Marathon Oil Company

Other

Richard D Favinger

Hiemi K Haines

Gary R Kennedy

David B Louch

An apparatus and process for observing fluid replacement in core samples while simulating subsurface reservoir conditions, including oil composition, temperature, fluid pressure, and overburden pressure. Overburden pressure is applied to a core sample placed in the apparatus, and the core sample is saturated with a core saturating fluid at a pressure greater than the bubble point pressure of the core saturating fluid. One or more replacement fluids are provided in fluid communication with the core sample and at the same pressure as the core saturating fluid pressure. The apparatus is placed in a centrifuge and spun, and the extent and rate of replacement of the core saturating fluid in the core by a replacement fluid can be observed.

Method and apparatus for core flooding studies

A valve which minimizes fluid turbulence. The valve body has inlet and outlet ports at the end of threaded counterbores. Threaded collars mounted on the ends of the conduits are locked in place in the counterbores. A flange such as a snap ring on the conduits is engaged by a transverse wall on the collars to prevent movement of the conduits away from the valve body. A sliding valve element containing a flow opening permits fluid to flow through the valve when in open position. The interior of the valve body, the opening in the sliding valve member, the inlet and outlet ports and the inside diameter of the conduits are the same dimension with no gaps therebetween, creating a smooth bore.

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Littleton, CO, United States of America

Richard D Favinger