Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus includes a substrate defining a microchannel having inlet and an outlet defining a length of the microchannel. The microchannel has a main channel extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a plurality of side cavities extending from the main channel. The cavities are in fluid communication with the main channel. A method includes introducing a sample into the microchannel through the inlet to fill the entire microchannel, and then introducing a solvent into the microchannel through the inlet at a controlled flow rate and inlet pressure. A developed solvent front then moves along the main channel from the inlet to the outlet while displacing the sample in the main channel. Images of the microchannel are acquired as the front moves, and a miscibility condition is determined based on the images.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for determining a reservoir fluid phase envelope from downhole fluid analysis data using machine learning techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments present a method for fluid type identification from a downhole fluid analysis that uses machine learning techniques that are trained and derived from a computer model using pressure, temperature and downhole optical characteristics of sampled fluid. The method comprises collecting optical spectral data for a downhole fluid; providing the collected optical spectral data to a trained classification module; processing the collected optical spectral data with the trained classification module configured to determine a fluid type classification; and determining a fluid type based upon the classification based upon the trained classification module.

Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.

Abstract: Methods (and related apparatus) include obtaining data regarding a measured property. The measured property includes an amount of each of predetermined hydrocarbons in a gas sample extracted from drilling fluid exiting a wellbore having a hydrocarbon resource. An unknown characteristic of an investigated fluid property of the hydrocarbon resource is predicted utilizing the obtained input data and one or more predetermined models each built via statistical classification and regression analysis of a preexisting database containing records. Each record includes known characteristics of fluid properties of a different one of known reservoir fluids. The fluid properties include the investigated fluid property and the measured property. The investigated fluid property includes a fluid type of the hydrocarbon resource, an amount of at least one additional hydrocarbon, gas-oil ratio, or stock tank oil density.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus has a microchannel that includes at least one vertically oriented segment with a top section having a relatively wide opening and a bottom section having a relatively narrow opening. The top section is larger in volume relative to the bottom sections, and the middle sections taper down in at least one dimension from the top section to the bottom section. One or tens or hundreds of vertically-oriented segments may be provided, and they are fluidly coupled to each other. Each segment acts as a pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) cell, and the microchannel apparatus may be used to determine a parameter of a fluid containing hydrocarbons such as the dew point of the fluid or the liquid drop-out as a function of pressure.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus includes a substrate defining a microchannel having inlet and an outlet defining a length of the microchannel. The microchannel has a main channel extending from the inlet to the outlet, and a plurality of side cavities extending from the main channel. The cavities are in fluid communication with the main channel. A method includes introducing a sample into the microchannel through the inlet to fill the entire microchannel, and then introducing a solvent into the microchannel through the inlet at a controlled flow rate and inlet pressure. A developed solvent front then moves along the main channel from the inlet to the outlet while displacing the sample in the main channel. Images of the microchannel are acquired as the front moves, and a miscibility condition is determined based on the images.

Abstract: An optical sensor and corresponding method of operation can detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte. The optical sensor includes an optical element with a metallic film coupled or integral thereto, with a sample chamber holds the hydrocarbon-based analyte such that the hydrocarbon-based analyte is disposed adjacent the metallic layer. The optical sensor further includes a light source configured to direct light through the optical element such that the light is reflected by the metallic layer under conditions of surface plasmon resonance. The optical sensor analyzes the reflected light to detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a flow cell permitting flow of a hydrocarbon-based analyte therethrough. A metallic film is disposed adjacent or within the flow cell. At least one optical element directs polychromatic light for supply to an interface of the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and directs polychromatic light reflected at the interface of the metallic film (which is sensitive to SPR at such interface and thus provides an SPR sensing region within the flow cell) for output to at least one spectrometer that measures spectral data of such polychromatic light. A computer processing system is configured to process the measured spectral data over time as the hydrocarbon-based analyte flows through the flow cell to determine SPR peak wavelength over time and to process the SPR peak wavelength over time to determine at least one property related to phase transition of the analyte.

Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.

Abstract: A test method and test apparatus is provided that employs a microfluidic device to characterize properties of a fluid. The microfluidic device has a first inlet port, an outlet port, and a microchannel as part of a fluid path between the first inlet port and the outlet port. While generating a flow of the fluid through the microchannel of the microfluidic device, fluid pressure at the first inlet port of the microfluidic device is measured and recorded in conjunction with varying the controlled temperature of the microchannel of the microfluidic device to characterize the properties of the fluid that flows through the microchannel of the microfluidic device. The properties of the fluid can relate to the clathrate hydrate formation condition of the fluid at the pressure of the flow through the microchannel of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a flow cell permitting flow of a hydrocarbon-based analyte therethrough. A metallic film is disposed adjacent or within the flow cell. At least one optical element directs polychromatic light for supply to an interface of the metallic film under conditions of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and directs polychromatic light reflected at the interface of the metallic film (which is sensitive to SPR at such interface and thus provides an SPR sensing region within the flow cell) for output to at least one spectrometer that measures spectral data of such polychromatic light. A computer processing system is configured to process the measured spectral data over time as the hydrocarbon-based analyte flows through the flow cell to determine SPR peak wavelength over time and to process the SPR peak wavelength over time to determine at least one property related to phase transition of the analyte.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring phase behavior of a reservoir fluid comprises a first sample container and a second sample container in fluid communication with a microfluidic device defining a microchannel. A first pump and a second pump are operably associated with the sample containers and the microfluidic device to fill the microchannel with a reservoir fluid and to maintain a predetermined pressure of reservoir fluid within the microchannel.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus has a microchannel that includes at least one vertically oriented segment with a top section having a relatively wide opening and a bottom section having a relatively narrow opening. The top section is larger in volume relative to the bottom sections, and the middle sections taper down in at least one dimension from the top section to the bottom section. One or tens or hundreds of vertically-oriented segments may be provided, and they are fluidly coupled to each other. Each segment acts as a pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) cell, and the microchannel apparatus may be used to determine a parameter of a fluid containing hydrocarbons such as the dew point of the fluid or the liquid drop-out as a function of pressure.

Abstract: An optical sensor and corresponding method of operation can detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte. The optical sensor includes an optical element with a metallic film coupled or integral thereto, with a sample chamber holds the hydrocarbon-based analyte such that the hydrocarbon-based analyte is disposed adjacent the metallic layer. The optical sensor further includes a light source configured to direct light through the optical element such that the light is reflected by the metallic layer under conditions of surface plasmon resonance. The optical sensor analyzes the reflected light to detect a phase transition and/or related property of a hydrocarbon-based analyte.

Abstract: A method for measuring saturate, aromatic, and resin fractions of a hydrocarbon fluid includes separating maltenes from the hydrocarbon fluid and separating saturate, aromatic, and resin fractions from the maltenes. The method further includes determining an optical density of each of the saturate, aromatic, and resin fractions at a predetermined wavelength and correlating the optical density of each of the saturate, aromatic, and resin fractions to predetermined data to determine each of the saturate, aromatic, and resin fractions.

Abstract: A test method and test apparatus is provided that employs a microfluidic device to characterize properties of a fluid. The microfluidic device has a first inlet port, an outlet port, and a microchannel as part of a fluid path between the first inlet port and the outlet port. While generating a flow of the fluid through the microchannel of the microfluidic device, fluid pressure at the first inlet port of the microfluidic device is measured and recorded in conjunction with varying the controlled temperature of the microchannel of the microfluidic device to characterize the properties of the fluid that flows through the microchannel of the microfluidic device. The properties of the fluid can relate to the clathrate hydrate formation condition of the fluid at the pressure of the flow through the microchannel of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: A technique facilitates detection and analysis of constituents, e.g. chemicals, which may be found in formation fluids and/or other types of fluids. The technique comprises intermittently introducing a first fluid and a second fluid into a channel in a manner which forms slugs of the first fluid separated by the second fluid. The intermittent fluids are flowed through the channel to create a mixing action which mixes the fluid in the slugs. The mixing increases the exchange, e.g. transfer, of the chemical constituent between the second fluid and the first fluid. The exchange aids in sensing an amount of the chemical or chemicals for analysis. In many applications, the intermittent introduction, mixing, and measuring can be performed in a subterranean environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring phase behavior of a reservoir fluid comprises a first sample container and a second sample container in fluid communication with a microfluidic device defining a microchannel. A first pump and a second pump are operably associated with the sample containers and the microfluidic device to fill the microchannel with a reservoir fluid and to maintain a predetermined pressure of reservoir fluid within the microchannel.