Determination of virgin formation temperature
US6905241B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 13, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 29, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B49/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for determining virgin formation temperature of earth formations surrounding a borehole is provided. The time duration of drilling fluid circulation and the time after cessation of drilling fluid circulation at the borehole depth regions of interest are tracked. At a particular borehole depth region of interest, fluid flows from the formations into a device in the borehole, and the temperature of the fluid as a function of time with respect to initiation of fluid flow is measured. The thermal history of formations surrounding the particular borehole depth region is modeled for a cooling phase during drilling fluid circulation, a temperature build-up phase after cessation of drilling fluid circulation, and a formation fluid flow phase after initiation of fluid flow. The model and temperature measurements are used to determine a trend of temperature evolution and the virgin formation temperature by extrapolation from the trend.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.