US3631245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Neutron method for determining residual oil-phase fluid concentration
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1968-12-23
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1988-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining the concentration of oil-phase fluid in an earth formation containing indigenous oil-phase fluid and aqueous liquid. A zone in the formation is irradiated with neutrons when the zone is filled with indigenous oil-phase and aqueous liquid. The thermal neutron capture rate response of the zone is measured with respect to the first irradiation. Substantially all indigenous oil-phase is removed from the zone and the zone is filled with only an aqueous liquid substantially equivalent in composition to the indigenous aqueous liquid. The zone is irradiated with neutrons a second time and the thermal neutron capture rate response of the zone is measured with respect to the second irradiation.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Jorden Jr
- 👤 Forrest R Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:25
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/04; G01V5/08; G01V5/10; G01V5/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a method for determining the concentration of indigenous oil-phase fluid in an earth formation containing indigenous oilphase fluid and aqueous liquid, the process comprising the steps of: irradiating with a pulse of neutrons a zone within said formation when said zone is filled with said indigenous oilphase fluid and aqueous liquid; measuring the thermal neutron capture rate response of the zone to said irradiation; removing substantially all indigenous oil-phase fluid from the zone; filling said zone with an aqueous liquid substantially equivalent in composition to said indigenous aqueous liquid; irradiating the zone with a pulse of neutrons a second time; measuring the thermal neutron capture rate response of the zone to said second irradiation; and determining the quantity of the indigenous oil-phase fluid saturation times porosity from the difference between said measured first and said second responses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a method for determining the concentration of indigenous oil-phase fluid in an earth formation containing indigenous oilphase fluid and aqueous liquid, the process comprising the steps of: irradiating with a pulse of neutrons a zone within said formation when said zone is filled with said indigenous oilphase fluid and aqueous liquid; measuring the thermal neutron capture rate response of the zone to said irradiation; removing substantially all indigenous oil-phase fluid from the zone; filling said zone with an aqueous liquid substantially equivalent in composition to said indigenous aqueous liquid; irradiating the zone with a pulse of neutrons a second time; measuring the thermal neutron capture rate response of the zone to said second irradiation; and determining the quantity of the indigenous oil-phase fluid saturation times porosity from the difference between said measured first and said second responses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of flooding said earth formation with an aqueous liquid prior to first irradiating said zone so as to displace any gas present in said formation away from the zone being irradiated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of producing said well until its oil content is at least as low as waterflood residual prior to irradiating said zone a first time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of producing said well includes the step of injecting sufficient water into said well so as to reduce the residual oil level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the steps of injecting sufficient water includes injecting salt water sufficient to exceed the radius of investigation of the zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of producing therefrom a supply of the indigenous oil-phase fluid and aqueous liquid within said zone; and separating said aqueous liquid from said indigenous oil-phase fluid; and employing said separated aqueous liquid in the step of filling said zone with an aqueous liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2443680A
Cited
US3102956A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |