Downhole high resolution NMR spectroscopy with polarization enhancement
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsMartin Blanz, Thomas Kruspe
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Abstract
An apparatus and method is discussed for characterizing a fluid sample downhole of aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds, aromatic hydrocarbon compound, or connate mud filtrates containing carbon-13 isotopes using an enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal on a measurement-while-drilling device. To enhance the carbon-13 NMR signal these nuclei are being hyperpolarized. Either the Overhauser Effect (OE) or the Nuclear Overhauser Effect or optical pumping and the Spin Polarization Induced Nuclear Overhauser Effect (SPINOE) can serve as a mechanism for hyperpolarization of the carbon-13 nuclei.
Claims53
A method of obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance signals from a fluid obtained from an earth formation, comprising:
- (a) conveying said fluid into a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor in a borehole in said earth formation;
- (b) enhancing a polarization of a nuclear spin of a nucleus occurring in said fluid to a hyperpolarized state beyond that attainable for any atomic nucleus at thermal equilibrium in the applied magnetic field;
- and
- (c) using said NMR sensor for obtaining NMR signals from said fluid.
An apparatus for use in a borehole in an earth formation for obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance signals from a fluid obtained from said formation, comprising:
- (a) a nuclear magnetic resonance sensor;
- (b) a device which enhances a polarization of a nuclear spin of a nucleus occurring in said fluid to a hyperpolarized state beyond that attainable for any atomic nucleus at thermal equilibrium in the applied magnetic field;
- and
- (c) a processor which analyzes NMR signals obtained by said NMR sensor from said fluid.
A system for obtaining nuclear magnetic resonance signals from a fluid obtained from a fluid obtained from an earth formation, comprising:
- (a) a logging tool including a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor;
- (b) a first conveyance device which conveys said fluid into a chamber of said (NMR) sensor;
- (c) an arrangement which enhances a polarization of a nuclear spin of a nucleus occurring in said fluid to a hyperpolarized state beyond that attainable for any atomic nucleus at thermal equilibrium in the applied magnetic field;
- (d) a processor which determines from signals obtained by said NMR sensor a property of said fluid;
- and
- (e) a conveyance device which conveys said logging tool into said earth formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.