Directional Permeability Research Articles

Velocity anisotropy and attenuation of shale in under‐ and overpressured conditions

The seismic velocity and attenuation of fully saturated shales were measured for the first time under overpressured conditions, using the ultrasonic reflection technique. Shale cores from naturally overpressured horizons in the North Sea were tested in the laboratory, at confining and pore pressures relevant to in situ conditions.A single‐frequency tone‐burst pulse wave was used to determine the seismic wave velocities and quality factors of the shale samples, with errors less than 0.3% and 0.1 dB/cm, respectively, at a frequency of 0.75 MHz. Sample length changes with varying confining and pore pressure were measured and the pore pressure equilibration time was monitored for each sample.The anisotropy of the seismic attributes (Vp, Vs, Qp and Qs) was determined over a range of differential pressures from 5 to 60 MPa, with respect to the predominant foliation. The ultrasonic velocity data followed a transversely isotropic pattern depending on the direction of wave propagation with respect to the laminations. The Poisson's ratio was found to rise by 5% as the shale material progressed from a normally pressured to an overpressured state. The quality factor (Q) characteristics were interpreted in terms of pore geometry and connectivity as well as the directional permeability of the transversely isotropic shale material. The results were converted to bulk and shear loss modulus defects, and a positive bulk loss was observed for waves propagating perpendicular to the lamination plane even above differential pressures of 20 MPa. This indicates different levels of Biot‐flow and squirt‐flow attenuation mechanisms acting within the shale structure, depending on the wave propagation and vibration directions.

Fractured reservoir characterization using P-wave AVOA analysis of 3D OBC data

Fracture systems can provide significant hydrocarbon storage and directional permeability so in many reservoirs their identification and characterization can be exploited to improve production and increase economic potential. For example, such information can be used to optimize production from horizontal wells by guiding their drilling perpendicular to aligned fracturing, which will generally provide higher yields than wells drilled parallel to fractures. Additionally fracture characterization could help guide waterflood-assisted production and identify compartments with good flow properties. Identification of such fracture systems is possible in 1D using core samples and well logs but, to fully optimize production of fractured reservoirs, it is desirable to understand the 3D distribution of fractures including the mapping of “swarms.” These fractures are generally too small to be imaged using standard 3D seismic imaging techniques. However, they often occur in aligned sets and create anisotropy in seism...

Residual and Applied Stress Estimation From Directional Magnetic Permeability Measurements With MWM Sensors

Conformable eddy current sensors with grid methods can provide an effective means for applied stress measurements and for characterization of residual stresses in steel components. This paper describes conformable MWM® (meandering winding magnetometer) sensors and high-resolution scanning MWM-Arrays for directional magnetic permeability measurements over a wide range of frequencies with grid methods. MWMs and MWM-Arrays are used for fatigue monitoring, crack detection, characterization of process-affected layers, including coatings, detection of surface-connected and hidden degradation, and damage characterization, e.g., detection and imaging of grinding burns. Tests have shown that these sensors can also provide the capability for residual/applied stress measurements in ferromagnetic materials, e.g., in steels. Specific examples described here illustrate this capability to estimate stresses in steels and other ferromagnetic materials from MWM measured permeability. Results of directional MWM permeability measurements, including permeability mapping, are presented here for (a) a 4340 steel specimen subjected to a series of tensile load tests with an incrementally increasing maximum load, (b) a broken 4340 tensile test specimen, (c) a shot-peened 300M steel specimen subjected to bending load tests, and (d) a shot-peened and subsequently ground high-strength steel component. Quick and inexpensive stress measurements at a point or, in a scanning mode, over a selected area are now becoming possible without permanently mounting sensors, albeit MWM sensors can be readily mounted, if needed, as well.

Heat and Fluid Flow Within an Anisotropic Porous Medium

A numerical experiment at a pore scale using a full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations has been conducted to simulate laminar fluid flow and heat transfer through an anisotropic porous medium. A collection of square rods placed in an infinite two-dimensional space has been proposed as a numerical model of microscopic porous structure. The degree of anisotropy was varied by changing the transverse center-to-center distance with the longitudinal center-to-center distance being fixed. Extensive calculations were carried out for various sets of the macroscopic flow angle, Reynolds number and degree of anisotropy. The numerical results thus obtained were integrated over a space to determine the permeability tensor, Forchheimer tensor and directional interfacial heat transfer coefficient. It has been found that the principal axes of the permeability tensor (which controls the viscous drag in the low Reynolds number range) differ significantly from those of the Forchheimer tensor (which controls the form drag in the high Reynolds number range), The study also reveals that the variation of the directional interfacial heat transfer coefficient with respect to the macroscopic flow angle is analogous to that of the directional permeability. Simple subscale model equations for the permeability tensor, Forchheimer tensor and directional Nusselt number have been proposed for possible applications of VAT to investigate flow and heat transfer within complex heat and fluid flow equipment consisting of small scale elements.

A shear‐dilation‐based model for evaluation of hydraulically stimulated naturally fractured reservoirs

AbstractThe role of shear dilation as a mechanism of enhancing fluid flow permeability in naturally fractured reservoirs was mainly recognized in the context of hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal reservoir stimulation. Simplified models based on shear slippage only were developed and their applications to evaluate HDR geothermal reservoir stimulation were reported. Research attention is recently focused to adjust this stimulation mechanism for naturally fractured oil and gas reservoirs which reserve vast resources worldwide. This paper develops the overall framework and basic formulations of this stimulation model for oil and gas reservoirs. Major computational modules include: natural fracture simulation, response analysis of stimulated fractures, average permeability estimation for the stimulated reservoir and prediction of an average flow direction. Natural fractures are simulated stochastically by implementing ‘fractal dimension’ concept. Natural fracture propagation and shear displacements are formulated by following computationally efficient approximate approaches interrelating in situ stresses, natural fracture parameters and stimulation pressure developed by fluid injection inside fractures. The average permeability of the stimulated reservoir is formulated as a function of discretized gridblock permeabilities by applying cubic law of fluid flow. The average reservoir elongation, or the flow direction, is expressed as a function of reservoir aspect ratio induced by directional permeability contributions. The natural fracture simulation module is verified by comparing its results with observed microseismic clouds in actual naturally fractured reservoirs. Permeability enhancement and reservoir growth are characterized with respect to stimulation pressure, in situ stresses and natural fracture density applying the model to two example reservoirs. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparison of Furosemide and Vinblastine Secretion from Cell Lines Overexpressing Multidrug Resistance Protein (P-Glycoprotein) and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins (MRP1 and MRP2)

Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that the loop diuretic, furosemide, is actively secreted by Caco-2 cells and rat jejunal tissue. This active secretion could be the result of efflux transporters such as P-gp, MRP1 or MRP2 (cMOAT). To determine if any of these transporters is responsible for the secretion of furosemide, we compared directional permeability in the wild-type cell lines, MDCK strains I and II, and LLC-PK1, vs. cell lines that overexpress a single transporter, in both the presence and absence of various inhibitors, for furosemide as compared to vinblastine. Sulfinpyrazone significantly inhibited the transport of vinblastine in MRP2 expressing cells, but not the wild-type controls. Vinblastine could not be confirmed as a substrate of MRP1. We were also unable to demonstrate that any particular transporter affected furosemide in excess of the background effects of endogenous transporters in the parental cell lines. Furosemide secretion from these kidney-derived cell lines is probably not the primary result of any of the well characterized efflux transporters (P-gp, MRP1 or MRP2), although they may still play a role in the observed Caco-2 secretion. This equivocal result acknowledges the difficulty in trying to determine the effect of a single protein in a complicated expression system.

An Integrated Approach to the Determination of Permeability Tensors for Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

Abstract The use of permeability tensors is required when modelling fluid flow in anisotropic and heterogeneous reservoirs presenting multiple zones of directional permeability, or those categorized as naturally fractured reservoirs. A general procedure for characterizing complex reservoirs utilizing their permeability tensor is being developed by integrating data and methods from different disciplines. Permeability tensors for geologically defined fracture patterns are derived, and finally these small-scale descriptors are incorporated into a reservoir simulation program capable of handling full tensor permeabilities. The application and convenience of the method presented in this paper is illustrated with a field example from a naturally fractured reservoir. Introduction For many years, substantial research has been conducted in the areas of geosciences and engineering in order to characterize naturally fractured reservoirs. Numerous approaches have been presented to properly overcome this difficult task. Geoscientists have focused their research towards understanding the process of fracturing (rock mechanics), and the subsequent description of fracture characteristics such as density and orientation. Engineers, on the other hand, have focused their attention to the description of the fluid flow in the fracture systems, and in the development of accurate models (reservoir simulators) to reproduce the history, and predict the hydrocarbon production, for these complex systems. One of the first matrix-fracture models was presented by Warren and Root(1), who presented an idealized sugar cube model with two classes of porosity, a primary porosity that is intergranular, and a secondary porosity that is induced by fractures. Even though the sugar cube model has been widely accepted as the forerunner of the modern interpretation of dual-porosity systems, its limitations in describing the behaviour of some complex fractured reservoir systems have been observed. It is now well known that almost all fracture systems are much more complicated than the suggested model of three orthogonal sets of uniform fractures. One of the most important factors that has been identified as a necessary addition to improve the overall description of such complex reservoirs is the definition of a nine-component permeability tensor for the fracture system. This tensor is used to model fluid flow in complex reservoirs with multiple zones of directional permeability, where the orientation and magnitude of the principal permeabilities may vary between different zones in the reservoir. Snow(2, 3) studied the convenience of using mathematical equivalents of parallel plate openings to simulate fractures dispersed in orientation, distributed in aperture, and of arbitrary spacing. Models for fractured media which contained any number of planar conductors of any orientation and any fine aperture were presented. A key assumption was that all of the conduits have smooth parallel plane walls of indefinite extent (infinite fractures), and an rbitrary aperture. As a result, a permeability tensor could be obtained by superposition of contributions due to the fractures, and due to the permeable matrix. Long et al.(4, 5) addressed the more realistic scenario of finite or discrete fracture systems, where properties such as shape, orientation and location of the fractures in an impermeable matrix were considered to be random variables.

Spatial variability in petrophysical properties in Upper Maastrichtian chalk outcrops at Stevns Klint, Denmark

The spatial variability of porosity and permeability was determined for a section in the uppermost Maastrichtian chalk exposed in the Sigerslev quarry at Stevns Klint. The aims were threefold: (1) to quantify the spatial variability pattern and its link to geology by applying systematic variogram analysis procedure, (2) to detect potential cyclicity in the petrophysical properties in this pure and overtly homogeneous chalk, and (3) to compare the section with chalk reservoirs in the North Sea in order to asses to what extent this onshore sequence has a potential as an analogue of the offshore, more deeply buried chalk reservoirs. The interval is of comparable stratigraphic age to the uppermost reservoir zones in the Tor Formation of the North Sea chalk reservoirs. The variability and spatial correlation of porosity and permeability in both horizontal and vertical directions are interpreted in a geological context and show indications of small-scale heterogeneity at 15–25cm scale, but the clear cyclic layering described from other chalk deposits is not recognised at this locality. The investigated outcrop is not a close analogue to North Sea reservoir chalk, but some aspects are common including basic material properties, porosity/permeability trends and the variability pattern. The outcrop has a potential as analogue for some of the onshore subsurface chalk successions at shallow burial depth that form important aquifers.

Type curve interpretation of a cross‐hole pneumatic injection test in unsaturated fractured tuff

Cross‐hole pneumatic injection tests have been conducted in 16 vertical and inclined boreholes in unsaturated fractured tuffs at the Apache Leap Research Site (ALRS) near Superior, Arizona. Their purpose was to characterize the bulk pneumatic properties and connectivity of fractures at the site on scales ranging from meters to several tens of meters. We describe the design, conduct, and type curve interpretation of one of these tests. Our cross‐hole type curves are modified after Hsieh and Neuman [1985] to consider single‐phase airflow and extended to consider the effects of storage and skin in monitoring intervals. Cross‐hole type curves of pressure derivatives and recovery are included for improved pneumatic characterization of the site. We analyze recorded pressures in each monitoring interval separately from those in other intervals while treating the fractured rock as a uniform, isotropic porous continuum. Each record yields an equivalent directional air permeability and air‐filled porosity for fractures that connect the corresponding monitoring and injection intervals. Both parameters are found to vary considerably from one monitoring interval to another, reflecting the nonuniform nature of pneumatic rock properties at the ALRS. The geometric mean of these equivalent permeabilities is found to be larger by a factor of 50 than that obtained from single‐hole pneumatic injection tests on a nominal scale of 1–3 m (single‐hole tests yield only limited information about porosities, which therefore cannot be meaningfully compared with cross‐hole results). Our results find support in numerical inverse modeling of cross‐hole tests at the site by Vesselinov [2000; see also Illman et al., 1998; Vesselinov et al, 2000]. Vesselinov [2000] has further demonstrated [see also Chen et al., 2000] that a similar scale effect is exhibited by fracture porosity at the ALRS and that both scale effects disappear when cross‐hole tests at the site are interpreted by means of a numerical inverse model, which resolves heterogeneities down to a scale of 1 m. When considered jointly with these and other studies of the site, our analysis implies that the pneumatic pressure behavior of unsaturated fractured tuffs at the ALRS can be described quite accurately by means of linearized single‐phase airflow equations; this behavior can be interpreted by treating the rock as a continuum on scales ranging from meters to tens of meters: the continuum is representative primarily of interconnected fractures; as these fractures are filled primarily with air, their pneumatic permeabilities and porosities are close to the bulk intrinsic properties of fractures at the site: these intrinsic properties vary randomly with location and direction across the ALRS, and they depend strongly on the scale at which they are determined.

Effect of Block Size and Joint Geometry on Jointed Rock Hydraulics and REV

The effect of joint geometry parameters and the size of jointed rock block on the hydraulic properties of jointed rock, including the equivalent continuum behavior, was investigated through numerical experimentation. The chance to reach equivalent continuum behavior for a rock mass having a certain joint configuration increases with the increase of block size. The REV (representative elementary volume) size to show hydraulic equivalent continuum behavior for a jointed rock system was found to depend on the orientation of the joint sets; the REV size seems to decrease with increasing joint density and joint size. The REV does not seem to exist for some rock masses having joint systems with low relative orientation angles (systems with two joint sets) and low densities. The average block permeability (K0) value at the REV size for a joint system increases with increase in joint size and joint density. The equivalent continuum behavior of a joint system can be expressed with respect to a cut-off value for the first invariant of fracture tensor (F0). The block size corresponding to the aforementioned cut-off F0 (between 10 and 30 for the joint systems investigated in this study) can be considered to provide the REV size for a given joint configuration. A threshold value for F0 (a joint network having two perpendicular joint sets produced 2.75) can be used to find the chance for a given joint network to have nonzero block permeability. A strong power functional relation seems to exist between the directional permeability and the fracture tensor component for the connected joint configuration when rock blocks contain minor discontinuities.

Freckle formation and freckle criterion in superalloy castings

The evaluation of a numerical criterion to provide quantitative insight on freckling conditions is critical to the successful manufacture of large superalloy castings. Of the criteria reported in the literature, those based on the Rayleigh number seem best suited to predict the onset of freckle formation. However, in their current form, these criteria cannot explain why freckles develop predominantly at the surface of single crystal (SX) castings and at midradius in VAR/ESR ingots. An experimental Bridgman-type furnace has been built to directionally solidify freckle-prone superalloys, CMSX-11B, RENE88, NIM80A, WASPALOY, MAR-M247, and a variation of IN718 with high silicon content, at various angles to the vertical. Under typical industrial solidification conditions (thermal gradient between 500 and 4000 K m−1 (5<G<40 °C cm−1) and solidification rate between 1.67×10−5 and 1.0×10−4 m s−1 (1<R<6mm min−1)), the results indicate a dependency of freckling on growth front angle likely related to the anisotropy in permeability. A modified Rayleigh criterion has been developed which accounts for directional permeability and orientation of the growth front relative to the gravity vector. Application to the experimental data shows good correlation with the onset of freckling for the range of solidification conditions examined in the study. The approximate threshold value for the modified Rayleigh number was estimated to be for CMSX-11B, 0.88, for RENE88, 0.90, for NIM80A, 0.85, for WASPALOY, 0.95, for MAR-M247, 0.86, and for IN718-Si, 0.65.

Directional Permeability in Homogeneous Nonwoven Structures Part I: The Relationship between Directional Permeability and Fibre Orientation

A new general model of the directional permeability in homogeneous, anisotropic nonwoven structures is presented. It is based on drag-force theory and D'Arcy's Law. Structural parameters in the fabric are considered, including fibre diameter, porosity, and the fibre-orientation distribution. The governing equations of the local permeability in two- and three-dimensional structures are derived, which allow the permeability in any direction in the fabric to be calculated. It is demonstrated that fibre orientation is a major factor influencing the anisotropy of permeability.

Directional Permeability in Homogeneous Nonwoven Structures Part II: Permeability in Idealised Structures

The application of a newly derived model of directional permeability, presented in Part I of this series of papers, is described for a range of specific fibre-orientation profiles. A consideration of the permeability results predicted by both the new model and existing theoretical and empirical models indicates that it is of practical use and is generally applicable to fibrous media of either low or high porosity.

Influence of passive permeability on apparent P-glycoprotein kinetics.

The objectives of this work were to evaluate the importance of moderate passive permeability on apparent P-glycoprotein (P-gp) kinetics, and demonstrate that inspection of basolateral to apical and apical to basolateral (BL-AP/AP-BL) permeability ratios may result in a compound being overlooked as a P-gp substrate and inhibitor of another drug's transport via P-gp inhibition. The permeability ratios of nicardipine, vinblastine, cimetidine, and ranitidine were determined across Caco-2 monolayers that express P-gp, in the presence and absence of the specific P-gp inhibitor, GF120918. In addition, the permeability ratio of vinblastine was studied after pretreatment of Caco-2 monolayers with nicardipine, ranitidine, or cimetidine. Similar studies were repeated with hMDRI-MDCK monolayers. The permeability ratios for cimetidine and vinblastine were >2. The permeability ratios for nicardipine and ranitidine were close to unity, and were not affected by the addition of GF120918. Based solely on ratios, only compounds with moderate transcellular permeability (vinblastine and cimetidine) would be identified as P-gp substrates. Although the permeability ratios appeared to be unity for nicardipine and ranitidine, both compounds affected the permeability of vinblastine, and were identified as substrates and inhibitors of P-gp. Studies performed in hMDR1-MDCK cells confirmed these experimental results. Data were explained in the context of a kinetic model, where passive permeability and P-gp efflux contribute to overall drug transport. Moderate passive permeability was necessary for P-gp to reduce the AP-BL drug permeability. Inspection of the permeability ratio after directional transport studies did not effectively identify P-gp substrates that affected the P-gp kinetics of vinblastine. Because of the role of passive permeability, drug interaction studies with known P-gp substrates, rather than directional permeability studies, are needed to elucidate a more complete understanding of P-gp kinetics.

ABSTRACT: Fluid Flow in Fault Zones: Reservoir Simulation Study of High Directional Permeability, Little Sand Draw Field, Big Horn Basin, WY

ABSTRACT: Fluid Flow in Fault Zones: Reservoir Simulation Study of High Directional Permeability, Little Sand Draw Field, Big Horn Basin, WY

Fluid involvement in normal faulting

Evidence of fluid interaction with normal faults comes from their varied role as flow barriers or conduits in hydrocarbon basins and as hosting structures for hydrothermal mineralisation, and from fault-rock assemblages in exhumed footwalls of steep active normal faults and metamorphic core complexes. These last suggest involvement of predominantly aqueous fluids over a broad depth range, with implications for fault shear resistance and the mechanics of normal fault reactivation. A general downwards progression in fault rock assemblages (high-level breccia-gouge (often clay-rich) → cataclasites → phyllonites → mylonite → mylonitic gneiss with the onset of greenschist phyllonites occurring near the base of the seismogenic crust) is inferred for normal fault zones developed in quartzo-feldspathic continental crust. Fluid inclusion studies in hydrothermal veining from some footwall assemblages suggest a transition from hydrostatic to suprahydrostatic fluid pressures over the depth range 3–5 km, with some evidence for near-lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure cycling towards the base of the seismogenic zone in the phyllonitic assemblages. Development of fault-fracture meshes through mixed-mode brittle failure in rock-masses with strong competence layering is promoted by low effective stress in the absence of thoroughgoing cohesionless faults that are favourably oriented for reactivation. Meshes may develop around normal faults in the near-surface under hydrostatic fluid pressures to depths determined by rock tensile strength, and at greater depths in overpressured portions of normal fault zones and at stress heterogeneities, especially dilational jogs. Overpressures localised within developing normal fault zones also determine the extent to which they may reutilise existing discontinuities (for example, low-angle thrust faults). Brittle failure mode plots demonstrate that reactivation of existing low-angle faults under vertical σ 1 trajectories is only likely if fluid overpressures are localised within the fault zone and the surrounding rock retains significant tensile strength. Migrating pore fluids interact both statically and dynamically with normal faults. Static effects include consideration of the relative permeability of the faults with respect to the country rock, and juxtaposition effects which determine whether a fault is transmissive to flow or acts as an impermeable barrier. Strong directional permeability is expected in the subhorizontal σ 2 direction parallel to intersections between minor faults, extension fractures, and stylolites. Three dynamic mechanisms tied to the seismic stress cycle may contribute to fluid redistribution: (i) cycling of mean stress coupled to shear stress, sometimes leading to postfailure expulsion of fluid from vertical fractures; (ii) suction pump action at dilational fault jogs; and, (iii) fault-valve action when a normal fault transects a seal capping either uniformly overpressured crust or overpressures localised to the immediate vicinity of the fault zone at depth. The combination of σ 2 directional permeability with fluid redistribution from mean stress cycling may lead to hydraulic communication along strike, contributing to the protracted earthquake sequences that characterise normal fault systems.

Relations between Fracture Tensor Parameters and Jointed Rock Hydraulics

The fracture tensor is a combined measure of joint geometry parameters. The possible relations between the properties of the fracture tensor and the hydraulic properties of jointed rock including the equivalent continuum behavior are investigated in this paper through numerical experiments performed at the two-dimensional level incorporating joint networks with two joint sets. The possibility of a nonzero average block permeability and the equivalent continuum behavior of a joint system can be expressed with the help of the first invariant of fracture tensor (\iF\d0). A threshold value of \iF\d0 (to achieve nonzero block permeability) between 3 and 6 and a cutoff value of \iF\d0 (to achieve equivalent continuum behavior) between 10 and 30 were obtained for the joint geometry configurations studied in the investigation. Both the threshold value and the cutoff value of \iF\d0 were found to depend on the relative orientation of joint sets. Joint systems with low relative orientation angles (for systems with only two joint sets) and low densities do not show hydraulically equivalent continuum behavior. A nonlinear relation seems to exist between the directional permeability and the fracture tensor component for the connected joint configuration when rock blocks contain only minor discontinuities. For rock blocks containing major discontinuities, this relation becomes linear.

Probabilistic analysis of consolidation with prefabricated vertical drains for soil improvement

Prefabricated vertical drains are often used to accelerate the consolidation and to gain strength in soft clayey soils. The consolidation process depends on several uncertain parameters including the coefficients of consolidation and coefficients of permeability in vertical and horizontal directions and the discharge capacity of the vertical drains. A sensitivity analysis of the degree of consolidation to these uncertain parameters is presented for clayey deposits. Results of the analysis suggest that the most important uncertain parameter that affects the consolidation process is the horizontal coefficient of consolidation. The implication of this uncertain parameter in the design of prefabricated vertical drains for soil improvement is discussed. Two approaches are proposed for selecting drain spacing employing a design value of the horizontal coefficient of consolidation. One of the approaches is probability based and the other is minimum expected cost based.Key words: consolidation, prefabricated vertical drains, drain spacing, probability, expected cost, optimal design.

Characterization of the regional intestinal kinetics of drug efflux in rat and human intestine and in Caco-2 cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the transport kinetics of intestinal secretory processes in the jejunum, ileum and colon of rats and humans and in Caco-2 cells, in vitro. Etoposide, vinblastine sulphate and verapamil hydrochloride were chosen as model substrates since they have been reported to undergo efflux in various other tissues. The concentration dependence, inhibition, directionality, temperature dependence, proton/sodium dependence, and ATP dependence of efflux were studied using side-by-side diffusion chambers and brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs). Intestinal tissue from rats and humans and Caco-2 cells (passage no. 26) were used. Directional steady state effective permeabilities were calculated from drug appearance in the apical (AP) or basolateral (BL) chambers. Kinetic studies were carried out by investigating substrate efflux at concentrations ranging from 0.2 microns to 1000 microns. Since substrate efflux may be a result of more than one transporter, the hybrid efflux Km (Michaelis-constant), Pc (carrier-mediated permeability), and Pm (passive permeability) were determined as a function of intestinal region. Inhibitor studies were performed using quinidine (0.2mM), a mixed inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein (MRP), and Leukotriene C4 (100 nM), an inhibitor of MRP and the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT). Temperature dependent efflux was determined by investigating the BL to AP transport at temperatures ranging from 3 degrees C to 37 degrees C. Energies of activation (Ea) were determined from an Arrhenius analysis. Sodium, proton, and ATP dependence were determined using BBMVs. Immunoquantitation of Pgp, MRP and Lung Resistance Protein (LRP) in Caco-2 cells were carried out using Western blot analysis. Active efflux of all substrates was observed in all regions of rat and human intestine and in Caco-2 cells. Directionality was observed with BL to AP transport exceeding AP to BL transport. The BL to AP/AP to BL permeability ratio, the efflux ratio, ranged from 1.4 to 19.8. Ileal efflux was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in other regions. Kinetic studies revealed that hybrid efflux Km values ranged from 4 to 350 microns. In some cases, efflux was not saturable due to the solubility limits of the compounds utilized in this study. In presence of inhibitors, efflux ratios approached 1. BL to AP transport was temperature dependent in rat ileum for all substrates. Each of the intestinal efflux was found to be 11.6, 8.3, and 15.8 kcal/mole for etoposide, vinblastine and verapamil, respectively, suggesting an active, energy-dependent efflux mechanism. Substrate efflux was not sodium or proton dependent but was dependent on ATP. Using Western blot analysis the presence of Pgp, MRP, and LRP was demonstrated in Caco-2 cells and the amount of each transport protein varied as a function of passage number. Using multiple putative efflux substrates, the current results demonstrate that intestinal efflux was regionally dependent, mediated by multiple efflux transporters, the Km's were in the micro-molar range, and involved an energy dependent mechanism(s).

Design Criteria And Selection of Downhole Tools For Conducting Interference Tests In Horizontal Wells

Abstract Since horizontal drilling practices have become well established, operators are focusing on improving completion techniques as well as formation evaluation methods. Interference pressure testing is one method of formation evaluation that is a major step in understanding the fluid flow behaviour of horizontal wells. The measurement of transient pressure data during interference testing of horizontal wells presents specific design considerations that do not arise in the vertical wells. Multiple interference tests provide valuable information about reservoir characteristics such as areal average transmissibility, storage, and degree of communication between wells. The key to achieving a successful interference test is to take care of the horizontal wellbore from the beginning. This includes the design and selection of downhole tools as well as the development of planning and operational stages on a well-by-well basis. This is because no two horizontal wells are alike. This paper presents design criteria and selection of downhole tools, and planning and operational steps for conducting interference tests along the horizontal portion of the well. The paper also discusses some of the factors that must be considered before embarking on the job. Factors that must be considered include well geometry (lateral length), flow regimes, test duration, type of completion, and wellbore hardware. An example of simulated interference test design calculations in a horizontal well is given. The judicious design and utilization of downhole equipment will result in successful and meaningful interference pressure test data. Introduction As horizontal well technology continues to gain ground, the next major area of concern becomes that of obtaining meaningful transient pressure test data. One type of data is that for interference pressure tests. The term "interference test" is used to describe the test whereby a detectable pressure drop is measured at a point (in the same or adjacent well) because of production or injection at another point(l), that is, the test involves more than one point or well in the same reservoir. Generally, an active well is produced while the bottom hole pressure at a shut-in observation well is measured for several hours or days depending on the anticipated reservoir properties and well spacing. The measured pressure history is then analysed to estimate the interwell formation permeability and porosity. In the case of a horizontal well, the interference test will involve the production of one section of the horizontal part of the well while the bottom-hole shut-in pressure is measured on another part of the hole that is not contributing to flow. This technique can be used to detect pressure drops at various points along the horizontal part of the well. The primary objective of an interference test is to establish the fact that two points in the reservoir are hydraulically connected. Thus, information on areal average transmissibility, storage, formation flow capacity (kh), isotropy and directional permeability and degree of communication between wells may be obtained after conclusively establishing that communication exists. The estimates from an interference test represent information over the horizontal part of the well.