In-Situ Detection and Analysis of Methane in Coal Bed Methane Formations with Spectrometers

Abstract

A measuring system for in-situ measurements down a well ( 1 ) by a spectrometer ( 4 ) is provided. The spectrometer ( 4 ) includes a radiation source ( 5 ) and a detector ( 6 ). A probe ( 15 ) optically connected to the spectrometer ( 4 ) and includes an optical pathway ( 7 ) for transmission of a radiation from the radiation source ( 5 ) and at least a second optical pathway for transmission of a characteristic radiation from a sample to the detector ( 6 ). A positioner is provided to position the probe ( 15 ) near a side surface ( 11 ) of the borehole ( 3 ) and to optically couple the optical pathways ( 7 ) to the side surface ( 11 ), wherein the probe ( 15 ) is traversable up and down the well ( 1 ) by way of a guide operatively connected to the probe ( 15 ) and to a fixed location at the wellhead. By use of the apparatus and method a concentration of methane or other substance of interest is obtained, and thereby, a potential production of a coal bed methane formation is obtained.

1 - 76 . (canceled) 
     
     
         77 . A method for measuring methane concentration in a coal bed methane well containing water, comprising:
 (a) providing a housing element, wherein the housing element comprises a detector and a sample interface;   (b) lowering the housing element into the coal bed methane well, whereby the sample interface is ion contact with the water;   (c) irradiating the water in contact with the sample interface;   (d) detecting a signal radiation pattern of methane with the detector from the water in contact with the sample interface; and   (e) processing the signal radiation pattern of methane to calculate a concentration of methane.   
     
     
         78 . A measuring system for introduction into a well having water or an aqueous medium, and suspected of containing a substance, comprising:
 (a) a housing element that is traversable up and down the well and comprising a spectrometer, a radiation source, a sample interface, and a detector;   (b) a guide extending down the well and that is operatively connected to the housing element; and   (c) a signal processor to process a signal from the detector, and capable of calculating a concentration of the substance in the water.   
     
     
         79 . A measuring system for in situ measurement of a well having a bore hole, comprising:
 (a) a housing element that is traversable up and down the well within the bore hole, and comprising a spectrometer, a radiation source, a sample interface, and a detector;   (b) a guide extending down the well and that is operatively connected to the housing element; and   (c) a signal processor to process a signal from the detector, and capable of calculating a concentration of the substance in the water.