Low permeability subterranean formation testing methods and apparatus
US5263360A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/241
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining the gas permeability of very low permeability subterranean formations as well as the gas permeability reducing effects of injecting one or more treatment fluids thereinto. A gas is injected into a core sample of the formation at a selected substantially constant pressure, and the injection is continued for a long period of time to insure steady state flow conditions. The temperature of the gas as it flows through the core sample and the flow rate of the gas exiting the core sample are measured, and the native state gas permeability of the core sample is calculated therefrom. One or more treatment fluids can be injected into the core sample after the native state permeability is determined. Thereafter, the gas permeability can again be determined and compared to the native state permeability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.