Abstract:
Fluid compositions comprising an aqueous base fluid, one or more fibers and one or more swellable polymers are useful for curing lost circulation in subterranean wells. One method for applying the fluid composition comprises circulating a drilling fluid in a wellbore, encountering a region in the wellbore from which drilling fluid escapes into a surrounding formation, preparing the composition, placing the composition in the wellbore adjacent to the region from which drilling fluid escapes, allowing the fibers to penetrate formation openings and form a bridge, and introducing an activation fluid that causes the swellable polymers to expand, thereby forming a plug.
Abstract:
A method uses multiaxial electromagnetic measurements corresponding to measurements made along two mutually orthogonal axes perpendicular to and parallel to an axis of a wellbore corresponding to at least one receiver spacing from a transmitter. An initial orientation of a fracture with respect to the axis of the wellbore and a distance from the fracture are calculated using the multiaxial electromagnetic measurements. An initial model of subsurface formations is made using the initial orientation, distance and formation resistivity adjacent the fracture. An expected response of an electromagnetic instrument to the initial model is generated. The expected response is compared to measurements made by the electromagnetic instrument and a parameter of the initial model is adjusted. The expected response is repeated and the model adjusted until a difference between the expected response and the measurements either (i) falls below a selected threshold or (ii) exceeds a predetermined number of repetitions.
Abstract:
A method, apparatus, and program product may utilize a stratigraphic implicit function, e.g., as used in connection with volume based modeling, to generate structural information for a subsurface formation. In particular, structural information for a subsurface formation may be generated by determining a location in a volume of interest in the subsurface formation from subsurface formation data associated with the subsurface formation, accessing a numerical model having a monotonously varying stratigraphic implicit function defined within the volume of interest to determine a value of the stratigraphic implicit function corresponding to the determined location, and generating at least one structural element for the subsurface formation from the stratigraphic implicit function of the numerical model based upon a spatial distribution of the determined value within the volume of interest.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method of determining a relation between a resistivity logging tool and casing in an earth formation. The method includes acquiring coupling voltages for different tool face angles, between different antenna components of different axes of a transmitting station transmitting into the earth formation and different antenna components of different axes of a receiving station receiving from the formation, using the resistivity logging tool. Then, spatial Fourier coefficients are extracted from the coupling voltages, using a computing device associated with the resistivity logging tool. The relation between the resistivity logging tool and the casing is then determined as a function of the spatial Fourier coefficients and at least one resistivity measurement of the earth formation, using the computing device.
Abstract:
A sealing tool for conveyance within a tubular member within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The sealing tool includes a mandrel and a eutectic sealing material disposed about the mandrel. The eutectic sealing material has a eutectic temperature at which the eutectic sealing material melts. The sealing tool also includes means for heating the eutectic sealing material to at least the eutectic temperature. The eutectic sealing material is transferred onto an inner surface of the tubular member by activating the heating means to heat the eutectic sealing material to at least the eutectic temperature to melt the eutectic sealing material.
Abstract:
A narrow bandpass filter that may be used in a mid-infrared sensor for monitoring a species, which may be a component of a fluid or a solid material. The filter comprises a cavity comprising a low refractive index material. By providing a high ratio of low refractive index material in the filter with respective to high refractive index material, the filter is configured so that wavelength transmission remains constant with varying temperature. Materials used for the low and/or high refractive index provide a temperature invariant filter that transmits mid-infrared spectra without serious degradation.
Abstract:
A sensor for monitoring CO 2 in a fluid regardless of the phase properties of the fluid, i.e ., regardless of whether the fluid contacting the window is a liquid water-based phase, a liquid oil-based phase, a mixture of liquid water and liquid oil-based phases, or a gas phase. The sensor includes an internal reflection window for contacting with the fluid. A mid-infrared light source directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into the window and the beam is internal reflected at an interface between the window and the fluid. The reflected beam is passed through three narrow bandpass filters which preferentially transmit mid-infrared radiation over bands of wavelengths corresponding to absorbance peaks of water, oil and CO 2 . The amount of CO 2 is determined from the intensities of the mid-infrared radiation passing through the three filters
Abstract:
A packer assembly constructed of individual slip segments which interlock to permit radial expansion and restrict axial movement. The slip segments are moved outwardly to set the packer by an actuator. Individual slip segments are easily and inexpensively manufactured.
Abstract:
A technique facilitates transfer of signals during a tubing hanger deployment operation. A tubing hanger is provided with a coupling region for engagement with a corresponding tubing hanger running tool. Additionally, the tubing hanger comprises a communication coupling portion which is configured for engagement with a corresponding communication portion of the tubing hanger running tool. A communication line is routed from the communication coupling portion downhole to, for example, a sensor or other device. The communication coupling portion enables communication of signals across the tubing hanger and the tubing hanger running tool.
Abstract:
A method for signal communication between a well drilling instrument and the Earth's surface includes generating an electromagnetic field in an instrument disposed in drill string used to drill a wellbore. The electromagnetic field includes encoded measurements from at least one sensor associated with the instrument. A signal corresponding to an amplitude of the electromagnetic field is measured and the measurements from the measured signal are decoded. The signal comprises a voltage measured across electrodes or a voltage induced in an electromagnetic receiver disposed at a selected depth below the Earth's surface. The selected depth is at least the depth of a formation below the water table having a highest resistivity within 500 meters of the surface.