Piston Cell Core Flood Testing for Reservoir Souring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laboratory testing methods for reservoir souring do not effectively simulate the high pressure and temperature conditions of hydrocarbon reservoirs, nor do they accurately mimic the transport of fluids and bacterial growth within reservoir rock pores, limiting the evaluation of mitigation technologies.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure and high-temperature core flooding test system and method that uses piston cells to simulate reservoir conditions by injecting fluids and bacteria into a core rock sample, maintaining pressure and temperature similar to the reservoir, and testing for hydrogen sulfide production to evaluate mitigation technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laboratory testing methods are used at ambient pressures, then the testing equipment is simpler and easier to operate, but the testing conditions do not simulate actual reservoir conditions, reducing the reliability of the results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the testing conditions from ambient pressure and temperature to high pressure (up to 20,000 psi) and elevated temperature (up to 200°C) to match actual reservoir conditions. This fundamental parameter change enables the system to simulate real reservoir environments, thereby improving simulation accuracy and reliability of the testing results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a high-pressure containment system with piston cells that act as mediators between the testing equipment and the core sample. These intermediary components transmit and control the high pressure and temperature conditions to the sample, enabling realistic reservoir simulation while maintaining equipment safety and operational control.
2Ease of manufacture
If glass bead columns are used to simulate reservoir rock, then the device is simpler to construct, but it fails to account for key reservoir rock properties such as permeability, porosity, wettability, connectivity and mineralogy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by replacing simplified glass bead columns with actual core samples taken from the reservoir. These core samples are genuine replicas of the reservoir rock, preserving all its natural properties including permeability, porosity, wettability, connectivity, and mineralogy. This copying approach ensures that the testing device accurately represents the actual reservoir conditions.
3Temperature
If sand columns are used to simulate reservoir conditions, then the device can be pressurized and heated, but it still does not account for key reservoir rock properties including permeability, porosity, wettability, connectivity and mineralogy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that each core sample retains its unique local properties specific to its reservoir location. Rather than using uniform sand or glass beads, the system incorporates actual rock samples with their inherent, location-specific characteristics for permeability, porosity, wettability, connectivity, and mineralogy, while subjecting them to controlled temperature and pressure conditions.
4Ease of operation
If ambient pressure testing is used, then the equipment is simpler and safer to operate, but it does not mimic the transport of fluids and bacterial growth in biofilm form within the reservoir rock pores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the pressure parameter from ambient levels to high reservoir pressures (up to 20,000 psi). This pressure parameter change fundamentally alters the fluid transport behavior within the core sample, enabling the system to replicate the actual movement of fluids and bacterial biofilms through rock pores under realistic reservoir conditions.
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 system allows for the simulation of reservoir souring conditions, enabling the evaluation of mitigation technologies under relevant conditions and providing insights into the key parameters governing souring and the effectiveness of proposed solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A high-pressure and high-temperature core flooding test system and method that uses piston cells to simulate reservoir conditions by injecting fluids and bacteria into a core rock sample
Implementation Method 2
maintaining pressure and temperature similar to the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
maintaining pressure and temperature similar to the reservoir
Implementation Method 4
testing for hydrogen sulfide production to evaluate mitigation technologies
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for testing a core rock sample for reservoir souring. The apparatus includes first and second pumps, and a piston cell associated with each of the first and second pumps. Each piston cell has a first portion and a second portion divided by a movable piston such that the second portion is fluidly sealed from the first portion. Each piston cell is configured to receive fluid pumped by its respective pump into the first portion thereof. A core holder is sized to receive and maintain a core rock sample at a desired pressure and temperature. The second portions of each of the piston cells are fluidly connected to the core holder.