HRH Limited Introduction to Drilling

SECTION 6
WIRELINE LOGGING & MWD

6.1 REASONS FOR LOGGING A WELL

The primary purpose of logging is to provide detailed information on the nature of the
porosity, permeability and hydrocarbon content of the formations drilled. The level of
information gathered during the drilling process, through cuttings analysis and interpretation
of drilling parameter data, is useful for tactical decisions as the well progresses, but is
insufficient to allow decisions to be made regarding the well’s potential as a profitable
producer.

Other logs that may be run include tools that measure the quality of the cement job performed
after casing (Cement Bond Log)

6.2 COMPARISON BETWEEN WIRELINE AND LWD

6.2.1 Why Use MWD/LWD?

In the past this high quality data was obtained only by using wireline tools after the drilling
process was completed in each hole stage. The logs would be produced immediately before
the casing was inserted, or immediately prior to plugging and abandoning the well after total
depth was reached. As a consequence, the data was of no use in selection of coring points or
casing points, which can have significant implications on both cost and rig safety.

Additionally, some formations from which the geologist would wish to have the best quality
of information may be affected by significant invasion of mud fluids that alter the wireline
log responses. Still further damage that may affect wireline quality will occur if drilling fluid
flows in a turbulent manner. Friable rocks such as reservoir quality sands may be easily
broken down, widening the diameter of the hole to values greater than the wireline tool is
capable of handling. This has a major effect on interpretation of the data.

From the late 1970’s, efforts were made to create wireline style tools capable of being
incorporated into the drill string. Initially this was restricted to directional survey information,
which is a relatively low volume data stream. This service became known as Measurement
While Drilling. The cost reduction in survey measurement created by MWD introduction
made directional drilling of wells significantly cheaper.

The most effective method developed to transmit data to surface after measurement is the
mud pulse telemetry system. Here the circulating pressure is interrupted using a jet nozzle
mounted into the BHA at the MWD tool. The downhole processing equipment converts the
sensor readings into simple numbers, the value of these numbers then being translated into a
time interval between pulses. By measuring the pulses at the surface and decoding them, the
MWD engineer can quickly produce an accurate report on inclination of the borehole and
azimuth of travel.

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Further development produced gamma ray tools followed by formation resistivity tools. Now
neutron density, porosity, and sonic travel time tools are also available, all of which can be
run simultaneously.

The large quantity of data measured in this way was too much for mud pulse telemetry
techniques to deal with, so downhole memory tools were created to store the huge number of
data points surveyed. Data may be downloaded from the tool when it reaches the surface.
Telemetry to the surface (real time) data is still available, although obviously is less detailed.
These formation evaluation tools tend to be referred to as Logging While Drilling (LWD)
systems.

LWD is less affected by problems related to fluid invasion of reservoirs or by the effects of
hole-widening, since the tool is able to pass alongside each formation relatively soon after the
bit has drilled through it. This also allows major geological decisions to be made quickly
using very high quality data.

6.2.2 Depth Tracking

On the other hand, a significant advantage of wireline tools over LWD tools is the better
depth tracking system available using wireline, where the properties of the cables are well
known and effects such as cable stretch may be easily calculated. Depth is then simply related
to the length of cable released from or wound onto the wireline cable drum.

LWD depth tracking is basically the same as that used for mud-logging purposes, ie the
movement of the travelling block in the derrick is related to the penetration of the formation
by the bit. This relies on a meticulous record being kept of the lengths of pipe added to the
drill string as the well progresses (called the pipe tally). The pipe itself is measured to either
0.01 of a foot, or 0.01 of a metre depending on the oil company's preferred depth unit. Thus
the measured depth (MD) of the well is said to be the length of the drill string below the
drill floor with the bit on the bottom of the hole.

While this suggests that related depth measurements will be accurate, there is added
complexity due to the fact that the drill string is in tension due to the relatively heavy drill
collars forming the bottom hole assembly. This causes the drill pipe to stretch beyond its
measured length. In addition the degree of weight applied to the bit will then introduce
compression at the bottom of the string. The blocks will therefore move in the derrick in
response to changes in the applied weight on bit as well as actual penetration. A detailed
surveillance of the driller's parameters must therefore be made in order to recognise these
potential depth errors as they develop.

6.2.3 Scope of Services

The variety of tools available by using wireline is much greater than that offered by LWD
systems. Tools such as formation pressure testing and fluid sampling (RFT, FMT, or MDT)
and sidewall coring remain the sole property of wireline services.

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A variety of tools are illustrated below. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Figure 6-1: Anadrill Schlumberger LWD-AND (Density-Neutron) Tool

Figure 6-2: Density-Neutron Log Data Plotted on Final Composite Log

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Figure 6-3: Anadrill Schlumberger ISONIC LWD Tool

Figure 6-4: Sonic Log Data Plotted Onto Final Composite Log

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Figure 6-5: LWD Caliper Tool and Caliper Data Plotted on Composite
Log

Figure 6-6: Baker Hughes Rotary Sidewall Coring Tool

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Figure 6-7: Schlumberger MDT Tool

Figure 6-8: Schlumberger Wireline Truck at Rig-site, France 2001

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