Subsurface nuclear measurement systems, methods and apparatus
First Claim
1. A borehole system for making subterranean nuclear measurements, the system comprising:
- a plurality of elongated scintillator members, each elongated scintillator member generating optical signals in response to cosmic rays, wherein the plurality of elongated scintillator members form a bundle of helically wound fibers;
a first optical detector unit optically coupled to each elongated scintillator member of the plurality of elongated scintillator members so as to detect optical signals from each elongated scintillator member; and
a housing being suitable for subterranean deployment, wherein the housing houses the plurality of elongated scintillator members and the first optical detector.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and related systems are described for use for making subterranean nuclear measurements. The system can include a plurality of elongated scintillator members each generating optical signals in response to ionizing radiation. Optical detector units can be optically coupled to at least one end of each elongated scintillator member so as to detect optical signals from each elongated scintillator member. The system can be suitable for permanent or semi-permanent deployment downhole. For example, the system can operate for more than six months in a subterranean deployment measuring cosmic radiation. The system can be suited to monitor density changes in subterranean regions of interest, for example, density changes brought about by steam injection as part of a steam assisted gravity drainage operation.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A borehole system for making subterranean nuclear measurements, the system comprising:
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a plurality of elongated scintillator members, each elongated scintillator member generating optical signals in response to cosmic rays, wherein the plurality of elongated scintillator members form a bundle of helically wound fibers; a first optical detector unit optically coupled to each elongated scintillator member of the plurality of elongated scintillator members so as to detect optical signals from each elongated scintillator member; and a housing being suitable for subterranean deployment, wherein the housing houses the plurality of elongated scintillator members and the first optical detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for monitoring displacement of fluids within an area of interest within a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
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deploying a tool housing into a subterranean formation, the housing containing a plurality of elongated scintillator members, each elongated scintillator member generating optical signals in response to cosmic rays; detecting optical signals from one or more elongated scintillator members of the plurality of elongated scintillator members using a first optical detector unit that is optically coupled to each elongated scintillator member; using the optical signals to identify cosmic rays that have traversed the area of interest within the subterranean formation; and using the identified cosmic rays to monitor displacement of fluids over time within the area of interest. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification