A global inversion method for multi-dimensional NMR logging

We describe a general global inversion methodology of multi-dimensional NMR logging for pore fluid typing and quantification in petroleum exploration. Although higher dimensions are theoretically possible, for practical reasons, we limit our discussion of proton density distributions as a function of two (2D) or three (3D) independent variables. The 2D can be diffusion coefficient and T2 relaxation time (D–T2), and the 3D can be diffusion coefficient, T2, and T1 relaxation times (D–T2–T1) of the saturating fluids in rocks. Using the contrast between the diffusion coefficients of fluids (oil and water), the oil and water phases within the rocks can be clearly identified. This 2D or 3D proton density distribution function can be obtained from either two-window or regular type multiple CPMG echo trains encoded with diffusion, T1, and T2 relaxation by varying echo spacing and wait time. From this 2D/3D proton density distribution function, not only the saturations of water and oil can be determined, the viscosity of the oil and the gas–oil ratio can also be estimated based on a previously experimentally determined D–T2 relationship.