Dielectric contrast agents and methods
AssigneesThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsPabitra Sen, Alfred Kleinhammes, Yue Wu, Mohsen Ahmadian-Tehrani
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Abstract
Contrast agents and methods for use in geological applications are provided. Contrast agents can be a nanopolymorph material, such as titania nanotubes, and have a low-frequency dielectric permittivity. Methods of identifying one or more subterranean features during geological exploration are provided. Methods of identifying a ganglion of bypassed oil are provided. Methods of illuminating subterranean fractures in hydraulic fracturing are provided.
Claims20
A method of identifying a subterranean feature, comprising:
- administering a contrast agent into a geological site, wherein the contrast agent comprises a nanopolymorph material having a low-frequency dielectric permittivity, wherein the nanopolymorph material is a titania nanotube;
- allowing the contrast agent to migrate to a subterranean feature in the geological site;
- and
- illuminating the subterranean feature using an electromagnetic tool configured to sense a presence of the contrast agent based on the enhanced dielectric permittivity imparted by the contrast agent that has migrated to the subterranean feature.
A method of identifying a ganglion of bypassed oil in a geological formation, comprising:
- administering a contrast agent into the geological formation, wherein the contrast agent comprises a nanopolymorph material having a low-frequency dielectric permittivity, wherein the nanopolymorph material is a titania nanotube, wherein the contrast agent migrates to the ganglion of bypassed oil in the geological formation;
- and
- illuminating the ganglion of bypassed oil using an electromagnetic tool configured to sense a presence of the contrast agent based on the enhanced dielectric permittivity imparted by the contrast agent that has migrated to the ganglion of bypassed oil.
A method of illuminating a subterranean fracture, comprising:
- administering a contrast agent into the subterranean fracture, wherein the contrast agent comprises a titania nanotube having a low frequency dielectric permittivity greater than about 5,000 (F/m);
- and
- illuminating the subterranean fracture using an electromagnetic tool configured to sense a presence of the contrast agent based on the enhanced dielectric permittivity imparted by the contrast agent.
A method of identifying a subterranean feature, comprising:
- administering a contrast agent into a geological site, wherein the contrast agent comprises a nanopolymorph material having a low-frequency dielectric permittivity, wherein the nanopolymorph material is a titania nanotube;
- allowing the contrast agent to migrate to a subterranean feature in the geological site;
- and
- illuminating the subterranean feature using an electromagnetic tool configured to sense a presence of the contrast agent based on the enhanced dielectric permittivity imparted by the contrast agent that has migrated to the subterranean feature, wherein the titania nanotube comprises an exchangeable Na+.
A method of identifying a ganglion of bypassed oil in a geological formation, comprising:
- administering a contrast agent into the geological formation, wherein the contrast agent comprises a nanopolymorph material having a low-frequency dielectric permittivity, wherein the nanopolymorph material is a titania nanotube, wherein the contrast agent migrates to the ganglion of bypassed oil in the geological formation;
- and
- illuminating the ganglion of bypassed oil using an electromagnetic tool configured to sense a presence of the contrast agent based on the enhanced dielectric permittivity imparted by the contrast agent that has migrated to the ganglion of bypassed oil, wherein the titania nanotube comprises an exchangeable Na+.
A method of illuminating a subterranean fracture, comprising:
- administering a contrast agent into the subterranean fracture, wherein the contrast agent comprises a titania nanotube having a low-frequency dielectric permittivity greater than about 5,000 (F/m);
- and
- illuminating the subterranean fracture using an electromagnetic tool configured to sense a presence of the contrast agent based on the enhanced dielectric permittivity imparted by the contrast agent, wherein the titania nanotube comprises an exchangeable Na+.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.