Pressurized Core Sample Transfer for NMR-Compatible Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tools for transferring subterranean core samples from high-pressure environments to laboratory settings cause changes in fluid composition and structure, making laboratory data non-representative of downhole conditions, and are incompatible with certain laboratory measurements like NMR.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for transferring core samples from a retrieval vessel to a testing vessel while maintaining pressure using a linear actuator, allowing for testing in a pressurized environment compatible with NMR and other measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tools are used to transfer core samples from high-pressure environments to laboratory settings, then the transfer process is simple and straightforward, but the fluid composition and structure of the samples change, making laboratory data non-representative of downhole conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A pressurized transfer chamber serves as an intermediary environment between the high-pressure core retrieval system and the laboratory setting. This chamber maintains reservoir pressure during sample transfer, preventing fluid composition changes and structural alterations that would otherwise occur during depressurization. The chamber acts as a buffer zone that preserves sample integrity while enabling transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls pressure as a critical parameter throughout the transfer process. By maintaining constant pressure equal to reservoir conditions during sample transfer and testing, the system prevents phase changes in fluids and structural changes in rock samples. This parameter control ensures that measurements taken in the laboratory accurately reflect downhole conditions.
2Measurement precision
If conventional metal tools are used for core sample retrieval and transfer, then the tools are structurally strong and durable, but they are incompatible with NMR and other magnetic-based laboratory measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer chamber and associated tools utilize composite material construction, combining non-magnetic materials (such as certain alloys or polymers) with structurally supportive elements. This allows the system to maintain adequate mechanical strength while being compatible with NMR measurements, as the non-magnetic materials do not interfere with magnetic field penetration required for NMR analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic materials are extracted or removed from the transfer chamber design to eliminate interference with NMR measurements. The chamber is constructed without ferromagnetic components in the measurement zone, allowing clean NMR signals from the core samples without distortion from tooling magnetic fields.
3Ease of operation
If core samples are depressurized to atmospheric pressure before laboratory study, then the samples can be easily handled and analyzed, but the samples may not be fully representative of downhole conditions due to changes in pressure, fluid composition, and physical damage
Solution Approach 1:
Essential measurements and analyses are performed on the core samples while they are still under reservoir pressure, before any depressurization occurs. This preliminary action captures critical data about fluid composition, rock properties, and phase behavior under authentic downhole conditions, ensuring representativeness before the samples are subsequently depressurized for routine handling and storage.
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
Maintains sample pressure during transfer and testing, ensuring accurate laboratory analysis and compatibility with NMR, thus providing representative data for hydrocarbon production modeling.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a sampling pressure on the at least one subterranean core sample
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing the testing vessel to the sampling pressure using the linear actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transferring at least one subterranean core sample from a retrieval vessel to a testing vessel can include removing at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel using a linear actuator while maintaining a sampling pressure on the at least one subterranean core sample at which the at least one subterranean core sample is taken from a subterranean formation. The method can also include pressurizing the testing vessel to the sampling pressure using the linear actuator, and transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel. The method can further include sealing the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure, where the testing vessel allows the at least one subterranean core sample to be tested while the at least one subterranean core sample is maintained at the sampling pressure.