Apparatus and method for detecting fluid entering a wellbore

Abstract

The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for detecting a flow of a formation fluid entering into a wellbore. An ultrasonic sensor is placed in a wellbore. The sensor has a resonant member that is exposed to a fluid in the wellbore. At a location in the wellbore, acoustic energy is measured wherein the acoustic energy is related to turbulence from formation fluid entering the wellbore. In another embodiment of the invention a tool is provided for detecting a flow of a formation fluid into a downhole location in a wellbore. The ultrasonic sensor has a resonant member that is adapted to be in contact with a fluid in the wellbore. The sensor generates electrical signals when exposed to ultrasonic turbulences caused by a formation fluid entering into the wellbore. A processor processes the electrical signals to detect the flow of the formation fluid entering into the wellbore.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.