System and method of protecting instruments from down-hole fluids
First Claim
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1. A method of preventing down-hole well fluids from adhering to a down-hole instrument exposed to such down-hole well fluid, comprising the step of:
- applying a down-hole well fluid repelling surfactant to an exterior surface of the instrument, said surfactant containing tricresyl phosphate as an active ingredient to prevent said down-hole well fluid from adhering to the surface of said instrument.
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Abstract
A surfactant composition is used to repel down-hole fluids such as crude oil and water to prevent their adherence to a down-hole instrument for an extended period of time. A down-hole fluid repelling surfactant, preferably in the form of a liquid solution, is applied to an exterior surface of the instrument, dried, and polished to prevent down-hole fluids from adhering to the surface. A preferred liquid surfactant solution contains as an active ingredient an amount of tricresyl phosphate effective to repel down-hole fluids such as oil and water.
26 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of preventing down-hole well fluids from adhering to a down-hole instrument exposed to such down-hole well fluid, comprising the step of:
applying a down-hole well fluid repelling surfactant to an exterior surface of the instrument, said surfactant containing tricresyl phosphate as an active ingredient to prevent said down-hole well fluid from adhering to the surface of said instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for providing signals representative of a down-hole condition in a well, the well containing a fluid that tends to adhere to a down-hole instrument placed in the well, the method comprising the steps of:
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mounting a sensor in the down-hole instrument, the sensor operating in conjunction with a first external surface exposed to the down-hole fluid, the sensor providing the signals representative of the well condition; applying a down-hole well fluid repelling surfactant to the first external surface working in conjunction with the sensor, said surfactant containing tricresyl phosphate as an active ingredient to prevent said down-hole well fluid from adhering to the first external surface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for providing signals representative of a condition in a well, the well containing a fluid that tends to adhere to a down-hole instrument placed in the well, the system comprising:
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a sensor mounted in the instrument, the sensor operating in conjunction with a first external surface that is exposed to the down-hole fluid; and a coating applied to the first external surface, the coating containing tricresyl phosphate as an active ingredient effective to repel well fluid from adhering to the first external surface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A down-hole instrument for use in a well in which a down-hole fluid may exist, the instrument comprising:
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a sensor for sensing a condition in a well hole; an external surface exposed to the down-hole fluid and operating with the sensor through which the sensor senses the condition; and a coating applied to the first external surface, the coating containing tricresyl phosphate as an active ingredient effective to repel well fluid from the first external surface. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification