Patent · US Active

Determining downhole fluid flow

US8093550B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
4References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 24, 2009
Grant dateJan 10, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 6, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V5/10
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Tool for drilling a borehole and method for using such tool. The tool has an apparatus for determining a change in a drilling environment around the borehole that includes a source for generating neutrons to produce a radioactive isotope in a fluid flowing down inside the tool; a detector for detecting a change in gamma-ray radiation created from decay of the radioactive isotope when the fluid flows back up outside the tool; and means for relating the detected change in the gamma-ray radiation to the change in the drilling environment that includes borehole enlargement, fluid loss from the borehole and/or fluid entry into the borehole.

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