Tutorial 1 Chapter 1 & 2 Sept 2015

1. Describe the principle of Measurement While Drilling (MWD).

Advanced logging operation allowing acquisition of log data via tools placed in the
actual drilling assembly, which transmit the data to the surface on a real-time basis or
store the data in a downhole memory from which it may be downloaded when the
assembly is brought back to the surface.

Their use may be justified when:

a. real time information is required for operational reason, e.g. steering a well
b. safeguarding information if there is a risk of losing the hole
c. the trajectory where wireline acquisition is difficult

Logging while drilling (LWD) is a technique of conveying (transport/carry) well logging

tools into the well borehole downhole as part of the bottom hole assembly (BHA).

2. State five (5) applications of the Gamma Ray log.

Applications of GR Log
1. Discrimination between reservoir and non-reservoir rocks
2. Computation of clay content in reservoir rocks
3. Well to well correlation in a field
4. Identification of reservoir characteristics
5. Determination of depositional environment

3. Describe the working principles of the logging tools below:

i) Acoustic/Sonic.

ii) The sonic tool measures the time taken by sound wave to travel across one foot
of formation.
iii) The sonic transit time is affected by the rock matrix, porosity and the type of fluid
in the pore spaces.

iv) Spontaneous Potential (SP).

SP is a recording of the difference between the electrical potential of a movable

electrode in the borehole and the electrical potential of a fixed surface electrode
 Application of SP tool:
1. Permeable zone identification
2. Fluid type identification
3. Connate water salinity determination
Across shales, SP curve defines a more or less straight line to represent shale
baseline.
Across permeable formation , SP curev show defelection from shale baseline. If the
deflection is positive, Rmf<Rw and if the defelection is negative, Rw<Rmf.
In poor permeability formations, depleted reservoir or the use of very heavy drilling
mud may result in Rw derived from SP to be too low.

4. Describe the five (5) types of well logging conveyance methods

1. Wireline conveyed logging

2. Drill pipe conveyed logging (TLC/PCL)
3. Logging While Drilling (LWD)
4. Coiled tubing conveyed logging
5. Slick line (piano wire) conveyed logging

5. Describe the working principle and type of porosity measured by the Neutron and
Density log.

i) Neutron Log:

- The tool measures total porosity.

- High energy (fast) neutrons are continuously emitted from a Am Be radioactive source in
the neutron tool.
- These neutrons collide with nuclei of the formation minerals just like "snooker ball"
collisions. With each collision, the neutron loses some of its energy.
- The greatest energy loss occurs when the neutron strikes a nucleus of practically equal
mass, i.e. a hydrogen nucleus.
 - Neutron tool responds to all the hydrogen atoms in the formation, including those
chemically combined in the formation matrix minerals. For example the water of
crystallization in minerals such as gypsum (CaSO4 +2H2O). Neutron tool depends on
the Hydrogen Index (H) of the formation.

ii) Density Log:

- Density measurements are made by emitting medium energy gamma-rays in the

formation and measuring the number, as well as, the energy of the gamma-rays
returning back to the tool.
- Number of gamma-ray collisions proportional with electrons. Electron density of
formation, True Bulk Density of formation and density of rock matrix material, the
formation porosity, and density of fluids filling the pore space.
- The tool measures total porosity.

6. Spontaneous Potential (SP) and Gamma Ray (GR) are two logging tools mainly used
for lithology determination. Both tools can be used to identify the permeable and non-
permeable zones.

i) Identify the three (3) radioactive elements detected by Gamma Ray (GR) tool.
Discuss with relevant justification, the GR response at permeable and non-
permeable zones.

Total GR measured by the log can be separated into its respective portions of
potassium, thorium and uranium using spectral analysis technique.

GR Log measures natural Gamma Rays and is used to differentiate between

reservoir and non-reservoir rock
 ii) In Spontaneous Potential (SP) log, deflection of the curve is due to the current flow
created by shale potential and liquid-junction potential. Salinity has a major effect on
the SP log response. Describe the effect of salinity (mud filtrate and formation water)
in the determination of permeable zone.
Assignment Question

b) Capillary pressure exists whenever two immiscible phases are present. If both phases
are present on a surface, a contact angle is produced. Analyze the effect of pore throat
size on the capillary pressure. Relate this effect to the reservoir quality.
Assignment Question