Sonic Scanner

Acoustic
scanning
platform
Applications
■ Geophysics
● Improve 3D seismic analysis
and seismic tie-ins
● Determine shear anisotropy
● Input to fluid substitution
■ Geomechanics
Adding radius to borehole acoustics
For decades, the oil and gas industry
has used borehole acoustic measurements
throughout the lifecycle of wells to evaluate
rock properties in the near-wellbore region.
As the industry continues to develop new
methods for producing hydrocarbons
more efficiently, a focus on well integrity
Overcoming earlier acoustic
measurement barriers
Regardless of the formation type, the
Sonic Scanner platform design overcomes
earlier acoustic measurement barriers to
successful formation characterization and
quantification because it
■ uses a wide-frequency range that

● Analyze rock mechanics
● Identify stress regimes
● Determine pore pressure
● Evaluate well placement
and stability
■ Reservoir characterization
● Identify gas zones
● Measure mobility
● Identify open fractures
● Maximize selective perfo-
rating for sand control
● Maximize safety window
for drawdown pressure
● Optimize hydraulic fracturing
■ Well integrity
● Evaluate cement bond quality
Benefits
■ Enhance hydrocarbon recovery
■ Make real-time decisions with
real-time quality control
■ Improve reserves estimates
■ Decrease operating time and
reduce job costs by eliminat-
ing multiple logging runs
■ Reduce uncertainty and
operating risk
Features
■ Robust measurement of
compressional and shear
slownesses
■ Increased logging speed
(1,097 m/h [3,600 ft/h])
■ Multiple monopole transmitter
and receiver spacing
■ High-fidelity wideband wave-
forms and dispersion curves
■ Large receiver array
■ Predictable acoustics
■ Enhanced behind-casing
measurements with simulta-
neous cement bond log (CBL)
and Variable Density* cement
bond quality measurements
■ Extremely rugged electronic
package
has become ever more important. enables characterizing formations as
Schlumberger has designed a tool using ● homogeneous or inhomogeneous
the latest acoustic technology for advanced
● isotropic or anisotropic
acoustic acquisition, including cross-dipole
■ uses long- and short-monopole
and multispaced-monopole measurements.
In addition to axial and azimuthal measure- transmitter-receiver spacing
ments, the tool makes a radial measurement ■ is fully characterized with predictable
to probe the formation for near-wellbore acoustics.
slowness and far-field slowness. Typical Earlier technologies attempted to operate
depths of investigation equal two to three close to the tool’s low-frequency limit, or
times the borehole diameter. they depended on previously acquired
The new Sonic Scanner* acoustic scan- formation information to anticipate forma-
ning platform provides advanced types of tion slowness prior to data evaluation.
acoustic measurements, including borehole- The wide-frequency spectrum used by
compensated monopole with long and short the Sonic Scanner tool allows data capture
spacings, cross-dipole, and cement bond at high signal-to-noise ratios and extracts
quality. These measurements are then con- maximum data from the formation. This
verted into useful information about the design feature also helps ensure that data
drilling environment and the reservoir, are acquired regardless of the formation
which assists in making decisions that slowness. The monopole transmitters have
reduce overall drilling costs, improve
recovery, and maximize productivity. The
Figure 1. The Sonic Scanner tool provides the bene-
following field examples demonstrate the
fits of axial, azimuthal, and radial information from
greater flexibility in acoustic measurements both the monopole and the dipole measurements
offered by the Sonic Scanner tool. for near-wellbore and far-field slowness information.
Achieving a better understanding
of acoustic propagation
To enable a deeper understanding of
acoustic behavior in and around the bore-
hole, the Sonic Scanner tool allows accu-
rate radial and axial measurements of the
stress-dependent properties of rocks near
the wellbore. The Sonic Scanner platform
provides multiple depths of investigation,
excellent waveform quality, and presenta-
tions that reduce the complexity of sonic
logging, without compromising the depth
of information.
The more comprehensive understanding
obtained by using the Sonic Scanner plat-
form helps to improve fracture planning,
sand control, and perforating design.
enhanced low-frequency output over the
entire range of sonic frequencies; and
the dipole transmitters are designed for
high-output power, high-purity acoustic
waves, wide bandwidth, and low power
consumption.
The Sonic Scanner receivers feature a
longer azimuthal array than other acoustic
tools; i.e., 13 stations and 8 azimuthal
receivers at each station. With the two
near-monopole transmitters straddling
this array and a third transmitter farther
away, the short- to long-monopole trans-
mitter-to-receiver spacing combination
allows the altered zone to be seen and
provides a radial monopole profile.
Seeing beyond the altered zone
The long-spaced transmitter-to-receiver
concept in earlier acoustic tools was
designed for “seeing” past the altered
zone and attempted to provide an unal-
tered slowness measurement.
The range of Sonic Scanner transmitter-
to-receiver spacings is both short and
long enough to see the altered zone and
thus provide a radial monopole profile.
These features improve measurement
accuracy of the fluids and the stress-
dependent properties of the rocks near
the wellbore; and that benefits fracture
planning, sand control, and perforating
design, as well as shallow-reading-device
point selection.
The wide-frequency spectrum from
the dipole transmitters used in the Sonic
Scanner platform eliminates the need for
multiple logging passes that were common
with the earlier-generation acoustic tools.
New telemetry, optimized with software
and hardware, enables increased logging
speeds and decreased operating times.
Obtaining well integrity measurements
with high accuracy
The Sonic Scanner tool provides a dis-
criminated cement bond log (DCBL) that
can be obtained simultaneously with the
behind-casing acoustic measurements.
The two monopole transmitters positioned
at either end of the Sonic Scanner tool
allow 3-ft and 5-ft cement bond log (CBL)
and cement bond quality measurements
that are independent of fluid and tempera-
ture effects and do not require calibration.
To demonstrate the DCBL measure-
ment accuracy, a logging run made with
a Sonic Scanner tool is compared with
measurements from a CBT* Cement
Bond Tool. The DCBL measurements are
indicated in blue and the CBT measure-
ments are in black. A very good match
is shown between the measurements
of the CBT tool and the azimuthally
averaged Sonic Scanner platform.
Figure 2. A very good match is shown between azimuthally averaged Sonic Scanner platform and CBT
curves (1). Curve scattering indicates 0.31-in eccentering (10 % of the internal radius) in the 7-in casing (2).
A good match between bond index measurements is indicated (3).
Gamma Transit
Ray Time
XX,700
XX,800
XX,900 2
XY,000
Depth,
ft
XY,100
XY,200
XY,300
The transit time scattering shows ±0.31-in
eccentering in the 7-in, 23-lbm/ft casing.
The two bond index measurements
show good agreement, even in the zone
of high eccentralization near the top of
the interval.
Removing uncertainties about formation
geometry and structure
A recurring problem encountered in
reservoir modeling and simulation is the
lack of available image data having a fine
scale. Until now, the only available alter-
natives have been to work with surface
seismic data, often too coarse in quality,
or near-wellbore imaging and its associ-
ated limitations. Coupled with the scale
of seismic measurements, additional
uncertainties arise regarding geometry
and structure, formation property varia-
tion, and fluid movements.
Variable Variable
Density Density
Variable Discriminated Discriminated Bond Variable
Density* Attenuation Amplitude Index Density
3
1

XY,400
0 150 275 295 200 600 0 150 0 50 0 1 200 1200
gAPI dB/ft mV

CBT Sonic Scanner

Sonic Scanner Bond index limit
Figure 3. Excellent resolution obtained from the Sonic Scanner tool compared with the surface seismic image.

XX,000 Interpreted oil/gas contact

Top of reservoir

XX,005

True Wellbore
vertical
depth, XX,010
m

XX,015

Bottom of main sand body Planned well

Drilled well

XX,020
20 600
Horizontal position, m

Figure 4. In this example, the high-gamma ray activity indicates a shaly interval. An isotropic zone (N = 0) The inset image in Fig. 3 shows the
extends from XY,500 to XY,600 m, and a high-permeability zone exists from XY,005 to XY,100 m. surface seismic data with normal, rather
poor, resolution. In the Sonic Scanner
Shear Rigidity in
image of Fig. 3, the solid green line indi-
X2–X3 Transversely cates the interpreted reservoir top, and
Borehole Plane
the dashed blue line is the interpreted
0 GPa 10
bottom of the main sand body. The purple
Borehole Deviation Compressional DT Shear Rigidity in Shear Rigidity in
0 deg 90 440 µs/ft 40 X2–X3 Transversely X2–X3, X1–X2, and line shows the wellbore path.
N_TIV@3D_Aniso_Com Fast Shear DT Isotropic Vertical Plane X1–X3 Borehole Plane The relative horizontal position along
–300 GPa 300 440 µs/ft 40 0 GPa 5 0 GPa 10 the bottom scale is 20– 600 m from left
Slow Shear DT Shear Rigidity in Equivalent Shear to right, and the vertical scale (deep
Shale
440 µs/ft 40 X1–X2 Transversely Rigidity in
Isotropic Vertical Plane Borehole Plane
reading) is in increments of 5 m, show-
Depth Stoneley DT
m
Thin Bed
440 µs/ft 40 0 GPa 5 0 GPa 10
ing clearly more than 15 m of excellent
resolution compared with the surface
seismic image.
The Sonic Scanner image measurements
XX,800 are used to update the geological model
and as input to the reservoir simulator
for predicting pressure with production.
XY,000
High Obtaining transversely isotropic
permeability formation parameters
XY,200 A 3D anisotropy algorithm transforms the
compressional, fast-shear, slow-shear, and
Stoneley slowness Sonic Scanner meas-
urements with respect to the borehole
XY,400
axes to anisotropic moduli referenced to
the earth’s anisotropy axes. These moduli
Isotropic help to classify formation anisotropy into
XY,600
isotropic, transversely isotropic (TI), or
orthorhombic types. The moduli also
assist in identifying microlayering or
XY,800 thin-bedding-induced TI anisotropy
(N < 0 implies microlayering-induced
intrinsic anisotropy; N > 0 implies bedding-
Figure 5. Mobility measured by the Sonic Scanner tool is shown in Track 4. The red dots indicate mobility
induced anisotropy), relative magnitude values measured by the MDT* Modular Formation Dynamics Tester, which show good agreement.
of principal stresses, and fluid mobility
in porous rocks.
Figure 4 shows the 3D anisotropy algo- Shale
rithm’s ability to generate the TI param-
Sand
eters. With reference to a borehole that Porosity Quality DT Compressional
Bound Water
0 % 100 Flag 160 µs/ft 60
is parallel to the X3 axis, shear modulus Gamma Ray Signal- DT Shear
Mobility Error Oil
0 gAPI 150 to-Noise 300 µs/ft 150
or rigidity in the X2-X3 plane and shear Caliper Ratio DT Stoneley Stoneley Mobility
Water
6 in 16 30 dB 50 300 µs/ft 200 1 mD/cP 10,000
rigidity in the X1-X2 plane enable Bulk Density Depth DT mud MDT Mobility Sonic Scanner Stoneley
Coal
1.95 g/cm3 2.95 ft 240 µs/ft 40 1 mD/cP 10,000 0 µs/ft 16,000
quicklook interpretation of formation
anisotropy, stress, and mobility effects.

Determining formation mobility

Because there is essentially no continuous
logging measurement of mobility available, X,X00
other methods have to be considered.
One method is to measure formation
mobility, which is the ratio of perme-
ability to viscosity.
Mobility, however, is not always avail-
able when it is needed because porosity
estimates are often preliminary, wireline
cores require an additional run into the X,X20

well, and whole cores are expensive.

When the borehole is in reasonably
good condition, Stoneley waves can be
used to measure a continuous mobility
profile in sands and carbonates. These
data can serve as an extension of core
permeability over a continuous interval
to save on coring costs, or to get a quick X,X40

permeability estimate for selecting the

perforating interval.
Minimizing the effects of tool presence
on sensitive Stoneley wave measurements
is extremely important. The design of the
Sonic Scanner tool, coupled with exten-
sive laboratory and field testing, enables
highly accurate prediction of the effects X,X60

of the tool on acoustic measurements

in all environments.
The example in Fig. 5 demonstrates
how the Sonic Scanner Stoneley waves
can be used to measure a continuous
mobility profile and obtain a quick per-
meability estimate. Other applications of
Stoneley permeability include formation
evaluation, production testing strategy
and programs, and reservoir modeling.

Evaluating the mechanical properties

of formations
Acoustic measurements have typically
been acquired in 1D as a function of
depth, but seldom in 2D simultaneously
as a function of depth and azimuthal
direction. And interpretation has almost
always been based on the assumption
that the formations were homogeneous
and isotropic—a debatable assumption,
at best, because of fracture alignment,
Figure 6. A mechanical earth model can be constructed and compared with independent measurements
dipping beds, unbalanced stresses, and of rock properties and in situ stresses.
formation damage from drilling.
The Sonic Scanner tool enables a full Earth Stress Plot 2.5 x10
3D characterization of the formation by 0
2
adding the radial dimension from the

Effective axial stress, psi

multiple transmitter-receiver spacings, 2,000 1.5

along with wideband frequency measure- 1

ments and acquisition of all acoustic 4,000 0.5

E - 3.084 x 10 psi

True Young’s Modulus

modes propagating in the borehole. From vertical
o3 = 3000 psi
Sample 67-S1
0 Depth: 4912.00 ft

the expanded set of measurements, dom- depth, 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Axial strain, %
1.2 1.4 1.6

ft 6,000
inant formation data can be evaluated 10
Delta Stability

and the appropriate processing tech-

8,000 5
niques can be selected to extract 3D

Distance (in)
acoustical properties. 0

In a tight-gas reservoir, formation 10,000

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
evaluation data and wellbore images Equivalent mud density, ppg
-5

were combined with Sonic Scanner Pore pressure σVertical σmin Sand σmax Sand -10

shear wave anisotropy and Stoneley σmin Shale

Mud loss
σmax Shale
DataFRAC* service
Kick
σmin Sand-Wbs
Pressure Xpress*
service
-10 -5 0 5 10
Distance, in
wave data shown in Fig. 6. Wellbore σmin Shale-Wbs σmax Shale-Wbs σmax Sand-Wbs
FMI log

stability simulation was used to ensure

consistency between the mechanical
earth model and the logging and drilling
data. The mechanical earth model was
Figure 7. Stoneley wave measurements enabled determination that the fractures were natural, not
then applied to optimize subsequent drilling induced.
drilling operations.

Detecting and evaluating open Washout

Crossline
Energy
Gamma Ray
fractured intervals 0 gAPI
Maximum
150 Crossline
Bit Size Energy
Understanding the mechanisms of aniso- 4 in 14 0 100
Caliper 1 Minimum Slowness Slowness Dynamic Image
tropy can be important when selecting 4 in 14 Crossline Slowness Frequency Slowness Frequency Horizontal Scale: 1:13.744
Energy Fast-In-Line Projection Analysis Slow-In-Line Projection Analysis Orientation North
Caliper 2
the right hydraulic fracture fluid for a 4 in 14 0 100 Variable 80 µs/ft 280 80 µs/ft 280 Variable 80 µs/ft 280 80 µs/ft 280 0 120 240 360
Density Density Resistive Conductive
Stoneley Fractures Depth
well, especially if there is stress-induced 0 in 0.5 ft 0
DT Shear Fast DT Shear Fast
µs 6,000 80 µs/ft 280 80 µs/ft 280 0
DT Shear Slow DT Shear Slow
µs 100 80 µs/ft 280 80 µs/ft 280 FMI Image
anisotropy or intrinsic anisotropy related
to the presence of natural fractures. The
Sonic Scanner tool can be used in evalu-
ating the type of anisotropy, in addition
to differentiating between open natural
fractures and drilling-induced fractures. XX,050

The fractures shown in the FMI*

Fullbore Formation MicroImager log
in Fig. 7 are near vertical. Upon foot-
by-foot examination, they were origi-
nally interpreted to be drilling induced. XX,100
Stoneley wave measurements from the
Sonic Scanner tool made it clear that the
fractures were open natural fractures
and not drilling induced.
The additional sonic data undoubtedly
prevented the operator from making an
incorrect interpretation, which would
have led to selection of a high-gel fracture
fluid that would have destroyed the
permeability of the naturally fractured
formation. In this situation, encapsulated
breakers are much less effective, and an
effective treatment can be designed.
In addition to preventing fluid loss,
this information would also be critical
in preventing cement loss during com-
pletion operations.
Sonic Scanner Measurement Specifications
Output Compressional and shear DT, full waveforms, cement bond quality waveforms
Max. logging speed 1,097 m/h [3,600 ft/h]†
Range of measurement Standard shear slowness: <4,921 µs/m [1,500 µs/ft]
Vertical resolution <1.82-m [6-ft] processing resolution for 15.24-cm [6-in] sampling rate‡
Accuracy DT: <6.56 µs/m [2 µs/ft] or 2% up to 35.6-cm [14-in] hole size
<16.40 µs/m [5 µs/ft] or 5% for >35.6-cm [14-in] hole size
Mud weight or type limits None
Combinability Fully combinable with other tools
† Acquisition speed depends on product class and sampling rate.
‡ Vertical resolution of <60.96 cm [<2 ft] is possible.

Sonic Scanner Mechanical Specifications

Max. temperature 177 degC [350 degF]
Max. pressure 138 MPa [20,000 psi]
Borehole size
Min. 12.07 cm [4.75 in]
Max. 55.88 cm [22 in]
Outer diameter 9.21 cm [3.625 in]
Length 12.58 m [41.28 ft]†
6.7 m [22 ft]‡
Weight 383 kg [844 lbm]†
188 kg [413 lbm]‡
Tension 157 kN [35,000 lbf]
Compression 13 kN [3,000 lbf]
† Advanced toolstring, including isolation joint
‡ Basic toolstring, near monopoles only

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05-FE-130 © 2005 Schlumberger
November 2005 *Mark of Schlumberger
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