NMR Logging Tool

nmr
Page 1 of 8
Wesley Emery: Crocker Data Processing. May 2001
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE TRAINING

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 HISTORY
2.0 APPLICATION
3.0 THEORY OF MEASUREMENT
3.1 Operation
3.2 Depth of Investigation and Vertical Resolution
4.0 CALIBRATION
5.0 LIMITATIONS AND PRESENTATION
5.1 Limitations
5.2 Presentation
6.0 TOOL COMBINATIONS
6.1 Associated Mnemonics
6.2 Typical Log Readings
7.0 LQC, CORRECTIONS AND INTERPRETATION
7.1 Log Quality Control
7.2 Corrections
7.3 Interpretation
8.0 ADDITIONAL READING
1.0 HISTORY
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technology originated in the medical field and is still used as a major diagnostic tool today.
The technology was applied to the oil industry in the early 1990's.
2.0 APPLICATION
The NMR measurement is able to measure the fluid volume in the formation, the types of fluids and the size of the pores space containing
these fluids.
Volume of clay bound fluids, irreducible fluids and free fluids being water, oil and gas can be determined.
Formation permeability and hydrocarbon density can be determined.
Conventional logging tools measure the entire formation and are more sensitive to the larger volume matrix material rather than the
formation fluids. NMR technology only sees the formation fluid and therefore provides a formation porosity independent of formation rock
type.
3.0 THEORY OF MEASUREMENT
3.1 Operation
Figure 1: Schematic of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Tool

The NMR tool uses a large permanent magnet which magnetises the formation for a predetermined period of time. Different transmission
frequencies can be used to measure at different depths of investigation as represented by the regular spaced cylinders around the tool.
Oil based muds provide a better tool response than water based muds.
http://www.petrolog.net/webhelp/Logging_Tools/tool_nmr/nmr.html
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 2 of 8
Figure 2: Borehole mud invasion profile
Figure 3: Vector representation of Polarisation and burst frequency

Figure 3 shows the vector representation the magnetic polarisation of magnitude Mo. Polarisation is applied for a time TW. The fluid
particles (or more specifically the hydrogen atoms or protons) are then exposed to regular bursts of radio-frequency energy (transverse
magnetic pulses of frequency fo) transmitted into the formation in the form of an alternating magnetic field. The transverse magnetic
pulses are applied at 180deg intervals.
Figure 4: Spin Echo Train

After each successive transverse pulse of period TE, the decrease in magnitude is measured. The decay of the spin echo magnitude over
the period of the pulse train is given by: Mx(t) = Mox e^(-t/T2)
where Mox is the initial magnitude of the transverse magnetisation and Mx(t) after time t. T2 is the transverse relaxation time constant and
is representative of the magnitude of the transverse magnetic decay.
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 3 of 8
Figure 5: Polarisation and pulse sequence

After a period of decay time equaling several times the T2 value, the measured magnitude is essential zero. Further transverse pulsing
will not be possible. Polarisation and pulsing must start again. The photons are therefore polarised again for a period TW (approx. 68msec) and pulsed at a period of TE (approx. 1.2msec)
3.2 Depth of Investigation and Vertical Resolution
Depth of Investigation
Vertical Resolution
MRIL (Halliburton)
14-16 inches (less hole radius)
approx. 5ft but dependent upon sampling rate and logging speed
CMR (Schlumberger)
0.5-1.25 inches
approx. 6 inches but dependent upon sampling rate and logging speed
3.3 Specifications
Figure 6: Schlumberger CMR tool

Magnet length = 2ft, tool is eccenterred. Pulsing rate = 0.2msec.
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 4 of 8
Figure 7: Halliburton MRIL tool

Magnet length = 7ft, tool is centralised. Pulsing rate = 0.6 and 1.2 msec but up to 9 readings simultaneously.
Halliburton MRIL
Schlumberger CMR
Pros
Cons
More reliable in rugose hole

Thin bed analysis
Poor vertical resolution

Affected by bad hole
4.0 CALIBRATION
The NMR tool requires a monthly calibration using a calibration tank. Before and after survey calibration checks are also
required.
5.0 LIMITATIONS AND PRESENTATION
5.1 Limitations
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance tools where initially used to measure bound fluid volumes. The T2 decay times for clay bound fluids is in the
vicinity of 3msec and 10msec for capillary bound fluids. This requires a very small polarisation time. Logging speeds therefore are not
restricted. Free fluids however have a far greater T2 decay time and require a far greater polarisation time. This restricts the logging
speed considerably to less than 10ft/min. Stationary readings are often required over very porous, large porosity zones.
The Halliburton MRIL tool has a larger permanent magnet than Schlumberger's CMR allowing it polarise formation fluids faster. The
larger magnet however is approximately 7 feet in length compared to the CMR at approximately 2feet. The CMR therefore has a superior
vertical resolution. The MRIL is a centred tool and the depth of investigation is reduced as the hole size increases. The CMR is an
eccenterred tool and is not as badly affected by hole size.
5.2 Presentation
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 5 of 8
Figure 8: Typical NMR presentation

Track 1: Various T2 bin cut-offs representing pore sizes. Bin 1(black) is the smallest pore size up to Bin 6(green) the largest pore size.
Track 2: Depth
Track 3: Various fluid volumes. TFV - total fluid volume, BFV - bound fluid volume.
Track 4: Permeability calculations and T2 averages. KCMR - perm from CMR, PKEN - perm from PETROLOG, T2LM - Logarithmic of
T2, T2AV - Average T2
Track 5: T2 wave train trace amplitude representation.
Track 5: Colour image representation of T2 wave train
6.0 TOOL COMBINATIONS
6.1 Associated Mnemonics
MCBW - Bound water volume
MBVI - Irreducible bound fluids
MBVM - Free fluid index
MPHI - Effective porosity
MSIG - Total porosity
TFV - Total fluid volume
BFV - Bound fluid volume.
KCMR - Permeability from CMR
PKEN - Permeability from PETROLOG
T2LM - Logarithmic mean of T2 wave train
T2AV - Average of T2 wave train
TW - Wait time
TE - Inter echo spacing
6.2 Typical Log Readings

TW=6-8msec
TE = 1.2msec
Clay bound fluids = 3msec cutoff approximately
Capillary bound fluids = 10msec cutoff approximately
Small pore space = 30msec cutoff approximately
Medium pore space = 100msec cutoff approximately
Large pore space = 3000msec cutoff approximately
Free water = 1-500msec
Free gas = 30-60msec
Free oil = 300-1,000msec
7.0 LQC, CORRECTIONS AND INTERPRETATION

7.1 Log Quality Control
Logging speed is critical to the correct operation of the NMR tool. Depending upon the tool gain and the TW wait times being used, the
logging speed and vertical resolution are determined. Curves can be displayed in real-time on the logging run, showing signal to noise
ratios and ringing. The MRIL tool has a log called the CHI that is a measure of the quality of the calculated T2 decay curves determined
from the echo decay amplitudes.
Short polarisation times (TW) will underestimate porosity. If the TW is increased and porosity increases then the tool should operate at
this new TW. The correct TW is critical since hydrocarbon bearings zones are usually where porosity is underestimated.
Other checks are: NMR Effective porosity < NMR Total porosity
Clean water filled formation MPHI = Cross plot porosity
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 6 of 8
7.2 Corrections
No environmental corrections are applied to the NMR tool.
7.3 Interpretation
Figure 9: High and low permeability echo times

Each pore size has different decay times and a specific T2 time constant. High permeability large pores have slow echo times and high
T2 values. Low permeability small pores have fast echo times and low T2 values.
Figure 10: The T2 relaxation time

Figure 10 show the conversion from multiple pore sizes in the echo decay time plot to the T2 distribution plot.
Figure 11: Echo times depends upon permeability

Although porosities are the same, pore size is different and therefore echo decay times are different and permeability significantly
different The T2 value is proportional to the surface to volume ratio of the pore space which is a measure of the size of the pore space.
Low T2 values occur in low permeability formations and high T2 values occur in high permeability formations.
7.3.1 Permeability from NMR
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 7 of 8
Figure 12: Bound Fluids and Free Fluids on the T2 spectrum

Kenyon permeability:
k = aPHI^4(T2,log)^2
where a = 4mD/(ms)^2 for sandstone
a = 4mD/(ms)^2 for carbonates
PHI = porosity
T2,log = the logarithmic mean T2 in msec
Timur/Coates permeability:
k = a'PHI^4(FFI/BFV)^2
where a' = 1000mD for sandstone
PHI = porosity
FFI = Moveable fluid volume
BFV = Bound fluid volume
7.3.2 Water saturation from NMR
Figure 13: T2 representation of various fluid types

By selecting different T2 cut-offs, the various bins can be applied to clay bound water (MCBW), capillary bound water (MBVI),
free movable water, light oil, heavy oil and gas (MBVM).
Bound Water Saturation:
Swb = (MCBW+MBVI)
(MCBW+MBVI+MBVM)
10/5/2011
nmr
Page 8 of 8
Hydrocarbon Saturation:
Shc = (Vol. oil and gas)
(MCBW+MBVI+MBVM)
The bottom part of Figure 13 shows how a long wait time TW will increase the volume of oil and gas determined from the NMR.
Also a long TE will move the free water volume to the left.
The correct TW and TE values are clearly critical to distinguishing the different fluids in the formation. Zones of interest should
have multiple passes to confidently establish what values should be used.
Caution: The volume of hydrocarbon using the above mentioned method is highly dependant on the residual hydrocarbon.
Since the tool measures in the invaded zone, this method is less effective where Swirr is high and hydrocarbons have been
flushed out.
8.0 ADDITIONAL READING
General Literature:
Formation evaluation chart books.
Open hole Log Analysis texts.
Formation Evaluation texts.
10/5/2011

NMR Logging Tool

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NMR Logging Tool

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

NMR Logging Tool

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

nmr

Wesley Emery: Crocker Data Processing. May 2001

NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE TRAINING

Figure 1: Schematic of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Tool

Figure 2: Borehole mud invasion profile

Figure 3: Vector representation of Polarisation and burst frequency

Figure 4: Spin Echo Train

Figure 5: Polarisation and pulse sequence

14-16 inches (less hole radius)

Figure 6: Schlumberger CMR tool

Figure 7: Halliburton MRIL tool

More reliable in rugose hole

Poor vertical resolution

Figure 8: Typical NMR presentation

6.2 Typical Log Readings

7.0 LQC, CORRECTIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Figure 9: High and low permeability echo times

Figure 10: The T2 relaxation time

Figure 11: Echo times depends upon permeability

Figure 12: Bound Fluids and Free Fluids on the T2 spectrum

Figure 13: T2 representation of various fluid types

You might also like