Productivity prediction from well logs in variable grain size reservoirs, Cretaceous Qishn Clastics,

Republic of Yemen.
Michael Cheng*, Marco Leal, Canadian Petroleum Ltd.; Dave McNaughton, Mincom Inc.

Abstract
The Upper Qishn Clastics of Cretaceous age is the primary producing reservoir in the Masila Block Development area
in the Repulic of Yemen. The underpressured, low GOR reserves require artificial lift from inception. Electric
Submersible Pumps (ESP) are used to produce the Qishn Clastics and consequently knowledge of initial reservoir
productivity is essential to the well completion designs and pump sizing. Conventional core and log evaluation
methods to predict reservoir productivity have been less than reliable because of variation in reservoir quality and
facies changes between pools. A simple and cost effective prediction technique using only commonly available openhole log data has been developed. The method is based on an engineering well test model and uses log derived
normalized resistivity ratios (Rn = log [Rt*Rmf/Rxo*Rw]), which characterize reservoir fluid mobility, to predict well
productivity indices (PI). The correlation was developed using measured well test data from 20 oil bearing zones in 9
wells, and is routinely applied to predict initial Pi's in new development wells. The method has been proven effective
over 4 years of field development and production in the Masila Block.
The Rn technique is a natural extension of the conventional moved-oil plot method in log analysis to infer zones of
maximum permeability and movable hydrocarbon. The model is simple and appears to be grain size independent.
Furthermore, the technique does not require complex petrophysical and geological analysis, and it utilizes data sets
(i.e. only dual laterolog with micro-spherically focused resistivity devices) that are consistent between wells.
Geology of the Qishn Clastics
The Cretaceous Qishn formation consists of a transgressive sequence of sands and shales which were deposited in a
variety of environments, ranging from shallow marine to fluvial/estuarine channel. The reservoirs are radioactive
and contain a mixture of facies with variable grain sizes. Figure 1 shows an example of a rapid change in grain size
from a very coarse to medium within a short interval (+/- 2m). Figure 2 is a conventional crossplot of core
measured porosity vs air permeability. The grain size effect is apparent on this plot, which precludes the use of this
simple techinque to evaluate reservoir permeability and productivity. Other traditional methods were also
unsucessful due to the grain size and facies variations.
Model development
Field production began in 1993, and it was necessary to estimate well productivity and permeability for well
completion design and reservoir simulation. The use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance logging to evaluate the
reservoirs was initially proposed but it was not a practical choice due to its high cost and logistical constraints of
working in this remote area of Yemen. A simple and cost effective technique which utilizes the productivity index
(PI) model and normalised resistivity ratio(Rn) was developed to predict reservoir productivity. After calibrating
the model with well test data and assuming reservoir characteristics and drilling practices do not change
significantly in each producing pool, reservoir productivity in the Masila Block can be evaluated with the following
equation:
PI = a + Rn *h*b
where a and b are constants, and h is the reservoir thickness over the zone of interest. Figure 3 shows a field
example of correlation between measured Pi's from well test and Rn*h. The correlation is excellent, demonstrating
the effectiveness of this prediction technique. The model also appears to be grain size independent as suggested by
the consistency of the data through different rock facies and grain sizes.

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