US2951940A - Method of ascertaining the presence of petroleum deposits in earth formations - Google Patents
Method of ascertaining the presence of petroleum deposits in earth formations Download PDFInfo
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- US2951940A US2951940A US643255A US64325557A US2951940A US 2951940 A US2951940 A US 2951940A US 643255 A US643255 A US 643255A US 64325557 A US64325557 A US 64325557A US 2951940 A US2951940 A US 2951940A
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- earth formation
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- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 title claims description 27
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title claims description 23
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 19
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 title 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 30
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 11
- -1 amine salts Chemical class 0.000 description 9
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000000080 wetting agent Substances 0.000 description 9
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 8
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 6
- 125000002091 cationic group Chemical group 0.000 description 6
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 6
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 4
- 125000004433 nitrogen atom Chemical group N* 0.000 description 4
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000019198 oils Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010779 crude oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 3
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- UPHWVVKYDQHTCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N octadecylazanium;acetate Chemical compound CC(O)=O.CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCN UPHWVVKYDQHTCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 3
- UWNADWZGEHDQAB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,5-dimethylhexane Chemical group CC(C)CCC(C)C UWNADWZGEHDQAB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- SNRUBQQJIBEYMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dodecane Natural products CCCCCCCCCCCC SNRUBQQJIBEYMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 150000003974 aralkylamines Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 125000004429 atom Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000002704 decyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 238000010494 dissociation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005593 dissociations Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000003438 dodecyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000001421 myristyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 125000002347 octyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 150000007530 organic bases Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000000913 palmityl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 150000003141 primary amines Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OGNOHVBBJBPDSI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-chlorodecylbenzene Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCC(Cl)C1=CC=CC=C1 OGNOHVBBJBPDSI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- HYQMXMHBGXBEHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-chlorononylbenzene Chemical compound CCCCCCCCC(Cl)C1=CC=CC=C1 HYQMXMHBGXBEHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FYNMEJVQRYMPMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3,3-dimethylbut-1-en-1-amine Chemical compound CC(C)(C)C=CN FYNMEJVQRYMPMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- AAIUWVOMXTVLRG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 8,8-dimethylnonan-1-amine Chemical compound CC(C)(C)CCCCCCCN AAIUWVOMXTVLRG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acetate Chemical compound CC([O-])=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 241000364021 Tulsa Species 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013543 active substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- JBIROUFYLSSYDX-UHFFFAOYSA-M benzododecinium chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].CCCCCCCCCCCC[N+](C)(C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 JBIROUFYLSSYDX-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- CADWTSSKOVRVJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N benzyl(dimethyl)azanium;chloride Chemical compound [Cl-].C[NH+](C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 CADWTSSKOVRVJC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003093 cationic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019864 coconut oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000003240 coconut oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- IQDGSYLLQPDQDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N dimethylazanium;chloride Chemical compound Cl.CNC IQDGSYLLQPDQDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- NHLUVTZJQOJKCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N n,n-dimethylhexadecan-1-amine Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCN(C)C NHLUVTZJQOJKCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000011007 phosphoric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000003016 phosphoric acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003242 quaternary ammonium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
- E21B49/005—Testing the nature of borehole walls or the formation by using drilling mud or cutting data
Definitions
- This invention relates to. well logging methods and more particularly to methods for testing for thepresence of petroleum deposits in the various strata of the earth.
- Another object is to provide a method for logging a borehole making use of simple, relatively inexpensive apparatus.
- Still another object is to provide a method for logging a borehole that provides for a simple process of detection of petroleum content in the earths layers withoutthe necessity for interpreting complicated logging records.
- the presence of crude oil in the earths strata is detected or ascertained by operations on the very small rock chips carried to the earths surface by. drilling mud during drilling operations.
- the presence of hydrocarbons is detected by contacting the surface of a rock chip with a surface: active agent, of the type that causes preferential wetting of the surface by hydrocarbons present therein (so-called reverse-Wetting agents) and subjecting the chips to ultra-violet light.
- a positve indicationof' the presence of hydrocarbons may be obtained.
- the surface-active or reverse-wetting agent may be in an. aqueous solution or the pure agent itself may be used;
- the agent is in solution, it is desirable that a brine solution be used to avoid reduction of the permeability of the chip brought about by fresh water contacting the clays therein.
- the salt concentration should not exceed about 10% salt; at that concentration of' salt, most of the reverse wetting agents will become. substantially insoluble.
- the surface-active (or reverse-wetting) agent maybe any of a number of types known to the priorart.
- Surface-active agents that have been found to be effective include certain of the amine salts and certain quaternary ammonium salts.
- the organic amine base used for the preparation, of the amine salts is selected from primary, secondary and tertiary.
- alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl amines which contain only one nitrogen atom and no other combined atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and'nitrogen in the molecule and in which the ratio of combined atomic weights of carbon and hydrogen atoms for each basic nitrogen atom in the molecule is in the range, from 125 to 300, and which have dissociation constants (for hydronyl ion in aqueous solution of the base) within the limits of 1 1Q- to l 10-
- the acids to be reacted with the amine bases may be acetic, hydrochloric, sulphuric, formic, propionic, citric, lactic, nitric, or'phosphoric.
- organic bases near-the upper limit of the above-specified range of ratios of carbonandhydrogen to basic nitrogen. As the salinity of the water increases, the basic materials will decrease in solubility, so it is desirable to use organic bases. near the lower end of the above-recited range.
- a very effective reverse-wetting solution has been foundto be 2% Arrnac CD-SO in a brine solution containing about 5000 partsper million of salt.
- Armac CD- SO- is a mixtureof alkyl-amine acetate from C to C predominately C and G with a minor amount of C with-one point of unsaturation. More specifically, the composition is-8% octyl, 9% decyl, 47% dodecyl, 18% tetradecyl, 8% hexadecyl, and 5% octadecyl amine acetate. Other.
- reverse Wetting agents that may be utilized are: octadecyl amine acetate; cetyl dimethyl amine acetate; Tetrosan, a cationic surfactant sold by'Onyx Oil and. Chemical ('20., Jersey City, NJ Acetate of Primene JM-IILa mixture of primary amines with branched chains containing from 15 to 20 carbon atoms, sold by Rohm and, Haas; Arquad C2 which is dicoco dimethyl ammonium chloride prepared from coconut oil; amine acetate prepared from Primene 81R, which is a mixture of primaryamines containing branched chains of 12 to 15 carbon atoms, sold by Rohm and Haas; alkyl tolylmethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; lauryl benzyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride; bis quartcrnary salts such as the reac,- tion product of 2 octyl benzyl chloride with his dimethyl amino butylene
- Both of the chips are now placed side by side under an ultra-violet lamp and the relative fluorescence of the chips produced by the ultra-violet rays is noted. If a small amount of residual crude oil or other fluorescing minerals is present in the interstices of the chips, then the chips that was not subjected to the reverse wetting agent will show spotty or very dim fluorescence, or perhaps no fluorescence at all if oil has been washed from the surface of the chip during its travel up the borehole. The chip that has been subjected to the reverse wetting agent will fluoresce brightly if residual crude oil is present'in the interstices thereof inasmuch as the action of the altered capillary forces will bring the oil within the chip to the surface thereof. This rapid change in surface fluorescence is indicative of the presence of petroleum deposits in the particular subsurface stratum being penetrated by the drilling bit.
- drilling muds be utilized which contain no fluorescent materials.
- the exclusion of fluorescent materials from the drilling mud is an absolute requisite inasmuch as faulty indications of petroleum deposits will almost inevitably result where such exclusion is not made.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining a sample of said earth formation and dividing it into two pieces; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a non-fluorescent solution containing a cationic surface active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; washing one of said samples in a brine solution containing up to about salt; washing the other sample in a brine solution additionally containing a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excludedTobtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a nonfluorescent solution containing a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining a sample of said earth forma- 4 tion and dividing it into two pieces; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a non-fluorescent fluid including a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples. 7
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; washing one of said samples in a brine solution containing to about 10% salt; washing the other sample in a non-fluorescent brine fluid additionally including a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps; while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a non-fluorescent fluid including .a cationic surface active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluoresence of the surfaces of said samples.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining a sample of said earth formation; contacting the surface of said sample with acationic surfaceactive agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; subjecting the sample to ultraviolet light; and determining whether or not a change in fluoresence of said sample is brought about by the step of contacting the surface of said sample with said surface-active agent.
- a method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a nonfluorescent fluid including a surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein, said surface-active agent being an amine salt formed by reacting an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic, hydrochloric, sulphuric, formic, propionic, citric, lactic, nitric, and phosphoric acids with an amine base selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl amines which contain only one nitrogen atom and no other combined atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen in the molecule and in which the ratio of combined atomic weights of carbon and hydrogen atoms for each basic nitrogen atom in the molecule is in
- amine salt is a mixture of 8% octyl, 9% decyl, 47% dodecyl, 18% tetradecyl, 8% hexadecyl, and 5% octadecyl amine acetate.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
Description
METHOD OF ASCERTAININ G THE PRESENEE F PETROLEUM DEPOSITS IN FORMA- TIONS John W. Graham, Bellaire, andJoseph S. Osoba, Houston, Tex., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Jersey Production Research Company, Tulsa, Okla., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Mar. 1 1957,. Ser. No. 643,255;
9 Claims. (Cl. 250-71) This invention relates to. well logging methods and more particularly to methods for testing for thepresence of petroleum deposits in the various strata of the earth.
During the course of drilling a borehole in the earth in the search of petroleum deposits, it is necessary to periodically test the nature of the strata penetrated by the borehole to ascertain whether or not petroleum deposits may exist therein in commercially desirable quantities. It is particularly necessary to make such tests when the petroleum deposits do not make their presence known by a self-sustained rise to the earths surface. In the past it has been common practice to make various types of logs of-the characteristics of the borehole, such as electric logs, radio activity logs, acoustic impedancelogs and the like. While such logs are quite valuable for the purpose of obtaining geologic information, manifestly they require that. drilling operations be interrupted, and further require the use of bulky, complicated and rather expensive equipment if accurate results are to be obtained,
Accordingly, it is one object of the invention to pro-. vide an improved method of continuously. logging a borehole wherein drilling operations may continue unimpeded.
Another object is to provide a method for logging a borehole making use of simple, relatively inexpensive apparatus.
Still another object is to provide a method for logging a borehole that provides for a simple process of detection of petroleum content in the earths layers withoutthe necessity for interpreting complicated logging records.
Other objects and features will become readilyv apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, thereof.
In accordance with the teachings of the present iuven tion, the presence of crude oil in the earths strata is detected or ascertained by operations on the very small rock chips carried to the earths surface by. drilling mud during drilling operations. According to one aspect of this invention, the presence of hydrocarbons is detected by contacting the surface of a rock chip with a surface: active agent, of the type that causes preferential wetting of the surface by hydrocarbons present therein (so-called reverse-Wetting agents) and subjecting the chips to ultra-violet light. By comparing the relative fluorescence of the surface of the chip before and after the contacting operation, a positve indicationof' the presence of hydrocarbons may be obtained.
It is preferable to obtain two rock chips froma small section of the earths stratum being penetrated; by the drilling bit. For this purpose, it is mostdesirable to obtain a chip large enough to yield two chips of approximately the same size for the operation to be described below; however if convenient, it may be feasible to take two chips that are brought to the surface by the drilling mud at approximately the same time, this indicating they were severed from the earth by the drilling bit wit-hin;t he same stratum of the earth and within the same general region or section thereof. The surface of only one of the chips is contacted with the reverse-Wetting agent, and di- 2, rect comparison of relative fluorescence is made under ultra-violet light.
The surface-active or reverse-wetting agent may be in an. aqueous solution or the pure agent itself may be used;
If'the agent is in solution, it is desirable that a brine solution be used to avoid reduction of the permeability of the chip brought about by fresh water contacting the clays therein. Preferably the salt concentration should not exceed about 10% salt; at that concentration of' salt, most of the reverse wetting agents will become. substantially insoluble.
The surface-active (or reverse-wetting) agent, maybe any of a number of types known to the priorart., Surface-active agents that have been found to be effective include certain of the amine salts and certain quaternary ammonium salts. The organic amine base used for the preparation, of the amine salts is selected from primary, secondary and tertiary. alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl amines which contain only one nitrogen atom and no other combined atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and'nitrogen in the molecule and in which the ratio of combined atomic weights of carbon and hydrogen atoms for each basic nitrogen atom in the molecule is in the range, from 125 to 300, and which have dissociation constants (for hydronyl ion in aqueous solution of the base) within the limits of 1 1Q- to l 10- The acids to be reacted with the amine bases may be acetic, hydrochloric, sulphuric, formic, propionic, citric, lactic, nitric, or'phosphoric. When the water in the drilling fluid is essen tiallyfree of salt, it is preferable to, use organic bases near-the upper limit of the above-specified range of ratios of carbonandhydrogen to basic nitrogen. As the salinity of the water increases, the basic materials will decrease in solubility, so it is desirable to use organic bases. near the lower end of the above-recited range.
Specific examples of surface-active agents suitable for use with thisinvention are set forth below:
A very effective reverse-wetting solution has been foundto be 2% Arrnac CD-SO in a brine solution containing about 5000 partsper million of salt. Armac CD- SO-is a mixtureof alkyl-amine acetate from C to C predominately C and G with a minor amount of C with-one point of unsaturation. More specifically, the composition is-8% octyl, 9% decyl, 47% dodecyl, 18% tetradecyl, 8% hexadecyl, and 5% octadecyl amine acetate. Other. reverse Wetting agents that may be utilized are: octadecyl amine acetate; cetyl dimethyl amine acetate; Tetrosan, a cationic surfactant sold by'Onyx Oil and. Chemical ('20., Jersey City, NJ Acetate of Primene JM-IILa mixture of primary amines with branched chains containing from 15 to 20 carbon atoms, sold by Rohm and, Haas; Arquad C2 which is dicoco dimethyl ammonium chloride prepared from coconut oil; amine acetate prepared from Primene 81R, which is a mixture of primaryamines containing branched chains of 12 to 15 carbon atoms, sold by Rohm and Haas; alkyl tolylmethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; lauryl benzyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride; bis quartcrnary salts such as the reac,- tion product of 2 octyl benzyl chloride with his dimethyl amino butylene, and the reaction product of nonyl benzyl chloride with bis dimethyl amino butene; diisobutyl cresoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; and diisobutyl phenoxyethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzene ammonihence increase visability of chip surface.
Both of the chips are now placed side by side under an ultra-violet lamp and the relative fluorescence of the chips produced by the ultra-violet rays is noted. If a small amount of residual crude oil or other fluorescing minerals is present in the interstices of the chips, then the chips that was not subjected to the reverse wetting agent will show spotty or very dim fluorescence, or perhaps no fluorescence at all if oil has been washed from the surface of the chip during its travel up the borehole. The chip that has been subjected to the reverse wetting agent will fluoresce brightly if residual crude oil is present'in the interstices thereof inasmuch as the action of the altered capillary forces will bring the oil within the chip to the surface thereof. This rapid change in surface fluorescence is indicative of the presence of petroleum deposits in the particular subsurface stratum being penetrated by the drilling bit.
It should be noted further that certain of the reverse wetting agents specified above are themselves fluorescent. When these reverse wetting agents are utilized, they must be used in concentrations such that their fluorescence will not be confused with the fluorescence of the oil.
In carrying out the method of this invention, it is mandatory that drilling muds be utilized which contain no fluorescent materials. The exclusion of fluorescent materials from the drilling mud is an absolute requisite inasmuch as faulty indications of petroleum deposits will almost inevitably result where such exclusion is not made.
Although the invention as disclosed in the preceding specification is preferred, modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not depart from the broadest aspects of the scope of the invention.
What is claimed is: V
1. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining a sample of said earth formation and dividing it into two pieces; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a non-fluorescent solution containing a cationic surface active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
2. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; washing one of said samples in a brine solution containing up to about salt; washing the other sample in a brine solution additionally containing a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
3. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excludedTobtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a nonfluorescent solution containing a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
4. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining a sample of said earth forma- 4 tion and dividing it into two pieces; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a non-fluorescent fluid including a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples. 7
5. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; washing one of said samples in a brine solution containing to about 10% salt; washing the other sample in a non-fluorescent brine fluid additionally including a cationic surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surfaces of said samples.
6. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps; while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a non-fluorescent fluid including .a cationic surface active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; exposing said samples to ultra-violet light; and comparing the relative fluoresence of the surfaces of said samples.
7. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining a sample of said earth formation; contacting the surface of said sample with acationic surfaceactive agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein; subjecting the sample to ultraviolet light; and determining whether or not a change in fluoresence of said sample is brought about by the step of contacting the surface of said sample with said surface-active agent.
8. A method for determining the presence of petroleum in an earth formation penetrated by a borehole comprising the following steps: while drilling said borehole, using drilling fluid from which fluorescent materials have been excluded; obtaining two samples of said earth formation from a given portion of said earth formation; contacting the surface of one of said samples with a nonfluorescent fluid including a surface-active agent which causes preferential wetting of said surface by petroleum present therein, said surface-active agent being an amine salt formed by reacting an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic, hydrochloric, sulphuric, formic, propionic, citric, lactic, nitric, and phosphoric acids with an amine base selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, aryl, and aralkyl amines which contain only one nitrogen atom and no other combined atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen in the molecule and in which the ratio of combined atomic weights of carbon and hydrogen atoms for each basic nitrogen atom in the molecule is in the range from to 300, and which have dissociation constants (for hydronyl ion in aqueous solution of the base) within the limits of 1x10 to 1 10- exposing said samples to ultraviolet light; and comparing the relative fluorescence of the surface of said samples.
9. A method as in claim 1 wherein the amine salt is a mixture of 8% octyl, 9% decyl, 47% dodecyl, 18% tetradecyl, 8% hexadecyl, and 5% octadecyl amine acetate.
(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Smith July 9, 1940 Hayward Aug. 27, 1940 5 Hayward Sept. 10, 1940 Campbell Jan. 7, 1941 Blau Jan. 13, 1942 6 Campbell Feb. 16, 1943 Boeke Nov. 28, 1944 Rand Feb. 10, 1948 Stevens et a1. Oct. 19, 1948 Ten Brink Aug. 12, 1952 Strange et a1. Aug. 24, 1954 Crass et a1. Apr. 3, 1956 Coggeshall et a1. Oct. 16, 1956
Claims (1)
1. A METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF PETROLEUM IN AN EARTH FORMATION PENETRATED BY A BOREHOLE COMPRISING THE FOLLOWING STEPS: WHILE DRILLING SAID BOREHOLE, USING DRILLING FLUID FROM WHICH FLUORESCENT MATERIALS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED, OBTAINING A SAMPLE OF SAID EARTH FORMATION AND DIVIDING IT INTO TWO PIECES, CONTACTING THE SURFACE OF ONE OF SAID SAMPLES WITH A NON-FLUORESCENT SOLUTION CONTAINING A CATIONIC SURFACE ACTIVE AGENT WHICH CAUSES PREFERENTIAL WETTING OF SAID SURFACE BY PETROLEUM PRESENT THEREIN, EXPOSING SAID SAMPLES TO ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT, AND COMPARING THE RELATIVE FLUORESCENCE OF THE SURFACES OF SAID SAMPLES.
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US643255A US2951940A (en) | 1957-03-01 | 1957-03-01 | Method of ascertaining the presence of petroleum deposits in earth formations |
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US643255A US2951940A (en) | 1957-03-01 | 1957-03-01 | Method of ascertaining the presence of petroleum deposits in earth formations |
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US4977319A (en) * | 1988-06-03 | 1990-12-11 | Texaco Inc. | Method for determining oil content of an underground formation |
US4990773A (en) * | 1988-12-01 | 1991-02-05 | Texaco Inc. | Method for determining the producibility of a hydrocarbon formation |
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