the covering roller screens are oriented in opposite directions. The covering roller screens can thus be jointly rolled up onto, and unrolled from, the winding roller, wherein furthermore, in the unrolled state, a distance A is formed between the covering roller screens. A cavity is created between the covering roller screens, and at least one intermediate roller screen is provided in this cavity in order to cover gaps between the covering roller stir screens arranged axially one beside the other. When the covering roller screens are opened and closed, the intermediate roller screens are taken up and let down and picked up again in accordance with the shortening and lengthening of the covering roller screens.

Abstract: In various implementations, a roller shade assembly may include an elongated body and a mechanism. The mechanism may include gears and a spring. The mechanism may allow the roller shade to be locked and/or unlocked using a driver. Internal component(s) of the roller shade may be adjusted using the driver.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for controlling a door. In various embodiments, exemplary systems may include a controller that may initialize and/or reset a limit count. A controller may initialize and/or reset a limit count in response to detection by a first position sensor of a first target. A controller may further initialize and/or reset a limit count by incrementing the limit count in response to a signal from a gear tooth sensor until a second position sensor detects a second target, whereupon the controller may store the limit count.

Abstract: An automated entrance device includes a housing and a first and second panel operably coupled to the housing. The panels are positioned approximately at a 90° angle to each other. The first panel and the second panel rotate together from a first position to a second position to allow entrance to a user. After allowing a user to enter, the panels reset to the first position ready to selectively allow entrance to additional users.

Abstract: A top drive assembly having a top drive traveling block; a retracting guide dolly for use with the top drive traveling block and top drive operably by a master control system to hydraulically operate all of the top and bottom dolly arms simultaneously to extend and retract the top drive and top drive traveling block laterally and move the dolly as needed based on signals from a plurality of sensors disposed on the drilling rig, or on equipment adjacent the drilling rig.

Abstract: A method of drilling into a geological region including a subsurface clathrate reservoir includes drilling a borehole into the geological region including the subsurface clathrate reservoir and dissociating at least a portion of the clathrate in a region near the borehole. After the dissociating, material within at least a portion of the region near the borehole in which the clathrate has been dissociated is compacted to form a compacted region at least partially surrounding the borehole within the clathrate reservoir. After the compacting, well casing is placed into the borehole within the compacted region and the well casing is cemented into the borehole in the compacted area.

Abstract: Cutting elements for earth-boring tools include one or more recesses and/or one or more protrusions in a cutting face of a volume of superabrasive material. The superabrasive material may be disposed on a substrate. The cutting face may be non-planar. The recesses and/or protrusions may include one or more linear segments. The recesses and/or protrusions may comprise discrete features that are laterally isolated from one another. The recesses and/or protrusions may have a helical configuration. The volume of superabrasive material may comprise a plurality of thin layers, at least two of which may differ in at least one characteristic. Methods of forming cutting elements include the formation of such recesses and/or protrusions in and/or on a cutting face of a volume of superabrasive material. Earth-boring tools include such cutting elements, and methods of forming earth-boring tools include attaching such a cutting element to a tool body.

Abstract: A method for operating a horizontal drilling device includes the steps of fixing a rod assembly section within a through-opening formed by a rotational drive of the horizontal drilling device, and connecting the rod assembly section to a rear end of a drill rod assembly of the horizontal drilling device or releasing the rod assembly section from the drill rod assembly by a linear and/or rotational movement of the rotational drive, wherein force transmission means for transmitting compressive and/or pulling forces and/or a rotational torque to the drill rod assembly are provided in the through-opening, wherein the rotational drive is displaceable by a linear drive of the horizontal drilling device, and wherein the drill rod assembly is configured as rod assembly string and is composed of a plurality of interconnected rod assembly sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for keeping a down hole drilling tool vertically aligned has a tubular body having an axis, an inner bore, at least one perpendicular channel and at least one set of steering elements disposed on opposed sides of the tubular body and engaging the at least one perpendicular channel of the tubular body. The at least one perpendicular channel permits the steering elements to move perpendicularly to the axis of the tubular body and restricts movement parallel to the axis of the tubular body. The first and second steering elements are engaged such that movement of the first or second steering element toward an extended position relative to the tubular body moves the other steering element toward a retracted position relative to the tubular body. Actuators are carried by the tubular body that selectively actuate the steering elements toward the extended position to steer the down hole drilling tool.

Abstract: Methods allowing precise directional drilling are provided. Such methods include use of directional drilling equipment which include a drill string with a hollow bottom rod connected to a boring tool by means of an obtuse-angle connection piece or “bent sub”. In order to restore the verticality of the drilling a vertical borehole section (F) is formed and then a probe equipped with an inclinometer is lowered inside the bottom rod. The string may be rotated into four angular positions and the inclination values of the probe in each angular position are detected at the depth reached. The string is rotated so as to bring it into an angular position corresponding to the maximum inclination value detected. The string is moved so as to move the boring tool further downwards and the inclination of the probe is detected again in order to check that verticality has been reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to an earth drilling device (1) for boring a borehole into the soil and/or for drawing a line (9) into an underground passage, comprising at least one system line (4, 6) extending from the earth drilling device to a start region, wherein the system line is designed in an electrically insulating manner.

Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer includes a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. A sleeve is arranged and designed to move a first axial distance within the body. A cutter block is movably coupled to the body. The cutter block is arranged and designed to move at least the first axial distance with respect to the body to contact the sleeve in response to hydraulic pressure in the bore. The cutter block moves from a first outer diameter to a second outer diameter as the cutter block moves the first axial distance.

Abstract: Processes for pre-sharpening cutting structures comprising particles of superabrasive material such as diamond grit, dispersed in a metal matrix material such as cemented tungsten carbide. Matrix material may be removed from a surface of a cutting structure to a desired depth to expose superabrasive particles within the matrix material adjacent the surface, and to increase exposure of partially exposed superabrasive particles at the surface. Electrodischarge machining (EDM), laser machining, electrolytic etching and chemical etching may also be employed. Pre-sharpened cutting structures are also disclosed.

Abstract: Clamping devices for hanging or pulling wellbore rod strings each feature housing with an axial bore in which a number of clamping pieces are placed to wedge in place between the housing and rod string to perform a self-tightening action against the rod string under the weight thereof due to cooperation of beveled surfaces at the bore wall and exterior of the clamping pieces. Threaded fasteners fed through the housing wall aid in placement of the slips against the rod string. For use in pulling operations, the housing is sized for receipt in the latching mechanism of a tubing elevator for support by the same, whereby the tubing elevator can be used to pull out a stuck rod string. Some embodiments feature a circumferential gap in the housing to enable the housing to be slipped laterally onto the rod string.

Abstract: A method for moving tubulars from a horizontal position to a vertical position to perform one or more drilling operations, production operations, workover operations, or combinations thereof can include using a catwalk positioned adjacent to a drilling rig and a top drive connected to the drilling rig to hoist tubulars from the horizontal position to the vertical position.

Abstract: A subsea fluid connector is disclosed. The body of the connector has a first portion and a connection profile portion, a first port through an outer surface of the first portion, a plurality of openings through an outer surface of the connection profile portion, and a plurality of fluid passages through the body and coupled between the first port and the plurality of openings. The subsea fluid connector may have a first fluid flow path extending through the plurality of fluid passages between the first port through the outer surface of the first portion and the plurality of openings through the outer surface of the connection profile portion, and a second fluid flow path extending through a fluid passage between a second port through the outer surface of the first portion and a third port through the outer surface of the connection profile portion.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for inserting and/or removing coiled tubing from a well head comprising a first injector column and a second injector column forming a central pathway within a frame. The first and second injector columns each comprise an inner and outer band, the outer band containing a plurality of rolling elements for engaging the coiled tubing and the inner band creating drive force to energize the outer band. The inner band further comprises a wear plate designed to sustain the majority of wear for less costly maintenance and repair of injection heads.

Abstract: A fluid flow control apparatus includes a biasing member applying a biasing force to a closure member, and a sealing member receiving the closure member. A dampener operatively connected to the closure member resists a force applied to the closure member. A fluid seal is formed when the biasing member presses the closure member against the sealing member. The closure member and sealing member may cooperate to control fluid flow along a fluid conduit formed in a wellbore tubular. The apparatus may include an actuator that controls the force applied to the closure member. The actuator may adjust the biasing force, and/or the dampening force. Also, a controller control the actuator may be responsive to a signal generated at a surface location, a downhole location, and/or a signal generated by a sensor.

Abstract: A multi-deflector assembly for guiding a bullnose assembly into a selected borehole within a wellbore includes an upper deflector arranged within a main bore of a wellbore and defining first and second channels that extend longitudinally through the upper deflector, wherein the second channel exhibits a width greater than that of the first channel. A lower deflector is arranged within the main bore and spaced from the upper deflector by a predetermined distance. The lower deflector defines a first conduit that communicates with a lower portion of the main bore and a second conduit that communicates with a lateral bore. The upper and lower deflectors are configured to direct a bullnose assembly into one of the lateral bore and the lower portion of the main bore based on a length of a bullnose tip of the bullnose assembly as compared to the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A methane content of a bottom sample comprising methane hydrate crystals is determined by:—taking a core sample (5) from a bottom sediment (3) in a deepwater area;—storing the core sample (5) in a storage chamber (4);—lifting the storage chamber (4) to a predetermined waterdepth (BGHZ=Base of Gas Hydrate stability Zone) at which any methane hydrate crystals in the core sample (5) dissociate into water and methane; and—measuring an amount of methane released by the lifted core sample (5).

Abstract: A sub-surface safety system for hydrocarbon drilling operations is provided and includes at least one casing within a wellbore that extends into a first portion of a formation from the surface of the formation. A shut-in device is positioned in the casing so as to be below the surface of the formation. The well shut-in device defines a device passageway and is operable to sever a drill string extending through the device passageway and form a barrier in the device passageway that restricts wellbore fluids below the barrier from migrating up the casing to the surface.

Abstract: A tubular has an exterior sealing element disposed in a recess. A swage passes through the tubular to increase its drift dimension from a location above the seal to below the seal. The interior projection that initially defined the exterior wall recess where the seal is located is expanded to the new drift dimension of the balance of the tubular. Extending members that are initially embedded in the seal while extending from the tubular wall that defines the recess move out during the expansion to engage the surrounding tubular to act as extrusion barriers and to aid in the fixation of the seal while being able to penetrate the wall of the surrounding tubular in so doing.

Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.

Abstract: A downhole system and related method, which may be used in an injection well for permitting removal, repair and or replacement of equipment installed in the well without unloading the formation in which the well is placed. The system generally includes an annulus sealing device, such as a packer, at least one valve, such as a flapper valve, a latching assembly and a rigid elongate member. The rigid elongate member may be connected to the latching assembly and serves the valve to open and close, or be permitted to open and close. The latching assembly serves to disconnect, and subsequently reconnect, equipment from the annular sealing device. Such release is accompanied by closure of the at least one valve and reconnection by opening of the at least one valve. The latching assembly has seals to prevent fluid from flowing around the latching assembly when the valve is open.

Abstract: A plug for a seal bore in a packer mandrel has a shiftable annular member that can selectively open bypass ports to facilitate latching and then be shifted as part of a release from the plug by a running tool to close the bypass passage that go around a frangible barrier that will later be broken by impact force. The annular member has minimal structure internally to allow attachment of the running tool. The annular member drillout proceeds quickly with minimal cuttings and the frangible member is broken by impact. On an assembly with multiple packers getting plugs a trip is saved as a plug is delivered into a lower packer with a string supporting the packer above. The plug is set in the lower packer allowing release of the running string for subsequent placement and setting of the next packer in the same trip.

Abstract: A wellbore plug isolation system and method for positioning plugs to isolate fracture zones in a horizontal, vertical, or deviated wellbore is disclosed. The system/method includes a wellbore casing laterally drilled into a hydrocarbon formation, a wellbore setting tool (WST) that sets a large inner diameter (ID) restriction sleeve member (RSM), and a restriction plug element (RPE). The WST is positioned along with the RSM at a desired wellbore location. After the WST sets and seals the RSM, a conforming seating surface (CSS) is formed in the RSM. The CSS is shaped to engage/receive RPE deployed into the wellbore casing. The engaged/seated RPE isolates heel ward and toe ward fluid communication of the RSM to create a fracture zone. The RPE's are removed or left behind prior to initiating well production without the need for a milling procedure. A large ID RSM diminishes flow constriction during oil production.

Abstract: A packer that is usable with a well includes a tubular inner core and a swellable body that is mounted to the core and is adapted to swell in the presence of a triggering agent to form an annular seal in the well. The swellable body longitudinally extends between first and second ends of the body and includes a first region that is located between the first and second ends of the swellable body to swell at a first rate and at least a second region that is located closer to one of the first and second ends than the first region to swell at a second rate less than the first rate.

Abstract: An example underbalance pressure generator device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and an implosion chamber between the first and second ends, one or more influx ports defined in the housing and enabling fluid communication between the implosion chamber and an exterior of the housing, at least one frangible member fixedly attached to the housing such that a pressure differential can be generated across the at least one frangible member between the implosion chamber and the exterior of the housing, and an actuation device within the housing and configured to rupture the at least one frangible member upon being triggered.

Abstract: A powder metal compact is disclosed. The powder compact includes a substantially elongated cellular nanomatrix comprising a nanomatrix material. The powder compact also includes a plurality of substantially elongated dispersed particles comprising a particle core material that comprises Mg, Al, Zn or Mn, or a combination thereof, dispersed in the cellular nanomatrix. The powder compact further includes a bond layer extending throughout the cellular nanomatrix between the dispersed particles, wherein the cellular nanomatrix and the dispersed particles are substantially elongated in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for simulating oilfield operations. The method may include receiving two or more reservoir models to be simulated and receiving two or more surface models to be simulated. The method may further include automatically generating a communication file to couple the two or more reservoir models with the two or more surface models. Additionally, the method may include simulating the coupled reservoir models and surface models.

Abstract: A treatment device for treating liquids in oil, gas or water wells comprises an ultrasonic treatment device (1). The ultrasonic treatment device (1) includes a resonator (2), a transducer (9) and a matching transformer (10) for transferring a maximum of power from an ultrasonic generator to the transducer (9) through a long cable (11). The cable (11) has a considerable length of at least 3 km and is attached to a generator (5).

Abstract: A piping system for housing system components for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough is provided. The piping system includes an inner small diameter length of piping through which hot fluids flow, an outer larger diameter length of piping surrounded by cold fluid, and an annulus between the small and larger diameter piping in which the system components are received. Insulation material extends about a predetermined section of the small diameter length of piping for restricting heat transfer therefrom to the system components in the annulus and allowing heat transfer from the system components in the annulus to the outer piping.

Abstract: A lateral is gravel packed without a junction in place in a single trip into the wellbore. A disconnect is provided between the isolation packer in the lateral and a main bore packer. The inner string assembly in the gravel packing completion releases a disconnect with a shift tool and then releases the main bore packer so that the inner string assembly takes out the main bore packer and the upper portion of the disconnect when pulling out of the hole. A junction is then placed into the main and lateral legs with a packer having a seal bore into which the production string is sealingly stabbed to produce out of the main bore and/or the just completed lateral.

Abstract: Systems and methods for setting a down hole tool include a base pipe having an interior and defining a port that communicates with a pressure chamber positioned outside of the base pipe. A sleeve is positioned in the interior to substantially block the port and to prevent substantial fluid communication between the interior and the pressure chamber. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first shear resistance for resisting movement of the first portion with respect to the base pipe. The sleeve also includes a second portion having a second shear resistance for resisting movement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. Movement of the first portion with respect to the base pipe in response to overcoming the first shear resistance exposes the port to permit fluid communication between the interior and the pressure chamber for setting the down hole tool.

Abstract: A compressor free, generator free system production well for accelerated oil and gas removal from a reservoir using a magnetically coupled expander pump assembly, which include an outer expansion turbine that rotates around a pump. A magnetic coupling couples the expansion turbine to the pump. An inner portion of the magnetic coupling can be coupled to a pump shaft that drives the pump. An outer portion of the magnetic coupling can be driven by the expansion turbine, which rotates circumferentially around the pump. The expansion turbine drives the fluid to pump a driven fluid stream through the magnetic coupling. In this manner, flow directions of both driving and driven fluid streams remain separate and coaxial, thereby facilitating a reduction in an overall diameter of the expander pump assembly.

Abstract: A steam supply apparatus (1) for enhanced oil recovery from an oil field (10). The steam supply apparatus includes a water circulating portion (50) providing a continuous flow of water to a water heater (4) for the production of a mixture of steam and water, and a separator (5) for directing the steam to the oil field. Water returned from the oil field is purified in a water treatment apparatus (3) to provide make-up water to the water circulating portion. A buffer volume (3b) is provided in fluid communication between the water treatment apparatus and the water circulating portion. The buffer is sized to provide a time lag between a degradation of the quality of the purified water and an occurrence of an unacceptable scale production in the water heater, thereby allowing continued safe system operation until the water quality problem is corrected.

Abstract: Methods for heating a material within a wellbore using nano-particles such as carbon nano-tubes. The material may be a flowable material such as cement, drilling mud, an acidizing fluid, or other material. Generally the methods comprise placing the flowable material in proximity to a radial wall of a wellbore. The methods also include running an energy generator into the wellbore. In one aspect, energizing the nano-particles in the filter cake causes the nano-particles to be activated, and increases a temperature within the flowable material to a temperature that is greater than an initial circulation temperature of the flowable material. Activating the energy generator may also assist in curing the flowable material in situ.

Abstract: An improved method of steam generation for thermal oil recovery by delivering the produced oil-water emulsion, together with a hot hydrocarbon liquid, to a flash vessel where most of the water is flashed off as steam, which can be used for injection in further thermal oil production; while the liquid phase, containing oil, entrained solids and some water is passed to a separator, where a portion of the oil is removed as sales product, most of the water and solids are removed as waste and the remaining oil and traces of water are recirculated to a heater and a flash vessel to provide heat for further processing. If desired, the produced water-oil emulsion may first be passed through a separator vessel which divides the emulsion into three streams, hydrocarbon liquid, gas and water; with hydrocarbon liquid being sent to a coalescer vessel to produce sales quality oil, the gases sent to a fuel or flare system and the water being treated as described above.

Abstract: A shockwave generator pre-treats one or more production zones within a well to facilitate recovery of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons from the well. The well may be heated to a particular temperature, where after a cooling agent is introduced through the shockwave generator which effects a cooling action in the walls of the well and induces cracking which is propagated by the tremors or shocks of the cooling agent as it exits the generator. The initiated cracks may be further propagated using one or more additional stimulation methods, including a freeze-thaw method which is implemented through a subsystem having overlapping components with the shockwave generator subsystem.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a closure pressure of a fractured formation surrounding a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an isolation device for isolating a section of the wellbore, a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid from the wellbore under pressure into the isolated section of the wellbore to cause a fracture in the formation proximate the isolated section, a receiving unit for receiving fluid from the isolated section at a constant or substantially constant rate due to pressure difference between the formation and the receiving unit, and a sensor for determining pressure of the formation during receiving of the fluid into the receiving unit. The apparatus further includes a controller for determining the closure pressure from the determined pressure.

Abstract: A method is provided to produce hydrocarbons from a formation, the method includes the steps of: placing a pair of electrodes within a formation; applying differential voltages between pairs of electrodes wherein the voltage differences between the electrodes is greater than at least 10,000 volts; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation or an adjacent formation wherein the formation has an initial permeability of less than ten millidarcy. The invention also includes an apparatus effective to release pulses of electrical energy into the formation as this frequency and voltage at least until the formation has reached a point where the electrical potential arcs from one electrode to at least one other electrode.

Abstract: A drill collar assembly allows a sensor to be mounted with the same standoff from a borehole wall independent of the size of stabilizer and borehole involved. A sensor component disposes in a receptacle in the drill collar, but does not affix in the receptacle. Instead, a stabilizer fits on the drill collar and covers the receptacle, and the sensor component mounts directly to the underside of the stabilizer so the component “floats” or “suspends” in the receptacle. The sensor component can mount at a stabilizer blade so the sensor can be positioned in closer proximity to the borehole wall to measure parameters of interest. Because the drill collar and sensor component can be used in different sized boreholes, different sized stabilizers may be positioned on the drill collar to account for the different sized boreholes while the sensor still has the same standoff.

Abstract: A system and method for steering a relief well to intersect a previously drilled wellbore. In one embodiment, a system includes a drill string disposed in the relief well and a surface processing system. The drill string includes a plurality of sections of wired drill pipe connected end-to-end, and a bottom hole assembly disposed at a downhole end of the drill string. The bottom hole assembly includes a drill bit, a steering tool configured to direct the drill bit towards a target, and an acoustic sensing tool. The acoustic sensing tool includes a plurality of acoustic sensors configured to detect acoustic signals emanating from fluid flow in a target wellbore. The surface processing system is coupled to the uphole end of the drill string, and is configured to determine a direction to the target wellbore based on the acoustic signals detected by the acoustic sensors.

Abstract: Sealing devices such as packers comprise an expandable sealing element that is inflated and/or deflated by an electrically-activated pump disposed in a wellbore so that the sealing element can be set and retrieved from the wellbore. The pump is disposed downhole in close proximity to the expandable sealing element and is electronically associated with a surface processing unit located at the surface of the wellbore. In certain embodiments, an electric motor electronically associated with the surface processing unit drives the pump to flow a fluid into a chamber of the expandable sealing element to inflate the expandable sealing element and pumps the fluid out of the chamber of the expandable sealing element to deflate the expandable sealing element. Multiple sealing elements can be disposed on a tool or work string and all can be addressable and individually and separately controlled by the surface processing unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.

Abstract: A downhole assembly includes an apparatus for generating a fluid pressure pulse downhole. A disclosed apparatus for generating a fluid pressure pulse downhole includes an elongate, generally tubular housing defining an internal fluid flow passage and having a housing wall. The apparatus also includes a device for selectively generating a fluid pressure pulse, the device having a cartridge which can be releasably mounted entirely within a space provided in the wall of the tubular housing. The internal fluid flow passage defined by the tubular housing is a primary fluid flow passage. A secondary fluid flow passage has an inlet which communicates with the primary fluid flow passage. The cartridge houses a valve actuable to control fluid flow through the secondary fluid flow passage to selectively generate a fluid pressure pulse. Data relating to a measured downhole parameter or parameters can be transmitted to surface via the pressure pulses.

Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one fluid characteristic of a downhole fluid sample using a downhole tool are provided. In one example, the method includes performing a calibration process that correlates optical and density sensor measurements of a fluid sample in a downhole tool at a plurality of pressures. The calibration process is performed while the fluid sample is not being agitated. At least one unknown value of a density calculation is determined based on the correlated optical sensor measurements and density sensor measurements. A second optical sensor measurement of the fluid sample is obtained while the fluid sample is being agitated. A density of the fluid sample is calculated based on the second optical sensor measurement and the at least one unknown value.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to measure formation fluid and obtain data, the data having measurement levels that vary over a parameter. The data is grouped in one or more categories, each category having data falling within a range, and the grouped data is analyzed as a function of the parameter. In some embodiments, the grouped data is used to identify at least one fluid type of the formation fluid using the grouped data.