Apparatus and methods for estimating a characteristic of a fluid downhole using thermal properties of the fluid

US8770835B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• Stefan Sroka · Celle, DE
• Peter Schaefer · Pfungstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 4, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2014
• Expiry date: Nov 17, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC E): Fixed Constructions
• CPC primary: E21B49/081
• WIPO field: Civil engineering
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

The disclosure provides a system, tools and methods for estimating a property or characteristic of a fluid downhole. In one aspect, the method may include: heating the fluid at a selected or first location during a first time phase, taking temperature measurements of the fluid substantially at the selected location during a second time phase, and estimating the property of the downhole fluid using temperature measurements. Temperature measurements may also be taken at a location spaced apart from the first location and used to estimate the property of the fluid. The tool may include a device that heats the fluid during a first time phase and takes temperature measurements of the fluid during a second time phase. A processor uses the temperature measurements and a model to estimate a property of interest of the fluid.