Fluids Lab

Location

Green Center B78

Purposes

  • Ultrasonic velocity measurements
  • Electrical experiments
  • Measuring Fluids and rocks confining and temperatures
  • Multi physics/joint measurements – ultrasonic SIP

 

 

 

Equipment Details

Anisotropic Acoustic–Electrical Joint Measurement System

Anisotropic Acoustic–Electrical Joint Measurement System

We use the system to characterize the geophysical rock properties and anisotropy, and to determine the effect of pressure and fluids on reservoir rock physics parameters. Specifically, the joint anisotropic acoustic-electrical measurement system is used to measure P- and S-wave velocities and complex electrical conductivity as functions of angle simultaneously on rock samples at various confining and pore pressure stages up to 4000 psi. The following is a list of parameters measured using the instrument:

  1. Compressional and shear wave velocities and their anisotropies
  2. Formation elastic properties and stiffness tensor
  3. Acoustic attenuation and attenuation tensor
  4. Complex electrical conductivity and conductivity tensor

In the acoustic acquisition system, the pulser initiates a pulse signal to the acoustic transducers and trigger signal to oscilloscope isochronously, while the recording equipment, or oscilloscope (Tektronix TDS 3014C), receives signals from acoustic transducers and trigger signals from the pulser in different channels, and displays the wave amplitudes as a function of time.

The complex conductivity acquisition system mainly consists of the Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) system, which comprises a four-channel acquisition array and nominal frequency range of 1 mHz to 45 kHz.

Fluid Measurement System (FMS)

The fluid measurement system (FMS) is used to measure acoustic velocities in fluids at reservoir pressure and temperature conditions up to a maximum of 20,000 psi and 200° C. The FMS cell is equipped with a computer that provides full control and data acquisition of the FMS experiments. We use FMS to characterize reservoir fluid (brine, oil, and gas) systems, and to determine the effect of different gases (such as methane, N2, CO2 and pure hydrocarbon components) on reservoir oil behavior. The following is a partial list of important parameters which can be determined from FMS experiments:

  1. Fluid velocity under pressure change
  2. Fluid velocity under temperature change
  3. Fluid permeability
Impedance Analyzer – Keysight E4990A

This Impedance Analyzer is a complex resistivity measurement used for bench top measurements in a range of frequencies (20Hz to 120MHz). The analyzing probe can be used for samples with a maximum length of 11mm and variable diameters. The following is a partial list of important parameters which can be determined from these experiments:

  1. Conductivity
  2. Permittivity

We use auxiliary instruments, for example Refractometer, to measure fluid conductivity if the sample analyzed is saturated.

Low Frequency Velocity Measurements

The technique used to determine elastic properties at low frequencies consists of a stress/strain system that deforms the rock at a frequency range of 1 to 2000 Hz. Measurements can be conducted at different confining and pore pressure stages to simulate reservoir conditions. Additionally we can control temperature of the pressure vessel (0 – 100 °C). Besides measuring low frequency velocities we are also able to perform ultrasonic (1 MHz) velocity measurements.

The following is a partial list of parameters that can be determined using the set up:

  1. Young’s modulus
  2. Poisson’s ratio
  3. Bulk modulus
  4. Shear modulus
  5. Compressional and shear wave velocities
  6. Attenuation
Network Analyzer – Keysight ENA Series

This Network Analyzer is a complex resistivity measurement used for bench top measurements in a range of frequencies (300 kHz to 20 GHz). The analyzing probe can be used for any sample; the only specification is the need for a flat polish surface, to allow full contact with the sample and reliable measurements. The following is a partial list of important parameters which can be determined from these experiments:

  1. Conductivity
  2. Permittivity
Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) Resistivity Measuring Instrument

The SIP resistivity measuring instrument measures the real and imaginary components of resistance for brine-saturated porous rocks in the frequency range of 1 mHz to 45 KHz.

The following is a partial list of the important parameters which can be determined from SIP experiments:

  1. Resistivity
  2. Tortuosity