Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Pgi International, Inc.

Miguel Gonzalez

Max Deffenbaugh

Sebastian Csutak

Huseyin Rahmi Seren

Sunder Ramachandran

Jose Oliverio Alvarez

Christopher Powell

Gregory D Ham

Gregory Bernero

Hyongsu Baek

Spencer M Nimberger

Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala

Robert W Adams

Edwin Hulse

Tim Thiel

Abdulkarim Sofi

Huseyin Seren

Lyla Maskeen

Techniques for determining rheological properties of a fluid include actuating a resonator disposed in a volume that contains a fluid sample to operate the resonator in the fluid sample at a predetermined actuation scheme; measuring at least one characteristic of the resonator based on the operation of the resonator in the fluid sample; comparing the at least one measured characteristic to a rheological model that associates characteristics of the fluid sample to one or more rheological properties; and based on the comparison, determining one or more rheological properties of the fluid sample.

Determining the rheological properties of a fluid through a non-linear response

Embodiments of the invention provide an untethered apparatus for measuring properties along a subterranean well. According to at least one embodiment, the untethered apparatus includes a housing, and one or more sensors configured to measure data along the subterranean well. The data includes one or more physical, chemical, geological or structural properties in the subterranean well. The untethered apparatus further includes a processor configured to control the one or more sensors measuring the data and to store the measured data, and a transmitter configured to transmit the measured data to a receiver arranged external to the subterranean well. Further, the untethered apparatus includes a controller configured to control the buoyancy or the drag of the untethered apparatus to control a position of the untethered apparatus in the subterranean well. The processor includes instructions defining measurement parameters for the one or more sensors of the untethered apparatus within the subterranean well.

Method and device for obtaining measurements of downhole properties in a subterranean well

Systems and methods include a computer-implemented method for performing real-time measurements of drilling fluid in a well. A driver and a reference are monitored for responses by a measurement controller of a system for measuring fluid flow. The driver is configured as a driving electromechanical resonator for contacting the drilling fluid. The reference is configured as a reference electromechanical resonator for contacting the drilling fluid. The reference is of a similar construction as the driver and is in contact with the drilling fluid in a substantially same way. Real-time measurements are performed by the measurement controller based on information received from the driver and reference. A viscosity and density of the drilling fluid are determined based on the real-time measurements. The similar construction of the driver and reference enables mitigation of environmental sensitivities of the driver and reference, enhancing fluid property sensitivities to physical properties of the drilling fluid.

Fluid flow sensor using driver and reference electromechanical resonators

An apparatus for measuring a viscosity of a fluid is disclosed. The apparatus includes a Parylene coated quartz tuning fork for immersion in the fluid and an electronic circuit to excite a vibration of the Parylene coated quartz tuning fork and measure one or more vibrational parameters of the Parylene coated quartz tuning fork. A computer processor is configured to determine a non-Newtonian viscosity from the vibration of the Parylene coated quartz tuning fork based, at least in part, on a Stokes flow hydrodynamic model. The computer processor is coupled to a memory for storing a calibration curve to determine a Newtonian viscosity of the fluid from the non-Newtonian viscosity of the fluid.

Device and method to obtain the viscosity of polymer fluids used for enhanced oil recovery

An untethered apparatus for measuring properties along a subterranean well includes a housing, and one or more sensors configured to measure data along the subterranean well. The data includes one or more physical, chemical, geological or structural properties in the subterranean well. The untethered apparatus further includes a processor configured to control the one or more sensors measuring the data and to store the measured data, and a transmitter configured to transmit the measured data to a receiver arranged external to the subterranean well. Further, the untethered apparatus includes a controller configured to control the buoyancy or the drag of the untethered apparatus to control a position of the untethered apparatus in the subterranean well. The processor includes instructions defining measurement parameters for the one or more sensors of the untethered apparatus within the subterranean well.

An apparatus for determining properties of an uncharacterized downhole fluid. The apparatus comprises an oscillation driver circuit comprising an amplifier having an output and an input, a feedback loop between the output and input of an amplifier or a logic gate, an electromechanical resonator disposed within the feedback loop such that a the resonator is driven by the oscillation driver circuit, wherein a resonant frequency of the resonator defines an oscillation frequency of the oscillator circuit, and a switch device for causing the oscillator circuit to stop driving the resonator, which thereby enables observation of a decay rate of the oscillation of the electromechanical resonator within the uncharacterized fluid. The electromechanical resonator is enclosed in a conductive layer to protect the resonator against capacitive effects of the downhole fluid.

Method for capacitive cancellation of tuning fork for fluid property measurements

A method and device are described for making in situ measurements of the density and viscosity of downhole fluids at subterranean wells. An oscillator circuit is deployed in the well comprising an amplifier, a feedback loop, and an electromechanical resonator. The electromechanical resonator is a component in the feedback loop of the oscillator circuit, and has a resonance mode that determines the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The electromechanical resonator is also in contact with the fluid such that the density and viscosity of the fluid influence the resonant frequency and damping of the resonator. The frequency of the oscillator is measured by a microcontroller. In one embodiment, the oscillator circuit periodically stops driving the electromechanical resonator such that the oscillation decays and the rate of decay is also measured by the microcontroller. The density and viscosity of the fluid are determined from the frequency and rate of decay of the oscillation. This measurement technique provides a faster response time to fluid changes than is possible with conventional measurement methods, and the fast response time opens up new applications for downhole viscosity and density measurements, including determining PVT characteristics, phase diagrams, and flow rates.

Method and device for measuring fluid properties using an electromechanical resonator

An untethered apparatus for measuring properties along a subterranean well. According to at least one embodiment, the untethered apparatus includes a housing, and one or more sensors configured to measure data along the subterranean well. The data includes one or more physical, chemical, geological or structural properties in the subterranean well. The untethered apparatus further includes a processor configured to control the one or more sensors measuring the data and to store the measured data, and a transmitter configured to transmit the measured data to a receiver arranged external to the subterranean well. Further, the untethered apparatus includes a controller configured to control the buoyancy or the drag of the untethered apparatus to control a position of the untethered apparatus in the subterranean well. The processor includes instructions defining measurement parameters for the one or more sensors of the untethered apparatus within the subterranean well.

A remotely operated safety valve is provided for terminating flow through the valve. The safety valve includes an electromagnet for holding the safety valve open, and a swing plate for closing the safety valve. A power supply is provided for powering the electromagnet, and an electrical conductor extends between the shutdown switch, the power supply, and the electromagnet. A connector spaced along the conductor is separable during a separation of a towing vehicle from the towed vehicle. The safety valve automatically closes in response to one of activation of the shutdown switch or the termination of power to the electromagnet.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Miguel Gonzalez