You are on page 1of 11

A New Page in the History of Reservoir Characterization in the Andes

Sedimentary Basin Area, with the Introduction of State of the Art LWD
Formation Evaluation Services

A Case History in South America – Ecuador


CARVALHO, A.; SIERRA, J.; SANCHEZ, L.; MEDINA, R, Schlumberger, Quito, Ecuador
CEVALLOS, M.; GONZALEZ, W.; SANTACRUZ, R., City Oriente, Quito, Ecuador

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION

The continuous increase in demand of HC The complexity of depositional sequence in


resources and the exhaustion of the simplest the young Sub-Andean sedimentary basins is
reservoir deposits have forced the oil industry to often marked by difficulties with drilling operations
focus on the development of more complex and wireline based formation evaluation data
reservoir targets and drilling profiles. This scenario acquisition.
becomes even more challenging in Sub-Andean Well bore stability issues are often
sedimentary basins, given the diversity of encountered and bring a significant level of risk
depositional environments and the active history of during logging operations with conventional cable
tectonic stresses that brings into view the conveyed technology. The problems are reported
additional complication of drilling safety. by most of the operators in the area of Peru,
In this area, the history of logging operations Colombia and Ecuador. It generally results in long
with conventional technology has often been time with open hole logging operations, repetition
marked by difficulties in completing data of wiper trips for hole conditioning, sticking pipe
acquisition, resulting in increased costs, additional events and frequency of situations where logs are
rig time and the high risk of sticking tools. not acquired, leaving important reservoir zones
without proper characterization.
Given the complexity of the sedimentary
sequences, on many occasions the basic suite of The application of a new Logging While
logging measurements is insufficient to provide an Drilling Formation Evaluation technology in two
accurate interpretation of fundamental reservoir wells for City Oriente provided the proper solution
properties. Therefore, operators can not make to a history of difficulties with wireline logging
proper decisions on completion and production operations. In addition, the unique characteristics
strategies of important reservoir targets. of this new LWD technology brought remarkable
benefits for reservoir evaluation that helped solve
The introduction of the newest Schlumberger important interpretation questions related to
EcoScope Logging While Drilling (LWD) lithology and hydrocarbon production potential.
technology in two deviated wells in Ecuador, for The technology also provided an important
City Oriente Limited, provided an opportunity to contribution for drilling optimization, cementing
eliminate the risks of data acquisition, save time and stimulation optimization, which can be clearly
and reduce costs. The measurements acquired translated into significant time and financial
from this service provided an integrated savings.
interpretation solution, which significantly
improved the reservoir characterization. The information presented in this article is
intended to demonstrate the benefits of these
The utilization of the unique spectroscopy and technologies in terms of reservoir characterization
sigma measurements in addition to the in the Blanca 04 and Blanca 05 wells. Detailed
conventional set of measurements provided a information about the EcoScope service physics
major contribution to minimizing interpretation and measurement principles can be found in the
uncertainties, permitted the identification of papers listed in the references at the end of this
hydrocarbon (HC) zones, and allowed the document.
estimation of permeability properties to help define
zones with the best productive potential.
GEOLOGIC BACKGROUND In the central part of this area, City Oriente
has delimited the Blanca field where the
sandstone reservoirs from Napo Formation, here
Block 27 is located in the northeastern part of
denominated as Napo-1 zone and Napo-2 zone
the Ecuadorian Oriente Sedimentary basin, at
constitute the intervals with better productive
latitude North 0° 15´ and longitude West 76° 05´, hydrocarbon potential.
between the borders of Colombia and Ecuador
(Figure 1). This area forms part of the present Similar to other neighboring fields in the area,
Sub-Andean system of Foreland Basins, which the Blanca field exhibits a significant variation in
extends from Colombia to Argentina. formation water salinity with respect to depth.
Water salinity ranges from 51,000 ppm (NaCl
equivalent) in the Napo-1 zone and gradually
decreases to 6,700 ppm (NaCl equivalent) in the
lower sandstone sequences.

A NEW LOGGING WHILE DRILLING


FORMATION EVALUATION SERVICE

Based on a survey performed with clients


around the world, Schlumberger captured the
main requests with respects to the technology
needs for data acquisition with logging-while-
drilling tools and measurements. The results of the
Figure 1: Location map, showing the Block 27 survey indicated that the most significant issues
highlighted in yellow on the northeast Ecuadorian for the next generation of logging-while-drilling
border. devices should focus on:

The Ecuadorian Oriente Basin was developed • Measurement Distance to bit


as a result of the translational and compressive
stresses beginning in the late Cretaceous, which • Real-time data rate
resulted in the emergence of the “Cordillera Real”
• Reliability
and the generation of the back-arc basin structure.
Stratigraphically, the Oriente Basin preserves • Reduction of Nuclear Sources
a Phanerozoic depositional sequence, which can
be divided into several megasequences with
different sedimentological, tectonics and magmatic These results provided the key requirements
characteristics, which reflects distinct evolutionary for the development of a new logging while drilling
steps of the sedimentary basin history [Dashwood formation evaluation service. The new service
& Abbotts, 1990; Baby et al., 1999]. integrates into a single, 26 ft long collar, resistivity,
density, neutron and gamma ray measurements,
During the Cretaceous these formations as well as measurements new to LWD including
witnessed abrupt variations of the shore line in the neutron capture spectroscopy and sigma
shallow marine platform of the eastern measurements. The co-location of these sensors
sedimentary basin. They show lateral and vertical on a single collar provides the ability to deliver an
changes of facies and interrupt the predominant accurate petrophysical evaluation in real time.
low energy marine sedimentation (Zailtin et al.,
1994). In addition to the measurements for the
petrophysical applications, the new service also
The sedimentary section, Hollin-Napo-Tena, is contains sensors dedicated to drilling optimization,
basically composed of estuarine and marine including accelerometers for shocks and
sandstones, shallow marine shales and vibrations, annular pressure and temperature, and
carbonates. The sequence exhibits well defined caliper information from various sensors while
sequential stratigraphic characteristics drilling. The integration of these drilling
parameters with images, lithology from
spectroscopy and other measurements provides
the capability to understand the causes of effort was dedicated to the improvement of rate of
borehole instability and take appropriate decision penetration capability, tool reliability and
to modify drilling fluid properties and improve maintenance.
drilling safety and performance.
An special focus was as also put on the
The EcoScope tool is a single collar that problems related to logistics and environmental
contains an integrated package of sensors for the risks with nuclear chemical sources and resulted
acquisition of the following measurements: on the implementation of a Pulse Neutron
Generator (PNG), which not only permits the
• Thermal Neutron Porosity acquisition of porosity measurements with superior
• Hydrogen Index quality to what is obtained with conventional
• Resistivity americium-beryllium chemical sources, but also
permits the acquisition of the innovative neutron
• Sigma capture spectroscopy and sigma measurements.
• Capture Spectroscopy
• Neutron Gamma Density
• Azimuthal Ultra-sonic Caliper
• Density Caliper Benefits to Formation Evaluation in the Blanca
• Azimuthal Density and Photo Electric Field
Factor
The EcoScope service was utilized in two
• Density, Ultrasonic, Photo Electric and deviated wells for City Oriente in Ecuador to
Gamma Ray Images acquire formation evaluation data and to avoid the
• Shocks and Vibrations problems associated with cable conveyed logging
• Inclination acquisition which occurred during the drilling
campaign of the Blanca field.
• Annular Pressure and Temperature
• Azimuthal Gamma Ray The Blanca 04 and Blanca 05 wells were
drilled with 9 7/8 inch PDC bits and water based
drilling fluids. The drilled interval corresponds to
EcoScope Tool clastic and carbonate formations from Napo-Tena
sequence.

Confirmation of hydrocarbon potential in the


Napo-1 sandstone zone of the Blanca 04 well.

The Napo-1 sandstone reservoir constituted


the main target for the Blanca 04 well. During
perforation an unexpected low resistivity profile
was observed in this zone, with maximum value of
only 7.5 Ohm.m. This low resistivity range did not
provide a good correlation with logs from a nearby
offset well (Blanca 02) where the resistivity in the
Napo-1 zone was around 60 Ohm.m. This fact
raised questions regarding the hydrocarbon
saturation in the zone, resulting in a very
pessimistic scenario for the well.
The availability of the Sigma measurement
from EcoScope was critical in this case. The
Napo-1 zone in this field normally contains
formation water salinity around 51,000 ppm NaCl
Figure 2: EcoScope tool schematic diagram. equivalent, which provides good conditions for the
utilization of Sigma for hydrocarbon identification.

Considering the requests for the The Sigma measurement obtained in Real
improvements on service delivery, an important Time indicated values of 12 to 13 capture
units,(C.U.), corresponding to either hydrocarbon
or a fresher formation water with much lower Permeability estimation
salinity than expected. When both resistivity and
Sigma measurement were used to calculate water Permeability was then estimated from the
and hydrocarbon saturations for the Napo-1 zone, porosity and spectroscopy based mineralogy data
the agreement in results from these two using the mineral form of the k-Lambda algorithm.
independent methods for determining hydrocarbon
The k-Lambda algorithm estimates
saturation, brought new hope to the production
permeability as a function of L, a measure of the
perspectives of the well.
size of dynamically connected pores. The mineral
form of the k-Lambda algorithm can be
generalized as:
Combined interpretation of basic petrophysics set of
data with unique Spectroscopy-Sigma
measurements.

Where:
k is the absolute permeability (mD),
Z is proportionality constant with a default value of
200,000.0 (dimensionless), Wi is the weight
fraction of mineral i (w/w), and Soi is the specific
surface area of mineral i (m2/g).
The K-Lambda method was used to estimate
the permeability potential in the zone of interest for
the Blanca 04 and Blanca 05 wells. The results
were important to help taking decision about
testing the zones with better mobility profile.
The permeability estimation presented good
correspondence with well test results and proved
to be an additional value provided by the service.
Once the permeability was computed, it was
then possible to compute irreducible water
saturation and the bulk volume of irreducible water
using an inverse form of the Timur-Coates
algorithm. This irreducible water saturation was
used with the total water saturation and clay-
Basic triple-combo logging data didn’t provide
bound water saturation to partition the water
confidence in hydrocarbon saturation estimation volume into bound and free water fractions.
in low resistivity pay.
The figure 4 presents the final deliverable of
the EcoView interpretation for the Blanca 04 well.
Sigma measurement provided an independent On the right hand side (Track 5), the volumetric
method for water saturation estimation (Red mineral composition of the rocks obtained from the
Line), which was used to prove water saturation neutron capture spectroscopy measurements is
from resistivity (Black Line).
presented. This information was used to generate
the lithological column shown on the left hand side
of the graphic (track 1).
Figure 3: Petrophysics log showing resistivity and The permeability estimation for the Napo-1
sigma saturation computation. zone is presented in track 3. The permeability
information was used in combination with
resistivity and other nuclear measurements to
calculate hydrocarbon saturation, irreducible water
saturation and bound water saturation as
presented in the track 4. The Track 2 displays a The Napo-2 sandstone reservoir in the Blanca
normalized producibility profile of the zone, based 04 well
on the calculated permeability, empirical relative In the Blanca field, the Napo-2 sandstone
permeability relationships along with the reservoir underlies the Napo-2 limestone
assumptions of 100psi differential pressure sequence. The interface between these two
between the formation and wellbore, and radial depositional sequences often constitutes a zone of
flow conditions. transition with gradual decrease in carbonate and
increase in sandstone content. In many cases,
where only gamma ray, resistivity and density-
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4 Track 5 neutron measurements are available, it is
extremely difficult to accurately quantify the
carbonate content within the Napo-2 sandstone
reservoir.
The neutron capture spectroscopy
measurement was the key to determining the
carbonate content in the Napo-2 sandstone. The
Napo-1 Zone
elemental concentrations were also fundamental
to the petrophysical interpretation, as they were
used to calculate matrix properties necessary for
calculating porosity and hydrocarbon saturation
more accurately. The matrix properties derived
from elements include:
• Matrix density
• Matrix neutron response
• Matrix capture cross section

Decision Making for Well Testing

The interpretation of the EcoScope recorded


mode data permitted the corroboration of the
wellsite observations including cuttings and
shows. The information was used to determine the
zones having the best production potential.
Figure 4: Final interpretation log. Based on the petrophysical interpretation, it
was possible to identify the zone with the highest
hydrocarbon saturation and also its producibility
Improving reservoir characterization in Napo-2 potential. This permitted the client to determine
sandstone zone with confidence the best intervals to perforate and
test.
The unique neutron capture spectroscopy
Production tests were made on the Napo A
measurement acquired from the EcoScope service
reservoir in the Blanca 04 and Blanca 05 wells.
in the Blanca wells, provided a significant
Both zones exhibited good production response,
contribution to the improved petrophysical
and the permeability estimated from the
interpretation of this reservoir. The measurement
production test correlated well with results
not only corroborated the wellsite lithology
predicted by the EcoScope petrophysical
interpretation from cuttings, but also brought new
interpretation.
information about formation properties that could
not be explained from the typical lithology
interpretation done with basic nuclear
Well Pay Zone EcoScope Pemeability Production Test
measurements. Estimation Permeability
mD mD
Blanca 4 Napo-1 2919 2743
Blanca 5 Napo-1 1300 1375
Figure 5: Comparison between EcoScope estimated
permeability and permeability estimated from
production test results.
Transition zone between Napo-2
Limestone and Napo-2 sandstone reservoir

Neutron capture spectroscopy measurements provide an


accurate estimation of carbonate within the reservoir interval.
Matrix properties derived from elemental concentrations are
fundamental to the calculation of accurate petrophysical
parameters, including porosity and hydrocarbon saturation.

Figure 6: Napo-2 reservoir section.


Benefits to Drilling − Multi-vibration chassis; this chassis
contains both a tri-axial accelerometer to
• Real Time decision making measure axial and lateral shocks, and a
uni-axial accelerometer. The combination
Perhaps the main benefit provided by the of these measurements an estimation of
logging-while-drilling service was the ability to the torsional vibration.
acquire and transmit a complete set of data for
reservoir characterization and drilling optimization − A single axis inclinometer close to the
in real time. As a result, the wellsite team bottom of the tool. This allows for a better
including the reservoir and drilling groups, were evaluation of directional drilling, because it
able to be constantly updated on the position of will be reading ahead of the MWD tool.
the well within the stratigraphic column.
Benefits from Real Time decision making • Well bore geometry with images and
could be clearly verified during the perforation of calipers
the Blanca 05 well. The real time data provided
the necessary information required to allow taking An additional improvement is the ability to
the decision to stop the well 177 ft prior to the measure a true caliper of the well, since there are
original plan. This decision translates into two ultrasonic sensors, 180 degrees apart, located
significant rig time and financial saving, and on the stabilizer area (other logging wile drilling
contributed to the reduction of risks and tools have only one ultra-sonic sensor). An
unnecessary drilling in unstable formations. average caliper can be obtained in Real Time, and
in memory this information is binned in 16 sectors,
It is also important to observe that the ability to allowing for an estimation of 8 azimuthal calipers
acquire logging data as close as possible to the bit that are used to visualize the true shape of the
brought additional benefits by providing better borehole.
quality log data and more accurate petrophysical
evaluation, since the formations had not yet been The density measurements are also used for
affected by significant invasion or borehole an estimation of standoff from the sensor to the
deterioration (wash out). borehole wall. This offset calculation is translated
into a caliper measurement, which can be also
In addition to the availability of data at the rig transmitted in Real Time, providing the two
site, all of the pertinent information was displayed independent sources of caliper measurements,
remotely in Real Time via the InterACT* web which are used in conjunction for data verification,
based service, which permits sending the data when both are reading in a valid range, or can be
acquired on the rig to a server that can be used to help overcoming limitations when one of
accessed by the client via internet, allowing a the caliper measurements is beyond its specified
smooth flow of communication between the rig ranges.
and office, effectively enhancing the decision
making process. The EcoScope capability to acquire
azimuthally oriented data brings the ability to
generate images from density, ultra-sonic, PEF
and GR measurements. The images have a broad
• Drilling optimization and drilling mechanics range of applications and constitute a powerful
interpretation resource when used in combination
with caliper data to provide three-dimensional
The EcoScope service provides a leap display of the wellbore geometry.
forward in the integration of formation evaluation
data with drilling optimization. The service In the Blanca 04 well, the caliper and image
combines a set of measurements specifically measurements helped in evaluating the condition
designed to aid and improve drilling performance, of the wellbore in a conglomerate interval located
including: above of the primary interval of interest.
Data was acquired with the EcoScope service
while pulling out of the hole. Given the ability to
− Annular Pressure and Temperature While acquire data with fast sampling rate, a caliper log
Drilling (APWD) for hole cleaning, well with 1 sample per foot sampling rate was obtained
bore stability and mud design optimization. at a tripping speed of 900 ft/h. This capability was
critical to allow logging the conglomerate interval
without introducing risks, nor affecting the normal additional sources of fixed pressure losses that
trip operation conditions. might not be taken into account. Such coincidence
is an indication of the correctness of the borehole
diameter values provided.
This conglomerate constitutes a known high

2.5
Calc. Pump Press.
risk interval for logging and casing operations, and Acquired Pressure

WHP (psi) (x 1000)


sticking problems often occur when trying to pass
through this zone in other wells.
The Caliper and image data acquired in the
conglomerate zone showed important effects of

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
well bore instability (figure 8). Zones of hole Time (min)

enlargement and borehole break out could be


Fluids at 7500 ft
clearly identified and associated with the response Figure 8: Cement volume simulation.

12
Acquired Q In

of the formation to the stress conditions and Q Out

Flow Rate (bbl/min)


drilling fluid balance.

8
The quality of the data provides additional
operational and financial benefits with respect to

4
the reduction in the excess of volumes for pills and

0
cement,
0 20 associated
40 60 with
80 the uncertainties
100
Time (min)
120 140 160 in
180hole
200

diameter.

• Reduction in Non efficient times

There were many improvements associated


with the EcoScope service that provided gains in
efficiency in terms of rig time:

Figure 7: Three-dimensional image and Caliper − The absence of a neutron source and the
interpretation. efficiency of the density measurement
source loading, reduces source loading
from 30 to 40 minutes to only 5 minutes.
• Benefit to Cementing operation
− Improved statistics for nuclear
Once the drilling operation was concluded, the measurements, coupled with
Real Time caliper was immediately presented to improvements in processing, allows for
both the client and the cementing operator. The logging operations that can be conducted
availability of this information allowed for better at speeds as fast as 450 ft/hr with a quality
planning of casing centralization and estimation of equivalent to wireline logs. This capability
slurry volumes. Once the information recorded in is especially useful in reaming operations
the tool memory was available, it was also and very fast drilling conditions.
presented to corroborate the results previously
given. The results obtained where outstanding, − Sensors located closer to the bit, avoiding
and highly commended for the cementing the need for additional rathole. This results
operator, who manifested the tremendous help from the co-location and integration of
when planning for the operation using real time measurements within a single collar,
caliper. eliminating the traditional positioning of the
The graph below visually displays the density-porosity on top of the MWD tool to
comparison between the predicted and actual provide for source fish-ability.
pressure profiles for the cementing job, with the
green curve being the actual pressure profile, and − Based on the co-location of sensors in the
the blue curve the product of the simulation. The tool, resistivity, porosity, sigma and
values don’t have to be exact, but the trend of the spectroscopy measurements can be made
slopes need to be coincident if the simulation on the same interval of formation at the
considered the right parameters, since there are same time, minimizing measurement depth
discrepancies, and measuring the The unique sigma and spectroscopy
formation with minimal invasion effects measurement were key to improving the
while drilling. petrophysical interpretation, and permitted the
determination of accurate porosity, fluid saturation
and permeability estimates, which were in
• Benefits to Well Stimulation Operations excellent agreement with production test results.
The service also provided critical information
Data interpretation from the EcoScope service for drilling optimization, such as the Equivalent
is provided using the EcoView software. This Circulating Density (E.C.D) used to optimized hole
software application was designed and built cleaning and mud design.
specifically for the EcoScope measurements, and In addition, caliper information was provided in
provides most of the parameters required to a timely manner to help improving the cement
prepare a matrix stimulation job, without the operation and the vast amount of data provided by
uncertainties that occur when mineralogy is not service was utilized to improve the stimulation
available. operation of a nearby well.
Data such as porosity, permeability and
mineralogy are mandatory for stimulation, in order
to properly decide what type of stimulation fluid to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
pump, to reduce the risks of an unsuccessful job
due to unconsolidated formation, incompatibilities,
etc. Calcite and clay percentage determination is The authors dedicate and special thanks to
mandatory to determine whether to use Regular City Oriente Limited for the authorization given for
Mud Acid or similar substances. The permeability publication of the information presented in this
information provided by the service is also helpful article and for the spirit of innovation demonstrated
in determining the adds concentration of these by the adoption of a new technology alternative to
additives. Porosity helps to determine the help improving logging operation for reservoir
penetration into the matrix towards the end of the characterization.
treatment. Water cut helps to decide if it is Thanks to Jack Horkowitz and John Rasmus
necessary to pump a temporary water blocking from Schlumberger United States for the important
system during the stimulation job. support provided on the technical review of this
paper.
Thanks to Tony Fondyga and Marta Becerra
from Schlumberger, Ecuador for the help on the
CONCLUSIONS interpretation of the EcoScope data set from
Blanca 04 and Blanca 05 wells.
The successful utilization of a new logging-
while-drilling formation evaluation service in two Also thanks to Juan Montalvo from
wells for City Oriente provided the technology Schlumberger Well Services, Ecuador for the
solution to eliminate the problems associated with information provided with respect to the utilization
log data acquisition from cable conveyed logging of EcoScope data for cementing operations.
operations.
The service permitted the acquisition of high
quality petrophysical data for reservoir evaluation,
without the need to spend additional time and risk REFERENCES
of keeping unstable formations exposed for longer
periods of time than necessary.
Baby, P., Rivadeneira, M., Barragán, R., 2004,
The service also provided the measurements La Cuenca Oriente, Geologýa y Petróleo.
necessary to accurately identify the presence of
hydrocarbon, even in formations exhibiting mixed Dashwood, M.F., and Abbotts, I.L., 1990,
or complex lithologies. Using only conventional Aspects of the petroleum geology of the Oriente
measurements, the uncertainty in the Basin, Ecuador, Brooks, J., ed., Classic petroleum
interpretation results would have limited the ability provinces: Geologic Society Special Publication
to make proper decisions for well tests and 50, p. 89-117.
completion strategies.
Evans, M., Adolph, R., Vildé, L., Morriss, C.,
Fisseler, P., Sloan, W., Grau, J., Liberman, A.
Ziegler, W., Loomis, W.A., (Schlumberger
Oilfield Services), Yonezawa, T., Sugimura, Y.,
Seki, H., Misawa, R.M. (Japan National Oil
Corporation), Holenka, J., Borkowski, N.,
Dasgupta, T. and Borkowski, D., 2000, A
Sourceless Alternative to Conventional LWD
Nuclear Logging, SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition held in Dallas, Texas,
USA, 1–4 October 2000, Paper 62982.

Herron, S.L. and Herron, M.M., 1996,


Quantitative Lithology: An Application for Open and
Cased Hole Spectroscopy, Trans. SPWLA 37th
Ann. Logging Symp., New Orleans, June 16-19,
Paper E.

Jordan, D., Wade, H.W., Schultz, D., Vavra, C.,


Reinoso, H., 1997, Transgressive deposits of the
Hollin Formation, Oriente Basin, Ecuador:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists and
Society of Economic Paleontologists and
Mineralogists, Annual Meeting Abstracts, 6th
meeting notes, p. 57.

Weller, G., el-Halawani, T., Tribe, I., Webb K.,


Stoller, C., Galvin, S., Scott, G., A New
Integrated LWD Platform Delivers Improved Drilling
Efficiency, Well Placement and Formation
Evaluation Services, Society of Petroleum
Engineers, Offshore Europe, Aberdeen, Scotland,
September 6–9, Paper 96652.

Weller, G., Griffiths, R., Stoller, C., Allioli, F.,


Berheide, M., Evans, M., Labous, L., Dion, D.,
Perciot, P., 2005, A New Integrated LWD Platform
Brings Next-Generation Formation Evaluation
Services: Trans. SPWLA 46th Ann. Logging
Symp., New Orleans, Louisiana, United States,
June 26-29.

You might also like