Mobil Oil Corporation

Ernest L Muegge

Eve S Sprunt

Peggy M Wilson

Mary E Coles

Alfred R Jennings, Jr

James R Dixon, Jr

Neil V Humphreys

Jorge J Faz

X-ray attenuation measurements at two or more energies are carried out on core samples of earth materials for use in determining the relative contributions of Compton scattering and photoelectric absorption to the attenuation of the beams of X-rays by the samples. The measurements are utilized to calculate material bulk density, responsive to the difference in attenuation measured with respect to beams of two different X-ray energies and the attenuation of the beams of one of X-rays.

Method for evaluating core samples from x-ray energy attenuation

X-ray attenuation measurements at two or more energies are carried out on core samples of earth materials for use in determining relative Compton scattering and photoelectric contributions to attenuation. The measurements are utilized to calculate material bulk density from the change in attenuation between such dual X-ray energies and the attenuation for one of the dual X-ray energies.

Method for determining density of samples of materials employing X-ray

A core sample invaded by drilling mud is scanned with X-rays and computed tomographic images are produced. The images are calibrated to a density scale based on the barite content of the drilling mud. The mud solid volume in the pores of the core sample are determined from the density contrast created in the computed tomographic images by the presence of barite in the core sample. This mud solid volume is used to provide a corrected porosity measurement on the core sample.

Method for identifying porosity and drilling mud invasion of a core

A substantially cylindrical sample of a porous material is surrounded by an elastic jacket and placed in a confining pressure cell. Pressure is supplied to the cell to press the jacket into contact with the surface of the sample. The pressure is varied over a plurality of pressure points and is scanned at a plurality of locations with X-rays at each such pressure point. A computed tomographic image is produced for each X-ray scan. Conformance of the jacket to the sample is determined from these computed tomographic images and a range of confining pressure is determined over which parameters of the sample may be measured without being affected by improper conformance of the jacket to the surface of the sample. The sample structure is monitored with these tomographic images for fractures produced due to the increase of pressure. The fracture starting point is determined to be interior or surface related.

Method for determining lithological characteristics of a porous material

A process wherein energy generated from a high impulse device is used to jar, loosen, or dislodge scale from a wellbore, downhole production equipment, or near well formation flow channels. Such jarred, loosened, or dislodged scale allows for increased amounts of scale-forming ions to be removed. Alterwards, an emulsified liquid membrane system containing surfactants therein sufficient to remove scale-forming ions is placed in said wellbore. Said emulsified membrane system is removed when the scale-forming ions have been absorbed therein.

High impulse energy and liquid membrane scale removal

A method for removing scale-forming ions from oil and gas production equipment. An external aqueous phase of a liquid membrane system contacts said scale and solubilizes said scale-forming compounds. Scale forming ionic compounds are then transferred into an immiscible liquid hydrocarbonaceous membrane phase having a complexing agent for scale forming ions. Said hydrocarbonaceous membrane phase envelops droplets of an internal aqueous phase which has a stronger complexing agent for scale forming ions than is contained in said hydrocarbonaceous membrane phase. Scale forming ions are transferred from said hydrocarbonaceous membrane phase and are accumulated and concentrated in said internal aqueous phase. Films of scale are thus progressively removed from surfaces where they have deposited.

Growing community of inventors

Grand Prairie, TX, United States of America

Ernest L Muegge