Acoustic doppler downhole fluid flow measurement
US6938458B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2004 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/105
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and system are disclosed for in situ measurement of downhole fluid flow using Doppler techniques. First, a baseline speed of sound is established as close to the desired measurement point as possible. This speed of sound measurement is then used in Doppler calculations for determining flow velocities based from induced Doppler shift resulting from fluid flow. A heterodyne receiver arrangement is preferably used for processing so that the flow direction can be determined and the detection sensitivity for low flow velocities can be enhanced. From in situ measurements, well kicks may be spotted and dealt with in real-time. In addition, current theoretical models of rheological properties may be verified and expounded upon using in situ downhole measurement techniques. Furthermore, the velocity measurements described herein can be used to recognize downhole lost circulation and/or gas/water/oil influxes as early as possible, even when the mud recirculation pumps are turned off.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.