IP Library Granted Patent US 11,774,632
Granted Patent B2
US 11,774,632 · App. 17/119,960 · Granted Oct 3, 2023

Methods and means for measurement of the water-oil interface within a reservoir using an x-ray source

Inventor: Philip Teague (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Visuray Intech Ltd. (BV1)
G01V5/12E21B47/002E21B47/11E21B47/111G01V3/18H01J35/02H05G1/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,774,632
App. No.
17/119,960
Granted
Oct 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An x-ray-based reservoir evaluation tool for measurement variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir is provided, the tool including at least: an internal length comprising a sonde section, wherein said sonde section further comprises an x-ray source; radiation measuring detectors; sonde-dependent electronics; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and PSUs. A method of using an x-ray based reservoir evaluation tool for measuring variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir is also provided, the method including at least the following steps: using x-rays to illuminate the formation surrounding the cased borehole; uses detectors to directly measure the density of the formation; using detectors to directly measure the effects on the measurement from tool stand-off or production liner attenuation; and employing techniques for compensating for the production liner and liner-annular region when computing the saturated formation density within the production interval.

Claims (23)

1. An x-ray based reservoir evaluation tool for measurement variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir, wherein said tool comprises:

a plurality of radiation measuring detectors and additional axially-offset radiation detectors for compensating for the production liner and liner-annular region effects when computing the formation density within the production interval, wherein said plurality of sensors are disposed in communication with an internal length comprising a sonde section, wherein said sonde section further comprises an x-ray source; sonde-dependent electronics; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and power supply units.

2. The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a detector used to measure casing standoff such that other detector responses are compensated for tool stand-off.

3. The tool of claim 1 , wherein a shield further comprises tungsten.

4. The tool of claim 1 , wherein the tool is configured so as to permit through-wiring.

5. The tool of claim 1 , wherein a reference detector is used to monitor an azimuthal output of the x-ray source.

6. The tool in claim 1 , wherein the tool is combinable with other measurement tools comprising one or more of neutron-porosity, natural gamma and array induction tools.

7. The tool in claim 1 , wherein the tool is used to determine the position of the water-oil interface through production liners or production casing.

8. The tool in claim 1 , wherein the tool is integrated into a logging-while-drilling assembly.

9. The tool in claim 1 , wherein the tool is powered by mud-turbine generators.

10. The tool in claim 1 , wherein the tool is powered by batteries.

11. A method of using an x-ray based reservoir evaluation tool for measuring variations in formation density anticipated at the water-oil interface of a reservoir,

wherein said method uses additional axially-offset radiation detectors for compensating for the production liner and liner-annular region effects when computing the formation density within the production interval, said method further comprising:

using x-rays to illuminate the formation surrounding the cased borehole;

using a plurality of detectors to directly measure the density of the formation;

using detectors to directly measure the effects on the measurement from tool stand-off or production liner attenuation.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising using a detector that is also used for measuring casing standoff so that other detector responses may be compensated for tool stand-off.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising using a reference detector to monitor the azimuthal output of an x-ray source.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising combining other measurement methods comprising one or more of neutron-porosity, natural gamma and array induction tools.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising using the tool to determine the position of the water-oil interface through production liners or production casing.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising integrating the tool into a logging-while-drilling assembly.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising powering the tool using mud-turbine generators.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising powering the tool using batteries.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 20, 2026
From: VISURAY INTECH LTD.
To: VISURAY TECHNOLOGY LTD.
Reel/Frame 073514/0844 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 20, 2026
From: VISURAY INTECH LTD (BVI)
To: VISURAY INTECH LTD.
Reel/Frame 074449/0220 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 30, 2021
From: TEAGUE, PHILIP
To: VISURAY INTECH LTD (BVI)
Reel/Frame 055767/0050 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16167880 · Oct 23, 2018
Provisional Application 62575624 · Oct 23, 2017
Related Publication 20210124083A1 · Apr 29, 2021