Simultaneous Rock Permeability and Porosity Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating porosity and permeability of rock samples from subterranean formations require separate analytical processes, leading to operational delays and increased expenditures, as they often necessitate the rehabilitation of rock samples with natural or simulated formation water to accurately capture the effect of formation water on oil phase permeability and relative porosity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for substantially simultaneous evaluation of permeability, porosity, and fluid composition in rock samples, involving the use of cleaning fluids with specific flow rates and differential pressures to extract and analyze formation fluids, allowing for the determination of permeability and porosity values in a unified procedure, which can be repeated with minimal modifications to improve accuracy and balance speed and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate analytical processes are used for evaluating porosity and permeability with sample rehabilitation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fluid extraction, porosity evaluation, and permeability measurement into a single integrated analytical process. The cleaning fluid extraction step simultaneously provides the fluid composition data needed for porosity calculation and the flow data needed for permeability measurement, eliminating the need for separate rehabilitation steps and sequential analyses.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid serves multiple functions: it extracts formation fluids from the rock sample, acts as the test fluid for permeability measurement, and provides the basis for porosity calculation through volume displacement. This multi-functional approach replaces the conventional need for separate formation water rehabilitation and multiple test fluids.
2Measurement precision
If separate analytical processes are used for evaluating porosity and permeability, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple measurement functions into a single analytical system. The same apparatus that performs fluid extraction also conducts the flow measurements and volume determinations needed for both porosity and permeability calculations, reducing the number of separate devices and setups required.
Solution Approach 2:
The analytical system is designed to perform multiple functions: fluid extraction, flow rate measurement, pressure differential measurement, and volume determination. This universal system replaces the conventional need for separate porosimeters, permeability cells, and fluid handling equipment.
3Measurement precision
If conventional separate analytical processes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple evaluation steps into a single operational sequence that can be performed on rock samples during or immediately after drilling operations. This integrated approach provides formation data much faster than conventional methods, enabling real-time or near-real-time decision-making for drilling optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid extraction step is performed first and simultaneously prepares the sample for both porosity and permeability measurements. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent sample rehabilitation steps, allowing immediate progression to data analysis and interpretation.
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 approach enables more efficient and accurate characterization of formation fluids and rock properties during drilling operations, potentially reducing analysis time by up to 10 days and providing a more up-to-date assessment of formation properties, while allowing for flexibility in measurement types and conditions.
Implementation Method 1
passing a cleaning fluid at a flow rate through a rock sample at a differential pressure... determining a permeability value of the rock sample based at least in part on one or more of (i) one or more properties of the effluent, (ii) the flow rate of the cleaning fluid, and (iii) the differential pressure of the cleaning fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for substantially simultaneous evaluation of rock sample permeability and porosity, and composition of formation fluids, are provided. Such methods and systems may be used to evaluate the permeability, porosity, and composition of at least a portion of a subterranean formation in a drilling operation. An example of such a method may include passing a cleaning fluid through the rock sample so as to extract at least a portion of one or more formation fluids from the rock sample in an effluent comprising the cleaning fluid and the portion of the one or more formation fluids; and determining one or more properties of the effluent so as to determine the composition of the portion of the one or more formation fluids, and so as to determine the permeability and porosity of the rock sample.