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US4876512A
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Method for rapidly determining the swelling-clay content in shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric constant measurements
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1988-03-30
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Granted: 1989-10-24
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Expires: 2008-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining at wellsites the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstones earth formations whereby a sample of the formation is washed with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water, which fluid may contain a soluble cation, and measurements of the sample's dielectric constant are made at a preselected frequency for subsequent comparison to calibration curves, thereby obtaining a measurement of the welling-clay content of the formation. The determinations of the swelling-clay content may be performed at different levels depending on the nature of the samples.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael K. Kroeger
- 👤 John M. Longo
- 👤 Ronald P. Steiger
- 👤 Peter K. Leung
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/24; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/221; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; G01R27/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of earth formations by dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of the earth formation to a size suitable for testing; (b) washing the sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water; (c) packing the washed sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (d) measuring the dielectric constant of the washed sample at a preselected frequency; and (e) comparing the measured dielectric constant of the rock sample to a calibration curve, to determine the swelling-clay content of the earth formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of earth formations by dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of the earth formation to a size suitable for testing; (b) washing the sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water; (c) packing the washed sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (d) measuring the dielectric constant of the washed sample at a preselected frequency; and (e) comparing the measured dielectric constant of the rock sample to a calibration curve, to determine the swelling-clay content of the earth formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of repeating steps a through e for further samples whose swelling-clay contents are to be measured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid is a mixture of alcohol and water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said mixture is 70% (volume) isopropyl alcohol and 30% (volume) water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said packing is accomplished by centrifuging the sample cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the preselected frequency of measurement is about 1 megahertz.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing the sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water; (c) packing the washed sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (d) measuring the dielectric constant of the washed sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other samples; and (e) comparing the measured dielectric constant of the sample to a calibration curve derived from samples of known dielectric constant and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling clay content of the formation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing the sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water; (c) packing the washed sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (d) measuring the dielectric constant of the washed sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other samples; and (e) comparing the measured dielectric constant of the sample to a calibration curve derived from samples of known dielectric constant and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling clay content of the formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 7, further including the step of repeating steps a through e for each sample to be compared.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said fluid is a mixture of alcohol and water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said mixture is 70% (volume) isopropyl alcohol and 30% (volume) water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said packing is accomplished by centrifuging the sample cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the preselected frequency of measurement is about 1 megahertz.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing the sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a cation has been added; (c) packing the washed sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (d) measuring the dielectric constant of the washed sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other samples; and (e) comparing the measured dielectric constant of the sample to a calibration curve derived from samples of known dielectric constant and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling-clay content of the formation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing the sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a cation has been added; (c) packing the washed sample into a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (d) measuring the dielectric constant of the washed sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other samples; and (e) comparing the measured dielectric constant of the sample to a calibration curve derived from samples of known dielectric constant and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling-clay content of the formation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said cation comprises Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , Cs + , (NH 4 ) + , Mg +2 , Ca +2 , Ba +2 , Sr +2 , Co +2 Ni +2 , Cu +2 , Zn +2 , La +3 , Fe +3 , Cr +3 , or Al +3 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said fluid is a mixture of alcohol and water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said mixture is 70% (volume) isopropyl alcohol and 30% (volume) water.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said packing is accomplished by centrifuging the sample cell.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the preselected frequency of measurement is about 1 megahertz.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, further including the step of repeating steps a through e for each sample to be compared.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing a first half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a swelling state inducing cation has been added; (c) washing a second half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a non-swelling state inducing cation has been added; (d) packing said first half of said washed sample in a first sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (e) packing said second half of said washed sample in a second sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (f) measuring the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other samples; (g) measuring the dielectric constant of said second half of said sample at said preselected frequency; (h) subtracting the measured dielectric constant of said second sample from the measured dielectric constant of said first sample and obtaining the dielectric difference; and (i) comparing the measuring dielectric difference to a calibration curve derived from samples of known dielectric difference and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling-clay content of the formation.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
225 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing a first half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a swelling state inducing cation has been added; (c) washing a second half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a non-swelling state inducing cation has been added; (d) packing said first half of said washed sample in a first sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (e) packing said second half of said washed sample in a second sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (f) measuring the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other samples; (g) measuring the dielectric constant of said second half of said sample at said preselected frequency; (h) subtracting the measured dielectric constant of said second sample from the measured dielectric constant of said first sample and obtaining the dielectric difference; and (i) comparing the measuring dielectric difference to a calibration curve derived from samples of known dielectric difference and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling-clay content of the formation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said swelling state inducing cation comprises Na + , Li + , Ca +2 , Sr +2 , or Ba +2 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said non-swelling state inducing cation comprises Cs + , Rb + , La +3 , Cr +3 Al +3 , or Fe +3 .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20, further including the step of repeating steps a through i for each sample to be compared.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said packing is accomplished by centrifuging the sample cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the preselected frequency of measurement is about 1 megahertz.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said fluid is a mixture of alcohol and water.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said mixture is 70% (volume) isopropyl alcohol and 30% (volume) water.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of earth formations by dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of the earth formation to a size suitable for testing; (b) washing a first half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a swelling state inducing cation has been added; (c) washing a second half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which an illitic state inducing cation has been added; (d) packing said first half of said washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (e) packing said second half of said washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (f) measuring the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample at a preselected frequency; (g) measuring the dielectric constant of said second half of said sample at said preselected frequency; (h) obtaining the dielectric ration by dividing the difference between the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample and the measured dielectric constant of said second half of said sample by the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample; and (i) comparing the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample obtained in step f and the dielectric ratio obtained in step h to calibration curves, to determine the swelling-clay content of the earth formation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of earth formations by dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of the earth formation to a size suitable for testing; (b) washing a first half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which a swelling state inducing cation has been added; (c) washing a second half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than that of water to which an illitic state inducing cation has been added; (d) packing said first half of said washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (e) packing said second half of said washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (f) measuring the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample at a preselected frequency; (g) measuring the dielectric constant of said second half of said sample at said preselected frequency; (h) obtaining the dielectric ration by dividing the difference between the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample and the measured dielectric constant of said second half of said sample by the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample; and (i) comparing the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample obtained in step f and the dielectric ratio obtained in step h to calibration curves, to determine the swelling-clay content of the earth formation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said swelling state inducing cation comprises Na + , Li + , Ca +2 , Sr +2 , or Ba +2 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said illitic state inducing cation comprises K + or NH 4 + .
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 28, further including the step of repeating steps a through i for each sample to be compared.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said packing is accomplished by centrifuging the sample cell.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the preselected frequency of measurement is about 1 megahertz.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said fluid is a mixture of alcohol and water.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 34 wherein said mixture is 70% (volume) isopropyl alcohol and 30% (volume) water.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
260 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing a first half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than water to which a swelling state inducing cation has been added; (c) washing a second half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than water to which an illitic state inducing cation has been added; (d) packing said first half of washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (e) packing said second half of said washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (f) measuring the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other rock samples; (g) measuring the dielectric constant of said second half of said sample at said preselected frequency; (h) obtaining the dielectric ratio by dividing the difference between the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample and the measured dielectric constant of said second half of said sample by the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample; and (i) comparing the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample obtained in step f and the dielectric ratio obtained in step h to calibration curves derived from samples of known dielectric constants, dielectric ratios, and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling-clay content of the earth formation.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
260 words
A method for measuring the swelling-clay content of shales and shaly sandstone formations by high-frequency dielectric measurements, comprising the steps of: (a) grinding a sample of a formation to a predetermined size suitable for testing; (b) washing a first half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than water to which a swelling state inducing cation has been added; (c) washing a second half of said sample with a fluid having a water activity substantially less than water to which an illitic state inducing cation has been added; (d) packing said first half of washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (e) packing said second half of said washed sample in a sample cell suitable for dielectric measurement; (f) measuring the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample at a preselected frequency to allow uniform comparison with other rock samples; (g) measuring the dielectric constant of said second half of said sample at said preselected frequency; (h) obtaining the dielectric ratio by dividing the difference between the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample and the measured dielectric constant of said second half of said sample by the dielectric constant of said first half of said sample; and (i) comparing the measured dielectric constant of said first half of said sample obtained in step f and the dielectric ratio obtained in step h to calibration curves derived from samples of known dielectric constants, dielectric ratios, and swelling-clay content, to determine the swelling-clay content of the earth formation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said swelling state inducing cation comprises Na + , Li + , Ca +2 , Sr +2 , or Ba +2 .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said illitic state inducing cation comprises K + or NH 4 + .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 36, further including the step of repeating steps a through i for each sample to be compared.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said packing is accomplished by centrifuging the sample cell.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the preselected frequency of measurement is about 1 megahertz.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said fluid is a mixture of alcohol and water.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said mixture is 70% (volume) isopropyl alcohol and 30% (volume) water.
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