Foam Breakthrough Characterization via Core Flood Pressure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enhanced oil recovery processes face limitations due to sweep homogeneity problems such as gravity override, fingering, and channeling, where fluids preferentially sweep highly permeable reservoir regions, leaving oil behind, and predicting the behavior of mobility controlling foams is challenging in downhole applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology that involves placing a core of formation simulation material in an injection container, injecting a sample substance and fluid under pressure, and using a data acquisition system to measure pressure differentials and flow rates to determine fluid breakthrough properties, facilitating the evaluation of foams and other substances for their effectiveness in controlling sweep homogeneity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If mobility controlling foams are injected to limit fluid breakthrough, then sweep homogeneity is improved, but prediction of foam characteristics in downhole applications becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting laboratory experiments to determine foam characteristics under simulated downhole conditions before actual field application. The system pre-characterizes foam properties (mobility control, stability, breakthrough behavior) in controlled environments using core flood experiments, allowing prediction of downhole performance without direct measurement during injection. This resolves the contradiction by obtaining foam characteristics in advance through simulation rather than attempting to measure them during actual downhole operations.
2Loss of time
If injection pressure is increased to move sample substance through core, then fluid breakthrough is delayed, but measurement precision of pressure differentials becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the core into multiple sections with pressure sensors positioned at different locations along the core length. This segmentation allows measurement of pressure differentials across specific zones rather than just inlet/outlet, enabling precise tracking of foam propagation and breakthrough behavior even at high injection pressures. The segmented measurement approach resolves the contradiction by providing detailed pressure data that maintains measurement precision while achieving delayed breakthrough through high pressure injection.
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
Enables accurate testing and characterization of foams and other substances to delay gas breakthrough, divert fluids to low permeability regions, and improve oil recovery by selecting suitable chemicals for enhanced oil recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
The injection fluid is injected under pressure and moves the sample substance through the core
Implementation Method 2
A data acquisition system is employed to measure parameters, such as pressure differentials along the core, as the sample substance propagates through the formation simulation material
Data Source
AI summary
A methodology and system determine properties of a sample substance, such as a liquid/foam used to control sweep homogeneity problems in an earth formation. The methodology and system utilize a core of formation simulation material placed in a container. An injection system is coupled to the container and enables placement of both the sample substance and an injection fluid into the container. The injection fluid is injected under pressure and moves the sample substance through the core. A data acquisition system is employed to measure parameters such as pressure differentials along the core as the sample substance propagates through the formation simulation material. The pressure differentials may be evaluated over time by the data acquisition system to determine fluid breakthrough properties of the sample substance.