X-ray Diffraction Quartz Peak Ratio for Depositional Environment Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for determining the depositional environment of subterranean rock samples are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly in identifying reservoir layers for hydrocarbon production, as they rely on petrography which requires extensive processing and analysis.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing X-ray diffraction to measure the intensity ratios of crystallographic plane 100 and 101 peaks for quartz, allowing for rapid identification of depositional environments by correlating these ratios with specific energy and provenance indicators, thereby facilitating more precise well placement in hydrocarbon reservoirs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If petrography methods are used to determine depositional environment, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepositional environment identification accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional petrography methods (manual microscopy and visual analysis) with X-ray diffraction technology. The XRD instrument automatically measures crystallographic peak intensities and calculates ratios, eliminating the need for manual sample examination while providing objective, quantitative depositional environment identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the analysis from qualitative petrographic description to quantitative measurement of crystallographic peak intensity ratios. By measuring the ratio of intensities for specific crystallographic planes (e.g., 100/101 ratio for quartz), the method provides numerical parameters that can be directly correlated with depositional environments, significantly reducing analysis time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If petrography processing is used for rock samples, then depositional environment identification accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepositional environment identification accuracyVSAvoidsample analysis throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual petrography processing with automated X-ray diffraction analysis. The XRD instrument can rapidly analyze multiple samples in sequence, providing consistent and reproducible results without the limitations of manual examination, thereby significantly increasing sample analysis throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs sample preparation steps (grinding to powder, mounting in holders) that standardize the material before analysis. This preliminary processing ensures that all samples are in a consistent state suitable for rapid XRD analysis, enabling high-throughput processing while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If detailed petrography analysis is performed, then reliability of reservoir identification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir layer identification reliabilityVSAvoidanalysis method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual petrography procedures with a standardized X-ray diffraction analysis system. The XRD instrument automatically collects diffraction patterns, identifies peaks, and calculates intensity ratios according to predetermined algorithms, providing reliable reservoir identification through objective, repeatable measurements rather than subjective visual assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a database of reference intensity ratios correlated with known depositional environments. By comparing measured sample ratios against this reference database, the system reliably identifies reservoir layers without requiring expert petrographic interpretation, thus maintaining reliability while simplifying the analytical process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 significantly speeds up the analysis process, enabling the identification of depositional environments in minutes compared to hours or days with petrography, and improves the accuracy of well placement by correlating quartz median grain diameters with energy and provenance, enhancing hydrocarbon production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

X-ray diffraction is performed on a sample to determine an intensity ratio of crystallographic plane 100 and 101 peaks for quartz

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 2

measuring an intensity ratio of crystallographic plane 100 and 101 peaks for quartz

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS11549894B2Determination of depositional environments

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Methods are provided for determining a depositional environment of a sample of a subterranean environment. An example method includes measuring intensities for a crystallographic plane (CP) 100 peak and a CP 101 peak for quartz in a diffractogram, calculating a ratio of the intensities of the CP 100 peak to the CP 101 peak, and identifying a depositional environment for the sample from the ratio.