Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: Well completion technology is disclosed for accounting for fracture surface roughness. A frack fluid is pumped into the wellbore to form a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore. In one example, a method for completing a wellbore comprises determining a fracture surface roughness for a given formation rock, and for a give fracture fluid or pumping schedule or both, prior to hydraulic fracturing. A fracture fluid and/or a pumping schedule is selected based on the determined fracture surface roughness and formation characteristics. The selected fracture fluid is pumped into the wellbore, with the selected pumping schedule, to create a desired fracture network in the formation.

Abstract: Well completion technology for resisting imbibing frack fluid into an inner surface of a frack comprises pumping a frack fluid into the wellbore to form a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore. In one example, formation of transverse micro-fractures extending transverse to the fracture is resisted to resist absorption of the frack fluid into the formation through the inner face of the fracture, or into existing transverse micro-fractures or transverse micro-fractures formed by the pumping of the frack fluid. In another example, a sealer is added to a frack fluid to sealing or coating an inner face of the fracture with the sealer. In another example, micro-particles with a size less than 100 microns are added to the frack fluid.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: Well completion technology is disclosed for accounting for fracture surface roughness. A frack fluid is pumped into the wellbore to form a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore. In one example, a method for completing a wellbore comprises determining a fracture surface roughness for a given formation rock, and for a give fracture fluid or pumping schedule or both, prior to hydraulic fracturing. A fracture fluid and/or a pumping schedule is selected based on the determined fracture surface roughness and formation characteristics. The selected fracture fluid is pumped into the wellbore, with the selected pumping schedule, to create a desired fracture network in the formation.

Abstract: Well completion technology is disclosed for resisting imbibing frack fluid into an inner surface of a frack. A frack fluid is pumped into the wellbore to form a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore. In one example, formation of transverse micro-fractures extending transverse to the fracture is resisted to resist absorption of the frack fluid into the formation through the inner face of the fracture, and into the transverse micro-fractures formed by the pumping of the frack fluid. In another example, a sealer is added to a frack fluid to sealing or coating an inner face of the fracture with the sealer. In another example, micro-particles with a size less than 100 microns are added to the frack fluid.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a porous sample that employs a test apparatus including a sample cell and associated pressure sensor having a configuration that measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The porous sample is divided into a number of pieces, which are loaded into the sample cell. The test apparatus is configured to perform a sequence of test operations whereby the loaded isolated sample cell is filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor is used to generate and store pressure data over time. A data processing system processes the pressure data in conjunction with a computational model that includes a set of pressure curves with a number of curve-related variables and associated values in order to identify a matching pressure curve, and processes the variable values for the matching pressure curve in order to derive bulk properties of the porous sample.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a manufactured rock sample that employs first and second test apparatus. The first test apparatus includes a sample holder and associated pressure sensors, wherein the sample holder allows for a pulse of test fluid to flow through the sample, and the pressure sensors measure pressure upstream and downstream of the sample as the pulse of test fluid flows through the sample. The second test apparatus includes a sample cell and associated pressure sensor, wherein the sample cell has a configuration where the sample cell is isolated and filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The first and second test apparatus are used to measure bulk properties of the sample. The sample is partitioned into pieces, and the second test apparatus is used to measure properties for different size-groups of such sample pieces.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a sample that employs a test apparatus including an isolated sample cell and pressure sensor where the isolated sample cell is loaded with the sample and gaseous test fluid to perform a number of different tests to derive properties of the sample. The tests can be performed over different parameters, such as different applied pressures of the test fluid to derive parameters related to apparent gas permeability of the sample as a function of applied pressure, different gaseous test fluids to characterize dependence of permeability of the sample on mean free molecular path or pressure, with both adsorptive and non-adsorptive test gases to characterize at least one property related to adsorptive interaction between the adsorptive test gas and the sample, and with samples of varying saturation levels to derive a measure of at least one property of the subsamples at corresponding saturation levels.

Abstract: A method for characterizing properties of a manufactured rock sample that employs first and second test apparatus. The first test apparatus includes a sample holder and associated pressure sensors, wherein the sample holder allows for a pulse of test fluid to flow through the sample, and the pressure sensors measure pressure upstream and downstream of the sample as the pulse of test fluid flows through the sample. The second test apparatus includes a sample cell and associated pressure sensor, wherein the sample cell has a configuration where the sample cell is isolated and filled with test fluid under pressure and the pressure sensor measures pressure of the isolated sample cell. The first and second test apparatus are used to measure bulk properties of the sample. The sample is partitioned into pieces, and the second test apparatus is used to measure properties for different size-groups of such sample pieces.

Abstract: A test apparatus (and method of operation) for characterizing properties of a sample under test (such as porous material, for example, samples of reservoir rock) that operates in conjunction with a source of test fluid. The test apparatus includes an intake valve fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid, a reference cell fluidly coupled to the source of test fluid via the intake valve, a sample cell that holds the sample under test, an isolation valve fluidly coupled between the reference cell and the sample cell, an exhaust port, an exhaust valve fluidly coupled between the sample cell and the exhaust port, a first pressure sensor associated with the reference cell for measuring pressure within the reference cell, and a second pressure sensor associated with the sample cell for measuring pressure within the sample cell. The method of operation includes calibration procedures to compensate for systematic measurement errors.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous measurement of a geomaterial is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measuring device and a flat bed operatively coupled to the measuring device. The measuring device includes a moving head configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to a core section of the geomaterial and a first probe coupled to the moving head and configured to continuously measure a property of the core section. The flat bed includes a load actuator configured to secure the core section during the continuous measurement and axially rotate the core section, as well as a core holder assembly configured to apply confining pressure on a length of the core section.

Abstract: To improve drilling performance, a drilling fluid is selected based on one or more criteria and to have at least one target characteristic. Drilling equipment is used to drill a wellbore, and the selected drilling fluid is provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment. The at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings.

Abstract: A method for continuous measurement of heterogeneity of geomaterials. The method includes identifying a core section from a first well within a field, obtaining the core section from the first well, and obtaining a continuous measurement of the core section. The method further includes overlaying the continuous measurement with a portion of a log response for the first well to obtain an overlay, associating an observation with the overlay to obtain an integrated overlay, and analyzing the integrated overlay to determine a heterogeneity of the core section. The method further includes identifying a location in the core section from which to obtain a sample based on the heterogeneity, obtaining the sample from the core section, and analyzing the sample to obtain an analysis result. The method further includes developing a continuous model for the first well using the integrated overlay and the analysis result and presenting the continuous model.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous measurement of a geomaterial is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measuring device and a flat bed operatively coupled to the measuring device. The measuring device includes a moving head configured to move in a longitudinal direction relative to a core section of the geomaterial and a first probe coupled to the moving head and configured to continuously measure a property of the core section. The flat bed includes a load actuator configured to secure the core section during the continuous measurement and axially rotate the core section, as well as a core holder assembly configured to apply confining pressure on a length of the core section.

Abstract: To improve drilling performance, a drilling fluid is selected based on one or more criteria and to have at least one target characteristic. Drilling equipment is used to drill a wellbore, and the selected drilling fluid is provided into the wellbore during drilling with the drilling equipment. The at least one target characteristic of the drilling fluid includes an ability of the drilling fluid to penetrate into formation cuttings during drilling to weaken the formation cuttings.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer usable program code for identifying regions in the ground at a well site. Continuous data is received from the well site; reducing redundancies in the continuous data received from the well site to form processed data. Cluster analysis is performed using the processed data to form a set of cluster units, wherein the set of cluster units include different types of cluster units that identify differences between regions in the ground at the well site. Properties are identified for each type of cluster unit in the set of cluster units to form a model for the well site.

Abstract: A triaxial test cell and pressure balanced piston therefor that includes a housing containing a vessel wherein a test specimen is located, immerged in a confining fluid. The housing includes a passage wherein the piston is installed to slide so as to move an end thereof into the vesel, which passage includes an annular area formed intermediate therealong wherein a collar portion of the piston is fitted. The piston collar portion includes a face whose surface area is equal to the area of the piston end face that travels into the vessel, and the annular area above that collar upper face is connected by an open passage to that vessel. The piston and passage include appropriate ring seals for providing a pressure seal above and below the passage annular area and that annular area is separated by a pressure seal arranged around the piston collar, with the annular area below that collar vented to atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the freezing of sea water by two different, but related approaches. One involves the use of fluorinated or fluorochemical surfactants, other surfactants with specific activity in saline water, and the other by treatment with ice nucleation agents or the use of both. The specific application for the process is construction of improved load bearing ice structures as used in Arctic regions in supprot of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.