US 12,607,120 B2 · Inter-well petrophysical assessment by nano-particle injection in the formation

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for locating hydrocarbons near a wellbore, determining petrochemical properties of a reservoir, and assessing hydrocarbon saturation between reservoirs. The nanoparticles can be positively charged and have properties that make them explode upon contacting crude oil. Sensors can be strategically placed near the wellbore to measure micro tremors caused by nanoparticle explosions. When the fluid is pumped into the wellbore, the fluid is forced into the surrounding rock formations. The fluid can contact crude oil in the rock formations, and the nanoparticles can attract to the fluid/oil interface due to negatively charged particles in the crude oil. When the nanoparticles reach the fluid/oil interface, they can contact the crude oil and explode. The seismic sensors can detect micro tremors caused by the nanoparticle explosions. The seismic sensor readings can be superimposed to identify the location of the crude oil and assess hydrocarbon saturation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for assessing hydrocarbon saturation between a first well and a second well, comprising:

placing a first sensor in a first well and a second sensor in a second well;
pumping fluid into the first well, thereby causing the fluid to pass into surrounding rock formations, wherein the fluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles that are attracted to fluid/oil interfaces, absorb into oil at fluid/oil interfaces, and release secondary components upon absorbing into oil;
measuring, at the first sensor and the second sensor, electromagnetic signals emitted by the secondary components, the secondary components having emitted the electromagnetic signals in response to being released into oil by the nanoparticles and diffusing into hydrocarbons in the oil;
and
determining a location of the hydrocarbons based on the measuring of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the secondary components.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Inter-well petrophysical assessment by nano-particle injection in the formation

Life of this patent

Inter-well petrophysical assessment by nano-particle injection in the formation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20