Abstract: A method of evaluating a gradient of a composition of materials in a petroleum reservoir, comprising sampling fluids from a well in the petroleum reservoir in a logging operation, measuring an amount of contamination in the sampled fluids, measuring the composition of the sampling fluids using a downhole fluid analysis, measuring an asphaltene content of the sampling fluids at different depths; and fitting the asphaltene content of the sampling fluids at the different depths to a simplified equation of state during the logging operation to determine the gradient of the composition of the materials in the petroleum reservoir.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a rock core sample loads the sample into a cell where it is supported within an interior chamber of the cell. For at least one interval of time, the sample is soaked with a liquid phase solvent pressurized at elevated pressure and temperature without any flow of the liquid phase solvent into, through, and out of the chamber. The liquid phase solvent is then allowed to drain from the cell. The cell can include a fluid inlet and outlet that are both in fluid communication with the chamber. A controller can be used to control at least one parameter related to the soaking. The at least one parameter can be selected from the group consisting of i) the duration of the time interval, ii) pressure of the liquid phase solvent during the time interval, and iii) temperature of the cell during the time interval.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of characterizing a subterranean formation sample including collecting a sample from a formation, and analyzing the formation to obtain an image with 100 nm or less resolution, wherein the analyzing comprises atomic force microscopy (AFM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermal analysis. Kerogen maturity, mineralogy, kerogen content, mechanical properties, and transition temperatures—including registered maps of those quantities—may be obtained in 5 minutes or less. Some embodiments may use a scanning electron microscope.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a formation including collecting and analyzing a formation sample, drilling operation data, and wellbore pressure measurement, estimating a reservoir and completion quality, and performing an oil field service in a region of the formation comprising the quality. In some embodiments, the formation sample is a solid collected from the drilling operation or includes cuttings or a core sample.

Abstract: A method for estimating characteristics of a formation including collecting a formation sample, preparing the sample, and analyzing the sample using FTIR comprising identifying the kerogen lineshape and intensity. The method includes using the lineshape to obtain kerogen maturity, using the maturity to obtain the kerogen spectrum, and using the kerogen spectrum to obtain the mineralogy and kerogen content.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose methods of estimating porosity from a pore volume and bulk density. The porosity is obtained by multiplying the pore volume and bulk density. Methods disclosed in the subject disclosure are minimally affected by errors in the bulk density measurement.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a formation including collecting a formation sample, forming the sample into particles, exposing the sample to a cleaning fluid, and analyzing the sample. Embodiments also relate to a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a formation including the steps of collecting a formation sample, first exposing the sample to a cleaning fluid, forming the sample into particles, exposing the sample to a second cleaning fluid and analyzing the sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high speed mud gas logging are described. A general workflow of mud gas logging uses tandem mass spectroscopy. The workflow involves first separating the volatile components of the hydrocarbons (typically C8 and below) from the drilling fluid using a fluid extractor (or degaser). Extracted gases are then diluted in air and transported to an analyzer, which measures the concentration of each of those gases in air. A tandem mass spectroscopy-based analyzer is used that is able to quantify each of those hydrocarbon components, including resolving isomeric species, while tolerating the presence of the non-hydrocarbons. According to some embodiments, triple quadrapole mass spectroscopy is used.

Abstract: The chemical composition of petroleum samples is measured using orbitrap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI). The orbitrap measurement is used in a screening to determine if one or more higher resolution (but more expensive) compositional analyses are justified.

Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding employs analysis of fluid property gradients to investigate and distinguish between non-compartmentalization of the reservoir, compartmentalization of the reservoir, and lack of thermodynamic equilibrium in the reservoir.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high speed mud gas logging are described. A general workflow of mud gas logging uses tandem mass spectroscopy. The workflow involves first separating the volatile components of the hydrocarbons (typically C8 and below) from the drilling fluid using a fluid extractor (or degaser). Extracted gases are then diluted in air and transported to an analyzer, which measures the concentration of each of those gases in air. A tandem mass spectroscopy-based analyser is used that is able to quantify each of those hydrocarbon components, including resolving isomeric species, while tolerating the presence of the non-hydrocarbons. According to some embodiments, triple quadrapole mass spectroscopy is used.

Abstract: An improved method that performs downhole fluid analysis of the fluid properties of a reservoir of interest and that characterizes the reservoir of interest based upon such downhole fluid analysis.

Abstract: An improved method that performs downhole fluid analysis of the fluid properties of a reservoir of interest and that characterizes the reservoir of interest based upon such downhole fluid analysis.

Abstract: Fluid property modeling that employs a model that characterizes asphaltene concentration gradients is integrated into a reservoir modeling and simulation framework to allow for reservoir compartmentalization (the presence or absence of flow barrier in the reservoir) to be assessed more quickly and easily. Additionally, automated integration of the fluid property modeling into the reservoir modeling and simulation framework allows the compositional gradients produced by the fluid property modeler (particularly asphaltene concentration gradients) to be combined with other data, such as geologic data and other petrophysical data, which allows for more accurate assessment of reservoir compartmentalization.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods to detect a fluid contamination level of a fluid sample. The method may comprise providing a fluid sample downhole from a subterranean formation, applying a reactant to the fluid sample to create a combined fluid, observing the combined fluid, and determining if contaminants are present within the fluid sample based upon the observing the combined fluid.

Abstract: An improved method that performs downhole fluid analysis of the fluid properties of a reservoir of interest and that characterizes the reservoir of interest based upon such downhole fluid analysis.

Abstract: Kerogen in oil shale is converted to bitumen, oil, gases and coke via a retorting process. The vaporizable oil and gases are then recovered. Following the retorting process, bitumen is recovered via solvent extraction. The overall conversion process is enhanced by calculating conditions to optimize recovery of both oil and bitumen. This can be accomplished by either separately calculating conditions for which production of vaporizable oil and production of bitumen are optimized, or calculating conditions for which production of vaporizable oil and production of bitumen are optimized by applying a maximizing function to combined vaporizable oil and bitumen data. An advantage of this technique is that greater efficiency is achieved because the time duration of heating associated with the retorting process can be reduced and product yields increased.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing petroleum reservoir analysis and sampling using a real-time component wherein heterogeneities in fluid properties exist. The methods help predict the recovery performance of oil such as, for example, heavy oil, which can be adversely impacted by fluid property gradients present in the reservoir. Additionally, the methods help optimize sampling schedules of the reservoir, which can reduce overall expense and increase sampling efficiency. The methods involve the use of analytical techniques for accurately predicting one or more fluid properties that are not in equilibrium in the reservoir. By evaluating the composition of downhole fluid samples taken from the reservoir using sensitive analytical techniques, an accurate base model of the fluid property of interest can be produced. With the base model in hand, real-time data can be obtained and compared to the base model in order to further define the fluid property of interest in the reservoir.