US 11,815,481 B2
Advanced NMR analysis of porosity and other properties in core samples using hydraulic fluid exchange
Hubert E. King, Flemington, NJ (US); Pavel Kortunov, Flemington, NJ (US); Harry W. Deckman, Clinton, NJ (US); Shreerang S. Chhatre, The Woodlands, TX (US); Hemantkumar R. Sahoo, Spring, TX (US); and Antonio S. Buono, Spring, TX (US)
Assigned to ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Spring, TX (US)
Filed by ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Spring, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 19, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/823,948.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,000, filed on May 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,001, filed on May 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,003, filed on May 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,008, filed on May 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,012, filed on May 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/847,014, filed on May 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0363352 A1, Nov. 19, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 24/08 (2006.01); G01V 3/14 (2006.01); G01V 3/38 (2006.01); G01R 33/44 (2006.01); G01R 33/34 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 24/081 (2013.01) [G01R 33/44 (2013.01); G01V 3/14 (2013.01); G01V 3/38 (2013.01); G01R 33/34092 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
saturating a core sample with a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) saturation fluid, wherein the core sample has a permeability of 100 milliDarcy(mD) or less, to achieve a saturated core sample;
taking a first NMR measurement of fluids in the saturated core sample;
hydraulically exchanging a fluid in the saturated core sample with a NMR exchange fluid;
taking a second NMR measurement of the saturated core sample after hydraulic exchange;
determining a porosity of the saturated core sample based on a correlation between the first NMR measurement, the second NMR measurement and a NMR signal to fluid volume calibration;
deriving a saturated core sample property based on at least the porosity and a comparison between the first NMR measurement and the second NMR measurement, wherein the saturated core sample property identifies an amount of water disposed in nanopores of the saturated core sample relative to macropores of the saturated core sample; and
developing a production plan based on the amount of water disposed in nanopores of the saturated core sample relative to macropores of the saturated core sample.