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Microwave method and apparatus utilizing dielectric loss factor measurements for determination of adsorbed fluid in subsurface formations surrounding a borehole

Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-08
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-04-08
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus and method for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in formations surrounding a borehole. In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for deriving a first quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of the formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a first frequency through the formations. Means are also provided for deriving a second quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of the formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a second frequency through the formations. Finally, means are provided for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in the formations as a function of the difference between the first and second quantities. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for deriving the first and second quantities comprise means for transmitting microwave electromagnetic energy through the formations and measuring the relative phase shift and attenuation of the microwave electromagnetic energy in traversing the formations of interest.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rama N. Rau

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 16:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/18; G01V3/30

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
Apparatus for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising: means for deriving a first quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a first frequency through said formations; means for deriving a second quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a second frequency through said formations; and means for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in said formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
Apparatus for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising: means for deriving a first quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a first frequency through said formations; means for deriving a second quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a second frequency through said formations; and means for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in said formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 42 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for deriving said first and second quantities comprise means for transmitting microwave electromagnetic energy through said formations and for measuring the relative attenuation and relative phase shift of said microwave electromagnetic energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid comprises means for detecting the weighted difference between said first and second quantities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said means for determining the amount of adsorbed fluid comprises means for detecting the weighted difference between said first and second quantities.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first frequency is below about 0.6 GHz and said second frequency is about 1 GHz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 95 words
A method of determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising the steps of: deriving a first quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a first frequency through said formations; deriving a second quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a second frequency through said formations; and determining the amount of adsorbed water in said formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 95 words
A method of determining the amount of adsorbed fluid in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising the steps of: deriving a first quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a first frequency through said formations; deriving a second quantity which is a function of the dielectric loss factor of said formations as measured by passing electromagnetic energy of a second frequency through said formations; and determining the amount of adsorbed water in said formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 42 words
A method as defined by claim 8 wherein the steps of deriving said first and second quantities includes the steps of transmitting microwave electromagnetic energy through said formations and measuring the relative attenuation and relative phase shift of the microwave electromagnetic energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as defined by claim 8 wherein said step of determining the amount of adsorbed fluid comprises the step of detecting the weighted difference between said first and second quantities.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as defined by claim 9 wherein the step of determining the amount of adsorbed fluid comprises the step of detecting the weighted difference between said first and second quantities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as defined by claim 8 wherein said first frequency is below about 0.6 GHz and said second frequency is about 1 GHz.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as defined by claim 10 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as defined by claim 13 wherein said first frequency is below about 0.6 GHz and said second frequency is about 1 GHz.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 145 words
Apparatus for determining the amount of adsorbed water in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising: means for injecting microwave electromagnetic energy at first and second frequencies into the surrounding formations; means for measuring the relative attenuation and relative phase shift of the microwave electromagnetic energy passing through a given portion of the surrounding formations; means for deriving a first quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said first frequency; means for deriving a second quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said second frequency; and means for determining the amount of adsorbed water in said given portion of the surrounding formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 145 words
Apparatus for determining the amount of adsorbed water in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising: means for injecting microwave electromagnetic energy at first and second frequencies into the surrounding formations; means for measuring the relative attenuation and relative phase shift of the microwave electromagnetic energy passing through a given portion of the surrounding formations; means for deriving a first quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said first frequency; means for deriving a second quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said second frequency; and means for determining the amount of adsorbed water in said given portion of the surrounding formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 15 wherein said means for determining the amount of adsorbed water comprises means for detecting the weighted difference between said first and second quantities.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 24 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein said first frequency is below about 0.6 GHz and said second frequency is about 1 GHz.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 16 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus as defined by claim 17 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 139 words
A method for determining the amount of adsorbed water in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising the steps of: injecting microwave electromagnetic energy at first and second frequencies into the surrounding formations; measuring the relative attenuation and relative phase shift of the microwave electromagnetic energy passing through a given portion of the surrounding formations; deriving a first quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said first frequency; deriving a second quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said second frequency; and determining the amount of adsorbed water in said given portion of the surrounding formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 139 words
A method for determining the amount of adsorbed water in formations surrounding a borehole, comprising the steps of: injecting microwave electromagnetic energy at first and second frequencies into the surrounding formations; measuring the relative attenuation and relative phase shift of the microwave electromagnetic energy passing through a given portion of the surrounding formations; deriving a first quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said first frequency; deriving a second quantity which is indicative of the dielectric loss factor of the given portion of the formations by combining the attenuation and phase measurements taken at said second frequency; and determining the amount of adsorbed water in said given portion of the surrounding formations as a function of said first and second quantities.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as defined by claim 20 wherein the step of determining the amount of adsorbed water comprises the step of detecting the weighted difference between said first and second quantities.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 24 words
A method as defined by claim 21 wherein said first frequency is below about 0.6 GHz and said second frequency is about 1 GHz.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as defined by claim 21 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as defined by claim 22 wherein the weightings of said weighted difference are a function of the ratio of said first and second frequencies.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

SU272450A1 Cited
US3849721A Cited
US3891916A Cited
US3982176A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-02-27 1981-08-29 1982-02-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-02-27 1985-08-29 1986-02-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-02-27 1989-08-29 1990-02-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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