Fracture Characterization with NMR Spectroscopic Techniques

Determination of suitable techniques and analyses that can be implemented by NMR well logging can greatly improve the characterization of underground petroleum reservoirs and aquifers. In this paper, the feasibility for using various NMR methods for detection and characterization of fractures is explored. Analyses of experimental data obtained with a variety of samples are presented. It is shown that relaxation contrasts are useful for separating the signal contributions from fluids in the fractures and the porous matrix, and that relaxation weighting can be used in combination with other NMR techniques for enhancing fracture characterization.