An x-ray-based reservoir evaluation tool for measurement variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir is provided, the tool including at least: an internal length comprising a sonde section, wherein said sonde section further comprises an x-ray source; radiation measuring detectors; sonde-dependent electronics; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and PSUs. A method of using an x-ray based reservoir evaluation tool for measuring variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir is also provided, the method including at least the following steps: using x-rays to illuminate the formation surrounding the cased borehole; uses detectors to directly measure the density of the formation; using detectors to directly measure the effects on the measurement from tool stand-off or production liner attenuation; and employing techniques for compensating for the production liner and liner-annular region when computing the saturated formation density within the production interval.

A system for testing of leaking past a well barrier. The system includes a well including a wellbore and a upper wellbore termination means. A barrier is provided in the wellbore, the barrier having an upstream side below the barrier and a downstream side above the barrier. The system further includes a tracer and a storage means for storing said tracer, the storage means being provided below the barrier in the well. A release mechanism is configured for releasing the tracer from the storage means, wherein a pressure differential is established across the barrier for driving tracer from the upstream side to the downstream side of the barrier. A detector is configured for detecting the tracer that has leaked through the barrier, the detector being provided in the wellbore between said barrier and said upper wellbore termination means.

The hydrocarbon wells include a radioactive tracer system, a production conduit, a lift gas supply conduit, a lift gas supply system configured to provide a lift gas stream to the lift gas supply conduit, and one or more gas lift valves each being configured to selectively permit lift gas to enter the production conduit and mix with reservoir liquid therein to generate a produced fluid stream. The radioactive tracer system is configured to inject a radioactive tracer into the lift gas stream and to detect the radioactive tracer within the produced fluid stream. The methods include injecting the radioactive tracer into the lift gas stream, flowing the radioactive tracer through an open gas lift valve into the production conduit, mixing the radioactive tracer with the reservoir liquid to generate a tracer-marked liquid band within the produced fluid stream, and detecting radiation from the tracer-marked liquid band.

A system for retrieving a source element from a well may include a logging tool made of a first material, a milling tool, and a control device. The logging tool may include a cylindrical housing having a central chamber housing the source element and extending through a portion of the cylindrical housing along a central axis thereof. The logging tool may include a first communication device mounted on the cylindrical housing. The milling tool may include a tubing mounting structure that secures the milling tool to a tubing of the well. The milling tool may include a drill bit head made of a second material, the drill bit head may be configured for milling through the first material. The control device may include a second communication device configured to communicate with the first communication device.

Compositions having a core and a coating that covers at least part of the core, where the core comprises a mixture of at least one oil field chemical and at least one core matrix polymer are described. The composition provides a slower release of an oil field chemical into an eluent compared to the release provide by the core. The compositions provide for the controlled release of tracer over long periods of time than is provided by the release from the core. Methods of making the compositions and systems containing the compositions are described. Methods of tracing the movement of fluid in a hydrocarbon reservoir using the compositions and methods of releasing biocides and other well treatment agents into reservoir fluids over time are also described.

An x-ray-based reservoir evaluation tool for measurement variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir is provided, the tool including at least: an internal length comprising a sonde section, wherein said sonde section further comprises an x-ray source; radiation measuring detectors; sonde-dependent electronics; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and PSUs. A method of using an x-ray based reservoir evaluation tool for measuring variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir is also provided, the method including at least the following steps: using x-rays to illuminate the formation surrounding the cased borehole; uses detectors to directly measure the density of the formation; using detectors to directly measure the effects on the measurement from tool stand-off or production liner attenuation; and employing techniques for compensating for the production liner and liner-annular region when computing the saturated formation density within the production interval.

Provided are compositions containing a mixture of microcapsules and a bulk polymer, where the microcapsules have an oil field chemical contained within the microcapsules. The microcapsules can be present in a variety of configurations. The microcapsules contain a core or a micro-matrix containing the oil field chemicals. The core or micro-matrix can be surrounded by one or more polymeric shells, where each shell contains at least one polymer that affects the release of the oil field chemical from the composition. The compositions provide for the sustained release of an oil field chemical into fluid in an oil field reservoir over long periods of time. Also provided are methods of making the compositions and articles containing the compositions, along with methods are of tracing the movement of fluid in a hydrocarbon reservoir using the compositions, and methods of providing for the sustained release of oil field chemicals.

Apparatus and methods for deploying fluid tracer material with a perforating gun. An example apparatus may include tracer material shaped to facilitate placement within or in association with a perforating gun, wherein detonation of shaped charges of the perforating gun forms perforation tunnels in a subterranean formation and discharges the tracer material from the perforating gun into the perforation tunnels. An example apparatus may include a perforating gun comprising a plurality of shaped charges and containing tracer material, wherein detonation of the shaped charges forms perforation tunnels in the subterranean formation and discharges the tracer material from the perforating gun into the perforation tunnels. An example method may include deploying tracer material into a subterranean formation via a perforating gun.

An instrumented coupling for pipe joints is described herein. The instrumented coupling includes a first threaded end configured to thread to a first pipe joint and a second threaded end configured to thread to a second pipe joint. The instrumented coupling also includes a sensor configured to obtain a measurement of a parameter of a well and a communications device configured to communicate to a receiving device outside of the well. The instrumented coupling further includes a processor configured to execute instructions in a data store. The instructions direct the processor to read the measurement from the sensor, compare the measurement from the sensor to a preset limit, and generate a signal within the communications device based, at least in part, on the measurement.

An associated particle-based inspection apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a grounded target region and a neutron generator that produces a neutron and one or more corresponding charged particles. The apparatus further includes an associated particle imaging (API) detector comprising a particle detector that detects the one or more corresponding charged particles, wherein the particle detector comprises at least one particle detector element that facilitates determining a trajectory, origination time, and a velocity of the neutron based upon a detection, by a particular one of the at least one particle detector element, of the corresponding charged particles.