Systems and methods for determining fluid mobility in rock samples
AssigneeLandmark Graphics Corporation
InventorMarko Maucec
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Abstract
Systems and methods for determining fluid mobility in rock samples using time-lapse position emission particle tracking (PEPT). The systems and methods use PEPT to determine permeability in rock samples, such as shale, that have a permeability of less than one micro-darcy by recording gamma-ray emissions from a tag using a positron emission tomography camera as the tag traverses with a fluid through the pores in the rock sample.
Claims30
A method for determining fluid mobility in a rock sample using time-lapse positron emission particle tracking, which comprises the steps of:
- selecting a porous rock sample;
- selecting a fluid for the rock sample;
- selecting a tag for the fluid;
- placing the rock sample in a pressurized container;
- introducing the fluid and the tag into pores within the rock sample;
- recording gamma-ray emissions from the tag using a positron emission tomography camera as the tag traverses with the fluid through the pores in the rock sample placed in the pressurized container;
- converting the gamma-ray emissions into images at a rate of more than one image every second;
- and
- displaying the images.
A method for determining fluid mobility in a rock sample using time lapse positron emission particle tracking, which comprises the steps of:
- selecting a porous rock sample with a permeability less than one micro-darcy;
- selecting a fluid for the rock sample that is a gas;
- selecting a tag for the fluid that is the gas or another gas;
- placing the rock sample in a pressurized container;
- introducing the fluid and the tag into pores within the rock sample;
- recording gamma-ray emissions from the tag in a list mode file using a positron emission tomography camera as the tag traverses with the fluid through the pores in the rock sample placed in the pressurized container;
- converting the gamma-ray emissions into images;
- and
- displaying the images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.