US5214384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method including electrical self potential measurements for detecting multiphase flow in a cased hole
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1991-07-24
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2011-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for time lapse electric logging in a cased hole in which electrodes are implanted in the casing or the hole is completed with a gravel packed non conductive, perforated liner that allows an open hole logging tool to be used for time-lapse logging. Thereafter, the implemented electrodes or a self-potential (SP) logging tool are used to monitor a steam-flooding EOR method by detecting two-phase flow with time lapse logging. A potential drop between the surface and zones of interest is measured with electrodes installed in a non-conductive casing or the SP logging tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Eve S. Sprunt
- 👤 Nizar F. Djabbarah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/18; G01V3/26; G01V3/265; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/164; E21B43/24; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/113; E21B49/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A time lapse electric logging method where self potential measurements are utilized to determine steam quality comprising: a) measuring electric self potential via a wellbore at various levels in a formation where it is desired to inject steam; b) thereafter injecting steam into said levels via the wellbore while measuring electric self potential at said levels; c) using any measurements of increased electric self potential at each level to detect continuously two-phase steam flow; and d) thereafter using measurements of a decrease in electric self potential at a level to detect one-phase steam flow thus indicating where steam breakthrough has occurred at a level and that steam quality at a level has increased because of a change from two-phase steam flow to one-phase steam flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A time lapse electric logging method where self potential measurements are utilized to determine steam quality comprising: a) measuring electric self potential via a wellbore at various levels in a formation where it is desired to inject steam; b) thereafter injecting steam into said levels via the wellbore while measuring electric self potential at said levels; c) using any measurements of increased electric self potential at each level to detect continuously two-phase steam flow; and d) thereafter using measurements of a decrease in electric self potential at a level to detect one-phase steam flow thus indicating where steam breakthrough has occurred at a level and that steam quality at a level has increased because of a change from two-phase steam flow to one-phase steam flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where an increase in electric self potential reflects electrokinetic or streaming potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where about a two to three fold increase in electric self potential indicates two phase steam flow instead of single phase steam flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where steam entry into each level is used to evaluate vertical sweep efficiency and to mitigate steam breakthrough when steam enhanced oil recovery methods are utilized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where steam entry into each level is used to to accurately ascertain a steam injection profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the wellbore comprises a perforated nonconductive gravel packed liner which provides for maximum fluid communication between said wellbore and formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the wellbore comprises a perforated conductive or nonconductive liner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the wellbore comprises a perforated fiberglass liner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where self potential measurements are obtained by time lapse self potential logging.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the wellbore comprises a conductive or nonconductive casing with implanted electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where self potential measurements are used to detect steam and steam-foam fronts in a steam-foam process.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the borehole comprises a conductive or nonconductive casing with implanted electrodes where a potential drop is taken as a measure of the electrical self potential and is indicative of steam quality.
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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) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |