Publications

New Insights into In-situ Measurements of Oil Sand Samples

Mai, A., Bryan, J.L. and Kantzas, A.

DOI:
SCA 2006-50, presented at the 2006 International Symposium of the Society of Core Analysts, held in Trondheim, Norway, September 12-16, 2006.

ABSTRACT

Low field NMR is a promising technology for performing measurements of oil, water and solids content in oil sand samples. Algorithms have previously been developed for separating the signals from bitumen and clay-bound water in oil sand samples, and in-situ oil and water predictions have been successfully made for a large database of oil sand ore and froth samples. In this work, we present measurements of a case study containing both high and low quality samples. Fluid content predictions are similar for this different field study, and NMR spectra properties can also be used to infer the quality of the ore. Additionally, NMR spectra are also obtained for middlings samples, and NMR applications in processing plants are identified. The NMR algorithm could be used in NMR logging tools, or for laboratory or online measurements of discrete samples, leading to improved reservoir understanding and process control.

A full version of this paper is available on SCA Web Online.