Baker Hughes Corporation

Thomas H Lopez

C Mitch Means

Michael James Ponstingl

James Kevyn Smith

John L Przybylinski

Mingdong Yuan

J Kevyn Smith

Real time determination of the presence of emulsion in a formation fluid is accomplished using an optical probe, preferably an attenuated total reflectance probe. The determination can then be used to appropriately increase, decrease or leave unchanged the use of demulsification additives or other means to control emulsion formation. The method is particularly useful for free water knock-out separations, where a plurality of probes can be used to distinguish the location and/or volume of emulsion, or 'rag', layer and thereby to facilitate decantation of relatively pure oil and water fractions. It can also be effectively used in pipelines, and can optionally determine the degree of emulsification and trends toward emulsification or demulsification.

Real-time on-line sensing and control of emulsions in formation fluids

The present invention provides a method and system for controlling mineral scale deposition from a formation fluid. The rate at which scaling is occurring is measured in real time using an attenuated total reflectance probe and a photometer. The results are then used to determine whether to increase, decrease or leave unchanged addition of anti-scaling additives.

Real-time on-line sensing and control of mineral scale deposition from formation fluids

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Thomas H Lopez