Method and sensor for monitoring gas in a downhole environment
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsTimothy Gareth John Jones, Boris Matveev, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Christian Besson, Oliver C. Mullins, Li Jiang
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Abstract
A method of monitoring gas in a downhole environment is discussed which provides downhole a mid-infrared light emitting diode, operates the diode to transmit respective infrared signals on a first optical path extending from the diode through a downhole gas sample and a second optical path extending from the diode through a reference gas sample, detects the transmitted infrared signals, and determines the concentration of a component of the downhole gas sample from the detected signals.
Claims32
A method of monitoring gas in a downhole environment, comprising:
- providing downhole a mid-infrared light emitting diode;
- operating the diode to transmit respective infrared signals on a first optical path extending from the diode through a downhole gas sample and a second optical path extending from the diode through a reference gas sample;
- detecting the transmitted infrared signals;
- determining the concentration of a component of the downhole gas sample from the detected signals;
- wherein the first optical path is substantially free of water and hydrocarbon in their liquid states.
A sensor for monitoring gas in a downhole environment, comprising:
- a mid-infrared light emitting diode;
- a compartment for containing a reference gas sample;
- detection means for detecting respective infrared signals transmitted on first and second optical paths extending from the diode, the apparatus being arranged such that in use the first optical path traverses a downhole gas sample and the second optical path traverses said compartment;
- a processor for determining the concentration of a component of the downhole gas sample from the detected signals;
- wherein the sensor is arranged such that, in use, the first optical path is substantially free of water and hydrocarbon in their liquid states.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.