Interpretation of Hydrocarbon Shows Using Light (C,-C,) Hydrocarbon Gases from Mud-Log Data’ J. H. HAWORTH,’ M. SELLENS,’ and A. WHITTAKER’ ABSTRACT Chromatograph analysis of hydrocarbon gases as reported on mud logs isthe first indication of a reservoir's fluid characteristics. Ratio calculations of these data can enhance the interpretational value of this information, giv- ing the well-ste geologist an immediate indication of zones of interest that need further testing. It was found that for an effective interpretation of mud- log gas data, the results must be plotted on a depth log, which can be easily integrated with other data, Thus, a new method of interpreting ratio calculations of Cy-C pas data is proposed. This method can be used at the wel site during. driling to give an initial evaluation of the reservoir fluid type, and in post-well evaluation to enhance wiretine and smud-log data, INTRODUCTION Mud logging has become a standard feature on today’s exploratory oil wells, and the information provided by this service is among the first indications of a well’ zones of, interest and productivity potential. In addition to other per- tinent data, mud logging provides chromatographic analy- sis of the C,-C, alkane fraction of the hydrocarbons released as gas at the ditch, However, before discussing the chromatographic analysis and evaluation, we must consider the nature of the sample. Prior to being drilled, the reservoir fluids are in a rela- tively steady state governeed by several factors such as pres- sure, temperature, phase condition, and relative fluid saturations. Even before penetration by the bit, the drilling process disrupts the steady state by flushing the formation with drilling fluid, How much the drilling process and transportation to surface alters the phase and quantity of the reservoir fluidsis again subject to variables, such as tem- perature changes, pressure changes, fluid losses and gains in the borehole, and surface circulation system. Thus, ‘quantitative correlation between surface expression and res- ervoir fluid characteris difficult. Qualitative analysis, how- ever, can be conducted for reservoirs with similar ‘©Copyright 1985, The American Associaton of Parleum Geologist. Al gms reson. "Manuscript ceive, September 28,1984 accopad, May 9,185. 2Explraten Legging Ine, PO-Box214676, Sacramento, Calon 95823 Prasontadsress: Exporaton Logging of Austral, ne, 43 Planet Stoo, Cr. Isla, West Austaia S101 ‘Sexplraon Logging, Ine. PO. Box 214676, Sacramento, California 98821 ‘Teathors hank the management ol Exploration epuing ino perms ‘son opubssh ns arb, We ratty acknowledge he permission ranted Dye ocompanes concerned eth eusion er wel dala. Thanks are ‘60 due to Paix Keenan ery Knobl, Veta Davis, end especial John Macghorso rte assistance n preparing mis paper hydrocarbon fluid character. In the past, gas data for a well ‘were presented on a mud log with litle or no interpretation. In fact, most gas analysis was quantitative rather than by character. Therefore, potential zones may have been missed because the amount of gas being liberated by the drilling process was insufficient. In the 1960s, new interpretation methods were derived by applying ratios on data obtained from stearm-still mud sam- ples collected during drilling (Pixler, 1969; Ferrie et al, 1981). The derived methods use ratios of the individual gas species, which are plotted onto special grids. Visual inter- pretation of the resultant plots indicates the reservoir fluid ‘character. The main limitations to these methods are three- fold: 1, The guidelines for interpretation were derived from analyses of gas samples obtained using special sampling techniques and, therefore, may not be valid for normal ditch gas sampling, 2. The grids have no depth axis, thus making integration with other depth-related data difficult. When several sam- ples from the reservoir are plotted, they become cluttered ‘and hard to interpret. 3. When the resulis of treatments are plotted on a depth plot, the interpretation guidelines are difficult to apply ‘As mentioned, gas data obtained by all analytical tech- niques are subject to downhole effects. Therefore, other pertinent data (¢.g., porosity indicators and lithology) must be plotted with the gas-phase analysis results. The method described in this paper facilitates such data integration. CONCEPTS AND METHODS Observations of mud-log gas data (Ferrie etal, 1981) have shown that an increasing reservoir hydrocarbon fTuid density manifests itself as an increasing gas density mea- sured at the surface. This increased density is caused by a proportional increase in the heavier gases (C, +) to the light C,, Cy gases. Thus, qualification of this proportional increase using ratios was achieved by reading light-hydro- carbon data from mud logs and entering the data into a ‘computer program. The program then performed various ‘zas-phase ratio calculations on the raw data, and the results were recorded on disk. The processed data were plotted on various depth scales and inspected for notieable trends or movement. Zones showing distinct changes were noted, and the curves were compared to the actual show zones for each well. Interpretable hydrocarbon-phase ratios were chosen because they indicate show zones consistently and they give a qualitative idea.as to the hydrocarbon fluid char- acter of the show. 13051306 ‘The hydrocarbon wetness ratio (Wh), balance ratio (Bh), and character ratio(Ch), when used together, were found 10 bbethe most consistent and the best suited to fulfil the objec- ‘ives of this study, Wh = (C: +... ACC + Ce. CQ 100 (1) Bh =(C, + GMC, + iC, + nC, + Cg ° Ch = (iC, + nC, + CC % Set points used in this study for the Wh ratio were as fol- lows: < 0.5 = very dry gas; 0.5-17.5 = gas, density increases as Wh increases; 17.5-40 = oil, density increases as Wh increases; and > 40 ‘The Bh ratio was chosen for two reasons. First, it caleu- lates as a nearly inverse relationship to the Wh ratio. See- cond, by placing both C, and C, in the numerator, coal-bed anomalies ae distinguished from oil shows because coal gas is tich in C, and C,, ‘When plotted together, Wh and Bh give an interpretation of fluid character as follows: 1. IfBhis greater than 100, the zone has very dry gas, 2. If Whindicatesa gas phase and Bh is greater than Wh, gas is indicated, with gas density increasing as the curves approach each other. 3. If Whindicates gas phase and Bh i greater than Wh, 25/oil or gas/condensate is indicated. 4. If Wh isin the oil phase and Bh is less than Wh, oil indicated, with oil density increasing as the curves separate. 5. When Whisgreater than 40, Bh will be much less than Wh, indicating residual oil. AAs previously stated, these interpretations are based on ‘numerous empirical observations. ‘The Ch ratio was chosen to interpret shows where, in cer tain circumstances, high methane readings indicated a lighter hydrocarbon fluid character, using only Wh and Bh, than was actually present in the reservoir. These situations were associated with gas-cap, dual oil/gas, and water-wet zones. We found that in these situations C, would increase relative to C,. The resultant Ch is interpreted as follows: 1. IfChis ess than 0.5, the Wh and Bh interpretation of Basis correct. 2. IfChis greater than 0.5, the gas character indicated by the Wh and Bh ratios is associated with of. Note that Ch is used only to clarify the interpretation of. ‘Wh and Bh when they indicate gas Ideal ratio relationships to reservoir fluid type shown in Figure | are described as follows: 1A. Very light gas.—Gas liberated from the Formation is primarily methane with a little ethane. The Wh ratio increases slightly; however, the Bh ratio does not decrease below 100—the set point for very dry eas. The Ch ratio is zero, showing a lack of the heavier hydrocarbon gases. 1B, Medium-density gas.—Here, the Wh ratios greater than 0.5 but less than 17.5, indicating gas. The position of, the Bh ratio confirms this interpretation and indicates a medium-density gas. The Ch ratio verifies the gas interpre- tation because Ch is ess than 0.5. Interpretation of Hydrocarbon Shows GAS RATIOS Gh RATIO| Wh RATIO Bh RATIO 100] VERY LIGHT DRY GAS (ay ] | | | (B) r LIGHT GAS | I i «c) GAS/LIGHT iH oll | (p) COAL-BED EFFECT (e) | | MEDIUM 1 GRAVITY | oll | (FD RESIDUAL on Figure 1—Idealized depth-irend relationships of newly designed a8 ratios to indicate various hydrocarbon fluids. (Exploration Logging Inc., 1984.) 1C. Gas/oilzone.—Aspreviously mentioned, in this sit- uation methane values cause the Wh and Bh ratios to indi- cate 2 gas. However, the Ch value is greater than 0.5, hence indicating that gas is associated with oi. 1D. Coat horigon.—In this situation coal gas (predomi- nantly methane and ethane) causes a spurious Wh value ‘hat indicates oil. However, Bh and Ch both indicate a dryJ.H. Haworth, M. Sellens, and A. Whittaker 1307 ch RATIO Wh RATIO bh RATIO GAS RATIOS REMARKS, NORMALIZED 7.6 TOTAL GAS INTERPRETED LITHOLOGY 100 7000 omswater fos | Sandstone: bright= yellow fluorescence, fast streaming yellow-eut fluorescence. CONTACT ||| | | yellow fluorescence, slow patchy dull yellow-cut | fluorescence. | Sandstone: dul! di Figure 2—Idealized depth-trend relationships of newly designed gxs ratios observed around oil/water contact. Oil/water contact line represents start of increasing water content. ‘gas. Observation of the lithology confirms the presence of coal IE, Mediumn-gravity oil—This plot shows the relation- ship of the curves observed throughout the study when entering a medium-gravity oil zone. The Wh ratio lies ‘between 17.5 and 40, and the position of the Bh ratio indi- cates the ols density. IE. Residual oil.—The plot shows Wh greater than 40 and Bh much lessthan Wh. In our study this occurrence was associated with tar and asphaltenes. In the example, the ‘methane content is low (less than 60%), thus suggesting a Jow-volatile fraction and a probable lack of movability. Low total gas readings may also be associated with this phe- nomenon. Inthe oil/water contact zone (Figure 2), the trends of the three ratios changed significantly. Within the zone, curve movement is erratic because various parameters are involved. That is, the contact is not a sharp cutoff, but rather a zone of increasing water content. A change in char- acter of the curves is observable, indicating pore fluids of decreasing density, followed by fluids increasing in density and then erratic curve movement caused by changes in gas content, permeability, etc. [Because the curves are affected by such factors as poros- ity, permeability, mud hydrostatic pressure, effective circu- lating density, formation pressure, and flushing of the formation, this hydrocarbon-phase analysis system—as with all gas analysis systems—must be used in conjunction with the following data: 1, Porosity indicators such as rate of penetration (ROP) ‘or normalized total gas, to show which zones have good production potential. 2. Lithology, to pick discrete zones within a section. 3. Fluorescence, to confirm the ratio interpretation and to help establish oil/water contact zones. ‘The ratios also may be integrated with geochemical stud- ies of the well to interpret the hydrocarbon ratios. The inte- gration approach is demonstrated later in the text. APPLICATIONS Inthis study and in others (Leythaeuser et al, 1982; Jones and Drozd, 1983), gas ratios have been applied to enhance1308 TOTAL GAS units 5 | [eas mano] cunomaroararn || 2 | [Sarre] | S48 Ratios ANALYSIS 3 | | | | HHT li LL Lil Interpretation of Hydrocarbon Shows Figure 3Section through Red River “C” Formation, Williston basin. Example I: depth trends of newly developed gas ratios (right columns) (for definition se text), calculated from mud-log data (center columns). ROP = rate of penetration. (© Explor sing Inc., 1984.) ‘geochemical interpretation, both atthe wel site and during surface exploratory sol analyses. For the wellsite geologist, the proposed gas ratios can provide an enhanced hydrocar- ‘bon evaluation, soon after drill returns reach the surface, ‘thus helping to determine zones for more detailed study ‘with wireline logs and production tests. EXAMPLES ‘We use two examples to show the application of qualita- tive gas-ratio analysis for interpreting reservoir sections. Example 1 Example | wastaken through section of the Ordovician Red River “C” Formation in the Williston basin (Figure 3. ‘The formation consists of a mixture of limestones, anhy- drite, and dolomite, with oil production ondary porosity associated with dolomit et al, 1983), In this well the following observations were made. ‘At XS60-X600 fi, limestone with anhydrite beds and some dolomitized limestone are found, The rock is crypto- crystalline, with litle visible porosity. Gas ratios show the presence of light oi, but porosity indicators suggest a tight interval. The dolomite interval at X600-X615 ft has poor visible porosity and an anhydrite cap and base. The gas peak is ‘mainly methane, and the ratios suggest a medium gas char- acter, which is confirmed by the Ch ratio and by fluores- cence data. At X615-X665 ft, the limestone lithology has lesser amounts of anhydrite and dolomite and low porosity. TheJ. H. Haworth, M. Sellens, and A. Whittaker 1309 ROP || Tota cas | cunomarocrarn] [ 3 | [ans amo] [Gas ratios tw 8 write ANALYSIS: 8 | [Seano | | ON mare sz 3 By i 00x 00rx oozx ih ex ‘Figure 4—Log through oil zone in Brae field, North Sea. Example 2: depth trends of newly developed gas ratios (right columns) (for ‘definition see tex), ealealated from mud-log data (center columns). ROP = rate of penetration. (Explor ratios again show a light-ol character, but porosity indica- tors suggest low productivity potential. Fluorescence data confirm the oil character. At X665-X710 ft, dolomitization and porosity increase, as shown by the increasing gas and rate of penetration between A and A’, Gas ratios stil indicate a ight oil, con- firmed both by the fluorescence data and by the presence of oilinthe mud, The oil fluorescence was spotty bright yellow ‘with a good streaming cut. This zone was tested and is now producing 43° API gravity The low-permeability limestone interval at X710-X720 ft has no evidence of “live” oil, such as fluorescence or cut. ‘The curves approach each other, then separate into a resid- ion Logging Inc, 1984.) ual oil character. Empirically, this curve response is charac teristic of the oil/water contact in carbonate rocks, which was confirmed by the production of 18% water from the perforations in this zone. The well is now producing 43° APL oil from this zone (X665-X710 ft) Example? Example 2is taken from the reservoir section of a well in the Brae field in the North Sea (Figure 4). The field pro- dluces 33.6° API oil from zones up to 500 ft thick. In this Particular section ofthe well, we made the following obser- vations.1310 At X0S0-X200 ft, the lithology is primarily interbedded sandstone and conglomerate, with fair to good porosity Abundant oil staining was observed throughout the section, with bright-yellow fluorescence and a yellow streaming sol- vent cut, The gas-ratio curves indicate a medium-density oil, Below the shale bed at X090 ft, the curve separation nar- rows, suggesting alight oil trapped just below the shale (Fig- ure4, point A). Below the shale bed at X200-X220 ft (Figure 4, point B), the curves indicate a small gas cap before entering a new oil zone of lighter character. The character was confirmed by fluorescence data, which was blue-whitein this section. The fluorescence ofthe oil bleeding from cores cut in this zone was also blue-white. ‘The section described was cored, so rate of penetration ‘was mot a useful indicator. Therefore, core reports and descriptions were used to confirm these interpretations. ‘The well is producing 33.6° API oil from this zone. SUMMARY ‘The method described inthis paper has, to date, satisfied the objectives of early evaluation of potential hydrocarbon Interpretation of Hydrocarbon Shows zones. The calculations are relatively simple and can be eas- ily plotted, interpreted, and integrated with other relevant data. With prudent use, this method will enhance well-site reservoir evaluations made soon after drill returns reach the surface. It can help the well-site geologist determine zones for further evaluation and establish reservoir boundaries, and in the future could aid in locating source rocks and in basin studies, SELECTED REFERENCES EXLOG, 1985, Mud logging: principles and interpretation: Boston, THRDC, 925, Ferrie, GH. B-O. Pier, and S. Allen, 1981, Welt formutionevalus- tio by analjsis of hydrocarbon ais: 8rd Annual General Meeting the Canadian Instute of Mining and Mealurgy, Paper 81-32-20. Jones, WT, and R- J. Droz, 1983, Prediction of ol or gs potential by near-surface eochemisiry: AAPG Ballin v.67, p. 932.952, Leythaewser, D.,R.G. Schafer, and A. Yuk, 1989, Role of diffusion in primary migration of hydocarboas: AAPG Bulli, v.66, . 48-29. Longman, M. W, TG. Feral, and JS. lean, 183, Orin ad ecome Tey of Red River dolomite reservoirs, western Willson basin: AAPG Buleti, v.67, 9.74771, Pier, B. 0, 196, Formation evavation by analysis of hydrocarbon ratios: Journal of Petroleum Technology, 21, p. 66570,