This disclosure relates to methods for the evaluation of formations using magnetic resonance measurements.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of any kind.
Both water and hydrocarbons in earth formations produce detectable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals. It is desirable that the signals from water and hydrocarbons be separable so that hydrocarbon-bearing zones may be identified. However, it may not be easy to distinguish which signals are from water and which are from hydrocarbons. For example, while NMR logging is becoming increasingly important for formation evaluation in “unconventional” formations, particularly shale formations, current NMR techniques may not provide certain desired results. For example, T2 (e.g., spin-spin relaxation) time distributions may be used for predicting movable and effective porosity in shale formations by applying core-derived cutoffs. However, estimations based on a derived fluid saturation measure derived by partitioning the T2 distributions may not be as useful because a response of formation fluids (e.g., water, oil, gas and bitumen) may overlap in the T2 domain. Thus, the application of two-dimensional D-T2 derivations for estimation of fluid saturations may not be as accurate in shale reservoirs because of very fast T2 relaxation of fluids in the nanometer sized pores. It would be beneficial to improve certain NMR derivations.
A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be explicitly set forth below.
One or more embodiments of the disclosure relate to well-logging using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems. According to one aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a method is described for obtaining formation measurements. The method includes deriving a pulse sequence and magnetizing a formation by applying a static magnetic field, via a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system, to the formation. The method further includes applying the pulse sequence by: a) measuring a first spin echo train after waiting a first time period; b) measuring at least two spin echo trains subsequent to the first spin echo train, where the at least two spin echo trains include a wait time shorter than the first time period; and c) repeating b at least two times. The method additionally includes determining a T1 and a T2 (e.g., T1 and T2 distributions) based on inversions of the measuring the first spin echo train, the measuring the at least two spin echo trains, or a combination thereof, to determine a formation measurement.
In another example, a system includes a processor. The processor is configured to derive a pulse sequence, and to magnetize a formation by applying a static magnetic field to the formation. The processor is further configured to apply the pulse sequence by: a) measuring a first spin echo train after waiting a first time period; and b) measuring at least two spin echo trains subsequent to the first spin echo train, where the at least two spin echo trains include a wait time shorter than the first time period. The processor is further configured to determine at least one T1 and at least one T2 based on inversions of the measuring the first spin echo train, the measuring the at least two spin echo trains, or a combination thereof, to determine a formation measurement.
The system is more particularly configured to carry out one or more of the embodiments of the method as disclosed hereafter.
Moreover, a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium, comprising instructions is described. The instructions are configured to derive a pulse sequence and to magnetize a formation by applying a static magnetic field, via a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system, to the formation. The instructions are additionally configured to apply the pulse sequence by: a) measuring a first spin echo train after waiting a first time period, and b) measuring at least two spin echo trains subsequent to the first spin echo train, where the at least two spin echo trains include a wait time shorter than the first time period. The instructions are further configured to determine a T1 and a T2 based on inversions of the measuring the first spin echo train, the measuring the at least two spin echo trains, or a combination thereof, to determine a formation measurement.
Various refinements of the features noted above may be undertaken in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented above is intended to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter.
Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
The disclosed subject matter describes an improved nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pulse sequence suitable for downhole measurement of T1 and T2 distributions in unconventional formations such as shale formations. T1 data may include a spin-lattice relaxation time, for example, for a longitudinal (e.g., spin-lattice) recovery of a z component of nuclear spin magnetization due to NMR excitation. T2 data may include a spin-spin relaxation time, for example, for a transverse (e.g., spin-spin) relaxation of an XY component of nuclear spin magnetization due to the NMR excitation. The pulse sequence may be implemented on a variety of NMR systems described herein, including Combinable Magnetic Resonance (CMR) systems, with relatively minor firmware updates applying changes to executable code. In certain embodiments, T1/T2 ratios may be used to estimate fluid saturations in unconventional formations with improved accuracy. A basis of an improved estimation is a T1/T2 ratio contrast between hydrocarbons and water. The T1/T2 ratio of oil, for example, is found to be much higher than that for water. Accordingly, oil and water peaks are more clearly distinguishable between each other when T1, T2 are applied (e.g., T1/T2 ratio, T1T2 maps, and the like). “Short” T1 and/or T2 measurements may be used, which may result in enhanced accuracy and may increase observational detail, as described in more detail below. Likewise, an enhanced pulse sequence may be used, which may additionally improve faster data acquisition and accuracy.
Acquisition of NMR and other measurements according to one or more embodiments described herein may be accomplished using any suitable techniques for obtaining NMR measurements and other downhole measurements. For example, the measurements may be performed in a laboratory or in the field using a sample removed from an earth formation. Additionally or alternatively, the NMR and other measurements may be performed in a logging operation using any suitable downhole tool (e.g., a wireline tool, a logging-while-drilling and/or measurement-while-drilling tool, and/or a formation tester).
The NMR logging device 30 may be any suitable nuclear magnetic resonance logging device; it may be one for use in wireline logging applications, or one that can be used in logging-while-drilling (LWD) or measurement-while-drilling (MWD) applications. Additionally or alternatively, the NMR logging device 30 may be part of any formation tester known in the art, such as that sold under the trade name of MDT™ by Schlumberger Limited, of Houston, Tex. The NMR logging device 30 may include a permanent magnet or magnet array that produces a static magnetic field in the formation, and a radio frequency (RF) antenna to produce pulses of magnetic field in the formations and to receive resulting spin echoes from the formations.
The saturation recovery sequence proposed for NMR systems (e.g., CMR systems) comprises 6 sub-measurements with varying wait time 52, where a sub-measurement is defined as the CPMG echo train with unique sequence parameters. The first sub-measurement is acquired with the longest wait time in the sequence and shortest possible echo spacing (e.g., time between leading edge of a rectangle illustrated and leading edge of a subsequent rectangle), such as spacing 54, 56. The first sub-measurement generally may serve two purposes. First, a sub-measurement with long wait time may transmit the echoes acquired during the entire sequence. Second, long wait time may result in complete polarization and therefore may help in constraining the inversion. The saturation recovery sequence uses a magnetization that is saturated (i.e. destroyed) before the beginning of each sub measurement. If the measurement tool (e.g., NMR system of
The first sub-measurement may then be followed by, for example, 5 sub-measurements of varying wait times in increasing order. It should be noted, that the sub-measurements of varying wait times may be less or more than 5 sub-measurements, and may additionally be in decreasing order, or in a combination of increasing and decreasing order. The number of echoes 57, 58 acquired during each sub-measurement is increased proportionately with the wait time. Note that this may avoid crusher pulses for the subsequent sub-measurements because the measurement time for these echo trains is quite short and tool motion would have little effect.
In one CMR embodiment, example, there are at least three preferences that the enhanced pulse sequences described herein may fulfill. It is to be understood, that in other NMR system embodiments, pulse sequence may be used that include different properties, such as number of echoes, duty cycles, logging speed, and the like, suitable for applying the T1, T2 techniques described herein.
1. Number of Echoes:
One of the preferences for the firmware is that there be a minimum 4 ms time duration (excluding the wait time) between each echo train to load the parameters for the next echo train. Specifically, the following constraint may be met: (NECH−2)·TE>4 ms where NECH and TE are the number of echoes and echo spacing for the echo train. This constraint may determine the minimum number of echoes in each echo train.
2. Duty Cycle:
A transmitter duty cycle for an echo train is defined as the ratio of time during which a transmitter RF pulses are on to the total measurement time (including the wait time). One duty cycle for a measurement may be less than 5%.
3. Logging Speed
A measurement time for the T1/T2 pulse sequence 50 may be considerable longer compared to a T2-based logging. The measurement time thus may be optimized such that a reasonable logging speed (upwards of 240 ft./hr.) may be achieved.
It may be beneficial to show some example pulse train values, accordingly Table 1 shows example parameter ranges for the T1/T2 pulse sequence 50. The sequence 50 based on certain of the parameters of Table 1 fulfills the above-mentioned preferences. The number of echoes for each sub-measurement is chosen such that the requirement for minimum acquisition time of 4 ms is fulfilled. The average duty cycle of the sequence is 1.5%, which is lower than the desired limit of 5%. Finally, the sequence takes 5.7 sec to complete. Based on a 12-inch sampling rate, a logging speed of 300 ft./hr. could be achieved. The sequence 50, however, could accurately resolve T1 times shorter than 1 second (which is mostly the case in shale formations). If longer T1 relaxation times are to be measured, the pulse sequence 50 may be modified. It is to be noted that the ranges shown in Table 1 are examples only, and that the values calculated for number of echoes, duty cycle, and logging speed above may be different based on selecting a specific number or numbers.
Where WT is wait time, TE is the echo spacing, NECHO is the number of echoes, and NRPT is the number of repetitions. It is to be noted that Table 1 above is one example, and other parameters may be used, suitable for defining the pulse sequence 50 in view of the desired three preferences (e.g., number of echoes, duty cycle, and logging speed). To validate the feasibility of T1/T2 logging measurement with a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and/or combinable magnetic resonance (CMR) system and corresponding electronics, the T1/T2 pulse sequence may be programmed, for example in a CMR tool shown in
More specifically, the T1T2 map 70 of
Turning now to
The process 100 may apply the pulse sequence 50 (block 104) when analyzing a formation such as the formation 31. For example, the process 100 may execute the pulse sequence 50 to include multiple echo trains with varying wait times by applying a static magnetic field, via a NMR system, to the formation 31. For example, six sub-measurements may be derived, the first sub-measurement followed by 5 sub-measurements of varying wait times in increasing order. Once the pulse sequence 50 has been applied, T1 and T2 may be used to derive one or more measurements (block 106), such as volumetric formation characterization measurements. The measurements may include T1 and T2 derivations, which may then be used to create T1T2 maps 70, 80 that more accurately measure formations, including fluid saturations in shale formations.
It may be useful to describe derivations of the T1 and T2 measurements. Accordingly,
T1 may be defined based on curve 126 where
Accordingly, data processing may derive T2 and T1 based on acquired echoes. For example, embodiments of spin echo trains 150, 152, 154, 156 and correlative CPMG pulses (shown as horizontal bars adjacent to the echoes) depicted in
As shown in
In one example, the short T2 may include T2 having between 0.1 and 3 milliseconds or more. The enhanced T1/T2 derivation incorporating the short T2 may thus be able to more accurately measure a volume, for example, when compared to using longer T2's.
Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from “Systems and Methods for Formation Evaluation Using Magnetic Resonance Logging Measurements.” Features shown in individual embodiments referred to above may be used together in combinations other than those which have been shown and described specifically. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures. It is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of the any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the words ‘means for’ together with an associated function.
This application claims the benefit of related U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/036,617, filed on Aug. 12, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62036617 | Aug 2014 | US |