Methods for magnetic imaging of geological structures

• US 8,269,501 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2009
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rice University
• Original Assignee: Rice University
• Inventors: Schmidt, Howard K., Tour, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Assouad, Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, LAMARR A
• Application Number:
  US12/350,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20090179649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 324/345, 324/351, 324/346, 324/303, 324/356, 324/324, 324/338, 324/339, 702/6.9, 702/11, 702/12, 702/13, 702/69, 166/254.2
• US Class Current: 324/345
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/26 operating with magnetic or electric fields produced or modified either by the surrounding earth formation or by the detecting device with electromagnetic waves G01V3/30

Abstract

Methods for imaging geological structures include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic probe in a proximity to the geological structures, generating a magnetic field in the geological structures and detecting a magnetic signal. The at least one magnetic probe may be on the surface of the geological structures or reside within the geological structures. The methods also include injecting magnetic materials into the geological structures, placing at least one magnetic detector in the geological structures and measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic detector. Methods for using magnetic materials in dipole-dipole, dipole-loop and loop-loop transmitter-receiver configurations for geological structure electromagnetic imaging techniques are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for imaging the infiltration of a magnetic material into a geological structure, wherein the method comprises:

a) providing a dispersion of magnetic material in a fluid, wherein the magnetic material comprises magnetic nanoparticles;

b) injecting the dispersion of magnetic material into the geological structure;

c) placing at least one magnetic probe in a proximity to the geological structure;

d) generating a magnetic field in the geological structure with the at least one magnetic probe; and

e) detecting a magnetic signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the geological structure comprises a deposit selected from the group consisting of oil, gas, and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the geological structure is penetrated by at least one vertical well.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the geological structure is penetrated by at least one horizontal well.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the geological structure is penetrated by at least one well comprising a ferromagnetic material;

and wherein the ferromagnetic material is used to channel the magnetic field into the geological structure.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispersion of magnetic material comprises a ferrofluid.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, iron (III) oxide, magnetite, hematite, ferrites, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ferrites comprise a material having a formula AM₂O₄;

wherein A and M are metal atoms; and

wherein at least one of A and M are Fe.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the ferrites are doped with at least one element that is not A or M.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material has a diameter of about 10 nm to about 50 nm.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is covered with a coating selected from the group consisting of surfactants, polymers, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, brine, drilling mud, fracturing fluid, and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid further comprises a proppant.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step is conducted with at least one SQUID detector.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step is conducted with at least one solenoid.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step is conducted with at least one detector that is movable.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting step comprises measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic probe.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity of the at least one magnetic probe is above the geological structure.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the proximity of the at least one magnetic probe is within the geological structure.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

moving the at least one detector; and

repeating the detecting step.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic signal is correlated with an internal structure of the geological structure.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting a magnetic signal in the geological structure before injecting the dispersion of magnetic material.

23. A method for imaging the infiltration of a magnetic material into a geological structure, wherein the method comprises:

a) providing a dispersion of magnetic material in a fluid, wherein the magnetic material comprises magnetic nanoparticles;

b) injecting the dispersion of magnetic material into the geological structure;

c) placing at least one magnetic detector into the geological structure; and

d) measuring a resonant frequency in the at least one magnetic detector;

wherein the resonant frequency is at least partially determined by an amount of the magnetic material injected in the geological structure and a location of the magnetic material relative to the at least one detector.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one magnetic detector is connected to an RLC circuit.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

moving the at least one magnetic detector; and

repeating the measuring step.