Landmark Graphics Corporation

Progressive Interpretive Applications

Shaly Sand

Overview
Shaly Sand solves interpretation problems in a reservoir of known and
consistent lithology containing variable amounts of shale. You input the
type of matrix (sandstone, limestone, etc.), and the program solves for
effective porosity (e), water saturation (Sw), and the apparent
hydrocarbon density (hc app) using Schlumberger charts CP-9 and
CP-10. This approach uses the Poupon-Gaymard technique for residual
hydrocarbon corrections to the neutron and density logs.
The minimum logging suite is the neutron (SNP or CNL), density, and
deep resistivity (Rt). An Rxo device is preferred for the calculation of
residual hydrocarbon saturation (SHR), but an empirical equation is
available if there is no Rxo device. This empirical equation uses Sw to
compute SHR. A sonic log can be used to compute porosity when hole
conditions are bad and the neutron and/or density is effected.
For additional reference to this shaly sand interpretation technique, see
Schlumberger, Log Interpretation, Volume 1Principles, chapters 14,
15, and 18.

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The diagram below provides a conceptual view of the Shaly Sand

interpretive model.
N

INPUT

Rt

(Rxo)

Vsh

TEMP

(S)

(m)

Indonesian
Hydrocarbon
Correction

Simandoux
Modified Simandoux

Vcoal
Vsalt
shale

Vcoal
Vsalt
hydrocarbon

sand

Undisturbed
Zone

water

Flushed
Zone

Vclay

hc app

Bvw

Sxo
Bvw Sxo

OUTPUT

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Sw

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Shaly Sand input curves and output curves along with alternative
notation are listed below.
Input Curves (aka)

Output Curves (aka)

Neutron Porosity (NPHI, N)

Effective Porosity (PHIE, e)

Density Porosity (D)

Corrected Shale Volume (VCLC,

Vsh corr)

Sonic Porosity (S)

Clay Flag (CFL)

True Resistivity (Rt)

Unlimited Water Saturation (SwU)

Shale Volume (VCL, Vsh)

Water Saturation (Sw)

Temperature (Temp)

Apparent Hydrocarbon Density

(RHOHA, hc app)

Flushed Zone Resistivity (Rxo)

Porosity Flag (PHIFLAG)

Cementation Exponent (m)

Unlimited Flushed Zone Water

Saturation (SxoU)

Process Record (Shale Flag)

Flush Zone Water Saturation (Sxo)

Coal Volume (VCOAL, Vcoal)
Salt Volume (VSALT, Vsalt)
Bulk Volume Water (BVW)
Bulk Volume Water Flushed Zone
(BVWSxo)

For a list of all Shaly Sand parameters, defaults, descriptions, and

values, see the online-only PetroWorks Parameters manual. The
same information for individual parameters can be accessed by double
clicking (MB1) on any cell in that parameters column.

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Before You Start

Before you begin working in Shaly Sand, you need to set up some
program preferences and prepare your data for processing. See Before
You Start on page 15 in the Progressive Interpretive Applications
manual to review how to set your project preferences and prepare your
data.
Once you have completed your preparatory work, you can access Shaly
Sand from the PetroWorks Command Menu by selecting Interp >
Petrophysics > Shaly Sand.
The Shaly Sand window appears. See Processing on page 16 in the
Progressive Interpretive Applications manual for general instructions
on using this window.

Workflow
Shaly Sand works in tandem with Wellbore Parameter Editor. The
general work flow is
1. Select wells, depth units, depth range, sample interval, and
processing direction in the Shaly Sand window.
2. Invoke Wellbore Parameter Editor from the Shaly Sand window.
3. Select parameters and curves.
4. Save your WPE session.
5. Return to Shaly Sand to process the data.
6. Check the results using Tabular List or graphically view the output
curves with Single Well Viewer or LogEdit.

General
Interpretive
Application
Workflow

Interp App
WPE

logs

tab list

xplot

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Interacting with Wellbore Parameter Editor

Once you have chosen your wells, units, depths, and processing
direction, invoke the WPE from within the Shaly Sand window.
Why are some Wellbore Parameter Editor cells greyed out?
To assist you in efficiently using WPE, parameters that you cannot change or that
are not neededon the basis of the logic parameters you selectare greyed out.

Setting Petrophysical Parameters

WPE is set up so that when you select the logic switches needed to
obtain the output curves you desire, many unnecessary parameters are
greyed out. These visual clues help guide you in efficiently entering
other required values. For this reason it is imperative that you make
your logic and algorithm choices first. Be sure to switch off any logic
choices you dont require for the output curves you need.
The Parameter Groups for Shaly Sand are

Algorithm
Logic
Discriminators & Limits
Factors & Indices
Formation Fluids
Clay & Shale
Matrix
Minerals
Input Curves
Output Curves

Algorithm
1. Select the Water Saturation Equation. (for background information,
see Appendix A: Water Saturation Equations Used
in Shaly Formations on page 285).

Indonesian,
Simandoux, or
Modified Simandoux

Also see Water Saturation (Sw) on page 125.

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2. Select the Residual Hydrocarbon Equation to use:

From Rxo, or
From Sw

3. Select Neutron Log Type. The neutron must be in decimal

limestone units.

CNL, or
SNP

4. Select the Source of m value:

Input Numeric Value, or

m Input Curve (fill in the input curve name if this option is
desired)

5. Vary m With Vclay: Variable m with Clay Volume. When this logic
is selected, m is increased if Clay Volume is greater than the input
parameter Clay Volume Limit (Discriminators & Limits group).

Logic
1. Sonic Limit Logic: Select if you want to use Sonic to limit e.
2. Test for Coal: The program uses the neutron and density to test for
the presence of coal.
3. Test for Salt: The program uses the neutron and density to test for
the presence of salt.

Other Parameters
Once you have entered the appropriate Algorithm and Logic choices,
WPE will guide you through the other selections you need to make by
greying out cells that are not applicable. Review all preset parameters
to make sure they are appropriate for your data. Remember that if you
change the value of a global parameter, the change applies to all
applications using WPE data, not just the one you are currently using.
The table below lists the remaining parameters by parameter group and
provides a brief explanation for each. A (g) preceding a parameter
name indicates a global parameter. For a complete list of all Shaly Sand
parameters, curves, default values, and units, see the online-only
Parameters manual.
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Parameter

Progressive Interpretive Applications

Description

Discriminators & Limits

Clay Volume Limit
(VO/CL LM, V0)

The cutoff value of Clay Volume where the porosity limit logic will be increased and
the Vary m With Vclay logic will be used, and computations of apparent hydrocarbon
density (hc app) will be made.

Maximum Porosity

Maximum porosity expected in the clean zone; used in the porosity limit logic for bad
hole conditions

Water Saturation
Exponent (EXP)

Exponent of Swt to be used to limit Sxot.

Residual Hydrocarbon
Saturation Limit
(PHISHRLIM)

Test where no calculation of apparent hydrocarbon density (hc app) will be

performed. When the value of e * SHR is less than or equal to input limit, no
calculation is performed.

Factors & Indices

(g) Tortuosity Factor (a)

Formation factor constant

(g) Cementation
Exponent (m)

Required only if value is selected for the Source of m value logic

(g) Saturation Exponent

(n)

Saturation exponent for the Archie equation

(g) Invasion Factor Sw

Sxo (IF SwSxo)

Empirical invasion factor used for the calculation of SHR from Sw; leave blank if an
Rxo is available

Formation Fluids
(g) Water Resistivity
(Rw)

Formation Water Resistivity

(g) Water Resistivity

Temp (Rw Temp, Rwt)

Temperature of the Formation Water Resistivity; the program corrects Rw for

formation temperature

(g) Mud Filtrate

Resistivity (Rmf)

Mud Filtrate Resistivity; required if Rxo is entered

(g) Mud Filtrate

Resistivity Temp (Rmf
Temp, Rmft)

Mud Filtrate Resistivity Temperature; required if Rmf is entered

Clay & Shale

(g) Shale Porosity (N

Neutron Porosity in shale

sh)

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Parameter

Description

(g) Shale Density

Porosity (D sh)

Density Porosity in shale

(g) Shale Sonic Porosity

(S sh)

Sonic Porosity in shale

(g) True Resistivity

Shale (Rt sh)

Resistivity in shale

Matrix
(g) Shale Rxo

Microresistivity in shale

Minerals
(g) Coal Neutron
Porosity (NEU COAL,
N coal)

Neutron porosity value to test for coal; used when Test for Coal logic is selected

(g) Coal Density (PHI D

COAL D coal)

Density porosity value to test for coal; used when Test for Coal logic is selected

(g) Salt Neutron

Porosity (NEU SALT,
N salt)

Neutron porosity value to test for sal; used when Test for Salt logic is selected

(g) Salt Density (PHI D

SALT, D salt)

Density porosity value to test for salt; used when Test for Salt logic is selected

Selecting Input Curves

The required input curves are automatically sensitized and set to default
curve names. You many use these curves or select other curves.
Select Curve...
Remember you can use Select Curve... (click MB3 after selecting a cell or column
in WPE) to help you input existing curve names. You can display just those logs
that are common to all wells, or you can display all curves in all wells.

Specifying Output Curves

Output curves are automatically sensitized on the basis of algorithm,
logic, and other parameter selections and are set to default names. You
may use these defaults or select other names. Some output curves may
not be calculated due to the lack of an input curve or as the result of
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certain logic and parameter entries. In such instances, output curves are
greyed out. Some output curves are generated as inputs to other
calculations, and you may not wish to save these to the database. In
these cases, be sure that the Write Flag is set to no.

Porosity Flag
The output curve Porosity Flag is an indicator of the type of logic used
to compute e. The flags are as follows:
Porosity Flag

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Type of Logic Used

No limits were applied to e

10

e is limited to be 0

11

e is limited to be limit1

12

Shale logic, V sh > V 0 , and no hc app is computed

14

Sonic limit logic; e is limited to be S corr

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Processing the Model

When you are satisfied with your curve and parameter selections, you
are ready to run the model.
To run the model,
1. Save the current WPE session.
2. Return to the interpretive application window.
3. Click on the Process button to begin the calculations.
The Status window will alert you when the process is complete.

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How the Application Processes Data

Shaly Sand
Method
Summary

Check for Salt and

Coal Logic
Shale corrected
Neutron and Density
porosities:
N corr and D corr

Compute 1 from
chart Por-9
Limit
0 1 limit
Compute Sw
Sw f/1?

Is Rxo log available?

No

Compute SHR
from Sw using
empirical
equation

Yes
Compute Sxo

Limit Sxo
EXP
S w S xo S w
Compute SHR
SHR = 1 S xo

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Shaly Sand
Method
Summary
(continued)

Landmark

1
Is Vsh < V0 ?

YesShale Logic

No
Is 1 SHR < LIMIT ?
No
N corr
Is ----------------- > 0.95 ?
D corr

YesLow and
Wet Logic

Set hc app = 1.00

YesOil Logic

Set hc app = 0.8

NoGas Logic
Compute DEL from
chart CP-9

Recompute Sw & Sxo

as f/e

Compute e
e = 1 DEL

Set e = 1
Sw = Sw
S xo = S xo

Compute hc app from

chart CP-10

Limit
0.15 hc app 0.79
Is Sonic Limit Logic
Selected?

No

Yes
Shale correct S

S corr

Limit e
e S corr

Recompute Sw & Sxo

Compute BVW
BVWSxo
End of level

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Shaly Sand uses the following algorithms to calculate output curves.

Bold descriptions indicate Wellbore Parameter Editor input and output
curves.

(1)

Clay Volume
Clay Volume (Vsh) and Clay Flag are determined in the Shale Volume
application and are input curves to the program. The output curves
Corrected Clay Volume and Clay Flag differ from their corresponding
input curves only if the Clay Volume is changed within the program, as
in the case of salt or coal.

(2)

Input Neutron, Density, and Sonic Porosities

The porosity values input to the program must be corrected for drilling
fluid (mud filtrate). The density porosity (D) must be corrected for
mud filtrate density (mf), the neutron porosity (N) for hydrogen index
(HI), and the sonic porosity (S) for fluid travel time (tfl). These
corrections can be made in Log Functions or MathPack. Because the
program requires known and consistent lithology, the matrix effects
(sandstone, limestone, or dolomite) must be consistent inputs (i.e.,
sandstone neutron, sandstone density, and sandstone sonic, etc.).

(3)

Coal Logic
When coal logic is selected, the values for Coal Neutron Porosity
(N coal) and Coal Density Porosity (D coal) are entered by the user.
Coal is present when
Density Porosity > Coal Density
and
Neutron Porosity > Coal Neutron Porosity

When coal is detected,

V coal = 1.00
V sh corr = 0
Shale Flag = 10
e = 0
S w = 1.00
S xo = 1.00
hc app = 1.00
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(4)

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Salt Logic
When salt logic is selected, the values for Salt Neutron Porosity (N salt)
and Salt Density Porosity (D salt) are entered by the user.
Salt is present when
Density Porosity > Salt Density
and
Neutron Porosity < Salt Neutron Porosity

When salt is detected,

V salt = 1.00
V sh corr = 0
Shale Flag = 11
e = 0
S w = 1.00
S xo = 1.00
hc app = 1.00

(5)

Correction of Density Porosity for Shale

Density porosity is corrected for shale by

D corr = D ( V sh D sh )

where
D = Density Porosity
V sh = Shale Volume
D sh = Shale Density Porosity

(6)

Correction of Neutron Porosity for Shale

Neutron porosity is corrected for shale by

N corr = N ( V sh N sh )

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where
N = Neutron Porosity
V sh = Shale Volume
N sh = Shale Neutron Porosity

(7)

Computation of First Porosity (1) from Schlumberger Chart CP-9

CNL Neutron
( 14.5 N corr ) + ( 50.5 D corr )
1 = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------65

SNP Neutron
( 14.5 N corr ) + ( 50.5 D corr )
1 = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------50.5

(8)

Limit of 1
1 is limited by the following equations and logic:
limit1 = 1.1 max ( 1 V sh )
limit1 = 1.1 max ( 1 V sh )10

if V sh V 0
10 ( V sh V 0 ) 1.6

if V sh > V 0

where
max = Maximum Porosity
V 0 = Clay Volume Limit

1 is then limited to

0 1 limit1

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(9)

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Water Saturation (Sw)

Water saturation is computed from one of the following user-selected
equations. (For background information, see Appendix A: Water
Saturation Equations Used in Shaly Formations on page 285.)

Indonesian (Poupon-Leveaux)
[1 (V 2)]

sh
( V sh )
em 2
1
--------- = ----------------------------------------- + ---------------------------- ( S ) n 2
w
R sh
a R w corr
Rt

Simandoux
em ( S w ) n V sh S w
1
----- = ----------------------- + -------------------a R w corr
Rt
R sh

Modified Simandoux
V sh S w
em ( S w ) n
1
----- = ---------------------------------------------- + -------------------a R w corr ( 1 V sh )
Rt
R sh

where
Rt = True Resistivity
V sh = Shale Volume
R sh = True Resistivity Shale
m = Cementation exponent (user input as a value or an input curve)
a = Formation factor (input parameter)
R w corr = Formation water resistivity corrected to formation temperature
using the input Rw, Rwt, and temperature curve
e = Effective Porosity, computed from chart CP-9, 1
n = Saturation Exponent

Note: When Vary m With Vclay logic is selected, m is increased in the

higher shale volume zones to force water saturation to be 1.00.

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when ( V sh < V 0 )

m = m
m = m 10

( V sh V 0 )

when V sh V 0

Sw will be limited by the program to 1.00 (100%). SwU is the unlimited

water saturation that enables you to check the computed values in wet
zones for accuracy of inputs (Rw, a, m, n, etc.).

(10)

Flushed Zone Saturation (Sxo)

If an Rxo device is available, Sxo is computed from one of the following
user selected equations:

Indonesian (Poupon-Leveaux)
1 (V 2)

sh
( V sh )
em 2
1
------------- = ------------------------------------- + ----------------------------n2
R xo
R xo sh
a R mf corr ( S xo )

Simandoux
em ( S xo ) n V sh S xo
1
--------- = ------------------------- + --------------------a R mf corr
R xo
R xo sh

Modified Simandoux
em ( S xo ) n
V sh S xo
1
--------- = ------------------------------------------------ + --------------------R xo
a R mf corr ( 1 V sh )
R xo sh

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where
R xo = Flushed Zone Resistivity
V sh = Shale Volume
R xo sh = Shale Rxo [Matrix]
= Porosity computed in the program through iteration
m = Cementation Exponent (user input as a value or an input curve)
a = Formation Factor constant (input parameter)
R mf corr = Mud Filtrate Resistivity corrected to formation temperature
using the input Rmf, Rmf Temperature, and temperature curve
S xo = Flushed Zone Water Saturation
n = Saturation Exponent (or m plus constant) [Factors & Indices]

The computed SxoU will be limited to the following equation and will
be stored in the data base as Sxo:

EXP
S w S xo S w

where EXP is the user input exponent (normally, 0.2). This will prevent
all moved hydrocarbons in the event Rxo is effected by bad hole
conditions.
Residual hydrocarbon saturation is now:

SHR = 1 S xo

If no Rxo device is available, residual hydrocarbon saturation (SHR)

must be computed from Sw by the following empirical equation:

1
SHR = -------------- ( 1 S w )
1 + IF

Note: If no Rxo device is available, the Sxo and SxoU curves will not be
saved in the data base.

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The following plot shows the relationship between SHR, Sw, and IF:

0
IF
.1
5
.2

S xo = S w 0.2

.3

SHR

.4

1
.8

.5
.6

.5

.7
.2

.8
.9

0
1.0
1.0

.9

.8

.7

.6

.5

.4

.3

.2

.1

Sw
Plot of SHR vs. Sw with Various Values of IF

(11)

Effective Porosity and Fluid Type Logic

Clay Logic
When V sh > V 0 , then
e = 1
S w = S w computed
S xo = S xo computed
hc app = 1.00 (no apparent hydrocarbon density is computed)

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Water-Bearing and Low-Porosity Logic

When 1 SHR < Residual Hydrocarbon Staturation Limit , then
e = 1
S w = S w computed
S xo = S xo computed
hc app = 1.00 (the zone is water bearing or the porosity is
too low to compute apparent hydrocarbon density)
Oil Logic
When N corr D corr > 0.95 , then
e = 1
S w = S w computed
S xo = S xo computed
hc app = 0.8

Gas Logic and Light Hydrocarbon Logic

When the above logic tests fail, the apparent hydrocarbon is gas or light
hydrocarbon and a correction to 1 is necessary. (See Schlumberger
chart CP-9 for correction.)

e = 1 ( 0.1 SHR 1 )

Sw and Sxo are recomputed using this new value of effective porosity.
(12)

Calculation of Apparent Hydrocarbon Density (hc app)

When gas and light hydrocarbon logic is used, the program computes
the value of hc app. Because of the different depths of investigation of
the SNP and CNL and the different effects of residual hydrocarbon
responses, it is necessary to account for this effect. The program solves
SNP on the CP-10 chart; therefore, a CNL must be adjusted to a
pseudoSNP value before computing hc app.

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If the neutron is an SNP, then

N corr l = N corr

If the neutron is a CNL, then

( 14.5 D corr ) + ( 50.5 N corr )
N corr l = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------65

Now, apparent hydrocarbon density (hc app) is computed by

1 + SHR [ 1.17 + ( 0.72 ) ]
hy app = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------SHR [ 1.67 + ( 0.75 ) ]

where
N corr l
= ------------------ D corr l

hc app is then limited to

0.15 hy app 0.79

(13)

Sonic Limit Logic

The sonic porosity can be used to limit the effective porosity (e) when
the N-D porosity is too high due to borehole conditions (bad hole
logic).

Sonic Porosity Corrected for Clay

The sonic porosity is corrected for clay by

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S corr = S ( V sh S sh )

where
S = Sonic Porosity
S sh = Shale Sonic Porosity

Limit Test for Sonic Porosity

1. When S corr e , e is not changed.
2. When S corr < e , e = S corr and Sw and Sxo are recomputed
using the new e.

(14)

Calculation of Bulk Volume Waters (BVW and BVWSxo)

The Bulk Volume Water (BVW) and Bulk Volume Water Flushed Zone
(BVWSxo) are computed by
BVW = e S w
BVW Sxo = e S xo

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