ADVANCES IN DETECTION AND INTERPRETATION OF

HYDROCARBONS, NON-HYDROCARBONS AND NOBLE GASES WHILE

DRILLING
C. Barbieri, S. Mazzoni, eni, G. Abbruzzi, G. Ferroni, Geolog International.
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This paper was presented at the 12 Offshore Mediterranean Conference and Exhibition in Ravenna, Italy, March 25-27, 2015. It was
selected for presentation by OMC 2015 Programme Committee following review of information contained in the abstract submitted by
the author(s). The Paper as presented at OMC 2015 has not been reviewed by the Programme Committee.

ABSTRACT
A novel approach to the detection of mud-entrained gases while drilling has enable to enrich
significantly the quality and quantity of reservoir information available in Real-Time. This approach
has involved the development of new detection instruments and the adaptation of existing
technology to a new scope, and it was made possible by a constructive workflow involving two
separate companies (an oil company and a service provider) and distinct departments within such
companies. Such workflow enabled to plan, support and correct the project while drilling in order to
maximize the value of the data collected. A gas analyzer able to measure dozens of distinct light
hydrocarbon components simultaneously was deployed along with a detector dedicated to the
quantification of non-hydrocarbon gas species, focused on the measurement of CO2, He and H2,
even in very low concentrations. An interpretation model was applied to such data to infer from it
reservoir characteristics. The main result obtained was, in terms of hydrocarbons, an increased
depth of investigation of light hydrocarbons composition in Real-Time, obtaining for the first time
data normally extracted from production fluid samples at a much later stage. Furthermore,
observing the heavy gases behaviour we reached a better understanding of the mechanism of
liberation of gas from mud and the effect of contaminant fluids. These observations enable to
better assess the value of gas data and to more accurately quantify data uncertainty.
In terms of non-hydrocarbons, high-resolution gas detection was used to identify the presence of
Helium and to evaluate the possibility to use it as a tracer to correlate known levels and types of
mineralization. The whole system has allowed to identify the passage between the main reservoir
formations, secondary lithological contacts (carbonates / clays) and different mineralizations. The
noble gas, due to its physical properties, is theoretically differently distributed depending on its
solubility in the fluid it is in contact with: in an ideal situation is so possible to identify the types of
mineralization on the basis of different quantity of Helium detected in Gas, Water and Oil bearing
intervals respectively. The analysis also monitored the levels of CO2 and, where this gas was in
significant quantities, we proceeded to the sampling and characterization to determine the type /
source of this gas in order to estimate how much of this gas can be present in the well, and
consequently, evaluate the productivity of the well and choosing the facilities to be used.

INTRODUCTION
It is common practice in the oilfield to pay limited attention to the preparation of the surface logging
program; in fact often operators plan in detail all wireline and LWD acquisition details and tool
choice, dedicating only minimal time to the mud logging service design.
Over the years however, surface logging data have become increasingly relevant in terms of
formation evaluation, thanks to a series of technological advances which have made the mud
logging data increasingly sound, reliable and accurate, despite remaining cost-effective.
The authors have followed an entirely different path, and have opted to maximize the value of such
data, since they represent an early, direct measurement of the formation fluid composition. Once
such status in acknowledged, the challenge is to put in place all the needed techniques,
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