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Detecting Restricted Diffusion Effect When Identifying Hydrocarbons With NMR Logs
Detecting Restricted Diffusion Effect When Identifying Hydrocarbons With NMR Logs
Detecting Restricted Diffusion Effect When Identifying Hydrocarbons With NMR Logs
Detecting Restricted Diffusion Effect when Identifying Hydrocarbons with NMR Logs
Bustos, Ulises Daniel and Ortiz, Alberto Cesar, Schlumberger; and Breda, Eduardo W., Repsol-YPF; Costa,
Vagner L.F., Petrobras
According to the D-T2 map, we can differentiate a signal Oil Example. In order to compare the NMR response from
A and a signal B. Since signal A is partially falling on bound native oil with the restricted diffusion effect observed
fluids domain, around 40% of signal A and 100% of signal B previously, a DE example in an oil-bearing interval is
would contribute to the movable fluids at this depth. Under presented.
normal conditions, signal A would be related to water, The NMR acquisition parameters were the same as
meanwhile signal B—with a diffusion coefficient smaller than presented in Table 1 for long T1 (ms) environments. The
that expected for water and clearly differentiated from signal corresponding D-T2 map is shown in Fig. 4. Since these
A—might be related to a 12-cp viscosity oil. However, the reservoirs are characterized by very low salinity formation
portion of signal A above T2 (ms) cutoff would not be enough water (around 4 g/L), a resistivity-based method would not
to deliver the amount of water produced during well help in fluids saturations. However, by using stations, it was
completion. Therefore, water production would have possible to recognize a clear oil signal at around 90 ms in the
contribution from signal B as well. In fact, this would be example. Well completion results were 1800 L/h of formation
consistent with the 100% water production and absence of oil oil with 8% water, according to the fluid typing prognosis.
(not even oil traces). It is important to notice that the oil is characterized by a
Further DE computations at 90 m deeper allow strong NMR signal at small diffusion coefficients, which gets
computation of flushed zone saturations of 91% of water and weaker towards higher diffusion coefficient values, from down
9% of 4-cp viscosity oil (oil signal falling around 280 ms). to up in the D-T2 map. Such observation is opposite to the
Well completion results in this reservoir were 1800 L/h oil of restricted diffusion behavior (NMR signal weaker from water
3.5-cp viscosity with 30% water. This reservoir, being quite line towards oil line) seen as a signal decay from up to down
similar to the previous example, produced in fact a 4-cp oil. in the map. According to the experience in these fields, such
This would indicate that the NMR signal falling on the oil line opposite behavior between what is interpreted as restricted
in D-T2(ms) map in Fig. 2 would not be consistent with the oil diffusion phenomena and effective oil in the formation has
produced in the vicinity. been often encountered when dealing with the DE technique in
Our explanation on this example is that water is due both volcaniclastic reservoirs and sandstones with high volcanic
to signals A and B. Signal B would be compatible with a water content.
signal with less diffusion than expected by the NMR model,
similar to the restricted-diffusion effect described by previous Examples from Brazil
authors.7, 8
The behavior observed in this example is very similar to Examples of restricted diffusion in clastics from wells in
that of numerous field examples with similar well completion Brazil are presented. The wells were drilled with WBM
results in this basin. through a series of clean arcosic sandstones with some
Fig. 3 shows a bimodal NMR signal, falling close to the subordinate contents of muscovite and plagioclase. The
water line in the D-T2 map. Both signals, A and B in the map, reservoirs are characterized by good porosities, ranging from
are showing tails towards smaller diffusion coefficients in 25 to 32 p.u.
proximity to the oil theoretical line. Even though the amount In these examples, hydrocarbons sampled with a wireline
of volume represented by both tails is relatively small (4.5 tester were mainly heavy oils with viscosities range from 91 to
p.u.) compared to the total NMR signal (24 p.u.), some 202 cp (measured in pressure-volume-temperature, or PVT,
bimodal computation related to oil could take place. samples) and generally low gas/oil ratio (GOR).
Furthermore, fluids computation from map was 82% water Due to the high oil properties variations on the field,
plus 18% of fluids coming from zones A and B. On Fig. 3, the station measurements were acquired to obtain oil viscosities
reservoir is also characterized by low clay-bound water and estimations in real time to assist in the hydrocarbon sampling
important volume of capillary bound fluids at the DE strategy.
measurement (blue arrow) depth. The acquisition parameters performed for both wells are
Well completion result was 1240 L/h of formation water summarized in Table 3. They were planned to cover a wide
with high viscosity oil traces. The amount of water produced range of oil viscosities.
would be consistent with the amount of saturation computed in
the station; however, 18% of fluids computed from A and B Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
would not find relation with the small amount of high 1 3 0.2 3000 1
2 3 2 300 1
viscosity oil traces obtained during completion. 3 3 4 200 1
The interpretation for this field example is that free water 4 3 6 100 10
above T2 (ms) cutoff = 33 ms is coherent with the produced 5 12 0.2 5000 1
water, and the heavy oil traces would come from signal A 6 1 0.2 300 1
located at short T2(ms). Since the scarce oil traces are not
enough to produce the 18% of the NMR signal observed in the Table 3: CPMG acquisition strategy in Brazilian examples.
map, such deficit could be explained on the basis of restricted
diffusion effect. Stations for Oil Zone. The processing results are showed in
In both field examples, the NMR signal begins close to the the D-T2 maps of Figs. 5 and 6 and belong to two stations
water lines and diffuses towards smaller diffusion coefficients, performed in different wells. The signal to noise ratio obtained
from up to down in the D-T2 map. for both stations are 19 and 31 for Figs. 5 and 6, respectively.
4 SPE 90089
In both D-T2 maps, it is possible to observe a trimodal It is important to highlight that, in both cases, the effect is
T2(ms) distribution composed by: being observed as an extension with the strongest amplitudes
located next to the water line decreasing progressively through
• Fast decay between 0.3 and 10 ms = > oil. the oil domain. This is similar to the behavior observed in the
• Medium T2(ms) peak around ~20/40 ms= > oil. examples from Argentina.
• Slow decay above 100 ms = > water.
Laboratory Analysis
Very slow decays always fit the water line and are interpreted Even though the presence of restricted diffusion effect would
as mud filtrate signal, whereas the signals between 0.3 and 40 add coherency in explaining the water production versus
ms are related to contributions from heavy oil and irreducible interpreted oil signal in D-T2 maps, it was necessary to
water. The following items support this interpretation: support this hypothesis with further solid arguments.
This led to NMR tests on rock samples on laboratory. The
• Short T2(ms) signals identified on D-T2 maps and rock samples were taken from outcrops in Argentina with
depths logs are absent on the water bearing interval. similar lithologies to the reservoirs in Comodoro Rivadavia.
• Volumes of irreducible water on the oil zone Laboratory measurements on these rocks consisted of DE
interpreted from other measurements such as pulse sequences and further processing on D-T2 maps. This
resistivity and nuclear porosity are small in was an effective way of achieving NMR measurements free of
comparison with the volumes measured by the oil, since the samples were saturated with water from known
stations and depth logs. salinity. The presence of native oil was completely discarded.
• Hydrocarbon sampling at those depths. Rock sampling in Brazil was not possible due to the
absence of onshore outcrops (the fields are located offshore).
In order to compute the oil viscosity, the logarithmic mean of
T2(ms) is measured over the selected oil signal limited from Outcrops examples from Neuquen, Argentina
medium to short T2(ms). Volumes of irreducible water—
computed from other measurements—are small and do not Volcaniclastic sandstones rocks were sampled in outcrops of
interfere on the calculus. Neuquen basin, Argentina. The samples were saturated with
For both examples, the oil viscosities computed from water of known salinity and measured in the laboratory with
NMR tools are consistent with the viscosities measured by DE pulse sequences, according to the acquisition designs
PVT analysis. This, indeed, support the fluids identification on presented in Tables 1 and 2, as follows.
the D-T2 maps (Figs. 5 and 6).
Lighter components of the oil still can be differentiated Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
from water by our method of diffusion contrast. This signal is 1 13 0.2 5000 1
2 3 4 900 1
observed as an amplitude falling on the oil line or at the base 3 3 8 900 1
of the map, decreasing the amplitude towards the up direction 4 3 0.2 3000 1
of the map. 5 1 0.2 1800 1
6 3 10 900 1
Table 4: DE pulse sequences in volcaniclastic sample A.
Stations for water zone. Two stations were performed on
water-bearing intervals. The processing results are presented Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
1 4 0.2 3000 1
on Figs. 7 and 8. Both stations were acquired with an excellent
2 1 2 1800 1
signal to noise ratio of 38 and 46, respectively. 3 1 4 1800 1
Fig. 7 shows a bimodal T2(ms) distribution with signal 4 1 8 1800 1
falling on the water line but with a clear signal extension into 5 1 10 1800 1
the oil domain at around 40 ms. This extension could be
interpreted as the signal of oil with viscosity of 23 cp. A 100% Table 5: DE pulse sequences in rock sandstone with volcanic
water sample acquired by the sampling tool (also confirmed participation sample B.
by pressure gradients and resistivity) indicated the apparent oil
signal would be in fact due to restricted diffusion. NMR acquisition parameters for rock sample A were DE for
In Fig. 8, a similar response of water falling on the water long T1 (ms) environments. A signal to noise ratio around 23
line with extension to the oil domain is observed in D-T2 was obtained, with a station time around 7 min to obtain this
mapping, but again water is sampled. relation. Meanwhile, in the rock sample B DE for short T1
In both cases, NMR depth logs and stations are (ms) environments was performed. Signal to noise ratio of 20
characterized by a low clay-bound water volume and medium was achieved, with a station time around 3 min to achieve the
capillary bound fluid fractions. adequate low noise signal.
It is also possible to observe the absence of NMR signal on The resulting D-T2 maps are shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig.
short T2(ms) decays where viscous oil was previously 9 shows that the free water signal (T2 (ms) cutoff = 12 ms,
interpreted on the hydrocarbon bearing interval. Therefore, the according to NMR laboratory measurements) is experiencing
portion of signal falling into the oil domain can only be restricted diffusion in medium T2(ms) environments (around
explained on the basis of restricted diffusion effect.
5 SPE 90089
40 ms), falling in areas close to medium to heavy oil Therefore, in the presence of restricted diffusion,
theoretical responses. permeabilities derived from NMR methods would be suitable
Fig. 10 shows an important signal of free fluid domain for calibration with further information.
around 300 ms, which falls in the vicinity of the oil line. In
this condition, partial hydrocarbon computation would take Conclusions
place. However, since the sample was saturated with water,
restricted diffusion phenomena are again taking place in this From the data in this study, we interpreted the presence of a
volcaniclastic sample. Note that some restricted diffusion in restricted diffusion effect taking place in sandstones with high
short T2(ms) areas (around 18 ms, bound fluid domain) is also feldspar content (arcosic) and high volcanic participation
being observed, according to the observations made by (volcaniclastics). The effect appeared in both short and long
previous papers. T2(ms) domains, and it generated shapes in the NMR signal
that could be mistaken for oil signals. A proper identification
Causes and consequences of restricted diffusion of this feature led to a correct computation of fluids in the
reservoirs.
The previous concepts would explain restricted-diffusion Field experiences from Argentina and Brazil allowed
effect as due to a high tortuosity in the reservoir.2 High recognition of both restricted diffusion and oil signals
tortuosity would effectively contribute to a “delay” in bulk according to characteristic shapes with opposite behavior more
relaxation compared to the NMR models.4 clearly seen in the diffusion axis in D-T2 maps. For practical
Therefore, pore throat behavior such as tortuosity for purposes, restricted diffusion signature can be described as a
certain lithologies (high volcanic content) under 100% water strong signal beginning close to the water lines with a tail
saturation conditions, could present restricted diffusion effect. towards smaller diffusion coefficients (from up to down in the
In addition, the behaviors observed in D-T2 maps compared to D-T2 maps); whereas oil signal is characterized by a strong
well completion results from field example presented in Fig. 3, signal at relatively small diffusion coefficients with tails
allow us to suspect that some restricted-diffusion phenomena towards the water line (from down to up in the D-T2 map).
could also take place at residual oil saturation. In water-wet These guidelines were very useful in the fluid identification,
reservoirs, water drive leaves residual oil in the rock because which was later confirmed by well completion results.
surface films breaks at restrictions in the pore channels. Oil The restricted diffusion effect detected in the examples
droplets might constitute small and isolated barriers in pore presented in this paper can be explained by the following:
channels (plugs) leading to a water whose molecules will fall -Lithology/mineralogy-related tortuosity complexity as shown
in restricted-diffusion. by the laboratory examples.
In a general approach, restricted diffusion phenomena -Clay/shales related tortuosity complexity in presence of high
detected with NMR principles would indicate a reservoir with bound fluid to free fluid ratio.
moderate to poor quality and less performance than expected -Residual oil saturation (oil droplets restricting/limiting the
in terms of production versus time. diffusion space of water).
Important advances in fluids identification (prognosis
Considerations about Permeability versus results), oil viscosity characterization, and reservoir
analysis have been achieved in the main fields in Argentina
High tortuosity described by the restricted diffusion (Golfo San Jorge and Neuquen basins) and Brazil using the
phenomena would be consistent with the high capillary- fluid typing methodology with D-T2 map stations.
bound-water contents (compared to clay-bound volumes)
observed in the previous examples. Permeability derived from ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NMR logs assumes a direct proportion between porosity and The authors thank the oil companies and Daniel Valencio for
permeability, either from T2(ms) distributions or the bound their support in releasing the well data examples and
fluids–free fluids relationship. Since the NMR signal related to Schlumberger for the permission to publish. Thanks to the
restricted diffusion is sometimes located on the free fluids important contributions from Jean Francois Mengual, Nick
domain, some impact on permeability estimation from NMR Heaton, and Chanh Cao Minh for their technical support and
methods would be expected. Some of the fluids stored in the review of this paper and to personnel in Neuquen, Argentina,
porosity related to restricted diffusion would not effectively for the strong support with the rock sample measurements.
contribute to permeability. Water molecules will be effectively
“moved” by NMR pulse sequences in a free-fluid area; References
however, in a production state, more pressure energy would be
required to move a given quantity of fluid through high 1. Hurliman, M. D. et al.: “Quantitative Measurement of
tortuous paths because of higher frictional losses. NMR signal Two-Dimensional Distribution Functions of Diffusion and
coming from a pore network with high tortuosity would Relaxation in Grossly Inhomogeneous Fields,” Journal of
alternatively fall in capillary-bound domains (wetted surfaces) Magnetic Resonance 157, 31-42, 2002.
and free fluid areas (with restricted diffusion and indicate less
2. Chanh, C.M. et al.: “Planning and Interpreting NMR Fluid
permeability than expected according to a linear
Characterization Logs”, SPE 84478, presented at the SPE
porosity/permeability relationship). Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition Oct. 5-8, Denver,
Colorado, U.S.A., 2003.
6 SPE 90089
Fig. 1: Left side is a 3D view of spin echoes measurements, represented as amplitudes versus diffusion (D) and
relaxation (T2(ms). The right side provides a 2D view of a D-T2 map. Theoretical responses of 100% water (blue line),
100% oil (green line), and 100% gas (red line) are drawn on the maps to further aid both fluids identification and reservoir
evaluation (taken from Chanh et al.2).
T2 cutoff= 33ms
Fig. 2: Field example 1 from Comodoro Rivadavia, Del Golfo basin. Processing of DE station log and D-T2 map
analysis allow to recognize two NMR signals, A and B. Well completion obtained 1800 L/h formation water (salinity
9.35 g/L) with absence of hydrocarbon and in agreement with the observed in D-T2 maps. See explanations in the text.
8 SPE 90089
B
A
T2 cutoff= 33ms
T2(ms)Dist (Water:cyan,Restric.Diff.: green)
Fig. 3: Field example 2 from Comodoro Rivadavia, Del Golfo basin. Resulting D-T2 maps allow the identification of
two NMR signals A and B, diffusing towards the oil theoretical lines. Well completion obtained 1240 L/h formation
water (salinity 4.2 g/L) with heavy oil traces. See explanations on text.
Fig. 4: Sandstone with high volcanic content, field example in oil bearing zone. Free fluids cutoff is 33 ms. Well
completion results were 1800 L/h with 8% water. The oil is consistent with the clear oil signal seen around 90 ms. Note
the signal is stronger in small diffusion coefficients and gets weaker towards bigger diffusion coefficients (from south to
north in the D-T2 map), opposite behavior than restricted diffusion phenomena in similar reservoirs.
9 SPE 90089
Blue:
water Fig 7: Sandstone on water bearing interval and
Green: restricted diffusion effect is interpreted.
Restricted No indication of residual heavy oil on short T2(ms)
diffusion as observed on hydrocarbon interval
Small internal gradients on the right water peak.
Note the highest amplitude of left peak fits the
water line decreasing gradually towards the oil
domain.
Blue: water
Green:
Restricted
diffusion
T2(ms)Dist
T2(ms) Dist
(Water:cyan,Restric.Diff.:
(Water: cyan, Restric.Diff.:
green)
green)
Restricted Diffusion
Fig. 9: Volcaniclastic rock sample A (ignimbrite) taken from outcrop. Free fluids cutoff is 12 ms. It is observed from
restricted diffusion above T2 (ms) cutoff, water signal falling partially in oil areas.
T2(ms)Dist (Water:cyan,Restric.Diff.:
T2(ms) Dist green)
(Water: cyan, Restric.Diff.: green)
Restricted Diffusion
Fig. 10: Sandstone with high volcanic content (tuff), sample taken from outcrop. Free fluids cutoff is 33 ms, determined
by NMR laboratory measurement. Even though the sample was saturated with water, and hydrocarbons are absent,
partial oil computation could take place due to restricted diffusion effect