Connate Fluid Temperature Measurement via Flow Rate Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current connate fluid sampling systems fail to accurately measure the true temperature of connate fluid in subterranean formations due to heat transfer and temperature gradients between the formation and the sampling device, leading to inaccurate data for PVT analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve sampling connate fluid over time to establish stabilized temperature values, correlating these with flow rates to estimate the formation temperature, using a temperature probe and analyzer to identify and record temperature changes, and plotting temperature vs. time and flow rate to determine the formation temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature is measured using a temperature probe within the sampling device, then temperature data is obtained, but the measured temperature is inaccurate due to heat transfer between the connate fluid and the sampling device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating or pre-cooling the sampling device to match the expected formation temperature before sampling. This reduces the temperature differential between the connate fluid and the sampling device, minimizing heat transfer during sampling and improving temperature measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal insulation layer or thermal barrier between the connate fluid and the sampling device components. This intermediary reduces direct heat transfer between the fluid and the device, allowing the temperature probe to measure the true connate fluid temperature more accurately.
2Productivity
If sampling is performed quickly to maintain productivity, then operational efficiency is improved, but temperature stabilization time is reduced leading to inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature conditioning of the sampling device before actual sampling, so that when sampling begins, the device is already at the correct temperature. This eliminates the need for prolonged stabilization time during the sampling operation itself, maintaining both speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive thermal stabilization with active thermal control using heating elements or cooling systems. This active control system can rapidly adjust the device temperature to match formation conditions, achieving temperature stabilization much faster than passive thermal equilibrium would allow.
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 allows for the accurate estimation of connate fluid temperature within the formation, reducing errors from heat transfer and providing reliable data for PVT analysis and hydrocarbon production modeling.
Implementation Method 1
some amount of heat transfer will occur between the connate fluid that flows from the formation and the sampling device. This heat transfer thereby alters the fluid temperature somewhat from its original value.
Implementation Method 2
the temperature gradient between the actual formation connate temperature and the sampled temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for estimating the true temperature of connate fluid within a subterranean geological formation is provided herein. The method includes generating a flow of connate fluid, measuring the temperature of the flow over time until the measured temperature reaches a limiting value termed the stabilized temperature. Multiple events of temperature sampling events can be conducted at different flow rates of the connate fluid. The stabilized temperature values can then be ascendingly organized based on the value of their respective flow rates. The limiting value reached by the stabilized temperatures is taken to be substantially equal to the actual temperature of the connate fluid residing within the subterranean formation.