New Generation of Ultra-High Definition Directional Propagation Resistivity for Real Time Reservoir Characterization and Geosteering-While-Drilling

Over the last two decades, the continuing integration of distance-to-boundary logging while drilling (LWD) workflows with the directional drilling processes, has dramatically improved geosteering of deviated and horizontal wells. However, the interpretation of underlying propagation azimuthal electromagnetic measurements has remained challenging in complex thin and multi-layered geologies. Recent technology advancements in LWD electromagnetic propagation resistivity coupled with significant software enhancements provide an opportunity for improving the formation evaluation to reduce wellbore position uncertainty, accurately detecting physical parameters such as layer resistivity and anisotropy, formation dip and azimuth. A newly developed multilayer mapping-while-drilling service with full azimuthal sensitivity is introduced for use in geosteering and formation evaluation while drilling applications. The tool offers the industry's first combination of axial, tilted and transverse antennas to produce a complete measurement set to enable the interpretation of complex and anisotropic formation. Advanced application algorithms are used to calculate a high-definition map of the formation providing horizontal and vertical resistivity (anisotropy), as well as dipping angle and azimuth. Furthermore, the tool can provide deep resistivity borehole images while drilling in real time. The new measurement set, more comprehensive than any other directional propagation resistivity tool in the industry, is discussed in detail. The measurements, combined with a new deterministic inversion, enable reconstruction of the resistivity of up to eight formation layers, and significantly outperforms existing directional propagation resistivity services. The new measurements and data processing workflow are demonstrated with several synthetic and field data. Examples show that this newly developed tool can provide a reliable two-in-one service: geosteering and advanced formation evaluation.

Integration of Advanced Logging Evaluation Techniques Proves Additional Reserves from Thin Bed, Low Resistivity Pay Formations

The biggest clastic reservoir based in Kuwait has been facing evaluation challenges over the thick intervals of highly laminated thin hydrocarbon layers. Conventional wireline tools have a limitation on resolution when it comes to addressing these thin beds. Therefore, the reserves are usually underestimated, and thin pays are often overlooked. This paper presents the integration of a variety of advanced Wireline tools in order to correctly evaluate and compute reserves from these thin pay zones. Acquisition of the triaxial induction tool enabled the study of resistivity anisotropy and the identification of thin pay zones through the distinct reading of the resistivity of the thin sand reservoir. The thin layers have also been further validated using high resolution advanced thin bed analysis from image logs. Advanced spectroscopy and NMR data were used to quantitively define the sand and shale fractions within the thin beds. These measurements were critical to input to improve the resistivity interpretation followed by a reliable estimate of the saturation. High resolution dielectric measurements provided resistivity-independent saturation information enhancing the NMR interpretation using water-filled porosity which was a key input into the identification of the heavy oil presence in Burgan. The newly identified thin pay zones have been further validated using the fluid sampling confirming presence of hydrocarbons with greater understanding of its properties and uniquely quantifying the mobile fluid fractions. The additional available reserves can only be properly determined by combining data from multiple sources to achieve a comprehensive evaluation. Resistivity anisotropy was observed based on the separation of vertical and horizontal resistivities and was therefore investigated to understand its root-cause over different zones. By integrating the results from the dielectric dispersion measurements, the diffusion-based NMR data, spectroscopy data, borehole image interpretation and high-resolution sand count delineation of different lithologic units at a finer scale, we were able to identify thin bedded sand-shale intervals in addition to pin-pointing the heavy oil intervals. Hydrocarbon saturations of individual sand layers showed improvement in hydrocarbon volumes, improvement in permeabilities across the studied zones and increased net pay estimations by 12%. Results from the fluid sampling performed across the newly identified thin pays have validated the advanced logging interpretation results and the presence of hydrocarbons. These intervals were overlooked by the standard basic evaluation and the reservoir potential has been revisited following the latest integrated advanced results. By combining the results of all these advanced wireline answer products, we were able to properly identify and quantify the additional available reserves and therefore change the classification of these reservoirs from poor to excellent with new development plan in place. The paper demonstrates the value solution of the high vertical resolutions taking advantage of the latest advanced technologies to enhance the characterization of laminated thin beds. The integrated advanced solution has enabled improved reservoir potential by the identification of new pay zones initially overlooked by the standard basic measurements.

GEOELECTRIC MODEL OF THE VOSTOCHNO-SURGUTSOE FIELD JURASSIC RESERVOIR ACCORDING TO GALVANIC AND ELECTROMAGNETIC LOGGING SOUNDING DATA

The article presents the results of galvanic and electromagnetic well logs joint numerical inversion. Jurassic deposits are characterized by high contrast of electrical properties, resistivity anisotropy and dielectric polarization, that complicates modeling. Applying of modern methods of joint numerical inversion makes it possible to build detailed geoelectric models corresponding to the measured data in complex geological environments.

In-plane uniaxial pressure-induced out-of-plane antiferromagnetic moment and critical fluctuations in BaFe2As2

A small in-plane external uniaxial pressure has been widely used as an effective method to acquire single domain iron pnictide BaFe2As2, which exhibits twin-domains without uniaxial strain below the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural (nematic) transition temperature Ts. Although it is generally assumed that such a pressure will not affect the intrinsic electronic/magnetic properties of the system, it is known to enhance the antiferromagnetic (AF) ordering temperature TN ( < Ts) and create in-plane resistivity anisotropy above Ts. Here we use neutron polarization analysis to show that such a strain on BaFe2As2 also induces a static or quasi-static out-of-plane (c-axis) AF order and its associated critical spin fluctuations near TN/Ts. Therefore, uniaxial pressure necessary to detwin single crystals of BaFe2As2 actually rotates the easy axis of the collinear AF order near TN/Ts, and such effects due to spin-orbit coupling must be taken into account to unveil the intrinsic electronic/magnetic properties of the system.

Study of thin layered reservoirs with toroidal sources and receivers (on the example of the Priobskoe oil field)

On the example of the Priobskoye oil field of the West Siberian oil and gas province, we show the relevance of studying thin-layered oil-saturated reservoirs, as well as consider the corresponding world experience. The operating principle of a probe system with toroidal sources and receivers is described, after which we perform 2D finite-difference simulation and analysis of its signals in typical geoelectric reservoir models. The dependence of the signals on the resistivity anisotropy coefficient is demonstrated. In realistic geoelectric sections of the Priobskoye field, obtained by numerical inversion of BKZ field data, 2D finite-difference simulation for the system with toroids is conducted. It implies the fundamental possibility of investigating thin-layered electrically anisotropic deposits of the Priobskoye field by means of the system with toroidal sources and receivers.

Novel Approach on Thin Bed Reservoir Case Study from Muda Formation, Natuna Basin

The presence of shale in thin beds reservoirs affects formation evaluation where the standard conventional log analyses are not designed to properly correct this effect. The conventional logging tools, with low vertical resolution, are not able to characterize these thin beds. This implies that log values do not represent the true bed or layer properties, but rather an average of multiple beds. Muda Formation are characterized by thin bed layers, made up of clastic rock sequences with dominant lithology of sandstone inter-bedded with shale, siltstone, and organic material as confirmed by drilling cuttings, logs response, and also supported by observation from sidewall cores. There are many uncertainties related to the presence of thin beds, primarily sand, silt, shale or their combination in term of their petrophysical properties and lateral extent. Inadequate reservoir characterization can cause significant amounts of oil and gas to remain unidentified. Accurate petrophysical parameters determination play an important role in the development plan of a field. The lateral and vertical variations in the petrophysical properties of the reservoir lead to different scenarios of the field development. The study of Muda Formation in this structure has integrated the sidewall core and log data. The contribution of the thin sand laminae to the average log response resulted in underestimating the porosity (Ф) and hydrocarbon saturation (Sh). The advanced measurement, like the resistivity anisotropy, proved quite useful as the vertical and horizontal resistivity across these beds leading to measurable electrical anisotropy. The resistivity measured perpendicular to the bedding is significantly higher than resistivity measured parallel to the bedding. The situation occurs due to high resistivity sand layers interbedded with low resistivity shale layers. The true sand porosity and hydrocarbon saturation were calculated using the laminated sand shale sequence and calibrated with core data. The study led to the more realistic petrophysical estimation of the sand shale laminae. A combination and integration of high-resolution image log for sand count, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for porosity evaluation and triaxial resistivity for volumetric model through Laminated Sand Analysis approach are found useful to solve thin bed reservoir issue.

Analysis of Resistivity Anisotropy of Loaded Coal Samples

In this paper, an experimental study of the variation of resistivity of coal samples in different bedding directions at 1 MHz frequency was performed by establishing an experimental system for resistivity testing of coal under triaxial stress. The low-pressure nitrogen gas adsorption (LP-N2GA) experiment and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were obtained to analyze the pore-fracture structural characteristics of coal samples and the influence on resistivity anisotropy. Furthermore, the fundamental cause of anisotropy of coal resistivity is expounded systematically. The results show that the resistivity of loaded coal decreased first before increasing. The ionic conductance and the high degree of metamorphism slow down the decrease of resistivity. The distribution of pore and fracture structures is anisotropic. The connected pores and fractures are mainly distributed along the parallel bedding direction. The weak plane of bedding, diagenetic fractures, and plane fracture structures of parallel bedding result in the increase of fractures in the direction of vertical bedding, so increasing the potential barrier. Therefore, the resistivity in the vertical bedding direction is higher than that of the parallel bedding. Loading coal resistivity anisotropy degree is a dynamic change trend; the load increases anisotropy significantly under axial pressure, and the degree of anisotropy has a higher discreteness under confining pressure. It is mainly the randomness of the internal pore-fracture compaction, closure, and development of the heterogeneous coal under the confining pressure; the more rapid the decline in this stage, the larger the stress damage degree.