Systems and methods to monitor the characteristics of stimulated subterranean hydrocarbon resources utilizing electrochemical reactions with metals
First Claim
1. A method for characterizing a first wellbore extending into a geologic structure comprising a reservoir of subterranean hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
- providing a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into the first wellbore;
wherein corrosion of the base metal in the first wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product;
providing at least one sensor in proximity to the first wellbore;
receiving a signal from the sensor at a monitoring unit, wherein the sensor senses energy resulting from corrosion of the base metal, the energy being in the form of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy, seismic energy, a derivative or a combination thereof, wherein the signal is indicative of the energy and is used to determine information relating to characteristics of at least one item selected from the group consisting of;
the first wellbore, extraction of hydrocarbons from the first wellbore, and the electrochemical reduction; and
adjusting the electrochemical reduction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for characterizing a wellbore extending into a geologic structure comprising a reservoir of subterranean hydrocarbons comprising: providing a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into the first wellbore; wherein corrosion of the base metal in the first wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product; providing at least one sensor in proximity to the first wellbore; and receiving a signal detected by the sensor at a monitoring unit, wherein the sensor senses a signal resulting from corrosion of the base metal; wherein the signal is used to determine information relating to the characteristics of the first wellbore and extraction of hydrocarbons therefrom.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for characterizing a first wellbore extending into a geologic structure comprising a reservoir of subterranean hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
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providing a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into the first wellbore;
wherein corrosion of the base metal in the first wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product;providing at least one sensor in proximity to the first wellbore; receiving a signal from the sensor at a monitoring unit, wherein the sensor senses energy resulting from corrosion of the base metal, the energy being in the form of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy, seismic energy, a derivative or a combination thereof, wherein the signal is indicative of the energy and is used to determine information relating to characteristics of at least one item selected from the group consisting of;
the first wellbore, extraction of hydrocarbons from the first wellbore, and the electrochemical reduction; andadjusting the electrochemical reduction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for characterizing a first wellbore extending into a geologic structure comprising a reservoir of subterranean hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
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receiving a signal from each of one or more sensors, wherein each sensor of the one or more sensors senses energy resulting from the corroding metal, the energy being in the form of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy, seismic energy, a derivative or a combination thereof, each signal indicative of a parameter related to electrochemical oxidation of a base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product in the wellbore, at least some of the reducible species introduced into the wellbore in a first fluid composition; and deriving, from at least the signal, information about characteristics of at least one item selected from the group consisting of;
the first wellbore, extraction of hydrocarbons from the first wellbore, and the electrochemical reduction, where each sensor is disposed in a position selected from the group consisting of;
a first wellbore, in a second wellbore close enough to the first wellbore that the sensor can detect its respective parameter, or at the ground surface of the geologic structure; andadjusting the electrochemical reduction. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for characterizing a first well bore extending into a geologic structure comprising a reservoir of subterranean hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
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providing a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into the first wellbore;
wherein corrosion of the base metal in the first wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product;providing at least one sensor in proximity to the first wellbore; receiving a signal from the sensor at a monitoring unit, wherein the sensor senses energy resulting from corrosion of the base metal, the energy being in the form of acoustic energy, electromagnetic energy, seismic energy, a derivative or a combination thereof, wherein the signal is indicative of the energy and is used to determine information relating to characteristics of at least one item selected from the group consisting of;
the first wellbore, extraction of hydrocarbons from the first wellbore, and the electrochemical reduction; andinjecting a second fluid composition differing from the first fluid composition.
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Specification