Method for source rock maturity determination using static high-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorsJin-Hong Chen, Stacey Marie Althaus, David Jacobi, Mohammed Boudjatit
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Abstract
A system and method for measuring a source rock sample's maturity by a static high field resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is disclosed. Kerogen, a part of the source rock matrix is studied, to quantify the amount of hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) present. This technique is non-destructive and non-invasive to the sample. The method further includes determining the H/C ratio of the kerogen in the source rock sample by integrating the H/C ratio of a known external reference sample.
Claims19
A method for analyzing maturity of a subterranean hydrocarbon rock, comprising:
- obtaining a subterranean hydrocarbon rock sample by drilling through a subterranean zone;
- extracting bitumen out of the subterranean hydrocarbon rock sample using a solvent;
- placing the subterranean hydrocarbon rock sample in a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tube;
- and
- measuring a 1H spectrum and a 13C NMR spectrum with a NMR probe using an NMR spectrometer comprising a static state high resolution measurement technique,
- wherein measuring the 1H spectrum and the 13C NMR spectrum is performed on an intact subterranean hydrocarbon rock sample without further treatment.
A system for measuring maturity of a subterranean rock, the system comprising:
- a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer comprising an NMR probe, wherein the NMR is configured to operate with a static high resolution technique;
- a sample tube, wherein a subterranean rock sample is placed;
- and
- a user display system to represent an output NMR spectra comprising a 1H spectrum and a 13C NMR spectrum,
- wherein the NMR spectrometer is configured to measure the 1H spectrum and 13C NMR spectrum of an intact subterranean rock sample without further treatment.
A method of analyzing subterranean rock, the method comprising:
- obtaining a subterranean rock sample as a core plug or crushed rock;
- placing the subterranean rock sample in a sample tube;
- performing a static state high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic measurement with a NMR probe to obtain a 1H spectrum and a 13C NMR spectrum, wherein the spectroscopic measurement is performed on an intact subterranean rock sample without further treatment;
- and
- displaying the 1H spectrum and the 13C NMR spectrum on a user display system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.