Patent ID: 7805982
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: E21B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for permeability measurements of a core sample obtained from a subterranean reservoir, the apparatus comprising: a core sample holder receiving a core sample obtained from the subterranean reservoir for permeability testing; the core sample holder having first and second test ports at spaced locations from each other for receiving fluid for permeability testing of the core sample; a first accumulator containing a first fluid from the subterranean reservoir under a regulated pressure and flow rate for application to the core sample holder for permeability testing of the core sample; a second accumulator containing a second fluid from the subterranean reservoir under a regulated pressure and flow rate for application to the core sample holder for permeability testing of the core sample, the second fluid being a different fluid from the first fluid; a pump providing calibrated fluid pressure and volume for core permeability testing; a supply control valve connected to the first and second accumulators for selectively permitting passage of fluids from the first and second accumulators for application to the core sample holder; a supply manifold connected between the control valve and the core sample holder for applying fluids received through the control valve to the core sample holder at selected controlled fluid pressure and flow rate to measure the permeability of the core sample to the applied fluid; a first application control valve connected to the supply manifold for application of fluids from the supply manifold to the first test port of the core sample holder; a first test fluid manifold connected between the first application control valve and the first test port of the core sample holder; a second application control valve connected for application of fluids from the supply manifold to the second test port of the core sample holder; a second test fluid manifold connected between the second application control valve and the first test fluid manifold; a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the core sample holder for establishing an inlet pressure for the fluid applied to the sample holder; a pressure transducer section for measuring pressure differential of the fluid between the test ports of the core sample holder, the pressure transducer section being connected to the supply manifold to sense fluid pressure in the supply manifold to obtain pressure readings regarding fluids in the accumulators, to the first test fluid manifold to obtain pressure readings at the first test port, and to the second test fluid manifold to obtain pressure readings at the second test port; the pressure transducer section further comprising: a data processor for obtaining a measure of the relative permeability of the core sample based on the pressure differential measurements from the pressure transducer section and the fluid flow rates.