Introduction

Wireline logging is a part of exploration geophysics and is mainly used to detect the presence of
economically useful hydrocarbons in the Earth’s sub-terrain. Products of wireline logging are
wireline logs or well logs.:[1] (Fig. 1. Ll1LOG)

LI1LOG

In the oil industry the logs are “a recording against depth of any of the characteristics of the rock
formations traversed by a measuring apparatus in the well-bore”.[1] The well logs are obtained by
lowering the measuring tools on a wireline (cable) into the well (borehole).[1] The integral parts of
wireline logging operations are quality assurance and quality control procedures. Quality control is
the “process that defines how well the solution for a specific problem is known”.[2] Well log quality
control is a “set of methods that identifies and analyses data deviations from established standards
and allows the design of a remedy”.[3]

Unlike measurements in well-known and controlled laboratory conditions, logging is performed in-
situ and can be affected by different possible failure sources and susceptible to systematic and
random errors. The objective of wireline logging job is to obtain a permanent continuous record of
the rock properties penetrated by the wellbore with the end result of wireline logs, fluid, and rock
samples. Of all the well data sets recorded and collected, well logs are the most valuable as they are
vital for reservoir and formation evaluation. Wireline (well) logs are then combined with drilling
data, mud logs, and measurements while drilling (MWD) and coring information in order to choose
correct testing and completion intervals to properly evaluate the production potential of the well.
There are two categories of well log data: the original data (e.g. Gamma Ray log as a result of gamma
rays measurements in the borehole, through an iodine crystal scintillation detector, calibrated as per
normal field operational procedure) or derived data (data resulting from the processing of the
original data, e. g. calculating the volume of shale).[4] Main components of the well log data record
are logs themselves (main curves for the main and repeat sections with relevant information -
calibration information, parameter tables… and additional curves of the main and repeat passes
including down-logs and images of quality control logs) [1] and contextual information, such as data
acquisition plans, other job reports, witness reports, and tool specification. Contextual data is of a
great value for exploration but can be lost or difficult to access.[4] With the best quality wireline
logging data acquired, subsequent steps in well production and completion are more precise and
effective. High quality data and conscientious data management enables the prognosis of potential
problems and failures so the whole process (the whole rig or oilfield lifetime) can be adapted and
configured in order to prevent possible consequences in regard to human safety, environmental
preservation, and infrastructural integrity. Acquisition of geotechnical and petrophysical data is
costly, but necessary.[4] Data of dubious quality cannot yield reliably good decisions. The poorer the
quality of data, the higher risk associated with decisions based upon them. The less knowledge there
is about the quality of recorded and collected data, the higher is the uncertainty of said decisions
and can lead to false interpretations and evaluations. A good evaluation is only possible with good
quality data so it is essential to acquire the best quality data.[4]

Factors affecting the data quality

The data quality may be compromised to a greater or lesser extent by bad hole conditions, wireline
equipment failures, human errors, or even extreme weather conditions. Within the bounds of the rig
time costs and preservation of the personnel safety, equipment and the well, the logging engineer,
operational geologists and wireline log witnesses have to ensure that the best quality data is
acquired. The objective of the wireline logging services is to provide the best possible quality data in
the minimum possible rig-time. Quality of the data is directly dependent on available rig-time.
Factors affecting data quality and time efficiency are operational procedures and environmental
conditions, but mainly problems caused by them. During wireline job planning, some factors are
accountable for specific types of equipment used for specific borehole geometry and conditions
(temperature, pressures and mud type used) and others are wireline responsibility on site and
during the wireline logging job. Data quality and time efficiency factors [1]

Environmental conditions: