Acoustic measurement of wellbore conditions
US10060251B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 19, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/135
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of measuring fluid flow conditions in a wellbore includes generating an acoustic probe signal during fluid flow along the wellbore, measuring the performance attribute of the acoustic probe signal within a target frequency range, and of the fluid medium in at least a part of the wellbore based on the measured performance parameters. The target frequency range of the acoustic probe signal encompasses a bubble resonance frequency range for vapor bubbles in the wellbore, for example having frequencies in excess of 20 kHz. An estimated bubble size value may be calculated based on determining a frequency at which the measured probe signal experiences the retardation or peak attenuation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.