Texaco Inc.

Lorne A Davis, Jr

Helen K Haskin

Dale F Brost

Gregory P Pepin

Robert M Moss

Timothy J Hart

David L Gebert

An apparatus for moving samples through a CAT scanner is comprised of a driver table assembly and a follower table assembly. The assemblies are fixedly positioned in aligned spaced condition on opposite sides of a CAT scanner and are adapted to move a sample therethrough with great linear accuracy. The driver table assembly is the active member in moving the sample while the follower table assembly is passive in responding to movement of the driver table assembly. Both table assemblies have lathe heads mounted thereon for securing the sample therebetween in a self-centering manner.

Method and apparatus for positioning a sample with repeatable accuracy

An analyzer includes a test cell which contains a core of coal from a coal bed methane reservoir. A tomographic system is used for testing the core at different times and provides signals corresponding to the tests. While the earthen core is being tested, a fluid having the same size molecules as methane is provided to the earthen core as part of the testing. The signals from the tomographic system are used to determine the methane storage capacity of the core.

Earthen core analyzing means and method for determining the methane

An earthen core analyzer includes a test cell which contains an earthen core. A tomographic system is used for testing the earthen core and provides signals corresponding to the tests. While the earthen core is being tested, a fluid is provided to the earthen core as part of the testing. The signals from the tomographic system are used to determine a porosity of the earthen core.

Earthen core analyzing means and method

The present invention concerns a method of calibrating a tomographic system which is used for testing earthen cores. At least two phantoms of a first type of phantom is used in calibrating for contrast resolution. At least two phantoms of a second type of phantom are used to calibrate the tomographic system for beam hardening.

Method of calibrating a tomographic system for testing earthen cores

A method of two dimensional chemical flood testing includes evacuating a porous medium contained in a test cell. The porous medium in the test cell is irradiated with a beam of microwave energy at a plurality of predetermined locations on said test cell. The microwave energy that has passed through the porous medium at each location is detected at the location. The porous medium in the test cell is filled with brine. The irradiating and detecting steps are repeated, the porous medium is then flooded with crude oil, or a substitute, and again the irradiating and detecting steps are repeated. The porous medium is flooded with brine and again the irradiating and detecting steps are repeated. A calibration curve for each location is derived from the detected microwave energy at the location from the prior irradiating and detecting steps. The chemical flood system is tested by flooding the porous medium with the chemical flood system at a predetermined flow rate during which time the irradiating and detecting steps are repeated periodically so that the test cell is periodically scanned in two directions by microwave energy. A two dimensional pattern of the chemical flood is derived for each scan in accordance with the detected microwave energy at each location for the scan and the calibration curves.

Two dimensional microwave chemical flood testing means and method

A method of determining the oil and water relative permeabilities and the water saturation of a core of earthen material which includes providing two types of liquids to the core in a manner so that the liquids mix to form a two phase liquid which moves through the core. The core is irradiated with microwave energy while the liquid is in the core. A received energy signal is generated in accordance with the microwave energy that has passed through the core. A liquid pressure drop along a predetermined length of the core is sensed and a representative pressure drop signal is provided. The oil and water relative permeabilities and the water saturation of the core are derived in accordance with the flow rate of the liquid, the received energy signal and the pressure drop signal. The liquid flow rate may be either sensed or the liquid may be provided at a predetermined flow rate.

Method and apparatus for measuring relative permeability and water

A microwave core monitor includes a sample cell which contains a test core of an earth formation. A microwave transmitter irradiates the test core with a beam of electromagnetic energy at a microwave frequency. A microwave receiver provides an indication representative of a characteristic of a liquid, or the absence of a liquid, in the test core in accordance with electromagnetic energy that has passed through the core. The sample cell further includes microwave absorber rods which prevent portions of the beam of electromagnetic energy not passing through the test core from reaching the receiver.

Microwave means for monitoring fluid in a core of material

A method of determining the oil and water relative permeabilities and the water saturation of a core of earthen material which includes providing a two phase oil/water liquid to and through said core. The core is irradiated with microwave energy while the liquid is in the core. A received energy signal is generated in accordance with the microwave energy that has passed through the core. A liquid pressure drop along a predetermined length of said core is sensed and a representative pressure drop signal is provided. The oil and water relative permeabilities and the water saturation of the core are derived in accordance with the flow rate of the liquid, the received energy signal and the pressure drop signal. The liquid flow rate may be either sensed or the liquid may be provided at a predetermined flow rate.

A method of testing a chemical for use in an enhanced recovery of oil from an earth formation includes obtaining a test core of an earth formation. The test core is cleaned and then subjected to a predetermined sequence of events similar to that which the reservoir has experienced. The test core is flooded with a chemical to be tested and the chemical is then driven from the test core with a drive liquid. The test core is irradiated with a beam of electromagnetic energy at a microwave frequency. An indication representative of the effectiveness of the chemical in the test core is derived in accordance with the electromagnetic energy that has passed through the test core.

Chemical flood testing method

Apparatus, for determining water saturation of a fluid in a core sample or flowing in a pipe, includes a sensor spacially arranged with the pipe or the core sample providing a signal whose frequency and amplitude corresponds to the water saturation. A circuit connected to the sensing means provides a difference signal corresponding to the voltage difference between the signal from the sensor and a reference level established for the signal from the sensor corresponding to substantially 100% water saturation. A local oscillator provides a local signal whose frequency corresponds to a substantially 100% water saturation condition. A mixer connected to the sensor and to the local oscillator provides a signal having a frequency that corresponds to the difference between the frequencies of the signals from the sensor and the local oscillator. A frequency to voltage converter connected to the mixer provides a signal whose amplitude corresponds to the frequency of the mixer's signal. A network provides a signal corresponding to the water saturation in accordance with the signals from the circuit and the converter.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Lorne A Davis, Jr