The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 11, 1996
Adam Bednarczyk, Carrollton, TX (US);
Robert E Maute, Richardson, TX (US);
Laird B Thompson, Dallas, TX (US);
Mobil Oil Corporation, Fairfax, VA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining the various components of a multi-phase fluid flow in a defined area includes using an acoustic transceiver tool to direct a beam of acoustic energy toward the fluid flow in a producing well or a horizontal line. A signal is generated when the reflection of the beam of acoustic energy returns and is detected. The signal is rectified and recorded as a measure of oil flow rate within the well. The amplitude peaks are identified and areas around each peak are determined. Two areas of the rectified signal are defined relating to the determined amplitude peaks. The rectified signal under each area is integrated to provide an indication of fluid flow and the strength of the signal reaching the casing. A ratio is determined from the integration results of the two areas. The magnitude of this ratio provides an indication of the extent of the presence of gas in the fluid flow. In an alternate embodiment, the detected signal is rectified and the envelop of the rectified full wavelet of returning signals is taken, reducing the frequency of the signal. The envelop of the reflection signals are recorded as a measure of oil flow rate within the defined area. The amplitude peaks are identified and areas around each peak are defined. Each defined area of the envelop is integrated to determine the portion of the flow that is liquid. A ratio is determined from the integration results of the two areas. The magnitude of this ratio provides an indication of the extent of the presence of gas in the fluid flow.