Abstract:
Systems and methods for monitoring a crude oil blending process use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensors which investigate properties of a plurality of crude oil streams that are mixed together to form a crude oil blend. An NMR sensor is also used to investigate the properties of the crude oil blend. The investigated properties may include viscosity. Resulting determinations may be used to control the input streams so that the output stream meets desired criteria. Additional sensors such as spectroscopy sensors, viscometers, and densitometers may be used in conjunction with the NMR sensors.
Abstract:
A liquid additive mixing apparatus is provided that has a plurality of chambers containing additives, as well as a system for mixing the additives. One or more additives are mixed with water to form a mixing fluid. The mixing fluid is placed in a first tank that is fluidly connected to a cement mixing unit. A cementing operation is executed during which the mixing fluid from the first tank is mixed with a cement to form a slurry. A capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument is employed to monitor at least one additive parameter and detect deviations from a predetermined tolerance for the at least one additive parameter.
Abstract:
A method of fluid testing includes pressurizing a fluid testing system, disposed at a subterranean location under high pressure compared to a surface pressure, to achieve a desired pressure differential between the high pressure and an internal pressure of the fluid testing system. The fluid testing system includes a capillary electrophoresis system and one or more test fluid reservoirs. The method also includes directing test fluid from the one or more test fluid reservoirs into capillaries to condition the capillaries. The method further includes directing sample fluid into the capillaries for testing while at the subterranean location.
Abstract:
The current application discloses methods and systems to analyze on-site and in real-time or quasi real-time the composition of the well fluid before or during use or disposition. The method is based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and does not require the addition of tracers into the well fluid or additive. Based on the significance of each additive on the well fluid properties, it can be decided to determine the concentration of all additives or only one or a limited number of the additives present in the fluid, and the concentrations can be adjusted as needed to reach the desired target concentration(s).
Abstract:
A method of fluid testing includes pressurizing a fluid testing system, disposed at a subterranean location under high pressure compared to a surface pressure, to achieve a desired pressure differential between the high pressure and an internal pressure of the fluid testing system. The fluid testing system includes a capillary electrophoresis system and one or more test fluid reservoirs. The method also includes directing test fluid from the one or more test fluid reservoirs into capillaries to condition the capillaries. The method further includes directing sample fluid into the capillaries for testing while at the subterranean location.
Abstract:
The current application discloses methods and systems to analyze on-site and in real-time or quasi real-time the composition of the well fluid before or during use or disposition. The method is based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and does not require the addition of tracers into the well fluid or additive. Based on the significance of each additive on the well fluid properties, it can be decided to determine the concentration of all additives or only one or a limited number of the additives present in the fluid, and the concentrations can be adjusted as needed to reach the desired target concentration(s).
Abstract:
An optical sensor and corresponding method of operation can detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte. The optical sensor includes an optical element with a metallic film coupled or integral thereto, with a sample chamber holds the hydrocarbon-based analyte such that the hydrocarbon-based analyte is disposed adjacent the metallic layer. The optical sensor further includes a light source configured to direct light through the optical element such that the light is reflected by the metallic layer under conditions of surface plasmon resonance. The optical sensor analyzes the reflected light to detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for analyzing solubility of asphaltenes of a hydrocarbon fluid sample involves a sequence of operations including: i) performing microfluidic mixing operations that form a mixture that includes the hydrocarbon fluid sample, a solvent that dissolves asphaltenes and a precipitant that precipitates asphaltenes; ii) using microfluidic processes that result in precipitation of asphaltenes from the mixture resulting from i); iii) performing microfluidic filtering operations that remove precipitated asphaltenes resulting from ii) and passes permeate; and iv) performing optical spectroscopy on the permeate resulting from iii). The operations of i)-iv) can be repeated over iterations that vary the amount of solvent relative to the precipitant in the mixture. These iterations can cause varying fractional precipitation of asphaltenes in each given iteration.
Abstract:
A method improves the capability for testing a fluid sample, e.g. testing a reservoir sample of hydrocarbon fluid. The methodology comprises positioning a capillary electrophoresis system within an enclosed chamber system. The enclosed chamber system preserves the desired downhole reservoir conditions during testing of the reservoir sample. In some applications, the reservoir sample is divided into a plurality of capillaries of the capillary electrophoresis system to enable testing of the reservoir sample with different types of detectors in one capillary electrophoresis system. The method can also be applied to depressurized reservoir samples.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for monitoring a crude oil blending process use nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensors which investigate properties of a plurality of crude oil streams that are mixed together to form a crude oil blend. An NMR sensor is also used to investigate the properties of the crude oil blend. The investigated properties may include viscosity. Resulting determinations may be used to control the input streams so that the output stream meets desired criteria. Additional sensors such as spectroscopy sensors, viscometers, and densitometers may be used in conjunction with the NMR sensors.