Interval maximum likelihood inversion for well logging data and statistical properties of estimated parameters

During the conventional petrophysical interpretation fixed (predefined) zone parameters are applied for every interpretation zone (depth intervals). Their inclusion in the inversion process requires the extension of a likelihood function for the whole zone. This allows to define the extremum problem for fitting the parameter set to the full interval petrophysical model of the layers crossed by the well, both for the parameters associated with the depth points (e.g. porosity, saturations, rock matrix composition etc.) and for the zone parameters (e.g. formation water resistivity, cementation factor etc.). In this picture the parameters form a complex coupled and correlated system. Even the local parameters associated with different depths are coupled through the zone parameter change. In this paper, the statistical properties of the coupled parameter system are studied which fitted by the Interval Maximum Likelihood (ILM) method. The estimated values of the parameters are coupled through the likelihood function and this determines the correlation between them.

A novel approach to solve the water saturation challenges in reservoirs under LoSal water injection

Enhancing hydrocarbon recovery is an ongoing practice in the petroleum industry. Multiple approaches are developed and proved their effectiveness in increasing reservoirs recovery. One of the recent approaches is the Low Salinity Water Injection which is known in the industry by “LoSal”. The determination of the optimum low salinity of the injected water and the mechanism behind its ability to enhance the hydrocarbon recovery are still the subjects of interest for many researchers and industry professionals. Despite the value of the LoSal water injection, it brings with it a considerable challenge to the future formation evaluation, namely the determination of the fluids’ saturation. The mixing of the low salinity injected water with the original high-salinity formation water creates variable water salinity across the reservoir. This is known in the industry by the “mixed-salinity” problem. The horizontal and the vertical heterogeneity of the permeability and porosity across the reservoir is the main factor that controls the “mixed-salinity” distribution in the injected volume. The challenge of calculating the fluids’ saturation exists for both the infill drilling wells and the monitoring wells. For the infill drilling wells, the saturation calculations require accurate formation water resistivity values, Rw, which became variable due to the mixed-salinity. For the monitoring wells, the fluids saturation calculations require accurate formation water sigma absorption, Σw, which also became variable for the same reason. The inability to determine the current Rw and Σw on foot-by-foot basis results in incorrect calculations of the water and hydrocarbon saturations. This creates an economic burden on the reservoir management. The existing methods to interpret the fluids saturation in mixed-salinity reservoirs face the challenges of accuracy, effect of borehole environment and high-data acquisitions cost. A forward modeling is developed to illustrate the problem and its impact on the reservoir decisions making process. A solution to the challenges is proposed, investigated, and proved both theoretically and in the laboratory. The proposed solution is based on lowering the LoSal water resistivity, prior to injection, to be equal to the original formation water resistivity without changing its low salinity. This is achieved by mixing the LoSal water with either acid or alkaline based on the reservoir condition. The acid or alkaline will reduce the resistivity of the LoSal water while keeping its low salinity unchanged. The determination of the required volume of the acid or the alkaline is calculated using the conductivity mixing law and the solution is tested on core plugs. The possible effects of the acid on the formation lithology, specially the clay content is discussed and proved to be negligible due to the very low acid volume required. This is also supported by previously published measurements.

A non-Archie water saturation method for conventional reservoirs based on generalization of Passey TOC model for unconventional reservoirs

The determination of the formation water saturation, Sw, is a continuous process throughout the life of the fields. Multiple water saturation models are developed to increase the accuracy of calculating this critical parameter for both open-hole and cased-hole wells. All current open-hole water saturation models require prior knowledge of some field parameters namely; formation water resistivity, Rw, clay volume, Vc and rock electrical properties (m, n). It is normally assumed that those reservoir parameters as either constant for the entire reservoir section or change by zones. This is obviously an impractical assumption especially for the (m) and (n) parameters. Also, when a reservoir is under water injection for enhanced oil recovery, the water salinity may change throughout the reservoir, based on the distribution of the reservoir permeability and the salinity of the injected water, resulting in a variable Rw. This case represents a real challenge to the existing water saturation models. In this paper, a methodology to determine water saturation without the need for prior knowledge of the formation water resistivity or the rock electrical properties is developed. This approach is a generalization of the Passey total organic carbon, TOC, model which is developed to determine the organic richness of the unconventional reservoirs. The scientific basis of the method, the modification required to be applied in conventional reservoirs, the proof of concept using forward modeled cases and actual field applications in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs are performed to examine the theoretical and the practical applications of the methodology. Excellent results are obtained and discussed.

EVALUATION THE CALCULATION OF WATERSATURATION WITH SIMANDOUX AND INDONESIA METHOD IN THE P LAYER R FIELD

Logging Interpretation aims to determine petrophysical parameters such as volume shale, porosity, formation water resistivity used to calculate water saturation values. In this study the wells analyzed were four exploration wells. Log analysis carried out in this well is in the form of qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis. The average shale volume in KML-1, KML-2, KML-3 and KML-4 wells is respectively 0.172, 0.132, 0.167 and 0.115. The average effective porosity of KML-1, KML-2, KML-3 and KML-4 wells is 0.236, 0.268, 0.219 and 0.225 respectively. The values of a, m and n follow the lithology of the well, namely limestone (carbonate) with a value of 1, 2 and 2. The value of Rw is obtained from the Pickett Plot Method that is equal to 1.52 Ωm on KML-1, 1.52 Ωm on KML-2, 1 , 52 Ωm on KML-3 and 0.5 Ωm on KML-4. The average water saturation with the Simandoux Method in KML-1, KML-2, KML-3 and KML-4 wells is 0.336, 0.434, 0.670 and 0.397. While the average water saturation value with the Indonesian Method in KML-1, KML-2, KML-3 and KML-4 wells is 0.439, 0.488, 0.723 and 0.440 respectively. From the comparison with S_w Core, the Simandoux method is better used in calculating water saturation because the result is closer to the value of Sw Core.

Petrophysical properties of the Lower Cretaceous formations in the Shaikhan oilfield, northern Iraq

The current study represents an evaluation of the petrophysical properties in the well Shaikhan-8 for the Garagu, Sarmord and Qamchuqa formations in Shaikhan oilfield, Duhok basin, northern Iraq. The petrophysical evaluation is based on well logs data to delineate the reservoir characteristics. The environmental corrections and petrophysical parameters such as porosity, water saturation, and hydrocarbon saturation are computed and interpreted using Interactive Petrophysics (IP) program. Neutron-density crossplot is used to identify lithological properties. The Qamchuqa Formation in the Shaikhan oilfield consists mainly of dolomite with dolomitic limestone, and the average clay volume is about 13%; while Sarmord Formation composed of limestone and dolomitic limestone, the average clay volume in this formation is about 19%; also the Garagu Formation consists mainly of limestone and dolomitic limestone in addition to sandstone and claystone, the volume of clay in the Garagu Formation is about 20%. Pickett plot method is used to calculate formation water resistivity (Rw), saturation exponent (n) and cementation exponent (m) the values are 0.065ohm, 2, and 2.06 respectively. The porosity ratio (Ø) of the Qamchuqa Formation ranges between 7-15%; this indicates that the lower part of the formation has a poor-fair porosity (7%), while the upper part of the formation has a good porosity (15%). The porosity value decrease toward Sarmord Formation especially in the lower part of the formation, it has a poor porosity (5%), whereas this value reaches to 13% in the upper part of the formation, indicates for fair porosity. Garagu Formation has good porosity, reaches 20% in the lower part, but in the upper part of the formation, this value decreases to 3%. Water saturation (Sw) value which is calculated by Archie equation ranges between 14-33%, while saturation in the flushed zone (Sxo) ranges between 52-73%, these indicate for good movable hydrocarbons are present in the studied interval (840-1320m), and from the total 480m the Early Cretaceous formations in well Shaikhan-8 have 178m pay.