METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING HEAVY OIL SAMPLES FROM A RESERVOIR SAMPLE
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus and method to obtain a bitumen or heavy oil sample from an oil reservoir sample, such as a core sample, to enable measurement of physical properties such as viscosity, API gravity, or chemical properties such as sulphur content of the obtained bitumen or heavy oil sample. The analyses performed on the samples obtained in accordance with the invention are effective in assisting oil field operators in making timely drilling and production decisions at the oil reservoir or for routine laboratory extraction of oils and bitumens. The invention also permits the collection of samples from simulated thermal recovery operations and also allows the collection of bitumens and oils for online analysis of live oil physical properties.
17 Citations
58 Claims
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1-29. -29. (canceled)
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30. An apparatus for extracting substantially pure heavy oil or bitumen from a heavy oil or bitumen containing sample, comprising:
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(a) a cylinder and piston assembly for receiving the heavy oil or bitumen containing sample, the cylinder and piston assembly having a bottom opening; (b) means for applying a force to the piston to axially displace the piston within the cylinder and press the sample against a filter assembly, where the force is applied at a rate determined by at least one of the permeability of the sample or the viscosity of the heavy oil or bitumen contained in the sample; (c) the filter assembly disposed across the bottom opening for retaining solid particles within the cylinder, said filter assembly defining openings smaller than about 200 microns; and (d) fluid collection means disposed below the bottom opening of the cylinder and including a base plate pressure sealed against a surface of the cylinder and where the filter assembly is mounted in the base plate. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for extracting fluid heavy oil or bitumen from a reservoir sample, said method comprising:
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introducing the sample into a cylinder and piston assembly including a filter assembly positioned at an end of the cylinder; determining a force to apply against the piston based on at least one of either the permeability of the sample or the viscosity of the heavy oil or bitumen in the sample; and exerting the determined force against the piston, pressing the sample against the filter assembly and mechanically extracting the heavy oil or bitumen from the sample, where solid particles are retained in the cylinder and fluids are allowed to pass through; wherein the force is determined such the heavy oil or bitumen extracted from the sample retains low boiling point components and is substantially water-free. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of simulating a heavy oil or bitumen recovery process or recovery process preconditioning from an underground reservoir, comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing a sample of the underground reservoir in a cylinder and piston assembly; (b) adding a recovery agent or a preconditioning agent to be used in the simulated process to the sample; (c) allowing a chemical reaction or physical reaction, or both, to proceed in the cylinder and piston assembly; (d) applying a force to the piston to press the sample against a filter assembly positioned at an end of the cylinder and mechanically extracting the heavy oil or bitumen from the sample; and (e) measuring relevant properties of extracted fluid. - View Dependent Claims (55)
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56. A method of simulating a heavy oil recovery process from an underground reservoir, comprising:
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(a) placing a sample of the underground reservoir in a cylinder and piston assembly; (b) applying a force to the piston to press the sample against a filter assembly positioned at an end of the cylinder and mechanically extracting the heavy oil at low or high temperatures to simulate a cold or thermal recovery process; and (c) measuring relevant properties of the extracted oil. - View Dependent Claims (57)
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58. A method for extracting fluid water from a reservoir sample, said method comprising:
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introducing the sample into a cylinder and piston assembly including a filter assembly positioned at an end of the cylinder; determining a force to apply against the piston based on at least one of either the permeability of the sample or the viscosity of the heavy oil or bitumen in the sample; and exerting the determined force against the piston, pressing the sample against the filter assembly and mechanically extracting the water from the sample, where solid particles are retained in the cylinder and fluids are allowed to pass through; wherein the force is determined such the water extracted from the sample is substantially free of solid particles, heavy oil and bitumen.
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Specification