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US 2017/0370816 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for selecting surfactants
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsScott Anthony Klasner, Kurt William Hoeman, Denise Nicole Benoit
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This present application relates generally to a testing device for selecting a surfactant during oilfield subterranean operation technologies. More specifically, the application relates to providing a testing device for selecting a surfactant depending on the interaction of the surfactant with a combination of variables, including the formation hydrocarbon, source water and formation mineralogy.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a fluid wicking substrate;
- a fluid-impermeable barrier permeating the thickness of the substrate;
- and
- a testing area defined by the barrier further comprising:
- a fluid entrance region;
- a plurality of assay regions in series;
- and
- a channel region, wherein the plurality of assay regions are between the channel region and the fluid entrance region and wherein the substrate wicks fluid such that the channel region is fluidically connected to the plurality of assay regions and the fluid entrance region.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a fluid wicking substrate defining a testing area having a fluid entrance region fluidically connected to a first passage;
- wherein:
- the first passage having a height, wherein the first passage is fluidically connected to a lower assay region;
- the lower assay region is fluidically connected to a second passage;
- the second passage having a height, wherein the second passage is fluidically connected to an upper assay region;
- the upper assay region is fluidically connected to a channel region;
- the channel region has a uniform width and has a height extending longer than the height of the first passage and second passage;
- the first passage is located between the fluid entrance region and the lower assay region;
- and
- the second passage is located between the lower assay region and the upper assay region.
7 more elements
A method of performing an assay to determine the suitability of a surfactant for use in a well comprising:
- (a) introducing a surfactant to a lower assay region of a testing area;
- (b) introducing a liquid hydrocarbon to an upper assay region of the testing area;
- (c) contacting the testing area with an aqueous fluid source at an entrance region of the testing area;
- (d) allowing the fluid to wick to the lower assay region and contact the surfactant to produce a first mixture comprising the surfactant and the aqueous fluid;
- (e) allowing the first mixture to further wick to the upper assay region such that the first mixture contacts the liquid hydrocarbon to produce a second mixture comprising the liquid hydrocarbon, the surfactant and the aqueous fluid;
- (f) allowing the second mixture to wick to a channel region;
- and
- (g) determining the suitability of the surfactant by observing how far up the channel region the second mixture wicks within a predetermined period of time.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.