An Innovative Approach of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance 2D-T1T2 to Identify Complex Reservoir Fluid Regime of Gas-Condensate in Newly Discovered & Fast Appraisal Carbonate Reservoir Field of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Abstract

This paper covers a case study of successfully applying innovative NMR logging technology for fluid typing using continuous measurement from longitudinal and transverse relaxation two dimensional (2D) maps (2D T1T2app), helped in reducing fluid typing uncertainty in different clusters of one of the recent discovered gas-condensate Cretaceous stacked carbonate reservoirs of Abu Dhabi field. Generally, the reservoir fluid type in gas-condensate reservoir is confirmed by observing a representative fluid sample in laboratory, but at times collecting representative sample becomes challenging especially in tighter formations or unstable wells or rugose holes. The advanced logging techniques, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Downhole Wireline Formation Testers (FT) with pump-out fluid sensors, can be extremely beneficial in resolving fluid types in downhole reservoir condition for such complex fluid regimes and is also applied in this recently discovered carbonate field. NMR continuous T1T2 (simultaneous longitudinal relaxation-T1 & transverse relaxation-T2) logging & 2D fluid characterization methods at closer interval have been very important and useful data to assist in differentiating condensate, gas, and water in each of the reservoir in the static condition. Free gas (methane) occupies a unique location in a 2D T1T2app map with a relatively long T1 and short T2 signature. Dead oils or low GOR oils typically have a low T1T2 ratio and condensates are identified by their fairly large T1T2 ratio. The fluid signatures from the 2D maps are then quantified to compute individual fluid volume for hydrocarbons and water. Reservoir fluid typing from NMR 2D T1T2app not only helped in optimizing formation tester PVT sample points, but was also found in agreement with fluid analysis results from formation tester sensors where reservoir fluids were sampled from a greater distance from wellbore after longer duration of pump-out period. The NMR Fluid typing using 2D-T1T2 app has helped identifying gas-condensate-water fluid types in static condition before sampling or testing. This has helped to understand regional fluid distribution in tighter reservoirs especially where fluid gradient has not helped due to unreliable formation pressure data. By applying NMR fluid typing in difficult gas-condensate fluid regime validated further by fluid sampling and testing, has provided confidence in placing perforation at correct depth for testing, improving regional fluid distribution and bringing timely value to optimize engineering techniques for fast track appraisal & development program.