Abstract: The invention relates to a method of directional self-assembly lithography, said method comprising a step of depositing a block copolymer film on a layer (20) neutral with respect the block copolymer, said block copolymer film being for use as a lithography mask, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps of: depositing said neutral layer (20) on a surface of a substrate (10), said neutral layer (20) being of the carbon or fluoro-carbon type deposited to a thickness greater than 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sealing and/or consolidating a subterranean formation, wherein a gelling aqueous solution comprising an alkaline solution of potassium silicate, acetic acid and an aluminate is prepared and injected into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring the diffusion coefficient of water in a porous medium. The coefficient is measured using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique (2, 3, 4) and the sample (1) has the shape of a hollow cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of the area (10) surrounding a well (1) in which an aqueous gelling solution comprising an alkaline potassium silicate solution and an acetic acid is prepared and then injected into a subterranean formation. This aqueous gelling solution makes it possible, by virtue of these gelling properties, to block the area (10) surrounding the well (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of the area (10) surrounding a well (1) in which an aqueous gelling solution comprising an alkaline potassium silicate solution and an acetic acid is prepared and then injected into a subterranean formation. This aqueous gelling solution makes it possible, by virtue of these gelling properties, to block the area (10) surrounding the well (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring the diffusion coefficient of water in a porous medium, wherein the coefficient is measured using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique (2, 3, 4) and wherein the sample (1) has the shape of a hollow cylinder.

Abstract: An energy conversion system, including a first and second electrodes with an inter-electrode gap therebetween that includes a functional medium, wherein the first electrode is made of at least one elongate electrically conductive media having a total length L, a curved cross-section, and a radius R, and arranged into a sturdy assembly structure having a more or less open pattern, capable of having the same electric potential at any location and thus of constituting said first electrode. Where R is lower than 40×10-6 m the inter-electrode gap has a thickness of between 1×10-9 m and 5×10-3 m, the total length L of the electrically conductive media of the first electrode is greater than 1×103 m, and the ratio L/R is greater than 106 such that the first electrode generates a significant increase in the electric field perceived by the second electrode.

Abstract: Device for measuring physical characteristics of a porous sample by performing successive drainage and imbibition phases in the presence of a first electricity-conducting fluid and of a second fluid of lower density than the first fluid, by means of a centrifuge whose speed is successively increasing and decreasing. The sample saturated with the first fluid is placed in a vessel (13) fastened to the end of an arm (9) driven in rotation by a motor (10) and communicating, by means of a rotating electro-hydraulic connector (17), with a stationary measuring signal control and acquisition unit (E) including hydraulic fluid displacement means and an acquisition device connected to a capacitive sonde in the vessel, which delivers signals indicative of the position of the interface between the two fluids. The device can be applied for analyzing rocks taken from an underground reservoir for example.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for evaluating simultaneously, and with the same equipment, the electric resistivity and flow parameters of a porous medium, from experimental measurements obtained from at least one multi-flow type displacement experiment which has application in oil reservoir development. The method continuously measures as a function of time the differential pressure between two ends of a sample, the electric resistivity of the sample and, for each stabilization step, at least two values of a displaced fluid production volume are also measured. A continuous curve of the displaced fluid production volume, from which flow parameters are estimated by means of a numerical flow simulator, is then deduced therefrom.

Abstract: A method for measuring the conducting fluid saturation and the resistivity of a porous medium have application to development of underground geological formations. A solid sample is extracted from the medium and placed in a centrifugation cell, beside a second sample for limiting the capillary end effect in the first sample. The two samples are partly desaturated by subjecting them to centrifugation. The resistivity of the sample is measured by placing it in a radial-electrode resistivity measurement cell. The saturation of the sample is then determined by measuring its nuclear magnetization by means of an NMR device. Repeating this procedure for different centrifugation velocities provides resistivity and saturation pairs allowing a relationship between saturation and resistivity to be estimated.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device for evaluating simultaneously, and with the same equipment, the electric resistivity and flow parameters of a porous medium, from experimental measurements obtained from at least one multi-flow type displacement experiment which has application in oil reservoir development. The method continuously measures as a function of time the differential pressure between two ends of a sample, the electric resistivity of the sample and, for each stabilization step, at least two values of a displaced fluid production volume are also measured. A continuous curve of the displaced fluid production volume, from which flow parameters are estimated by means of a numerical flow simulator, is then deduced therefrom.

Abstract: A method for measuring the conducting fluid saturation and the resistivity of a porous medium have application to development of underground geological formations. A solid sample is extracted from the medium and placed in a centrifugation cell, beside a second sample for limiting the capillary in the first sample. The two samples are partly desaturated by subjecting them to centrifugation. The resistivity of the sample is measured by placing it in a radial-electrode resistivity measurement cell. The saturation of the sample is then determined by measuring its nuclear magnetization by means of an NMR device. Repeating this procedure for different centrifugation velocities provide resistivity and saturation pairs allowing a relationship between saturation and resistivity to be estimated.

Abstract: A method for measuring the wettability of rocks by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance is described which has application for hydrocarbon reservoir engineering or development, or in civil engineering. The method essentially determines the water wet pore surface and the oil wet pore surface when the sample is saturated with water and oil, by measurements of relaxation times (T1, T2) of the sample placed in a nuclear magnetic resonance device, previously brought to various water or oil saturation states, and calculating the wettability index by combination of values the relaxation times obtained for said surfaces.

Abstract: Method of determining the permeability of an underground medium from NMR logs of the permeability of rock fragments from the medium, based on prior calibration of the permeability resulting from this measurements, from direct measurement on rock fragments, such as cuttings for example. The method mainly comprises measuring permeability (k) from rock fragments, measuring the signal produced by a device allowing NMR analysis of the rock fragments previously saturated with a protonated liquid (brine for example), obtaining optimum values for the parameters of a relation giving the permeability as a function of the NMR signal, and applying this relation to the well zones that have already been subjected to NMR logging but for which no direct permeability measurements are available. One example of one of the applications for the present invention is the evaluation of a hydrocarbon reservoir.

Abstract: A method measures the physical characteristics of at least one solid porous sample (S) saturated with a first fluid by carrying out drainage or imbibition phases, in the presence of a second fluid with a different density from that of the first fluid. A sample saturated with a first fluid, such as brine, is placed in a vessel filled with a second fluid. By means of a centrifugation assembly, the sample is drained until a final saturation pressure is established in the sample. In a second phase, the sample can be soaked.

Abstract: A method and device with application to petrophysical measurements on porous rocks for measuring the resistivity anisotropy of rocks exhibiting layerings of different conductivity such as laminations is disclosed. The method comprises setting a sample saturated with a first fluid into a petrophysical measurement device allowing the sample to be subjected to drainage operations by injection under pressure of a second fluid. At least one pressure injection is established for the second fluid, and continuous and precise measurements of the variations in the complex electrical impedance of the sample at several frequencies are performed during a displacement of the saturating fluid.

Abstract: Method for measuring the wettability of rocks by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. The method essentially comprises determining the water wet pore surface and the oil wet pore surface when the sample is saturated with water and oil, by measurements of relaxation times (T1, T2) of the sample placed in a nuclear magnetic resonance device, previously brought to various water or oil saturation states, and calculating the wettability index by combination of the values obtained for said surfaces. Application: hydrocarbon reservoir engineering or development, or in civil engineering, etc.

Abstract: A thermostatically controlled containment cell for a sample, suitable notably for a measuring device such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, NMR type measuring device including the cell, and method for implementation is disclosed. Cell (8) comprises a body of a tubular sleeve (9) made of a material so selected as not to interfere with NMR measurements, (for example a non-magnetic and non electrically conducting material) ending at its opposite ends with terminal parts (14, 16), containing a sample (S), and means (19–22) for circulating within tubular sleeve (9) a controlled-temperature heat carrier for maintaining the sample at a substantially constant temperature during measurements which liquid is selected to not disturb the NMR measurements. The cell containing the sample is first heated by circulation of the heat carrier. An overpressure sufficient to prevent boiling is established in the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance method of detecting and monitoring the flocculation kinetics of high molecular weight fractions of a complex fluid. The inventive method applies the following to the fluid: a first static polarization magnetic field and, subsequently, at least a second oscillating pulsed magnetic field which generates a nuclear magnetic resonance for the nuclei considered and the acquisition of relaxation signals from the nuclei in the fluid. Moreover, the method detects, in the relaxation signals, a first part P1 which is representative of the relaxation of the flocculated fractions in the fluid and a second part P2 which is representative of the relaxation of the liquid fraction of the fluid; and determines the flocculation rate of the fractions by comparison with values M<sb>x</sb>(t=0) and M<sb>x1</sb>(t=0) which were extrapolated at the start of the acquisition times of the two parts.

Abstract: Method for measuring the physical characteristics of at least one solid porous sample (S) saturated with a first fluid by carrying out drainage or imbibition phases, in the presence of a second fluid with a different density from that of the first fluid. A sample saturated with a first fluid such as brine is placed in a vessel filled with a second fluid. By means of a centrifugation assembly, the sample is drained until a final saturation pressure is established in the sample. In a second phase, the sample can be soaked.