Application of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Permeability Models in Tight Reservoirs

ABSTRACT

Tight reservoir permeability with values ranging from a few nD–0.1 mD is a challenging parameter to measure. Since the 1970 s, many correlations were applied to estimate the permeability of tight formations using the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. Due to increasing interest in tight reservoir recovery, each year many papers are published on the Timur‐Coates and Kenyon models and their modification on estimating the NMR permeability of tight reservoirs. It brings up the question of which is the most accurate, reliable, and feasible model to be used for predicting tight NMR permeability. The first part of this paper is dedicated to introducing the existing models for NMR‐based estimates of tight reservoir permeability. The second part compares these models by applying them on tight reservoirs from North America, Asia, and Europe. NMR experiments were conducted on 150 cores. NMR T2 relaxation times were measured and effective and total porosities, the geometric mean of relaxation time (T2gm), irreducible bulk volume (BVI), and free fluid index (FFI) were calculated. For validation of the models, the cross plots of NMR permeability versus the Klinkenberg gas permeability are presented. Comparison of the model is based on the calculated standard error of these two independently measured permeabilities. This paper is beneficial in understanding existing tight reservoir NMR permeability models. The results can be used as a guide for choosing the best NMR permeability estimation model for tight reservoirs data. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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