A method of enhancing the nuclear spin polarization of target molecules (10) uses a hyperpolarized source material (12) that is co-confined with the target molecules (10) in a porous molecular matrix (20). The matrix (20) may be a D4R-polysiloxane copolymer such as polyoligosiloxysilicone number two (PSS-2) that has recesses of an appropriate diameter. A source material (12), such as parahydrogen, is transferred to the matrix (20) together with the target molecules (10), and an external pressure is applied to force them into the recesses of the matrix (20). The nano-confinement of the source material (12) and target molecules (10) together enables or enhances a transfer of spin polarization from the source material (12) to the target molecules (10). When the target molecules (10) are removed from the matrix (20), the enhanced spin polarization greatly enhances the signal strength of the target molecules (10) in any subsequent magnetic resonance measurement.

The invention relates to a high-temperature and high-pressure nuclear magnetic resonance core holder. An inner cylinder body of the core holder is provided in an outer cylinder body, a nuclear magnetic resonance probe coil is provided between the outer cylinder body and the inner cylinder body, two plugging sleeves are respectively provided between both ends of the inner cylinder body and between both ends of the outer cylinder body, a sealing groove is provided at the inner side of each plugging sleeve, a sealing joint component is provided in each sealing groove of each plugging sleeve, and two ends of the nuclear magnetic resonance probe coil are respectively connected with the sealing joint component, so that the nuclear magnetic resonance probe coil can be led out. The holder disclosed by the invention is compatible with nuclear magnetic resonance, integrates injection displacement experiments and nuclear magnetic resonance measurement, and adopts a sealing solution to ensure the sealing performance of the joint of the outer cylinder body and the inner cylinder body, so as to adapt to nuclear magnetic resonance on-line measurement and analysis experiments under the condition of simulative deep basin high-temperature and high-pressure.

Pressure coring where the core apparatus drills the core sample and seals the core sample at its native downhole pressure (e.g., several thousand psi) may be expanded to include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging components to produce a pressurized NMR core holder that allows for NMR imaging of the core samples having been maintained in a downhole fluid saturation state. NMR imaging performed may include 1H and also 19F imaging depending on the chamber fluid used in the pressurized NMR core holder.

Small-sized flowlines are provided for use in NMR apparatus. The small-sized flowlines can have a channel with an inner diameter or maximum width of less than 0.2 inch and can be made of sapphire, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), or extruded polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which are useful in high temperature, high pressure environments such as downhole in a geological formation.

An apparatus, method and computer program for characterising samples using NMR. The apparatus includes a pulse sequence generator; and a response detector. The apparatus is configured to generate transverse and refocusing pulses and to record the decay response of a sample following a transverse pulse and echo response at least once after at least one refocusing pulse in order to enable determination of at least one relaxation time of the sample. In this way, sample or sample components with short relaxation times may be characterized.

Pressure coring where the core apparatus drills the core sample and seals the core sample at its native downhole pressure (e.g., several thousand psi) may be expanded to include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging components to produce a pressurized NMR core holder that allows for NMR imaging of the core samples having been maintained in a downhole fluid saturation state. NMR imaging performed may include 1H and also 19F imaging depending on the chamber fluid used in the pressurized NMR core holder.

A method and system are described for imaging core samples associated with a subsurface region. The imaging results may be used to create or update a subsurface model and using the subsurface model and/or imaging results in hydrocarbon operations. The imaging techniques may include NMR imaging and CT imaging. Further, the imaging techniques may also include exposing the core sample to the imaging gas.

Embodiments herein are directed to a portable diagnostic tool. The portable diagnostic tool includes a tool body, a first hexagonal shape, a second hexagonal shape, and a plurality of legs. The tool body has four peripheral edges, a top face and a bottom face positioned on an opposite side of the tool body. The first and second hexagonal shapes are disposed within the tool body extending through the top face and the bottom face. The second hexagonal shape is larger than the first hexagonal shape. Each of the plurality of legs extend from the same one of the four peripheral edges. Each of the plurality of legs are spaced apart and extend an equal length. Each one of the plurality of legs has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface has a tapered portion with respect to the first surface.

Embodiments herein are directed to a portable diagnostic tool. The portable diagnostic tool includes a tool body, a first hexagonal shape, a second hexagonal shape, and a plurality of legs. The tool body has four peripheral edges, a top face and a bottom face positioned on an opposite side of the tool body. The first and second hexagonal shapes are disposed within the tool body extending through the top face and the bottom face. The second hexagonal shape is larger than the first hexagonal shape. Each of the plurality of legs extend from the same one of the four peripheral edges. Each of the plurality of legs are spaced apart and extend an equal length. Each one of the plurality of legs has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface has a tapered portion with respect to the first surface.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gas isotherm techniques to evaluate wettability of porous media, such as hydrocarbon reservoir rock, can include constructing a NMR gas isotherm curve for a porous media sample gas adsorption under various pressures. A hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the porous media sample can be determined using the NMR gas isotherm curves. A wettability of the porous media sample can be determined based on the NMR gas isotherm curve. The wettability can be determined for porous media samples with different pore sizes. In the case of reservoir rock samples, the determined wettability can be used, among other things, to model the hydrocarbon reservoir that includes such rock samples, to simulate fluid flow through such reservoirs, or to model enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from such reservoirs.