Proximity Sensing was recently proposed as way to simultaneously increase both range and resolution in cross-well EM tomography. The approach is applicable to reservoirs with resistive seals. Earlier reports were based on Finite Element Models (FEM) of layered structures, with dielectric and conductivity contrasts matching those of known reservoirs. Experimental work, now reported, is consistent with expectations based on FEM simulations. Synthetic layered structures have been investigated using a 1.3 GHz Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system. Scaled reservoir model was constructed in a one-meter tank comprising sand with filled with fluids of variable dielectric constant and conductivity. In this system, dry sand, brine-saturated sand and a polymer foam provide a useful mimic for the electrical properties expected for a carbonate reservoir sealed by anhydrite. Water saturated porous media served as model bounding layers in analogy to known geologic structures. Data were recorded in the time domain using EM transients. Observed trends in velocities and amplitude shifts were consistent with FEM models. Interestingly, polarization dependent signal transport first indicated by FEM modeling was supported by these experimental results. Results to date indicate that greatly increased EM propagation can be achieved through resistive geologic layers than directly through relatively conductive reservoir media. We confirm that these layers act as planar transmission lines and not as waveguides – meaning that there is no hard lower cutoff frequency and longer wavelengths can be used to sense and characterize reservoir fluids proximal to the dielectric channel. The results also confirm that variations in bounding layers modulate the amplitude and velocity of the signal in the dielectric channel and thereby demonstrate concept of Proximity Sensing. These results support a new technical direction for EM characterization of reservoirs, especially in conjunction with magnetic contrast agents, enabling efficient localization of by-passed oil and mapping remaining oil columns in mature reservoirs.
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