Reservoir Engineering:

Reservoir Characterization

3- Well Logging
Ammar Jelassi
ENIM 191101
 Log Layout
• Display on gridded paper or digital & film formats
• Various depth scales: large (5" for 100 ft: 1/240 or
1/200), correlation (2"), small (1"), superdetail (10")
• Spacing between Depth Gridlines: 10 or 2ft, 5 or 1m
• Logs presented on 3 tracks: 1 linear (GR, SP, Caliper)
2 & 3 linear, logarithmic or split, possibly 4 = 2&3
(logs with large values). Space 1-2: depth record
• Synthetic logs, incl. Interpretation, much more
• On the log are specified heading, units, scale, any
calibration record & other preliminary work
 Open Hole Logs
• Used to evaluate formation for presence of HCs
• Logs of: well geometry (Caliper, dipmeter); shaliness
(SP, GR), ϕ (Sonic, Density, Neutron) Sw (resistivity),
pressure (Fm Tester/Sampler); new tools for direct
measurement of HC content, ϕ & k (NMR, EPT, DPT)
• It is important to check that there is no depth offset
between the various logs
• Tools’ various depths of investigation & resolution
• Measurement gives direct information on property,
contributes to understand it, or is sensitive to it
• Log interpretation at various wells, correlations &
geostatistics  a geological model of the reservoir.
Depth of Investigation of Logging Tools
Logging Measurements & Reservoir Properties
Log combination to determine reservoir &fluids
 Mechanical Log: the Caliper
• Measures borehole size & shape along its depth
• Made of arms connected to a potentiometer
• plots hole diameter along with drilling bit size.
• Used to correct several tools’ readings.
• And to calculate hole volume for cement job.
• Response differs with lithology (brittle shale caving,
shale swelling, bit on gauge in impermeable
reservoir rocks, thick mud cake in permeable ones..)
• Hole break-out gives information on stress field
Caliper Responses to various Lithologies
 Spontaneous Potential (SP)
• Records electrical currents created in borehole by
interaction between salty fm water & fresh mud,
mainly at bed boundaries, shales acting as selective
membrane (Na+ pass, Cl- less)
• Recognition permeable beds, qualitative evaluation
shaliness, correction of GR (non shale radioactivity)
• In thin shale/permeable beds SP does not reach
shale baseline/maximum deflection of clean beds
• Used for: reservoir identification, correlation,
determination Rw: Rwe = Rmfe.10(SSP/(61+0.133Tf)) with
Tf: fm temperature, Rwe & Rmfe resistivities at Tf. Rmf
estimated from Rm (low NaCl muds: Rmf = 0.75 Rm)
• Does not work with salt muds
 SP
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80
5185
5195
5205 Shale
5215
5225
5235
5245
5255
5265
Sandstone
5275
5285
5295
Shale
5305
5315
5325
5335
5345
5355
5365
Sandstone
5375
5385
5395
5405 Shale
5415
 Gamma Ray (GR)
• Records natural radioactivity higher in shale than in
other rocks (with exceptions), from K40, Th, U-Ra
• Depth of investigation: 2-10“ (depends on hole size;
mud weight, fm density, γ ray energies)
• Identifies shales, clean intervals, and shaly beds
• Shale index IRA = (RA – RAmin)/(RASh – RAmin) &
distribution determine Vsh. If laminated Vsh = IRA.
• Scaled in API units (usually 40-140).
• Can be run in CH (if run initially, needs correction):
detects bed boundaries, correlation with OH logs,
CH service usually with a collar locator. Affected by
K & U salts near perfos in hydrated producer wells
 GR with clean & shale lines
0 API 150

shale

clean
 GR
-20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
5185
5195
5205
5215
Shale
5225
5235
5245
5255
5265 Sandstone
5275
5285
5295
5305
Shale
5315
5325
5335
5345
5355
5365 Sandstone
5375
5385
5395
5405
Shale
5415
 Vsh vs Shale Index
1

Laminated
0.9

0.8 Clavier

0.7
Stieber1

0.6

Stieber2
0.5

0.4 Stieber3

0.3
Larionov
Tertiary
0.2
Larionov
0.1 older

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
 Sonic Log
• Records ∆t between arrivals of a sonic wave emitted
to 2 receivers distant by about 2 ft (compressional
wave), which is equal to ∆t in fm over same distance.
• It is the sum of ∆t’s in the rock matrix & in the fluid.
• ∆t = (1 - ϕ).∆tma + ϕ.∆tf  ϕ = (∆t - ∆tma)/(∆tf - ∆tma)
• ∆tf > ∆tma (e.g. water: 189 μs/ft, limestone 47.5)
• Cycle skipping recognizable on the log
• Records ϕprimary unlike N-D which record ϕtotal.
• Raymer et al proposed: ∆t = (1 - ϕ)2.∆tma + ϕ.∆tf
• Often poor accuracy, & average Sonic velocity does
not fit with that used in Seismic interpretation.
• Some tools measure the shear wave ∆t as well.
Shale Distribution within Reservoirs
 Density
• Measures fm’s bulk electron density: emits γ rays
(from Cs137) which collide with electron cloud in
fm, losing energy, some are absorbed  electron
emission, return with electrons to borehole & are
detected by short & long spacing scintillation tubes.
• To be corrected for mud & borehole size
• Electron density related to density  log scale g/cc
• ϕD = (ρma - ρ)/(ρma – ρf)
• Low ρ, high ϕapparent in face of gas bearing intervals
• Run in combination with Neutron (& Caliper-GR)
• Chart gives ϕ from D-N for various rocks, gas effect
 Neutron
• Based on elastic scattering of electron as they
collide with nuclei in fm, measures amount of H.
• Most widespread tool: CNL, with 2 detectors but
matrix effect, less for DNL, good also for gas in shale
• Graduated in ϕ (calibration to assumed matrix);
various corrections may be done automatically
• Run with Density lithology & ϕND, gas detection
• With other tools estimation shaliness (HI: 0.17-0.42)
• Responds to all pore sizes (Total ϕ like D unlike S)
• Can be run in CH (correlation, fm evaluation…)
N-D Correction for Shaliness
Combination Neutron-Density
 Correction of Porosity Logs for Shaliness
• Vsh is determined from GR
• ϕNcor = ϕN – Vsh. ϕNsh ϕDcor = ϕD – Vsh. ϕDsh
• ϕNsh = 38% ρbsh = 2.5 g/cm3
• ϕeff = (ϕNcor + ϕDcor)/2 for oil
ϕeff = ((ϕNcor2 + ϕDcor2)/2)1/2 for gas
• Similar correction for Sonic
Primary & Secondary Porosity from ϕS & ϕN-D
 Resistivity Tools
• Measure formation resistivity to estimate Sw as rock
conductivity is due generally to connate water salts
(used also in water well drilling, exploration Fe & K)
• 3 types: normal, induction, focused
• 3 zones investigated: flushed, transition, uninvaded
• Normal tools don’t work in saline muds or very
fresh muds (e.g. oil based) Induction
• Interpretation based on Archie: Sw = (a/ ϕm.Rw/Rt)1/n
• Formula applied to both virgin & invaded zones
• Moveable HC Index: Sw/Sxo = ((Rw/Rt)/(Rmf/Rxo))1/n
• Usually Sw/Sxo< 0.7 in sandstones, 0.6 in carbonates
• Poupon, Loy and Tixier, “average” Sor’s: Sxo = Sw1/5
 Resistivity Logs Corrections
• Readings to be corrected for hole diameter, bed
thickness, invasion from charts
• Shaly formation: from Rw (shale-free intervals), Rwb
(100%-shale intervals) Rwa = Vsh.Rwb + (1-Vsh)Rw
then total Swt & effective Swe = (Swt – Swb)/(1 – Swb)
• Sxo too large (>1) may indicates underestimated
porosity, incorrect Rw or formation resistivity factor
• Rw may be determined from SP in 100% Sw intervals
• Main tools in use:
– for fresh mud (Rmf > 2Rw) or Rt < 200 ohm.m: DIL-SFL,
Phasor and Array Induction Tool/Imager (AIT)
– for salt mud (Rmf < 2Rw) or Rt > 200 ohm.m: DLL-MSFL
Resistivity Profiles of Formations with mf invasion

Ro: Resistivity of formation with 100% Sw, Rt: Uninvaded Zone Resistivity
Dual Laterolog with Caliper-GR
 Movable Oil vs Swi based on Poupon, Loy & Tixier
1.0

0.9

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Fraction of OOIP Fraction of Vp
 New Logs: NMR, DPT, EPT
• New Logs determine directly HC in place
• NMR determines volume of Hs present in pore fluid
& their distribution, gives ϕ, k, rock composition;
HCs volume, type & productivity
• Dielectric & Electromagnetic Propagation Tools use
high frequency waves (resp 20-200 MHz & 1 GHz).
DPT measures fm permittivity & conductivity, EPT
propagation time & attenuation which are water-
filled ϕ & shale indicators. ϕEPT/ϕe = Sxo (Sw in heavy
oil or bitumen). Both logs read about 6" vertically
 Formation Testers
• Formation Testers (RFT, MFT…) measure formation
pressure at several depths in one trip
• Plotting P vs depth shows pressure gradient (fluid
density) changes, fluid contacts (WOC, OGC)
• They give an idea on k
• Can take fluid samples often contaminated by mud
filtrate. DST gives more accurate information (P, kh,
skin, productivity, representative samples except
rare cases) but takes longer time and costs more.
 Cased Hole Logs
• CH Logs are run for:
– Well Completion inspection (cement & casing condition)
– Production Analysis (fluid flow distribution)
– Correlation/Evaluation & Reservoir Monitoring
– Detection of Crossflow & Leaks
• Some are specific to CH. Others are common to OH
& CH. It is possible to run OH logs in a CH apart
from SP, dipmeter, resistivity image, NMR. Change
from initial situation is analyzed.
• Usually GR run with CH logs for depth determination
Also used for perforations placement; correlation;
shale evaluation; detection RA deposits & tracers
 Well Completion Equipment Logs
• For Cement integrity & Location of Top: Cement
Bond Log (CBL), Cement Evaluation Log (CET) &
Mapping Log (CMT), Ultrasonic Imaging Log (USI);
US Borehole Imaging Tool (BHT).
• CBL based on sonic principle, gives signal amplitude
& attenuation, bond index and cement compressive
strength (from the attenuation of the sonic wave).
• CET investigates radially not axially.
• USI & BHT cover also Casing
• Casing inspection: Electromagnetic Logs, Multi-
finger Calipers, Downhole Televiewer
 CBL with Good Cement

Amplitude Low
VDL Signals strong

Other typical configurations: no cement, partial cement, no adherence to casing or formation…

 Production Log Tool (PLT)
• Purpose: determine contribution of various zones to
production of oil, water, free gas
• Thermometer gives an idea (qualitative)
• Manometer & Gradiomanometer measure fluid
density, which is related to composition
• Flowmeter (types: spinner, continuous, packer)
gives total flow. Special design for horizontal or
deviated wells (vertical stratification)
• Estimated gas fraction (P below Pb) depends on flow
regime (bubble, slug, froth, or mist flow).
• PLT serves as basis to re-completion decision
Production Log
 Correlation & Reservoir Evaluation
• GR or Neutron may be used for correlation
• Porosity measured with Neutron log (dual detector)
but with lower accuracy than in OH, Sonic if good
bonding between cement & both casing & reservoir
• Sw measured by Pulsed Neutron Capture (PNC) and
Spectroscopy (PNS), Reservoir Saturation Tool (RST).
Spectral GR detects RA deposits in wellbore vicinity.
• CH Logs are used for Reservoir Monitoring as they
show depleted zones (gas), by-passed zones, water
movement…
 Crossflow, Flow behind Casing
• Flow behind casing is a common problem (cement
of poor quality, partial casing/liner cementation…)
• Temperature survey shows temperature profile
anomalies linked to fluid flow behind casing
• Oxygen Activation, Acoustical Noise & RA Tracer
Logs are also used to detect fluid movement behind
casing (Noise Log best at detection of gas flow)
 Logging in Shale Oil & Gas Wells
• Despite continuity, oil & gas shales show important
variability of TOC & geomechanical attributes
• Key properties: elastic, fluid, free &sorbed gas, TOC,
maturity, rock composition, T, k, Sw
• Tools adapted to this challenging area, new tools
are under development, to be used While Drilling
• Tool sets proposed by Schlumberger: Ecoscope
(Resistivity, N Porosity, Sigma, Spectroscopy;
Density, Photoelectric Factor), GeoVISION (invasion
profile), SonicScope (interconnected porosity, rock
mechanics, identification of fracture, gas saturation)
& SonicVISION (for drilling monitoring purpose)
 Shale: sources for properties (Sondergeld 2010)
Resevoir properties Data Sources
Elastic Properties DSI (dyn), Lab compression test
Fluid Properties Mud Log, PVT, PDA, P gradient
Maturity SS &USS, IFOT, MICP, PDA, NMR
Porosity XRD, TS, FTIR, ICP-MS, EDAS (SEM)
Rock composition XRD, TS, FTIR, ICP-MS, EDAS (SEM)
TOC Leco TOC, RockEval
Sw Core Extraction, Pc, log-based
Fract. &closure stress IFOT, Frac job, log-based
Temperature OHL, PL, Frac job, IFOT
Free & sorbed gas Visual Ro, maserals, RockEval
Permeability IFOT, PDA, Log-based, "dip-in"
Pore Pressure Gas Expansion, MICP, NMR, log-b.
 Shale Gas: key parameters, data source (Kennedy 2010)
Parameters Data Sources
Brittle Rock DSI (dyn), Lab compression test
Stress regime Mud log, PVT, PDA, P gradient
Overpressure IFOT, Frac job, log-based (DSI)
Local lithology variat. Visual Ro, maserals, RockEval
Faults, karsts, water SS &USS, IFOT, MICP, PDA, NMR
TOC IFOT, PDA, Log-based, "dip-in "
Microporosity Gas Expansion, MICP, NMR, log
Thermal Maturity XRD, TS, FTIR, ICP-MS, EDAS
Shale Gas: Logging Suites &Parameters available

Source: Chinese Laboratory of Petroleum Resources & Prospecting, 2015

 Shale Gas: Responses to Logging Tools

Source: Chinese Laboratory of Petroleum Resources & Prospecting, 2015

 Logging in Gas Shales (China)

Source: Chinese Laboratory of Petroleum Resources & Prospecting, 2015

 Conclusions
• Logging allows reliable formation evaluation (detect
reservoir, determine petrophysical properties).
• CH Logging: cement & casing inspection; detection
of cross flow & flow behind casing, determination
of fluids production distribution over completed
interval, correlation & reservoir monitoring.
• Adapted to Shale oil & gas formations and run LWD.