Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures

• US 8,398,301 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (Schlumberger NV)
• Inventors: Madhavan, Raghu, Stangeland, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): FULTON, CHRISTOPHER W
• Application Number:
  US12/763,218
• Publication Number:
  US 20110252879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 374/137, 374/141, 374/179, 731/521.2, 731/525.5
• US Class Current: 374/141
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/07 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/10 using side-wall fluid samplers or testers

Abstract

Apparatus for determining downhole fluid temperatures are described. An example apparatus for measuring a temperature of a downhole fluid includes a sensing element for measuring a physical or chemical property of the downhole fluid, and a plurality of electrical connections to enable the sensing element to measure the chemical or physical property and provide an output signal representative of the chemical or physical property, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is configured to function as a thermocouple to sense a temperature of the downhole fluid.

Claims

1. A sensor for measuring a temperature of a downhole fluid comprising:

a sensing element for measuring a physical or chemical property of the downhole fluid;

a plurality of electrical connections to enable the sensing element to measure the chemical or physical property and provide an output signal representative of the chemical or physical property, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is configured to function as a thermocouple to sense a temperature of the downhole fluid; and

a fluid thermometer to determine the temperature of the downhole fluid based on a reference temperature determined by a temperature sensor and a temperature difference between the reference temperature and the temperature of the downhole fluid, wherein the fluid thermometer electrically coupled to a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is coupled to a housing and is disposed within a fluid chamber, and wherein the second electrode is coupled to the housing and is disposed within the fluid chamber.

2. A sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical connections comprises an electrode that is thermally coupled to the downhole fluid.

3. A sensor as defined in claim 2, wherein the electrode comprises at least one of a hydrogen sulfide sensor, a wire viscometer, or a resistivity sensor.

4. A sensor as defined in claim 2, wherein the electrode prevents access to a second one of the electrical connections by the downhole fluid.

5. A sensor as defined in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least one of a resistance temperature detector, a thermistor, a silicon bandgap temperature sensor, an infrared thermometer, or a heat flux sensor.

6. A sensor for measuring downhole fluid temperatures, comprising:

a first electrode coupled to a housing and disposed within a fluid chamber;

a second electrode coupled to the housing and disposed within the fluid chamber;

a viscometer wire electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes;

a temperature sensor disposed outside of the fluid chamber; and

a fluid thermometer electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes and to the temperature sensor to determine a temperature of a fluid within the fluid chamber.

7. A sensor as defined in claim 6, wherein the fluid chamber comprises a flowline.

8. A sensor as defined in claim 6, wherein the fluid thermometer determines the temperature of the fluid based on a first temperature determined by the temperature sensor and a temperature difference between first and second thermocouples.

9. A sensor as defined in claim 8, wherein the first electrode comprises a first material, the viscometer wire comprises a second material, and the first electrode and the viscometer wire form the first thermocouple.

10. A sensor as defined in claim 9, wherein the second electrode comprises a third material, and the viscometer wire and the second electrode form the second thermocouple.

11. A sensor as defined in claim 9, wherein the second electrode comprises the first material, the temperature sensor is coupled to the second electrode via a third material, and the second electrode and the third material form the second thermocouple.

12. A sensor as defined in claim 8, wherein the first and second electrodes comprise a first material, the temperature sensor is coupled to the first electrode via a second material and coupled to the second electrode via a third material, the first electrode and the second material form the first thermocouple, and the second electrode and the third material form the second thermocouple.

13. A sensor for measuring downhole fluid temperatures, comprising:

a first electrode comprising a first material, sealingly coupled to a fluid chamber, and thermally coupled to downhole fluid in the fluid chamber;

a second electrode comprising a second material and in contact with the first electrode to form a thermocouple;

a temperature sensor disposed outside of the fluid chamber; and

a fluid thermometer electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes and to the temperature sensor to determine a temperature of the downhole fluid in the fluid chamber.

14. A sensor as defined in claim 13, wherein the first electrode prevents access to the second electrode by the downhole fluid.

15. A sensor as defined in claim 13, wherein the first electrode comprises a hydrogen sulfide sensor or a resistivity sensor.

16. A sensor as defined in claim 13, wherein the fluid thermometer is coupled to the first electrode via a first connector comprising the first material.

17. A sensor as defined in claim 16, wherein the fluid thermometer is coupled to the second electrode via a second connector comprising the second material.

18. A sensor as defined in claim 13, wherein the fluid thermometer determines the temperature of the downhole fluid based on a reference temperature determined by the temperature sensor and a temperature difference between the reference temperature and the temperature of the downhole fluid.

19. A sensor as defined in claim 13, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least one of a resistance temperature detector, a thermistor, a silicon bandgap temperature sensor, an infrared thermometer, or a heat flux sensor.

20. A system for measuring downhole fluid temperatures, comprising:

a downhole tool having a sensor for the downhole fluid temperatures, the sensor comprising;

a first electrode coupled to a housing and disposed within a fluid chamber;

a second electrode coupled to the housing and disposed within the fluid chamber;

a viscometer wire electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes;

a temperature sensor disposed outside of the fluid chamber; and

a fluid thermometer electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes and to the temperature sensor to determine a temperature of a fluid within the fluid chamber.