Abstract: A method for determining mineralogical or geochemistry of at least one geological sample with vibrational spectroscopy combined with laser-induced breakdown spectral measurements performed on the geological sample in a time variant manner with spectral acquisitions made after each of a plurality of measurement shots, spectral pre-processing performed as necessary, and subsequent analysis is applied to the collected data to determine at least one mineralogical or geochemistry parameter of the sample. The method can provide a rapid method to estimate mineralogy or geochemical parameters of a sample, which does not require sample preparation, and which can be non-destructive with respect to portions of the sample. A system for performing the method also is provided.

Abstract: A method for determining geochemistry of at least one geological sample with laser-induced breakdown spectral measurements performed on the geological sample in a time variant manner with spectral acquisitions made after each of a plurality of measurement shots, spectral pre-processing performed as necessary, and subsequent analysis is applied to the collected data to determine at least one geochemistry parameter of the sample. The method can provide a rapid method to estimate thermal maturity of a sample, which does not require sample preparation, and which can be non-destructive with respect to portions of the sample. A system for performing the method also is provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a geological formation which integrates well data and high resolution computed tomography of rock samples thereof. Relationships are determined for a formation between a formation property, such as an elastic property, and at least one of photoelectric effect index (PEF), effective atomic number (Zeff), and bulk density (RHOB), using well data, and tomographic imaging is used to determine at least one of the latter mentioned properties (PEF, Zeff, RHOB) at higher resolution, which can be used in the relationship to determine a corresponding formation property. This affords an opportunity to develop formation property data for more challenging formations to evaluate, such as thinly laminated formations or others. Computerized systems, computer program products on non-transitory computer usable storage media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a geological formation which integrates well data and high resolution computed tomography of rock samples thereof. Relationships are determined for a formation between a formation property, such as an elastic property, and at least one of photoelectric effect index (PEF), effective atomic number (Zeff), and bulk density (RHOB), using well data, and tomographic imaging is used to determine at least one of the latter mentioned properties (PEF, Zeff, RHOB) at higher resolution, which can be used in the relationship to determine a corresponding formation property. This affords an opportunity to develop formation property data for more challenging formations to evaluate, such as thinly laminated formations or others. Computerized systems, computer program products on non-transitory computer usable storage media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for combining nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and digital rock physics (DRP) analysis based on drilling cuttings or other rock samples for improved downhole nuclear magnetic resonance validation and characterisation. A system for performing the method also is provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cuttings-based well logging, including a method that includes converting measurements of cuttings samples from one or more depth intervals of a wellbore to a concentration percent of one or more elements, determining a one or more minerals of the cuttings samples from the concentration percent and building a mineralogy model for the cuttings sample based at least in part on a gravimetric conversion of the concentration percent of at least some of the one or more elements to a concentration percent of the one or more minerals. The method further includes normalizing the concentration percent of the one or more minerals, computing a photo-electric absorption factor (PEF) of the cuttings samples for each of the one or more depth intervals, and presenting to a user a log of the computed PEF as a function of wellbore depth.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to prepare a plurality of cuttings or other rock fragments or other porous media, such as cuttings from a drilling interval or multiple intervals, for computer tomographic scanning at the same time. A method and system also are provided to allow organization of mass quantities of cuttings or other rock fragments obtained from intervals of a well to more accurately categorize the cuttings to assist selections thereof for more detailed digital rock analysis, such as using SEM and FIB-SEM systems, are provided. A method and system also are provided to allow characterization of facies occurrence frequency of a depth interval using drill cuttings or other rock fragments. Computerized systems, computer readable media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The effect of a treatment on a rock sample or sub-sample extracted from the rock sample can be analyzed through computed tomography (CT). To determine the effect of a treatment of a rock sample or the sub-sample, pre-treatment and post-treatment CT images of the rock sample or the sub-sample are captured. Further, the pre-treatment CT images and post-treatment CT images of the rock sample or the sub-sample are compared based on one or more alignment markers added to the rock sample or the sub-sample. In some embodiments, pre-treatment and post-treatment CT scans of an extracted sub-sample provide higher-resolution information regarding the effect of the treatment. Further, pre-treatment and post-treatment CT scans of a rock sample with a restored sub-sample may be considered and may provide additional information regarding the effect of the treatment on the rock sample or the sub-sample.

Abstract: A method allowing for rapidly determining wettability of porous materials or other materials by measurement of the absorption of noble gases to pore surfaces through laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is provided. The method can provide an absolute method of quantifying wettability and a method which is a spatially resolved method. A system for performing the method also is provided.

Abstract: A method for determining porosity associated with organic matter (PAOM) in a well or formation is provided. A system for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: An example method includes acquiring two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) digital images of a rock sample. The method also includes selecting a subsample within the digital images. The method also includes deriving a trend or petrophysical property for the subsample. The method also includes applying the trend or petrophysical property to a larger-scale portion of the digital images.

Abstract: An example method includes acquiring two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) digital images of a rock sample. The method also includes iteratively analyzing property measurements collected throughout the digital images using different subsample sizes to identify a property distribution convergence as a function of subsample size. The method also includes selecting a smallest subsample size associated with the property distribution convergence as a representative elementary area or volume for the rock sample.

Abstract: A method for determining mineralogical or geochemistry of at least one geological sample with vibrational spectroscopy combined with laser-induced breakdown spectral measurements performed on the geological sample in a time variant manner with spectral acquisitions made after each of a plurality of measurement shots, spectral pre-processing performed as necessary, and subsequent analysis is applied to the collected data to determine at least one mineralogical or geochemistry parameter of the sample. The method can provide a rapid method to estimate mineralogy or geochemical parameters of a sample, which does not require sample preparation, and which can be non-destructive with respect to portions of the sample. A system for performing the method also is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for integrating logging tool data and digital rock physics to estimate rock formation properties. A rock sample from a logging tool such as a sidewall plug or large enough cutting can be extracted by the logging tool at approximately the same well bore location that the logging tool measures fluid properties. The rock samples thus obtained is scanned using a CT scanner, scanning electron microscope or other suitable scanning device. The resulting scanned rock image can be segmented and rock properties comprising porosity, absolute permeability, relative permeability, capillary pressure and other relevant rock properties are calculated. The resulting digital calculations are integrated with logging tool data and rock property estimates to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the logging tool data.

Abstract: A method for determining fabric and upscaled properties of a geological sample, such as a rock sample. A system for the method also is provided.

Abstract: A micro-CT sample holder for placing a sample under hydrostatic pressure during scanning, a micro-CT scanning system using the sample holder, and method of rock sample inspection under hydrostatic pressure. The sample holder includes a pressure vessel having a thinned-walled region and an interior chamber fixed reference stops inside the interior chamber. A position-locating anvil holds the sample and rests on the one or more fixed reference stops so the position of the sample is fixed under pressure. The thin-walled region surrounds the sample to minimize radiation interactions yet sufficient for maintaining a design pressure within the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel includes threads near the top opening to receive a compression screw assembly for closing the top opening and applying a variable pressure on the pressure vessel with a piston acting on a fluid inside the interior chamber.

Abstract: A method for increasing the accuracy of a target property value derived from a rock sample is described in which the sample is scanned to obtain a three-dimensional tomographic digital image which can be processed to pore space and solid material phases through a segmentation process. A process is used which revises the segmented volume, e.g., by increasing pore space connectivity, in a manner affecting the target property value that would be derived. Another described method increases the accuracy with which a segmented volume represents a material sample having structure not adequately resolved in an original three-dimensional tomographic digital image. Further, a system for performing the processes, and a segmented digital volume which more accurately represents a sample of a porous media, are described.

Abstract: A method is provided for evaluating a geological formation which integrates well data and high resolution computed tomography of rock samples thereof. Relationships are determined for a formation between a formation property, such as an elastic property, and at least one of photoelectric effect index (PEF), effective atomic number (Zeff), and bulk density (RHOB), using well data, and tomographic imaging is used to determine at least one of the latter mentioned properties (PEF, Zeff, RHOB) at higher resolution, which can be used in the relationship to determine a corresponding formation property. This affords an opportunity to develop formation property data for more challenging formations to evaluate, such as thinly laminated formations or others. Computerized systems, computer program products on non-transitory computer usable storage media, and programs for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided to characterize subterranean formations, which includes extracting drill cuttings from a drilling fluid, and grouping the drill cuttings into a group of cuttings based on a time of arrival of the drill cuttings at the Earth's surface, wherein these steps can be repeated at least once to provide a plurality of groups of drill cuttings that arrive sequentially at different recorded times that correspond to different downhole locations.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conditioning expanded porosity, including a method that includes creating a disconnected pore structure by reducing the pore sizes of a rock sample's scanned image, identifying expanded pores within the rock sample and generating an expanded pore image from the expanded pores. The method further includes combining the expanded pore image with the scanned image to create an expansion mask, generating a grain conditioning volume based on at least one unexpanded region of the rock sample, combining the grain conditioning volume with the expansion mask to generate a fill volume image, combining the fill volume image with the scanned image to create an unexpanded volume image, and generating and presenting to a user a formation log using a model generated based upon the unexpanded volume image.