US4229181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for determining oil-related characteristics of geological sediments from small samples thereof
Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
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Filing: 1978-09-08
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Sample of geological sediment is heated preferably to a first temperature in the range from 50° C. to 65° C., then to a second temperature in the range from 200° C. to 350° C. and finally to a third temperature in the range from 550° C. to 600° C. Oil-related characteristics of the sediments are derived from the respective amounts of hydrocarbons released by the sample during these three steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Espitalie
- 👤 Jean-Loup Laporte
- 👤 Marcel Madec
- 👤 Francois Marquis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/24; G01N33/241; E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/005; G01V; G01V9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for rapidly evaluating at least one oil-related characteristic of a geological sediment using a small-sized sample thereof comprising determining the overall amount of hydrocarbons initially present in the sample and the overall amount of hydrocarbon products obtained by pyrolyzing the insoluble organic material contained in the sample, this method comprising the steps of (a) heating the sample to a first temperature suitable for releasing only the gaseous hydrocarbons initially contained in the sample,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for rapidly evaluating at least one oil-related characteristic of a geological sediment using a small-sized sample thereof comprising determining the overall amount of hydrocarbons initially present in the sample and the overall amount of hydrocarbon products obtained by pyrolyzing the insoluble organic material contained in the sample, this method comprising the steps of (a) heating the sample to a first temperature suitable for releasing only the gaseous hydrocarbons initially contained in the sample,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
139 words
(b) determining a first parameter representative of the amount of these gaseous hydrocarbons, (c) heating the sample to a second temperature greater than said first temperature and suitable for vaporizing the whole amount of the liquid hydrocarbons initially contained in the sample, without pyrolyzing the insoluble organic material of the sample, (d) determining a second parameter representative of the amount of said liquid hydrocarbons, (e) heating the sample to a third temperature greater than said second temperature to pyrolyze the insoluble organic material contained in the sample, (f) determining a third parameter representing the amount of the hydrocarbon products resulting from this pyrolysis, and (g) deriving from said third parameter, together with said first and second parameters, the kind of hydrocarbons contained in the geological sediment and the degree of evolution of the insoluble organic material of the sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
(b) determining a first parameter representative of the amount of these gaseous hydrocarbons, (c) heating the sample to a second temperature greater than said first temperature and suitable for vaporizing the whole amount of the liquid hydrocarbons initially contained in the sample, without pyrolyzing the insoluble organic material of the sample, (d) determining a second parameter representative of the amount of said liquid hydrocarbons, (e) heating the sample to a third temperature greater than said second temperature to pyrolyze the insoluble organic material contained in the sample, (f) determining a third parameter representing the amount of the hydrocarbon products resulting from this pyrolysis, and (g) deriving from said third parameter, together with said first and second parameters, the kind of hydrocarbons contained in the geological sediment and the degree of evolution of the insoluble organic material of the sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said second temperature is in the range from 200° C. to 350° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said third temperature is between 400° C. and 700° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein, in heating the sample to said third temperature, the sample temperature increases at least 20° C./minute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a carrier gas is passed through said sample to scavenge said sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said carrier gas is heated to said first temperature and heats said sample to said first temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said first temperature is at most 90° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said second temperature is lower than 350° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said third temperature is between 400° C. and 700° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said first temperature is in the range from 50° C. to 65° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said second temperature is in the range of 200° C. to 350° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said third temperature is in the range of 550° C. to 600° C.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |