Freshwater sensitivity of corrensite and chlorite/smectite in hydrocarbon reservoirs - an ESEM study

An Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) has been used to investigate the freshwater sensitivity of secondary corrensite (regularly interstratified chlorite/smectite) and chlorite-rich chlorite/smectite in order to determine whether hydrocarbon reservoirs hosting these clays should be regarded as freshwater sensitive. ESEM experiments involved an examination and close comparison of selected clay areas in three samples at high magnification before, during and after prolonged freshwater treatments. Corrensite and chlorine/smectite in the samples did not visibly swell when immersed in fresh water. After soaking in fresh water for up to three months, these clays retained their original morphology and associated porosity. Hence, the presence of corrensite or chlorite/smectite in a hydrocarbon reservoir need not indicate that the reservoir is freshwater sensitive. © 1994.

ESEM study of authigenic chlorite acid sensitivity in sandstone reservoirs

The effect of HCl on authigenic chlorite in three different sandstones has been examined uisng an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM), together with conventional analytical techniques. The ESEM enabled chlorites to be directly observed in situ at high magnifications during HCl treatment, and was particularly effective in allowing the same chlorite areas to be closely compared before and after acid treatment. Chlorites were reacted with 1M to 10M HCl at temperatures up to 80°C and for periods up to five months. After all treatments, chlorites show extensive leaching of iron, magnesium and aluminum, and their crystalline structure is destroyed. However, despite these major compositional and structural changes, chlorites show little or no visible evidence of acid attack, with precise morphological detail of individual plates preserved in all samples following acid treatments. Chlorite dissolution, sensu stricto, did not occur as a result of acidization of the host sandstones. Acid-treated chlorides are likely to exits in a structurally weakened state that may make them susceptible to physical disintegration during fluid flow. Accordingly, fines migration may be a significant engineering problem associated with the acidization of chlorite-bearing sandstones. © 1993.

ESEM study of illite/smectite freshwater sensitivity in sandstone reservoirs

The water sensitivity of authigenic smectite- and illite-rich illite/smectites in sandstone reservoirs has been investigated using an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM). The ESEM enabled the illite/smectites to be directly observed in situ at high magnification during freshwater immersion, and was also particularly effective in allowing the same selected illite/smectite areas to be closely compared before and after freshwater treatments. The tendency of authigenic smectite-rich illite/smectite to swell on contact with fresh water varies greatly. Smectite-rich illite/smectite may osmotically swell to many times its original volume to form a gel which greatly reduces porosity and permeability, or may undergo only a subtle morphological change which has little or no adverse effect on reservoir quality. Authigenic illite-rich illite/smectite in sandstones does not swell when immersed in fresh water. Even after prolonged soaking in fresh water, illite-rich illite/smectite particles retain their original morphology. Accordingly, illite-rich illite/smectite in sandstones is unlikely to cause formation damage if exposed to freshwater-based fluids. © 1993.

Efects of mineral suspension and dissolution on strength and compressibility of soft carbonate rocks

© 2014 Elsevier B.V.Calcarenites are highly porous soft rocks formed of mainly carbonate grains bonded together by calcite bridges. The above characteristics make them prone to water-induced weathering, frequently featuring large caverns and inland natural underground cavities. This study is aimed to determine the main physical processes at the base of the short- and long-term weakening experienced by these rocks when interacting with water. We present the results of microscale experimental investigations performed on calcarenites from four different sites in Southern Italy. SEM, thin sections, X-ray CT observations and related analyses are used for both the interpretation-definition of the structure changes, and the identification-quantification of the degradation mechanisms. Two distinct types of bonding have been identified within the rock: temporary bonding (TB) and persistent bonding (PB). The diverse mechanisms linked to these two types of bonding explain both the observed fast decrease in rock strength when water fills the pores (short-term effect of water), identified with a short-term debonding (STD), and a long-term weakening of the material, when the latter is persistently kept in water-saturated conditions (long-term effect of water), identified with a long-term debonding (LTD). To highlight the micro-hydro-chemo-mechanical processes of formation and annihilation of the TB bonds and their role in the evolution of the mechanical strength of the material, mechanical tests on samples prepared by drying partially saturated calcarenite powder, or a mix of glass ballotini and calcarenite powder were conducted. The long-term debonding processes have also been investigated, using acid solutions in order to accelerate the reaction rates. This paper attempts to identify and quantify differences between the two types of bonds and the relative micro-scale debonding processes leading to the macro-scale material weakening mechanisms.

Análise de modelos geológicos utilizando percolação dinâmica

In the present study we elaborated algorithms by using concepts from percolation theory which analyze the connectivity conditions in geological models of petroleum reservoirs. From the petrophysical parameters such as permeability, porosity, transmittivity and others, which may be generated by any statistical process, it is possible to determine the portion of the model with more connected cells, what the interconnected wells are, and the critical path between injector and source wells. This allows to classify the reservoir according to the modeled petrophysical parameters. This also make it possible to determine the percentage of the reservoir to which each well is connected. Generally, the connected regions and the respective minima and/or maxima in the occurrence of the petrophysical parameters studied constitute a good manner to characterize a reservoir volumetrically. Therefore, the algorithms allow to optimize the positioning of wells, offering a preview of the general conditions of the given model s connectivity. The intent is not to evaluate geological models, but to show how to interpret the deposits, how their petrophysical characteristics are spatially distributed, and how the connections between the several parts of the system are resolved, showing their critical paths and backbones. The execution of these algorithms allows us to know the properties of the model s connectivity before the work on reservoir flux simulation is started

Avaliação do comportamento de fluidos micelares na recuperação avançada de petróleo

In heavy oil fields there is a great difficulty of the oil to flow from the reservoir to the well, making its production more difficult and with high cost. Most of the original volumes of oil found in the world are considered unrecoverable by the use of the current methods. The injection of micellar solutions has a direct action in the oil interfacial properties, resulting in an enhanced oil recovery. The objective of this research was the study and selection of micellar solutions with ability to decrease the interfacial interactions between fluids and reservoir formation, increasing oil production. The selected micellar solutions were obtained using commercial surfactants and surfactants synthesized in laboratory, based on the intrinsic properties of these molecules, to use in the enhanced oil recovery. Petroleum Reservoirs were simulated using sandstone plugs from Botucatu formation. Experiments with conventional and enhanced oil recovery techniques were accomplished. The obtained results showed that all micellar solutions were able to enhance oil recovery, and the micellar solution prepared with a SB anionic surfactant, at 2% KCl solution, showed the best recovery factor. It was also accomplished an economic analysis with the SB surfactant solution. With the injection of 20% porous volume of micellar solution, followed by brine injection, the increment in petroleum recovery can reach 81% recovery factor in the 3rd porous volume injected. The increment in the total cost by the addition of surfactant to the injection water represents R$ 7.50/ton of injected fluid

Aplicações da teoria da percolação à modelagem e simulação de reservatórios de petróleo

In this thesis we study some problems related to petroleum reservoirs using methods and concepts of Statistical Physics. The thesis could be divided percolation problem in random multifractal support motivated by its potential application in modelling oil reservoirs. We develped an heterogeneous and anisotropic grid that followin two parts. The first one introduce a study of the percolations a random multifractal distribution of its sites. After, we determine the percolation threshold for this grid, the fractal dimension of the percolating cluster and the critical exponents ß and v. In the second part, we propose an alternative systematic of modelling and simulating oil reservoirs. We introduce a statistical model based in a stochastic formulation do Darcy Law. In this model, the distribution of permeabilities is localy equivalent to the basic model of bond percolation

Caracterização tectono-sedimentar do Grupo Lagoa Feia (Eocretáceo) no Campo de Pampo, sudoeste da Bacia de Campos

The Lagoa Feia Group (Early Cretaceous) is widely distributed around the Campos Basin, forming deep prospects in the basin. It has two large coquinas platforms shellfish, and the lower deck constituent important reservoir in the southwestern of this basin, a producer of oil in the trend-Badejo-Linguado-Pampo. Due to the rising national energy demand is necessary to see the incorporation of technical knowledge and training of human resources in the knowledge of petroleum reservoirs. In this sense, the Pampo Field, as well as other fields of the trend, fall as interesting target area for study. Accumulations of hydrocarbons are partitioning structural - stratigraphic only for the three fields. They are mixed origin of traps, with influence of structural, stratigraphic and diagenetic. With the development of catchment areas of the latter condition has manifested itself in such a way to verify parts with nonproducing wells, which are observed in the intervals coquinas are closed, with reduced thickness and / or low quality porous. The understanding of these accumulations, by testing structural, stratigraphic and reservoir and the use of geological and geophysical techniques, will bring a better understanding of the portions relating to economic accumulation or subeconomic development of hydrocarbons in this region, contributing to the scientific knowledge of the Pampo Field.

Coquinas eoaptianas do sudoeste da Bacia de Campos: fácies deposicionais, eventos diagenéticos e fatores controladores da qualdade do reservatório

Pós-graduação em Geologia Regional - IGCE

Purification and characterization of a surfactin-like molecule produced by Bacillus sp. H2O-1 and its antagonistic effect against sulfate reducing bacteria

Abstract Background Bacillus sp. H2O-1, isolated from the connate water of a Brazilian reservoir, produces an antimicrobial substance (denoted as AMS H2O-1) that is active against sulfate reducing bacteria, which are the major bacterial group responsible for biogenic souring and biocorrosion in petroleum reservoirs. Thus, the use of AMS H2O-1 for sulfate reducing bacteria control in the petroleum industry is a promising alternative to chemical biocides. However, prior to the large-scale production of AMS H2O-1 for industrial applications, its chemical structure must be elucidated. This study also analyzed the changes in the wetting properties of different surfaces conditioned with AMS H2O-1 and demonstrated the effect of AMS H2O-1 on sulfate reducing bacteria cells. Results A lipopeptide mixture from AMS H2O-1 was partially purified on a silica gel column and identified via mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). It comprises four major components that range in size from 1007 to 1049 Da. The lipid moiety contains linear and branched β-hydroxy fatty acids that range in length from C13 to C16. The peptide moiety contains seven amino acids identified as Glu-Leu-Leu-Val-Asp-Leu-Leu. Transmission electron microscopy revealed cell membrane alteration of sulfate reducing bacteria after AMS H2O-1 treatment at the minimum inhibitory concentration (5 μg/ml). Cytoplasmic electron dense inclusions were observed in treated cells but not in untreated cells. AMS H2O-1 enhanced the osmosis of sulfate reducing bacteria cells and caused the leakage of the intracellular contents. In addition, contact angle measurements indicated that different surfaces conditioned by AMS H2O-1 were less hydrophobic and more electron-donor than untreated surfaces. Conclusion AMS H2O-1 is a mixture of four surfactin-like homologues, and its biocidal activity and surfactant properties suggest that this compound may be a good candidate for sulfate reducing bacteria control. Thus, it is a potential alternative to the chemical biocides or surface coating agents currently used to prevent SRB growth in petroleum industries.

(Table 1) CPI17-23, hopanoic acid, and n-C35 + lycopane/n-C31 ratios as well as 17beta(H), 21beta(H) homohopane, long-chain alkanes, and alkenones concentrations in IODP Exp302

During Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 302 (Arctic Coring Expedition (ACEX)) a more than 200 m thick sequence of Paleogene organic carbon (OC)-rich (black shale type) sediments was drilled. Here we present new biomarker data determined in ACEX sediment samples to decipher processes controlling OC accumulation and their paleoenvironmental significance during periods of Paleogene global warmth and proposed increased freshwater discharge in the early Cenozoic. Specific source-related biomarkers including n-alkanes, fatty acids, isoprenoids, carotenoids, hopanes/hopenes, hopanoic acids, aromatic terpenoids, and long-chain alkenones show a high variability of components, derived from marine and terrestrial origin. The distribution of hopanoic acid isomers is dominated by compounds with the biological 17beta(H), 21beta(H) configuration indicating a low level of maturity. On the basis of the biomarker data the terrestrial OC supply was significantly enriched during the late Paleocene and part of the earliest Eocene, whereas increased aquatic contributions and euxinic conditions of variable intensity were determined for the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum and Eocene thermal maximum 2 events as well as the middle Eocene time interval. Furthermore, samples from the middle Eocene are characterized by the occurrence of long-chain alkenones, high proportions of lycopane, and high ratios (>0.6) of (n-C35 + lycopane)/n-C31. The occurrence of C37-alkenenones, which were first determined toward the end of the Azolla freshwater event, indicates that the OC becomes more marine in origin during the middle Eocene. Preliminary UK'37- based sea surface temperature (SST) values display a longterm temperature decrease of about 15C during the time interval 49-44.5 Ma (25° to 10°C), coinciding with the global benthic d18O cooling trend after the early Eocene climatic optimum. At about 46 Ma, parallel with onset of ice-rafted debris, SST (interpreted as summer temperatures) decreased to values <15°C. For the late early Miocene a SST of 11°-15°C was determined. Most of the middle Eocene ACEX sediments are characterized by a smooth short-chain n-alkane distribution, which may point to natural oil-type hydrocarbons from leakage of petroleum reservoirs or erosion of related source rocks and redeposition.

Análise de modelos geológicos utilizando percolação dinâmica

In the present study we elaborated algorithms by using concepts from percolation theory which analyze the connectivity conditions in geological models of petroleum reservoirs. From the petrophysical parameters such as permeability, porosity, transmittivity and others, which may be generated by any statistical process, it is possible to determine the portion of the model with more connected cells, what the interconnected wells are, and the critical path between injector and source wells. This allows to classify the reservoir according to the modeled petrophysical parameters. This also make it possible to determine the percentage of the reservoir to which each well is connected. Generally, the connected regions and the respective minima and/or maxima in the occurrence of the petrophysical parameters studied constitute a good manner to characterize a reservoir volumetrically. Therefore, the algorithms allow to optimize the positioning of wells, offering a preview of the general conditions of the given model s connectivity. The intent is not to evaluate geological models, but to show how to interpret the deposits, how their petrophysical characteristics are spatially distributed, and how the connections between the several parts of the system are resolved, showing their critical paths and backbones. The execution of these algorithms allows us to know the properties of the model s connectivity before the work on reservoir flux simulation is started

Fresh water and acid sensitivity of authigenic clays in sandstone reservoirs

Authigenic illite-smectite and chlorite in reservoir sandstones from several Pacific rim sedimentary basins in Australia and New Zealand have been examined using an Electroscan Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) before, during, and after treatment with fresh water and HCl, respectively. These dynamic experiments are possible in the ESEM because, unlike conventional SEMs that require a high vacuum in the sample chamber (10-6 torr), the ESEM will operate at high pressures up to 20 torr. This means that materials and processes can be examined at high magnifications in their natural states, wet or dry, and over a range of temperatures (-20 to 1000 degrees C) and pressures. Sandstones containing the illite-smectite (60-70% illite interlayers) were flushed with fresh water for periods of up to 12 hours. Close examination of the same illite-smectite lines or filled pores, both before and after freshwater treatments, showed that the morphology of the illite-smectite was not changed by prolonged freshwater treatment. Chlorite-bearing sandstones (Fe-rich chlorite) were reacted with 1M to 10M HCl at temperatures of up to 80 degrees C and for periods of up to 48 hours. Before treatment the chlorites showed typically platy morphologies. After HCl treatment the chlorite grains were coated with an amorphous gel composed of Ca, Cl, and possibly amorphous Si, as determined by EDS analyses on the freshly treated rock surface. Brief washing in water removed this surface coating and revealed apparently unchanged chlorite showing no signs of dissolution or acid attack. However, although the chlorite showed no morphological changes, elemental analysis only detected silicon and oxygen.