Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Shell International Exploration & Production B.v.

Wei Han

James Robert Birchak

Bruce H Storm, Jr

Thomas E Ritter

Vimal Vinod Shah

Paul F Rodney

Mark Anton Proett

Rajnikant M Amin

Diederik W Van Batenburg

William F Trainor

Ali Mese

Kwang M Yoo

Fouad Fleyfel

Jeroen J Groenenboom

Bayram Kalpakci

Eugene J Linyaev

Jean Michel Beique

Daniel P Kusmer

Alan Terry Hemphill

Tim Wiemers

Pedro Zuiderwijk

Peter Van Der Sman

Ferdinand Van Der Bas

Roger Lynn Schultz

Michael Thomas Pelletier

Ronnie Glen Morgan

Clark E Robison

Mohamed Yousef Soliman

John W Minear

Denis P Schmitt

Tim W Geerits

Crispin L Richards

Robert Birchak

Dan Kusmer

An example apparatus for generating acoustic waves is disclosed. The example apparatus includes a housing, and at least one plate having a moment arm, wherein each plate couples to the housing. The example apparatus for generating acoustic also includes at least one axial driver coupled to each moment arm, wherein each axial driver aligns with a longitudinal axis of the housing.

Apparatuses for generating acoustic waves

A system and method for determining blockage in a wellbore containing fluid and/or in a formation adjacent the wellbore, according to which energy is generated in the fluid and variables associated with the energy are measured.

System and method for monitoring and removing blockage in a downhole oil and gas recovery operation

A method for generating acoustic waves, the method having the steps of: extending a tine from a support structure so that a proximal end of the tine is attached to the support structure and a distal end of the tine is uninhibited; positioning an oscillator so as to be supported by the support structure and to mechanically communicate with the tine; and oscillating the tine with the oscillator.

Acoustic stimulation method with axial driver actuating moment arms on tines

An apparatus for generating acoustic waves, the apparatus having: a support structure; two tines extending from the support structure so that proximal ends of the two tines are attached to the support structure so that distal ends of the two tines are positioned with standoffs relative to a dimension of the support structure and the distal ends of the two tines are uninhibited, wherein the two tines each comprise a moment arm; and an oscillator in mechanical communication with the two tines.

Acoustic stimulation tool with axial driver actuating moment arms on tines

An apparatus and system are disclosed for in situ measurement of downhole fluid flow using Doppler techniques. First, a baseline speed of sound is established as close to the desired measurement point as possible. This speed of sound measurement is then used in Doppler calculations for determining flow velocities based from induced Doppler shift resulting from fluid flow. A heterodyne receiver arrangement is preferably used for processing so that the flow direction can be determined and the detection sensitivity for low flow velocities can be enhanced. From in situ measurements, well kicks may be spotted and dealt with in real-time. In addition, current theoretical models of rheological properties may be verified and expounded upon using in situ downhole measurement techniques. Furthermore, the velocity measurements described herein can be used to recognize downhole lost circulation and/or gas/water/oil influxes as early as possible, even when the mud recirculation pumps are turned off.

Acoustic doppler downhole fluid flow measurement

apparatus and system are disclosed for in situ measurement of downhole fluid flow using Doppler techniques. First, a baseline speed of sound is established as close to the desired measurement point as possible. This speed of sound measurement is then used in Doppler calculations for determining flow velocities based from induced Doppler shift resulting from fluid flow. A heterodyne receiver arrangement is preferably used for processing so that the flow direction can be determined and the detection sensitivity for low flow velocities can be enhanced. From in situ measurements, well kicks may be spotted and dealt with in real-time. In addition, current theoretical models of rheological properties may be verified and expounded upon using in situ downhole measurement techniques. Furthermore, the velocity measurements described herein can be used to recognize downhole lost circulation and/or gas/water/oil influxes as early as possible, even when the mud recirculation pumps are turned off.

Acoustic Doppler downhole fluid flow measurement

A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.

Acoustic sensor for fluid characterization

A downhole tool and method for determining the viscosity of a reservoir fluid, the tool including a passage having entry, intermediate and exit regions, in which the reservoir fluid flowing through the passage will have a lower Reynolds number in the intermediate region as compared to the entry region, the tool also including differential pressure gauge for measuring the differential pressure across the intermediate region, and either a velocity controller or fluid velocity meter, for either setting or measuring the fluid velocity.

Method and apparatus for determining fluid viscosity

A method and apparatus for analyzing a deposited layer on the inner surface of a fluid container wall having inner and outer surfaces are disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises (a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a transmitter at a first distance from the outer surface of the wall; (b) receiving a first received signal A, comprising a reflection from the wall outer surface; (c) receiving a second received signal B, comprising a reflection from the wall inner surface; (d) receiving a third received signal C from the wall inner surface; (e) calculating a coefficient R from A, B and C, and (f) calculating a coefficient R from A, B and R , and calculating the acoustic impedance of the deposited layer Z from R , R , and Z , where Z is the acoustic impedance of the material between the transmitter and the wall outer surface. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a piezoelectric or ferroelectric transducer having front and back faces; a backing member acoustically coupled to said transducer back face and impedance-matched to said transducer element, said backing member having proximal and remote faces; and a delay material disposed between said transducer front face and the wall outer surface.

Acoustic sensor for pipeline deposition characterization and monitoring of pipeline deposits

A process and apparatus for treating a wellbore, comprising subjecting a substantially same portion of the wellbore to vibratory waves produced by a plurality of vibratory wave generators. The vibratory waves may have about the same frequency or a plurality of frequencies, and the frequencies may partially overlap, not overlap, or be modulated across a range. Additionally, the frequencies may be modulated in an oval, hoop, and flexural modes. The vibratory waves may be produced by firing the vibratory wave generators simultaneously or in sequence. Combinations of a vibrating pipe, piston pulser, or valve may be used as vibratory wave generators. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness and change of thickness of a mudcake on the interior surface of a wellbore are measured to evaluate the effectiveness of the wellbore treatment.

Method and apparatus for treating a wellbore with vibratory waves to remove particles therefrom

A system for monitoring the presence of deposits or buildup on the inside wall of a fluid-containing pipe comprises a pair of acoustic transmitters outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipe wall, a pair of acoustic receivers outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of receiving an acoustic signal from the pipe wall, and a power source for causing the transmitters to transmit a signal. A method for monitoring the presence of deposits or buildup on the inside wall of a fluid-containing pipe, comprises (a) providing first and second acoustic transmitters outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipe wall, (b) providing first and second acoustic receivers outside of the pipe and spaced apart along the length of the pipe and capable of receiving an acoustic signal from the pipe wall, (c) transmitting a first signal from the first transmitter, (d) measuring the amplitude of the first signal received at the first and second receivers as A and A , respectively, (e) transmitting a second signal from the second transmitter, (f) measuring the amplitude of the second signal received at the first and second receivers as A and A , respectively, and (g) calculating the attenuation of the signal over the length of pipe using the values of A , A , A and A .

Guided acoustic wave sensor for pipeline build-up monitoring and characterization

Acoustic sensor for pipeline deposition characterization and monitoring

A method for monitoring and measuring the buildup of deposits on the inner surface of a pipeline containing flowing fluid comprises (a) transmitting a first acoustic signal into the pipeline through the pipeline wall, (b) receiving echoes of the transmitted signal, and (c) determining from the received echoes how far from the pipeline inner surface the interface between the deposits and the flowing fluid lies. An alternative method for monitoring and measuring the buildup of deposits on the inner surface of a pipeline containing flowing fluid comprises (a) transmitting a first acoustic signal into the pipeline through the pipeline wall, (b) receiving echoes of the signal, and (c) using the Doppler frequency shift of the received echoes to determine how far from the pipeline inner surface the interface between the deposits and the flowing fluid lies. An apparatus for monitoring and measuring the buildup of deposits on the inner surface of a pipeline containing flowing fluid, comprises a first transmitter in acoustic communication with the pipeline wall and generating a transmitted signal, a first receiver in acoustic communication with the pipeline wall generating received echo signal from a received signal comprising the reflection of the transmitted signal off the flowing fluid, and a microprocessor for determining from the received echo signal how far from the pipeline inner surface the interface between the deposits and the flowing fluid lies.

Method and apparatus for pulsed ultrasonic doppler measurement of wall deposition

A method is provided for analyzing suspended particulate and liquid medium in a fluid stream by transmitting acoustic signals into the fluid, detecting scattered acoustic energy, and determining a parameter related to the density and compressibility of the fluid. In one embodiment, the fluid analysis tool comprises two transmitting transducers intermittently emitting acoustic signals, and two receiving transducers being differently azimuthally positioned with respect to the transmitters. The ratio of the amplitude of scattered signals measured by the two receivers as a result of emission from the first and second transmitters are used to calculate the parameter. In another embodiment, a tool comprising one transmitter and at least three receivers with azimuthal angles in both forward and backward scattering regions with respect to the incident wave is disclosed. The scattering signal amplitudes normalized by the amplitude from one of the receivers is used to identify and monitor the system.

Growing community of inventors

Missouri City, TX, United States of America

Wei Han