Method for mechanical and capillary seal analysis of a hydrocarbon trap
US8180602B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B49/00
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Method for making a probabilistic determination of total seal capacity for a hydrocarbon trap, simultaneously considering both capillary entry pressure and mechanical seal capacity, and where capillary entry pressure is estimated by relating it directly to the buoyancy pressure applied by the hydrocarbon column to the top seal. The method thus considers the substantial uncertainty associated with input parameters, which uncertainty limits the utility of such analyses for robust hydrocarbon column height and fluid contact predictions. The method disclosed for estimating seal capillary entry pressure, the requisite input parameter for capillary seal capacity analysis, by inverting trap parameters avoids the need for direct measurement by mercury injection capillary capacity tests on small pieces of rock, which test results often are not available for all desired locations nor are they necessarily representative of adjacent rocks in the seal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.