Testing of bottomhole samplers using acoustics

Abstract

A method for testing a hydrocarbon sample. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sheath disposed about the hydrocarbon sample. The apparatus further comprises at least one set of acoustic sensors, wherein the at least one set of acoustic sensors is secured to the sheath, and further wherein at least one set of acoustic sensors produces an acoustic signal having a velocity through the hydrocarbon sample. In addition, the velocity is measured to provide information about the hydrocarbon sample. In other embodiments, the at least one set of acoustic sensors is disposed radially about the hydrocarbon sample.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 554,479, filed Mar. 19, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] This invention relates to the field of testing fluid samples and more specifically to testing hydrocarbon samples using acoustic signals. [0005] 2. Background of the Invention [0006] There are pressing needs for inexpensive real time interpretation of hydrocarbon samples collected in bottom hole samplers. Typically, a hydrocarbon sample is collected from an underground reservoir primarily for establishing its pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) and flow assurance properties such as the onset of solids. [0007] PVT information about a hydrocarbon sample can include many different types of information. An importan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a system for testing fluids, particularly hydrocarbon samples, quickly and efficiently on the drilling platform. The system includes acoustic sensors placed around the sample container, which generate acoustic signals with a velocity through the fluid. These signals are recorded and analyzed to provide information about the fluid system, such as the saturation pressure and the presence of solids. The system can also detect the location of the piston in the sample chamber and quantify the remaining components, providing real-time testing. The invention overcomes the problems of conventional testing techniques, such as delay and cost, and avoids asphaltene precipitation by detecting phase transitions at the saturation pressure.

Problems solved by technology

Wax particles are high molecular weight paraffinic species that precipitate primarily due to temperature drop and can curtail production operations by agglomeration, sticking to pipe walls, congealing in flow lines, and the like.

Asphaltenes tend to have a more complex chemical nature than wax and form primarily due to a disruption in a fine balance of interactions that keep them in suspension / solution in the bulk crude.

Asphaltene precipitation is usually preceded by a drop in system pressure that leads to gas release and subsequent disruption of the inter-molecular balance needed to keep them stabilized.

Once formed, asphaltenes are typically at least as disruptive to flow operations as wax formation.

Drawbacks to the typical laboratory measurements include the time delay involved in laboratory testing and the costs involved with such a delay.

Costs for storing and transporting the samples for the laboratory testing can be significant.

In addition, the expense of collecting samples can be significant as well for most exploratory environments such as offshore or remote locations.

Other drawbacks include not knowing the quality of a sample or whether a sample was even collected until the expense and delay of laboratory testing has been conducted.

Drawbacks to such conventional methods include the system pressure typically having to be dropped significantly below the saturation pressure in order to define a clear transition point.

For some systems, a significant pressure drop below the saturation pressure may result in asphaltene precipitation taking place, which is very difficult to reverse.

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