Profiling of Relaxation Time and Diffusivity Distributions with Low Field NMR

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a common tool utilized in core analysis. NMR can reveal important information about pore structure, fluid configuration and wettability. However, standard NMR core analysis techniques look at the sample as a whole or only at thin slices. Two NMR pulse sequences are introduced that allow for the determination of relaxation time or diffusion-relaxation time distributions as a function of sample height. One-dimensional T 2 and D-T 2 profiles can be determined with a low-field Maran Ultra spectrometer by implementing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Frequency encoding gradients impart spatial resolution to the measurements and allow for the creation of T, and D-T 2 profiles without having to perform multiple slice selective measurements. The first technique, denoted as RARE, relies solely on resolving transverse relaxation, T 2 , as a function of height. The second method, D-T 2 profiling, allows for the determination of both the diffusion coefficient, D, and T 2 as a function of height. The ability to resolve D in addition to T 2 allows fluids with overlapping relaxation times to be distinguished, and therefore it is not necessary to use D 2 O in order to differentiate the water signal from the oil signal. Implementation of these two methods allows for the determination of porosity and saturation profiles. Experiments were performed with a sandpack in order to demonstrate the applicability of these two techniques, and saturation profiles of a sandpack were determined at various stages of the flooding process.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Rauschhuber, Michael T.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hirasaki, George J.

• Applied sciences
• Relaxation time
• Diffusion editing
• Low field NMR
• Chemical engineering

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/70404

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/70404