Rock-Fluid Interaction Testing for Hydrocarbon Production Forecasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies have limited understanding of how fluid-rock interactions affect drilling programs, well operations, and production performance in tight and unconventional formations, leading to suboptimal asset development and hydrocarbon recovery.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for rock sample and rock-fluid interaction testing, including combining a rock sample from a subterranean formation with a test fluid, measuring hydrocarbon release, and generating a forecast of hydrocarbon production potential, using a fluid source, testing apparatus, and analytic system to optimize wellbore production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If rock-fluid interaction testing is implemented, then hydrocarbon production potential forecast accuracy is improved, but device complexity and testing time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon production potential forecast accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rock sample is divided into multiple subsamples that are tested separately with different fracturing fluid compositions. This segmentation allows systematic evaluation of multiple fluid types without requiring a single complex test setup, enabling comparative analysis of rock response to different chemical compositions while maintaining manageable test complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rock samples are collected and prepared in advance during the drilling operation, and fluid composition formulations are predetermined based on formation characteristics. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making during testing, reducing operational complexity while improving forecast accuracy through pre-planned experimental designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If multiple rock sample tests with different fluid compositions are conducted, then well operation optimization is improved, but loss of time and testing duration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell operation optimizationVSAvoidtesting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple rock samples from different formation zones are tested simultaneously or in parallel with different fluid compositions. This segmentation allows concurrent evaluation of multiple scenarios without sequential time penalty, enabling comprehensive well operation optimization while reducing total testing time through parallel processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method tests more fluid compositions than would traditionally be tested, including control fluids and multiple fracturing fluid variants. This excessive sampling provides redundant data that accelerates optimization by identifying effective fluid types more quickly, reducing the time needed for well operation decision-making despite increased testing volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If rock samples are collected from multiple formation zones, then asset development optimization is improved, but device complexity and sampling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset development optimizationVSAvoidsampling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single rock sampling system is designed to collect samples from multiple formation zones and rock types using the same basic apparatus. This universal sampling device can handle various formation conditions without requiring specialized equipment for each zone, enabling comprehensive asset development optimization while minimizing device complexity through multi-functional design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances asset development by optimizing well placement, fracturing fluid composition, and hydrocarbon recovery efficiency, providing insights into reservoir and production performance, and improving decision-making in unconventional formations.

Implementation Method 1

combining the rock sample and a test fluid for a period of time... measuring a measurement of a hydrocarbon released from the rock sample-test fluid interaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260049970A1Asset development optimization using field sampling and rock-fluid interaction testing

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

A method for asset development optimization using a rock sample and rock sample-test fluid interaction testing may include combining the rock sample and a test fluid for a period of time, where the rock sample originates from a portion of a subterranean formation through which a wellbore is drilled. The method may also include obtaining a measurement of a hydrocarbon released from the rock sample-test fluid interaction testing after the period of time. The method may further include generating, using the measurement, a forecast of hydrocarbon production potential for a portion of a subterranean formation from which the rock sample is obtained.