A TRACER METHOD TO ESTIMATE RATES OF METHANE GENERATION THROUGH AUGMENTATION OR BIOSTIMULATION OF THE SUB-SURFACE

摘要

A method for determining the flux of methane newly generated throughmanipulation of a sub-surfaceenviron-ment. The method comprises: (a) measuring a baseline isotope ratio (Rrm) in methane pre-existing in the reservoir; (b)manipulat-ing the reservoir to facilitate biogenic production of new methanein the reservoir; (c) injecting a substance labeled with theiso-tope into the reservoir; (d) measuring a flux (F m) and isotope ratio (Rpm) of methane from the reservoir; (e) measuring an isotoperatio (R pw) of a methane precursor in a liquid or vapor sample at one or moretime periods; and (f) calculating a flux (F nm) of thenew methane from the reservoir according to an isotope mass balance, such aswherein .alpha. = isotope fractionation factor betweenthe methane pre-cursor and the new methane.