A new empirical method for constructing capillary pressure curves from conventional logs in low-permeability sandstones

Pore structure reflected from capillary pressure curves plays an important role in low-permeability formation evaluation. It is a common way to construct capillary pressure curves by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) log. However, the method’s efficiency will be severely affected if there is no NMR log data or it cannot reflect pore structure well. Therefore, on the basis of J function and diagenetic facies classification, a new empirical model for constructing capillary pressure curves from conventional logs is proposed here as a solution to the problem. This model includes porosity and the relative value of natural gamma rays as independent variables and the saturation of mercury injection as a dependent variable. According to the 51 core experimental data sets of three diagenetic facies from the bottom of the Upper Triassic in the western Ordos Basin, China, the model’s parameters in each diagenetic facies are calibrated. Both self-checking and extrapolation tests show a positive effect, which demonstrates the high reliability of the proposed capillary pressure curve construction model. Based on the constructed capillary pressure curves, NMR T2 spectra under fully brine-saturated conditions are mapped by a piecewise power function. A field study is then presented. Agreement can be seen between the mapped NMR T2 spectra and the MRIL-P log data in the location of the major peak, right boundary, distribution characteristics and T2 logarithmic mean value. In addition, the capillary pressure curve construction model proposed in this paper is not affected by special log data or formation condition. It is of great importance in evaluating pore structure, predicting oil production and identifying oil layers through NMR log data in low-permeability sandstones.