Comparison of NMR-Derived Hydraulic Conductivity with Various Hydraulic Testing Methods

Abstract

Borehole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can be used to estimate the hydraulic conductivity (K) of unconsolidated materials. Various petrophysical models have been developed to predict K based on NMR response, with considerable efforts on optimizing site-specific constants. In this study, we assessed the utility of NMR logs to estimate K within highly heterogeneous glaciofluvial deposits by comparing them with K measurements from three types of co-located hydraulic testing methods, including permeameter, multi-level slug, and direct-push hydraulic profiling tool (HPT) logging tests. Four NMR models, including Schlumberger-Doll Research (SDR), Seevers, Sum-of-Echoes (SOE), and Kozeny-Godefroy (KGM), were applied to construct K profiles at four locations with model constants optimized using permeameter-based K. Model constants suitable for glaciofluvial deposits were provided. Results showed that NMR logging can provide reliable K estimates for interbedded layers of sand/gravel, silt, and clay. Through cross-hole comparison of NMR-derived K profiles, the trends and magnitudes of K for aquifers/aquitards were readily mapped. Quantitatively, the NMR-derived K coincided with hydraulic-testing K, with optimal model fits within one order of magnitude. We noticed that (1) Seevers performed similarly but no better than SDR in predicting permeameter and slug testing measurements; (2) SOE yielded slightly better predictions than SDR; (3) the removal of porosity in SDR did not deteriorate its prediction, and the optimized SDR constant resembled the literature-based values for glacial deposits; and (4) KGM yielded the optimal fits with slug-based K, demonstrating its reliable performance. Lastly, we made recommendations on selecting suitable petrophysical models.