NMR BOREHOLE LOGGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20140167759A1
• Filed: 09/20/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Pines, Alexander, Bajaj, Vikram, Seltzer, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US14/033,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20140167759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/322
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 24/081 Making measurements of geologic samples, e.g. measurements of moisture, pH, porosity, permeability, tortuosity or viscosity

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to depth well logging. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) coil and a magnetic field sensing device. The apparatus is configured to be positioned in a first magnetic field. The first magnetic field polarizes nuclear spins of species in a detection region proximate the apparatus. The apparatus generates a second magnetic field for a time period with the RF coil to excite the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region. Then, the apparatus measures electromagnetic radiation, using the magnetic field sensing device, generated by the species as a result of the excitation of the nuclear spins.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) coil; and

a magnetic field sensing device, the apparatus being configured to;

be positioned in a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field polarizing nuclear spins of species in a detection region proximate the apparatus,

generate a second magnetic field for a time period with the RF coil to excite the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region, and

measure electromagnetic radiation, using the magnetic field sensing device, generated by the species as a result of the excitation of the nuclear spins.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensing device comprises a magnetometer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the magnetometer comprises an alkali vapor cell magnetometer or a nitrogen vacancy diamond-based magnetometer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an RF coil array including a plurality of RF coils, the RF coil being one of the plurality of RF coils.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic field is substantially uniform.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic field is a magnetic field of the Earth.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detection region extends about 1 meter to 5 meters from the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is measured at an about 1 kHz to 3 kHz detection frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus does not include a magnet to polarize the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region.

10. A method comprising:

(a) positioning an apparatus including a magnetic field sensing device and a radio frequency (RF) coil in a first magnetic field, the first magnetic field polarizing nuclear spins of species in a detection region proximate the apparatus;

(b) generating a second magnetic field for a time period with the RF coil to excite the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region; and

(c) measuring electromagnetic radiation, using the magnetic field sensing device, generated by the species as a result of the excitation of the nuclear spins.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein operations (b) and (c) are repeated, and wherein results generated from operation (c) are averaged.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the first magnetic field is substantially uniform.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first magnetic field is a magnetic field of the Earth.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the apparatus does not include a magnet to polarize the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the detection region extends about 1 meter to 5 meters from the apparatus.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein operation (c) is performed at an about 1 kHz to 3 kHz detection frequency.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) coil;

a magnetic field sensing device; and

a magnet, the apparatus being configured to;

polarize nuclear spins of species in a detection region with a first magnetic field of the first magnet,

after the first magnetic field of the magnet polarizes the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region, be translated so that the magnetic field sensing device is proximate the detection region,

generate a second magnetic field for a time period with the RF coil to excite the nuclear spins of the species in the detection region, and

measure electromagnetic radiation, using the magnetic field sensing device, generated by the species as a result of the excitation of the nuclear spins.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the magnet comprises a permanent magnet.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a strength of a magnetic field of the magnet is about 0.001 tesla to 0.01 tesla, and wherein the magnetic field is substantially homogeneous within about 25 centimeters of the magnet.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the magnetic field sensing device and the magnet are positioned apart from one another in the apparatus.