Conocophillips Company

Albert G Holba

Bradley James Huizinga

Dariusz Strapoc

Jerry H Veldhuis

Derik W Kleibacker

Russell L Bone

James R Vasquez

Lisa H Wright

Sean M Stokes

Methods and systems are provided for quantifying contributions of gas mixtures in a reservoir compartment by way of isotopic analyses. Differing thermal maturities of the different gas mixtures allow estimation of the relative quantity of each gas mixture present in a total gas mixture. Thermal maturities may be estimated by reference to isotopic analyses of each contributing gas mixture and a commingled gas mixture resulting from commingling each of the individual source gas mixtures. This method may be carried out at various depths to determine relative contributions of each gas mixture to the total gas mixture as a function of wellbore depth. Advantages of certain embodiments include, but are not limited to, higher accuracies and ease of application as compared to conventional methods.

Detection and quantification of gas mixtures in subterranean formations

This method allows for prediction of subsurface fluid properties (e.g., phase or API gravity) using gas chromatogram data of a small-volume extract. Small volume equates to microliter scale volume (or milligram scale weight) from a subsurface rock sample, where a fluid test may not be available for analysis. The method may also be applied to petroleum liquid samples where drilling fluid or other contaminants preclude accurate direct property measurement. Gas chromatographic data is calibrated to measured petroleum properties; preferably local oils from the same petroleum system, however, a general global calibration can also be used.

Petroleum-fluid property prediction from gas chromatographic analysis of rock extracts or fluid samples

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Albert G Holba