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13.

Calibration & Quality Control

Reference
- Ph. Theys, Log data acquisition and quality control, 2nd Edition, Editions
Technip, 1999

Calibration
In order to ensure the correct working of a logging tool it has to be calibrated: see
Figure 1. Several calibration methods exist:
- Primary standards (Fig. 2):
Used to establish the tool response of newly manifactured logging tools.
Normally done in a large test pit, possibly close to the manufacturer.
Characteristics of these standards are as close as possible to true formation
characteristics. Only one out of (say) ten tools is calibrated in this way.
- Secondary standards (Fig. 3):
Used to confirm consistent tool response. It is available at the contractor base
(e.g. shop calibration). Examples of this type of calibrations are the
calibrations of the density and the neutron in an aluminium block and a water
tank respectively. This calibration should be sufficiently recent, e.g. less than 3
months old.
- Tertiary standards (Fig. 4):
Portable calibration equipment, used at the well-site, e.g. before and after the
logging survey. The before survey calibration should be done within 24 hours
of the job, after the tool has been transported. It transfers the shop calibration
to the tool and checks the tool operation. The after survey calibration should
be done immediately following the run. It verifies lack of drift during the survey.
- In situ calibrations:
Using known tool responses in certain formations / lithologies (e.g. anhydrite,
halite) and in casing. This has the advantage that the tool is calibrated
downhole, i.e. at formation temperature.
A table of common calibration procedures is given in Figure 5. The calibration
results are displayed at the end of the log. They should be checked against
contractor provided guidelines with respect to allowed tolerances (see e.g. Fig. 6:
an example of a calibration record, provided by Schlumberger).

Repeat Sections
The objective of repeat sections is to verify survey consistency and/or highlight
faulty electronics. The repeat section is often carried out before the actual survey,
and is normally done over 100 metre of reservoir interval (normally the bottom
interval) or over an area of known erroneous response.

Radio-active tools may show statistical scatter (dependent on logging speed and
borehole conditions); the interval average should repeat though. Pad / sidewall
tools may differ slightly due to different borehole trajectories. The other tools
should repeat exactly. Figure 7 shows an example of a print of a repeat section.

Wellsite Quality Checks


- Check calibrations
- Check depth measurement
- Check readings in marker beds (anhydrite, salt, )
- Overlay repeat sections
- Check consistency with mudlogs and other available information

Quality Control by Interpretation


- Check reservoir thickness on GR, density/neutron, SP and high resolution logs
- Compare lithologies obtained from mudlog, sidewall samples and density /
neutron (and/or sonic) logs
- Calculate porosity from density, neutron and sonic
- Ensure the consistency of fluid types obtained from resistivity, density /
neutron, cuttings, sidewall samples, gas chromatograph, wireline formation
test samples and pressure tests.

Causes of Poor Logs


- At manufacure: inadequate design, inadequate testing.
- At contractor base: inadequate maintenance, incorrect shop calibrations.
- At wellsite: incorrect calibration, poor procedures, bad hole, abnormal
pressure / temperature, improper (ex)centering, shock / vibration, abnormal
muds (gas, NaCl, KCl), abnormal lithologies (e.g. Groningen effect)
- After logging: poor editing may cause erroneous responses on the logs stored
on the database (Figure 8)
Tool calibration principle
Calibrated reading

Plus

Zero

Gain
Offset

Zero Tool Response Plus

Calibrated reading = gain * tool response + offset

Figure 1- Tool Calibration Principle

Neutron calibration pit


6 Diameter

Fresh Water

Carthage marble
6

(1.9% porosity index)

Indiana Limestone
6

(19% porosity index)

Austin Limestone
6

(26% porosity index)

Figure 2- Neutron Calibration Pit


Neutron shop calibration

Aluminium
sleeve

Water filled
tank

CNL
tool

Ratio measurement Same measurement


with sleeve down gives with sleeve withdrawn
PLUS reference gives ZERO reference

Figure 3- The Neutron Shop Calibration

Neutron well-site calibration


Jig containing
radioactive source

Logging
Unit

Rig site calibration verifies shop calibration

Figure 4- The wellsite calibration


Calibration procedures for common logging
tools

Litho (Spectral) Laterolog,


Density Neutron GR Induction SFL MSFL

Laboratory Test pit Testpit


calibration

Al + Fe Water filled Precision


Shop calibration blocks tank conductivity
loops
Jig with Jig with
Field calibration Internal radioactive radioactive Internal Internal
(before and after survey) source source source resistors resistors

Electronics check only: SP


Sonic
Dipmeter
Mechanical check: Caliper (using known diameter rings)

Figure 5 Calibration Procedures for Common Logging Tools

Calibrations

Figure 6- Calibration Summary, part of a log print


Figure 7- The Repeat Section, part of a log print

Incorrect
Edited GR from 3rd Party Editing of GR
(i.e. GR in csg.
left in)
Raw Gamma Ray
1700

1725

Figure 8- Example of poor editing

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