Saudi Arabian Oil Company

Huangye Chen

Hui-Hai Liu

Jilin Jay Zhang

Daniel T Georgi

Systems and methods for analyzing and modeling natural gas flow in subterranean shale reservoirs. In some embodiments, methodologies and techniques for determining and modeling natural gas flow in shale formations using methodologies and techniques capable of determining natural gas properties related to dual-continuum flow, permeability, and pressure within a subterranean shale reservoir. In some embodiments, the natural gas properties are determined by subjecting a subterranean shale reservoir sample to pulse-decay analysis. In certain embodiments, the methodologies and techniques described may be used in various reservoirs exhibiting macroporosity and microporosity, such as fractured reservoirs and carbonate reservoirs composed of reservoir fluids.

Systems and methods for analyzing natural gas flow in subterranean reservoirs

Methods and systems for determining fracture and matrix permeability of a subsurface formation. The system includes two upstream reservoirs and two downstream reservoirs, and a sample cell connecting to the reservoirs with valves. The sample cell has a confining pressure (CF) from a fluid. A horizontal plug sample with sleeve is placed in a measurement cell with the confining fluid (CF). A pressure gauge is connected to the small upstream reservoir, and a pressure gauge is connected to the small downstream reservoir. The results provide two sets of effective-stress-dependent permeability values (including fracture permeability and matrix permeability, respectively) for characterizing the reservoir properties.

Methods and systems for determining fracture and matrix permeability of a subsurface formation

Methods and systems for detecting leakage in a permeability measurement system. The method includes connecting a plurality of flow lines to a first dimension of a core sample assembly, connecting one or more flow lines to a second dimension of the core sample assembly, placing the core sample assembly with the connections in a measurement cell such that the flow lines are accessible from outside of the measurement cell, connecting one or more gas sensors to one end of each of the flow lines, connecting an inlet of the measurement cell to a gas tank, setting fluid pressure inside the measurement cell to a predetermined value, and detecting a leakage in the core sample assembly by the one or more gas sensors coupled to the flow lines.

Methods for detecting leakage in permeability measurement system

Methods and systems method for determining core permeability of a subsurface formation. The method includes connecting an upstream reservoir to one end of a sample holder comprising a core sample of a subsurface formation, connecting a downstream reservoir to another end of the sample holder, providing a constant confining pressure within the sample holder, saturating the sample holder and the core sample with nitrogen at a saturation pressure, applying a pressure pulse to one end of the sample holder, and determining core permeability using the porosity of the mobile continuum when the pressure in the upstream reservoir, the downstream reservoir, and the mobile continuum is in equilibrium.

Methods and systems for determining core permeability pulse decay experiments

A method for correcting low permeability laboratory measurements for leaks. A pulse-decay permeability (PDP) experiment is performed on a core sample retrieved from a formation. The PDP experiment includes flowing fluid through the core sample in a sealed enclosure. In response to flowing the fluid through the core sample, a change in fluid pressure is measured over time. Based on the change in fluid pressure over time, a leakage of fluid from the sealed enclosure is determined. In response to determining the leakage of fluid from the sealed enclosure, an analytical model of the leakage is determined based on the change in fluid pressure over time.

Method for correcting low permeability laboratory measurements for leaks

Methods and systems disclosed here include conducting two pressure-dependent permeability tests having the same range of effective stress but two different values of pore pressure. For the test with the higher pore pressure, the permeability is only impacted by the mechanical deformation of the rock, while for the one with lower pore pressure the permeability is impacted by both mechanical deformation of the rock and the Knudsen diffusion. By using the same range of effective stress, the contribution from the mechanical deformation of the rock should be the same. Therefore, by subtracting the permeability with higher pore pressure from the one with lower pore pressure, the impact of Knudsen diffusion and the mechanical deformation of the rock can be determined.

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Cypress, TX, United States of America

Huangye Chen