Pressurized reservoir core sample transfer tool system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12497849-B2
Application number	US-202318345784-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 30, 2023
Priority date	Aug 1, 2019
Publication date	Dec 16, 2025
Grant date	Dec 16, 2025

Abstract

A method of transferring at least one subterranean core sample from a retrieval vessel to a testing vessel can include removing at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel using a linear actuator while maintaining a sampling pressure on the at least one subterranean core sample at which the at least one subterranean core sample is taken from a subterranean formation. The method can also include pressurizing the testing vessel to the sampling pressure using the linear actuator, and transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel. The method can further include sealing the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure, where the testing vessel allows the at least one subterranean core sample to be tested while the at least one subterranean core sample is maintained at the sampling pressure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of transferring at least one subterranean core sample from a retrieval vessel to a testing vessel, the method comprising:
removing at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel using a linear actuator while maintaining a sampling pressure on the at least one subterranean core sample at which the at least one subterranean core sample is taken from a subterranean formation; pressurizing the testing vessel to the sampling pressure using the linear actuator; transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel; and sealing the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure, wherein the testing vessel allows the at least one subterranean core sample to be tested while the at least one subterranean core sample is maintained at the sampling pressure.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel comprises:
orienting the retrieval vessel above the testing vessel; and applying vibrations to the retrieval vessel.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel comprises:
applying heat to the retrieval vessel.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel comprises:
removing a pressure barrier from the retrieval vessel; removing a spring from the retrieval vessel; and removing a piston from the retrieval vessel.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
inserting a core spacer assembly between the retrieval vessel and the testing vessel after transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one subterranean core sample is maintained at a substantially equivalent pressure or placed under a higher pressure during the transfer of the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel comprises:
orienting the retrieval vessel above the testing vessel to allow gravity to move the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
controlling a pressure within the retrieval vessel, the linear actuator, and the testing vessel using a hydraulic device.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
coupling an adapter flange to the retrieval vessel before the at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel is removed.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
operating a valve positioned between the retrieval vessel and the linear actuator after removing the at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the linear actuator works through the valve when the valve is in an open position.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one subterranean core sample is positioned within a measurement zone of the testing vessel.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the measurement zone comprises a material that has a background signal that is equal to or less than 1% of an originating signal from the at least one subterranean core sample while the at least one subterranean core sample is tested.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel comprises:
removing a plug of the retrieval vessel.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel further comprises:
installing an extractor on the linear actuator, wherein the extractor is configured to engage and remove the plug from the retrieval vessel.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel further comprises:
rotating a plug breaker assembly until the plug of the retrieval vessel is broken loose.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the plug breaker assembly is removably coupled to a valve.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure is sealed using a testing vessel plug assembly.

19 . The method of claim 18 , sealing the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure comprises:
installing the testing vessel plug assembly on the linear actuator before sealing the testing vessel; and extending the testing vessel plug assembly, using the linear actuator, into the testing vessel.

20 . The method of claim 19 , sealing the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure further comprises:
retracting the linear actuator from the testing vessel after the testing vessel plug assembly is installed in the testing vessel.

Assignees

• Chevron Usa Inc

Inventors

• Montoya James Daniel
• Boudreaux Jonathon Crain
• Rodriguez Patrick
• Brinkley Cole Thomas
• Seltzer Scott Jeffrey
• Wigand Marcus Oliver
• Yang Zheng
• Rauschhuber Michael T
• Peacher Edward Russell

Classifications

• E21B25/005

  Above ground means for handling the core, e.g. for extracting the core from the core barrel · CPC title

• G01N33/24 Primary

  Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B25/08 Primary

  Coating, freezing, consolidating cores (E21B25/06 takes precedence); Recovering uncontaminated cores or cores at formation pressure · CPC title