Fully automated microfluidic mixing aided in-line detection of trace level oil field tracers

Chang, Sehoon; Thomas, Gawain; Wang, Wei; Ow, Hooisweng

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2022.111171

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 33 publications

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“…In our previous efforts aimed at developing interwell water tracers for oilfield applications, we have successfully developed optically detectable tracer systems that utilize lanthanide chelate complexes. − In particular, dipicolinic acid (DPA) and its derivatives have been employed to monitor the flow of water within oil reservoirs. These tracers serve as ligands for terbium ions (Tb 3+ ), facilitating efficient sensitization of Tb 3+ through energy transfer upon complex excitation, leading to a high degree of lanthanide luminescence. − Importantly, the resulting complex demonstrates longer lifetime luminescence, which effectively filters out any background fluorescence signals originating from crude oil, enabling ultratrace-level detectability of the tracers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilizing a Paper-Based Platform for Oilfield Applications: Time-Resolved Fluorescence Imaging and Detection of Interwell Chemical Tracers

Yoon,

Tai,

Thomas

et al. 2024

ACS Omega

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Chemical tracers are indispensable tools for enhancing reservoir characterization and optimizing production processes in the oil and gas industry. Particularly, interwell water tracers provide key data for efficient water flood management and the improvement of production rates. However, the analysis of these water tracers within reservoir fluids is challenging, requiring laborious separation and extraction steps that often rely on complex instruments and skilled operators. Real-time analysis is especially problematic in remote areas with limited access to wellequipped laboratories. To address these challenges, we introduce a paper-based platform for the time-resolved fluorescence detection of dipicolinic acid (DPA) tracers complexed with terbium ion (Tb 3+ ). Our innovation is driven by the need to simplify tracer analysis, make it portable, and enhance accessibility for oilfield applications. By leveraging the unique properties of cyclen-based macrocyclic ligands, we have achieved the stable and sensitive immobilization of Tb 3+ on quartz microfilter paper, eliminating the need for extensive laboratory-based procedures. We achieve the stable and sensitive immobilization of Tb 3+ on quartz microfilter paper by leveraging the unique properties of cyclen-based macrocyclic ligands. This innovation enables the formation of highly fluorescent, oil-blind, and optically detectable DPA-Tb 3+ complexes at the paper surface. We visualize and capture these fluorescence signals using an intensified charge-coupled device camera via time gating, effectively suppressing undesirable fluorescence originating from crude oil. The quantification of DPA concentrations is achievable down to 158 ppb (9.45 × 10 −7 M), as confirmed through time-resolved fluorescence microplate reader measurements. We also demonstrate the practicality of our technology by detecting DPA tracers in the presence of crude oil contamination, a common challenge encountered in oil production wells.

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