Texaco Inc.

Hans J Paap

Dan M Arnold

Harold E Peelman

Hubert D Scott

Harry D Smith, Jr

Richard A Meador

Albert P Richter

Kerry D Savage

Obie M Langford

Alfred E Bussian

Percy T Cox

Robert W Pitts, Jr

Ward E Schultz

Irwin R Supernaw

Michael P Smith

Thomas M Williams

Ronald L Campsey

Paul D Carmichael

A production stream analyzer, which analyzes a flowing crude oil production stream in a conduit, includes a temperature sensor, a capacitance measuring device and a densitometer which provide corresponding temperature, capacitance and density signals, respectively. An output circuit provides an output signal corresponding to the quantity of at least one constituent of the production stream in accordance with the temperature, the capacitance and the density signals.

Production stream analyzer

An anisotropic well logging system includes a well logging tool including a first transmitter coil spatially arranged within the well logging tool in a first predetermined manner and a second transmitter coil spatially arranged within the well logging tool in a second predetermined manner which ultimately transmits electromagnetic energy into the formation at a frequency which enables electromagnetic energy to propagate through the surrounding earth formation. A first pair of receiver coils spaced a predetermined distance from each other and from the first transmitter coil and spatially arranged within the well logging tool in the same manner as the first transmitter coil provides signals in accordance with the received electromagnetic energy. A second pair of receiver coils spatially arranged within the logging tool in the same predetermined manner as the second transmitter coil and spaced a predetermined distance from each other and another predetermined distance from the second transmitter coil provides signals in accordance with the received electromagnetic energy. A control apparatus controls the first and second transmitters so they alternately transmit the electromagnetic energy into the earth formation and also provides a control signal. Processing apparatus responsive to the control signal from the control apparatus provides one output representative of the vertical resistance of the earth formation and a second output representative of the horizontal resistance of the earth formation in accordance with the signals from the four receivers.

Propagation anisotropic well logging system and method

The system and the method of the present invention for the in-situ retorting of a hydrocarbon stratum, having a borehole traversing it, with electrical energy at a radio frequency (hereinafter referred to as rf energy) includes apparatus for conducting the rf energy from an rf energy source down a borehole. The apparatus has an outer conductor and inner conductor. A first plurality of electrodes is inserted into the hydrocarbon stratum. A second plurality of electrodes spatially related to the first plurality of electrodes, is also inserted into a hydrocarbon stratum. A first conductive device makes contact between the outer conductor of the apparatus and the first plurality of electrodes. A second conductive device makes electrical contact between the inner conductor of the apparatus and the second plurality of electrodes so that when the rf source provides the rf energy, the rf energy is applied acorss that portion of the hydrocarbon stratum between the two pluralities of electrodes.

Hydrocarbon stratum retorting means and method

A method for providing a signal respresentative of undesired water flow behind well casing in a producing well includes locating a well tool sized and adapted for passage through a well bore having a source of high energy neutrons at least some of which have sufficient energy to cause a nuclear reaction O.sup.16 (n,p) N.sup.16 and at least three (3) gamma ray detectors spatially arranged in a predetermined manner with said source and each other in a well bore at a depth to be investigated. The environs of the bore hole are irradiated with high energy neutrons from said source. The gamma ray detectors detect gamma rays resulting from the decay of the unstable isotope N.sup.16 comprising a portion of any undesired behind casing water flow present. Count signals representative of the detection are generated. The count signals are combined according to a first predetermined relationship to derive at least two net count signals for two of the three detectors. The net count signals are combined according to a second predetermined relationship to derive the signal representative of the linear flow of the undesired water flow behind the well casing.

Behind casing water flow detection

A method or system for measuring thickness of a coating layer on a substrate. It employs acoustic energy and involves transmitting a sweep of frequencies covering a predetermined range through the substrate and its coating. The energies reflected back by the substrate and coating are determined as a function of the frequencies in said range, and the transmission pattern provides a basis for determining the coating thickness.

Acoustic method and apparatus for measuring thickness of a coating layer

A method for measuring the location, linear flow rate, and volume flow rate of undesired water flow behind well casing in a well includes irradiating borehole environs with high energy neutrons from a neutron source located in a well tool in the borehole. Gamma rays from the decay of an unstable isotope which comprises a portion of any undesired behind casing flow present are detected with gamma ray detectors located in the well logging tool. Count signals representative of the detected gamma rays from at least one of the detectors are separated into at least three energy dependent signals. A ratio signal corresponding to the ratio of at least two of the three energy dependent signals is generated and an indication of the linear flow rate of the undesired behind casing water flow in a preferred direction is determined from the count signals from the detectors and from the first predetermined relationship. An indication of the volume flow rate of the water flow is generated from said ratio signal, the energy dependent signal not used in a generation of the ratio signal and the linear flow indication from a second predetermined relationship.

Behind casing water flow detector

A petroleum stream analyzer includes a test cell having a petroleum stream, or portion thereof, flowing through it. A neutron source bombards the petroleum stream in the test cell with fast neutrons, which are slowed down and thereafter engaged in thermal neutron capture reaction with materials in the petroleum stream. Gamma ray apparatus including a gamma ray detector provides an energy spectra of gamma rays from the materials in response to the capture of the thermal neutrons by the materials in the petroleum stream. Shielding material separates the neutron source from the gamma ray detector and a housing located within the test cell houses the neutron source, the gamma ray detector and the shielding material in a manner so that a longitudinal axis of the housing, which is substantially aligned with the axial flow of the petroleum stream in the test cell, passes through the neutron source, the shielding material and the gamma ray detector. The anaylzer also includes apparatus which derive a measure of a characteristic of the petroleum stream in accordance with the obtained gamma ray energy spectra of the materials in the petroleum stream.

Petroleum stream analyzer

A crude oil production stream analyzer includes a device which measures the dielectric constant of the crude oil production stream and provides a signal corresponding thereto. A densitometer provides a density signal representative of the density of the crude oil production stream. At least one constituent of the crude oil production stream is determined in accordance with the dielectric constant signal and the density signal and the temperature of the crude oil production stream which is sensed by a temperature sensor.

Crude oil production stream analyzer

Fluid containing free gas and in a pipeline or container at a refinery or at any of various petroleum producing operations is bombarded with neutrons and high energy gamma rays resulting from capture of thermal neutrons are detected. The spectra of the detected gamma rays are then analyzed to determine the concentration of the elements chlorine and hydrogen. The counting rate for thermal neutron gamma rays for hydrogen permits a measure of the hydrogen index (HI) of the fluid to be obtained. The hydrogen index and the relative concentrations of chlorine and hydrogen are used to obtain an indication of the presence and concentration of chlorine or salt water in the fluid.

Detection of impurities in a fluid containing free gas using nuclear

The salt content of a fluid in a pipeline or container in petroleum producing or refining operations is determined by obtaining a measure of water cut of an oil-water-free gas fluid mixture. The conductivity of the fluid is measured by radio frequency (RF) induction techniques, while the density of the fluid is measured and related to the liquid phase fraction of the fluid using gamma radiation techniques. The conductivity and liquid phase fraction are then used to determine salt content of the liquid phase.

Measurement of salt content in petroleum flow lines

A microwave water-in-crude monitor measures the percent quantity of water in crude oil flowing in a pipe line by causing the crude oil to flow through a measuring cell. A microwave transmitter is arranged with the measuring cell and transmits microwave energy through the measuring cell. A microwave receiver receives the energy transmitted through the measuring cell and provides a signal in accordance with the received energy. Apparatus connected to the microwave receiver provides a display of the water content of the crude oil in accordance with the signal from the microwave receiver.

Microwave water in crude monitor

A microwave-gamma ray water-in-crude monitor measures the percent quantity of water in crude oil flowing in a pipe line by causing the crude oil to flow through a measuring cell. A microwave transmitter and a gamma ray source are arranged with the measuring cell and transmits microwave energy and gamma rays through the measuring cell. A microwave receiver and a gamma ray detector receive the energies transmitted through the measuring cell and provides signals in accordance with the received energies. Apparatus connected to the microwave receiver and to the gamma ray detector provide a display of the water content of the crude oil in accordance with the signals from the microwave receiver and the gamma ray detector.

Microwave-gamma ray water in crude monitor

An improved multiphase fluid flow meter for fluid which contains gas. It has a full circle loop to subject the flowing fluid to centrifugal force, and it can measure the pressure differentials between the center and the outside and inside radii of the loop. Also it can measure the density of the average fluid flowing, plus the density of a continuous sampling of the gas and of the liquid constituent of the fluid.

Multiphase fluid flow meter (D#76,244)

An underground logging tool is equipped with a gamma ray detector encircled by a rotatable shield featuring a collimator slot. After the fluid in a formation is activated by a neutron source, the detector is used to obtain radiation count information as a function of horizontal direction as the shield is rotated. Comparison of count rate data as a function of the shield slot orientation gives information concerning the direction of the formation fluid flow. Measurements at different time intervals following the activation of the fluid, made with the shield retracted from the detector, may also be interpreted in terms of speed of horizontal fluid flow past the tool.

Method and apparatus for measuring underground fluid flow characteristics

Fluid in a pipeline or container at a refinery or at any of various petroleum producing operations is bombarded with neutrons, and high energy gamma rays resulting from capture of thermal neutrons are detected. The spectra of the detected gamma rays are then analyzed to determine the concentration of the element chlorine, which gives an indication of the presence and concentration of salt water in the fluid. The concentration of sulfur and the percentage gas in the fluid may be determined simultaneously with the concentration of chlorine.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Hans J Paap