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NMR Logging
Principles and Applications

George R. Coates, Lizhi Xiao, and Manfred G. Prammer

Halliburton Energy Services

Houston
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Halliburton Energy Services

Contents
Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Editors and Editorial Review Board xv
Acknowledgments xvii

Chapter 1

Summary of NMR Logging Applications and Benefits

Medical MRI 1
MRI Logging 2
Comparison of the MRIL Tool to Other Logging Tools
Fluid Quantity 3
Fluid Properties 4
Pore Size and Porosity

NMR-Logging Raw Data 6

NMR Porosity 7
NMR T2 Distribution 7
NMR Free-Fluid Index and Bulk Volume Irreducible 8
NMR Permeability 9
NMR Properties of Reservoir Fluids 11
NMR Hydrocarbon Typing 11
NMR Enhanced Water Saturation with Resistivity Data 16
MRIL Application Examples 16
MRIL Porosity and Permeability 16
Low-Resistivity Reservoir Evaluation

22

MRIL Acquisition Data Sets 25

MRIL Response in Rugose Holes 26
NMR Logging Applications Summary 26
References 28

Chapter 2

NMR Physics

33

Nuclear Magnetism 33
Polarization 34
Pulse Tipping and Free Induction Decay
Spin-Echo Detection 39

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NMR Logging Principles and Applications

NMR-Measurement Timing
References 43

Chapter 3

42

Fundamentals of NMR Petrophysics

45

NMR Relaxation Mechanisms of Fluids in Rock Pores

Bulk Relaxation 47
Surface Relaxation 48
Diffusion-Induced Relaxation

45

48

Multi-Exponential Decay 51
Echo-Fit for T2 Distribution 53
Pore Size Distribution 54
Determination of BVI 57
Cutoff BVI 57
Spectral BVI 60

MRIL Permeability Model

64

The Free Fluid Model 64

The Mean T2 Model 65

MRIL Porosity Model

References 67

Chapter 4

65

Fundamentals of NMR Hydrocarbon Typing

NMR Properties of Hydrocarbons
NMR Hydrocarbon Typing 80

77

T2 Distribution of a Partially Saturated Rock

T1 Relaxation Contrast 80
Diffusivity Contrast 82
Numerical Simulations 83

Oil Effects on T2 Distributions

77

80

84

Water and Light Oil 84

Water and Viscous Oil 85
Effects of Viscosity and Wettability on the Oil Signal in a T2 Distribution

Gas Effects on T2 Distribution Under Different Conditions

Water and Gas 88
Water, Light Oil, and Gas

References

Chapter 5

89

89

MRIL Tool Principles

91

Polarization 91
Magnetization Tipping and Spin-Echo Detection 91
Logging Speed and Vertical Resolution 94
Depth of Investigation 96
Multi-Frequency Measurement and RF Pulse Bandwidth
Ringing Effect 102
Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Running Average 104
Activations 104
Tool Configuration 108
References 108

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Chapter 6

Answer Products Derived from MRIL Stand-Alone Analysis

Time Domain Analysis

113

113

Concept 113
Principle 113
Differential Spectrum Method
Time Domain Analysis 114

113

Data Acquisition 114

Applications 116
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

116
116
116

Diffusion Analysis
Concept 122
Data Acquisition

122
123

Shifted Spectrum Method

124

Quantitative Diffusion Analysis: DIFAN

Enhanced Diffusion Method 127

Appendix: TDA Mathematical Model

References 133

Chapter 7

124

129

Answer Products Derived from

MRIL Combinations with Other Logs

135

MRIAN Concept 135

MRIAN Principles 135
Dual-Water Model 135
Determining Swb for the Dual-Water Model 137
Quality Control on the Calculated Swb 137
Determination of the W Exponent in MRIAN 138
Calculation of SwT in MRIAN 139
Parameters Affecting MRIAN Calculations 139

MRIL Data Acquisition for MRIAN

MRIAN Applications 142

139

Low-Resistivity Reservoir 1 142

Low-Resistivity Reservoir 2 142
Gas-Influx Monitoring with MRIL in an Arabian Gulf Carbonate
Evaluation of a Shaly, Tuff Sandstone Formation Containing
Medium-Viscosity Oils 147
MRIAN in a Light-Hydrocarbon Well

Well Completion with MRIL: StiMRIL

References 154

Chapter 8

MRIL Job Planning

146

150

150

159

Determining NMR Properties of Reservoir Fluids

Example 1: OBM, Gas

160

161

Well Description 161

Example 1, Step 1: Determine NMR Fluid Properties

161

Assessing the Expected Decay Spectrum of Reservoir Fluids in a Formation 162

Example 1, Step 2a: Assess Expected NMR Response (T2 Distribution)

Assessing the Expected NMR Apparent Porosity of a Formation

163

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NMR Logging Principles and Applications

Example 1, Step 2b: Assess Expected NMR Response (Apparent Porosity) 165

Selection of the Activation Set

166

Standard T2 Activation 166

Dual-TW Activation 167
Dual-TE Activation 167

Determination of the Activation Set and Acquisition Parameters

167

Standard T2 Activations 168

Example 1, Step 3: Determine Appropriate Activation Parameters (TW, TE, NE)
for a Standard T2 Activation 168

Dual-TW Activations

169

Example 1, Step 3: Determine Appropriate Activation Parameters (TWL, TWS, TE, NE)
for a Dual-TW Activation 170
Example 2: OBM Dual TW 172
Dual-TE Activations 174

Example 3: WBM, Viscous Oil, Dual TE

174

Well Description 174

Step 1: Determine NMR Fluid Properties 175
Step 2: Assess Expected NMR Response 175
Step 3: Determine Appropriate Activation Parameters (TEL, TES, TW, and NE)
for a Dual-TE Activation 175

Dual-TW/Dual-TE (Virgin Area Logging)

177

Step 1: Determine NMR Fluid Properties 177

Step 2: Assess Expected NMR Response 177
Step 3: Determine Appropriate Activation Parameters
(TWL, TWS, TEL, TES, NEL, and NE) 177

Example 4: OBM, Gas, Dual TW, TE

178

Well Description 178

Step 1: Determine NMR Fluid Properties 178
Step 2: Assess Expected NMR Response 179
Step 3: Determine Appropriate Activation Parameters (TWi, TEi, NEi)

Other Considerations for MRIL Job Planning

180

181

Formation Type (Sandstone, Carbonate, Chalk, Diatomite) 181

Wettability 181
Mud Type (Oil-Based, Water-Based) 182
Trade Off Logging Speed Accuracy (S/N, Sampling Rate) Type
and Detail of Information 183

References

Chapter9

184

MRIL Log Quality Control 185

Concepts and Definitions

185

Gain and Q Level 185

B1 and B1mod 186
Chi 186
Noise Indicators: OFFSET, NOISE, RINGING, and IENoise 186
Low-Voltage Sensors 187
High-Voltage Sensors 187
Phase Correction Information: PHER, PHNO, and PHCO 188
Temperature 189

Pre-Logging Calibration and Verification

Calibration Procedure
Frequency Sweep

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Master Calibration 194

Tank Statistical Check 196

Electronics Verification

197

Quality Control During Logging

199

Operating Frequency 199

Logging Speed and Running Average 199
B1 Adjustment for Downhole Conditions 201
Quality Monitoring During Data Acquisition 201
Log-Quality Display 202

Post-Logging Quality Check

206

MPHI Relation to MSIG on Total-Porosity Logs 206

MPHI TWS Relation to MPHI TWL on Dual-TW Logs 206
MPHI TES Relation to MPHI TEL on Dual-TE Logs 206
Agreement between MPHI and Neutron-Density Crossplot Porosity
Effects of Hydrogen Index and Polarization Time on MPHI 207

Reference

Glossary
Index

207

207

209

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Foreword
Halliburton Energy Services is pleased to contribute this important technical volume on
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Logging to the petroleum industry. The NMR logging represents a new revolution in formation evaluation with wireline logging, and this book gives a
comprehensive treatment of this new technology. Since its acquisition of NUMAR in 1997,
Halliburton has focused on advancing NMR techniques, and on integrating conventional log
data with the NMR interpretation methodology to further enhance the NMR applications. To
this end, a new NMR tool has been introduced, new data processing techniques have been
developed, and new data interpretation packages (such as our real-time NMR answer
product) have been made available to the industry. Besides explaining basic NMR principles
and applications, this book provides an understanding of these latest achievements in
NMR logging.
This book was developed by three of our finest NMR experts in Halliburton and was reviewed by many recognized experts from our organization, from clients organizations, and
from other institutions. I am particularly grateful for the dedication of the authors, Mr.
George R. Coates, Director of Reservoir Applications at the Halliburton Houston Technology
Center, Dr. Lizhi Xiao, Senior Research Scientist and Project Manager for this book, Dr.
Manfred G. Prammer, President of NUMAR, and to the editors, Dr. Richard F. Sigal and Mr.
Stephen J. Bollich.
As the largest oilfield service company in the world, Halliburton is committed to providing
services of the highest quality and best value, not only through field delivery but also through
an understanding of underlying technology. This book is an example of this commitment,
and I trust that you will find it useful in learning how NMR services can be of benefit in
your applications.

Dick Cheney
CEO of Halliburton Company

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Preface
Well logging, the economic method of choice for evaluating drilled formations, has progressively improved its determination of porosity and fractional fluid saturation, but could not
provide a systematic estimate of permeability. This shortcoming was why Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance captured the interest of the petroleum industry when researchers published results
showing a good permeability correlation in the 1960s.
Unfortunately this industry interest was left waiting for nearly 30 years on a reliable
downhole measurement of NMR relaxation. In 1992, when NUMAR introduced its MRIL
logging service this wait was over; and it was soon demonstrated that the long hoped for
permeability determination could be systematically provided, especially in shaly
sand formations.
However, permeability was not the only petrophysical benefit provided by this new pulseecho NMR log. Many other petrophysical parameters mineral-independent total porosity;
water, gas, and oil saturation independent of other logs; oil viscosity all have been found
achievable. Several other parameters appear within reach, thus ensuring that this new uniform
gradient NMR logging measurement will prove to be the richest single source of formation
petrophysics yet devised by the well logging industry.
This book has been prepared as a means of sharing these very exciting developments and to
support those of you who are interested in formation evaluation technology.

George R. Coates
Director Reservoir Applications, Halliburton Energy Services

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Editors
Richard F. Sigal and Stephen J. Bollich

Editorial Review Board

Internal Members
Prabhakar Aadireddy

Ron Cherry

Gary J. Frisch

Stefan Menger

Ronnel C. Balliet

Peter I. Day

James E. Galford

Daniel L. Miller

Ron J. M. Bonnie

Bob Engelman

John S. Gardner

Moustafa E. Oraby

James Buchanan

Maged Fam

Dave Marschall

Nick Wheeler

Ridvan Akkurt

J. Justin Freeman

George J. Hirasaki

James D. Klein

Robert J. S. Brown

David C. Herrick

Jasper A. Jackson

External Members

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Acknowledgments
In addition to our appreciation for the contributions of the editors and editorial review board,
we wish to acknowledge and thank those who have helped so much with this book:
Jennifer Wood reprocessed most of the MRIL data for the examples in the book. Karen J.
Campbell prepared many of the plots and figures. Sandra Moynihan and Communication
Services coordinated the final product process. Jorge Velasco, Ramsin Y. Eyvazzadeh,
Fernando Salazar, Greg Strasser, and Jim Witkowsky provided most of the NMR logging data
and support. Charley Siess, MRIL Product Manager, provided encouragement and support.
Peter O'Shea, Tim Epresi, and Halliburton Resevoir Applications colleagues, provided help
and support.
Many thanks to the oil companies for release of their data for this publication. Finally, thanks
to Metamor Documentation Solutions, Duncan, Oklahoma, for their role in preparing the
book for publication.

The Authors
Houston, Texas
September 18, 1999

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