University of Zakho

College of engineering
Petroleum department

IMAGE
LOG
֎ Abstract ……………………………………………p 2
֎ Introduction ………………………………………p 3
֎ Classification ……………………….……………p 5
֎ Types of tools ……………………………………p 6

֎ FMI ………………………………………….………p 7
֎ History …………………………………….………p 7
֎ What does fmi measures? …………..……..p 8
֎ Tool specification ……………..……...………p 8
֎ Working …………………………………….……p 9
֎ FMI Tool …………………………………...……p 10
֎ Interpretation ………………………….…….…p 10
֎ Advantages …………………………………...…p 10
֎ Applications …………………………….…….…p 12
֎ Disadvantage ……………………………..…..…p 12

֎ OBI optical borehole imager ………….…..p 13

֎ Open hole …………………………………….…..p 14
֎ Cased hole ……………………………….….……p 14
֎ Application ……………………………..….……p 14
֎ Principle of measurement …………....…..p 15
֎ Operating Conditions …………………..……p 15

֎ Tool Selection ………………………….....……p 16

֎ Mud type ……………………………………….…p 17
֎ Limitations of Acoustic tools ……..…..… p 17
֎ Borehole size ………………………………….…p 18
֎ Borehole Deviation …………………….…..…p 18
֎ Geological and Petrophysical Objective ….p 18

֎ Conclusion …………………………………..…..p 19

֎ Reference ………………………………………….p 20

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Abstract

Borehole imaging logs are logging and data-processing methods used to

produce two-dimensional, centimeter-scale images of a borehole wall
and the rocks that make it up. These tools are limited to the open-hole
environment, and several types are available and they used for
different aims and in different situation and it’s so important to select
the suitable one for your situation, and the data that are obtained
through it are so important and useful. [1]

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Introduction

The term "borehole imaging" refers to those logging and data-processing

methods that are used to produce centimeter-scale images of the
borehole wall and the rocks that make it up. The context is, therefore,
that of open hole, but some of the tools are closely related to their
cased-hole equivalents. [2]

Image logs provide a wealth of geological, petro physical, and

geotechnical information, but as with all formation evaluation data, they
come at a cost. Careful planning and supervision of all the steps of a
borehole imaging project from the initial data acquisition, and ending
with the final interpretation results, is technically challenging. The final
results, which will be implemented into a reservoir model, demonstrate
the value of the dip-meter and image log data. Even the most
experienced field engineer can face difficulties in planning for the
acquisition of imaging data when the final objective of the data
acquisition mode is not clearly understood. A high-quality image that
provides conclusive information requires careful selection of the
appropriate tool and acquisition parameters, matching the expected
borehole and reservoir conditions.

This process begins with the selection of the appropriate logging tool
for the specific subsurface un certainties. This decision is influenced by
factors such as the detail of investigation that is required, expected
formation response, type of mud system used to drill the formations,
and expected borehole conditions (size, shape). Subsequently, the
specification of the logging suite, including setup, calibration, and
verification of the borehole imaging (BHI) tool is required. An in-gauge

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borehole with minimal amounts of rugosity is a crucial factor in acquiring
high-quality borehole images. [3]

Table 1. An example about table of the results that are obtained after a process
of logging (BIL), Tectonic, sedimentary and diagenetic features usually recognized
on borehole images.[4]

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Classification

Many techniques are used today to depict oil and gas wells. imagining
logging are a s very efficient technique for capturing images of cracks
in a well wall. Depending on the source used, these logs are divided into
two types:

1) ATV (Acoustic Tele Viewer: which has an audio source).

2) Formation Micro Imaging (FMS) and Formation Micro Scaling (FMS):

has an electrical source and detects cracks inside the well using changes
in electrical resistivity.

Each of these devices is used for cases, for example, if the drilling mud
is oil-based or mud that does not have good conductivity, the ATV log is
used.

There is another device called Acoustic television that captures the wall
of the well, but if our mud is not clear, it cannot do well. In addition, this
device has a deep range for use and cannot be used at great depths due
to high temperature and pressure. But if the conditions are right for
this camcorder to be used inside the well, it will provide more accurate
information about fractures than ATV and other logs. [5]

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Types of tools

These are three types of tools that are used for the operation which is
related to the borehole imagining logging, and each is divided to many
types and used for different purpose and in different situations, the
tools are:

1. Electrical Imaging Tools

2. Measurement System of Acoustic Imaging Tools

3. Measurement System of Logging-While-Drilling Tools

Any type has its applications and in the next pages we will report about
some tools and there uses. Here is a table which shows the different
types of tools:

Table 2. [1] Borehole wall coverage for different tools and hole diameter.

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FMI

The FMI is the latest generation electrical imaging device and belongs
to the family of imaging services provided by most of the service
companies.

The FMI (Fullbore Formation MicroImager) provides micro-resistivity

formation images in water-base mud.

FMI uses scanning electrodes arranged in 24 electrode per pad/flap

arrays (of four pads and four flaps) are used to provide a high spatial
sampling of formation micro-resistivity in both the vertical and
azimuthal directions on the borehole surface.

These two-dimensional micro-resistivity data are then mapped to gray

scale or color to produce “core-like” borehole wall image that allows fine
scale geological features to be described with a very good vertical
resolution. [6]

History
In the late 1980’s Schlumberger introduced the concept of borehole
electrical images by processing variations of the shallow micro-
resistivity of wellbore walls recorded by a tool Called the Formation
Micro-Scanner (FMS).

This tool was developed by Schlumberger in 1991 as an improvement on

the FMS4 (4 Pad-tool) developed earlier in 1987.

In the early stages this tool only measured closely spaced arrays of
focused shallow resistivity readings that are related to changes in rock
composition and texture, structure, and fluid content. With improved
technology, micro-resistivity of deeper wells can now be determined.
[6]

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What does fmi measures?
Image logs are resistivity or acoustic devices that measure certain
physical properties of the rock at or near the well that can be displayed
as images of the wellbore, which can then be interpreted on a computer.
Typically rock properties are controlled by factors such as variations in
composition, diagenesis, grain size, grain orientation, pore fluid
variations.
Image logs can provide detailed picture of the wellbore that represent
the geological and petro-physical properties of the section being logged.
[6]

Tool specification
This tool is a semi-active focusing device , so the response cannot be
output directly as resistivity but is relatively proportional to the
conductivity of the formation.
A 16 Khz voltage is applied across each button with a return to the
cartridge and the current at the button is measured at the same
frequency.
The voltage is increased automatically against resistive formations and
lowered against conductive formation to ensure activity on the individual
micro-conductivity curves.

Electrodes: There are in total 192 electrodes distributed on four pads

and four flaps.

Resolution: The high resolution component of response gives button

resolution ~ button size (5mm).

The tool has a very large dynamic range - from less than 0.1ohm-m to
more than 10,000ohm-m.

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The maximum logging speed is 1600 ft/hr (500m/hr), but outside zones
of interest, it can be run at 3200 ft/hr (1000 m/hr). [*]

Working

The measurement principle of the micro-resistivity imaging devices is

straightforward. Formation Micro Imager (FMI), records an array of
micro-resistivity measurements from 192 sensors on eight pads mounted
on four orthogonally placed caliper arms.
The spacing and position of the pads provides 80% coverage of an eight-
inch diameter hole and a resolution of 5 mm. The FMI yields a continuous,
high-resolution electrical image of a borehole (color-coded for
resistivity values), and therefore complements whole cores cut in
the same well.
An applied voltage causes an alternating current to flow from each
button electrode into the formation and then to be received at a return
electrode on the upper part of the tool.
The microelectrodes respond to current density, which is related to
localized formation resistivity. The tool, therefore, has a high-
resolution capability in measuring variations from button to button.
The resistivity of the interval between the button-electrode array and
the return electrode gives rise to a low-resolution capability in the form
of a background signal.

The tool does not provide an absolute measurement of formation

resistivity but rather a record of changes in resistivity. [7]

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FMI Tool

4 Arms - 8 Pads 192 Electrodes.

Interpretation
Structural: Fault,unconformities,sequence boundary
Stratigraphic: Depositional environment, orientation
Reservoir: Thin beds, Permeability trends, Fractures/Vugs, Borehole
geometry .

Advantages

Determine net pay

The FMI (formation micro Imager) gives micro-resistivity formation
images in water-base mud. This is the preferred approach for
determining net pay in laminated sediments of fluvial and turbidite
depositional environments.

Visualize sedimentary features to understand structure

Sedimentary features define important reservoir geometries and
petrophysical reservoir parameters. The interpretation of image-
derived sedimentary data helps you understand sedimentary structures.

Interpret seismic sections

Well-to-well correlation is difficult in deviated wells with sections of
steep and varying structural dip. Greatly improve your structural
interpretation of seismic sections with high-quality bedding dips to
compute accurate logs of true stratigraphic thickness.

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Get more data
Geological information from FMI borehole images helps with stochastic
modeling of the sand-shale distribution. FMI images define channel
heights superbly in amalgamated units. Other variables, such as the
channel width and channel sinuosity, can be estimated using geological
analogs, based on detailed sedimentological analysis of FMI image data.

Improve well construction plans

Borehole images improve mechanical earth models, which in turn helps to
optimize well plans. Better understanding of borehole stability can save
millions of dollars during field development. [6]

Fig.1. The FMI-HD microimager delivers high definition by adding

completely new electronics to the industry-standard approach
established by the FMI microimager’s pad-mounted button electrodes.

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Applications

Structural geology ● Structural dips, even in fractured and

conglomeratic formations ● Detection and determination of faults.
Sedimentary features ● Determination of sedimentary dips ● Definition
and characterization of sedimentary bodies and their boundaries ●
Recognition of permeability barriers, and permeability paths ●
Recognition and evaluation of thinly bedded reservoirs
Rock texture ● Qualitative vertical grain-size profile ● Determination
of carbonate texture ● Detection and evaluation of secondary porosity
● Detection and evaluation of fracture systems
Geo-mechanics ● Identification and analysis of drilling-induced features
● Mud weight selection
Reservoir characterization workflow ● Deterministic modeling of
reservoir bodies ● Guidance for the distribution of reservoir bodies ●
Realistic population of reservoir bodies with petrophysical parameters

Disadvantage

FMI Tool cannot be used with oil based mud.

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OBI optical borehole imager

The optical borehole imager generates a continuous true color image of

the borehole wall via an optical imaging system using a downhole CCD
camera that records the image of the borehole wall in a prism. A built in
high precision orientation package incorporating a 3-axis magnetometer
and 3-axis accelerometer allows orientation of the images to a global
reference and determination of the borehole’s azimuth and inclination.
Resolutions up to 0.5 mm vertical and 720 pixels azimuthal can be
achieved. The tool is fully downhole digital and runs on standard
wirelines. The QL40 OBI can be combined with other logging tools of
the QL (Quick Link) product line to build tool strings. It can also be
operated as a standalone tool. The OBI40.GR has an integrated natural
gamma sensor. An optical televiewer image can complement and even
replace a coring survey and its associated problems of core recovery and
orientation. Optical and acoustic televiewers are complementary tools
especially when the purpose of the survey is structural analysis. [8]

figure (2) OBI

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Open hole

1-Detailed and oriented structural information.

2- Reference for core orientation.
3-Fracture detection and evaluation.
4-Breakout analysis.
5-Lithology and mineralogy characterization (detection of thin beds,
determination of bedding dip).
6-Rock strength. [8]

Cased hole

1-Casing inspection.

Application

1- Detailed and oriented structural information

2- Reference for core orientation

3-Fracture detection and evaluation

4-Breakout analysis

5- Detection of thin beds

6-Determination of bedding dip

7-Lithology characterization [8]

Figure (3) application OBI

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Principle of measurement

The tool incorporates a high resolution, high sensitivity CCD digital

camera with matching Pentax optics. The CCD camera, located above a
conical mirror, captures the reflection of the borehole wall. The light
source is provided by a light ring assembly located in the optical head
The camera CCD sensor consists of an array of light sensors, each
representing one pixel of the complete image. Due to manufacturing
limitations individual sensors have a slightly different response and
calibration factor. To produce a coherent image the camera processing
system checks all the pixels and compensates for variations (white
balance). The displayed log image is derived from a single annulus
extracted from the total pixel array. Azimuthal resolutions available are
720, 360, 180 and 90 points per recorded circle. By using processed
camera data in combination with deviation sensor data, the tool can
generate an unwrapped 360° oriented image. [9]

Operating Conditions

1-Dry or water filled hole.

2- Centralization necessary.

3- Compatible with ALT Logger & Matrix.

4-Digital data transmission up to 500 Kbit per second depending on

wireline.

5-Real time automatic telemetry tuning according to the cable

length/type.

6- Measurement range: 2” to 21” borehole depending on mud conditions.

[9]

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Tool Selection

Several factors are considered in selecting the appropriate borehole

imaging tool, one of the main keys is borehole coverage. Borehole
coverage for acoustic logs is 360° while borehole coverage of resistivity
tool varies depending on borehole size and number of sensors used. For
example FMI (schlumberger) has a borehole coverage of 98% for a 6-ft
well while UBI (schlumberger) has a borehole coverage of 100% for a 6-
ft hole as seen in Table (3). Evaluated Reservoir characteristics and
environmental conditions of the well have to be compared to tools
specifications and this is done by logging contractors by providing tool
sheets that are filled with specifications.

More detailed consideration requires several other factors that have to

be taken into account when selecting the appropriate tool, those factors
include:

1. Mud type

2. Borehole size and condition

3. Borehole deviation

4. Geological or petrophysical objective

Table (3). Borehole wall coverage for different tools and hole diameters. [3]

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Mud Type

There are different scenarios where different tools can be used, for
example if drilling mud is:

 Water based mud:

If the well is drilled with water based mud and high resolution is required
then resistivity imaging tools are the ideal ones because they provide a
wide range of measurements so they can capture subtle changes that
cannot be captured by other tools. Suitable tools in such a case include
FMI, EMI, STAR, or HMI.

 Oil based mud:

Since acoustic tools can be run in holes with any drilling mud (oil or water
based mud) they can be used for such case. It is also worth mentioning
that there are some electrical imaging devices such as OBMI, EI and
OMRI that are specifically made to work with oil based muds.

Limitations of Acoustic tools:

Although acoustic tools can be used in both oil and water based muds,
there are some limitations since ultrasonic signal is sensitive to mud
weight and presence of solids in mud.

 UBI cannot be used with mud densities higher than 16 ppg

 CBIL is limited to mud weights of 17 ppg. [3]

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Borehole size

Every borehole imaging tool has its own specifications for borehole size.
Hole diameters with 6 to 12.25 in. are adaptable to almost all of the
borehole imaging tools, 21 in. diameters are suitable for standard
electrical tools as seen in table (4).

Borehole Deviation

Well deviation is one of the most crucial factors in borehole imaging tool
selection, the logging engineer has to be aware of the imaging tools that
cannot operate in highly deviated wells.

Geological and Petrophysical Objective

Borehole imaging tools have a variety of applications for geological

purposes, those include naturally fractured reservoirs, thin laminated
sand reservoirs...etc. borehole coverage has to be maximum so that the
logging engineer sees variety of rock variations within the borehole.

Table (4). Characteristics and operational range of some borehole imaging tools. [3]

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Conclusion

Borehole imaging tool is one of the recent and most advanced well logging
techniques where several parameters are determined by its various tools
including FMI, OBI, UBI...etc. each tool has its own specifications and
pros and cos, the proper method to select one, various parameters and
points have to be considered to select the optimum tool which is the tool
that meets the operating conditions and provides best results, borehole
imaging tool is widely used especially in the recent era in oil and gas
industry due to its reliance and sufficient results.

The lighter the shade the more resistive the formation.

FMI measurements respond primarily to fluid properties.
Formation micro-imaging tools have proved superior to the ultrasonic
tele viewers in the identification of sedimentary characteristics and
some structural features such as natural fractures in sedimentary rocks.
They are especially useful for net-sand definition in thinly laminated
fluvial and turbidite depositional environments.

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Reference

https://uokirkuk.edu.iq/science/images/2020/luctures2020/geulogy/ri
dwan/Well-logging3._pdf.pdf [1]

http://petrowiki.spe.org/Borehole_imaging [2]

Dipmeter_and_Borehole_Image_Log_Technology_Memoir_92_M_Popp
elreiter.pdf [3]

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Tectonic-sedimentary-and-
diagenetic-features-usually-recognized-on-borehole-
images_tbl1_49601007 [4]

http://vsoe87.blogfa.com [5]

Latest Petrophysics: Formation Micro-Imager Logs (FMI)

(petphy.blogspot.com) [6]

http://www.slb.com/resources/publications/industry_articles/oilfield_
review/1990/or1990jan05_microscanner.aspx [7]

OBI40.pdf (alt.lu) [8]

OBI40.pdf (aseg.org.au) [9]

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