Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for real-time monitoring and failure prediction of electrical submersible pumps. The design includes generating a failure prediction value with a management system by calculating a percentage change of the respective first measurement values and the corresponding user-supplied stable operating values, the failure prediction value representing likelihood of failure of the electrical submersible pump.

Abstract: A method and system for interpreting oilfield process data, including drilling rig data and/or the like, is described, the method and system including use of a knowledge representation containing a representation of uncertainty in the oilfield process operations.

Abstract: Method for evaluating fluid pressures in an underground zone by means of seismic and well data. The zone studied is divided into several time analysis intervals. For each of these intervals, a pre-stack stratigraphic inversion of the seismic data is then carried out using geological a priori information, and a lithoseismic facies cube is determined by lithoseismic analysis. Then, for each facies, relations connecting the seismic impedances of wells to differential pressures in wells are determined in each analysis interval. Finally, a differential pressure cube is determined using the previous relations, as well as a confining pressure cube, in order to determine the fluid pressures in the subsoil by simple difference between these two cubes. Application: petroleum sphere for the detection of overpressure zones during drilling for example.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a Christmas tree assembly installed on a subsea hydrocarbon well includes receiving a plurality of parameters associated with the Christmas tree assembly. A health metric for the Christmas tree assembly is determined based on the parameters. A problem condition with the Christmas tree assembly is identified based on the determined health metric.

Abstract: Stoneley-wave data acquired in the LWD environment are used to characterize/estimate formation permeability. Real-time Stoneley-wave time-delay/slowness and center-frequency/attenuation data are used to indicate/characterize formation permeability even during drilling. The use of stabilizers mounted at the tool ends helps maintain the tool position from severe decentralization, reducing ambiguities in the permeability characterization/estimation.

Abstract: A system for and computer implemented method for analysis of data representative of subsurface properties of a subsurface region. The method includes transforming the data representative of subsurface properties of the subsurface region into transformed data in accordance with a selected criterion. A three dimensional window geometry to be applied to the transformed data is selected, based, at least in part, on expected feature sizes present, data sampling density and a size of the subsurface region. A plurality of values for a three dimensional lacunarity statistic are calculated by applying the selected three dimensional window geometry to randomly selected regions of the subsurface region, and correlating the calculated values to the subsurface properties of the subsurface region.

Abstract: A system and method for designing and constructing an optimized underground crossing through the earth is provided. The underground crossing allows one or more delivery line to pass through the earth. The method involves forming an investigation bore path along a preliminary path of the underground crossing and collecting geological data along the investigation bore path. The method involves determining a selected bore path for the underground crossing and finalizing a design for the construction of the underground crossing. The finalized design is based upon the collected geological data. The method involves obtaining one or more permits for the underground crossing based on the finalized design.

Abstract: A low maintenance adjustable gas trap with a plurality of couplings, each coupling securing to a flow line of a drilling rig; a plurality of hammer unions each engaging a coupling; a plurality of base manifold pipes, each engaging a hammer union; a base manifold flow line engaging the base manifold pipes, a chimney pipe connected to the base manifold flow line with a controllable valve, a reducer connected to the chimney opposite the base manifold flow line; an expansion chamber component connected to the reducer; a restrictor mounted to the expansion chamber component opposite the reducer, wherein the restrictor has a diameter no more than ?rd a diameter of the expansion chamber component; and a conduit connection connected to the restrictor for engaging a conduit to flow a gas sample from the gas trap to a gas analyzer.

Abstract: A method for estimating interval travel time of an Earth formation using an acoustic well logging instrument having a plurality of spaced apart acoustic transmitters and acoustic receivers includes measuring travel time between a transmitter and a receiver for substantially all possible combinations of each of the plurality of transmitters and each of the plurality of receivers. Each of the possible combinations includes a common depth interval of the Earth formations. The method then include determining at least one statistical measure of center of the measured travel times.

Abstract: A system for automating service operations at a well includes a service rig having at least one input device, an engine connected to an engine electronic control unit having a engine controller area network, a plurality of crown sheeves, a cable, an output device, a communication infrastructure, and at least one of a computer and an operator station; at least one remote server in electronic communication with the communication infrastructure; and a web portal in electronic communication with the at least one remote server.

Abstract: A system for and method of automatically evaluating similarity between a target geological region of interest and a plurality of known geological regions of interest includes selecting a plurality of quantitative parameters describing reservoir characteristics of the target geological region of interest and defining a graphical target line based on values of the selected parameters. Comparison lines are graphically constructed for at least some of the plurality of known geological regions of interest, respective comparison lines representing respective values of the quantitative parameters describing corresponding characteristics of respective regions among the known geological regions of interest. A similarity factor between each of the comparison lines and the target line is calculated based on the plotted target and comparison lines. The comparison lines are ranked based on the calculated similarity factors, and similarity factor versus similarity rank are graphically displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a fluid level and/or output flow during operation of a centrifugal pump, are provided, which may be used for production of gas and/or oil from a well, and include a vector feedback model to derive values of torque and speed from signals indicative of instantaneous current and voltage drawn by the pump motor, a pump model which derives values of the fluid flow rate and the head pressure for the pump from torque and speed inputs, a pumping system model that derives, from the estimated values of the pump operating parameters, an estimated value of fluid level and other pumping system parameters. Controllers responsive to the estimated values of the pumping system parameters control the pump to maintain fluid level at the pump input, near an optimum level, or within a safe operating range and/or output flow from the pump.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for determining the conductivity of anisotropic formations surrounding a borehole. The method comprises measuring the gradient of the magnetic field by an electromagnetic logging tool in a borehole in the subsurface formation. The instrument comprises one or several closely positioned parallel receiver coils and one or several closely positioned parallel transmitter coils with the magnetic moment direction of the transmitter coils parallel or different from the magnetic moment direction of the receiver coils. In a preferred embodiment a gradient induction instrument consists of a tri-axial transmitter array and up to 27 pairs of receiver coils, measuring some or all magnetic gradient components: formula (I).

Abstract: A method for tracking a wellbore tool includes: obtaining a first image of the wellbore using an imager associated with the tool; obtaining a second image of the wellbore using the imager after a selected time period; matching the first image with the second image by shifting one of the first and second images; determining an amount of the shifting; and comparing the amount of the shifting with a reference distance to determine a distance of tool movement. A method for tracking a wellbore tool includes: obtaining an image of a wellbore feature using a first imager associated with the tool; moving the tool in the wellbore; and registering a distance of tool movement when the image of the wellbore feature is detected by a second imager spaced apart from the first imager, wherein the distance of tool movement equals a spacing between the first and second imagers.

Abstract: A method for determining the measurement precision of a formation evaluation tool in a borehole comprises: a) conveying the formation evaluation tool into the borehole, b) using the formation evaluation tool to make measurements, and c) analyzing the measurements using mean squared difference stability statistics to generate an output indicative of measurement precision. Step c) may comprise using an Allan variance to assess the measurements taken in step b). The method may further include deriving an optimum logging speed from the analysis performed in step c), which may occur at the lowest value of the Allan variance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.

Abstract: There is provided a monitoring system (300) for monitoring within a borehole (10). The system (300) comprises a probe assembly (100) operable to be moved within the borehole (10) for sensing one or more physical parameters therein, a data processing arrangement (110) located outside the borehole (10), and a data communication link (120) operable to convey sensor data indicative of the one or more physical parameters from the probe assembly (100) to the data processing arrangement (110) for subsequent processing and display and/or recording in data memory (140). The probe assembly (100) includes one or more sensors (320) for spatially monitoring within the borehole (10) and generating corresponding sensor signals (360).

Abstract: A method (and corresponding apparatus) for downhole fluid analysis of petroleum formation fluids. The method includes capturing in a chamber of a downhole tool at least two immiscible formation fluids in a generally segregated state (the fluids including petroleum), activating a fluid mixing means to mix the fluids in the chamber to create an emulsion therefrom, and allowing the emulsified fluids to segregate while measuring light transmittance through the segregating fluids in order to calculate a transition time period based on the light transmittance through the fluids in the chamber. The transition time period is preferably bounded by the time required for the light transmittance values measured by the light detector to reach a baseline light transmittance. The transition time period characterizes the stability of an emulsion formed by the captured fluids. The methods and apparatus can also be used for other fluid testing applications beyond downhole formation fluid testing.

Abstract: To communicate measurement data from a well, data corresponding to measurement data collected by multiple sensors in a well is transformed downhole and passed to an intermediate communications device, which device in turn passes a subset of that data to a destination communications device. The destination communications device applies a second transformation to the data received from the intermediate communications device. The first and second transformations are designed such that meaningful data can be recovered at the destination communications device even though only a subset of the original transformed data has been received.

Abstract: An improved method and system for characterizing the compositional components of a hydrocarbon reservoir of interest and analyzing fluid properties of the reservoir of interest based upon its compositional components.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to determine the compressibility of a fluid are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a fluid in a chamber, pressurizing the captured fluid to first and second pressures, measuring first and second values representative of first and second densities of the fluid while pressurized at respective ones of the first and second pressures, and computing a third value representative of a compressibility of the fluid using the first and second values.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for controlling the operations of a well service rig at a well site by evaluating load sensor data obtained from sensors on or associated with the well service rig. A rig load data chart can be reviewed and an average rig load can be determined for each pull of tubing or rods from a well. The average rig load can be used to calculate and set a rig overload level. If the rig load sensor reads a rig load at or above the rig overload level, the clutch for the hoist can be disengaged and the brake applied to prevent the load from either damaging the rig or breaking off the tubing or rods in the well. In addition, the rig load can be evaluated to determine when the limit the block speed when pulling rods or tubing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide methods, systems and computer-readable media for determining at least one location of at least one wellbore casing within a wellbore conductor. Sensor measurements generated by at least one sensor within the conductor are provided, the measurements indicative of at least one location of the at least one casing within the conductor as a function of position along the conductor. In certain embodiments, a data memory stores the measurements. The at least one location of the at least one casing is calculated using the measurements and at least one geometric constraint. The at least one constraint originates at least in part from at least one physical parameter of the conductor, or at least one physical parameter of the at least one casing, or both. In certain embodiments, a computer system or computer-executable component calculates the at least one location of the at least one casing.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an electromagnetic response from a region in an earth formation. Receivers where raw response signals (Vraw) are measured are at different offset distances (L1, L2) from a transmitter and are electromagnetically coupled to the transmitter by a support structure. The raw response signals (Vraw) are adjusted according to an exemplary method to provide an adjusted signal (Vadj). The effect of the support structure on the raw response signals (Vraw) is removed or reduced for the adjusted signal (Vadj) and the adjusted signal (vadj) can be interpreted to determine information that is masked in each of the raw response signals (vraw). The adjusted signal (vadj) reflects the electromagnetic response from the region of the earth formation.

Abstract: A method for initializing the input of each of m receiver channels of a receiving transducer in a well logging tool comprising the steps of selecting a logging tool having a multi-element receiving transducer wherein each element of the multi-element receiving transducer operates in an anti-resonant mode below its resonant frequency, and executing a routine in an initialization mode wherein a predetermined number of run cycles are operated and receiver input responses are measured and averaged for each of the m channels while transmitter firing signals are disabled.

Abstract: A system for measuring a true vertical depth of a downhole tool is provided. The system includes: a first optical clock located at a first depth and having a first frequency; a second optical clock disposable at a downhole location and having a second frequency at the downhole location; and a processor for receiving the first frequency and the second frequency, and calculating a true vertical depth of the second optical clock based on a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. A system and computer program product for measuring a true vertical depth of a downhole tool are also provided.

Abstract: A fingerprint processing system may include a fingerprint database for storing fingerprint data having at least one void therein. At least one processor may cooperate with the fingerprint database for inpainting data into the at least one void in the fingerprint data based upon propagating fingerprint contour data from outside the at least one void into the at least one void.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling and communicating with one or more tools in a downhole tool string including a tractor, an auxiliary tractor tool, a logging tool, a safety sub, a release mechanism, a unit containing sensors for monitoring downhole conditions, a setting tool, and a perforating gun. Also provided are apparatus and methods for controlling and communicating with one or more perforating guns, release devices, and explosive devices in a string to be lowered into a wellbore. Control and communication are accomplished by sending signals from the surface to control switches in the control units on the tool, with redundant switches for safety, to state machines in the respective control units, each state machine returning a signal verifying switch status to the surface. Control and power functions are accomplished with voltage of different polarities for safety.

Abstract: A survey system is described for locating and classifying geophysical anomalies. It includes a moving platform equipped with a recording unit for recording the position of the platform. The system also comprises three first measuring units or sensors, adapted to record a varying electric field strength and a varying magnetic field strength at chosen intervals and thus positions, said first measuring units being adapted to measure said field strengths in three independent and mutually orthogonal directions at frequencies in a chosen range. The system includes a calculation unit for combining the measurements from each of said first sensors and calculating and recording as well as comparing the field strength vectors of the varying measured fields at each position, to find anomalies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for optimizing oil and gas wells. Some embodiments may include optimizing a gas well based upon continuous measurements of the well's operating parameters, such as casing pressure draw down and/or line pressure surges. These continuous measurements of the well's parameters may be utilized to derive an empirical model of the well's behavior that is more accurate than conventional approaches with respect to the various stages of well production. In other words, by measuring the well's operating parameters continuously and measuring certain well parameters (like casing pressure draw down and/or surges in line pressure from opening the well), the empirical model derived therefrom may provide more accurate control of turn on criteria of the well than conventional approaches, such as during the mature production stage of production of the well.

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.

Abstract: Methods for designing and performing a treatment operation on a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided, in which the treatment operation includes the use of a treatment fluid comprising reactants for a chemical reaction. The methods generally include the step of obtaining wellbore temperature-profile information on the wellbore and obtaining kinetic or thermodynamic data for the chemical reaction, and combining the information to help design the treatment operation. Preferably, the methods include the use of a distributed temperature system (“DTS”) for gaining temperature-profile information for a wellbore.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to acquire signature data representing a plurality of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) echo trains associated with a material comprising a first fluid and a second fluid, force a subset of the signature data associated with the first fluid or the second fluid to correspond to single-peak signatures in the T1 and/or T2 domains, and solve for the first fluid and second fluid saturation. The first fluid may include oil, gas, or water and the second fluid may include oil-based mud filtrate or water-based mud filtrate, among others.

Abstract: A method to form an actual sales value or actual delivery value for all components of a comingled hydrocarbon fluid stream using a theoretical comingled hydrocarbon fluid stream molecular composition.

Abstract: A system to form an actual sales value or actual delivery value for all components of a commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream using mass, volume and energy, to create a theoretical commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream molecular composition and present the information on individual components in the commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream instantaneously to a buyer and a seller.

Abstract: A pseudo-image is produced by combining deep-reading azimuthally sensitive resistivity measurements with azimuthally insensitive resistivity measurements made by a multiple propagation resistivity tool. This image is useful in reservoir navigation. Features on the azimuthally sensitive measurements such as saddle-points and mid-points are diagnostic of bed geometry relative to the borehole.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for determining a steam injection schedule for a set of subsurface formation subsurface regions of an oil field, the method including the steps of determining a thermal maturity for each subsurface region of the set; calculating a latent heat target for each subsurface region according to the determined thermal maturity therefore; calculating a steam injection target for each subsurface region according to the calculated latent heat target therefore; determining the availability of steam for injection to the subsurface regions; and calculating a steam injection schedule for each subsurface region according to the determined steam availability and calculated steam injection targets for all subsurface regions of the set.

Abstract: Computer instructions to instruct a processor to form an actual sales value or actual delivery value for all components of a commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream using mass, volume and energy, to create a theoretical commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream molecular composition and present the information on individual components in the commingled hydrocarbon fluid stream instantaneously to a buyer and a seller.

Abstract: A system and method for optimal placement of a riserless casing in a subsea drilling environment having the steps of: receiving input of pore pressure data for a well site; receiving input of fracture gradient for said well site; receiving input of the anticipated true vertical depth of said well site; integrating pore pressure data, fracture gradient data with said true vertical depth values; computing a pore pressure and fracture gradient verses true vertical depth graph; determining the true vertical depth at which the pore pressure begins to exceed the normal gradient of salt water; and determining the placement of a conductor casing string by corresponding the gradient true vertical depth to the true vertical depth of where the pore pressure beings to exceed the normal gradient of salt water. The method improves upon conventional placement of the riserless casing by optimizing the placement to achieve larger diameters in the wellbore, increased well depth, and mitigation of shallow hazards.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a subterranean formation. The method includes specifying a volume of interest in the subterranean formation, specifying an injector wellsite that penetrates the volume of interest, specifying a first producer wellsite and a second producer wellsite, each of which penetrates the volume of interest, calculating a first Injectivity-Productivity Index (IPI) for a first injector-producer wellsite pair which includes the injector wellsite and the first producer wellsite, calculating a second IPI for a second injector-producer wellsite pair which includes the injector wellsite and the second producer wellsite, determining whether the first IPI is substantially equal to the second IPI to obtain an analysis result, and adjusting a wellsite operation based on the analysis result.

Abstract: A process control system and method for use in controlling operation of a process in response to identification of one or more events, where each event is a condition relating to one or more process variables for the process and has a determined association with one or more other events, the system comprising: an event control module which is operative to log from the process the one or more process variables which are attributed to the one or more events, and provide a control indication in response to each identified event, wherein the control indication identifies the event as one of a cause event or an effect event and the one or more associated other events as effect events for a cause event or cause events for an effect event.

Abstract: A borehole apparatus capable of autonomously estimating its position in a borehole and controlling the actions of a downhole tool located in the borehole. The apparatus comprising a body, at least one measurement device capable of measuring a parameter of the borehole or the distance traveled by the device, a computer system located in the body, and a power system. The computer system comprises a processor arranged to receive data from the at least one measurement device and to calculate the position of the apparatus in the borehole, and a data storage device capable of storing data that have been processed by the processor and for storing instructions to control the actions of the downhole tool.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed provides a tactile sensing device comprising an end effector and a control unit. The control unit is capable of receiving tactile information from the at least one end effector. With the foregoing disclosure, it is capable of identifying and relatively quickly mapping the shape and location of unknown surfaces.

Abstract: A method for making a log of material properties in a plurality of beds from an instrument utilizes steps such as estimating material properties for said plurality of beds and/or estimating positions for a plurality of bed boundaries and/or estimating orientations for said plurality of bed boundaries wherein the bed boundary orientations are individually variable. The estimated positions, orientations, and/or material properties can be utilized to compute the log.

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that can perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: A geospatial modeling system may include a geospatial data storage device, and a processor cooperating with the geospatial data storage device for selectively inpainting data into at least one void in geospatial model data using a partial differential equation (PDE) algorithm and an exemplar algorithm.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of providing a selected sample rate for sensor measurements are provided, which in one aspect may include a circuit configured to receive sensor signals as a first series of count rates corresponding to sensor the sensor measurements, each count rate representing a value of a parameter of interest, at least two accumulators configured to alternately accumulate the count rates in the series of count rates over a time period that corresponds to a selected sample rate and a controller configured to control the time periods for the at least two accumulators.

Abstract: A system, software program, and method to evaluate the performance of a well in a subsurface reservoir are disclosed. A new well module is used to evaluate new wells to be placed in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. An existing well module is used to evaluate existing wells that are in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. Wells can be evaluated to calculate performance characteristics, optimize performance, resolve any associated performance issues, or a combination thereof. A well screening module is used to quickly calculate properties of a well. A visual display is used to display outputs from the new well module, the existing well module, or the well screening module.

Abstract: A Single Well Predictive Model (SWPM) software based computer system stores a Single Well Predictive Model (SWPM) software therein. When the SWPM software is executed, the SWPM computer system will: (1) automatically produce a first specific workflow comprised of a first plurality of software modules in response to a first set of user objectives and automatically execute the first specific workflow in response to a first set of input data to produce a first desired product, and (2) automatically produce a second specific workflow comprised of a second plurality of software modules in response to a second set of user objectives and automatically execute the second specific workflow in response to a second set of input data to produce a second desired product.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprising a housing, two or three gyroscope units and three accelerometer units. The gyroscope units are oriented orthogonally respective to each other and mounted within the housing. Each gyroscope unit includes a plurality of gyroscopes with input axes parallel to each other. The accelerometer units are oriented orthogonally respective to each other and mounted within the housing. Each accelerometer unit includes a plurality of accelerometers with detection axes parallel to each other.