# US 10,309,814 B2 · Methods and apparatus for determining downhole fluid parameters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,814 B2 - Document ID: US10309814B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/397,643 - Filed: 2013-05-17 - Published: 2015-05-21 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-18 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Tullio Moscato; Elena Borisova - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309814B2 ## CPC - G01F 1/684: Structural arrangements; Mounting of elements, e.g. in relation to fluid flow - E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08) - E21B 47/07: Temperature - E21B 47/103: using thermal measurements - G01F 1/00: Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow (measuring a proportion of the volume flow G01F5/00) - G01F 1/68: by using thermal effects - G01F 1/688: using a particular type of heating, cooling or sensing element {(G01F1/6847 takes precedence)} - G01F 1/6888: {Thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples, thermopiles} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Example methods and apparatus to determine downhole fluid parameters are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a velocity of a portion of a downhole tool moving in a well and determining a response of a fluid sensor disposed on the portion of the downhole tool. The fluid sensor includes a resistance temperature detector at least partially immersed in a fluid in the well. The example method further includes determining a velocity of the fluid based the velocity of the portion of the downhole tool and the response of the fluid sensor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: disposing a downhole tool in a well; determining a velocity of a portion of the downhole tool utilizing velocity sensors on the downhole tool; determining a response of a fluid sensor disposed on the portion of the downhole tool and immersed in a fluid, the fluid sensor including a resistance temperature detector (RTD), wherein the RTD is utilized as a heater and a temperature sensor in thermal contact with the fluid and flush with an outer surface of the downhole tool; and determining a velocity of the fluid based on the determined velocity of the portion of the downhole tool and the determined response of the fluid sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising determining a direction of flow of the fluid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein determining the velocity of the fluid comprises determining the velocity of the portion of the downhole tool when a velocity of the fluid relative to the portion of the downhole is substantially zero. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising moving the portion of the downhole tool in a direction of flow of the fluid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein moving the portion of the downhole tool comprises accelerating the portion of the downhole tool from a velocity less than the velocity of the fluid to a velocity greater than the velocity of the fluid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid comprises a surfactant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid sensor can sense fluid flow of about five millimeters per second or greater. ### Claim 8 A method, comprising: disposing a downhole tool in a well via a coiled tubing; determining a velocity of a portion of the downhole tool with velocity sensors disposed on the downhole tool; via a fluid sensor disposed on the downhole tool, determining a direction of fluid flow in a well relative to the portion of the downhole tool moving in the well, the fluid sensor capable of sensing fluid flow of about five millimeters per second or greater and in thermal contact with the fluid flow and flush with an outer surface of the downhole tool and in contact with the fluid; and determining a velocity of the fluid based on the direction of the fluid flow relative the portion of the downhole tool. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein determining the velocity of the fluid comprises determining the velocity of the portion of the downhole tool when a velocity of the fluid relative to the portion of the downhole tool is determined to be substantially zero. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising moving the portion of the downhole tool in a direction of the fluid flow. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further wherein moving the portion downhole tool comprises accelerating the portion of the downhole tool from a velocity less than the velocity of the fluid to a velocity greater than the velocity of the fluid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8 wherein the fluid comprises a surfactant. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8 wherein the fluid sensor comprises a resistance temperature detector (RTD) and wherein the RTD is utilized as a heater and a temperature sensor. ### Claim 14 A method, comprising: disposing a downhole tool in a well via a coiled tubing, the downhole tool comprising at least one fluid sensor, the at least one fluid sensor disposed flush with an outer surface of the tool and in thermal contact with a fluid mixture in the well; determining a direction of flow of the fluid mixture in a fluid flow passageway of the well; moving the coiled tubing and the fluid sensor disposed in the fluid mixture based on the direction of the flow of the fluid mixture; determining a velocity of the fluid sensor utilizing a velocity sensor on the tool; determining a direction of flow of the fluid mixture relative to the fluid sensor; and determining a velocity of the fluid mixture based on the direction of the flow of the fluid mixture relative to the fluid sensor and the velocity of the fluid sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid mixture comprises fluids of different phases. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid mixture comprises a surfactant. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the fluid sensor includes a resistance temperature detector (RTD) and wherein the RTD is utilized as a heater and a temperature sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14 wherein the fluid sensor is capable of sensing fluid flow of about five millimeters per second or greater. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14 wherein moving the fluid sensor comprises accelerating the fluid sensor from a velocity less than the velocity of the fluid mixture to a velocity greater than the velocity of the fluid mixture.