Abstract: An open ended coaxial probe is disclosed that can be used to measure the dielectric properties of solids. According to some embodiments, the probe is specially designed to make good contact with solids having flat or non-flat surfaces. This design relies on forcing a good contact between the solid surface with both the center conductor and outer conductor of the coaxial probe. A method is also described in which the coaxial probe is used to monitor the dielectric permittivity of cylindrical samples such as rock cores drilled from a well. Also described are methods of using the coaxial probe to provide a continuous log of the dielectric permittivity of a rock core.

Abstract: A method of producing reservoir fluids from a condensate gas reservoir traversed by a production well includes the formation of a protrusion into natural gas bearing rock along a producing interval of the reservoir. A heater element is placed into the protrusion and configured for operation. Reservoir fluids are produced from the producing interval while the heater element heats the natural gas bearing rock proximate the heater element. The heat supplied by the heater element reduces condensate build up in the natural gas bearing rock adjacent the production well during production. The heater element is configured to heat the natural gas bearing rock that is proximate the heater element to a temperature that is sufficient to vaporize and/or reduce the viscosity of condensate that is proximate the heater element. A related system is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for calculating pore pressure in a porous formation such as shale gas having substantially disconnected pore spaces. In some described examples, an NMR logging tool with at least two depths of investigation (DOIs) is used. The deeper DOI can be used to sample the shale gas that has not been perturbed by the drilling process, for example, and contains the gas at connate pressure. The shallow DOI can be used to sample shale gas that has been perturbed, and has lost at least part of its gas content. The micro cracks that have been formed in the shallow location (closer to the borehole) allow for injection of gas into the formation at known pressures while measuring the NMR response. The connate pore pressure can then be calculated for the deeper location based on the NMR response to the known pressure increase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analysis of drilling cuttings are described. Complex permittivity is measured of rock cutting samples obtained during drilling operations. The origin of the cuttings is known by flow rate analysis in the drilling system. Various means can be used for rock cutting dielectric measurement. For example, the dielectric measurement can be made by matching the unknown permittivity of the medium to be analyzed to the permittivity of known liquid mixtures by successive saturation and looking for a “zero-contrast” measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body having a central axis defined therethrough, at least one extendable arm coupled to the body, and a mechanical property tester coupled to the at least one extendable arm, the mechanical property tester configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole and to measure one or more mechanical properties of the surface of the borehole.

Abstract: A method for assigning a wettability or related parameter to a subvolume of formation located between two or more boreholes is described. The method includes the steps of obtaining measurements of resistivity at a subvolume, obtaining further parameters determining a relation between resistivity and saturation from logging measurements along the two or more boreholes, obtaining geological measurements defining geological or rock-type boundaries within the formation between the two or more boreholes, selecting the subvolume such that it is intersected by the geological or rock-type boundaries; transforming the resistivity measurements into the saturation at the subvolume; and using the saturation and/or the further parameters to determine the wettability or related parameter for the subvolume.

Abstract: Downhole gravity measurements are used to monitor the volumetric sweep of CO2 and estimate the fingering phenomenon if any. The gravity measurements have been found to be effective due to the high density contrast between CO2 and brine or oil which provides better and higher sensitivity. An analytical forward model is used to determine the location and shape characteristics of the flooding front. A strategy to monitor the movement of the CO2 flooding front and to predict the fingering phenomenon is used to provide a warning tool to improve the sweep efficiency, according to some embodiments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analysis of drilling cuttings are described. Complex permittivity is measured of rock cutting samples obtained during drilling operations. The origin of the cuttings is known by flow rate analysis in the drilling system. Various means can be used for rock cutting dielectric measurement. For example, the dielectric measurement can be made by matching the unknown permittivity of the medium to be analyzed to the permittivity of known liquid mixtures by successive saturation and looking for a “zero-contrast” measurement.

Abstract: A method for assigning a wettability or related parameter to a subvolume of formation located between two or more boreholes is described with the method including the steps of obtaining measurements of the resistivity at the subvolume, obtaining further parameters determining a relation between resistivity and saturation from logging measurements along the two or more boreholes, obtaining geological measurement defining geological or rock-type boundaries within the formation between the two or more boreholes, selecting the subvolume such that it is not intersected by the geological or rock-type boundaries; transforming the resistivity measurements into the saturation at the subvolume; and—using the saturation and/or the further parameters to determine the wettability or related parameter for the subvolume.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods are described for detecting features of a reservoir surrounding a borehole, the apparatus being capable of emitting an electromagnetic wave signal and receiving a signal representing a response of the reservoir to the electromagnetic wave signal, wherein the emitted signal is a broadband signal selected from within the range of 1 Hz to 1000 Ghz and the received signal includes a directional characteristic to provide an azimuthal determination of the direction of a discontinuity within the formation as the discontinuity reflects or scatters at least part of the broadband signal; azimuthally scanning the surrounding formation; and inverting the received signal for deriving at least a distance of the reflecting discontinuity from the borehole using simultaneous inversion of the reflected or scattered wavefield at multiple frequencies.