Assays for zero-valent transition metals in sedimentary rocks with applications to oil and gas exploration
AssigneePetroleum Habitats, L.L.C.
InventorFrank Mango
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to novel assays for zero-valent transition metals. The novel assays of the present invention are generally methods or processes for quantitatively and/or qualitatively evaluating the presence of zero-valent transition metals on and/or within samples. Such assays generally involve a digestion process whereby the sample is exposed to carbon monoxide. Transition metals, if present in or on the sample and if contacted by the carbon monoxide, are extracted by the carbon monoxide as metal carbonyl species, the presence of which confirms the presence of transition metals. Such novel assays have enormous predictive power in oil and gas exploration.
Claims34
A process comprising the steps of
- a) exposing a sample that potentially comprises zero-valent transition metal to carbon monoxide in an exposure environment comprising carbon monoxide, such that the carbon monoxide reacts with at least some of the zero-valent transition metal, if present, to form metal carbonyl species within said exposure environment;
- and
- b) analyzing the exposure environment, subsequent to sample exposure, for metal carbonyl species, wherein said analyzing for metal carbonyl species yields information about the levels of zero-valent transition metal present in said sample.
A rock assay comprising the steps of:
- a) providing sedimentary rock sample potentially comprising a quantity of at least one zero-valent transition metal;
- b) exposing said sedimentary rock sample to carbon monoxide in an exposure environment under conditions effective for reacting at least some of the zero-valent transition metal potentially present with carbon monoxide to form metal carbonyl species;
- and
- c) analyzing the exposure environment, after a time sufficient to allow for at least some of the potentially-present zero-valent transition metal to react with the carbon monoxide, so as to establish the presence of such species within the sample.
A rock assay comprising the steps of:
- a) providing sedimentary rock sample potentially comprising a quantity of at least one zero-valent transition metal;
- b) exposing said sedimentary rock sample to carbon monoxide in an exposure environment under conditions effective for reacting at least some of the zero-valent transition metal potentially present with carbon monoxide to form metal carbonyl species;
- c) analyzing the exposure environment, after a time sufficient to allow for any potentially-present zero-valent transition metal to react with the carbon monoxide so as to establish the presence of such species within the sample by way of analysis results;
- and
- d) comparing analysis results to established values correlatable with known geologic reservoir content for the purpose of making predictive determinations related to oil and gas exploration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.