NMR logging activation sets selection and fluid relaxation characteristics analysis of tight gas reservoirs: A case study from the Sichuan Basin

With complex lithology and reservoir types, as well as high concealment and heterogeneity, tight reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin involve significant uncertainties in gas–water relationship. Since NMR logging can effectively solve problems related to the multiple results of conventional logging operations, it can be deployed for accurate assessment of the properties of formation fluids. Accordingly, different NMR logging activation sets were assessed in accordance with the specific features of tight reservoirs in the basin. With consideration to NMR logging data obtained under different activation sets and testing data of wells, the optimal NMR logging activation set was identified. Moreover, with relaxation characteristics of rocks, gas and water as theoretical foundations, the T 2 gas and water relaxation characteristics were reviewed to highlight the impacts of porosity, pore sizes, fluid properties and other factors of tight reservoirs on T 2 horizontal relaxation distribution. According to the research results, D9TWE3 can be seen as the most suitable NMR logging activation set for tight reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin; reservoir tightness is the key influence factor for the distribution of gas/water relaxation in tight clastic reservoirs; generally, in tight sandstone reservoirs, natural gas shows a longer T 2 relaxation time than water; in fracture-vug type carbonate reservoirs, the right peak of T 2 distribution spectrum of gas layers is frontal, while the right peak in T 2 distribution spectrum of water layers is backward. In conclusion, the standards for gas/water relaxation in tight sandstone and carbonate reservoirs in the Sichuan Basin can help effectively determine the physical properties of fluids in tight reservoirs with porosity of 4–10%. Such standards provide reliably technical supports for gas/water identification, reserves estimation and productivity construction in tight reservoirs of the Sichuan Basin.