Patent · US Expired

Well flowmeter and down-hole sampler

US6131451A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
18References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 5, 1998
Grant dateOct 17, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 5, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/08
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An apparatus for and a process of evaluating well bore flow of water and for sampling of water within a well. A hose is inserted into the well to a known depth. To evaluate the water, a tracer fluid is introduced into the hose until the pressure within the hose exceeds the hydrostatic pressure at the known depth by a preset amount. The tracer fluid is then rapidly released into the well. The tracer fluid is detected in water pumped from the well, and the elapsed time between release of the tracer fluid into the well and detection of the tracer fluid in the water pumped from the well is determined. The process is repeated at a second known depth, and the tracer fluid travel time between the two depths is determined. From this and the cross-sectional area of the well, the incremental volumetric well bore inflow to the well between the two depths is calculated. The process can be repeated at several depths within the well to permit construction of a velocity profile of water movement within the well. To obtain a water sample from the well, the hose is inserted to the desired depth, and an inert gas is introduced into the hose. The gas is then vented from the hose, and water from the w…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.