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Contents

I1.0 PRODUCTION ESTIMATIONS............................................................................................1

I1.1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................1
I1.2 ESTIMATING PRODUCTION ..........................................................................................5
Assumptions.......................................................................................................................5
Conversions.......................................................................................................................6
What's A Good Well?.................................................................................................... 10
Conversions.................................................................................................................... 10

I2.0 WORK SESSION ................................................................................................................. 11

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Introduction to Openhole Logging

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I1.0 Production Estimates
I1.1 INTRODUCTION
In previous sessions we discuss the compu-
tation of formation porosity and water satura-
tion. Further information about producibility
can be extracted from these calculations.
If we consider a porous formation totally
filled with water, the saturation (Sw) is 100%. If
we displace some water with hydrocarbons,
then Sw decreases and Shy increases as
Shy = 1 – Sw
As displacement continues, eventually some
water adhering to the sand grains cannot be
moved and water flow ceases. The water satu-
ration at which this occurs is known as the ir-
reducible water saturation, Sirr .
A zone at these conditions produces water-
free hydrocarbons. Because both porosity and
saturation are fractional numbers, we usually
multiply their product by 104 and express the
bulk-volume water as a whole number, (the
percentage of porosity which is water filled,
see Figure I1).
The problem that arises is "how do we rec-
ognize zones at irreducible water saturation?"
A common method is to crossplot values of φ
and Sw throughout a zone. When the points fall
in a coherent hyperbolic form, we conclude
that these zones are at irreducible water satura-
tion; i.e., φ × Sw = constant (Figure I2).
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At the point in the plot where plotted points
depart from the line is identified as the start of
the transition zone. A scattered series of points
for a particular well would indicate a likelihood
of the well producing water, with or without
hydrocarbons (i.e., no intervals were at Sirr ).
Irreducible water saturation depends on
- grain size and distribution
- pore size and distribution
- type of hydrocarbons.
The permeability of the rock also depends on
these factors. Thus, two rocks having the same
porosity can have different permeabilities and
different producibility.
Formations with coarse, rounded grains with
a large pore size have better permeability than
finer, flat-grained reservoirs. The latter zone
will also have a high irreducible water content.
As an example, a bulk-volume water
(BVW) content of 200 produces clean oil and
less than 80 produces water-free gas in vuggy
dolomite carbonates in Canada. This value
may go as high as 500 for high-porosity car-
bonates in areas where the porosity is inter-
crystalline. A rule of thumb for sandstone is if
BVW ≤ 1000, then clean hydrocarbons should
be produced.
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φ
φ φ
φ

Figure I1: Effects of Formation Construction on Porosity, Water Saturation and Bulk Volume Water

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φ
Figure I2: Plot of BVWIRR

Summary Points:
Bulk Volume Water depends on:
BVW = 200 oil
80 gas ) vuggy
dolomite
• grain size and distribution
• pore size and distribution
500 oil – • type of hydrocarbon in pore space—oil,
1000 oil & gas – sandstone gas or condensate.

“Rules of Thumb” for BVW

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Figure I3: Cybermop (Moved Oil Plot)

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I1.2 ESTIMATING PRODUCTION

Well production is dependent on the relative
permeability (k) of the rock to oil, water and
gas. Formulas have been developed that esti-
mate well potential. The value of permeability
used is critical and can only be approximated
from log calculations. There are several for-
mulas in use for permeability, but the most
common is the modified Wyllie Rose equation
(Figure I4):
k1/2 = (250φ3 / Sirr ) for medium gravity crude
or
k1/2 = (79φ3 / Sirr ) for dry gas
where
k = permeability in µm2
h = thickness of the zone in m
P = pressure of formation in kPa
(estimated at 8.14 × depth in m)
T = temperature of formation in K
µ = viscosity of gas or oil in mPa × sec
Assumptions
These formulas are simplified equations
from the Darcy radial flow of a single phase
fluid:

3.07kh(Pe – Pw)
Variations of this relationship are found as
Charts K3 (Figure I4) and K4 (Figure I5) in Fluid: Q = in BOPD
the chart book. µlog10 (re /rw)

Hence, it is important to obtain the best value 0.000306kh(Pe 2– Pw2)

possible for Sw and φ before determining k. In Gas: Q =
clean formations the direct Archie solution for µTZlog10 (re /rw)
Sw and a porosity obtained from cross plots is
adequate. However, in shaly formations, the in Mcf/D at 14.7 psia and 60oF
values of Sw and φ must be corrected for shale
before determining k. where
k = permeability in darcies
For estimating production, there are two h = ft
formulas: Pe = formation pressure (psi)
Pw = pressure at borehole (psi)
0.11khP2 × 103 m3 µ = viscosity in cp
Qgas ≅ gas re = drainage radius
T day rw = borehole radius
Z = compressibility factor
0.77khP2 × 103 m3
Qoil ≅ oil The assumptions made to simplify these
µ day equations are:
The gas flow from a drill stem test is usually
10% to 20% of this calculated value.

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1. Log10(re /rw) = 3 (i.e., re = 1000 Rw be-

cause 88% of the pressure drop usu- Conversions between Metric and
ally occurs in this distance) Oilfield Units

2. µgas ≅ 0.015 cp
Thickness (h) 1 ft = 0.3048 m
1 m = 3.2808 ft
3. Pw = zero (in practical terms this con-
dition will never be reached, even in Pressure (P) 1 psi = 6.895 kPa
1 kPa = 0.14503 psi
absolutely dry wells).
Temperature (T) 1oR = 1.8 K
The formulas in U.S. units are reduced to K = (273 + oC)

khP Viscocity (µ) 1 CP = 1 mP-sec

Qoil = [BOPD] 1 darcy = 0.9869 µm2
1000µ Permeability (k) 1 md = 0.0009869 µm2

0.1khP2 1 BOPD = 0.159 m3/day

Productivity (Q) 1 m3/day = 6.289 BOPD
Qgas = [Mcf/D] 1 Mcf = 28.317 m3
T( R)o
1 m3 = 0.03531 Mcf

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Chart K3

Figure I4: Chart of Permeability for Sandstones and Shaly Sands According to the
Wyllie Rose Formula

φ
k = √(CFa/SwIRR)

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Chart K4

Figure I5: Chart of Permeability According to the Coates and Dumanoir Formula

k = √ (C/W 4) (φ/S wIRR ) W

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Figure I6: Viscosity of Gas-free Crude Oil

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WHAT'S A GOOD WELL? CONVERSIONS

Milk River – 350 Mcf/D (9,859 m3/D) BOPD = (0.159 m3/BO)

Plains – 1 MMcf/d (28,170 m3/d) Mcf = 28.17 m3/Mcf
Foothills – 10 MMcf/D (281,700 m3/D)

Mcf/D

41/2-in. pipe
[11.4 cm]

Figure I7

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I.20 Work Session

1. Calculate BVW for the shaly sand example (Figures F10 – F13). What predictions can be
made for the production of this zone:

a. Type of fluid or gas?

b. Absolute open flow (AOF) production rates?

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