Abstract: A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

Abstract: A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

Abstract: Irreducible water saturation of fluid-storing porous reservoir rock is determined using methods that include obtaining a reservoir rock sample from the underground fluid reservoir; performing mercury saturation measurements on the reservoir rock sample for different mercury injection pressure values to obtain mercury saturation values for the different mercury injection pressure values; and estimating the irreducible water saturation (Swirr) from the mercury saturation values and the mercury injection pressure values by correcting for surface films of fluid retained on pore walls of the reservoir rock.

Abstract: A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

Abstract: Techniques for calculating metrics for reservoir quality based on light oil and total organic carbon in tight oil reservoirs are described. The techniques include calculating quantities of light oil and total organic carbon from logging data and generating therefrom a continuous log for reservoir quality metric. Additionally new reservoir quality indices are presented that more accurately predict reservoir quality in tight oil plays.

Abstract: A system and method for automated transfer of a tape segment onto the face of a tissue block to be thin sectioned by microtomy includes applying, to a carrier strip, a plurality of serially-spaced patches of sample tape having an adhesive outer surface, transporting the carrier strip along a path adjacent to and spaced from the exposed sample surface to position one of the patches of sample tape adjacent to and covering the exposed sample surface, adhering the one of the patches of sample tape to the exposed sample surface.

Abstract: A method (and system) is provided that enhances production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation by identifying at least one target interval of the subterranean formation that is in proximity to a pay interval, wherein the at least one target interval has an electrical resistance less than electrical resistance of the pay interval. A plurality of electrodes are placed in positions spaced apart from one another and adjacent the at least one target interval. Electrical current is injected into the target interval by supplying electrical signals to the plurality of electrodes. The electrical current injected into the at least one target interval passes through at least a portion of the at least one target interval in order to heat the at least one target interval and heat the pay interval by thermal conduction for enhancement of production of hydrocarbons from the pay interval.

Abstract: Methods for the determination of the Total Gas in Place (TGiP) in gas-bearing formations are provided. Aspects of the subject disclosure also relate to the determination of the TGiP from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs alone or in combination other well logs.

Abstract: Irreducible water saturation of fluid-storing porous reservoir rock is determined using methods that include obtaining a reservoir rock sample from the underground fluid reservoir; performing mercury saturation measurements on the reservoir rock sample for different mercury injection pressure values to obtain mercury saturation values for the different mercury injection pressure values; and estimating the irreducible water saturation (Swirr) from the mercury saturation values and the mercury injection pressure values by correcting for surface films of fluid retained on pore walls of the reservoir rock.

Abstract: Techniques for calculating metrics for reservoir quality based on light oil and total organic carbon in tight oil reservoirs are described. The techniques include calculating quantities of light oil and total organic carbon from logging data and generating therefrom a continuous log for reservoir quality metric. Additionally new reservoir quality indices are presented that more accurately predict reservoir quality in tight oil plays.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the characterization of formation fluids are disclosed. A downhole tool disposed in a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation obtains a NMR measurement, effects a change in a characteristic of the formation fluid, and obtains another NMR measurement subsequent to the change. Alternatively, the downhole tool effects a radial gradient of a characteristic of the formation and obtains NMR measurements at two or more selected radial distances from the wellbore wall. A parameter representative of the subterranean formation or the formation fluid is further determined from the NMR measurements.

Abstract: A heat switch for remote self-contained gas chromatography is disclosed. The device mechanically separates a hot or cold reservoir from the chromatography column when heating or cooling is not needed. The column needs a cooling system to obtain initial temperatures below ambient. At other times the column needs to be heated to relatively high temperatures, during which time the cooling system is preferably detached. The heat switch allows for rapid temperature changes while minimizing the peak cooling power requirement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the characterization of formation fluids are disclosed. A downhole tool disposed in a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation obtains a NMR measurement, effects a change in a characteristic of the formation fluid, and obtains another NMR measurement subsequent to the change. Alternatively, the downhole tool effects a radial gradient of a characteristic of the formation and obtains NMR measurements at two or more selected radial distances from the wellbore wall. A parameter representative of the subterranean formation or the formation fluid is further determined from the NMR measurements.

Abstract: A heat switch for remote self-contained gas chromatography is disclosed. The device mechanically separates a hot or cold reservoir from the chromatography column when heating or cooling is not needed. The column needs a cooling system to obtain initial temperatures below ambient. At other times the column needs to be heated to relatively high temperatures, during which time the cooling system is preferably detached. The heat switch allows for rapid temperature changes while minimizing the peak cooling power requirement.

Abstract: A self-contained chromatography system is provided and includes a chromatography column, a carrier gas reservoir containing a carrier gas and an analyte stream processing device, wherein the carrier gas reservoir is disposed upstream from the chromatography column and wherein the analyte stream processing device is disposed downstream from the chromatography column. A method for implementing the self-contained chromatography system is also provided and includes generating a first system pressure upstream from the chromatography column and a second system pressure downstream from the chromatography column to cause the carrier gas to flow between the carrier gas reservoir and the analyte stream processing device. The method further includes combining a sample material with the carrier gas, introducing the combined sample to the chromatography column to generate the analyte stream and processing the analyte stream via the analyte stream processing device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a diffusion edited pulse technique that allows information about a fluid to be extracted, comprising: a) obtaining a fluid sample; b) generating a sequence of magnetic field pulses in the fluid, the sequence comprising an initial magnetic field pulse, a first portion that follows the initial magnetic field pulse, and a second portion that follows the first portion; c) detecting magnetic resonance signals using the second portion of the sequence; d) modifying the first portion of the sequence, and repeating steps (b) and (c); and e) extracting information about the fluid by determining relaxation and diffusion characteristics and their correlation based on the signals detected in steps (c) and (d). Also disclosed is a logging tool equipped with a processor to implement the diffusion edited pulse technique.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus to make a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement on a flowing fluid using varied wait times. In one method, NMR measurements are made by: a) flowing the fluid through a static magnetic field; b) applying a group of oscillating magnetic field pulses to the flowing fluid, wherein the group of pulses is comprised of an initial pulse and one or more refocusing pulses; c) detecting magnetic resonance signals from the flowing fluid; d) after a wait time, repeating (b) and (c) one or more times, wherein at least two of the repetitions have varied wait times; and e) analyzing the detected magnetic resonance signals to extract information about the flowing fluid. Further, varied wait time measurements may be useful in determining the flow rate of the sample.

Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance techniques are used in a fluid sampling tool that extracts a fluid from subsurface earth formations into a flow channel within the tool. The magnetic resonance techniques involve applying a static magnetic field and an oscillating magnetic field to the fluid in the flow channel, and magnetic resonance signals are detected from the fluid and analyzed to extract information about the fluid such as composition, viscosity, etc.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus to make a nuclear magnetic resonance measurement on a flowing fluid using varied wait times. In one method, NMR measurements are made by: a) flowing the fluid through a static magnetic field; b) applying a group of oscillating magnetic field pulses to the flowing fluid, wherein the group of pulses is comprised of an initial pulse and one or more refocusing pulses; c) detecting magnetic resonance signals from the flowing fluid; d) after a wait time, repeating (b) and (c) one or more times, wherein at least two of the repetitions have varied wait times; and e) analyzing the detected magnetic resonance signals to extract information about the flowing fluid. Further, varied wait time measurements may be useful in determining the flow rate of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus to detect bubbles in a fluid sample to determine if gases are present, wherein an ultrasonic source is used and its properties monitored. Fluctuations in the ultrasonic source's electrical properties indicate the presence of bubbles/gas. Alternatively, the ultrasonic source may be used to cavitate the sample and induce the nucleation of bubbles. In such a system/method, bubbles may be detected by either (1) monitoring the ultrasonic source properties, (2) monitoring the compressibility of the sample, (3) monitoring the sample properties, including harmonics and subharmonics. The method and apparatus disclosed herein may be used in a borehole such as with a sampling means (including either a flowing sample or a stationary sample) or in a surface lab.