Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating the permeability of rock from a digital image of the rock. A three-dimensional image of a rock is obtained and segmented, and an image permeability is determined from the segmented image of the rock. Permeability correction factors are obtained from the segmented image and from a non-wetting liquid capillary pressure curve derived from the segmented image, and the permeability correction parameters are applied to the image permeability to obtain a corrected image permeability of the rock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating hydrocarbon saturation of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock from a measurement for an electrical property a resistivity log and a rock image. The image is segmented to represent either a pore space or solid material in the rock. An image porosity is estimated from the segmented image, and a corrected porosity is determined to account for the sub-resolution porosity missing in the image of the rock. A corrected saturation exponent of the rock is determined from the image porosity and the corrected porosity and is used to estimate the hydrocarbon saturation. A backpropagation-enabled trained model can be used to segment the image. A backpropagation-enabled method can be used to estimate the hydrocarbon saturation using an image selected from a series of 2D projection images, 3D reconstructed images and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating fluid saturation of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock from a rock image. The image is segmented to represent either a pore space or solid material in the rock. An image pore volume is estimated from the segmented image, and a corrected pore volume is determined to account for the sub-resolution pore volume missing in the image of the rock. An image-derived wetting fluid saturation of the rock is estimated using a direct flow simulation on the rock image and corrected for the corrected pore volume. A backpropagation-enabled trained model can be used to segment the image. A backpropagation-enabled method can be used to estimate the fluid saturation using an image selected from a series of 2D projection images, 3D reconstructed images and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating hydrocarbon saturation of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock from a resistivity log and a rock image. The image is segmented to represent either a pore space or solid material in the rock. An image porosity is estimated from the segmented image, and a corrected porosity is determined to account for the sub-resolution porosity missing in the image of the rock. A corrected cementation exponent of the rock is determined from the image porosity and the corrected porosity and is used to estimate the hydrocarbon saturation. A backpropagation-enabled trained model can be used to segment the image. A backpropagation-enabled method can be used to estimate the hydrocarbon saturation using an image selected from a series of 2D projection images, 3D reconstructed images and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for estimating the permeability of rock from a digital image of the rock. A three-dimensional image of a rock is obtained and segmented, and an image permeability is determined from the segmented image of the rock. Permeability correction factors are obtained from the segmented image and from a non-wetting liquid capillary pressure curve derived from the segmented image, and the permeability correction parameters are applied to the image permeability to obtain a corrected image permeability of the rock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the porosity of rock from a digital image of the rock. A three-dimensional image of a rock is obtained and segmented, and an image porosity is determined from the segmented image of the rock. A porosity correction parameter is obtained from a non-wetting liquid capillary pressure curve derived from the segmented image, and the porosity correction parameter is applied to the image porosity to obtain a corrected porosity of the rock.

Abstract: A method for real-time or near real-time analysis of drilling fluid and/or drill cuttings from a well is applied to the material conveyed from the well to a mud circulation system during a drilling operation. A gamma-ray detector is provided in-line with the mud circulation system. Solids are concentered in a concentrator proximate to the gamma-ray detector. Gamma-ray spectra are detected for gamma-rays emitted from the concentrated solids. The material is removed from the concentrator. Information regarding the gamma-ray spectra representing a time correlated to drilling depth is communicated to a control unit remote from the mud circulation system.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-line mud logging is adapted to be in material communication with a conveyor used for conveying drilling fluid and/or drill cuttings from a well. An analysis body, disposed in the path of material falling from the conveyor has a sample accumulation tray for collecting a sample of material falling from the conveyor, and a gamma-ray detector for acquiring gamma-ray spectra from the sample of material. A weight sensor detects weight of the sample of material. A sample removal device is used to remove the sample of material from the sample accumulation tray after a desired sample interval. Signals from the gamma-ray detector and the weight sensor are communicated to a control unit.

Abstract: A system for real-time or near real-time analysis of drilling fluid, drill cuttings and/or mud gas transported from a well to a mud circulation system has a hydrocarbon analysis device for in-line measuring hydrocarbon content in the material and an in-line gamma-ray detection apparatus. The in-line gamma-ray detection apparatus is disposed in the path of material transported from the well. A control unit for real-time or near real-time receives and correlates signals from the hydrocarbon analysis device and the in-line gamma-ray detection apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the porosity of rock from a digital image of the rock. A three-dimensional image of a rock is obtained and segmented, and an image porosity is determined from the segmented image of the rock. A porosity correction parameter is obtained from a non-wetting liquid capillary pressure curve derived from the segmented image, and the porosity correction parameter is applied to the image porosity to obtain a corrected porosity of the rock.