Bitumen Quantification via DRIFTS and Solvent Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for quantifying bitumen in rock samples are time-consuming and do not efficiently account for its impact on reservoir quality and permeability in tight oil reservoirs, as they fail to accurately measure bitumen levels in a timely manner.
Innovation Solution
The method employs vibrational spectroscopy, such as DRIFTS, to analyze earth samples for combined kerogen and bitumen, followed by washing with organic solvents to isolate bitumen, allowing for its quantification by subtracting kerogen-only measurements, enabling faster determination of bitumen content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional methods such as Soxhlet extraction are used to quantify bitumen levels in rock samples, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but analysis time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bitumen from rock samples using organic solvents before performing vibrational spectroscopy analysis. This extraction step separates bitumen from the complex rock matrix, allowing for more efficient and accurate spectroscopic measurement while reducing overall analysis time compared to direct conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical extraction and measurement process of conventional Soxhlet extraction with vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR or Raman). This substitution uses electromagnetic radiation interaction with molecular bonds to directly detect and quantify bitumen, significantly accelerating the analysis while maintaining accuracy
2Productivity
If bitumen quantification is performed quickly using simplified methods, then analysis time is reduced, but the ability to accurately assess reservoir quality and permeability impact is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary washing of rock samples with organic solvents to remove bitumen before spectroscopy analysis. This preliminary action isolates bitumen from the rock matrix, enabling faster and more accurate quantification that properly assesses its impact on reservoir quality and permeability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses organic solvents as intermediaries to selectively dissolve and remove bitumen from rock samples. This intermediary step facilitates accurate bitumen quantification by separating it from kerogen and other rock components, enabling precise reservoir quality assessment without excessive analysis time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces analysis time and provides accurate bitumen quantification, enhancing the assessment of reservoir quality and permeability, thereby improving the evaluation of tight oil reservoirs and informing drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing the earth sample using vibrational spectroscopy to generate data indicating a combined quantity of kerogen and bitumen in the earth sample
Implementation Method 2
washing the earth sample, e.g. using at least an organic solvent, thereby removing bitumen from the earth sample
Data Source
AI summary
Levels of kerogen and bitumen are computed in a sample of rock from DRIFTS measurements on the sample. The DRIFTS spectrum of a rock sample is measured, resulting in an estimate of bitumen and kerogen. Bitumen is then washed from the rock and DRIFTS is re-measured, resulting in an estimate of kerogen. Bitumen quantity is calculated by subtracting the washed sampled results from first DRIFTS measurements.