Chương III.

LOG ĐIỆN TRỞ SUẤT

•One of the primary resistivity tools for 2 decades
•used in highly saline boreholes

•will not operate in non-conductive boreholes:

•oil
•fresh/brackish water-based muds
•air drilled holes
•are focussed electrode devices
•minimise influences from
borehole fluids and adjacent
formations
•provide better vertical resolution
than induction devices in thin
beds
Dual lateralog devices:
•rely on the conductive nature

of the borehole to complete a

current path between tool and

formation
•consist of an electronics
section and a mandrel
section
•mandrel supports the
electrodes which are
connected to the
electronics
•The measurement current is
emmitted from the centre
electrode

•It is forced to flow laterally into

the formation by the focusing
action of the electrodes either side
Two resistivity measurements are made:

•Deep resistivity, rd
•shallow resistivity, rs
BASIC LAW OF ELECTRODYNAMICS:

TOTAL AMOUNT OF CURRENT EMINATING

FROM AN ELECTRODE MUST FLOW
THROUGH ANY MEDIUM THAT
ENCOMPASSES THAT ELECTRODE
For example:
This can be represented by:
It then flows radially away A point electrode
from the point electrode in
a steadily increasing
sphere though medium I
surrounding it Current flows from the
battery to the electrode
At any point on the surface
of the sphere at a known
r
distance from the
electrode the current Current Density 
I
density is the same 4 r 2
 For example: A point electrode

I
Provided the current density is
uniform and we can measure
the current, I and the voltage
drop, E through the medium r
then we can calculate the
resistivity of the medium
 A point electrode

I
In theory, we could use the
single point electrode model
to log the resistivity of a
formation r

in practice the model breaks

down, so we can’t
IN REALITY WE HAVE A BOREHOLE
FILLED WITH SALINE DRILLING MUD A point electrode

THE FORMATION, IN

CONDUCTIVE
Because current will take
the path of least resistance
BOREHOLE
most of the current FLUID
will flow
The PARTICULAR
through the conductive
•THE ZONE OF INTEREST, HAS A
RESISTIVE
borehole and not the formation
•MUCH HIGHER RESISTIVITY
•ent density is not uniform
FORMATION
•Berefore:
Resistivity
•current density cannot
at a given be calculated
point
cannot be calculated
 Lets see what
happens if we
increase the length of
the electrode
Single long electrode
Note:
•The whole electrode
current paths cannot is
maintained at the
cross as this would same
potential
mean flowing across a
•current can only flow
region of equipotential
from a region of
this is impossible! high
potential to a region of
lower potential
 Single long electrode

The current paths at the

ends of the electrodes
{
Help to “focus” the current
leaving from the centre of
the electrode into a disk of
{
current
{
 Single long electrode

The disk of current is

forced to flow into
the resistive
formation by the
focussing effect of
the adjacent current
paths
 Single long electrode

Therefore, any drop in

voltage can be directly
associated with the
current flowing through
the formation and not
up the conductive
borehole
 Single long electrode

The disk of current

would have uniform
current density that
Figure 3.1

could be calculated
using:
I
Current Density 
2 rt
 Single long electrode

But only if the current

coming from the central
part of the electrode, I,
Figure 3.1

and the thickness of the

disk, t, was known

I
Current Density 
2 rt
Lets split the single long
electrode into three
individual electrodes,
maintaining all electrodes
at the same potential
 Three electrode arrangement

First lets split the

electrode into three
Now we need to
maintain the electrodes
at the same potential
A
And finally measure the
current flowing from the
central electrode
 Three electrode arrangement

We now have the ability to

calculate the current density!

We can measure current, I

to the central electrode I
{ A

We know the thickness of the

electrode, t, and hence the
current disk from it.
 Three electrode arrangement

If we can calculate the current

density and we know the voltage
drop through the formation, then
we can calculate the resistivity of I
the formation t{ A
A
 Some terminology

The central electrode

from which the current
disk is emmitted and
current measured, is m A
called the:

Measure electrode
 Some terminology

The electrodes either

side of the measure
electrode are called f
called the: m A
guard electrodes
or f
focus electrodes
 Some terminology

The voltage applied to the

measure electrode is
measured with respect to
earth potential:
A

Earth
V
potential
 Earth potential

Earth potential can be defined as:

The potential of a point infinitely far

away from a current source, where
the current density from that source
is zero
 Earth potential

In practice, the wireline armor at the surface

is considered far enough away from the
measure electrode that the current density is
effectively zero, and hence at earth potential

we use this as our voltage reference in our

resistivity calculations
 Laterolog tool development

Although our theoretical 3-

electrode model is useable,
there are a few issues which
need to be addressed
Firstly, if we were to
use dc voltage we
would get an error in
our measurement due
to electrolysis
 ~
So we change our dc
voltage to a low
frequency ac voltage
 ~
So we change
our dc voltage to
a low frequency
ac voltage

This solves the problem!

 ~
The next problem we
have is how we measure
the current going to the
measure electrode
 ~
We currently have
all three
electrodes
connected to the
same current
source
Lets draw it like this
 ~
To measure the
current we need to
drop the voltage
over a known I
resistor
R

And then measure

the voltage across it
 ~
This now introduces
a problem with our
tool, as the measure
electrode is now at a
lower potential to I
our focus electrodes
R
 ~

Current will now flow

from our focus
electrodes to our
I
measure electrode
due to the difference
R

in potential
 ~
To prevent this
from happening
we introduce two
small electrodes
between the I
measure electrode R

and focus
electrode
 ~
We can then
measure any
potential difference
between them
caused by current
I
flowing from the R
focussing electrode
to the measure
electrode
 ~
We can use this
potential difference
as the input to a
bucker amplifier, the
output of which can I
drive the measure R

current
 ~
We can use this
potential difference
as the input to a
bucker amplifier, the
output of which can I
drive the measure R

current

Bucker amplifier
 ~
The output of the
bucker amplifier will
increase until the
measure electrode is I
at the same
R

potential as the
focus electrodes
Bucker amplifier
 ~
Once this is
achieved there will
be no current
flowing from the
focus to the I
measure electrodes R
and hence no input
to the bucker
Bucker amplifier
 ~

Current will be flowing

from the measure
electrode in a disk I
R

Bucker amplifier
 ~
Finally, we need to
know the voltage of
the measure
electrode with
respect to earth
I
potential in order to R
make the resistivity
calculation
Bucker amplifier
Finally, we need to
~
know the voltage of
the measure
electrode with
respect to earth
potential in order to I
make the resistivity
R

calculation
E
Remote reference
 ~

We now have a
working tool!
I
Lets see how the R
electrodes are
identified
E
Remote reference
The electrodes on
the mandrel are #4
numbered as
follows: #3
There are also electrodes
#2
#1
#5 and #5’ which we’ll #2’
discuss later #3’
these are made up of
other tool housings
#4’
Let’s consider how the effective
length of the guard electrodes
affects the current paths and
more importantly the depth of
investigation
 We define the depth
of investigation as
follows:

The depth at which 50% of the

total measured voltage is
dropped
~ There are two things to notice
here:

1. The current return point is

relatively close to the
mandrel
2. The guard electrodes are
short
 For clarity only the main current
~ paths from the measure electrode
and the top guard electrode are
shown

50 % of the
voltage drop
occurs here
 Now lets increase the size of the
~ guard electrodes and move the
current return further away

50 % of the
voltage drop
occurs here
 Conclusion:
The longer guard electrodes
~ increase
keep thethe depthdisk
current of
investigation bylonger,
“focussed” for increasing
hencethe
size
50%ofdrop
the focus
occurselectrodes
futher into
and
the moving the return point
formation
further away
This time 50 % of
the voltage drop
occurs here
We have covered enough theory now to
look at how a real lateralog tool is
configured
Two AC frequencies are used to
allow us to measure two depths of
investigation simultaneously
We also have to run a bridle on top
of the toolstring, to isolate the
wireline, and create the deep current
return
The dll consists of the following:
wireline
Bridle electrode
85 ft bridle

Iso sub
Dll electronics

Dll mandrel
 The dll mandrel

Consists of electrodes
#1, #2 (and 2’), #3 (and
3’) and #4 (and 4’)

4
3
2
1
2’
3’
4’
 The dll electronics

Is used as electrode #5
which is the electrode
used for the shallow
current return
5
and also one of the
electrodes used for the
deep guard electrode
4
3
2
1
2’
3’
4’
 The dll electronics
The electrode array needs
to be mirrored
this is done by running a
tool (or tool housing)
beneath the Dll, to make
5 up electrode #5’

Usually an mll
3
2
1
2’
3’ or 1309 gr housing
4’
 The iso-sub:
Limits the length of electrode
#5 by electrically isolating
the dll electronics housing
from the rest of the tool
string
5

4
Iso-subs are prone to leaking
3
2
so must be checked
1
2’ electrically prior to every run
3’
4’
 The bridle:
Is 85 ft long and Isolates the
wireline armor from the
toolstring to allow the
wireline armor to be used as
the deep current return
5

The wireline armor is

4
3
connected to bridle conductor
#10 in the torpedo and hence
2
1
2’

4’
3’ #10 in the cablehead
 The bridle:
Has a lead electrode half
way down it
the electrode is used in
the operation of the mll
tool as the remote
voltage reference
5

4
3 The bridle electrode is
connected to conductor #8
2
1
2’
3’
4’
 The bridle:
Bridles are also prone to
leakage
•never meggar a bridle as this
breaks down the insulation
5
•connect wireline armor to
conductor #10 in bridle
4 •always pump bridle after
3
2 each run
1
2’
3’
4’
 Finally, the wireline:

the wireline immediately

above the bridle is used
as the deep current
5 return, and is fed back
down to the dll via
conductor #10
4
3
2
1
2’
3’
4’
 Finally, the wireline:

The wireline armor at

surface is considered
earth potential and is
5 used as the remote
voltage reference
it is fed back to the dll
4
3
2
1
2’
3’
via conductor #7
4’
Cond. #7
shallow measurement:

Remember, for a shallow

depth of investigation we
want small guard electrodes
and a close current return
5
point
E
4
I 3

Let’s put in our circuitry!

2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 shallow measurement:
E represents the voltage
Cond. #7

detection circuitry
measured with respect to
wireline armor at surface

5
E I represents the current
I
4 detection circuitry from the
3
2 voltage drop over resistor R
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 shallow measurement:
Cond. #7

The voltage generator

for the shallow
produces a 128 hz ac
5
signal on guard
E
~ electrode #4, returning
I
4
3
to electronics housing
R 1
2
#5
2’
3’
4’
Cond. #7
shallow measurement:

The bucker amplifier

drives the measure
electrode until it’s
voltage matches that
5 on electrode #4, and
the disk of measure
E
~
current returns to
4
I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
electrode #5
4’
Cond. #7
shallow measurement:

Shallow
focussing
E
5
current
~
I
4
3
Shallow
measure current
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 Cond. #7
shallow measurement:

Two raw curves are

measured and sent up
hole to be converted to
resistivity
5
es
Shallow voltage, es
E
~
is
shallow current, is
4
I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 Cond. #7
deep measurement:

Remember, to increase the

depth of investigation you
need to increase the length
of the guard electrode and
5
move the current return
es E
~ point further away
is I
4
3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 Cond. #7
deep measurement:

We increase the length of

the guard electrode by
~
joining together electrodes
#4 and #5
es E
5
We distance the current
~
is I
4 return point by returning
2 the current to the wireline
3
R 1
3’ armour above the bridle
2’

4’
 Cond. #7
deep measurement:

Simultaneous current paths

~ are allowed because we use
a different frequency for the
deep and shallow
es E
5
measurements
~ the deep measurement uses
is 4

a 32 hz signal
I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 Cond. #7
deep measurement:

Deep focus current

~
This is how the current
5 paths for the deep
es E
~ measurement look
is I
4

Deep measure
3
2
R 1
2’
3’ current
4’
Cond. #7
deep measurement:

This time the Two raw

~ curves which are
measured and sent up
hole are:
5
es
ed E
~ deep voltage, ed
is
deep current, id
4
id I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
In standard mode both the 1229
DLL and the 1239 dll-s both work in
exactly the same way, as shown!
Indeed, the 1229 dll was adequate
for most resistivity logging
situations
 TWO LIMITATIONS WERE
REALISED WITH THE 1229 DLL:

1. The groningen phantom effect

2. Railroad tracking
 Groningen phantom effect

•Erroneously high readings in low

resistivity formations lodged below
high resistive beds
•seen as a gradual increase in the
resistivity reading towards the high
resistive bed
•first recognised in the groningen gas
field in the netherlands
Groningen phantom effect
Under normal operating conditions
the current doesn’t actually return to
a point on the wireline above the
bridle, but mostly over the first
couple of hundred meters

The current returning to

the cable armor has a
decreasing density the
further away from the
bridle you go
Groningen phantom effect
wireline

Current return
region

bridle
 To explain the groningen
Anhydrite As the tool
efefct we need a high
High Resistivity approaches the
resistive bed
anhydrite

Low Resistivity
Reservoir
 As the tool
Anhydrite approaches the
High Resistivity
anhydrite

Low Resistivity
Reservoir
Anhydrite As the tool
High Resistivity approaches the
anhydrite
the current is forced
Low Resistivity to return to a
Reservoir
shorter section of
armor
 As the tool
Anhydrite approaches the
High Resistivity
anhydrite
the current is forced
to return to a shorter
section of armor
Low Resistivity
Reservoir
increasing the current
density and voltage
required
 As the tool approaches
Anhydrite the anhydrite
High Resistivity
the current is forced to
return to a shorter
section of armor
increasing the current
Low Resistivity
Reservoir
density and voltage
required
effectively increasing
the return resistance
Anhydrite
High Resistivity

Low Resistivity
Reservoir The solution to the
groningen effect is to
change the location of
the current return
Anhydrite
High Resistivity

Low Resistivity
The solution to the
Reservoir

groningen effect is to
change the location of
the current return
Anhydrite
High Resistivity

Low Resistivity
Reservoir By returning the deep
current to an
electrode beneath the
mandrel we can
eliminate the effect
 In practice, the groningen
Anhydritephantom kit requires a
modified difl mandrel to
High Resistivity
beUnfortunately,
run beneath the dll as
thebecause the electrode
deep return
electrode
Low Resistivity return is
parameters in sacrifice
the
Reservoir
closer, we
software also
depth of need to be
changed from standard
investigation!
deep to ‘groningen’ deep
Anhydrite
The shallow measurement
is not affected
High Resistivity by the
groningen effect and
hence is acquired as
normal
Low Resistivity
Reservoir

Modified difl mandrel

 Rail road tracking
•Rs and rd curves show a constant
sepAration between them
•apparent in thick shale intervals
•borehole correction charts indicate
small correction required, whereas rs
and rd are severely sepArated
•shallow measurement was considered
too shallow and hence too borehole
dependent
 Evidence of
railroad tracking
 Rail road tracking

Although the 1229 dll was able to be

modified for the groningen effect,

No such modification could be done

to remove railroad tracking

The result was a re-design of the dll

electronics and a modification to the
mandrel
 The result:

1239 dll-s
Where the “s” stands for ‘selectable shallow
 1239 dll-s
The dll-s has the provision to record
an enhanced shallow curve where
there is evidence of railroad tracking

The enhanced shallow

measurement:
•deeper depth of investigation
•reduces the large influence of the
borehole, thought to be the cause
of railroad tracking
The enhanced shallow
measurement
85 ft bridle of the dll-s
requires the provision of an
additional electrode:
Iso sub
3516 slad
Iso sub
Dll electronics

Dll mandrel
 We now have the following
electrodes:

With the additional iso-

6
sub and 3516,
Creating electrode #6 for
5
use in the enhanced
4
shallow measurement
3
2 only
1
2’
3’
4’
 Let’s put in the circuitry!
Cond. #7

We get a deeper
measurement by joining
6 electrodes #4 and #5
~ We don’t want depth of
5
investigation to be as deep
as rd, so we return the
E
4
I 3
2 current to electrode #6
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 The current paths are as
follows:
Cond. #7

Enhsh
guard
6

~ current
Enhsh
5
E

I
4 measure
current
3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 A few things to note:
Cond. #7

The dll-s mandrel

includes the addition of
two small electrodes to
6

~ improve voltage stability

E
5
between guard and
4
measure electrodes
I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 mandrel:
Cond. #7

~
5
E
4
I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 mandrel:
Cond. #7

Electrode #4a
~
5
and #4a’
E
4
I 3
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 As before, the electrode
Cond. #7

array needs to be
mirrored
6 This is done by
introducing an iso-sub
~
and tool/tool housing
beneath electrode #5’ to
5
E

I
4
3
create electrode #6’
2
R 1
2’
3’
4’
 Finally, in order for the tool
Cond. #7

to run in enhanced shallow

mode:
6
Switch #3 in the
~ electronics needs to be
5 set up correctly
E Correct processing
I
4
3
parameters need to be
R 1
2

2’
selected
3’
4’
THE DLL-S HAS THREE SWITCHES
WHICH THE ENGINEER SHOULD
BE AWARE OF

ALL THREE SWITCHES ARE

LOCATED WITHIN THE
ELECTRONICS HOUSING
 ELECTRONICS HOUSING:

CONSISTS OF:
1. THE HOUSING ITSELF
2. THE ELECTRONICS
3. THE BLACK BLOCK
 SWITCH #1:
#1
LOCATED BEHIND THE BLACK BLOCK
ON TOP BULKHEAD OF ELECTRON ICS

IS A ROTARY SWITCH DIFL

MLL
HAS THREE SWITCH ETC.?
POSITIONS DETERMINING
WHICH TOOLS CAN BE RUN
BENEATH THE DLL
 #8
SWITCH #2:
LOCATED AT THE TOP OF THE #2

ELECTRONICS SP
IS A TOGGLE SWITCH ?
REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF
THE ELECTRONICS TO CHANGE

SELECTS SP FROM BRIDLE

ELECTRODE ON COND #8 IF NO
SP AVAILABLE ON #7 BELOW #7
DLL
 SWITCH #3:
LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE ELECTRONICS BACKBONE

IS A SHORTING HEADER BAR

USED TO SELECT STANDARD OR

ENHANCED SHALLOW MODE

#3
 TOOL CONTROL

DLL IS AN ATLAS TOOL

REQUIRES 3516 SLAM

ADAPTER TO DIGITISE RAW
DATA AND ALSO FOR TOOL
CONTROL
 TOOL CONTROL
Slad: lzc dll tool
control window is
slightly different

log
internal zero Deep return:
internal cal standard
Groningen
 TOOL CONTROL
When power is
switched off and on,
3516 reverts to
power up defaults

Always remember to send a tool re-init

command after power up to ensure the 3516
has the correct relay setting
Cp - required and performed
downhole using internal resistors

Vp - not required!
VB - not required!
Va - required and performed
downhole using internal resistors
1239 DLL-s can be calibrated
within casing
1229 can not!
Launch cal/ver

Select dll cp
 Edit/check engineering values

Select dll cp
Depending on which mode you are
required to log in, the following
engineering values should be used:
Switch the tool into cal and
read internal cal:
Then Switch the tool into
zero and read internal zero:
You must confirm which mode the
electronics are set to by comparing
the calibration raw values to:
 Processing parameters
usual borehole and cement parameters:

Dll should have borehole

corrections applied
 Processing parameters
Dll processing parameter’s refer to dll
mode, current return and position
Borehole correction - on/off
Deep type - standard/enhanced
Shallow type - standard/enhanced
position - eccentered/centralised
Deep current return - standard/groningen
conveyance - wireline/pipe conveyed
Groningen return - 40ft / 60ft
 Surface checkout proceedures

The dll calibration uses internal resistors

We must checkout the tool using a
test harness to confirm the correct
operation and mode of the tool
This must be done for every run!
 Test harnesses

There are two types of test harnesses:

1. 1229 dll test harness

2. 1239 dll-s test harness
 Test harnesses

Remember, in standard mode the dll

and dll-s current paths are identical:

In standard return mode,

1229 dll test harness can be
used to check the 1239 dll-s
 Standard dll Test harness

Consists of a resistivity test box that

can be connected to the mandrel:

#1 #2 #3 #4
 Test harnesses
With the tool on the catwalk
connect the harness to the mandrel

#1 #2 #3 #4
 Test harnesses
The top of the test harness looks like this:
CALIBRATOR TEST BOX
FOR DLL 1229
3 5
10 100
1 1000

Rf GUARD
REMOTE REMOTE

#1 #2 #3 #4
 CONNECT THE BOX like this:

1. RF REMOTE TO ARMOR NEAR DRUM

CALIBRATOR TEST BOX
FOR DLL 1229
3 5
2. GUARD REMOTE TO ARMOR ABOVE BRIDLE
1
10 100
1000

3. #5 TO C-CLAMP ON DLL ELECTRONICS

Rf
REMOTE
GUARD
REMOT
E

#1 #2 #3 #4
 Test harnesses

Note:
make sure all connections and
electrodes
are cleaned to bare metal with a wire
brush and emery paper for a good test

#1 #2 #3 #4
 Test harnesses

ONCE THE HARNESS IS CONNEC

1. CARRY OUT A CALIBRATION ON THE
(CALIBRATION WILL BE REPEATED DO

2. SWITCH BOX BETWEEN 1, 10, 100, AN

3. OBSERVE RS AND RD CURVES ON TH

WINDOW
 A FEW DO’S AND
DON’TS

DO CHECK ISO-SUBS FOR

CONTINUITY AND LEAKAGE
BETWEEN EACH RUN
DO NOT RIG UP ISO-SUBS
ATTATCHED TO ANY OTHER TOOL -
HAND CARRY TO DRILL FLOOR!
 A FEW DO’S AND
DON’TS
DO ATTATCH STANDOFFS TO DLL
MANDREL
DO NOT LEAVE DLL IN LOG WHEN
RUNNING THROUGH CASING

DO CHECK BRIDLE BETWEEN RUNS

DO NOT PULL BRIDLE OVER THE TOP

SHEAVE WHEEL