In-situ Wettability Determination via MRI Rock Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining wettability of subterranean rock samples are inefficient and require multiple tests across multiple samples, making them time-consuming and costly, while also being invasive and less reliable for comparing data sets.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure in-situ wettability distributions and hydrocarbon saturation in a single rock sample, allowing for the determination of initial and residual hydrocarbon saturation distributions after various processes like water flooding and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) flooding, and the calculation of wettability modification factors, without interfering with the fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple tests across multiple rock samples are conducted to determine wettability, then measurement precision may be improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate testing procedures (primary drainage, core aging, water flooding, EOR flooding, and core cleaning) into a single continuous experiment on one rock sample. MRI measurements are integrated throughout the process to simultaneously capture fluid saturation distributions and wettability characteristics, eliminating the need for separate tests on multiple samples and significantly reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The MRI measurement system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures fluid saturation distributions, determines wettability distributions, and monitors dynamic processes throughout the experiment. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized measurement techniques that would otherwise be required, improving productivity without sacrificing measurement precision.
2Reliability
If multiple rock samples are used for comprehensive wettability analysis, then reliability of data comparison improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all testing operations into a single experimental setup using one rock sample that undergoes sequential processes (primary drainage, core aging, water flooding, EOR flooding, and core cleaning). MRI measurements are continuously acquired throughout, providing comparable data sets from the same sample without requiring multiple samples or complex setups for each test.
Solution Approach 2:
The experiment maintains continuous MRI monitoring throughout all processes without interrupting the fluid flow or disturbing the sample. This continuous measurement approach ensures data consistency and comparability across different stages while simplifying the experimental setup, as the same MRI system and sample holder are used throughout the entire sequence.
3Measurement precision
If invasive measurement methods are used to determine wettability, then measurement precision may be improved, but the rock sample integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement methods with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a non-invasive electromagnetic technique. MRI measures fluid saturation and wettability distributions by detecting nuclear magnetic resonance signals from hydrogen nuclei in the fluids, without requiring physical contact with or extraction of the rock sample, thus maintaining sample integrity while providing precise measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses MRI technology as an intermediary measurement method that indirectly determines wettability characteristics through magnetic resonance signals. Instead of directly manipulating or disturbing the rock sample, the MRI system detects changes in fluid distribution and relaxation times, providing measurement precision without sample interference.
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 the establishment of representative fluid and wettability distributions in a single rock sample, facilitating quicker, more economical, and reliable assessments of hydrocarbon extraction processes, improving the accuracy of hydrocarbon reserves estimation and optimizing extraction methods.
Implementation Method 1
the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure in-situ wettability distributions and hydrocarbon saturation
Implementation Method 2
in-situ spatially resolved spin-spin relaxation time spectrum measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A primary drainage process, a core aging process, a water flooding process, an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) flooding process, and a core cleaning process is conducted on a rock sample. For each of the primary drainage process, core aging process, water flooding process, EOR flooding process, and core cleaning process, an equilibrium sample magnetization distribution and a spatially resolved spin-spin relaxation time spectrum are measured across multiple locations along a longitudinal length of the rock sample. One or more hydrocarbon saturation distributions of the rock sample are determined based on the equilibrium sample magnetization distributions. One or more wettability distributions of the rock sample are determined based on the spatially resolved spin-spin relaxation time spectrums and the one or more hydrocarbon saturation distributions. One or more wettability modification factor distributions of the rock sample are determined based on the spatially resolved spin-spin relaxation time spectrums and the hydrocarbon saturation distribution(s).