Single source-based energy and efficiency calibration method for the assessment of an alpha imaging detector

An alpha imaging detector acquires a two-dimensional distribution of a sample that emits alpha particles. For the quantitative analysis of the image of an alpha-emitting sample, the individual energies of the alpha particles must be identified, which can be achieved using the spectrometric method after detector calibration. In this study, an energy and efficiency calibration method was investigated to assess an alpha imaging detector. The calibration was performed using a single standard source of Am-241 based on the energy loss characteristic of an alpha particle. The feasibility of the calibration method was evaluated using another source, Ac-225. The calibrated alpha imaging detector was evaluated in terms of energy resolution and detection efficiency, and the alpha imaging detector was found to be efficiently calibrated using a single standard source. The calibrated alpha imaging detector appears promising for the quantitative analysis of samples that emit alpha particles.

Acidizing Workflow for Optimized Well Performance in Zhdanov and Lam Oil Fields Offshore Caspian Sea

Successful sandstone matrix stimulation treatments require addressing complex mineralogy, correctly identifying formation damage, selecting the best stimulation fluids, and placing these fluids correctly. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate a workflow considering laboratory testing, advanced software modeling including acid and diverter fluid efficiency calibration using field experimental data, field execution, and relevant case studies in two oil fields located in the Cheleken block, offshore Caspian Sea. Implementation of the workflow has led to positive results. Matrix acidizing was selected as the primary method for restoring production of the oil wells drilled into sandstone reservoirs due to the reservoir characteristics. Deep Zhdanov wells and shallower Lam wells possess ~15 and ~250 md permeability and ~90 and ~50°C static reservoir temperature, respectively. The target rock mineralogy in both fields predominantly consists of quartz, chlorite, and carbonate minerals. Fluids selection, stimulation design and job execution followed the above mentioned workflow. Treatment modeling considered calibration factors derived from field testing and incorporated several acid and diverter systems. A mix of bullhead and coiled tubing placed treatments were employed. The first step of the workflow considered characterization of the rock mineralogy and selection of the best-fit treatment fluids. Rock dissolution and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests were run to develop the optimum formulations for the treatment conditions. Further, the results of the laboratory testing were incorporated into the advanced matrix acidizing simulator to model and optimize the treatment schedules. The recently developed matrix stimulation software incorporates geochemical, thermal, and placement simulations calibrated with experimental data. Offset well stimulation treatment pressure match was done by calibrating the acid and diverter fluid efficiency, and those calibrated values were considered for design simulations for the following acid treatments. In this paper, the term "acid efficiency" is defined as a measure of the relative rate at which the acid can penetrate when it flows in the rock matrix as a function of matrix porosity and the overall acid reactivity. The term "diverter efficiency" is defined as a measure of the viscosity developed by a given diverter when it flows in the rock matrix. Such a calibration method accounts for the actual reservoir large-scale acid-rock reaction kinetics. Finally, diagnostic tests and main acid treatments were executed that enabled achieving the desired levels of skin reduction, reservoir placement, zone coverage, and hydrocarbon production rates. Several acid stimulation operations were conducted including three cases in which a low-temperature well with carbonate damage needed repeated acidizing and two additional cases that involved wells with deep, hot, and clay-rich pay zones. Several fluid schedules were applied including foam diversion technique. The above approach uses a unique method of acid efficiency calibration using field experimental data. It requires good knowledge of reservoir rock mineralogy, porosity, and permeability profiles in the zones of interest. Pretreatment skin is calibrated using production data prior to acid efficiency calibration based on matching the actual treatment pressures. The pressure behavior observed during the following treatments closely matched the design pressures confirming applicability of the approach.

A New Method of Carbonate Matrix Stimulation Modelling and Optimisation Using Field Experimental Data for Acid Efficiency Calibration and Case Studies in Kazakhstan

Successful carbonate matrix acidizing treatments require addressing pay rock mineralogy, produced fluid flow profile, selection of the best stimulation fluids, and correct placement of these fluids. A unique method of acid and diverter fluid efficiency calibration using field experimental data for treatment modelling and optimization has been implemented successfully in several mid-temperature reservoirs, including giant oil fields in Kazakhstan. Application of the technique led to positive results. Matrix stimulation is selected as the primary method for raising production from many carbonate reservoirs in the region because of the reservoir features. Coreflood testing conducted with candidate acid systems for selection and optimization of treatment fluid formulations and design schedules did not always lead to the desired post-stimulation skin levels, zone coverage, and production results. Hence, large-scale calibration of the acid parameters to the actual reservoir conditions was attempted. Treatment modelling in an advanced matrix acidizing software considered calibration factors derived from field tests. Thereafter, the optimized designs were implemented in the same reservoirs to improve the incremental production. Whenever possible, coreflood testing was carried out as the first step to determine the pore-volume to breakthrough parameters for the candidate acid systems. As the second step, these laboratory-derived data were used for modelling of the offset well stimulation design. Third, the actual treatment downhole pressure was matched with the simulated pressure by means of acid efficiency calibration in the matrix stimulation software. These calibrated parameters were then used for simulation of the following treatments in the same formation in attempt to model the expected reservoir placement and zone coverage more accurately and realistically to maximize the treatment effect. Post-stimulation fluid flow profile surveys have validated the optimized models and applicability of the methodology for improving incremental well productivity in the subject reservoirs. The stimulation approach uses a unique technique of acid efficiency calibration using field experimental data. It requires good knowledge of reservoir lithology and permeability and porosity profiles in the target zones. The initial skin is calibrated using pretreatment production data. Thereafter, acid efficiency is calibrated based on matching the actual stimulation job pressures.

Efficiency calibration of high-purity germanium detector using Monte Carlo simulations including coincidence-summing corrections: volume source case

The gamma-ray spectrometry by the instrumentality of Ge detectors is used for the detection of low activity environmental samples of different geometry (soil samples, air filters with aerosols, milk powder, etc.). Such measurements require separate calibration of the detector. The high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer of GC2520 series was used for experiments. For the efficiency calibration, three cylindrical containers filled with different 60Co water solution levels were used, and the gamma-ray coincidence summing was modelled using MCNP6. The dimensions of the pure germanium crystal, provided by Canberra, were used for the simulations. The true coincidence summing takes place when two or more gamma quanta, which are emitted in a cascade from an excited nucleus, are detected within the resolving time of the detector. However, there is often a mismatch between the simulated and experimental efficiencies. The experimentally obtained and modelled spectra were compared: a good consistency of experimental and modelled results allows investigating the volume sources. During the simulation it was found that the factors affecting the accuracy of modelling are the thickness of the dead layer, crystal dimensions and the thickness of the Al detector cap. The analysis allows measuring the radionuclides activity concentration of samples placed in the containers with different filling heights having only standard shape calibration sources. The obtained accuracy is sufficient to fulfil criteria of 5–10% for such type of simulation to be applied for measurements of real samples in standard BURK-60 containers of various sample filling heights.