SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,199s
Monitoring Annular Water Flow in Dual Casing String Completions
Continuous Oxygen Activation Logging
David M. Chace, Hans-Christian Freitag, Darryl E. Trcka, and Rent2 W. Mayer, Western Atlas Logging Services
Ahmed W. Sufi, Zakum Development Co., UAE
Abstract
New continuous oxygen activation logging technology is
being used to monitor injection profiles in several carbonate
reservoirs in the Middle East, where dual string completions
are employed to control relative injection into intervals of
markedly different permeability. In dual string completions,
where short string water injection is conveyed via the tubing-
casing annulus, oxygen activation logs often provide the only
method for monitoring injection performance and for
evaluating acid and polymer treatments used to modify
injection protiles. Accurate measurement of water flow in the
annulus leads to a better understanding of hydraulic
properties of the reservoir and improved design of water
in.jection programs. Oxygen activation logging is also being
applied to monitor water entry and rates in producing wells.
Recent literature has described the latest improvements in
logging instrumentation and interpretation methods allowing
continuous oxygen activation logging for diagnosis of
complex water flow wnditions”~6’. This paper focuses on
recent experience in the Middle East with applications to a
number of challenging monitoring problems uniquely
associated with monitoring the short string injection or
production in dual string completions, including:
Determination of short string injection profiles for
multiple sets of perforations
Delineation of injection into sublayers of a reservoir
within a single set of perforations
Monitoring injection profiles during multi-rate injection
tests
Identification of fractured intervals <and effects 011
injection profiles
Monitoring the effectiveness of polymer treatments for
water shut-off
Mechanical integrity testing and location of channeling
or tubing leaks
Determination of water entry points and measurement of
water rates in producing wells
Recent examples with logs and histories are presented
highlighting many of these applications. In one particular
example, a comparison of continuous oxygen activation logs
run in the dual completion and conventional spinner
flowmeters run in casing prior to the dual completion
illustrates the viability and accuracy of the method.
Using
Introduction
Oxygen Activation Logging
Neutron activation of oxygen creates N16 by the (n,p) reaction
which occurs during fast neutron bombardment. N16 decays
by p-emission to 016 in an excited slate, which then decays to
its ground energy state by emission of gamma rays with
energies 6.13 MeV and 7.12 MeV, respectively, with a half-
life of 7.13 seconds. Oxygen activation logging utilizes N’”
as a short-lived radioactive tracer to detect and quantify water
flow.+@
Detection of water flow using oxygen activation logging
was lirst proposed by Arnold and Paap (‘**’ in 1977. E,arly
applications of stationary oxygen activation measuremenls
were quite successful at detecting and measuring water
channeling behind casing. (‘,4)
Annular Flow Log (AFL’“‘)
The AFL. was developed for monitoring more complex water
flow encountered in single and dual string completions, ad
uses continuous logging and velocity gauging to separate the
composite oxygen activation signCal into its tubing and
annular components’5~h’. This allows a measurement of the
annular water velocity in the presence of other oxygen
activation background signals createJ by water flow in the
logged or adjacent tubing strings.
An AFL logging instrument contains a pulsed neutron
source and two or more scintillation gamma ray detectors.
While logging, high energy neutrons from the source create
N16 by activation of oxygen in water molecules flowing past
the source, and the resulting decay radiation is detected by
the gamma ray detectors. A spinner is run in combination
with the AFL instrument and is used to help characterize
water flow in the tubing.
An experimental version of the AFL instrument used to
log many of the example wells in this paper is shown
configured for injection (down flow) and production (up flow)
logging in Figure 1. The instrument incorporates 3
scintillation detectors (near, middle, ‘and far) and cm be run
in several modes during a single trip iI1 the well. Three
detectors in the lower sub allow the instrument to be run IIS ;I
standard PDK-100 (pulsed neutron capture log for measuring
sigma, ratio porosity, gamma ray, etc.), as a multiple-spacing
AFL for water flow tneasuremenl, or in a combination IW&
AFL is aservice mark of Western Ah Loggiug Services
SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998
where the near detector is used to record sigma and borehole
decay measurements while the middle and far detectors are
used to measure water flow simultaneously during a single
pass. A simultaneous spinner measurement can be made with
each of the modes. The combination mode with simultaneous
sigma, water flow, and spinner measurements can be
p;udcularly cost-effective, especially in horizontal logging
operations.
Water Velocity Measurement
The relationship between detected count rates and water
velocity (relative to the instrument) can be seen in Figure 2.
The average water velocity measured by the AFL is a function
of the ratio of annular oxygen activation count rates. Cl and
C2, detected al the two detectors, the detector spacing as
defined by E’, the decay constant, h, and the cable or logging
sped vc,,blc,<asfollows:
hE’
v= .......... (A-l)
ln( Cl / C2) - ln( Dl / 02) + Vca6fr
AFL theory, logging practices and interpretation
tnetbodology have been described previously (u) , and the
reader is directed to the literature for details. This paper will
focus on field examples and general applications of the AFL.
Field Applications and Interpretation
The following water injection and producing well examples
and are taken from carbonate fields in the Middle East. To
facilitate discussion of the examples, zones or intervals of
interest will be referenced as Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, etc. and
labeled accordingly in the figures, or referenced by specific
depths (e.g. XX33 Ift.) when appropriate.
Example I Comparison of AFL in dual string
completion with spinner in casing
prior to dual string completion
The example well shown in Figure 3 is a dual water
injeclor injecting 1340 bwpd through the short string (S/S)
tubing ittto a single set of perforatious in the interval above
the packer, and injecting 4860 bwpd through the long string
(L/S) tubing into several intervals below the packer.
The interval above the packer comprises 7 sublayers with
differing porosities and permeabilities. Throughout the field,
water intake in this interv‘al is typically dominated by sub-
layers 1,2, and 7. In order to more evenly dislribute the water
injection across the interval, a water shut-off treatment using
polymer injection was performed in February 1994. Spinner
passeswere recorded before and after the treatment in casing
to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. A dual string
completion was later run in the well to provide selective
injection.
An AFL was recorded in October 1994 to monitor the
injection profile. Three to four passeswere tnade across the
interval with the instrument configured for injection (down
flow) logging in the down direction. Track 1 of Figure 3
contains the source monitor curve (ILS) and sublayer
designations. Tracks 3 and 4 contain the calculated water
velocity (from continuous and stationary AFL tneasuretnents)
and raw oxygen activation count rates, respecli vely.
Stationary measurements are typically required for water
flowing slower than a few feet per minute.
The injection profile determined by the AFL is showu in
Track 2. The measured total rate of 1274 bwpd agrees withiti
7 percent of the surface measured rate of 1340 bwpd.
The profile shows that most wat.er is being injected into
the sublayers 1, 2, and 7, as expected. The AFL injection
profile can also be compared with a post-treatment spinner
p,ass(scaled between 0 and 100 percent flow in Track 2) and
shows excellent agreement with the AFL profile. It is
itnportant to remember that the spinner was logged in casing
in direct contact with the injection water, while the AFL was
logged from the L/S tubing, sensing and measuring water
flow remotely via oxygen activation.
The agreement in tneasurements detnonstrates the
viability of oxygen activatiott logging for water flow
tneasuretnents, and in this example, illustrates that oxygen
activation logging can be used effectively for titne-lapse
tnottitorittg of water shut-off trea:ments. The method is
equally effective for monitoring acidizittg program
performance.
Figure 4 shows a time-lapse presetttation li>r the same
well using the 1994 AFL data discussed above as the base log.
A second AFL was recorded one year later to tnonitor
changes in the injection profile. The second log shows au
increase in tie water intake for sublayer SL1/2, which
changes the general injection profile slightly. The polymer
treatment designed to shut off SL7 still seemsto be effective,
as the water intake for this interval has not changed.
Examole 2 Channel /fracture example
The example well presented in Figure 5 is a dual water
injector, with S/S injection into Zone 1 above the packer, and
L/S injection into Zones 3a, 3b and 4 below the packer. Zone
2 and Zone 3a are separatedby approxitnately 30 feet of tight
litnestone. Pulsed Neutron Capture (PNC) logs indicate titat
evett though Zone 2 is not perforated, a general increase in
the formation capture cross section, C, has beet] observed
(either due to increasing water saturation, S,, or an acid
effect). A cetnent tnap shows good cetnent above the
perforated interval and poor cetneut frotn below the
perforations to the hottom of the logged ititerval (past Zones 8
and 9). The well is surrounded by other injectors which are
injecting into Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Based ou PLT data
recorded in nearby wells, Zones 8 and 9 do ttot take water, at
least in this area of the reservoir.
The objective for running the AFL was to investigate au
abnormally high water injection rate. Based on nearby wells,
Zones 3a, 3b, and 4 should only be capable of taking

approximately 500 bwpd, but recent injectiott rates have beett
as high as 10,000 bwpd. It was reported that during an acid
job ittto Zones 3a, 3b, and 4, injection pressures in the US
were within 20 psi of the formation fracture gradient. It is
probable that an induced fracture is the path for excess
injection and that it is iu communicaliott with Zone 2 above
(evidenced by the increase in C due Lo ittcreased S, and an
associatedacid effect).
Several passes were tnade with the APL ittstrutnent in
injection mode logging in the dowtt direction to detect down
flow, theft in Ute production mode logging in the up direction
to detect upward water flow. Production tnode passes
detected no upward flow. However, if ch~anttclittg existed at
the current injection rates, waler velocity would be on the
order of several hundred feet per minute attd too fast to
measure. Indeed, witb good cemettt indicated between Zones
2 and 3a, and the probable presence of an induced fracture,
any upward flow could take place at some distance from the
wellbore.
Water flow was of course detected during the injectiou
mode down passes. The total AFL-measured injection is
4583 bwpd aud agrees welt with the lwo measured surface
rates of 4601 and 4567 bwpd recorded during the logging job.
Both Ute AFL and spintter responses ittdicate that ntosl of the
injectiott water is entering Zones 3a <and3b, however, as
discussed, the formation can not be taking a11of the water.
Dowuw‘ard waler flow (445 bwpd) was detected below
Zone 4 which must be due to casing flow and/or channeling.
Stationary measurements taken at the 11~)sof Zones 5 through
9. respectively, show that the waler flow is cottstattt down to
tune 7 with no water flow detected going to Zones 8 or 9.
This indicates that. the water is beirrg taken by Zmc 7 and is
consislent with the knowledge that Zottes 8 attd 9 do not take
water in the ~JXXI.The example welt is not perforated in Zone
7, which ittdicaces that sotne or all of the water flow is in the
form of chanttelittg behind casing.
Interestingly, simullaneous skitionary spinner
measurements at Zottes 7 and Y itt the casittg, which are
presettted in Figure 6, show erratic yet direcliottal flow irtside
the casittg in the down direction, and in the up direction at
Zone 8. This could be indicative of casing-anttulus
communication lhrough corrodti casing joiuts. A casing
inspection log would be helpful.
In summary, a working hypothesis for this welt is that the
light limeslone between Zones 2 attd 3a was fractured durittg
the arid job and that the fracture is responsible for the high
ittjectability of Ute well. Secondly, water is channclittg
behind c&tp in the poorly cetnettted interval below
perforations down lo Zone 7. Artd lastly, casing corrosion
tnay exist with casittg-atttrulus cotnmutiicalion allowing lluw
inside attd outside of the c,asing.
In order to resolve the tnatter in more detail, the
acquisition of additional data, such as PNC and High
Resolution Temperature (HRT) logs, as well as an AFL in the
production mode under vnryittg rates is cousidered advisable.
SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998
Exumole 3 Producer with 30 percent water cut
The example well shown in Figure 7 is a dual producer. The
S/S is producing from Zotte 1 at a rate of 1000 bpd with a 30
percent water art, and the WS is producing dry oil frotn zones
below the packer. As in the first example welt, Zotte 1
comprises 7 sublayers with highest permeability in sublayers
1, 2, and 7.
The AFL was logged in the L/S tubing in production
tnode for upward water flow detection. Two continuous
passes logging in the up direction and several station:uy
measurementswere tnade in the interval.
The water entry point is frotn sublayer 7 which is marked
by the increased oxygen activaticn levels just above the suh-
layer shown itt Track 4. Note that couttt r:ttes on the
contittuous pass do not increase at sublayer 7, but sotne
distance above, due to initial water entry moving slower than
the logging speed. Water cannot be detected until it is
traveling a few feet per tnittute faster than the instrument.
Water velocity is showtt in Track 3. Moving up the weilbore
frotn sublayer 7, increases in water velocity are observed as
oil enters lhe wellbore ‘and iucreasesthe lotal flow rate.
Water rate is presented in Track 2 and was calculated
based OII the surface water cut of 30 percent, and a fortnation
volume factor for oil, B, , equal to 1.2 was used for surface-
to-dowtthole conversions to pstitnate the water holdup in the
interval. The total water rate thus measured by lbe AFL is
297 bpd, which is itt good agreetncttt with the surface rates.
M’uter Holdup Estimtion
A qunlitative indication of water holdup can be inferred by
studying the oxygen nctivaliott Icvels detected over the .
itttervaJ.
Figure 8 shows both up and dowu logging passes. When
logging in the down logging direction, the source leads the
detectors, so oxygen in all water (borehote and formation) can
be activated, while for up loggittg passes,only water which is
moving faster thnrt the tool can cotttribute to the oxygert
aclivntiori signal.
As seett on the up loggittg passes,only produced water is
detected, and the observed courtt rates <arefuttctiotts of water
cut and velocity.
Note that for the down loggittg passes, activatiott levels
are relatively low from below Ute top packer to the pcrforatctl
pup joint due to oil trapped under Ihe packer (less oxygen in
the measuretnettt volume). Conversely, oxygen activation
levels are high above the bottom packer due to standing waler
from below the perforations down lo lhe packer. The holdup
cau be roughly estimated in the ittterval by cotttparing Ute
oxygen levels above Ihe perforations with the tnittintutn and
tnauimum values observed in the oil trapped below the top
packer and water sitting on the bottom packer, respectively.
To improve this estitnation, ohserved oxygen activatiou levels
should first be corrected for tubing hardw;ue effects (e.g. blast
join& across the perforated interval provide more shielding
and reduce count rates). Oxygett activation levels are also
SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998
affected by changes in velocity (in addition to changes in
water cut), but logging in the down direction normalizes the
velocity effect to some extent becauseall oxygen in the water
and formation is moving at least with a relative velocity equal
to the logging speed. Indeed, as logging speed increases the
difference between velocities of static and flowing water
relative to the instrument dmeases, and the signal level
becomesmore a function of water holdup.
Another metbod for determining holdup is to run the AFL
in a combination mode under both shut-in and flowing well
conditions, where borebole sigma and other borehole
composition measurementscan be made.
This example demonstrates that continuous oxygen
activation logging can successfully detect and measure water
flow in S/S producers. The logging program can be designed
to provide additional information for holdup determination.
An additional benefit of the method for horizontal production
logging programs is that oxygen aclivation provides an
average measurement across the wellbore aud can provide
holdup information in stratified flow regimes where fluid
segregation often occurs.
k?hnl~le 4 Injector with crossflow between
different zones
The example well showu in Figure 9 is a dual injector. The
S/S injects into Zone 1 aud 2, the US into Zone 3,
respectively. Zone 2 is of better reservoir quality than Zune I,
owing primarily to its better permeability. Porosity and shale
volume are very similar for the two intervals.
To facilitate data acquisition, maximum injection rates of
3400 bwpd aud 1850 bwpd for the S/S and L/S, respectively,
were set and allowed to stabilize forty-eight hours prior to
logging the well. The AFL data presented in Fig. 8 shows
that mosl of the water (88 %) enters Zone 2, while the
remainder (12%) enters ‘Zone 1. The surface readout of
injection rate and the rate derived from the AFL differed by
approximately 15%, however, surface gauges were not
calibrated.
By comparison, Figure 10 shows data acquired
approximately lifteen minutes afler the injection rate for the
S/S was reduced to less than 160 bwpd. Injection in the WS
was not changed. The AFL, indicates an increase in annukar
flow velocity as the injection water passesZune 1. This can
only be explained as cross-flow from Zone 1 to A>ne 2,
c;iused by the “super-charging” of the low permeabilicg
reservoir (Zone 1) by the non-standard high volume, high
pr-essurc injection prior lo logging. This relaxalion
phenomenon was only observed because the well was logged
shortly after the reduction of injection rates.
Conclusions
Recent experience in the Middle East has shown that
continuous oxygen activation logging is a viable means for
monitoriug complex water flow iu dua! completion wells.
Examples have been presented illustrating different
applicatious of the Annular Row Log (AFL):
Comparison with spinner data demonstrates that the AFL
continuous oxygen activation method provides viable and
accurate measurements
Injection prol’ilcs into reservoir sublayers withiu 21singie
perforated interval can be del?:nnilied
The measurement is useful for time-lapse logging lo
track the effectiveness of water shut-off polymer
treatments
The method can be used tu monitor multiple r:rte
injection tests to locate fractured intervals an(! dclrrfnitlr
fracture rates.
Cross-flow between zones of dilterent permeahillty after
a significant drop in injection rate has dso beeu obten-etl
Channelillg behind casing can bn detWted.
Logging in producers allows determination of water entry
points and water velocity. In addiriou to velocity,
measurements can be gleaned from associated AFL data
to determine water holdup and thus production rates in
the ain~h~s.
In the future, more effort will be directed to the use of the
AFL in producing wells, with incrensed use expected in
horizontal wells.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank Ahu Didi Natiutrd Oil
Company (ADNOC), Z&un Development Compnuy
(ZADCO), and Abu Dhnbi Marine Affairs Operating
Cooperating (ADMA-OPCO) for their kiud supper! during
the data acquisition and analysis and permission to discuss
the examples presented in this paper.
References
I. Paa?, H.J.. Arnold, D.M., and Peelman, H.E.: “Behiud Casing
Water Flow Detection Using ContinuousOxygell Activation”,
1J.S.PatentNo. 4,032,780(Juoe28, 1977).
2. Arnold. D.M. and Paap, H.J.: “Quantitative Mwitoring of
Water Plow Behind and in Wcllbore Casing”, published in
Journal of Perroleum Technology, Ix. 1974.
3. Hill III, F.L., Barnette, C.J , Koerrn, I,., and Chace. D.M.:
“New Instrumentation and Iuterprc!ive Methods for Idei!tifying
Shielded Water Flow Using Pulsed Neurron Terhrwlogy“.
Paper S, Trans.. CWLS 12.!1 Formation Evaluatiou
Symposium. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Sept. 1989.
4.. M&eon, D.C.. Scott. H.D., Oleseu. J.R... Patton. Ci.L., and
hlitchell. R.J.: “Improved Method f lr Detcnnming Water Flwv
Behind Casiug Using Oxygen Activation”, Paper 23SR6
prcsentcd at the 65th Annual Technical Cnnfcrrnce and
Exhibition in New Orleans, L4, Sept. IYYO.
5. Trcka, L1.E. and Chace, D.M.: “lniproved Method for
Measuring Annular Water Flow in Iniccticw Wells t.[s:inv
Coutinuous Oxygen Activation t.qping”. paper SPE 2~~50.
presented at the 68th Aj~nual l‘echn~cal Conferruce ail,.!
Exhibition, Houstrjn, Texas, Oct.105’3.
6. Chacc, D.M.. TIcka. D.E snd I?IUC, H.A.:“.4p]~lic~tio~~ :cnd
 SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998

Interpretation of Continuous Oxygen Activation Logs for

Measuring Complex Water Flow Profiles in Injection Wells”,
paper SPE 28412, presented at the 69th Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, New Orleans, Louisiana, Sept.
1994.

Flg. 2 - Reletlonmhlp between count rates measured by the AFL and

vdoclty of weter flow rdalfve to the tool.

Fig. 1 -Sketch of AFL tool conflgured for detection of Injeetlon

(downward water flow, left) and water productlon (upward flow,
right)
SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998

,wn
:

0
P

-
- .

n-

-.

IlIt-% 1 i t i i VU-

--

,--
,

B
Flg. 3 - Comparlson of prs- and post polymer treatment lnjectlon
profiles acquired wlth conventlonal spinner and AFL acquired SIX
months after treatment. Splnns+ data was acquired prior to dual
completions belng set, the AFL data after. Total lnlectlon as 1
measured by AFL agrees to wlthln 7% with surface measured rates.
Flg. 4 - Timelapse AFL data acquired SIX and elght months after
polymer treatment (1994 and 1995 dsia, rsspectlvely). Analysls
results In two center tracks show change In ln)sctlon proflle, which
Is caused by water Intake of SLlR In 1895. Shut-off of bottom sub-
layer not changed.
 SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998

Cement Map
Circumferential View

Flg. 5 - Example of AFL data acqulrsd In Injector wlth analysis

results showlng bulk volume of water enterlng zone 23. Cement
map on rlght shows poor cement quallty wlth possible channeling
and behlnd casing communlcatlon from thls Interval downward.
Depth track shows completion dlagram.
SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998

Flg. 6 - Splnner flow meter data from statlonary readlngs taken at

depths shown In dlagram. Spinner data shown as depth dependent
Is actually Urns drlvr Note the changes In Row dlrectlon (up/down)
for the bottom three stattons.
 SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998

---.-.i -

- ..--- i

----

4
i

----it-

.-J-T

_----

__--...a

i
1 J
:

1ss icI*I
--------?

ETATIOIIS

.,,,.....W....:!

Flg. 8 - Count rates from combined up and down passes for

Flg. 7 - AFL from producing well wlth 10% water cut. lnformatlon
from two up passes at 3 and 10 Wmln, respectively.
producing well. Solld lines are from XL detector, long dashes from
far detector, short dashes near de&to,. Note count rate proftle for
down passes are prlmarlly a function 01 annular fluid: oil just below
top packer (low counts), olUwater mlxture In the mlddle and water
on top of bottom packer (hlgh counts).
SPWLA 39th Annual Logging Symposium, May 26-29,1998

Flg. 9 - AFL data from dual Injector (S/S tublng ends above the Flg. 10 - AFL data from dual producer shown In Fig. 9 after 50%
logged Interval). InJectIon proflle and split derived from reduction In InJectlon rate for S/S to 1800 hwpd, US unchanged.
measurement. InJectIon at approxlmately 3400 bwpd for SIS and Crossflow evldent from Zone 1 down to Zone 2.
1800 bwpd for L/S.