Mobil Oil Corporation

James R Dixon, Jr

Eve S Sprunt

Ernest L Muegge

Neil V Humphreys

A core sample of a porous media of identified porosity at atmospheric conditions is saturated with a fluid having an identified X-ray attenuation coefficient. The fluid saturated sample is scanned with X-rays. Confining stress is applied to the sample and the sample is again scanned with X-rays. Porosity of the sample at confining stress is then determined from the porosity at zero confining stress, the X-ray attenuation coefficient of the saturating fluid, and X-ray attenuation coefficients determined from the scanning of the sample at both atmospheric conditions and at confining stress. Pore volume compressibility is determined from the changes in porosity and X-ray attenuation coefficients from atmospheric to confining stress conditions.

Method for determining pore volume compressibility of a porous material

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

Multi-phase fluid saturation in a sample of a porous media is determined through computed tomographic scanning. The sample is scanned with X-rays of differing energies in both the fluid saturated and fluid-extracted states. Each of the extracted fluids is also scanned at differing X-ray energies. The computed tomographic images produced are utilized in the determination of the X-ray mass attenuation coefficients for the sample and the extracted fluids. From these mass attenuation coefficients, the weight fractions and volume fractions of each of the extracted fluids are determined.

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Dallas, TX, United States of America

James R Dixon, Jr