Consortium Alumni Association Presents

A One-day Course on

Basic Well Logging Design
Coordinated By
Sigit Sutiyono
Unocal Indonesia Company
 Agenda

• Introduction (8:15)
• Lecture‐I  Basic Theory/Interpretation 
• Break (10 – 10:15)
• Lecture‐II  Logging Program/Design
• Break (12:00)
• Workshop (1:30 – 4:00)
• Wrap‐up (4:00 – 5:00)
 Objectives

♦ Get to know various log measurements
♦ Recognize fluid type and lithology of major reservoirs, 
and some practical application of log data
♦ Familiarize with factors affecting the log response
♦ Understand the strategy in well evaluation
♦ Get to know various approaches to well logging design
♦ Exercise with well log design
 Definition

According to
4th Edition of J.A.Jackson’s Glossary of Geology:

Log : A continuous record as a function of depth,

usually graphic and plotted to scale on a narrow
paper strip, of observations made on the rocks
and fluids of the geologic section exposed in
the well-bore.
Wireline Logging Logging while Drilling

Mud in
Mud out
Cable

LWD Tools

Tools

Drill Bit
 Well Logging History
• The first electrical log was introduced in 1927 in France using stationed 
resistivity method.
• The first commercial electrical resistivity tool in 1929 was used in 
Venezuela, USA and Indonesia.
• SP was run along with resistivity first time in 1931
• Schlumberger developed the first continuous recording in 1931
• GR and Neutron logs was started in 1941
• Microresistivity array dipmeter and lateralog were first time introduced 
in 1950’s
• The first induction tool was used in 1956 followed by Formation tester 
in 1957, Fomation Density in 1960’s, Electromagnetic tool in 1978 and  
most of Imaging logs were developed in 1980’s 
• Advanced formation tester was commercialized in early 1990’s
Well in Pechelbronn - France Surface Recording Instrument

The “First” Log recorded in 1927

 Log Measurements

Practical definition of a log

Log is an indirect measurement of formation properties 
exposed by the well‐bore acquired by lowering a device or 
a combination of devices in the well bore.

A Formation Evaluation Specialist is essential to understand

The theory of measurements, quality control, interpretation

principles, geophysics and petroleum geology as well as
petroleum reservoirs
Advantages and Limitations of Well Logging

Advantages:
- Continuous measurements
- Easy and quick to work with
- Short time acquisition
- Better resolution than seismic data
- Economical

Limitations:
- Indirect measurements
- Limited by tool specification
- Affected by environment
- Varying resolution
Basic Theory of Measurements
 Logs are Implied Measurements

• Log is not a direct measurement of formation properties, it is an implied 
measurement based on one or combination of the following devices

• Electrical (Resistivity and

Induction)
• Acoustic
• Nuclear
• Electromagnetic
• Magnetic
Basic Theory on Resistivity

Rw
Current path

Unit volume filled with only water

Current path

Ro

Unit volume with water and matrix

Typical Formation
Oil
Water
Sand grain

Grain surface water

Current path

Rt
Measured by the tool
 Resistivity and Measurement Concept

Resistivity is the ability of a substance to impade the flow of electrical current

I E
E*A
Rw =
Rw I*L
L A

Rw - Formation Water resistivity

E - Voltage difference across the formation
A - Cross sectional Area
L - Length of brine containerr
I - Current
Resistivity and Measurement Concept

Schematic diagram of how an induction tool works

Secondary magnetic field Receiver

Created by the ground loop
Secondary magnetic field
Induces a current to flow in the receiver

Magnetic field induces

a current in the ground loop

Primary magnetic field

created by transmitter
Transmitter
 Resistivity Application
Resistivity is the key to hydrocarbon saturation determination

Sh = 1 - Sw

Water Saturation Estimation

Archie’s Equation

F * Rw 1/n
Sw = ( Rt ) where F=
1.0

Por
m

SW - Water saturation F - Formation factor

Rw - Formation water resistivity n - Saturation exponent
Rt - True Formation resistivity m - Cementation factor

Resistivity is also used for well to well correlation, and to pick fluid contacts
 Spontaneous Potential Log (SP)

• SP measurement is based on Electrical currents flowing in the 
mud from electrochemical and electrokinetic
• Salinity difference between mud flitrate and formation waters, 
ions movement creates currents measured in mVolt
• Negative or Positive SP curve deflection represents which fluid, 
formation or mud filtrate, has more ionic charge.
• It only works in water based mud !

• The use of SP log; bed boundary, distinguishing permeable from 
impermeable rock, shalyness indicator,  Rw determination and 
well correlation.
 Spontaneous Potential (SP)
(-) (+) Rmf >> Rw in all sands

Shale
Sand Thick clean wet sand

SP
- - - - - - - Thick shaly wet sand

Thick clean Gas sand

- - - - - - - Thick shaly Gas sand

Hydrocarbon effect
 Spontaneous Potential (SP)
Given:
Rmf = 0.51 at 135 F
SP Rm = 0.91 at 135 F
7430
40 mV TD = 8007 ft
Bottom hole temp.= 135 F
Surface temp. = 60 F
7470
Determine Rw ?
20

Limitation
SP is not reliable when you have no or very small contrast
Between Formation water salinity and mud filtrate salinity resulting in no
to small SP deflection
 Rw calculation from SP log

Rmfe
SSP = -K log
Rwe

Steps of Calculation;
- Determine Temperature at Depth of interval
- Correct Rm and Rmf to this temperature (gen-9)
- Determine SP (log) from shale baseline
- Correct SP to SSP using SP thickness corr. chart
- Determine Rmf/Rwe ratio using SP-1 chart
- Determine Rwe from above equation or SP-1 chart
- Correct Rwe to Rw using SP-2 chart
 Gamma Ray Log (GR)

• GR tool measures natural radioactivity of the formation from 
the emmision of all these; (Total GR)
Potasium, Uranium and Thorium
• GR log is used for;
‐ Well to well geological correlation
‐ Bed definition, more accurate than SP log
‐ Shale Volume Indicator (most reliable)
‐ Lithology and mineralogy indicator (NGT)

GRlog - GRmin IGR - Gamma ray index

IGR = GRmin - GR clean
GRsh - GRmin GRsh - GR shale baseline
Gamma Ray Log (GR)
 Gamma Ray Log (GR)

Mineral Density DT GR
Quartz 2.64 56 0-15
Calcite 2.71 49 0-15
Dolomite 2.85 44 0-15
Orthoclase 2.52 69 220
Micas 2.82 49 275
Kaolinite 2.41 - 80-130
Chlorite 2.76 - 180-250
Illite 2.52 - 250-300
Montmorillonite 2.12 - 150-200
Anhydrite 2.98 50 low
Pyrite 4.99 39 low
Coal 1.47 high low
 Gamma Ray Log (GR)

Well-1 Well-7 Well-2

GR Res
GR Res
GR Res
 Natural Gamma Ray Log (NGT)

• NGT tool measures the spectrum of

Potasium,Uranium, and Thorium
• NGT log is used for;
- Study of Depositional Environments
- Geochemical logging
- Shale typing
- Source Rocks
- Diagenetic History
- Vclay content correction
• With combination of Photoelectric curve can be
used for clay and mica type identification
 Natural Gamma Ray Log (NGT)

10

8 Glauconite
Biotite
6
Pe
4 Illite
Montmorillonite
2 Muscovite
Kaolinite
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
K, Potasium (%)
 Density Log

• Density tool is one of the most important instruments used to 
evaluate formations which measures formation density and 
directly ties to formation porosity
• The density tool measures the electron density, by emitting 
gamma ray from radioactive source and returning to two 
detectors
• The amount of Gamma rays that return depend on the number 
of electrons present,  electron density is related to bulk density 
of mineral or rock 
• In most cases environmental correction for Density log is not 
significant, field log density can be readily used for 
interpretation
 Density Log

Main categories in the process of GR energy loss due to

collisions with other atomic particles:

Compton Scattering is selected to be the energy level to

generate GR of the Cesium 137 radioactive source at 662 keV
 Density Log

• Porosity determination from density log:

RHOBma - RHOBlog
POR =
RHOBma - RHOBfluid

RHOBma - Matrix density

RHOBfluid - Formation fluid density
RHOBlog - Log density
PORd - Density derived porosity

Exercise: Determine porosity of limestone with field log

density inicated 2.5 gr/cc.
 Neutron Log

• The tool measures the Hydrogen Index which is the quantity of 
Hydrogen per unit volume
• The tools emit high energy neutrons either from radioactive 
source or minitron. They are slowed down by collisions with 
formation nuclei, collision will result energy loss, and the 
element mostly slowed down is H
• Water has high neutron counts, Oil has a little less counts than 
Water, Gas will have very low neutron counts
• Neutron log is very sensitive to environment change; bore hole 
size, mud cake, mud weight, temperature, stand‐off, pressure 
and formation salinity, measurement is compensation of far 
and near count rates.
Neutron Log
 Neutron Log
• Neutron tool has a wide range of applications
‐ Porosity Determination
‐ Gas Detection
‐ Borehole and formation salinity
‐ Reservoir Saturation
‐ Reservoir Monitoring
‐ Borehole Fluid dynamics
• Neutron radioactive source in normally uses Am 241

Exercise Neutron Log environmental correction

Given: Uncorrected neutron porosity of 34%, 14” borehole size,
0.25” mud cake, 200 kppm borehole salinity, 12 ppg mud at
170 F, 5000 psi pressure, using water based mud with formation
salinity of 50 kppm.
 Acoustic Log
• Sonic tool generates acoustic signals to measure the time travel to 
pass through a formation, log measurement in time required to 
travel in one foot formation (microsec/foot)
• Rock properties can be implied from sonic measurements;
Porosity,  Lithology,  Gas shows, Compaction and Rock strength
• Main current use :  ‐ Seismic Tie
‐ Mechanical properties
‐ Fracture identification
• Tool types; Borehole compensated sonic
Long spacing sonic
Array sonic tool
Ultrasonic borehole image
Dipole shear sonic image 
Acoustic Log
Acoustic Log
 Special Tools

• Resistivity Based Imaging Tool

- Pad device on 4 to 6 arm caliper, few mm resolution
- Application: Thin bed Evaluation, Dip meter,
Paleostream direction, fracture evaluation, stratigraphy.
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
- Using Permanent magnet to realign hydrogen protons to new
magnetic field, a Lithology dependance porosity, saturartion
and permeability estimation
• Dipole Shear Sonic
- Shear measurement, AVO and Rock mechanics applications
• Borehole sonic imaging
- Acustic based bore hole imaging for 360 deg coverage, lower
resolution than resistivity based imaging tools.
 Special Tools continued

• Modular Formation Test

- Very robust formation tester with the capability to take
unlimited pressure tests, pump the fluid into the borehole,
identify the fluid type before sampling
• Wellbore Seismic
- VSP: Vertical seismic profile surface guns, wellbore detectors
- SAT: Seismic acquisition tool
- WST: Well seismic tool
- DSA: Downhole seismic array tool (3 axis geophones)
Wellbore Seismic
 Log and Seismic Tie Effort

• Log Data Validation
‐ Check the log quality
‐ See if there is any missing log data
‐ Determine whether sonic peaks/anomalies representing formation
• Log editing
• Velocity Correction Sonic over VSP (using 4‐2 msec resolution) 
• Synthetic Seismic Generation
‐ Acoustic Impedance
‐ Convolution Wavelet to tie seismic and log peaks
* Extracted Wavelet ‐ to utilize wavelet as seen in the seismic
it is highly recommended (similar apperance)
* Rickr Wavelet ‐ commonly used to have zero phase
 Synthetic Seismograms

• Synthetic Seismograms are used to correlate seismic sections
• Theoretically this method uses many simplification and assumptions put 
into the model
• It provides important link to understand the tie between seismic data and 
well log responses
 VSP&
Seismic Section
 Velocity Survey
• Velocity or check shot surveys are performed in the wellbore to obtain 
vertical travel paths through the formations by locating sources and 
detectors/receivers at certain configuration, normally the receivers are 
placed near the gelogical horizons
• The survey only utilize first arrival to use in the recorded seismic trace
• First arrivals are then converted into vertical travel times on time‐depth 
graphs which can be used to calculate average velocities
• Sonic log calibration needs to be done prior to generation of synthetic 
logs, normally borehole effects are found very often causing drift  which is 
to be removed to prevent shifting in time of seismic reflections or 
pesudoevents
 Vertical Seismic Profile
• Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) uses both entire recorded seismic trace and 
first break.  Receivers are spaced at very closed  intervals in the wellbore in 
order to get a seismic section in the wellbore
• The seismic wave and all effects are measured as a function of depth as it 
propagates through the formations
• Thr receivers are close to reflectors where up‐going and down‐going waves 
are recorded as a function of depth
• The down‐going wavelets are used to design deconvolution filters
• In general VSP provide much better spatial and temporal resolution, the 
signal changes interm of bandwidth and energy loss are measured
• Applicatios of VSP are to correlate the actual seismic events with more 
confidence, and with much better resolution  due to shorter travel paths it 
can provide a tool to generate high resolution maps, and better estimate of 
rock properties
Basic Concept of VSP
Basic Concept of VSP
 Offset VSP

• Offset VSP are used to detect faults and pincouts
developed to illuminate structure away from the wellbore 

Multiple offset and walkaway VSP

• Multiple offset VSP were developed to provide high-resolution seismic

structural details in the area where interference from the shallow layers
• The disadvantages is very time consuming, it requires few days for the
acquisition by putting multiple source positioned in different locations
Offset VSP
 Basic Log Interpretation

Logs Data Applications

• Determine depth and thickness

• Identify productive zones
• Distinguish fluid types, gas, oil and water
• Estimate hydrocarbon reserve
• Help geological correlation and subsurface mapping
• Determine facies and drilling locations
 Basic Log Interpretation Continued
Common Tools in the Logging Industry

• Gamma Rays
• Self Potential
• Resistivity
• Induction
• Density
• Neutron
• Sonic
• Magnetic Resonance
• Formation Test
 Basic Log Interpretation Continued

Typical properties implied or estimated from

the log Measurements:

• Porosity
• Water Saturation
• Permeability
Fluid types
• Fluid contacts
• Lithology

• Dip angle
• Velocity
 Petrophysical Properties
Volume of pores
Porosity =
Total Volume of Rock

Porosity = “Storage Capacity”

Porosity is estimated using one or combination of

the followings; - Density
- Neutron
- Sonic
Combination of three inputs will get better estimate

Density Porosity:

POR = (DENmatrix – DENlog)/(DENmatrix – DENfluid)

 Petrophysical Properties
Formation Water in the pores
SW =
Total pore space in the rock

Water Saturation is estimated using combination of

the followings; - Porosity
- Resistivity
It requires formation factor and saturation index
derived from core analysis, and formation water resistivity

Archie’s Equation
1/Por m * Rw 1/n
Sw = ( Rt )
SW - Water saturation
n - Saturation exponent
Rw - Formation water resistivity
m - Cementation factor
Rt - True Formation resistivity
 Petrophysical Properties
Permeability Estimation from Logs

Timur’s
2.2
K= ( 93 * Por
Swi
) 2

where Swi = Irreducible water saturation

Tixier’s
3
K= ( 250 * Por
Swi
) 2

Permeability (K) is a measure of rock property to get the fluid passes through the rock.

The equations are based on empirical study, accurate K estimation can be obtained from
formation test, drillstem test (DST) or from core analysis
 Objectives

♦ Get to know various log measurements
♦ Recognize fluid type and lithology of major 
reservoirs, and some practical applications of log 
data
♦ Familiarize with factors affecting the log response
♦ Understand the strategy in well evaluation
♦ Get to know various approaches to well logging design
♦ Exercise with well log design
Fluid and Lithology Identification From the Logs
Fluid and Lithology Identification From the Logs

Gas Sand
Gas
Gas-Oil Contact

Oil Oil Sand

Oil-Water Contact

Water Water filled Sand

Water filled Sand

Water filled Sand

Coal
Carbonate/Limestone
Fluid and Lithology Identification From the Logs
RES
0.1 100

Gas Sand
Gas-Oil Contact

Oil Sand

Oil-Water Contact

Water filled Sand

Water filled Sand

Water filled Sand

Coal
Carbonate/Limestone
 How Can We Remember These Easily?
About Lithology Interpretation

• Claystone ‐ has large amount of water, and radioactive materials, is denser when it has 
less water, is not harder than limestone and is very conductive.

• Sandstone‐ is less dense than limestone, has less water than clay, contain more water 
than limestone except when it is saturated with dry gas, its conductivity is depending on 
fluid type it contains, has small to none radioactive fragments.

• Limestone ‐ is harder than both clay and sand, contains least water of the three, very 
resistive, it has low radioactivity materials, fast velocity, high density.

• Coal ‐ Normaly low radioactive, rarely radioactive, lowest density and very resistive
 How Can We Remember These Easily?
About Fluid Interpretation

• High Radioactivity ‐ High GR
• Very Conductive ‐ Low Resistivity
• High Water ‐ High Neutron and Low Resistivity
• High Gas ‐ Low Neutron and High Resistivity
• High Oil ‐ Higher Neutron than Gas, denser 
than gas Less Neutron than water, 
less dense than water, more 
resistive than water, less‐
resistive than gas when other 
properties are the same
• Dry Gas ‐ Very resistive, largest density 
neutron crossover
• High GOR ‐ Larger density‐neutron crossover 
than oil with low GOR
• Fresh Water ‐ Reservoir filled with high resistive water
 Are There Any Anomalies?
About Fluid Interpretation

• In a gas zone
‐ Mud filtrate invasion will cause the neutron‐density 
crossover looks like that of oil zone, the shallow investigation 
resistivity will be less resistive than that of deeper depth of 
investigation, resistivity difference is larger when conductive 
mud is used
‐ High Irreducible water (water bounds in clays and grains’ 
surface) will demonstrate little density‐neutron crossover 
similar to that of oil or water zones but less resistive than gas 
or oil zones with less irreducible water
• In an oil zone  ‐ similar to above
 How Is Log Analysis Calibrated?

• Core Data
Routie Core Analysis - For Porosity and Permeability Calibration
Special Core Analysis - For detailed rock and fluid properties such as
X Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Petrophysical
parameters (a,m and n determination), PVT, Gas Analysis and finger
prints of fluid samples, and etc.

• Formation Test
Fluid Identification from the logs is not direct, when the parameters are
not well established, formation test fluid samples can be used to
calibrate fluid identification using the logs. Formation test is also used
when possible log response anomalies encountered to get conclusive
fluid identification.
 Modern Formation For Fluid Identification

MDT String Configuration

Electric Power Module
Single Probe Module

Large sample Chamber

Multi sample Chambers

Fluid Description Module

Hydraulic Power Module

Test Probe
 Basic components of the tool

OLD NEW
Multi-sample
Probe Chambers

Resist. Pump Out

Probe
Valve sensor Module
HP Gauge
Strain Gauge

Optical Fluid
Pre-Test
Pre-Test Analyzer

Quartz Gauge
Isolation
Valve Flow line
Two Sample Chambers
 Gas Detector System

OFA Gas Detector Optics

Photodetector
Light Emitting Diode
Array
Cylindrical Lens Sapphire
Polarizer Prism

Sapphire window

Fluid Flow Gas Gas

Liquid
How OFA Divice Operates
OFA Spectrometer

Filter Lens Filter lens

Catridge Photodiode
Light
Distributor
Solenoids
Source
Light path Lamp
Chopper motor
Measure
Light Path

Sapphire Fluid flow

How Can We Differenciate Fluid Types ?

OFA Spectrometer

4.0 Visible Near infra-red

Crude Oil B
Optical Density

Water
Mud Crude Oil A
Filtrate

Fuel
Oil
Diesel
0.0

500 1000 1500 2000

Wave Length - (NM)
Example--1 : Gas OFA
Example
Example--2 : Water OFA
Example
Example--3 : Oil OFA
Example
 Are There Any Other Logs Applications?

The Logs Can Help Us to Determine:

• Volume of Hydrocarbon
• Fluid continuity
• Reservoir Extent
• Reservoir Rock Properties
• Depositional Environtment
• Diagenesis and Compaction
• Trapping
• Heterogeneity

¾Selecting Drilling Location

¾Well Completion
All are useful for
¾Subsurface Geological Mapping
¾Reservoir Characterization
Hydrocarbon Reserves Estimate

7758 * (1-Sw) * h * Por * RF * A

Oil rec =
BoI

(43560 * DEPTH*0.43)* (1-Sw)* h* Por*RF*A

Gas rec =
15

Where : RF - Recovery Factor

h - Thickness, A - Area
BoI - Oil Vol. factor
BoI = 1.05 + 0.5 * (Gas Oil Ratio/100)
 Lateral Continuity ?
Well-1 Well-7 Well-2
GR Res
GR Res GR Res
Compaction Trend ?
DT
GR
Res
 Objectives

♦ Get to know various log measurements
♦ Recognize fluid type and lithology of major reservoirs, and 
some practical applications of log data
♦ Familiarize with factors affecting the log response
♦ Understand the strategy in well evaluation
♦ Get to know various approaches to well logging design
♦ Exercise with well log design
 Depth of Investigation and Resolution
of Logging Tools

Induction 80 cm
log

Resistivity

Laterolog 80 cm

Resolution
Neutron 40 cm

Radioactivity
Gamma-ray 30 cm

Density 20 cm

Acoustic Sonic 60 cm

Micro resistivity 5 cm
Micro log
Resistivity Dipmeter 2 cm
250 cm 200 cm 150 cm 100 cm 50 cm 0 cm
Depth of Investigation
 Tools Size and Measuring point for Typical
Oil Based Mud Environment

AIT SDT LDT CNT SGT LEH TCC AMS

GR
Neutron
Tool Length
Density
Sonic
Induction

Additional combinable tools:

- Dipmeter
- Magnetic Resonance
- Borehole Imager
Measuring point from - Dipole Sonic
the bottom of the tool
- Formation Tester
- Others

This slide helps you to configure the tool string that is appropriate for your well
Tool Specification
Resistivity Measurement Problems and Limitations

Resistivity measurements are not reliable when you have:

Severe invasion due to overbalanced mud
Large washed-out borehole
Shoulder bed affects
High content of conductive minerals
Some older tool generations have limited vertical resolution
Effects of Borehole Environment

Flushed
Ro Zone Undisturbed
Rt Ri Rxo Formation
Rw Rz Rmf Rm
Ri
Sw Si Sxo Invaded
Zone

Mud Cake
Rmc
 Invasion Profile

Fresh Mud Rmf > RW Low High

Rm Rxo D M S
Rt

Salt Mud Rmf < Rw

S M D
Rt
Rxo
Rm
SP Log Limitations
The tool is only for water based borehole environment
SP is not reliable when you have no or very small contrast
between Formation water salinity and mud filtrate salinity resulting in no
to small SP deflection

GR Log Limitations
Standard GR tool is not reliable when you log an interval with radioactive
mineral rich rocks. NGT is recommended to use for this type of
Formation to get reliable GR derived clay volume calculation.
GR measurements in cased hole environment need to be normalized
due to casing, and cement attenuation

Density Log Limitations

Density log is a pad device, it is very sensitive to the pad contact with
The borehole wall, make sure to consult with your petrophysicist prior to
using the data for any other applications.
Neutron Log Limitations
Neutron log is very sensitive to environment change; bore hole size,
mud cake, mud weight, temperature, stand-off, invasion, pressure and
formation salinity, measurement is compensation of far and near count
rates.

Sonic Log Limitations

Sonic log is likely affected by strong attenuation when we log
unconsolidated formation, fractured formation, gas saturated reservoirs,
aerated muds, rugose and enlarged borehole sections. Typically shows
some curve skippings.

Formation Test Log Limitations

Formation test problems normally occur when you don not have a good
Rubber pad seal, causing a communication with the mud giving you much
Higher pressure reading. Depleted and highly invaded zone would cause
long fluid pumping before you get clean sample or fluid identification
 Objectives

♦ Get to know various log measurements
♦ Recognize fluid type and the lithology of major reservoirs, 
and practical uses of log data
♦ Familiarize with factors affecting the log response
♦ Understand the strategy of a well evaluation
♦ Get to know various approaches to well logging design
♦ Exercise with well log design
Why Wireline Well logging

1. Better Resolution
2. More advanced tools
3. Better depth control
4. Only choice available (certain tools)
5. More certain on data quality
Disadvantages of Wireline 
logging

1. Invasion effect
2. Hole condition dependant
3. Unable to log in high angle wells (>60 deg)
4. Acquired after drilling, more rig time
5. More uncertainty in getting data or good
data in problem prone wells
Important Issues with 
Running Wireline logs

1. Borehole fluid type

2. Borehole size
3. Well deviation
4. Tool combination
5. High Mud Weight resulting in over balanced
Logging while Drilling
 Why LWD?

• Reduce Rig Time
• Real Time Decisions
• Minimized Borehole Problems
• High Angle/Horizontal Wells
 Disadvantages of LWD
• Borehole size and rugosity are not known
• Good data collected only when the tool is rotating
• Data quality is rate dependant
• Log resolution is generally poorer than that of wireline
• Ability to configure the tools is limited
• Not a good application for a slow drilling rate for cost 
consideration especially for expensive rig.
• Depth control is poorer than wireline data
 LWD and Wireline Comparison

X800
Invasion
X800

X900 X900
Wireline Log Example

X400

X450
 LWD Real time and Recorded Logs

D. RES
GR D. RES
GR NEU NEU DEN
DEN
X500 X500

X600 X600

X700 X700
 Selecting the Tools to run

What tools do you run in the hole?

It depends on what type of information you are about to get 
and the cost you are willing to spend. 

Need              Want

What is the value of information you are getting?

Ability to Define Your Need

• Geological
• Geophysical
• Reservoir
• Petrophysical
• Mechanical
 Type of Information to Acquire

• Geology
‐ Sand development and sand thickness
‐ Stratigraphic information
‐ Lateral continuity
‐ Hydrocarbon source

• Geophysics
‐ Velocity uncertainty
‐ Well to seismic tie
‐ Seismic and fluids/lithology correlation
 Type of Information…   continued

• Petrophysics
‐ Porosity
‐ Water saturation
‐ Permeability
‐ Mineralogy

• Reservoir
‐ Compartment
‐ Fluid properties
‐ Reservoir pressure
‐ Reservoir monitoring

• Rock Mechanics
‐ Stress direction
‐ Pressure profile
‐ Fracture orientation
Understand the Scales Of Observation

Seismic Section

Wireline Logs

Out-Crops/Core

Thin Sections
Scales Of Observation
 Objectives

♦ Get to know various log measurements
♦ Recognize fluid type and the lithology of major reservoirs, 
and practical uses of log data
♦ Familiarize with factors affecting the log response
♦ Understand the strategy in well evaluation
♦ Get to know various well logging designs
♦ Exercise with well log design
 Well Logging Design Objective

The objectives of a well logging design should follow

your drilling objectives, if drilling objective is not met,
the objectives of logging program should be adjusted
accordingly.

A logging program would vary depending on drilling

Objectives.
 Well Logging Design‐
Well Logging Design‐1

• Onshore well

A development well, A‐5, is to drill updip structure of A‐Sand 
to accelerate oil  production, the A‐4 well has produced this 
Reservoir for a year, and currently produces 80% water.  The 
reservoir has a strong aquiver drive mechanism.   
 Well Logging Design‐
Well Logging Design‐1  continued

• Drilling objective is to drill and complete the A‐Sand Level
• Logging program objective for this well is then to locate the 
top of the A‐Sand and make sure that the interval is still in the 
oil column.
• Other information: Strong water drive means it has good 
pressure maintenance, therefore, no need to take pressure 
data.
• Rig type: Onshore Rig (inexpensive), a vertical well.
• Logging Design : Wireline GR‐Resistivity‐Neutron‐Density
 Well Logging Design‐
Well Logging Design‐2

• Offshore well

A third appraisal well is proposed on the west flank of the 
structure.  First two‐wells suggest that well to well log 
correlation is not easy,  however pressure data has helped the 
well to well correlation.  This well is to reveal the lateral 
continuity and the compartment issue of the reservoirs. 
 Well Logging Design‐
Well Logging Design‐1  continued
• Drilling objective is to drill and to find out the lateral continuity 
of some reservoirs.
• Logging program objective is to collect  as much data to 
confirm lateral continuity and well to well correlation.
• Other information: The well is still in the appraisal phase.
• Rig type: Offhore Rig (expensive), directional well?
• Logging Design : 
‐ LWD GR‐Resistivity‐Density‐Neutron
‐ Wireline GR‐Resistivity‐Density‐Neutron as contigency
in case LWD data is not reliable
‐ Wireline formation test for pressure correlation
‐ Wireline OBMI for stratigraphic information
to help well to well correlation
 Example‐‐1 
Example 1 ‐‐ Logging Program
• 26 “ Conductor ‐ 3500’ to 3700’MD
None

• 20” Casing ‐ 3700’ to 4100’ MD
None

• 17‐1/2” Hole section 4100’ to 6000’ MD
‐ LWD:  GR‐Resistivity

• 12‐1/4” Hole Section 6000’ to 9000’ MD
‐ LWD:  GR‐Resistivity‐Density‐Neutron
‐ Wireline: Triple combo only when LWD fail
Formation test as required

• 8‐1/2” Hole section 9000’ to 12000’ MD
‐ LWD:  GR‐Resistivity‐Density‐Neutron
‐ Wireline: Triple combo only when LWD fail
Formation test as required
Borehole image as required
Nuclear Magnetic tool as required
 Example‐‐2  Logging Program
Example Continued

• 8‐1/2” Hole Section 9000’ to 12000’ MD
LWD:
GR‐Resistivity‐Density‐Neutron

Wireline:
Triple combo as a contingency when LWD fail
Wet Case:
Triple combo as a contingency when LWD data is not reliable
Formation tests for pressures and water samples
H.C. Case:
Triple combo as a contingency when LWD data is not reliable
Formation tests for pressures and fluid samples
Borehole image log for dip and stratigraphic information
Nuclear Magnetic tool when considerable thick‐shaly sand reservoirs are 
penetrated
Borehole seismic for velocity survey
Important Aspects To Consider

• Risk
• Cost
• Environment
• Hole Size
• Well Design
• Tool Speed
 Important Aspects To Consider
Some examples

• Risk
‐ While we are running in hole with wireline tools, the 
tools could not go down at certain depth.  The company 
representative has decided to pull out of hole to run 
different tool configuration. 

‐ In case of a risk that we are not able to go down passing 
the same depth with new tool configuration, the 
petrophysicist has asked the log engineer to log up while 
pulling out of hole to get data assurance.
 Important Aspects To Consider
Some examples

• Cost
‐ After the well reached TD at 6000 ft, the team found out 
that they do not have room to get all log data to the base of 
the reservoir near TD if they use typical triple combination 
wireline tools, to drill additional 50 ft would take 24 hour rig 
time including RIH and POOH. 

‐ The petrophysicist has then decided to split the tools into 
two runs, which only require additional 6 hour rig time for 
second wireline run.  By doing that it would have saved 18 
hour rig time if they drill additional 50 ft to have only one 
logging run 
 Important Aspects To Consider
Some examples

• Environment
‐ The well is to drill complex lithology interval in Jurasic 
section.  Where coal, shale, sand, limestone can be 
penetrated in the same hole section.

‐ The geologist and petrophysicist have suggested their 
drilling team to drill the well with oil based mud to help 
possible swelling clay problem, formation of limestone 
ledges and washed‐out sand section, therefore it would 
promote a smooth and successful logging operation after 
they reach TD. 
 Important Aspects To Consider
Some examples

• Hole Size
‐ The Drilling engineer has suggested to run only LWD in the 
12‐1/4” hole section to reduce well cost.

‐ The petrophysicist has argued and suggested to run 
wireline because based on previous wells in this field where 
they have drilled at average rate of 300 ft/hr resulting in not 
reliable data. The team has supported their petrophysicist to 
run wireline because it would help to support field 
certification. 
 Important Aspects To Consider
Some examples

• Well Design
‐ After the G&G team provide the targets to the drilling 
engineer, the team has to end up with a well design that it 
requires a highly deviated well exceeding 60 deg.

‐ LWD log data acquisition is then put in their logging 
program because based on their experience in this field 50 
deg well was the highest deviated well that they could log 
with wireline. 
 Important Aspects To Consider
Some examples

• Tool Speed
‐ Based on the statistics drilling the Pliocene section is very 
quick, averaging 400 ft/hr, the company is drilling a 
horizontal gas well at about 3000 ft TVD.

‐ LWD engineer and the petrophyscist have worked together 
and have given a recommendation to do controlled drilling at 
about 200 ft/hr to get an acceptable log data quality. 
 What do you have in mind?

On Shore Off Shore

Development Well Deep water
development-well

In respect to Risk, Cost, Environment, Hole Size, Well Design, Tool Speed
 Exploratory Well
• Seismic Information
• Regional Geology Information
• Drilling the well using “Learning while doing” 
concept
• High Risk but must be manageable
• Mostly Vertical well
 Development Well
• In Many cases with little to no need of seismic 
information
• Local Geology Information
• Drilling with full knowledge
• Low Risk mainly mechanical
• Vertical, highly deviated to horizontal wells
An Example of rather complex Logging Program 
Decision Tree

West Seno Data Gathering Strategy

Y Y Y Y
Standard 12 1/4 “ WIRELINE
PAY LWD
we ll PAY
MD T N
N LWD
LWD N Y
SAMPLING SAMPLES
N Fully
Full Y N
Loade d PRESSURE
Cor es
Wireline P.O

N Y N
CST Spe cial PEX SAMPLING
Cor es Logging MD T
N
N
STOP

Y Objective
Objective
N driven-logging
Velocity Y CSAT De epest Y
VSP
Uncertainty or VSP Well

STOP N
STOP
N

N Y
UBI or CBL Cased H ole GR
N
GR to bottom of 13 3/8 “
 Another Way To Save Cost!

• ACQUIRE DATA WITHOUT USING COSTLY RIG TIME 
(PIPE DECISION NOT NECESSARY ‐ NO DRY HOLES)

– GATHER DATA REALTIME WHILE DRILLING
– GATHER DATA THROUGH TUBING AFTER COMPLETION
– COMBINATION OF BOTH
 Project Base Approach

UOME company has $200 MM program for
exploratory wells for the year 2004.

As a follow up of their exploration campaign,
UOME Company has $ 600 MM program for
developing a new deepwater field for the year 
2005 that will have peak production of 100,000 
BOPD
 Objectives

♦ Get to know various log measurements
♦ Recognize fluid type and the lithology of major reservoirs, 
and practical uses of log data
♦ Familiarize with factors affecting the log response
♦ Understand the strategy in well evaluation
♦ Get to know various well logging designs
♦ Exercise with well log design
 Exercise‐1
• PT Indooil Co., the sole owner of mineral right on Block A, on‐shore, 2 km in 
adjacent to a known oil producing area in the Block B.  The company is looking at a 
prospect to drill the first well, Indoco‐1, in the block targeting for the same 
producing interval in Block B at about 4000 ft depth, and it is estimated 50 ft down 
dip in this block.
• The costs for various available log data acquisition are as follow:
• Wireline GR ‐ $1/ft, Induction ‐ $4/ft, BHC Sonic ‐ $1/ft, Density‐$2/ft, Neutron‐$2/ft
• Formation test ‐ $100/pressure, $1000/fluid identification, $2000/fluid sample 
• Depth charge for each Wireline tool is free.
• LWD GR and Induction ‐ $10,000/day, Density and Neutron ‐ $10,000/day
• The rig cost is $5000/day 
• 1) What is your recommended data gathering strategy and well logging design for 
the well?
• 2) While drilling, the well penetrates 5 thick sand units with high mud log gas from 
3,000 to 4,200 ft.  How do you recommend the company on the logging design?
• 3) After the well reached the proposed TD, there were no encouragement seen from 
the mud log signs, what would you do for your logging program? 
 Exercise‐2
• The exercise‐1 was seismically to test the amplitude anomaly 
at Orange horizon, equivalent to the Berani Clastic Formation.  
The Indoco‐1 well encountered 300 ft of Oil column and was 
completed and produced from this level for over one year 
with cumulative production of 4 mmbo.  The company is 
looking at similar seismic character 1‐1/2 km away from 
Indoco‐1 well, which was connected by dim event to the 
amplitude at the Indoco‐1 well.  It has been interpreted as a 
different channel lobe.  The company did low profile and ran 
only simple wireline GR, resistivity, density, neutron and sonic 
on the Inoco‐1 well.
• What is your data gathering strategy for this Indoco‐2 well?
 Exercise‐3
• A subsurface team is evaluating a four‐way closure structure 
offshore East Kalimantan, based on their synthesis, if the 
timing of migration is right, it is a big structure filled with 
hydrocarbon.  The water depth around the prospect is about 
4500 ft.   To properly evaluate the prospect, the team thinks 
that they need at least 8 wells drilled at various locations on 
the structure.  Some apparent faults due to regional 
compressive stress cut the structure into possible many 
compartments.  
• Make assessment on options the company needs to do and 
make recommendation on well evaluation strategy.
 Exercise‐4
• An offshore well is proposed to redrill the A‐5 well 
with updip direction from this well to get the gas leg 
of clean and blocky sand found with gas water 
contact in the A‐5 well.  The company is trying to get 
more gas production.  The team is looking at drilling 
horizontal well with about 500 ft of producing 
section.  What is your recommended logging 
program for this well and why?