Probe, sonde and method for producing signals indicative of local phase composition of a fluid

A probe for producing signals indicative of a local phase composition of a fluid flowing in a well, comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a tip adapted for contact with the fluid flowing in the well, at least two electrodes of conductive material located in said body on opposite sides relatively to a central axis of the body and insulated from each other, said electrodes having ends exposed to the fluid flowing in the well located on either side of said tip, wherein a first pair of electrodes, being excitation electrodes, located in a first plane intersecting the central axis of the body, and a second pair of electrodes, being detection electrodes, located in a second plane intersecting the central axis of the body and at angle with the first plane, said first pair of electrodes being adapted for connection to an excitation module, said second pair of electrodes being adapted for connection to a measuring module.

A measurement sonde adapted for displacement along and within a well, comprising a plurality of probes for producing signals indicative of a local phase composition of a fluid flowing in the well, each probe comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a tip adapted for contact with the fluid flowing in the well, at least two electrodes of conductive material located in said body on opposite sides relatively to a central axis of the body and insulated from each other, said electrodes having ends exposed to the fluid flowing in the well located on either side of said tip, wherein the plurality of probes are located at angularly distributed locations with respect to a central axis of the measurement sonde, wherein each probe comprises two electrodes, being simultaneously excitation and detection electrodes, said electrodes being adapted for connection to a measurement circuit comprising an excitation module in parallel with a measuring module, a signal in the electrodes measured by the measuring module being related to an electrical parameter indicative of the local phase composition of the fluid flowing in the well contacting the tip.

Measurement sonde adapted for displacement along and within a well, comprising a plurality of probes for producing signals indicative of a local phase composition of a fluid flowing in the well, each probe comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a tip adapted for contact with the fluid flowing in the well, at least two electrodes of conductive material located in said body on opposite sides relatively to a central axis of the body and insulated from each other, said electrodes having ends exposed to the fluid flowing in the well located on either side of said tip, wherein the plurality of probes are located at angularly distributed locations with respect to a central axis of the measurement sonde, wherein each probe comprises a first pair of electrodes, being excitation electrodes, located in a first plane intersecting the central axis of the body, and a second pair of electrodes, being detection electrodes, located in a second plane intersecting the central axis of the body and at angle with the first plane, said first pair of electrodes being adapted for connection to an excitation module, said second pair of electrodes being adapted for connection to a measuring module.

A method for producing signals indicative of a local phase composition of a fluid flowing in a well, comprising the steps of:

• inserting at least one probe in the well, said probe comprising a body of electrically insulating material having a tip adapted for contact with the fluid flowing in the well, at least two electrodes of conductive material located in said body on opposite sides relatively to a central axis of the body and insulated from each other, said electrodes having ends exposed to the fluid located on either side of said tip,
• applying an excitation signal on two electrodes, said electrodes being excitation electrodes,
• measuring a detection signal related to an electrical parameter indicative of the local phase composition of the fluid flowing in the well contacting the tip on two electrodes, said electrodes being detection electrodes.