Downhole doppler flowmeter
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsJackie C. Sims, Irwin R. Supernaw
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A well logging system which monitors the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation includes a sonde. A transmitter located in the sonde transmits acoustical waves into the fluid at a predetermined frequency. A receiver also located in the sonde receives reflected acoustical waves. The receiver also provides a signal corresponding to the received reflected acoustical waves. The provided signal is processed for being sent uphole by way of a cable. Electronics at the surface include circuitry which derives the velocity of the fluid in accordance with the frequency of the processed signal and the predetermined frequency. The circuitry provides an output signal corresponding to the derived velocity of the fluid flowing the borehole.
Claims8
A well logging system for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation comprising:
- a sonde including therein:
- transmitter means for transmitting acoustical waves into the fluid at a predetermined frequency,
- receiver means for receiving reflected acoustical waves and providing a received signal corresponding thereto,
- caliper means for sensing the diameter of the borehole and providing a diameter signal D corresponding thereto, and
- means for processing the received signal to provide a frequency signal, corresponding to a relationship between the frequency of the transmitted acoustical waves and the frequency of the reflected waves in accordance with the received signal;
- cable means connected to the processing means and to the caliper means for carrying the frequency signal and the diameter signal D to the surface;
- and
- surface electronics including:
- means connected to the cable means for deriving the flow rate FR of the fluid in accordance with the frequency signal and the diameter signal and providing an output signal corresponding thereto.
A well logging method for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in a borehole traversing an earth formation comprising the steps of:
- transmitting acoustical waves into the fluid from a sonde at a predetermined frequency,
- receiving reflected acoustical waves in the sonde,
- providing a received signal corresponding to the received acoustical waves,
- sensing the diameter of the borehole,
- providing a diameter signal D corresponding to the sensed diameter,
- processing the received signal to provide a frequency signal, corresponding to a relationship between the frequency of the transmitted acoustical waves and the frequency of the reflected waves in accordance with the received signal,
- carrying the frequency signal and the diameter signal D to the surface by way of a cable, and
- deriving the flow rate FR of the fluid at the surface in accordance with the frequency signal and the diameter signal, providing an output signal corresponding to the derived flow rate FR.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.