,, .
2255
Computerized Temperature Decay—
An Asset to Temperature Logging
R. D. Cocanower, SPE-AIME, The western co.
Billy P. Morris, SPE-AIME, The Western Co.
Mat Dillingham, SPE-AIME, The Western Co.
Introduction
There has been renewed interest in the use of tem-
perature surveys for fluid movement analysis in both
producing and injection wells, Many techniques have
been tried and the results publicized, The major prob-
lem of defining accurately the vertical dimensions of
the injection zone was inherent in all the analog tech-
niques. Additional problems of the effect of borehole
mechanical conditions and the statistical errors com-
mon to analog recordhqy made interpretation more
difficult. To obtain better definition of injection zones,
calculation methods have been developed for com-
paring shut-in,temperature surveys with injection tem-
perature surveys or with normal gradients. The ca-
lculationsfor each depth interval were time-consuming
and still contained the errors common to analog re-
cordings. The digitizing of the signals from the tem-
perature element at the well site and the use of com-
puters for converting these signals to temperatures
and to computer projections to a selected time interval
provide mo;e accurate definition of injection zones.
Conditions
Movement of fluid into a formation cools the zone
invaded as well as the strata above and below (Fig.
1). The extent of the cooling, both horizontal and ver-
tical, increases with continued injection until steady-
state heat flow is approached. When the well is shut
in for survey purposes, the normal formation tempera-
ture continues to transfer heat to the wellbore.
By determininga temperature progression or regression rate after shut-in, and by
further extrapolating through a computer program, temperature surveys can be interpreted
quantitatively to yield a precise definition of zones of injection,
1 I
I
The rate at which the wellbore returns to normal
temperature depends upon the mechanical conditions
of the borehole and the degree to which the strata
have cooled
Temperature surveys performed after shut-in show
the effect of packers, hole size changes, and cooling
of areas (Fig, 2) vertically adjacent to the injection
zone. Repeated surveys show a decreasing effect of
the mechanical conditions and provide more informa-
tion on the injection zone. A single-run temperature
survey after shut-in can be very misleading. Multiple
runs are necessary to distinguish the mechanical ccm-
ditions from the injection zones.
Repeated runs to define the upper and lower limits
of an injection zone are at first affected by the cooling
of strata adjacent to the zone, and later by the vertical
heat transfer to the injection zone near the wellbore.
In the first case, the zone may appear too broad, and
in the second, the zone -ould be eliminated from view.
To gather valid dati., it is not necessary that the
down-hole sensors be extremely sensitive, but they
must show linear reaction over the temperature range
being investigated. With the development of the sur-
face differential systems, there has been considerable
confusion over the term “sensitivity”. These systems
are capable of expanding a down-hole signal to a high
degree, but the sensitivity of the system is only that
of the sensor in the borehole. Too high a sensitivity
will make the variance of formation rock character-
/

Mm more predominant and Iithology corrections
must be made for interpretation.
A digital tape recording system for recording raw
signals from the sonde and converting these signals to
temperature through a computer has proved more ac-
curate than analog recording. Apparent shifts in ana-
log recorded logs are caused by circuitry variations
and not by borehole conditions. The time lag between
down-hole signals and strip chart recordings is elimi-
nated, providing more accurate signal depth informa-
tion. Further processing of the digital taped informa-
tion through the projecting formulas provides maxi-
mum information in minimum time.
History
The first fluid flow analyses using a survey of the
decay of temperature with time were time-consuming,
and the information obtained at extended shut-in
times was distorted by the vertical heat flow.
Measured horizontal movement of decay runs after
a shut-in period of 3 to 4 hours yields an average
differential between runs and provides a method of
extrapolating to a selected time interval, reducing the
vertical effect.
An improvement on the measured differential be-
tween runs was made using the radial heat flow
equation:
(7’. – 7’,) = (T,l,j – r,) e-”’1~. . . . (1)
where T. is the temperature at a depth for some time
interval after shut-in; TOis the normal gradient tem-
Fig. I—Injectioncoolingpattern.
.
perature at that depth; TI,,, is the injection tempera-
ture at that depth; dt is the time interval between T,
and T,,,,; and c is a constant.
First, the equation is solved for c from the measu-
red temperatures at a vertical interval in the well.
The c values are then calculated for two or more
measured temperatures at the same interval for dif-
ferent shut-in periods. Normally Y2 hour, 1 hour, and
2 hours shut-in intervals are used.
The c values obtained are then averaged and the
average value substituted back in the equation to solve
for T (shut-in) at some selected time interval, such as
24,48 or more hours. This method has produced good
injection zone definition.
Percentages of fluid injection can be calculated by
comparing the difference between the extrapolated T
and T-normal for each interval taking fluid.
The application of Eq. 1 is confirmed in the follow-
ing mathematical development and theoretical ex-
amples, after the mathematical mode! suggested by
Crawford.’
Mathematical Development “
This section is a summary of the equations showing
the mathematical development of the transient tem-
perature fields resulting from the injection of water
into oil sands, and subsequent temperatures antici-
pated when logging these zones. For many water-
flood, the normal geothermal temperature of the oil
sand is warmer than that of the injection water at the
sand-face during injection, For this reason, the devel-
RUH ~1
RUN *2
;
5909
\ ●
4
Bmnl
f Ming
I 2-ltlr.8ftushstin
*
I
Ftg.2—Effectsof wellborecondition.
.
opment is given in these terms; however, if the injec-
tion water is warmer than the oil sand, the same equa-
tions may still be used,
When water is being injected at normal flooding
rates down casing or tubing, in logging a distance of
100 ft there is only a small change in temperature.
This fact has been theoretically forecast and found to
be true. For example, the water temperature may in-
crease 0.8°F in logging a 100-ft interval at depths of
near 4,000 ft. At the face of the oil sand or zone tak-
ing water, there appears to be little or no change in
water temperature from the top to the bottom of the
pay. If the water temperature should be 80”F at the
center of the pay, it will most likely be 80.0 & 0.4GF
for 30 to 40 ft above and below the injection interval
during the period of injection. Recognition and field
verification of this permits one to formulate the equa-
tion for the desired temperature fields,
In analyzing this problem, one may assume for en-
gineering purposes, that there is a constant tempera-
ture difference between the water flowing in the hole
slightly above, into, and slightly below the pay, and
the normal geothermal temperature of the strata, This
temperature difference between the water and the
sand may be on the order of 20°F, but will depend
on many things including the time of year, well sys-
tem, and previous operating conditions.
The.temperature change At in the rock at a distance
z above or below an injection interval, out a radius
of r from the well at time E),is given by:
At.,,,o = (f?. r,c))(Ar,e) (N) , . . .
where AT is the difference between the temperature
of the water and the geothermal temperature, and
z perature profiie was recorded after %, 1 and 2 hours.
B=erf
[ – 2~a(@ – O,) 1 “ “
0, is that time in hours satisfied by
o.o=7rr’–
(qcii?o)
2~_*o
●
[ ~?r“1“
ei’z(1 –erfb) + —
2kl,,
b— (o, r)!~ . . . . .
= () CA~i
. JOY – YO(ur)Jo(ua)
J.’(w) + YO’(au)
. ..., . . . .
2X
erf(x) = — e-~zdg,
~; J
o
These equations may be used to forecast the tem-
perature in the rock during water injection, During
shut-in, there is a temperature rise along the sand face,
and this rate of rise differs because the temperature
field of the zones taking water differs greatly from
that of the zones not taking water.
During shut-in, the temperature rise in the well-
bore may be calculated by relaxation techniques using
equations of the following type, reduced to cylindrical
coordinates:
J’T + J’T + J’T _ 1 JT
~ (7)
~~aJ”””’
The coefficient a is slightly different for the pay
zone and the overburden or underburden.
The net result of the very significant difference in
the temperature distribution in the pay and in the
impermeable zones is such that a large difference
occurs in the rate of temperature recovery at the well-
bore. If the actual temperature rise at the wellbore is
recorded at the end of ?/2, 1, 2 or more hours, the
rate of the temperature rise during this short interval
may be used to forecast or project the temperature at
a later period, such as 24, 40 or 100 hours, This is
accomplished by use of Eq, 1,
Constant c is used to project the temperature at a
later time, i.e. 24, 40 or 100 hours. These projected
values of temperature provide an excellent basis for
selecting the zones taking water. This is illustrated in
the foilowing section.
Theoretical Example
In the calculation of this theoretical exampie, it was
assumed that water was injected into 8 ft of oil sand
at a depth of 4,006 to 4,0i 4 ft. (See Fig. 3,) The
(2) normal geothermal temperature at this depth was
10O°F. The water reached the sand face at a tempera-
ture of 90°F and was injected at a high rate for about
a week: at this point the weli was shut in and the tem-
, (3)
There was assumed to be no flow of heat or mixing
of fluids in the weilbore,
Fig, 3 shows that the temperature rise 6 ft above
or below the pay was 2°F and 3°F for a %-hour and
a 2-hour shut-in, respectively. Note that after 30
minutes there was only a very slight warming of the
(4) pay. After 2 hours, the heat had penetrated a greater
depth as shown.
Using Eq. 1 and the 30-minute temperature profile
(5) shown in Fig. 3, we made 48-hour projections of the
temperature, This projection is shown in Fig. 4. The
48-hour projection indicates aimost 100 percent tem-
perature recovery in both the overburden and the
underburden. A temperature transition zone exists at
the interface between the oii sand and the overburden.
du This technique provides a very precise method of
selecting the intervals accepting the injection water.
. (6) Practical Applications
The development of these calculations is predicated
upon absolute, unaffected temperature data at all
depths, In actuai practice, the methods of data gather-
ing and the physical data collection points do not lend
thmseives to this concise information. Therefore, the
ideal determination of injection zones is modified to
some degree by the spurious heating effects at each
collection point.
Identification of the actual zones of injection de-
 .

I 1 I t 1 1
i..l
,. I I ,.

0.5 HOUR “. ~ .
ti- . ;,.
LO HOURS
. . .
2.0 nouns ‘“. ‘: :
,4002- $:: .
t
, .. ... ,..
4o04- “ .& ~~R~~ ~i ‘:,;
,.
ti4Ld4L&g+.@.kA
4o06-
,,. . .?’, ,~., .. Oegreesin Fahrenheit
,,
.,”, ,,e .,. , ‘.:.’- m m m ●

. . . . ..~..>.>:>
. . ..: :,,,<, .“,. -’.. ,% In 102 104 la l@
m“ .. .<.,.%.,...
.,. ,.; , /
~..’. ,, J..-...<. .. . .: .
.. alsANo :’ ”,:-: ,.. ;“>. ...
.’.,.,... .’
4010- . . . . ~,,,~.,., .:,. .
!,”.. .“.:””, \
=-- WATER ;:. <, :.~:,’.. : ‘.: ..
4012- Iwfmon j,’ ‘:. ‘ ‘y 6oElHERmAl

..j.:: ,,4::
TEUFUWRE .;!..~~!TuRE.

k.1
. .. .“..”,”’, f. ‘.,‘. -.

4014 rvrywiTTwwbrc >.,..., .. 520

. .
,: :.. ..
.,
4016 UHOERSURO$3.(”’ “ ‘“
.,. . .. .
. .
.. .. ..: .,...,
“4018
. ..:,,,..>: Packer
“1 . ...,6.’..
Fig.3-Calculated temperature profile, 5

53Q
..—-...,
48 HOUR FltOJECTEOTEMtIRATURE
FRllM % HOUR SHUT IN

Gealhemal Temp I(IYF

. ,“. ” water T@llp. - 9(FF
Oil Send-8006-4014 It

Note sharp Irenskm zone “)

between owbwden oil sand -
, abut 6 inches
54(

TEMFERATURG”F “
-&-”..-.
s09294909s 102

Fig.4-48.hour temperature projection. Fig.5+)igital plots.

pends upon comparing the residual AT’s of all zones
when the temperature in all noninjection strata has
recovered to ambient temperature. Considerable time
is required to observe this recovery, and the longer
the interval of investigation, the greater the effect of
vertical heat flow. These vertical effects destroy the
true proportional recovery within the borehole and
render the information invalid fo” calculations.
The technique of digitally recording the initial
transient recovery rate and extrapolating these data
through the period of vertical heat flow effects devel-
ops enough valid data for computation. The extrapo-
lated temperature curves then approach the ideal pro-
jections to the degree that zone extent and residual
cooling can be determined accurately. This informa-
tion can be related to the proportionate distribution
of injection fluids.
Figs. 5 and 6, which are analog plots of digital data,
exemplify the distortion of the recovery rate and ver-
tical dilfusion of temperatures observed in prolonged
investigations.
Fig. 5 is a plot of a gas injector in Stephens County,
Okla. Injection was established through tubing into a
33-ft perforated interval from 5,262 to 5,295 ft.
Decay series logs over a 24-hour period showed little
definition of the zone of injection.
The commencing of a positive slope just below the
perforated interval during the injection run (No. 1)
seems to indicate the bottom of injection at that point.
The decay series (actual measured temperatures) dis-

1 ACTUAL RUNS

...
.-
100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124 126

.-4
...
+
.--.
,.._.
.
._
.,
24 Hr. Extrap, 48 Hr. Extrap.
.—.

——
...
;. ---
6 7
::[!” . . . .. .. ..

----
_
H
s <
!%

-)!
7500

~ 1 .. . . . . .
4
40

60 —- -
LEGEND -
1-Injection “=%-: —.—------- ... .. .-
80
2-30 min.aftershut in
3-1% hrs afbr shut in ~ .
7600 4-2hmafterahutin
5-24 houraaftw shut in
6-24 hoursextrapolation
7-46 hours extrapolation

-..,.- . .
-.... .. . . .. , . .

.
... .-
. ..b
Fig. t&Annular injectiontemperature survey.

played the point of slope change downward to 5,305
ft, with the reduced rate of temperature recovery ap-
parently extending from 5,280 to 5,305 ft. Recovery
rates toward ambient formation temperature above
the zone were retarded by vertical averaging effects,
eliminating the use of normal gradient as an estab-
lished reference index.
Extrapolation of decay data from Runs 1, 2, and
3 defines the zone of injection extending from ap-
proximately 5,295 to 5,314 ft, at the base of the sand
segment, Extrapolation of data to the cut-off point
as defined by Eq. 1 was not accomplished with the
24-hour extrapolation, indicating further extrapola-
tion to be necessary. The 48-hour extrapolation de-
fined the zone prominently but did not extend to com-
plete recovery above and below zone.
Extrapolated digital data disclosed information that
could not have been defined by long-term investiga-
tion, since the temperature recovery in gas injection
zones is more rapid than that in water zones. Had
sulllcient time been allowed for optimum recovery of
noninjection zones, the zone of injection also would
RADIUS TEMPERATURES-INJECTION
Fig. 7—Heat for recovery opposite injection zones,
938
i
‘m
have nearly recovered. Very slight anomalous condi-
tions would have been available for interpretation
(observe recovery of actual run No, 5),
Fig. 6 demonstrates the use of digitally com-
puted temperature logs in a well that incorporates an
inaccessible injection zone, In this dual water injector
injection is into two strata, through tubing into the
lower, and through the annulus into the upper. The
two zones are separated by a packer.
Decay curves run over a 24-hour period indicate
that the vertical extent of the zones is much greater
than that determined by the 24- and 48-hour extra-
polations, There is a zone extending from 7,490 to
7,510 ft, that shows abnormally rapid recovery rate,
These effects confuse the data derived by actual log-
ging by creating a negative slope above the actual
zone of injection.
Extrapolation data project the noninjection zones
above 7,542 to normal gradient, irrespective of the
varying rates of recovery, and identify the actual zone
of injection, 7,542 to 7,578 ft. Influence of the
packer seen on the actual curves is eliminated. The
WRAP. TEMP.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUMTECHNOLOGY
. ,
additional perimeter cooling observed in the lower
zone (7,665 to 7,680) is shown to be a noninjection
zone, even though the injected fluid is leaving the well-
bore through all perforations (from 7,628 to 7,680
ft), Since both zones are accepting 100 percent of the
applied injection, no proportional distribution break-
down is indicated, Determination of the thickness of
the injection zone allows for proportioning of the re-
sidual accumulative cooling in the borehole opposite
each zone. The initial recovery rate opposite each
depth is dependent upon the temperature of the im-
mediately surrounding field and upon the heat supply.
The heat source for recovery rate of noninjection
zones is established at some finite radius; therefore,
the heat for recovery opposite injection zones also
must be considered at this radius (Fig. 7).
The cooling at the established radius is dependent
upon the ambient-to-injection AT and upon the rate
of fluid progression from the borehole to this radius.
For example, equal volumes of fluid at the same tem-
perature moving through zones that are identical (in
thickness, porosity, etc. ) arrive at any finite radius
with the same AT ratio with respect to ambient for-
mation temperature (with some correction for dif-
fusivity), The initial rates of recovery would project
to the radius source temperature at the same time in
both intervals.
Fluids moving through identical zones in dispro-
portionate amounts vary in velocity through the for-
mation, and will arrive at the established radius with
the injection ambient AT reflecting this same dispro-
portion. The radial temperature sources for wellbore
temperature recovery exert unequal influence, and the
rates of recovery vary in proportion to the unequal
temperature effects.
These data can be derived from wellbore readings
only if the vertical heat influence is disregarded. The
digital method of recording and extrapolating from
initial shut-in data minimizes the vertical heat effects
observed in the ultimate result and can be considered
as reflecting only lateral heat transfer effects,
The residual AT at the extrapolated optimum re-
covery time then reflects the temperature at the estab-
lished equilibrium radius during injection, Since the
temperature at the formation faces can be considered
constant under injection conditions, the A/1 AT rela-
tionship at equilibrium radius depends upon the ve-
locity of the fluid through the formation. The A/l AT
then becomes a function of zone thickness and rela-
tive distribution of injection fluids.
The temperature at a given radius can be predicted
under uniform conditions, and any variance is con-
sidered proportional to fluid distribution between the
zones. The zone-compensated AT is derived by meas-
urement of the magnitude of residual cooling indi-
cated by the extrapolated temperature curve (lateral
deflection of the curve) and the thickness of each
zone being evaluated. The predicted ideal AT is cal-
culated for each zone, assuming the fluid distribution
is proportional to zone thickness. The difference be-
tween actual (compensated) AT and predicted AT is
then used to adjust the fluid proportioning in each
zone.
Fig, 8 represents analog charts of actual logging
AUGUST 1969
runs, single point A/1 AT, zone compensated distribu-
tion, and radioactive profiles derived by two methods,
The radioactive surveys reflect the difficuhy in ac-
quiring profiles in shot holes and highly irregular bore-
holes; but comparison of the profiles derived by sep-
arate methods identifies the major zones of fluid loss.
Disagreement over short intervals is due largely to
the mechanics of spacing inherent in each of the
techniques,
Temperature decay series (actual measurement)
curves define the gross interva! of injection quite
prominently, except that the injection seems to extend
past logging depth, (Note no apparent heating at bot-
tom of log.) Twenty-four-hour extrapolation based
on the digital data from Runs 1, 2, and 3 shows the
differences in residual cooling expressed as AT from
normal gradient at each sampling point, Extrapolation
should have been carried one step further (40 to 48
hours) for more nearly complete recovery of non-
injection zones; but the AT in the injection zones will
remain in proportion. Since t] 3 total injection zone
is visible, the percentages represented on the bar
graph are merely the proportioning of the residual
AT at each depth,
Because of the pilot computer scanning program,
the 16 percent reading at approximately 4,752 to
4,754 ft is not representative of the total cooling in
this zone. The point of maximum cooling was skipped
and the depth immediately above it was selected, The
point of maximum cooling is calculated to be 21
percent,
The zone-corrected profile more nearly represents
the formation fluid distribution over intervals even
though the thin zones are not defined prominently.
Good agreement with the total interval distribution
is apparent when the increments defined by the radio-
active survey profiles are included within the zones
represented by the temperature definition.
Conclusions
Digitally recorded and computer extrapolated tem-
perature logs do provide data for precise definition of
zones of injection. The data gathered by these meth-
ods of recording and techniques of logging can be
supported by calculations based on known principles,
Valid quantitative evaluation of temperature logs may
reasonably be expected very soon.
Many factors that have not yet been compensated
for in the present logging techniques tend to confuse
the gathering of these data, but continued experience
will reveal methods to minimize the effects of these
factors.
Nomenclature
a = thermal diffusivity of rock
c= specific heat of overburden rock,
Btu/lb°F
C = thermal heat capacity of rock taking water,
Btu/cu ft°F
h = injection zone thickness, ft
khr = thermal conductivity of rock
9 = water injection rate into pay thickness h,
B/D
939
 , ●

949 JOURNALOF PETROLEUMTECHNOLOGY

q *.. b

z = vertical distance above or below injection
zone, ft
AT = geothermal temperature minus water
temperature, ‘F
At = temperature change in rock, ‘F
@= total injection time, hours
@, = time required for cool water to reach a
radius r, hours
~= density of rock, lb/cu ft ‘ 11,How~rd, G. C. and-Fast, C. R.: “Optimum Fluid Charac-
References
1.Crawford, Paul B.: Texas A&MU., College Station, Tex,,
personal consultation.
2. Schlumberger, M., Doll, H. G. and Perebinossoff, M.:
“Temperature Measurements in Oil Wells”,paper re-
sentedat 172 Meeting, Inst. of Pet. Tech., Nov. 10, 1$36,
3. Guyed, H.: “Tern rature Well Logging”, 011 Weekly
(Oct. 21-28, Nov. El, Dec. 2,9 and 16, 1946),
4. Nowak, T. J.: ‘The Estimation of Water ln”ection Pro-
files from Temperature Surveys”, J. Pet. T!eclz. (Aug.,
1953) 203-212.
5, Bird,-J, M,: “Interpretation of Temperature Logs in Water
and Gas Injection Wells and Gas Producing Wells”, Drill,
and Prod. Pra:,, API (1954) 187-195,
6. Moss, Jon T. and Whi~e,Phillip: “How to Calculate Tem-
perature Profiles in a Water Injection Well”, Oil& Gas J.
(March, 1959) 174-179,
7. Ramey,H, J,, Jr.: “WellboreHeatTransmission”,1. Per,
Tech. (April, 1962) 427-43S,
8, Bullard, H, M., Clarke? R, D. and Rush, H, D.: “Produc-
tion Logging as Apphed to Post Primary Production”,
SPWLA Sth Logging Symposium, Midland, Tex., May
13-15, 1964.
9, Peacock, D. R.: “What You Can Learn From Tempera-
ture Logs”, Pet, Eng, (Sept.,1965) 37, No, 10,96.
10.Agnew, B. (3,: “Evaluation of Fracture Treatments with
Temperature Surveys”,J. Pet, Tech. (July, 1966) 892-898,
teristics for Fracture Extension”, Drill. and Prod. Prac.,
API (1957).
12. Marx, J. W. and Langenheim, R, H.: “Reservoir Heating
by Hot Fluid Injection”, Tram., AIME (1959) 216,
312-315.
13.Perry and Berggren: Engineering (1944) 5,59,
14. Jaeger, J.: Math, Phys, (1956) 34,316.
15. Morris, Billy P. and Cocanower, R. D.: “Computers —
To Increase the Value of Temperature Logs”, paper re-
sented at SPWLA 9th Annual Logging Symposium, f une
23-26, 1968. XPT
Original manuscript received In Society of Patroleum Engineers
office Sept. 15, 1968. Revised manuscript recolved May 9, 1969,
Paper (SPE 2266) was presented at SPE 43rd Annual Fall Meeting
held In Houston, Tex., Sept. 29.Ott. 2, 1968. @I Copyright 1969
:~e:lc;nar Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum En@.
,.

.
AUGUST 1%9 941