Reservoir Micro Pore Characterization via Electrochemical Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CT scanning technologies are unable to accurately characterize micro pore structures smaller than 50 nm in unconventional reservoirs like tight sandstone and shale, limiting oil and gas exploration and development.
Innovation Solution
A characterization method and system that fabricate a reservoir sheet, deposit a crystal substance into its pores using electrochemical deposition, and then scan the morphology of the crystal substance to characterize the micro pore structure, overcoming the resolution limitations of CT scanning by using electrochemical deposition to deposit metal ions into pores smaller than 10 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT scanning technology is used to characterize reservoir micro pore structure, then the characterization process is simple and fast, but the resolution ratio is limited to 50 nm minimum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by fabricating a reservoir sheet electrode before characterization, where metal ions are pre-deposited into the pore structures through electrochemical deposition. This preliminary deposition of metal ions (such as platinum, gold, or silver) into the nanoscale pores enables subsequent high-resolution imaging by scanning the deposited metal morphology, achieving characterization resolution below 10 nm that overcomes the 50 nm limitation of conventional CT scanning.
2Measurement precision
If electrochemical deposition is used to deposit crystal substance into pores, then the characterization resolution ratio improves to below 10 nm, but the characterization process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the electrochemical deposition parameters (voltage, current density, deposition time, and electrolyte composition) to optimize the metal ion deposition process. By adjusting these parameters, the method achieves complete pore filling with metal ions in a controlled manner, enabling high-resolution characterization below 10 nm while managing the deposition time efficiently. The process transforms the pore structure into a metal-filled structure that can be scanned with high precision.
3Measurement precision
If CT scanning technology is used, then the characterization process is fast, but it cannot characterize micro pore structures smaller than 50 nm in unconventional reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (metal ions such as platinum, gold, or silver) that mediates the characterization process. These metal ions are deposited into the nanoscale pores of the reservoir rock as an intermediary step, filling the pores and creating a scannable metal structure. This intermediary metal deposition enables subsequent high-resolution scanning to characterize pore structures smaller than 50 nm, overcoming the resolution limitation of direct CT scanning while providing detailed morphological information.
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 method improves the characterization resolution ratio, enabling the study of micro pore structures in unconventional reservoirs, particularly those with nanoscale features, thereby enhancing oil and gas exploration and development.
Implementation Method 1
depositing a crystal substance into pores of the reservoir sheet of the reservoir sheet electrode by using electrochemical deposition
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a method for characterizing reservoir micro pore structures, in particular structures smaller than 50 nm and a system therefore. The method can include fabricating a reservoir sheet; fabricating a reservoir sheet electrode using the reservoir sheet; depositing crystal substance in inner pores of the reservoir sheet of the reservoir sheet electrode using chemical deposition; obtaining the crystal substance by removing rock portions of the reservoir sheet in which the crystal substance is deposited; and scanning the shapes of the obtained crystal substance, the result of the scanning being the reservoir micro pore structure.