Methods using advanced NMR analysis for core samples

US11131640B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Hubert E. King · Flemington, US
• Pavel Kortunov · Flemington, US
• Harry W. Deckman · Clinton, US
• Shreerang S. CHHATRE · Diemelstraße, US
• Hemantkumar R. Sahoo · Spring, US
• Antonio S. Buono · Spring, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 19, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 28, 2021
• Expiry date: Mar 26, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A90/30
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for determining a core sample property selected from the group consisting of a recoverable oil volume, an irreducible hydrocarbon volume, a recoverable water volume, an irreducible water volume, and any combination thereof can include: determining a porosity of a core sample, wherein the core sample has a permeability of 100 milliDarcy (mD) or less; saturating the core sample with a NMR saturation fluid; taking a first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement of fluids in the core sample; hydraulically exchanging a hydrophobic fluid or a hydrophilic fluid in the core sample in a hydrophilic NMR exchange fluid or a hydrophobic NMR exchange fluid, respectively; taking a second NMR measurement of the fluids in the core sample after hydraulic exchange; and deriving the property of the core sample based on the porosity, a NMR signal to fluid volume calibration, and a comparison between the first and second NMR measurements.