Novel technique to measure mutual bulk fluid diffusion using NMR 1-D gradient

Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, USA

^* Corresponding author: dangthaison@ou.edu

Abstract

Many modelling and theoretical studies have shown that diffusion can be a significant transport mechanism in low-permeability porous media. Understanding the process allows engineers to better predict reservoir performance during both primary production and enhanced recovery in unconventional reservoirs. Direct measurement of effective diffusion in tight rocks is difficult, due to small pore volumes and the lack of techniques to actually monitor the process. Conventional diffusion measurements generally require fluid sampling, which induces a pressure transient which changes the mass transfer mechanism. Previously, we introduced a novel technique to measure tortuosity in nano-porous media by simultaneously monitoring methane versus nitrogen concentrations at high pressure using transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). To complete the estimation of effective diffusion, bulk fluid diffusion coefficient also needs to be measured. In this study, we demonstrate the usage of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) 1-D imaging to examine the dynamic change of Hydrogen Index (HI) across the interface between two bulk fluids. The experiment was conducted between a crude oil sample and methane; fluid samples were pressurized within an NMR transparent ZrO₂ pressure cell which operates at pressures up to 10,000 psi. The Hydrogen Index (HI) profile was continuously measured and recorded for 7 days. The results provided oil the swelling factor and the concentration profile as a function of both time and distance. These data then were fitted with Maxwell-Stefan equation to precisely back calculate the diffusion coefficient between oil and gas samples at high pressure. Accurate estimation of tortuosity and fluid diffusion is critical for the gas injection strategy in a shale formation. Greater tortuosity and smaller fluid diffusion rate lead to longer injection and production times for desirable economic recovery.