Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Azimuthal
Resistivity
Imager
Schlumberger
ARI* Azimuthal
Resistivity
Imager
Schlumberger 1993
Schlumberger Wireline & Testing
P.O. Box 2175
Houston, Texas 77252-2175
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transcribed in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and recording,
without prior written permission of the publisher.
SMP-9260
An asterisk (*) is used throughout this document to
denote a mark of Schlumberger.
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dual laterolog resistivity measurements . . . . . .
Azimuthal resistivity measurements . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary azimuthal measurements . . . . . . . . . . . .
Orientation measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Modes of operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stand-alone operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Environmental corrections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Combinability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Resistivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Porosity and lithology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
6
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Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Borehole correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deep invasion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thin-bed analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fractured formations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heterogeneous formations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dip estimation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horizontal wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Borehole profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Groningen effect correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Features and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common ARI curve names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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ARI Azimuthal
Resistivity Imager
Introduction
The ARI Azimuthal Resistivity Imager, a newgeneration laterolog tool, makes directional deep
measurements around the borehole with a higher
vertical resolution than previously possible.
Using 12 azimuthal electrodes incorporated in a
dual laterolog array, the ARI tool provides a dozen
deep oriented resistivity measurements while
retaining the standard deep and shallow readings.
A very shallow auxiliary measurement is incorporated to fully correct the azimuthal resistivities for
borehole effect.
The formation around the borehole is displayed
as an azimuthal resistivity image. Although this
full-coverage image has much lower spatial resolution than acoustic or microelectrical images
those coming from the UBI* Ultrasonic Borehole
Imager tool or the FMI* Fullbore Formation
MicroImagerit complements them well because
of its sensitivity to features beyond the borehole
wall and its lower sensitivity to shallow features
(Fig. 1).
Background
The laterolog technique was introduced in 1951;
20 years later the DLL* Dual Laterolog Resistivity
tool was developed (Fig. 2). Together with induction tools, the DLL tool provided key input for
basic formation saturation evaluation.
Although anomalies such as the Delaware
and anti-Delaware effects have been overcome
by repositioning the measure and current return
electrodes, other reference electrode effects have
influenced deep laterolog measurements since their
early days. The Groningen effect, for example,
remains a particularly complex problem that
manifests itself as an increase in the deep laterolog
(LLd) reading in conductive beds overlain by
thick, highly resistive beds.
LLd
LLs
A2
A1
M2
M1
A0
M'1
M'2
A'1
A'2
Figure 2. Dual Laterolog sonde electrode distribution and current path shape.
Background
Principles
The ARI tool incorporates azimuthal electrodes
into the conventional DLL array. The electrodes
are placed at the center of the DLL tools A2
electrode (Fig. 3).
V0
,
I0
LLd
and
deep
azimuthal
resistivity
LLs
and
azimuthal
electrical
standoff
A2
A1
M2
M1
A0
M'1
M'2
A'1
A'2
Figure 3. ARI azimuthal electrodes are incorporated in the Dual Laterolog A2 electrode.
A monitor electrode is set in each current electrode, and a feedback loop controls the electrode
current. The monitor electrode is thus maintained
at the mean potential of the annular monitor electrodes that lie just inside the A2 guard electrode
on either side of the array (M3 and M4 in Fig. 4).
The mud in front of the azimuthal current
electrodes is effectively equipotential. The 12
azimuthal currents (Ii) and the mean potential of
the M3 and M4 electrodes relative to the cable
armor (Vm) are measured. From these data 12
azimuthal resistivities (Ri) are computed:
Ri = k'
Vm
,
Ii
A2
A2
Vm
M3
M3
Figure 4. Azimuthal
electrode array and
current paths in both
measurement modes.
dV = 0
Ii
Ic
M4
M4
A2
Principles
dVi
A2
Auxiliary mode
dVi
,
Ic
Orientation measurements
The orientation of the ARI tool is measured
with a GPIT* General Purpose Inclinometry
Tool, the device used to orient many dipmeter
and imaging logs.
Specifications
The ARI tool is evolving; therefore, some
specifications in Table 1 may change.
Length
33.3 ft [10.1 m]
Weight
Vertical resolution
Azimuthal resolution
Temperature rating
350F
Pressure rating
20,000 psi
Mud resistivity
Specifications
Operation
The lower sections of the ARI tool contain the
dual laterolog A1, A0, A'1 and A'2 electrodes,
which are essentially identical to those used in the
DLL tool. The upper azimuthal section uses the
top and bottom parts of the dual laterolog A2
electrode as its LL3 guard electrodes. This
section can be operated independently from the
lower sections in a stand-alone configuration.
The ARI tool can be logged at 3600 ft/hr; when
dip estimation is required, however, logging speed
is reduced to 1800 ft/hr and data channels are
sampled every 0.5 in. for greater accuracy.
Modes of operation
In the principal mode of operation, the active
mode, current is emitted by each of the current
electrodes, and 12 calibrated resistivities are
available in real time. In addition, the conventional
deep and shallow laterolog measurements (LLd
and LLs) are available.
Stand-alone operation
When induction devices are preferred to laterologs
and a deep-formation resistivity image is required,
the azimuthal section can be run in combination
with an induction tool (for example, the AIT*
Array Induction Imager Tool).
Environmental corrections
Any laterolog-type measurement is subject to
a borehole correction that is a function of the
borehole diameter and of the ratio of formation
Borehole Corrections
3 5 8-in. ARI tool, active mode, tool centered, thick beds
1.3
1.2
1.1
6 in.
8 in.
10 in.
12 in.
0.7
0.6
0.5
1
10
100
1000
10,000
100,000
Ra /Rm
Figure 5. Borehole corrections applied to the LLhr log recorded in active mode.
Environmental corrections
1
0.9
Rt = 50 ohm-m
Rxo = 10 ohm-m
Rm = 0.1 ohm-m
Hole diameter = 8 in.
0.8
0.7
0.6
Rt Ra
Rt Rxo
0.5
0.4
0.3
LLhr
0.2
LLd
0.1
LLs
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1
0.9
0.8
Rt = 1 ohm-m
Rxo = 10 ohm-m
Rm = 0.1 ohm-m
Hole diameter = 8 in.
0.7
0.6
Rt Ra
Rt Rxo
0.5
0.4
0.3
LLhr
0.2
LLd
0.1
LLs
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
20
10
R t 1 = 1 ohm-m
R t 2 = 10 ohm-m
Rm = 0.1 ohm-m
Hole diameter = 6 in.
Ra
(ohm-m)
LLhr
1
LLd
LLs
0.5
30
24
18
12
12
18
24
30
Figure 7. LLhr log response compared with LLd and LLs logs across a
resistivity step boundary. The significant improvement in vertical resolution is apparent.
10
Environmental corrections
Combinability
The ARI tool is combinable with a wide variety of
other tools including the following:
Auxiliary
Resistivity
Others
DSI* Dipole Shear Sonic Imager
Applications
New applications are being developed and discovered as experience with the ARI service grows in a
variety of environments. We discuss here the more
important applications known and proven with
examples at this time.
Borehole correction
The electrical standoff measurements can be used
to correct the azimuthal resistivities for tool eccentering and variations in borehole shape and size.
The correction to be applied is a function of the
electrical standoff measurements, mud resistivity
and formation resistivity. Correction algorithms
have been derived from tool modeling.
Figure 8. Electrical diameters and uncorrected azimuthal resistivities with the ARI tool centered
and eccentered, and borehole-corrected azimuthal resistivities.
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Applications
Deep invasion
Figure 9 shows ARI and MicroSFL logs over a
deeply invaded zone. Conductive-invasion separation between the MSFL, LLs and LLd curves is
apparent. The LLhr curve, while showing more
detail, generally follows the LLd curve quite
Figure 9. Deep conductive invasion example showing that the LLhr curve has a
depth of investigation similar to that of the LLd curve and a vertical resolution
approaching that of the MSFL curve.
Thin-bed analysis
The deep, high-resolution resistivity measurements
(vertical resolution less than 1 ft) can be used to
improve the quantitative evaluation of laminated
formations. In such formations the resistivity
image helps ensure that potential hydrocarbon
zones are not missed and guides the selection of
subsequent logs.
Figure 10. 1-ft beds barely visible on the LLd and LLs curves are
clearly seen by the azimuthal resistivity curves. Dipping beds and
azimuthal heterogeneities can also be seen on the ARI image.
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Applications
Fractured formations
As with any resistivity device, the ARI response
is strongly affected by fractures filled with conductive fluids. Fig. 11 shows a simulated log of
the ARI tool as it passes in front of a horizontal
(perpendicular to the wellbore) fracture of infinite
extension filled with conductive fluid.
The resistivity reading in front of the fracture
drops sharply. The signal departs from the baseline
(the matrix resistivity reading) for an interval
shorter than 1 ft. The fracture signal can be
characterized by measuring the area of added
conductivity 1,2 in front of the fracture.
200
100
E = 1 ohm-m
Rm = 0.1 ohm-m
Rb = 100 ohm-m
Hole diameter = 6 in.
LLhr
(ohm-m)
10
24
21
18
15
12
0 3
9 12 15 18 21 24
Figure 12. Highly dipping fractures can be identified on the ARI images
at the depth of each sharp resistivity trough. Separation between LLs and
LLd curves confirms a vertical fracture below X975 m.
16
Applications
Heterogeneous formations
Resistivity readings of the LLd and LLhr logs can
be strongly affected by azimuthal heterogeneities.
In such cases the azimuthal image can greatly
improve the resistivity log interpretation. A
selected azimuthal resistivity can be used for
quantitative evaluation of the formation.
Figure 13 shows ARI and FMI images displayed with ARI resistivity curves in a formation
with dipping beds and surfaces, and with some
azimuthal heterogeneities. It is interesting to
Figure 13. ARI and FMI images in a heterogeneous formation. Compare the low-resistivity
depths (X91.4 and X92.2); one is a heterogeneity, and the other is an azimuthally continuous
event.
Dip estimation
Horizontal wells
The responses of azimuthally averaged measurementsLLd, LLs and induction logs, for exampleare influenced by beds lying parallel and
near the borehole. This situation often arises in
horizontal wells, particularly when the well is
steered to closely follow the top of the reservoir.
The quantitative azimuthal image of the ARI tool
helps to detect and identify these nearby beds so
the most representative reading can be selected
from the quantitative azimuthal deep resistivity
measurements.
Figure 14. Excellent agreement between sedimentary dips derived from ARI
images and dipmeter data.
18
Applications
Borehole profile
Figure 15 shows the 12 auxiliary-mode azimuthal
borehole curves, recorded in conductivity units.
The spread of the curves indicates some tool
eccentering or borehole irregularity such as ovality. Tracks 2 and 3 show FMI calipers recorded
with orthogonal pairs of caliper arms and an
Figure 15. Borehole profile from ARI caliper measurements compared with measurements made
with FMI calipers. Agreement is good except where the FMI caliper arms have not been fully
opened below X770 ft.
20
Applications
Features
Benefits
Groningen-corrected resistivity
(no casing present)
Structural dip
Groningen-corrected resistivity
(casing present)
22
Stand-alone mode
Curve name
Sample
rate
Description
AC01 to AC12
0.5 in.
AR01 to AR12
0.5 in.
CALE
0.5 in.
CC01 to CC12
0.5 in.
CLLD
6 in.
LDCG
6 in.
LHCG
6 in.
LLD
6 in.
LLDG
6 in.
LLG
6 in.
LLHC
0.5 in.
LLHG
0.5 in.
LLHR
0.5 in.
LLS
6 in.
RC01 to RC12
0.5 in.
RR01 to RR12
0.5 in.
References
1.
2.
3.
Recommended reading
Davies DH, Faivre O, Gounot M-T, Seeman
B, Trouiller J-C, Benimeli D, Ferreira AE,
Pittman DJ, Smits J-W and Randrianavony M:
Azimuthal Resistivity Imaging: A New
Generation Laterolog, paper SPE 24676,
presented at the 67th SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition, Washington, DC,
October 47, 1992.
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