Apparatus and methods for downhole determination of characteristics of formation fluids
US7075062B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V5/12
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An oil sample is subjected to nuclear electromagnetic irradiation downhole, and the electron and/or mass density of the oil sample is determined by measuring the attenuation of the irradiation and relating the attenuation to the electron density. If the irradiation is high energy gamma ray irradiation, the attenuation is considered to be a function of Compton scattering only, which in turn is related to the electron density of the sample. If X-rays are utilized, attenuation is preferably measured in two energy windows. Using the two different attenuation values found in the different windows, the attenuation due to Compton scattering can be found and related to the electron and/or mass density of the sample. In addition, attenuation due to photoelectric absorption may also be determined and related to the presence of one or more heavy elements in the oil (e.g., sulfur) and/or sanding.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.