SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
ADVANCES IN MUD GAS INTERPRETATION WHILST DRILLING
Giovanni N. Pinna, Douglas J. Law
International Logging Inc, Plymouth, UK
Copyright 2008, held jointly by the Society of Petrophysicists and
Well Log Analysts (SPWLA) and the submitting authors.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPWLA 49th Annual
Logging Symposium held in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 25-28, 2008.
ABSTRACT
The compositional analysis of the gases present in the
drilling fluids at surface reflects the behaviour of the
reservoirs and provides important indications about
lithological composition of the drilled rocks. Both the
accuracy of the data and the reproducibility of the
results strictly depend upon the technologies applied.
Although today many different gas chromatographs are
available on the market with high resolution and good
reliability, there still exist significant differences in the
extraction of gas from the mud. The use of a semi-
permeable membrane for gas extraction is unique in its
field, particularly when combined with a reliable gas
chromatograph, analysing alkane compounds from
methane to octane, aromatic compounds such as
benzene and toluene, plus nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
The entire system allows the acquisition of each real gas
concentration relative to its concentration in the drilling
fluid. The GC-Tracer R&D Department has studied 35
wells from September 2006 to September 2007 where
GC-Tracer technology was applied alongside
comparative analysis techniques such as LWD, Wire
Line Logs, PVT, MDT and FMI video images. This has
allowed the development of new techniques which can
be applied to gas interpretation methodologies. The GC-
Tracer gas interpretation analysis is shown here to bring
about significant advances in reservoir characterization
based on the chemical ratios of the molecular
compounds, allowing greater accuracy in targeting the
reservoir and distinguishing possible fluids
compartmentalisation. Moreover with the accuracy of
the semi-permeable membrane it is possible to
extrapolate indications regarding the biodegradation,
water washing and the fluid maturity grade. The
datasets presented illustrate its application not only in
low resistivity and low permeable sandstone layers or in
thin layers of complex wells, but also in appraisal or
development wells. It can also be shown to bring about
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considerable benefits where the primary objective of the
drilling is to reduce the costs whilst maximising
reservoir data acquisition.
INTRODUCTION
The analytical methodologies applied in mud logging to
date have been based on the range of hydrocarbons
from Methane (C1) to Pentane (C5). Until recent
advances in gas trap technology, it hasnt been possible
to effectively extract gases that have higher boiling
points than C5 (n-Pentane boiling point = 36C, n-
Hexane = 69C) at wellsite for continuous analysis.
Traditional gas traps, consisting primarily of an agitator
within a cylinder are affected by the level of drilling
fluid, along with a number of other factors. The gases
are liberated from the mud via agitation enter the
headspace above the fluid surface where they are
sucked back to the logging unit for analysis via a gas
OOO
line. These tools extract gases in a highly variable
manner; hence the volume of mud to air to
hydrocarbons is subject to many factors, making
quantitative analysis difficult. More recent systems
utilize a constant volume pump and heaters, which
greatly increases the efficiency of the gas trap (Breviere
et al, 2002). However, these increased efficiencies do
not necessarily translate to accurate quantification of the
ratio of the individual hydrocarbon components, upon
which much of gas analysis depends.
The application of semi-permeable membrane gas
extraction directly from the drilling fluid, (Brumboiu et
al, 2000 & Brumboiu et al, 2005), utilises a different
approach. One in which the solubility of each
hydrocarbon component within the drilling fluid is
related to the concentration measured by the Gas
Chromatograph (GC) in order to provide an actual
concentration within the drilling fluid. The primary
objective of which is to provide accurate fluid
composition and hydrocarbon component information.
This method of extraction when coupled with a high
speed TCD (Thermal Conductivity Detector) Micro Gas
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
Chromatograph, allows the analysis of alkane
compounds from Methane (C1) to Octane (C8). Other
associated components routinely measured include
aromatic compounds, such as Benzene and Toluene,
along with Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide. Relatively
high resolution data is provided owing to a GC cycle
time of 55 seconds.
The results from this system are evaluated according to
the new Gas Interpretation System (GIS), with the
express purpose of bringing improvements to the
analytical methodologies whilst drilling. To identify and
characterise reservoirs, in terms of estimated rock
permeability, to characterize hydrocarbon features and
determinate net pay zones, as well as to estimate the
maturity of hydrocarbons in terms of fractioning,
biodegradation and water washing. Fluids correlation
studies were carried out in order to facilitate the picking
of formation tops and geological correlations with offset
wells.
The main components of this Gas Interpretation System
are discussed here and are based on real time gas
analysis and gas ratio comparison.
Although the term light hydrocarbons is generally
used to describe alkane compounds up to Octane (n-
C8), within the context of this paper the term light
hydrocarbons identifies the compounds from Methane
(C1) to Pentane (i-C5 and n-C5). The heavier
compounds, analysed by the system, consist of hexane
(n-C6), heptane (n-C7), octane (n-C8), Benzene and
Toluene.
THE CONCEPT OF MEMBRANE GAS
EXTRACTION
The use of semi-permeable membrane gas extraction
allows a much more stable method of gas extraction
which is now seeing widespread usage. The membrane
material is designed specifically to allow the passage of
the desired hydrocarbon molecules whilst preventing
the passage of water vapour from the mud. The
membrane being completely impermeable to liquids.
The difference in partial pressure of the gases between
the internal face of the membrane and the external face
of the membrane (which is in contact with the drilling
fluid) allows the gas to be driven through the membrane
and subsequently pass into a helium carrier gas stream
and onward to the GC for analysis.
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The concentration of a single gas at constant
temperature, with low solubility, dissolved in a volume
of solution is proportional to the partial pressure of the
gas above that solution. The same physical law explains
how, upon removing the tap from a bottle of sparkling
water, the partial pressure above the liquid surface
suddenly drops and bubbles are released. This principle
is regulated by Henrys law Pi = K i where K is
the constant of solubility of a gas within a specific fluid
type, which is dependent upon the temperature of the
fluid.
From Daltons law P=PA+PB+PC, the pressure of a gas
mixture is given by the sum of all partial pressures of
the component gases. From the ideal gas law
PV = nRT it is possible to calculate the total
pressure, which varies with temperature and volume:
RT
P=
V
n i (eq. 1)
The partial pressure of a single gas compound is:
RT
Pi = ni where ni = i n
V
It is possible to derive:
P
Pi = i ni = i P (eq. 2)
ni
Thus the partial pressure of a single gas compound is
equal to the total pressure multiplied by its molar
fraction.
In using a simple underlying principle and avoiding the
need for agitation and heating, this extraction method
provides excellent measurement repeatability.
HYDROCARBON SOLUBILITY AND MUD
TYPES
The solubility of hydrocarbons within drilling fluids
varies according to the fluid type and the hydrocarbon
species. Alkane compounds generally have low
solubility, but exhibit ostensibly different solubilitys
within different fluids, such as water based (WBM) and
oil based muds (OBM). Whilst the hydrocarbon
compounds remain dissolved within the fluid owing to
Van der Waals forces (principally Waals-Debye). It is
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 SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
the molecular polarity which determines the solubility
within a fluid and that is dependent upon the molecular
structure, resulting in a variation in solubilitys within
the alkanes. The degree of polarity or dipole moment is
defined as = Q r , where Q is the charge and r the
distance between atoms. Dipole moments are expressed
30
in debyes (D), where 1D = 3.336 10 (C m) .
Polar molecules have an asymmetrical structure like
that of the water molecule. The bond polarity is due to
differences in electronegativity between the atoms
within the molecule, resulting in the electric dipole.
Water has a relatively large dipole moment (=1.85 D).
Methane and Ethane have a symmetrical structure and
so possess zero dipole moment. The polarity of alkane
compounds increase in relation to the number of carbon
atoms, however this always remains less than that of
water.
Because of their low polarity, lighter alkane compounds
exhibit low solubility within water. However the
solubility factor of each compound depends also upon
the fluid type. Alkane compounds are more soluble in
Synthetic OBM than in WBM owing to the similarities
in their polarity. So non-polar substances will be less
soluble in polar solvents such as water, but they will be
more soluble in non-polar solvents.
The lighter alkane compounds, possessing lower
molecular polarity, remain relatively insoluble within
the drilling fluid. The consequence of this behaviour is
that the amount of methane measured at the gas
chromatograph would be seen as excessive, if the
individual gas solubility is not taken into account. This
is the primary reason as to why the accuracy of the
formation evaluation based on gas analysis prior to the
application of semi-permeable membrane extraction
was affected by uncertain results.
In being able to determine the exact gas composition
present within in the drilling fluid, irrespective of state,
it is possible to determine with a significantly higher
degree of accuracy, the reservoir fluid composition. In
this application, the membrane gas extraction method
has been coupled to a set of algorithms which have been
developed to effectively determine the individual gas
component solubility for a wide range of mud types.
(Brumboiu et al, 2002; Brumboiu et al, 2005).
In synthetic OBM there are interactions among the
hydrocarbon molecules liberated from the formation
and the hydrocarbon drilling fluid molecules. The
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greater the molecular chain the greater the interaction
with the organic molecules within the fluid. Whereas
within WBM the interactions are much weaker. This
means that different solubility factors along with
different temperature factors, another key factor in gas
solubility, have to be applied within the algorithms in
order to obtain a representative molar fraction for each
gas compound (Brumboiu et al, 2005).
100.00%
GCT MDT Result
10.00%
1.00%
0.10%
0.01%
C1 C2 C3 iC4 nC4 iC5 nC5 C6 C7 C8
Fig 1. Single sample comparison of membrane gas
extraction analysis (GC-TRACER) versus MDT
sampling.
APPLICATION OF MEMBRANE EXTRACTION
The deployment of membrane gas extraction technology
has been carried out via the use of International
Logging Incs GC-TRACER (Gas Chromatograph Tool OOO
for Realtime Analysis Characterisation and Evaluation
of Reservoirs) system. These systems have now worked
in excess of 60 wells, providing a substantial dataset
upon which to base the revision to the gas
interpretation.
The membrane probe of the GC-TRACER extracts the
gases from the drilling fluid close to the bell nipple. As
a result of partial pressure difference on both sides of
the membrane, it allows the molecules to permeate
across the membrane barrier and into the carrier gas
stream. The carrier gas transports the extracted gases to
the GC, which is located in a purged controlled
enclosure 3 metres from the probe. The GC used is a
Varian 4900 TCD GC with dual custom columns fitted
with backflush and heated injectors.
Within the enclosure there are four main systems; a
pneumatic module, electronic module, environmental
control module and gas chromatograph. The entire
system is reduced to modular form in order to facilitate
its functioning and maintenance.
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
Due to the fact that the solubility depends upon the mud
temperature, a mud temperature sensor is also installed
alongside the membrane probe.
In developing this method of gas extraction and gas
analysis, there are two main aspects in gas detection that
have been improved: The traditional gas trap based
systems analyse only the C1-C5 compounds, while GC-
TRACER is capable of extracting hydrocarbon
compounds from C1 to C10 with the current membrane,
with the addition of Aromatics, Benzene and Toluene.
The second aspect is the accuracy of the analysis which
allows the identification not only of the changes in fluid
phases, but also to accurately identify the correct API
gravity.
The improvements in gas evaluation allow the
optimisation of the analytical methodologies described
by Haworth et al.1985 and Pixler 1969. It also allows
greater enhancement of the Gas While Drilling methods
developed by Total Fina Elf & Eni (Kandel et al 2000),
which currently represent the most advanced theory on
gas while drilling applications.
Fig. 2 GC-TRACER semi-permeable membrane gas
extraction and analysis system.
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GAS INTERPRETATION SYSTEM
The GC-Tracer Gas Interpretation System has been
developed through the observation of results from 35
wells on which GC-TRACER was deployed between
September 2006 and September 2007. This has resulted
in the development of analytical methods which whilst
based upon the previous studies of Pixler (1969);
Haworth et al (1985) and the GWD methods developed
by TotalFina Elf/ENI (Kandel et al 2000), are specific
to semi-permeable membrane extraction and analysis.
The initial gas research program following the
conclusion of hardware development was tasked with
identifying applications for the tool, testing the
reliability of the data and to create a standard analytical
method for gas interpretation. Since September 2006
that standard interpretative method (GC-TRACER GIS
(Gas Interpretation System)) has been applied in every
field project allowing multiple successful correlations
with LWD, PVT and MDT data.
The GC-TRACER GIS method is based upon gas ratio
interpretation. The ratios among different gas
components remain the same despite any changes in the
background levels which can be affected by variance in
drilling parameters. That is, in so far as the fluid
composition does not change. For instance during
coring the amount of gas recorded drastically drops and
this effect can be noticed for all of the hydrocarbon
compounds. However the actual ratios among these
gases are not affected by change in drilling parameters.
The much lower detection limits of the GC-TRACER in
comparison to gas trap based systems, lends it self to
providing accurate fluid composition during such
drilling events.
Total Hydrocarbons Content - All ratios have to be
compared alongside the THC (Total Hydrocarbons
Content) log. THC is one of the most primary yet basic
indicators. This is given by the sum of all alkane
compounds from (C1 to C8), plus the aromatics
(benzene and toluene).
C1/THC - The percentage of methane over the Total
Hydrocarbons Content provides a quick indication of
the fluid composition, presence of different fluid types
and a relative indication of the permeability of the
formation.
In permeable hydrocarbon-bearing zones, different
C1/THC trends are associated with different fluid types.
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 SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008

Haworth et al (1985) described differing API gravity formations to porous formations and the difference is
through the hydrocarbon wetness ratio (Wh). quite evident also when changing from impermeable
formations to permeable formations.
Wh = [(C 2 + C3 + C 4 + C5) / (C1 + C 2 + C3 + C 4 + C5)] 100
The GC-TRACER GIS re-evaluation of Haworth et al
Haworth et al 1985 found the following fluid characters: (1985) indicated the following fluid characterization
utilizing the methane composition:
Wh<0.5 very dry gas;
C1>99.5% very dry gas;
0.5<Wh<17.5 gas;
82.5%<C1<99.5% gas;
17.5<Wh<40 oil; 75%<C1<82.5% light oil;
67.5%<C1<75% medium oil;
Wh>40 residual oil.
60%<C1<67.5% heavy oil.
The more Wh increases the more dense the fluid. In a
system from methane to pentane it is possible to write Retrograde gas has a composition near the threshold
this equation as follows: between light oil and gas, normally the methane content
is between 80% and 85%. This can be recognised more
Wh = [(C1 THC ) / THC ] 100 (eq. 3) easily through the variation of other methods.

Wh gives the percentage of methane in the system

C1%=(100-Wh). As a consequence, considering the
observation made by Haworth et al., the fluid
characteristics can be described by the methane
percentage:

C1>99.5% very dry gas;

99.5%<C1<82.5% gas (with density increasing OOO
with decrement of C1 percentage);
82.5%<C1<60% oil;
C1<60% residual oil.

The ranges mentioned above represent a generic

characterization which is subject to local variation by a
few points.

C1/THC represents the most important ratio log to

analyse in order to appreciate the fluid composition.
The limit of applicability in respect of the wetness and
balance method (Haworth and al., 1985) is in fact due to
the traditional gas trap limit. As the traditional gas traps
are not able to extract 100% of each compound this
tends to over estimate the methane content in relation to Fig. 3 Methane content. In black the hydrocarbon
its actual contribution. bearing sandy zones.

With membrane extraction methods not only is it
possible to obtain an extremely accurate gas analysis of
the reservoirs (Fig. 1) but it is also possible to
distinguish any small variations within the formation.
Generally C1/THC increases passing from tight
Permeability Ratio - The permeability of the rock is
defined as the capability of fluids to flow through the
rock. During drilling, conventional measurement
systems are not able to measure directly the
permeability, but rather LWD tools measure the

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SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008

formation porosity. In order to use surface gas data for If N is the total number of particles in the volume:
permeability estimation we can first consider the
kinetics of gases. Reducing the observation to an P=m
( 2
N vx1 + vx 2 + ...
2
)
infinitesimal scale, the gas formation can be thought of V N
as particles within a cubic box with elastic walls. mN
Where = (eq. 6)
V

where
2
( 2
vx1 + vx2 + ... )
is the average of vx2 for all
N
molecules.

Hence the pressure can be written as P = vx 2 .

For each particle v2=vx2+vy2+vz2.

Due to the large number of molecules contained in a

Fig. 4 Cubic box containing an ideal gas certain volume of gas and also to the random movement
of the particles, the averages of vx2+vy2+vz2 are in effect
A single particle travelling along the x axis collides the same.
with one of the walls (A1), it rebounds horizontally and
the vector of velocity changes its sign. vy and vz can be
considered unchanged and the particles linear The value of v x =
2 1 v 2 and P = 1 v 2 .
3 3
x
momentum can be written as:

q = q f qi = mv x (mv x ) = 2mv x As per Pascals principle the pressure on a fluid is

transferred in a constant way in any portion of fluid and
Hence the momentum transferred to A1 is 2mvx, on the walls, meaning that the pressure exerted is the
because it is conservative. The same particle reaches same within each part of the fluid and on the walls, ie
A2, with no collision with other particles. universal.

It takes a time l/vx to go from one wall to the other. At The total gas mass is obtained multiplying the first and
A2 again, its vector velocity vx changes sign, and it the second member for the volume:
comes back to A1 along the x axis. If no other collisions
occur, 2*l/vx represents the time to go from A1 to A2 1 2
PV = V v x
and be reflected back to A1. 3
Therefore the number of collisions for unit time that a where V=NM (M is the total mass)
single particle produces on A1 is vx/2*l. The momentum
(q) transferred to A1 in a given time is: 1 2
PV = NM vx (eq. 7)
2 3
v x mv x
2mv x = (eq. 4)
2l l The expression on the right in eq.7 is equal to 2/3 of the
molecular translation total kinetic energy:
The pressure applied on A1 by all molecules of the gas,
is given by the sum of the momentum relative to all
molecules:
2
3
(12 NM v ),2

( )
m So it follows:
2 2
P= 3
vx1 + vx 2 + ... (eq. 5)
l

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 SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008

21 2
pentanes. The aim was to compare a ratio built in this
PV = NM v (eq. 8) way with the capability to escape from porous
32 formation walls, thus providing a permeability
indicator.
Combining this equation with the perfect gas law
PV=NRT: The GC-TRACER GIS permeability ratio is defined as:

1 3
M v 2 = RT K'=
(C1 + C 2)
2 2 (C 4 + C 5)
Thus the molecular translation total kinetic energy of a Although it is obvious that in a permeable zone the
mole of gas is proportional to the temperature. amount of lighter gas increases compared to the heavier
fraction. The observations highlighted that in fact it is
Dividing now both members by Avogadros constant, possible to find a threshold above which K indicates
N0 and thus by the number of molecules contained good permeability and below which the permeability is
within a mole of gas: M/N0=m, where m represents the reduced.
mass of a single molecule:
It was observed that in permeable formations K>10
1 2 3 R (this does not indicate a quantitative value, but it is just
mv = T (eq. 9)
2 2 N0 the ratio between lighter and heavier fractions). It was
also observed that in interbedded sandstone and
claystone the ratio varied with K>10 in sandstone and
where R/N0 is the Boltzmann constant and it is indicated
K<10 in claystone. Also within permeable formations
with k.
there were zones possessing low permeability K<10.
After many observations and comparisons with MDT
8.314 J / molK
k= and PVT data, it has been observed that K has a precise
6.022 10 23 molecules / mol relationship with the formation permeability but that the
threshold between good permeability and poor OOO
k=1.38110-23 J/molecule K. permeability can vary locally from one region to
another. Comparison with MDT tests provided a good
From the equations seen above the translation kinetic permeability correlation for K>50, while in other
energy per mole has the same value for all gases at the regions it was found to be K>100. Generally K can be
same temperature. Therefore at the same temperature: plotted in a logarithmic scale from 0.1 to 100.

2 m1 v1
2
2 m2 v 2
2 Even in plays where the precise K relationship is
T= = (eq. 10) unknown, the application of K allows a very high
3k 2 3k 2 degree of distinction in relative permeability. As a result
this method has found numerous applications in order to
2 pre-determine MDT sampling points and so reduce
v1 m2 sampling programs.
Where: = (eq. 11)
v2
2 m1

From this eq. 11 shows that two different gases, within

a container with porous walls, possess different
velocities. Subsequnetly, the lighter gas escapes faster
than the heavier.

From this physical principle, two groups of light gases

and heavier gases were chosen and their behaviours
were observed while drilling. The lighter gases are
methane and ethane and the heavier are the butanes and

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SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
Fig. 5 Permeability ratio.
HC and ARO/ALK ratios - Starting from the physical
principle that it is possible to highlight the most
important differences utilising a group of molecules
with different features, the following ratio correlation
represents one of the main discriminators in gas
analysis.
C1
HC =
(C 4 + C 5)
(C1 + C 2 + C 3 + C 4 + C 5 + C 6 + C 7 + C8)
ARO / ALK =
(Benzene + Toluene )
The scales used to plot these ratios tend to vary locally,
but generally HC has a scale from 0 to 100 and
ARO/ALK from 0.0001 to 1. The HC ratio is used to
emphasize any gas increment above the background gas
level. The ARO/ALK ratio is used to determine the
most important hydrocarbon bearing zones.
In the presence of tight zones the HC ratio will remain
low with a high ARO/ALK ratio, for tight zones HC
falls on the left and ARO/ALK falls on the right. As we
encounter permeable zones the ARO/ALK ratio moves
to the left. Whilst, if there are hydrocarbons present, HC
increases whilst ARO/ALK decreases.
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Fig. 6 In presence of hydrocarbons HC crosses
ARO/ALK. The upper scale is HC.
Encountering a reservoir zone HC falls on the right and
ARO/ALK on the left. The HC and ARO/ALK
combination is a crucial plot particularly in the case of
shaly source rock with a high THC background, where
this resides above a sandy reservoir that realises a lower
THC (Fig. 6). Although the source rock effect could
generate mis-interpretation while drilling, having all the
indication of a reservoir. The HC versus ARO/ALK
reveals the real nature of the fluid within the rocks with
a well marked variation consisting of ARO/ALK on the
right within shale and ARO/ALK on the left within
sandstone. In cases where the reservoir consists of very
thin interbedded layers of producible sandy reservoir
within claystone, the HC versus ARO/ALK would be
crucial in order to estimate the net pay zone.
C1/C7 - When an oil reservoir is encountered, this gives
rise to increased amounts of hexane, heptane and
octane. Subsequently their ratio to methane will
decrease. This can normally be observed as a change in
the trend above and below the seal / reservoir interface
zone.
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 SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008

Water saturation - The solubility in water of benzene is

1.79 g/L at 25C and the solubility in water of toluene is
0.53 g/L at 25C. Benzene is therefore 3.4 times more
soluble in water than toluene. This should provide a
method for determining the presence and degree of
water saturation. However, as research shows, the
benzene/toluene ratio is considered non-reliable as a
method to identify the water saturation zone with total
accuracy, due to complicating factors. It is still possible
to utilise the ratio between the aromatic fraction and the
n-alkanes, such as nC6/Benzene and nC7/Toluene. The
use of these ratios has provided successful results within
certain fields and plays.

However a more reliable method is represented by the

application of the Pixler studies (1969). In his work,
Pixler, asserts that a negative slope of the line that joins
C1/C2, C1/C3, C1/C4 and C1/C5 indicates water
bearing zones, while positive slope indicates
hydrocarbon bearing zones.

Following this premise it is possible to monitor

continuously whilst drilling the C1/C3 and C1/C4
ratios. A negative slope means that C1/C3 > C1/C4
Fig. 7 C1/C7 highlights the permeable sandy zones
which occurs in the presence of water. Therefore where
intercalated within claystone.
(C1/C3)-(C1/C4)>0 this represents a negative slope and
from Pixler (1969) indicates a water-bearing zone.
The change across an interface (OWC or reservoir seal)
is normally represented as a sharp shift in the trend.
The hydrocarbon bearing zones are indicated by OOO
Within the reservoir zone the magnitude of C1/C7 peaks
(C1/C3)-(C1/C4)<0.
increase in relation to the zones with higher
permeability.
In the simplest model of a reservoir which contains
hydrocarbons at the top and water at the bottom, the
If the reservoir consists of interbedded sands and clays,
demarcation between the two zones is not always sharp,
C1/C7 produces D shape log in relation to sandstone
a transition zone where the content of water from the
and C shape log in relation to tight zone. This ratio is
hydrocarbon contact to the water zone gradually
well correlated with any increment of the resistivity log.
increases maybe seen. Most of the time the transition
zone between hydrocarbon and water has a variable
In the case of gas reservoirs, the heptane content
thickness: the greater the hydrocarbons thickness, the
sometimes is not enough to produce a consistent C1/C7
lower the transition zone and vice versa. The transition
ratio log. However within most wet gas reservoirs there
zone could be extended in terms of vertical depth where
are present, sufficient amounts of heptane.
upon the upper hydrocarbon zone possesses low
permeability or a reduced thickness.
The amount of heptane can decrease when moving from
a shaly source rock to a gas bearing sandy zone and
If the transition zone occupies a few feet of formation
here the ratio reveals a different behaviour.
the hydrocarbon water contact appears as a sharp
contact and the water saturation ratio produces a
Through monitoring the methane/heptane ratio, for
horizontal line on the positive axis.
several wells within the same play, it is possible to
relate it to the GOR. In fact the higher C1/C7 is the
higher is GOR and vice versa.

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SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
Fig. 8 Oil water contact.
Compartmentalisation - The characteristic nature of
the reservoir fluids maybe be described by plotting
different groups of gas ratios in binary diagrams such as
C1/C3 vs C2/C3. If the reservoir possesses a good
degree of uniform porosity, then all points from gas
analysis, related to the same fluid type, follow a straight
line, with no dispersion.
When considering different fluid types which have been
generated by the same source rock, but without there
being any influences other than the fractioning effect,
all points fall in the same line (Fig. 9)
When different paths are encountered, which are
highlighted by different angular coefficients of the ideal
lines that join all points from the same fluid type. These
differences are normally related to differences in
maturity grade or other effects such as water washing,
biodegradation, etc. (Fig. 10).
Using binary diagrams it is possible to distinguish
different fluid compartments caused by gravitational
separation (fractioning), different maturity grades
amongst differing fluids, migration effects, etc.
10
Fig. 9 Fractioning effect within the same formation.
Fig. 10 Two different formations with different fluid
types.
Fluid phase density - For GC-TRACER the fluid
density is calculated in real time and continuously
monitored in order to appreciate any existing fluid
phase changes and also to assess the physical bounds of
the reservoir.
From the perfect gas law it is possible to derive a
quantity of substance per unit volume:
n P
= (eq. 12)
V RT
Each analysed gas compound can be expressed in
volume percentage and its value is then multiplied by its
relative molecular mass (Table 1) in order to obtain its
molecular mass per mole (Table 2).
The sum of all molecular masses provides the total
molecular mass for that particular gas composition.
From Table 2 the total molecular mass is calculated as
2630.54 g/mol.
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 SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008

CONCLUSION

Semi-permeable membrane gas extraction, associated

with a High Speed TCD GC represents an excellent
method for gas analysis while drilling. The primary
difference between GC-TRACER and all other forms of
gas trap based analysis is provided by the quantitative
approach in both extraction via the membrane and in the
representation of the gas in mud values through the
development of the associated algorithms. Traditional
gas trap analysis cannot appreciate all lithological
changes or fluid type changes whereas the semi-
Table 1 C1-C8 alkanes relative molecular mass. permeable membrane achieves extremely accurate
figures which are comparable with MDT gas analysis.
Molecule Volume Mr MM
% g/mol The fluid density calculated in real time and in
Methane 65.54 16 1048.64 comparison with methane content, provides a quick
Ethane 13.61 30 408.3 view of the reservoir behaviour.
Propane 10.47 44 460.68
Today the new technologies applied in gas while
i-Butane 2.22 58 128.76 drilling allow the study of not only the physical features
n-Butane 4.03 58 233.74 of the reservoir in terms of delimitation and phases
i-Pentane 1.36 72 97.92 within the pores of the rock, but to extend the studies to
n-Pentane 1.35 72 97.2 examine new geochemical correlations and find links
Hexane 0.04 86 3.44 between the features of macromolecules and isotopic
Heptane 0.39 100 39 ratios, spatial variations or other geochemical analysis.
Octane 0.99 114 112.86
The objective of this paper is to highlight the
Table 2 Calculated molecular mass per mole. improvements which have been achieved in gas OOO
detection while drilling and underline that new
From the eq. 12 n/V is already a density and so it is methodologies will strengthen and help integrate the
possible to derive the following units: research into gas while drilling applications, which are
still under estimated.
g
atm The immediate practical advantages provided by this
g
= mol = (eq. 13) system and the interpretative methods described, can be
L atm L
K summarised as follows:
mol K
Provide capability to identify:
The gas constant R, derived from Boltzman constant, is lithological changes and formation tops;
equal to 0.082 (Latm)/(molK). reservoir physical delimitation
different hydrocarbon fluid phases
In order to obtain a density in g/cm3 the result has to be water contacts
divided by 100. lithological and structural barriers

In the density calculation the temperature (K) in eq. 13 Provide accurate estimations of:
is the mud temperature measured by the GC-TRACER fluid density
mud temperature sensor. rock permeability
biodegradation
In the previous case the mud temperature recorded at maturity grade
wellsite was 62C which corresponds to 335 K. fractioning grade
Therefore the density of the fluid is 0.957 g/cm3. gas leakage
thermal unit (BTU or J)

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SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, May 25-28, 2008
To perform:
Geostering
Tight gas sands evaluation
Gas dissolved in water evaluation
MDT sampling depth indication
MDT gas analysis comparison
FMI borehole video image comparison
PVT results comparison
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Our thanks to Aurel Brumboiu (ILI R&D Calgary) and
Carlo Carugo (ENI) for the important talks and
exchanges.
A special thanks to all GC-TRACER field engineers
and analysts, that have allowed the collection of high
quality data and helped to achieve these results.
REFERENCES
Breviere J., Herzaft B., Mueller N., 2002. Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) A
new Wellsite tool for continuous C1-C8 gas
measurement in drilling mud including original gas
extractor and gas line concepts. First results and
potential. SPWL 43rd Annual Logging Symposium,
June 2-5, 2005.
Brumboiu A..O., Hawker D.P., Norquay D.A.., Wolcott
D.K., 2000. Application of semi-permeable membrane
technology in the measurement of hydrocarbon gases in
drilling fluids. SPE 62525, Western Regional Meeting
June 19-23, 2000.
Brumboiu A.O., Hawker D.P., Norquay D.A., Law D.J.,
2005. Advances in chromatographic analysis of
hydrocarbon gases in drilling fluids the application of
semi-permeable membrane technology to high speed
TCD gas chromatography. SPWLA 46th Annual
Logging Symposium, June 26-29, 2005.
Chilingar G.V., Buryakovsky L.A., Eremenko N.A.,
Gorfunkel M.V, 2005. Geology and Geochemistry of oil
and gas. Elsevier 2005.
Grob R.L., Barry E.F., 2004. Modern Practice of Gas
Chromatography. Fourth edition. Wiley-Interscience,
2004.
Halliday D., Resnick R., 1994. Fondamenti di Fisica,
seconda edizione. Casa Editrice Ambrosiana Milano
1994.
12
Haworth J.H., Sellens M., Whittaker A., 1985
Interpretation of hydrocarbon shows using light (C1-
C5) hydrocarbon gases from mud-log data. AAPG
Bulletin 69, 1305-1310, 1985.
Kandel D., Quagliaroli R., Segalini G., Barraud B.,
2000. Improved integrated reservoir interpretation using
the gas while drilling (GWD) data. SPE 65176, 2000.
Killops S., Killops V. 2005 Introduction to organic
geochemistry, second edition. Blackwell Publishing
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McCain, W.D Jr, 1990. The properties of petroleum
fluids, second edition. PennWell Publishing Company
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McMurry J., 2004. Organic chemistry. Thomson
Brooks/Cole, 2004.
Peters K.E., Walters C.C., Moldovan J.M. 2005 The
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Giovanni N. Pinna is the lead GC-TRACER Formation
Evaluation Specialist. He holds an MSc in Geology
from the University of Cagliari, where he worked with
XRF, EDS and WDS. He has previously worked with
Geoservices and joined International Logging, at that
time Datalog Technology, in 2005. From 2006 he began
his involvement with GC-TRACER, working as a
specialist focusing on gas interpretative models and
correlation with WLL and well test data.
Douglas LAW is the General Manager for International
Loggings GC-TRACER Formation Evaluation Service
Division. After graduating in Geology & Physics, he
went onto research in the area of Marine Science,
obtaining a PhD from University of Wales. He joined
Datalog Technology in 1997 as a Geologist before
taking up a role as Operations Manager for Europe,
Africa & Asia. In 2005 he took on the role of setting up
and commercializing the GC-TRACER Formation
Evaluation Service.
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