# US 2019/0317005 A1 · Test method to simulate shale oil recovery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0317005 A1 - Document ID: US20190317005A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/378,237 - Filed: 2019-04-08 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-11 - Assignees: Alchemy Sciences, Inc. - Applicants: Alchemy Sciences, Inc. - Inventors: Erick Acosta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190317005A1 ## CPC - G01N 15/082: {Investigating permeability by forcing a fluid through a sample} - G01N 15/0826: {and measuring fluid flow rate, i.e. permeation rate or pressure change} - G01N 15/0806: {Details, e.g. sample holders, mounting samples for testing} - E21B 43/267: reinforcing fractures by propping - E21B 49/00: Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells - G01N 33/24: Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) - G01N 2015/0034: {in solids} - G01N 2015/0846: {by use of radiation, e.g. transmitted or reflected light} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract A fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus includes a sleeve, the sleeve positioned within an oven and an oil saturated matrix positioned within the sleeve. The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus further includes a proppant pack positioned within the oil saturated matrix, the proppant pack having an inlet an outlet and a controller, the controller adapted to control the pressure within the oil saturated matrix. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus comprising: a sleeve, the sleeve positioned within an oven; an oil saturated matrix positioned within the sleeve; a proppant pack positioned within the oil saturated matrix, the proppant pack having an inlet an outlet; and a controller, the controller adapted to control the pressure within the oil saturated matrix. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a treatment fluid reservoir, the treatment fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the inlet through a pump; and a collector, the collector in fluid communication with the outlet through a flow valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted to control the pressure within the oil saturated matrix using the flow valve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collector is an autosampler. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proppant pack comprises proppant surrounded by a permeable membrane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a high pressure cell, the high pressure cell disposed around and encompassing the sleeve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sleeve is an elastomer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a pressure controller, the pressure controller in signal communication with a pressure inlet and a pressure outlet, the pressure inlet and pressure outlet disposed on the high pressure cell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 1, wherein the soil saturated matrix includes crushed cores, crushed cuttings, outcrop, reservoir cores, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fracture simulated oil recovery test apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a CT scanner, the CT scanner adapted for imaging the oil saturated matrix. ### Claim 11 A process for fracture simulated oil recovery comprising: forming an oil saturated matrix; positioning a proppant pack within the oil saturated matrix; flowing a treatment fluid through the proppant pack; maintaining the pressure and temperature of the proppant pack at a temperature and pressure approximating a low permeability reservoir; and measuring an effluent from the proppant pack to determine oil recovery. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of forming an oil saturated matrix comprises: extracting a crushed core, crushed cutting, outcrop, reservoir core, or combination thereof from the reservoir to be tested; and saturating the crushed core, crushed cutting, outcrop, reservoir core, or combination thereof with oil. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the proppant pack is formed by placing a proppant within a low permeability membrane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature of the proppant pack is maintained using an oven. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the pressure of the proppant pack is mainlined by: measuring a pressure at an inlet to the proppant pack and an outlet to the proppant pack; and adjusting pressure using a control valve at the outlet of the proppant pack. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the control valve is operated with a controller. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising: enclosing the oil saturated matrix within a sleeve; enclosing the sleeve within a high pressure cell; and increasing the pressure within the high pressure cell. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising imaging the oil saturated matrix with a CT scanner.