NMR Logging to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity in Unconsolidated Aquifers
Abstract
Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR ) logging provides a new means of estimating the hydraulic conductivity ( K ) of unconsolidated aquifers. The estimation of K from the measured NMR parameters can be performed using the Schlumberger‐Doll Research ( SDR ) equation, which is based on the Kozeny–Carman equation and initially developed for obtaining permeability from NMR logging in petroleum reservoirs. The SDR equation includes empirically determined constants. Decades of research for petroleum applications have resulted in standard values for these constants that can provide accurate estimates of permeability in consolidated formations. The question we asked: Can standard values for the constants be defined for hydrogeologic applications that would yield accurate estimates of K in unconsolidated aquifers? Working at 10 locations at three field sites in Kansas and Washington, USA, we acquired NMR and K data using direct‐push methods over a 10‐ to 20‐m depth interval in the shallow subsurface. Analysis of pairs of NMR and K data revealed that we could dramatically improve K estimates by replacing the standard petroleum constants with new constants, optimal for estimating K in the unconsolidated materials at the field sites. Most significant was the finding that there was little change in themore »
- Authors:
-
- Vista Clara Inc., 12201 Cyrus Way, Suite 104, Mukilteo, WA 98275, 425‐493‐8122,
- Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, (785) 864–2116,
- Vista Clara Inc., 12201 Cyrus Way, Suite 104, Mukilteo, WA, 98275,
- Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, (785) 864–2115,
- 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3006 University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, (307) 766–3603,
- Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, (785) 864–2173,
- Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas Lawrence, KS 66047, (785) 864–2111,
- 6010 Canyonside Rd., La Crescenta, CA 91214, (818) 415–1913,
- Publication Date:
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1400508
- Resource Type:
- Publisher's Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Ground Water
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Ground Water Journal Volume: 54 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0017-467X
- Publisher:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Knight, Rosemary, Walsh, David O., Butler, Jr., James J., Grunewald, Elliot, Liu, Gaisheng, Parsekian, Andrew D., Reboulet, Edward C., Knobbe, Steve, and Barrows, Mercer. NMR Logging to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity in Unconsolidated Aquifers. United States: N. p., 2015.
Web. doi:10.1111/gwat.12324.
Knight, Rosemary, Walsh, David O., Butler, Jr., James J., Grunewald, Elliot, Liu, Gaisheng, Parsekian, Andrew D., Reboulet, Edward C., Knobbe, Steve, & Barrows, Mercer. NMR Logging to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity in Unconsolidated Aquifers. United States. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.12324
Knight, Rosemary, Walsh, David O., Butler, Jr., James J., Grunewald, Elliot, Liu, Gaisheng, Parsekian, Andrew D., Reboulet, Edward C., Knobbe, Steve, and Barrows, Mercer. Tue .
"NMR Logging to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity in Unconsolidated Aquifers". United States. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.12324.
@article{osti_1400508,
title = {NMR Logging to Estimate Hydraulic Conductivity in Unconsolidated Aquifers},
author = {Knight, Rosemary and Walsh, David O. and Butler, Jr., James J. and Grunewald, Elliot and Liu, Gaisheng and Parsekian, Andrew D. and Reboulet, Edward C. and Knobbe, Steve and Barrows, Mercer},
abstractNote = {Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR ) logging provides a new means of estimating the hydraulic conductivity ( K ) of unconsolidated aquifers. The estimation of K from the measured NMR parameters can be performed using the Schlumberger‐Doll Research ( SDR ) equation, which is based on the Kozeny–Carman equation and initially developed for obtaining permeability from NMR logging in petroleum reservoirs. The SDR equation includes empirically determined constants. Decades of research for petroleum applications have resulted in standard values for these constants that can provide accurate estimates of permeability in consolidated formations. The question we asked: Can standard values for the constants be defined for hydrogeologic applications that would yield accurate estimates of K in unconsolidated aquifers? Working at 10 locations at three field sites in Kansas and Washington, USA, we acquired NMR and K data using direct‐push methods over a 10‐ to 20‐m depth interval in the shallow subsurface. Analysis of pairs of NMR and K data revealed that we could dramatically improve K estimates by replacing the standard petroleum constants with new constants, optimal for estimating K in the unconsolidated materials at the field sites. Most significant was the finding that there was little change in the SDR constants between sites. This suggests that we can define a new set of constants that can be used to obtain high resolution, cost‐effective estimates of K from NMR logging in unconsolidated aquifers. This significant result has the potential to change dramatically the approach to determining K for hydrogeologic applications.},
doi = {10.1111/gwat.12324},
journal = {Ground Water},
number = 1,
volume = 54,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Tue Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}
https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.12324
Web of Science
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