SPE 90089
Detecting Restricted Diffusion Effect when Identifying Hydrocarbons with NMR Logs
Bustos, Ulises Daniel and Ortiz, Alberto Cesar, Schlumberger; and Breda, Eduardo W., Repsol-YPF; Costa,
Vagner L.F., Petrobras
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and
Exhibition held in Houston, Texas, U.S.A., 26–29 September 2004.
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Abstract
Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods for
fluids identification and reservoir evaluation were developed
recently. These techniques, focused on identifying and
characterizing fluids in the reservoirs, were mostly applied in
clastic and carbonate reservoirs. In such environments, fluid
characterization with NMR logs is relatively simple when the
fluid responds to standard models. However, exceptions to
NMR models such as restricted diffusion produce variations in
model behavior and cause erroneous answers. Experience
shows that restricted diffusion occurs mostly in carbonates
with water trapped in small pores and in short T2(ms) domains
(bound water) in clastic formations. This effect reduces water
diffusibility and produces NMR signals occurring in oil
diffusion domains, with the consequent incorrect computation
of liquid hydrocarbons.
The purpose of this study is the characterization of the
restricted diffusion effect from rock samples measured in the
laboratory with an NMR logging tool, as well as from field
examples in diverse lithologies. It is expected that such
analysis will help in reservoir petrophysical characterization
and will avoid misinterpretations in fluid typing, when
performing fluids identification based on NMR principles.
Since restricted diffusion phenomena have been observed
in medium to long transverse relaxation times T2(ms), above
T2 cutoff for free fluids (in moderate to high porosity
environments), some possible explanations are proposed to
understand such phenomena and the implications on reservoir
evaluation both in exploratory and production wells.
Introduction
NMR logging tools provide valuable formation evaluation
information that is difficult or impossible to obtain from other
well logging measurements.
Previous methods of hydrocarbon identification such as
shifted spectrum, time domain analysis, and differential
spectrum relied on assumptions and oversimplified models,
giving unreliable results when identifying fluids in the
reservoirs. Moreover, recent NMR measurements based on
diffusion are lacking both on proper minimum echo spacings
to fully characterize short T1(ms) environments and in
robustness in processing, because simple bidimensional
inversion is applied. Both limitations give ambiguous
responses in medium to heavy oils environments and in
presence of exceptions to NMR models representing a big
uncertainty when identifying water from hydrocarbons.1,2
Recent NMR methods for fluids identification3 allowed
improvements of the fluids identification task by widening the
range of viscosity recognized, separating overlapping water
and hydrocarbon signals, and obtaining many valuable
information related to the petrophysics of the reservoirs.
The technique applied in the present work is known as
magnetic resonance fluid characterization diffusion-editing
and has been described in detail by Hurliman3 and Freedman.4
The technique consists of a set of pulse sequences acquired in
a stationary measurement with an NMR logging tool. The data
obtained are then processed with tridimensional inversion
algorithms, resulting in diffusion-T2 mappings (D-T2) on
which the identification, characterization of fluids, and
petrophysical evaluations are achieved. This was done on
several samples of clastic and volcaniclastics rocks collected
from outcrops and compared with some field examples.
The D-T2 maps interpretation are straightforward for
fluids identification. However, in some cases it was observed
variations between the predicted models and effective NMR
signal responses, represented by the restricted diffusion
phenomena.
Under certain conditions, diffusion of fluid filling the pore
space in a reservoir is restricted. As a consequence, the fluid
molecules diffuse less than expected by NMR models fitting
the water signal into oil predicted response. The
characterization of such phenomena adds a new challenge on
the D-T2 maps interpretation to identify fluids when restricted
diffusion is present and to avoid misinterpretations of
hydrocarbons.
2 SPE 90089

Measurements In summary, restricted diffusion phenomena take place

when molecules diffuse less than expected by NMR models.
Diffusion effect is the most important NMR measurement to The phenomena described previously have been documented
characterize type of fluids in the reservoirs. Diffusion is for large pores in carbonates and related to small pores—short
evaluated by comparing multiple measurements with different relaxation times—in clastic formations.
echo spacings. According to D-T2 maps, such restricted diffusion effect is
Stationary measurements with a NMR logging tool, are seen as an exception in the NMR models since water response
acquired according to the magnetic resonance fluid tends to fall close to NMR oil theoretical signal. In this
characterization method, either in CPMG mode or DE mode. context, the recognition of restricted diffusion phenomena to
The CPMG mode used a set of data acquired with different proper identify fluids and characterize reservoirs constitutes a
wait times, echo spacings, and number of echoes but keeps the challenging task that this paper addresses.
same echo spacing during the CPMG decay.1 The DE mode
consists of changing the spacing of the two first echoes Examples from Argentina
(sensitivity to diffusion) and then following with a long echo
train with the shortest possible spacing (diffusion-free Water Examples. Two field examples from Comodoro
measurement). If passes with two different values of initial Rivadavia, Argentina, are presented. The wells were drilled
echo spacing are used, it is possible to extract a distribution of with water-based mud (WBM) and DE measurements were
diffusion coefficients for every T2(ms), resulting in a full D- taken in volcaniclastic deposits (tuffs and tuffaceous
T2 map. sandstones). The acquisition parameters performed in both
Faster signal decay is related to high diffusion when echo cases are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
spacing is increased. Both CPMG and DE pulse sequences
enable diffusion-correlation maps (D-T2 maps1,2) rom which Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
important information is obtained such as water saturation, oil 1 12 0.2 5000 1
2 3 4 900 1
viscosity, wettability state, fluid volumes, and hydrocarbon 3 3 8 900 1
corrected permeability. In addition, by increasing the diffusion 4 3 0.2 3000 1
time, these DE pulse sequences can be used to evaluate pore 5 1 0.2 1800 2
geometry. A model-independent method based on the 6 3 10 900 3
maximum entropy principle (MEP) is used to analyze
multimeasurement NMR data governed by distributions of Table 1: DE pulse sequences in field example 1.
various properties (such as T2(ms), T1(ms), and diffusion).3
This method allows the representation of complex data Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
1 4 0.2 3000 1
encoded in spin-echo measurements in a practical and
2 1 2 1800 1
petrophysical-interpretable format, known as the D-T2 map. 3 1 4 1800 1
This useful map is a practical tool for the identification of 4 1 8 1800 2
different type of fluids in the reservoirs and for the derivation 5 1 10 1800 4
of direct petrophysical answers from the map itself.
Tridimensional inversion, using T2(ms), diffusion, and T1/T2 Table 2: DE pulse sequences in field example 2.
ratio, provides a full 3D analysis to achieve these tasks. In
addition, theoretical lines for full saturation of water, oil, and Acquisition parameters for field example 1 were DE for long
gas, respectively, are drawn over the map to help in the fluids T1(ms) environments. A signal to noise ratio around 19 was
identification (Fig. 1). obtained, involving a station time around 9 min per station, to
reach this ratio. On the other hand, field example 2 was
Restricted Diffusion acquired with DE for short T1(ms) environments. Signal to
noise ratio of 24 was obtained, related to a station time around
Under certain conditions, diffusion of fluid filling the pore 4 min.
space in a reservoir is restricted. The restriction effect
expressed by the concept of time-dependent diffusion The processing results are shown in the D-T2 maps of Figs. 2
coefficient has been described by previous authors.6 and 3. Fig. 2 shows a strong signal falling at 190 ms, very
In short diffusion times scenarios, the average diffusion close to the oil line in the map. From field experience,
distance moved by a molecule in motion in the magnetic field reservoirs in this area have a T2 (ms) cutoff around 33 ms,
gradient is smaller than the pore size and therefore diffusion is sometimes higher. Fluids computation at this depth is 88%
basically unrestricted.6 On the contrary, at longer times when water and 12% of a signal falling at short diffusion
diffusion distance is close to the pore size, diffusion gets coefficients (signal inside black-dotted circle in Fig. 2). Well
equals or less than molecular diffusion coefficients, leading to completion result was 1800 L/h of formation water, without
restricted diffusion. In the last case, the more separation exists any oil trace, related to moderately low permeability. From a
between molecular diffusion coefficient and diffusion petrophysical point of view, the NMR depth logging (right
distance, the more difficult it is for a fluid to pass through a side of Fig. 2) at the station depth, is characterized by a
given section of rock pore sample. relatively low clay-bound water volume and a high capillary-
bound fluid fraction in the reservoir.
3 SPE 90089
According to the D-T2 map, we can differentiate a signal
A and a signal B. Since signal A is partially falling on bound
fluids domain, around 40% of signal A and 100% of signal B
would contribute to the movable fluids at this depth. Under
normal conditions, signal A would be related to water,
meanwhile signal B—with a diffusion coefficient smaller than
that expected for water and clearly differentiated from signal
A—might be related to a 12-cp viscosity oil. However, the
portion of signal A above T2 (ms) cutoff would not be enough
to deliver the amount of water produced during well
completion. Therefore, water production would have
contribution from signal B as well. In fact, this would be
consistent with the 100% water production and absence of oil
(not even oil traces).
Further DE computations at 90 m deeper allow
computation of flushed zone saturations of 91% of water and
9% of 4-cp viscosity oil (oil signal falling around 280 ms).
Well completion results in this reservoir were 1800 L/h oil of
3.5-cp viscosity with 30% water. This reservoir, being quite
similar to the previous example, produced in fact a 4-cp oil.
This would indicate that the NMR signal falling on the oil line
in D-T2(ms) map in Fig. 2 would not be consistent with the oil
produced in the vicinity.
Our explanation on this example is that water is due both
to signals A and B. Signal B would be compatible with a water
signal with less diffusion than expected by the NMR model,
similar to the restricted-diffusion effect described by previous
authors.7, 8
The behavior observed in this example is very similar to
that of numerous field examples with similar well completion
results in this basin.
Fig. 3 shows a bimodal NMR signal, falling close to the
water line in the D-T2 map. Both signals, A and B in the map,
are showing tails towards smaller diffusion coefficients in
proximity to the oil theoretical line. Even though the amount
of volume represented by both tails is relatively small (4.5
p.u.) compared to the total NMR signal (24 p.u.), some
bimodal computation related to oil could take place.
Furthermore, fluids computation from map was 82% water
plus 18% of fluids coming from zones A and B. On Fig. 3, the
reservoir is also characterized by low clay-bound water and
important volume of capillary bound fluids at the DE
measurement (blue arrow) depth.
Well completion result was 1240 L/h of formation water
with high viscosity oil traces. The amount of water produced
would be consistent with the amount of saturation computed in
the station; however, 18% of fluids computed from A and B
would not find relation with the small amount of high
viscosity oil traces obtained during completion.
The interpretation for this field example is that free water
above T2 (ms) cutoff = 33 ms is coherent with the produced
water, and the heavy oil traces would come from signal A
located at short T2(ms). Since the scarce oil traces are not
enough to produce the 18% of the NMR signal observed in the
map, such deficit could be explained on the basis of restricted
diffusion effect.
In both field examples, the NMR signal begins close to the
water lines and diffuses towards smaller diffusion coefficients,
from up to down in the D-T2 map.
Oil Example. In order to compare the NMR response from
native oil with the restricted diffusion effect observed
previously, a DE example in an oil-bearing interval is
presented.
The NMR acquisition parameters were the same as
presented in Table 1 for long T1 (ms) environments. The
corresponding D-T2 map is shown in Fig. 4. Since these
reservoirs are characterized by very low salinity formation
water (around 4 g/L), a resistivity-based method would not
help in fluids saturations. However, by using stations, it was
possible to recognize a clear oil signal at around 90 ms in the
example. Well completion results were 1800 L/h of formation
oil with 8% water, according to the fluid typing prognosis.
It is important to notice that the oil is characterized by a
strong NMR signal at small diffusion coefficients, which gets
weaker towards higher diffusion coefficient values, from down
to up in the D-T2 map. Such observation is opposite to the
restricted diffusion behavior (NMR signal weaker from water
line towards oil line) seen as a signal decay from up to down
in the map. According to the experience in these fields, such
opposite behavior between what is interpreted as restricted
diffusion phenomena and effective oil in the formation has
been often encountered when dealing with the DE technique in
volcaniclastic reservoirs and sandstones with high volcanic
content.
Examples from Brazil
Examples of restricted diffusion in clastics from wells in
Brazil are presented. The wells were drilled with WBM
through a series of clean arcosic sandstones with some
subordinate contents of muscovite and plagioclase. The
reservoirs are characterized by good porosities, ranging from
25 to 32 p.u.
In these examples, hydrocarbons sampled with a wireline
tester were mainly heavy oils with viscosities range from 91 to
202 cp (measured in pressure-volume-temperature, or PVT,
samples) and generally low gas/oil ratio (GOR).
Due to the high oil properties variations on the field,
station measurements were acquired to obtain oil viscosities
estimations in real time to assist in the hydrocarbon sampling
strategy.
The acquisition parameters performed for both wells are
summarized in Table 3. They were planned to cover a wide
range of oil viscosities.
Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
1 3 0.2 3000 1
2 3 2 300 1
3 3 4 200 1
4 3 6 100 10
5 12 0.2 5000 1
6 1 0.2 300 1
Table 3: CPMG acquisition strategy in Brazilian examples.
Stations for Oil Zone. The processing results are showed in
the D-T2 maps of Figs. 5 and 6 and belong to two stations
performed in different wells. The signal to noise ratio obtained
for both stations are 19 and 31 for Figs. 5 and 6, respectively.
4 SPE 90089

In both D-T2 maps, it is possible to observe a trimodal It is important to highlight that, in both cases, the effect is
T2(ms) distribution composed by: being observed as an extension with the strongest amplitudes
located next to the water line decreasing progressively through
• Fast decay between 0.3 and 10 ms = > oil. the oil domain. This is similar to the behavior observed in the
• Medium T2(ms) peak around ~20/40 ms= > oil. examples from Argentina.
• Slow decay above 100 ms = > water.
Laboratory Analysis
Very slow decays always fit the water line and are interpreted Even though the presence of restricted diffusion effect would
as mud filtrate signal, whereas the signals between 0.3 and 40 add coherency in explaining the water production versus
ms are related to contributions from heavy oil and irreducible interpreted oil signal in D-T2 maps, it was necessary to
water. The following items support this interpretation: support this hypothesis with further solid arguments.
This led to NMR tests on rock samples on laboratory. The
• Short T2(ms) signals identified on D-T2 maps and rock samples were taken from outcrops in Argentina with
depths logs are absent on the water bearing interval. similar lithologies to the reservoirs in Comodoro Rivadavia.
• Volumes of irreducible water on the oil zone Laboratory measurements on these rocks consisted of DE
interpreted from other measurements such as pulse sequences and further processing on D-T2 maps. This
resistivity and nuclear porosity are small in was an effective way of achieving NMR measurements free of
comparison with the volumes measured by the oil, since the samples were saturated with water from known
stations and depth logs. salinity. The presence of native oil was completely discarded.
• Hydrocarbon sampling at those depths. Rock sampling in Brazil was not possible due to the
absence of onshore outcrops (the fields are located offshore).
In order to compute the oil viscosity, the logarithmic mean of
T2(ms) is measured over the selected oil signal limited from Outcrops examples from Neuquen, Argentina
medium to short T2(ms). Volumes of irreducible water—
computed from other measurements—are small and do not Volcaniclastic sandstones rocks were sampled in outcrops of
interfere on the calculus. Neuquen basin, Argentina. The samples were saturated with
For both examples, the oil viscosities computed from water of known salinity and measured in the laboratory with
NMR tools are consistent with the viscosities measured by DE pulse sequences, according to the acquisition designs
PVT analysis. This, indeed, support the fluids identification on presented in Tables 1 and 2, as follows.
the D-T2 maps (Figs. 5 and 6).
Lighter components of the oil still can be differentiated Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
from water by our method of diffusion contrast. This signal is 1 13 0.2 5000 1
2 3 4 900 1
observed as an amplitude falling on the oil line or at the base 3 3 8 900 1
of the map, decreasing the amplitude towards the up direction 4 3 0.2 3000 1
of the map. 5 1 0.2 1800 1
6 3 10 900 1
Table 4: DE pulse sequences in volcaniclastic sample A.
Stations for water zone. Two stations were performed on
water-bearing intervals. The processing results are presented Sequence WT(s) TE(ms) NECHO REPT
1 4 0.2 3000 1
on Figs. 7 and 8. Both stations were acquired with an excellent
2 1 2 1800 1
signal to noise ratio of 38 and 46, respectively. 3 1 4 1800 1
Fig. 7 shows a bimodal T2(ms) distribution with signal 4 1 8 1800 1
falling on the water line but with a clear signal extension into 5 1 10 1800 1
the oil domain at around 40 ms. This extension could be
interpreted as the signal of oil with viscosity of 23 cp. A 100% Table 5: DE pulse sequences in rock sandstone with volcanic
water sample acquired by the sampling tool (also confirmed participation sample B.
by pressure gradients and resistivity) indicated the apparent oil
signal would be in fact due to restricted diffusion. NMR acquisition parameters for rock sample A were DE for
In Fig. 8, a similar response of water falling on the water long T1 (ms) environments. A signal to noise ratio around 23
line with extension to the oil domain is observed in D-T2 was obtained, with a station time around 7 min to obtain this
mapping, but again water is sampled. relation. Meanwhile, in the rock sample B DE for short T1
In both cases, NMR depth logs and stations are (ms) environments was performed. Signal to noise ratio of 20
characterized by a low clay-bound water volume and medium was achieved, with a station time around 3 min to achieve the
capillary bound fluid fractions. adequate low noise signal.
It is also possible to observe the absence of NMR signal on The resulting D-T2 maps are shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig.
short T2(ms) decays where viscous oil was previously 9 shows that the free water signal (T2 (ms) cutoff = 12 ms,
interpreted on the hydrocarbon bearing interval. Therefore, the according to NMR laboratory measurements) is experiencing
portion of signal falling into the oil domain can only be restricted diffusion in medium T2(ms) environments (around
explained on the basis of restricted diffusion effect.
5 SPE 90089
40 ms), falling in areas close to medium to heavy oil
theoretical responses.
Fig. 10 shows an important signal of free fluid domain
around 300 ms, which falls in the vicinity of the oil line. In
this condition, partial hydrocarbon computation would take
place. However, since the sample was saturated with water,
restricted diffusion phenomena are again taking place in this
volcaniclastic sample. Note that some restricted diffusion in
short T2(ms) areas (around 18 ms, bound fluid domain) is also
being observed, according to the observations made by
previous papers.
Causes and consequences of restricted diffusion
The previous concepts would explain restricted-diffusion
effect as due to a high tortuosity in the reservoir.2 High
tortuosity would effectively contribute to a “delay” in bulk
relaxation compared to the NMR models.4
Therefore, pore throat behavior such as tortuosity for
certain lithologies (high volcanic content) under 100% water
saturation conditions, could present restricted diffusion effect.
In addition, the behaviors observed in D-T2 maps compared to
well completion results from field example presented in Fig. 3,
allow us to suspect that some restricted-diffusion phenomena
could also take place at residual oil saturation. In water-wet
reservoirs, water drive leaves residual oil in the rock because
surface films breaks at restrictions in the pore channels. Oil
droplets might constitute small and isolated barriers in pore
channels (plugs) leading to a water whose molecules will fall
in restricted-diffusion.
In a general approach, restricted diffusion phenomena
detected with NMR principles would indicate a reservoir with
moderate to poor quality and less performance than expected
in terms of production versus time.
Considerations about Permeability
High tortuosity described by the restricted diffusion
phenomena would be consistent with the high capillary-
bound-water contents (compared to clay-bound volumes)
observed in the previous examples. Permeability derived from
NMR logs assumes a direct proportion between porosity and
permeability, either from T2(ms) distributions or the bound
fluids–free fluids relationship. Since the NMR signal related to
restricted diffusion is sometimes located on the free fluids
domain, some impact on permeability estimation from NMR
methods would be expected. Some of the fluids stored in the
porosity related to restricted diffusion would not effectively
contribute to permeability. Water molecules will be effectively
“moved” by NMR pulse sequences in a free-fluid area;
however, in a production state, more pressure energy would be
required to move a given quantity of fluid through high
tortuous paths because of higher frictional losses. NMR signal
coming from a pore network with high tortuosity would
alternatively fall in capillary-bound domains (wetted surfaces)
and free fluid areas (with restricted diffusion and indicate less
permeability than expected according to a linear
porosity/permeability relationship).
Therefore, in the presence of restricted diffusion,
permeabilities derived from NMR methods would be suitable
for calibration with further information.
Conclusions
From the data in this study, we interpreted the presence of a
restricted diffusion effect taking place in sandstones with high
feldspar content (arcosic) and high volcanic participation
(volcaniclastics). The effect appeared in both short and long
T2(ms) domains, and it generated shapes in the NMR signal
that could be mistaken for oil signals. A proper identification
of this feature led to a correct computation of fluids in the
reservoirs.
Field experiences from Argentina and Brazil allowed
recognition of both restricted diffusion and oil signals
according to characteristic shapes with opposite behavior more
clearly seen in the diffusion axis in D-T2 maps. For practical
purposes, restricted diffusion signature can be described as a
strong signal beginning close to the water lines with a tail
towards smaller diffusion coefficients (from up to down in the
D-T2 maps); whereas oil signal is characterized by a strong
signal at relatively small diffusion coefficients with tails
towards the water line (from down to up in the D-T2 map).
These guidelines were very useful in the fluid identification,
which was later confirmed by well completion results.
The restricted diffusion effect detected in the examples
presented in this paper can be explained by the following:
-Lithology/mineralogy-related tortuosity complexity as shown
by the laboratory examples.
-Clay/shales related tortuosity complexity in presence of high
bound fluid to free fluid ratio.
-Residual oil saturation (oil droplets restricting/limiting the
diffusion space of water).
Important advances in fluids identification (prognosis
versus results), oil viscosity characterization, and reservoir
analysis have been achieved in the main fields in Argentina
(Golfo San Jorge and Neuquen basins) and Brazil using the
fluid typing methodology with D-T2 map stations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank the oil companies and Daniel Valencio for
their support in releasing the well data examples and
Schlumberger for the permission to publish. Thanks to the
important contributions from Jean Francois Mengual, Nick
Heaton, and Chanh Cao Minh for their technical support and
review of this paper and to personnel in Neuquen, Argentina,
for the strong support with the rock sample measurements.
References
1. Hurliman, M. D. et al.: “Quantitative Measurement of
Two-Dimensional Distribution Functions of Diffusion and
Relaxation in Grossly Inhomogeneous Fields,” Journal of
Magnetic Resonance 157, 31-42, 2002.
2. Chanh, C.M. et al.: “Planning and Interpreting NMR Fluid
Characterization Logs”, SPE 84478, presented at the SPE
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition Oct. 5-8, Denver,
Colorado, U.S.A., 2003.
 6 SPE 90089

3. Freedman, R. et al.: “Field Applications of a New Nuclear

Magnetic Resonance Characterization method,“ SPE 71713,
presented at the 2001 SPE Annual Technical Conference and
Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept-Oct 2001.

4. Hurliman M. D et al.: “Diffusion-Editing: New NMR

Measurement of saturation and Pore Geometry,” SPWLA annual
logging symposium June 2-5, Oiso, Japan, 2002.

5. Freedman, R. et al.: “Wettability, Saturation, and Viscosity

Using the Magnetic Resonance Fluid Characterization Method
and New Diffusion-Editing Pulse Sequences,” SPE 77397
presented at the SPE annual conference Sep. 29 - Oct. 2 San
Antonio, Texas, 2002.

6. Mitra, P. P. et al: “Diffusion propagator as a probe of the

structure of porous media”, Physical Review Letters 68, 3555,
1992.

7. Hurliman, M. D. et al: “Diffusion-Editing: New Measurements

of Saturation and Pore Geometry with NMR Tools,” Forum of
the 20Th Annual Schlumberger Oilfield Symposium, Dubai, Sept
18-20, 2002.

8. Hurliman, M. D. et al.: ”Restricted Diffusion in Sedimentary

Rocks, Determination of Surface-area-to-volume Ratio and
Surface Relaxivity,” Journal of Magnetic Resonance, Series A,
vol. 111, p. 169-178, 1994
7 SPE 90089

Fig. 1: Left side is a 3D view of spin echoes measurements, represented as amplitudes versus diffusion (D) and
relaxation (T2(ms). The right side provides a 2D view of a D-T2 map. Theoretical responses of 100% water (blue line),
100% oil (green line), and 100% gas (red line) are drawn on the maps to further aid both fluids identification and reservoir
evaluation (taken from Chanh et al.2).

T2(ms) Dist (Water: cyan, Restric.Diff.: green)

T2 cutoff= 33ms

D-T2 map Analysis: Water w/ Restricted Diffusion

Well Completion: 1800 l/h Water, Sal: 9.35 g/l.

Fig. 2: Field example 1 from Comodoro Rivadavia, Del Golfo basin. Processing of DE station log and D-T2 map
analysis allow to recognize two NMR signals, A and B. Well completion obtained 1800 L/h formation water (salinity
9.35 g/L) with absence of hydrocarbon and in agreement with the observed in D-T2 maps. See explanations in the text.
8 SPE 90089

B
A

T2 cutoff= 33ms
T2(ms)Dist (Water:cyan,Restric.Diff.: green)

D-T2 map Analysis: Water w/ Restricted Diffusion + Heavy Oil presence

Well Completion: 1240 L/h Water, Sal: 4,2 g/L, w/ High Visc.Oil traces)

Fig. 3: Field example 2 from Comodoro Rivadavia, Del Golfo basin. Resulting D-T2 maps allow the identification of
two NMR signals A and B, diffusing towards the oil theoretical lines. Well completion obtained 1240 L/h formation
water (salinity 4.2 g/L) with heavy oil traces. See explanations on text.

D-T2 map Analysis: Intermediate/Heavy Oil presence w/some free water

Well Completion: 1800 l/h Oil w/ 8%Water

Fig. 4: Sandstone with high volcanic content, field example in oil bearing zone. Free fluids cutoff is 33 ms. Well
completion results were 1800 L/h with 8% water. The oil is consistent with the clear oil signal seen around 90 ms. Note
the signal is stronger in small diffusion coefficients and gets weaker towards bigger diffusion coefficients (from south to
north in the D-T2 map), opposite behavior than restricted diffusion phenomena in similar reservoirs.
9 SPE 90089

Small volume of irreducible water is overlapping

heavy oil signal

D-T2 map Analysis: Heavy Oil with 99 cp.

PVT analysis: 91 cp viscosity Oil

Fig. 5: Arcosic sandstone with heavy oil.

T2(ms) log mean over the range between 0.3 and
100 ms is applied and 99-cp oil viscosity
computed.
Peak at 40 ms is interpreted as lighter oil
components.
Small pore porosity and capillary bound fluid
volumes are higher than expected from other
measurements indicating the interference of
heavy oil on short T2(ms) .
10 SPE 90089

Irreducible water volumes overlapping

heavy oil signal

D-T2 map Analysis: Heavy Oil w/ 190 cp.

PVT Analysis: 202 cp

Fig. 6: Arcosic sandstone with heavy oil.

T2 (ms) logarithmic mean over the range
between 0.3 and 80 ms is applied and
190-cp oil viscosity computed.
Peak at 20 ms is interpreted as from the
lighter oil
Some internal gradients are observed .
As on previous example, depth logs show
higher small pore porosity and capillary
bound fluid than expected from other
measurements indicating the presence of
oil on short T2(ms).
11 SPE 90089

Blue:
water Fig 7: Sandstone on water bearing interval and
Green: restricted diffusion effect is interpreted.
Restricted No indication of residual heavy oil on short T2(ms)
diffusion as observed on hydrocarbon interval
Small internal gradients on the right water peak.
Note the highest amplitude of left peak fits the
water line decreasing gradually towards the oil
domain.

D-T2(ms) map Analysis: Restricted diffusion

Test results: 100 % Water sampled.

Blue: water
Green:
Restricted
diffusion

Fig 7: Sandstone on water bearing interval and

restricted diffusion effect is interpreted.
No indication of residual heavy oil on short T2(ms) as
observed on hydrocarbon interval
Small internal gradients on the right water peak.
Note the highest amplitude of left peak fits the water
line decreasing gradually towards the oil domain.

D-T2 map Analysis: Restricted diffusion

Test results:100 % Water sampled
12 SPE 90089

T2(ms)Dist
T2(ms) Dist
(Water:cyan,Restric.Diff.:
(Water: cyan, Restric.Diff.:
green)
green)

Restricted Diffusion

Fig. 9: Volcaniclastic rock sample A (ignimbrite) taken from outcrop. Free fluids cutoff is 12 ms. It is observed from
restricted diffusion above T2 (ms) cutoff, water signal falling partially in oil areas.

T2(ms)Dist (Water:cyan,Restric.Diff.:
T2(ms) Dist green)
(Water: cyan, Restric.Diff.: green)

Restricted Diffusion

Fig. 10: Sandstone with high volcanic content (tuff), sample taken from outcrop. Free fluids cutoff is 33 ms, determined
by NMR laboratory measurement. Even though the sample was saturated with water, and hydrocarbons are absent,
partial oil computation could take place due to restricted diffusion effect