Determining Oil Well Connectivity Using Nanoparticles
Large numbers of identical nanowires can be produced in each batchAllows unique labeling of each oil well using nanowires with different stripe patternsAllows measurement of the diameters of the inter-well connections by varying the sizes of the nanowiresThe optical image analysis algorithm provides report with great accuracy while reducing dependence on traditional chemical and radioactive tracer elements
Determination of underground oil/gas/water well connectivityReservoir evaluation, surveillance, management to maximize oil extractionOptimize infill well locations
Researchers at UCLA have developed imaging methods and automated quantitative optical image analysis algorithms for detecting underground connection between oil wells via distinctly striped metal nanowires within porous alumina membranes.
20170052104
Background Petroleum is extracted from an oil well that is drilled into the earth. The primary recovery stage of the extraction process takes advantage of natural mechanisms to produce oil from the reservoir. These include fluid and rock expansion, solution-gas drive, gravity drainage, and aquifer influx. Over the lifetime of the well, the underground pressure in the oil reservoir will become insufficient to force the oil to the surface. A secondary recovery method is applied to replace or increase the natural reservoir drive with an artificial drive. Secondary recovery methods increase the reservoir’s pressure by water injection, natural gas reinjection and gas lift, which injects air, carbon dioxide or other gas into the bottom of an active well. Sometimes, additional enhanced recovery techniques may be applied to reduce the oil viscosity or increase the oil mobility in order to increase recovery. Waterflooding is the use of water injection to increase the reservoir pressure to boost oil production rate and ultimate oil recovery. The efficiency of water displacement of oil depends on the oil viscosity and reservoir rock characteristics. In order to evaluate a field waterflooding project, the structure and faulting of the reservoir must be determined to understand the interconnectivities among the various parts of the reservoir, particularly the injector producer connectivity. Estimating the connectivity between oil wells is also important for reservoir surveillance. Well connectivity affects the ease with which fluids pass through complex compartments and pathways to reach the borehole. Determining well connectivity can help identify favorable locations for infill drilling and optimize injection rates. Most well tracers rely on chemically active or radioactive characteristics for detection, and do not provide information on the well interconnection diameter. Therefore, a need exists to develop systems and methods that allow for more accurate determination of the connectivity between wells. Additional Technologies by these Inventors Tech ID/UC Case 27290/2014-866-0 Related Cases 2014-866-0
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