Application of Magnetic Resonance Mud Logging for Rapid Reservoir Evaluation

Gang Yu¹, Zhizhan Wang², Konstantin Mirotchnik³, and Lifa Li2^3
1 KMS Technologies, Houston, TX
² Northwest University, Xián, China
³ NMR Plus, Inc, Calgary, AB

The new NMR-based Magnetic Resonance for Mud Logging (MR-ML) technology can evaluate reservoir rock and fluid properties, as well as reservoir parameters in real time while drilling and in the laboratory. The instrument uses modern electronics to overcome the signal-to-noise problem and weighs only 60 lb, making it easily portable. This makes the Magnetic Resonance for Mud Logging instrument adaptable to a variety of on-site measurements.

Using the automated petrophysical interpretation software on drill cuttings during mud logging allows petrophysicists to determine formation petrophysical properties, such as total and effective porosity, absolute permeability, probable minimum and maximum permeability, irreducible water (liquid) saturation Swirr and free water (liquid) saturation on the well site. Certainly, when the instrument is used in the laboratory, it can deliver most standard NMR petrophysical parameters.

Presently, the MR-ML technology is being successfully used for clastic rocks, and carbonates and rock with secondary porosity, which normally requires reservoir dependent studies. The applications of MR-ML technology can provide oil producers the benefits of rapid formation evaluation parameters during mud logging, NMR log calibration parameters, and low cost NMR log substitution.

The technology offers a low-cost option for log calibration and even an alternative solution when it is difficult to obtain NMR logs from a wireline tool. The MR-ML technology can effectively evaluate the formation petrophysical property, reserve and capacity of interstitial liquid by rapidly and accurately analyzing petrophysical parameters, such as porosity, permeability, FFI, BVI and oil saturation etc., of cuttings, core plugs and sidewall cores on the drilling site, and then provide valuable and critical information for onsite decision-making of drilling and well completion. This can significantly shorten the drilling cycle and reduce the cost of exploration and production (E&P) costs.