Evaluating biological materials at reservoir conditions
Systems and methods for evaluating biological materials at reservoir conditions include a reactor housing and a plurality of test columns having source rock sample holders. The plurality of test columns is disposed within the reactor housing. A pump is fluidly coupled to the reactor housing. A heating element is coupled to the reactor housing; and one or more sensors are coupled to the test columns configured to measure properties of biomaterials or biochemical interactions in the rock samples.
1 . An artificial reservoir for evaluating biological materials at reservoir conditions, the artificial reservoir comprising:
a reactor housing, at least a portion of the reactor housing comprising a transparent material;
a light source positioned to emit light through the transparent material of the reactor housing;
a high-speed camera positioned on an opposite side of the reactor housing from the light source to receive light emitted by the light source,
a plurality of test columns having source rock sample holders, the plurality of test columns disposed within the reactor housing between the light source and the high-speed camera;
a pump fluidly coupled to the reactor housing;
a heating element coupled to the reactor housing; and
one or more sensors coupled to the test columns configured to measure properties of biomaterials or biochemical interactions in the rock samples.
2 . The artificial reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the transparent material comprises glass.
3 . The artificial reservoir of claim 1 , wherein the test columns are removably coupled to an interior of the reactor housing.
4 . The artificial reservoir of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of test columns comprises an outlet at a base of the test column configured to discharge fluids from the rock samples.
5 . The artificial reservoir of claim 1 , wherein two or more of the plurality of test columns are fluidly coupled by conduits extending between a first test column of the plurality and a second test column of the plurality.
6 . The artificial reservoir of claim 1 , further comprising an inlet manifold comprising an inlet and a plurality of outlets coupled to the plurality of test columns.
7 . The artificial reservoir of claim 1 wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of a salinity sensor, a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, a bio-materials degradation sensor, and a pressure sensor.
8 . A method for evaluating biological materials at reservoir conditions, the method comprising:
placing one or more core samples into core sample holders in an artificial reservoir;
pumping fluid into a reactor housing to pressurize the artificial reservoir to a reservoir pressure;
heating the artificial reservoir to a reservoir temperature;
introducing one or more biological materials into the one or more core samples of the artificial reservoir;
measuring biomaterial or biochemical interactions in the core samples using one or more sensors disposed in the artificial reservoir;
recording high speed video of the biomaterial or biochemical interaction using a high speed video camera illuminated by a light source; and
determining compatibility of the biological materials with a reservoir in a subsurface formation based on the measured biomaterial or biochemical interactions.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: processing images from the high speed video to extract image data representing dynamic biomaterial and biochemical interactions.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the core sample holders comprise transparent materials.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein measuring biomaterial or biochemical interactions comprises determining changes in microbial species in response to changes in salinity, temperature, pH, or pressure in the artificial reservoir.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein determining compatibility of the biological materials comprises determining a stability of the biological materials over time without causing damages to the one or more core samples.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the biological materials comprise one or more of bio-surfactants, bio-polymers, organic acids, and biocides.
14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein measuring biomaterial or biochemical interactions comprises determining changes in microbial species in response to nutrients, oilfield chemicals, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen comprised in the core sample.
15 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising: collecting fluids discharged through an outlet of the core sample holder.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein determining compatibility of the biological materials with the reservoir is based on the measured biomaterial or biochemical interactions and the collected fluids.
17 . An artificial reservoir for evaluating biological materials at reservoir conditions, the artificial reservoir comprising:
a reactor housing;
a plurality of test columns having source rock sample holders the plurality of test columns disposed within the reactor housing;
a pump fluidly coupled to the reactor housing;
a heating element coupled to the reactor housing; and
one or more sensors coupled to the test columns configured to measure properties of biomaterials or biochemical interactions in the rock samples.
18 . The artificial reservoir of claim 17 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise one or more of a salinity sensor, a temperature sensor, a pH sensor, a bio-materials degradation sensor, and a pressure sensor.
19 . The artificial reservoir of claim 18 , further comprising: a high-speed camera for visualizing fluid flow in the test columns; and a light source for illuminating the test columns, wherein at least a portion of the reactor housing and the test columns comprise glass through which the high speed camera is configured to observe the source rock samples.
20 . The artificial reservoir of claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of test columns comprises an outlet at a base of the test column configured to discharge fluids from the rock samples.