Method and apparatus for analyzing well fluids by photon irradiation
US4490609A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1982 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/11
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention relates to a method of measuring the absorption of a photon flux in the fluid flowing in an oil well, for the purpose of determining the composition of the fluid. The invention also relates to a logging sonde for implementing such method. The photon flux produced by a source such as an X-ray generator irradiates the entire volume of fluid surrounding the sonde, and the energy of the photons is lower than a predetermined value, preferably 100 kev, so that the walls of the well are capable of substantially absorbing the photons impinging thereon. The photon flux includes an energy level at which photoelectric absorption is significant and another energy level at which Thomson scattering is predominant. Measurements of the photoelectric absorption coefficient and density are used to determine water, oil, and salinity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.