US4381665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for determining saturation characteristics of a porous material
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1981-07-08
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Granted: 1983-05-03
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Expires: 2001-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining the fluid saturation conditions of a porous material containing a liquid hydrocarbon. An insoluble displacing liquid is pumped into such porous material and displaces the liquid hydrocarbon. The amount of displaced liquid hydrocarbon is monitored as a measure of the saturation condition of the porous material at any given time.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel L. Levine
- 👤 Benjamin F. Marek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for determining the characteristics of a porous material from a subterranean formation, comprising: (a) establishing a closed fluid system of a multiphase fluid, one phase being a liquid hydrocarbon and another phase being an insoluble displacing liquid, said hydrocarbon phase and said displacing liquid phase separating and forming a fluid interface between said phases, (b) placing a sample of said porous material into said closed fluid system, (c) detecting the level of said fluid interface under static conditions, (d) pumping a portion of said hydrocarbon phase into a first end of said sample, (e) pumping a portion of said displacing liquid phase into said first end of said sample, whereby said sample is saturated with said hydrocarbon phase and said displacing liquid phase and (f) detecting a change in the level of said fluid interface in response to the flow of the hydrocarbon phase and displacing liquid phase through said sample, said fluid change being representative of the saturation characteristics of said porous material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
166 words
A method for determining the characteristics of a porous material from a subterranean formation, comprising: (a) establishing a closed fluid system of a multiphase fluid, one phase being a liquid hydrocarbon and another phase being an insoluble displacing liquid, said hydrocarbon phase and said displacing liquid phase separating and forming a fluid interface between said phases, (b) placing a sample of said porous material into said closed fluid system, (c) detecting the level of said fluid interface under static conditions, (d) pumping a portion of said hydrocarbon phase into a first end of said sample, (e) pumping a portion of said displacing liquid phase into said first end of said sample, whereby said sample is saturated with said hydrocarbon phase and said displacing liquid phase and (f) detecting a change in the level of said fluid interface in response to the flow of the hydrocarbon phase and displacing liquid phase through said sample, said fluid change being representative of the saturation characteristics of said porous material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon phase is pumped into said sample at the same flow rate as said displacing liquid phase is pumped into said sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon phase is pumped into said sample at a different flow rate than said displacing liquid phase is pumped into said sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pumping of said hydrocarbon phase and said displacing liquid phase continues until an initial state of equilibrium is reached, the change in the level of said fluid interface between the static and initial equilibrium conditions being representative of the saturation condition of said sample at the specific pumping rates for said hydrocarbon phase and said displacing liquid phase.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the initial pumping rates for at least one of said hydrocarbon or displacing liquid phase is changed to a second rate and pumping of both phases continued until a second equilibrium state is reached, the change in said fluid interface between said initial and second equilibrium conditions being representative of the change in saturation characteristics of said sample between said initial and second pumping rates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |