Reservoir Resistivity Estimation of Hydrocarbon-Water Contact Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Drilling appraisal wells to determine the depth of a hydrocarbon-water contact is costly and inefficient, as it often results in wasted resources if the reservoir extends only a short distance beyond the initial well's reach.

Innovation Solution

A method involving resistivity measurements and analysis of rock samples to establish a relationship between resistivity and hydrocarbon-water contact depth, allowing estimation of the contact depth without the need for additional wells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If appraisal wells are drilled to determine the depth of hydrocarbon-water contact, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to wasted drilling resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth estimation accuracyVSAvoiddrilling resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drilling process with an electrical measurement system. By using resistivity measurements and capillary pressure analysis, the method substitutes physical drilling with non-invasive electrical field measurements to determine hydrocarbon-water contact depth, thereby avoiding wasted drilling resources while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces resistivity measurements and capillary pressure calculations as intermediary parameters. These intermediaries link the easily measurable electrical resistivity to the desired hydrocarbon-water contact depth, enabling indirect but accurate determination without direct drilling intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If appraisal wells are drilled to determine reservoir extent, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended exploration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir volume estimationVSAvoidexploration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary analysis using resistivity measurements and capillary pressure relationships before committing to time-consuming drilling operations. By establishing the hydrocarbon-water contact depth through electrical measurements first, the method enables preliminary reservoir characterization that guides subsequent exploration decisions, reducing overall exploration time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If resistivity measurements and sample analysis are used to estimate contact depth, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexploration method complexityVSAvoidcontact depth estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct physical depth measurement (requiring complex drilling equipment) to electrical resistivity measurement (using simpler electrical tools). By establishing a relationship between resistivity and capillary pressure, and subsequently to hydrocarbon-water contact depth, the method achieves accurate depth estimation through parameter transformation while using less complex equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a simpler and less costly means to estimate the hydrocarbon-water contact depth, offering a more accurate and effective method to estimate the reservoir's volume and hydrocarbon content, thereby informing decisions on further exploration or extraction.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining a resistivity measurement of the hydrocarbon reservoir; estimating the hydrocarbon-water contact depth from the relationship relating resistivity to hydrocarbon-water contact depth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistivity: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12516600B2Method for estimating depth of hydrocarbon reservoir

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 EQUINOR ENERGY AS

AI summary

A method of estimating a depth of a hydrocarbon-water contact of a hydrocarbon reservoir in a structure. The method may include the steps of analysing one or more samples obtained from the structure to generate a relationship relating resistivity to hydrocarbon-water contact depth, obtaining a resistivity measurement of the hydrocarbon reservoir, and estimating the hydrocarbon-water contact depth from the relationship relating resistivity to hydrocarbon-water contact depth and the resistivity measurement of the hydrocarbon reservoir.