Abstract:
A neutron imaging device employs a neutron source including a sealed enclosure, gamma ray detector(s) spaced from the neutron source, and particle detector(s) disposed in the sealed enclosure of the neutron source. The output of the particle detector(s) can be used to obtain a direction of particles generated by the neutron source and corresponding directions of neutrons generated by the neutron source. Such information can be processed to determine locations in the surrounding borehole environment where the secondary gamma rays are generated and determine data representing formation density at such locations. In one aspect, the gamma ray detector(s) of the neutron imaging device can include at least one scintillation crystal with shielding disposed proximate opposite ends of the scintillation crystal. In another aspect, the particle detector(s) of the neutron imaging device can include a resistive anode encoder having a ceramic substrate and resistive glaze.
Abstract:
Sealing particles are used to stop or reduce undesired fluid loss. The sealing particles may be swellable or have effective cross-sectional areas greater than five square millimeters or are both swellable and have effective cross-sectional areas greater than five square millimeters. The sealing particles are disposed in one or more locations in which there is undesired fluid flow and, once lodged therein, stop or at least reduce the undesired fluid loss. A tubular having a bypass flow path may be used to deploy the sealing particles. The bypass flow path may use a biased or unbiased sleeve that is selectably movable to expose or block exit ports in the tubular. A retrievable sealing disk may be deployed to move the sleeve. The sealing particles may be made of a bi-stable material with extenders and may be actuated using swellable material. The sealing particles may extend in multiple dimensions.
Abstract:
A tool having a pump-out unit, pumping unit, and NMR unit is disposed in a wellbore. On a pump-up cycle, after removing borehole fluids, a fluid is injected into a region of investigation. NMR measurements are made while fluid migrates into the region of investigation. On a production cycle, pressure is removed, allowing fluid to exit the formation while NMR measurements are made. A rate of fluid production is estimated using the time-dependent NMR measurements. Alternatively, the mass of a sample is measured. Fluid is injected into the sample and the mass of the injected sample is measured. Pressure is removed and the mass of the injected sample as the fluid migrates out of the sample is measured. The change in mass of the injected sample as the fluid migrates out of the sample is determined and a rate of fluid production is estimated using the determined change in mass.
Abstract:
An intelligent completion module includes a flowmeter that uses one or more electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) sensors and a flow control valve. The flow rate and the speed of sound in the production fluid from a production zone is measured and used to make reservoir management decisions. The flowmeter includes at least two EMAT rings, including one or more EMAT sensors in a circular distribution which can be used in propagation or pulse-echo modes. In a segregated flow regime, a single EMAT sensor in pulse-echo mode is used to measure holdups of fluid components.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for characterizing a subterranean formation that involve the generation of four 3D geological model of the formation that are updated before and after an enhanced hydrocarbon production process.
Abstract:
A tool having a pump-out unit, pumping unit, and NMR unit is disposed in a wellbore. On a pump-up cycle, after removing borehole fluids, a fluid is injected into a region of investigation. NMR measurements are made while fluid migrates into the region of investigation. On a production cycle, pressure is removed, allowing fluid to exit the formation while NMR measurements are made. A rate of fluid production is estimated using the time-dependent NMR measurements. Alternatively, the mass of a sample is measured. Fluid is injected into the sample and the mass of the injected sample is measured. Pressure is removed and the mass of the injected sample as the fluid migrates out of the sample is measured. The change in mass of the injected sample as the fluid migrates out of the sample is determined and a rate of fluid production is estimated using the determined change in mass.
Abstract:
A NMR logging tool is provided and disposed in a wellbore at some desired depth. Packers are provided and actuated to hydraulically isolate a section of the wellbore and form a cavity between the NMR logging tool and the wall of the isolated section of the wellbore. The cavity is evacuated until a first desired pressure within the cavity is attained. Fluid is injected into the cavity until a second desired pressure within the cavity is attained. A plurality of NMR measurements is made on the region of the formation, each of the plurality of measurements being made at different times. Formation properties are inferred using the measurements. A baseline NMR measurement may be made when a first desired pressure is attained. A time-zero NMR measurement may be made when a second desired pressure is attained. Similar measurements may be made in a laboratory on a sample.
Abstract:
A mineralogy composition of a formation of interest is determined using core samples or downhole measurements. A dry permittivity is determined for each identified mineral. A volumetric mixing law is employed using the determined mineralogy composition and the determined dry permitivities. An effective matrix permittivity is determined using results from the volumetric mixing law. Dielectric dispersion measurements of the subject formation are acquired using the core samples or the downhole measurements. A dielectric petrophysical model is produced using the dielectric dispersion measurements and the effective matrix permittivity. A water saturation is estimated based on the dielectric petrophysical model. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) T2 measurements having short echo spacings are acquired. A NMR petrophysical model is generated based on the NMR T2 measurements. A total porosity is determined based on the generated NMR petrophysical model. A total gas-in-place estimate is made using the determined total porosity and the estimated water saturation.
Abstract:
A measurement device makes measurements on a region of investigation in which a native fluid or complex fluid (e.g., emulsified fluid) has been replaced by a fluid of different viscosity. Various methods such as core flooding, pressure cycling, centrifuging, or imbibition may be used to replace the native fluid. The replacement fluid may include alkanes, alkenes, or some combination of those, and is preferably non-polar. The replacement fluid may mix with the native fluid within the pores to produce a mixture having a different viscosity than the native fluid. Measurements can be made on a sample in a lab or on an isolated region of a subsurface formation. Standard measurement techniques such as the Amott-Harvey technique or the United States Bureau of Mines technique may be used. Alternatively, NMR measurements may be performed. A parameter such as wettability and relaxivity is estimated using data obtained by the measurement device.
Abstract:
A tool having an energy source and a surface roughness measurement device is provided. A baseline measurement of surface roughness of a sample is made. The sample is then exposed to energy from the energy source, causing the temperature of the sample to increase. A second measurement of surface roughness of the sample is made. The change in surface roughness of the sample is determined. Formation properties such as the total organic carbon in the sample is inferred based on the determined change in surface roughness of the sample. The tool may be disposed in a wellbore and may use packers to isolate a portion of the wellbore, or it may use a hydraulic seal on an extendible member to isolate a sample portion of the wellbore wall. The energy source may be a laser that produces radiation that selectively heats a particular component of the sample constituent material.