Mobil Oil Corporation

David P Yale

Eve S Sprunt

Ibrahim S Abou-Sayed

Robin B Montgomery

Christopher V Chow

A method and apparatus for laboratory simulation of the dynamic formation of sand arches in production of oil and/or gas from unconsolidated or poorly consolidated wells is disclosed. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed opposite a perforation in a member simulating the casing of a well and the simulated well is operated at conditions approximating those of interest in the field. The acoustic transducer is moved incrementally across the perforation and measurements of the distance between the transducer and the formation are measured. These can then be used to generate a profile of the surface of the formation behind the perforation. Preferably, an ultrasonic transducer which emits a focussed beam of acoustic energy is employed.

Method for optimizing well production rates

A sample of material is rotated within a pair of parallel, spaced-apart laser beams. Variations in the diameter of the sample are determined with azimuth from the amounts of the laser beams intercepted by the sample as it rotates about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the laser beams. The sample is translated along this axis within the path of the laser beams so that the diameter of the sample is determined for a plurality of spaced-apart planes through the sample perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The deformation of the material with stress is determined by measuring the variations in diameter of the sample as the stress on the sample is changed.

Method for measuring stress deformation of materials

Measurements of reservoir characteristics of a core sample of a subsurface formation are carried out with the core sample being subjected to pressure cycling. Pore volume changes during such pressure cycling are measured. Pore compressibility is determined from a plot of the measured pore volume change versus pressure. Scanning of the core sample with X-rays each pressure cycle identifies the pressure at which fracturing is initiated.

Method for determining reservoir characteristics of a porous material

The azimuthal direction of the mechanical anisotropy of a material is measured by using a first transducer to transmit shear acoustic energy through the material and a second transducer, cross-polarized with respect to the first transducer, to receive the shear acoustic energy after it has traveled through the material. Amplitude and phase of the cross-polarized shear acoustic energy are measured as a function of the azimuthal rotation of the shear acoustic energy transducers with respect to the material.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

David P Yale