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Mejbel Saad Al-Azmi, Fahad Al-Otaibi, Joshi Girija Kumar, Devendra Tiwary, and Samar Al-Ashwak, Kuwait Oil
Company; Bekdaulet Dzhaykiev, Neha Shinde, Douglas Hardman, Rabih Noueihed, and Shreerang Gadkari, Baker
Hughes, a GE Company
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Reservoir Characterisation and Simulation Conference and Exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 17 - 19 September
2019.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.
Abstract
The complex nature of the reservoir dictated comprehensive formation evaluation logging that was typically
done on wireline. The high angle designed for maximum reservoir exposure, high temperature, high pressure
(HTHP), differential reservoir pressure and wellbore stability challenges necessitated a new approach to
overall formation evaluation. The paper outlines Formation Evaluation strategy that reduced risk, increased
efficiency and saved money, while ensuring high quality data collection, integration and interpretation.
After review of all risks, a decision to utilize Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) for wellbore stability,
Logging While Drilling (LWD) to replace wireline and Advanced Mudlogging Services was implemented.
The Formation Evaluation team utilized LWD resistivity, neutron, density and nuclear magnetic resonance
logs supplemented with x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and advanced mud gas analysis
to ensure comprehensive analysis. The paper outlines workflows and procedures necessary to ensure all
data from LWD, XRF, XRD and mud gas are integrated properly for the analysis.
Effects of Managed Pressure Drilling on mud gas interpretation as well as cuttings and mud gas depth
matching are addressed. Depth matching of all data, mud gasses, cuttings and logs are critical for detailed
and accurate analysis and techniques are discussed that ensure consistent results. Complex mineralogy due
to digenesis and effect of LWD logs are evident and only reconciled by detailed XRF and XRD data. The
effects of some conductive mineralogy are so dramatic as to infer tool function compromise. The ability
to determine acceptable tool response from tool failures eliminates unnecessary trips and leads to efficient
operations. The final result of the above data collection, QC and processing resulted in a comprehensive
formation evaluation interpretation of high confidence.
Finally, conclusions and recommendations are summarized to provide guidelines in Formation
Evaluation in similar challenging highly deviated, HTHP, complex reservoir environments on land and
offshore.
2 SPE-196714-MS
Introduction
Historical Background
The discovery of gas and super light crude oil with API of 52 in the deep Jurassic reservoirs of North Kuwait
in 2006 marked the beginning of a new era of exploration and development of ultra-deep, high temperature
and high pressure Jurassic fields in the history of Kuwait. Since then, six fields with deep Jurassic reservoirs
have been discovered – Raudhatain, North Western Raudhatain, Sabriyah, Umm Niqa, Dhabi and Bahra
- and put on development map with an approximate area of 1800 sq km (A.J. Al-Eidan, S.R. Narahari et
al., 2010) (Figure 1).
The vision 2040 strategy sets target production rates of 2 bcf of gas per day. To achieve this ambitious
goal, large number of wells needs to be drilled and completed, but most importantly, it requires a smarter
approach to drilling and development – to maximize production by drilling highly deviated and horizontal
wells penetrating most productive reservoir layers over a longer distance.
In the first several years since the discovery of deeper Jurassic reservoirs, the development plan was
to drill vertical wells and complete them through single cased hole completion strings and adapt bottoms-
up perforation strategy. A large number of vertical wells have been drilled throughout that period. The
experience and insights gained through this endeavor led to the beginning of a new development strategy
- through drilling of high angle or horizontal drain holes utilizing multi stage completion and other smart
completion technologies with the aim of maximizing reservoir production.
This paper outlines the challenges and complexities of the drilling and logging environment in these deep
Jurassic formations, gives overview of the geological setting, discusses technologies available in the market
to address those challenges and finally concludes with the important results and comparison to previously
used standard workflows.
SPE-196714-MS 3
The Middle Marrat depositional setting has been extensively studied through a host of whole cores
and has been classified and simplified as Basin slope facies progressively grading to Sabkha and Tidal
flats. Three main lithotypes - limestone, dolomite and anhydrite - dominate the lithology framework. The
limestone is mostly tight with typical porosity range varying from 0 to 5% and permeability from 0.1 to
0.01 mD. Most of the fractures have developed in this lithology type. Dolomites are the main target for well
completion and perforation, having porosity varying from 5 to 25% with permeability range from 0.1 mD
to 100 mD. Anhydrites are mainly barriers separating the different pressure regimes. The dolomitic streaks
4 SPE-196714-MS
within anhydrite layers have been found to be good producers. The main characteristic of the reservoirs
are virgin pressure gradients between 0.7 – 0.8 psi/ft. Drilling through these high pressure regimes requires
high mud weight, achieved by using barite as mud additive.
The current structure and characteristics of deep Jurassic reservoirs in Kuwait are a result of various
tectonic events, which influenced the region starting from Precambrian growth to late Neogene separation
of Saudi tectonic plate from African continent, along with important Intermediate/Late Permian to Late
Jurassic opening of the Neo-Tethys Sea. The combined effect of these tectonic events resulted in six
petroliferous structures Raudhatain, North West Raudhatain, Dhabi, Umm Niqa, Sabriyah and Bahrah.
These structures have been shaped in NE-SW and NW-SE trends by transgressional faults, "flower" type
structures and detachment folding (Figure 1). The structures have been dissected by various fault groups,
which have played major role for conduit migration as well as in establishment of permeability barriers
for entrapment. This has resulted into presence of different compartments with different pressure regimes
and fluid gravity. Fractures are playing an important role in enhancing reservoir quality and represent
secondary porosity in relatively tight Jurassic formations. In close proximity to faults, fracture density
increases causing sudden and complete mud losses, creating additional complications during drilling.
adversely affect log measurements and requires proper environmental corrections. On the other hand,
chances of tool failures is high due to increased temperature.
Barite is used as High Gravity Solids additive to the Oil Based Mud. The high content (up to 33% HGS)
of the barite in the mud makes the Pef value of formation non usable. Barite accumulated on the walls of
the borehole further complicates bulk density measurement and if borehole breakouts are created due to
insufficient mud weight it can further affect density and neutron porosity measurement, maing formation
evaluation difficult.
Standard workflow of log data acquisition established from the early days of logging these wells has
been adapted to vertical wells and depends heavily on Wireline logging. Following logging data is of utmost
importance and needed for proper formation evaluation. Basic triple combo data consisting of Gamma Ray,
set of Resistivity measurements with multiple depths of investigation, Bulk Density and Neutron Porosity
are a must. Additional 4 measurements are often required such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to
identify zones with movable fluid and to estimate Permability Index, Acoustic logs for DT compressional
and DT shear, Elemental Spectroscopy for identifying dolomitized intervals and High Resolution Borehole
Images for fracture and fault detection.
As more highly deviated wells are being drilled and with further increase in drilling risks, LWD logging is
gaining importance as a preferred way of logging. Improvements in LWD technology that has happened in
the last decade demonstrated good data quality at par or sometimes better than Wireline logging tools. Taking
measurements as soon as formation is being drilled makes data least affected by drilling fluid invasion and
near wellbore deterioration.
For comprehensive formation evaluation, improved workflow to address above stated challenges has
been developed and implemented in most of the 6″ sections targeting Middle Marrat formation. The
workflow includes integration of Advanced Mud Logging services with LWD. Advanced Mud Logging
services, such as XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) and C5+ Gas Analysis performed
on cuttings and LWD data acquisition happens simultaneously during drilling allowing to save rig time and
money. With logging companies, investing more in their R&D efforts on LWD technology the gap between
Wireline and LWD is becoming narrower. While most measurements are available in LWD, there is still
further development needed in Elemental Spectroscopy and High Resolution OBM Borehole Imaging in
6" boreholes.
Integrated LWD & Advanced Mud Logging Workflow for complete formation
evaluation
This section of the paper briefly describes all available technology in both drilling and formation evalution
to address existing challenges in Jurassic formations.
LWD density and caliper images can be used in real-time while drilling to check that the correct mud
weight is being used at any given depth. Observing break-outs while drilling can suggest that mud weight
has to be further adjusted. Advanced mud logging data such as gas data coupled with LWD data can give
more insights and help adjust drilling parameters. It is important to put in place real-time monitoring of the
well by geomechanics experts.
In the cases of high differential pressure due to formation depletion, Managed Pressure Drilling
technology has been attempted in few wells, but have not yet gained popularity. Managed Pressure Drilling
(MPD) system is a closed circulation system that ensures control of Bottom Hole Pressure (BHP). The
purpose of MPD is to keep BHP close to the formation pressure to prevent drill pipe and tools to stick
differentially to the formation by elimating high overbalance. The required BHP is maintained by using
surface backpressure and regulated by using fluid of controlled lower density in the drilling fluid. Control
of BHP allows to prevent both mud losses due to high overbalance and formation influx, thus helping to
avoid well kicks, lost circulation and high differential pressure that could lead to differential sticking.
Another service that has gained popularity is Early Kick Detection (EKD). The concept is based on using
advanced flowmeter to monitor subtle changes in In-going and Out-going Mud Flow. Plots of flow change
versus time are analyzed for critical depths and conclusions can be made whether the fluid loss is related to
natural porosity-permeability properties of the reservoir, sudden mud losses, induced fractures or presence
of natural fractures.
formation density estimate. One has to carefully analyze quadrant or even sector density to derive correct
bulk density of the formation.
Finally, as more and more highly deviated wells are planned and more sophisticated completion and
reservoir stimulation methods are being planned such as acidization and fracturing, Reservoir Navigation
Services using deep azimuthal resistivity tools will become more important in the future of North Kuwait.
Integration of Advanced Mud logging Services with log data for lithological and fluid type
identification
A new approach of integrating XRD, XRF, Advanced Gas and all available log data (whether it is Wireline
or LWD) has been introduced and successfully utilized for better formation evaluation. Before generating
an integrated plot, all data are put on the same reference depth (LWD or Wireline). Depth shift is applied
to mud logging data. Figure 4 shows one of the examples of such integration. As it can be seen from the
plot, XRD mineralogy from cuttings is showing a very good match with log data. Intervals with high bulk
density of around 2.95 g/cc correlate well with XRD data indicating presence of anhydrite layers. Gas ratios
provide better understanding of downhole fluid type. There is a strong indication of light oil in the multiple
layers in the top half of Middle Marrat (MMR) formation. Presence of water is detected towards the top of
Middle Marrat and towards Lower Marrat (LMR). Data correlate well with open hole logs.
Figure 4—Integration of Advanced Mud Logging data (XRD, XRF, Advanced Gas Analysis) with Log Data
SPE-196714-MS 9
Bitumen mapping using Advanced Mud Logging Services and LWD data
Presence of bitumen has been reported across Kuwait in various fields at Middle Marrat level. Mapping
bitumen distribution is an important task that helps in future production and field development decisions.
Presence of bitumen can be easily detected using NMR data. Porosity deficit caused by fast relaxation of
hydrogen atoms in the presence of bitumen will be reflected in the difference between NMR total porosity
and crossplot porosity measured using bulk density – neutron porosity combination. Figure 5 shows example
of such well in the north-eastern part of one of the Jurassic fields in North Kuwait. The interval was also
cored and core description displayed on the right side of the figure shows confirmation of physical bitumen
presence.
In one of the offset wells, where NMR logging was eventually cancelled (Figure 6), XRF data from
mud logging shows exact interval of bitumen presence detected by increased concentrations of V and Ni,
normally attributed to bitumen or asphaltene-like structures in the formation. This interval correlates well
to the same interval at the base of Middle Marrat shown in Figure 5.
10 SPE-196714-MS
Other important observations can be drawn from Figure 6 and derived from XRD, XRF and gas ratios
from mud gas data. Multiple zones have hydrocarbon potential indications within the Middle Marrat and
isolated with the rectangular area on the figure. C1/C2 and C1/THC ratios indicate medium gravity oil
with API range of 15-35. Bh (Balance) ratio is less then Wh (Wetness) ratio and Character is around 0.5
indicating presence of liquid phase in Middle Marrat above the zone where bitumen has been detected.
LWD NMR data for movable fluid identification and permeability index in Real-Time
LWD NMR tool is regualarly run in Jurassic fields and has proven to provide important information about
exact location of zones with movable fluid. It also provides lithology independent total porosity and using
locally defined adjustment factor it provides core-matched permeability index. Availability of high quality
Real-Time LWD NMR and basic LWD data allows making fast decisions before BHA is pulled out back
to surface. This helps saving time and allows contractors to be ready to run completion as early as drilling
is completed (Figure 7).
Figure 7—High quality real-time LWD NMR and basic data allows faster decisions well before drilling is completed
Azimuthal Density Image can be used for real-time geomechanical monitoring and if breakouts are seen
while drilling it is the basis for further mud weight adjustment by drilling team (Figure 8).
Azimuthal Density Image can be invaluable in confirming of presence of major geological faults (Figure
9).
Figure 9—Detection of major geological faults using Azimuthal Density Images in Kuwait
Petrophysical evaluation comparison between LWD and nearby well with Wireline data
Newly adapted workflow of utilizing LWD log data with Advanced Mud Logging data in highly deviated
wells or in wells where drilling risks are very high has proven to provide important information for proper
formation evaluation in deep Jurassic formations. Example below in Figure 11 shows how well the final
petrophysical evaluation based on LWD data matches the one from older well where Wireline data has been
acquired.
Conclusions
For highly deviated well where Wireline logging is not possible, LWD data can be used without compromise
to provide accurate and complete solution and comprehensive formation evaluation.
LWD technology is constantly evolving, as new advanced tools are being tested and successfully used
in deep Jurassic fields of North Kuwait.
High quality of Real-Time data (LWD NMR and basic LWD Triple Combo data) allows faster decisions
wihout waiting for memory data and thus saving rig time for potential immediate completion run.
Advanced Mud Logging data presented by XRD, XRF and Advanced Gas data analysis provide very
valuable information during drilling and when integrated with log data provide important insights into types
of rocks, any in-situ changes happening within the reservoir and into fluid types within the reservoir.
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to thank Kuwait Oil Company management and staff for granting permission to present
this paper.
References
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Conference. Doha, Qatar, 20-22 January 2014.
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