US 12,019,038 B2 · Evaluation of source rock samples from subterranean reservoirs

Abstract

A pyrolysis system for evaluating a source rock sample from a subterranean reservoir and methods are described. The pyrolysis system includes a reactor vessel including a body with an open end, a cover attachable to the body, a heating system, a collector assembly. The body and the cover define a sealable chamber; a source rock sample holder sized to be received inside the sealable chamber; and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a direct sensor assembly associated with the source rock sample holder, sized to be received inside the sealable chamber, and operable to measure properties of the source rock sample in the source rock sample holder; and a pyrolysis products sensor assembly in fluid communication with the collector assembly of the reactor vessel.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A pyrolysis system for evaluating a source rock sample from a subterranean reservoir, the pyrolysis system comprising:

a reactor vessel comprising a body with an open end, a cover attachable to the open end of the body, a heating system, and a collector assembly, wherein the body and the cover define a sealable chamber, and wherein the collector assembly comprises an oil section, a gas section, and a measurement tool comprising a ruled level scale for the oil section and the gas section;
a source rock sample holder sized to be received inside the sealable chamber;
and
a sensor system comprising:
a direct sensor assembly associated with the source rock sample holder, sized to be received inside the sealable chamber, and operable to measure properties of the source rock sample in the source rock sample holder;
and
a pyrolysis products sensor assembly in fluid communication with the collector assembly of the reactor vessel,
wherein the direct sensor assembly comprises an acoustic travel time (ATT) sensor comprising a geophone and an acoustic source.

5 more elements

A method for evaluating a source rock sample of a subterranean reservoir, the method comprising:

loading the source rock sample into a source rock sample holder sized to be received inside a sealable chamber of a reactor vessel;
sealing the source rock sample inside the sealable chamber;
controlling a temperature of the sealable chamber to perform pyrolysis of the source rock sample;
collecting pyrolysis products from the source rock sample while controlling the temperature of the sealable chamber;
separating the pyrolysis products into a gas section and an oil section of a collector assembly of the reactor vessel;
measuring a level of the pyrolysis products in the gas section and the oil section using a measurement tool comprising a ruled level scale;
measuring a plurality of time-series of properties of the pyrolysis products using a pyrolysis products sensor assembly while controlling the temperature of the sealable chamber;
measuring a plurality of time-series of properties of the source rock sample using a direct sensor assembly while controlling the temperature of the sealable chamber;
and
determining a plurality of kinetic parameters based on the plurality of time-series of properties of the pyrolysis products and based on the plurality of time-series of properties of the source rock sample,
wherein measuring a plurality of time-series of properties of the source rock sample comprises measuring a length of time for a sound signal to travel through the source rock sample using an acoustic travel time sensor comprising a geophone and an acoustic source.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Evaluation of source rock samples from subterranean reservoirs

Life of this patent

Evaluation of source rock samples from subterranean reservoirs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17