Review on the Application of Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Technology in Coalbed Methane Production Simulation

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance has become one of the main methods to characterize static parameters and dynamic changes in unconventional reservoirs. The research focus of this paper is process simulation of coalbed methane (CBM) production. The dynamic variation of pore volume with different pore sizes during pressure drop, methane desorption-diffusion process, and methane-water interaction during migration is discussed. Moreover, the calculation principles of NMR single and multifractal models are systematically described, and the applicability of NMR fractal models within different research contexts is discussed. Four aspects need urgent attention in the application of this technology in CBM production: (1) overburden NMR technology has limitations in characterizing the stress sensitivity of shale and high-rank coal reservoirs with micropores developed, and we should aim to enable an accurate description of micropore pore stress sensitivity; (2) dynamic NMR physical simulation of reservoir gas and water production based on in-situ and actual geological development conditions should become one of the key aspects of follow-up research; (3) low-temperature freeze-thaw NMR technology, as a new pore-fracture characterization method, needs to be further applied in characterizing the distribution characteristics of pores and fractures; and (4) NMR fractal model should be used as the main theoretical method to expand the simulation results. The applicability of different fractal models in characterizing pore-fracture structure (static) and CBM production process (dynamic) needs to be clarified.

Automated summary

This paper focuses on the process simulation of coalbed methane (CBM) production and discusses the dynamic changes and NMR models' applicability. It emphasizes four aspects that need attention in the application of this technology in CBM production.