System and method for geologically-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging logs
US6255819A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R33/4625
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An interpretation method and system for NMR echo-train data in thinly laminated sequences. The invention uses geological information obtained at higher vertical resolution, such as using Electric Micro Imaging, to enhance the vertical resolution of echo-train data, and thus avoids log interpretations in which the hydrocarbon potential of the formation can be misread because low resolution logs tend to provide an average description of the formation. Such averaging is especially problematic in thinly laminated sequences that consist of highly permeable and porous sand layers and less permeable silt or essentially impermeable shale layers. In a preferred embodiment, using the additional high-resolution formation information one can estimate the typical T.sub.2 -spectra of lithological laminae, and significantly enhance the permeability estimate in the laminated sequences. The method and system are applicable to any temporal data from other logging tools, such as the thermal neutron decay log and others. The system and method enable proper evaluation of the high potential of thinly laminated formations, which may otherwise be overlooked as low permeable formations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.