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:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 04, 1995
Curtis G Blount, Wasilla, AK (US);
James K Eastlack, Plano, TX (US);
Michael D Erwin, Anchorage, AK (US);
Atlantic Richfield Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for insertion in a well which is producing fluids from multiple zones for measuring the concentration of water in the fluids flowing through the well to determine which zone may be producing excessive quantities of water. The apparatus transmits microwave frequency range radiation within a section of the wellbore. The apparatus may utilize a portion of the well casing and a conductor member which is centered in the wellbore by spaced apart centralizers to form a coaxial transmission line within the wellbore. The apparatus may be traversed through the wellbore on a wireline type cable for continuous measurement of the water content of the water-oil mixture flowing through the well to determine which zone is producing excessive amounts of water into the production fluids. A change in operating frequency of an oscillator furnishing the microwave range energy is compared with power loss through the apparatus to determine if a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion is present in the wellbore fluid flow stream. Alternate embodiments of the apparatus include downhole transmitting and receiving antennas for directing an RF energy beam through the wellbore fluids. A volumetric flowmeter is connected to the apparatus for continuous measurement of fluid flow rate for comparison with the water concentration in the well fluids at various points in the wellbore.