Patent ID: 6604581
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: E21B,G01F,G01N,G01V

Abstract:
A method of sensing properties of fluid flowing in a subterranean well, the method comprising the steps of:positioning a tubing string in the well, thereby forming an annulus between the tubing string and a wellbore of the well, the tubing string including multiple ports providing fluid communication between the annulus and an interior flow passage of the tubing string; isolating portions of the annulus from each other, each annulus portion being in communication with a corresponding one of multiple zones intersected by the well, and each annulus portion being in communication with a corresponding one of the tubing string ports; and sensing at least one property of fluid flowing between each corresponding zone and tubing string port utilizing multiple external sensors, each sensor being in communication with fluid flowing external to the tubing string in a corresponding one of the annulus portions between a corresponding one of the zones and a corresponding one of the tubing string ports.