SPE-185605-MS

New Insight to Apply Azimuthal Geosteering

D. Cedeno, A. Alvarez, J. Fuentes, C. Portilla, V. Machare, and R. Erazo, Universidad Estatal Peninsula de Santa
Elena; K. Escobar, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral; R. E. Cedeño, Universidad Industrial de Santander

Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Latin America and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18-19 May 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
This work highlights the use of tools that can perform multi-space directional multifrequency propagation
measurements to drill horizontal wells in real time. The same that provide information such as the distance
of the geological limits and the orientation of fluids through interpretations that can be executed in real time
and recorded mode. The new concept of measurements and principles involves tilted and transverse antennas
to provide measurements that are sensitive to the orientation of the tool with respect to the geological
structure around the well, enhancing real time decision making and improving the geo-position trajectory
of productive wells.

Introduction
In view of the current need to increase the production of oil and gas deposits, especially in those with
the highest complexity, the oil and gas industry is optimizing the way hydrocarbon extraction takes place
in these fields, using the horizontal wells drilling technique along with the new generation of azimuth
geosteeringtechnology. Hence, horizontal drilling has been carried out recurrently in the last few years as a
form of enhanced oil recovery. However, precise geo-navigation is necessary to avoid risk of abandonment
if the well perforates the saturated areas of gas or water in the reservoir. At present, the geosteering is carried
out by high frequency induction recording methods (0.875 to 14 MHz) that allows to estimate the depth of
the interfaces with an accuracy defined by the measured resistivity errors[1].
According to the aforementioned, the tools to perform this type of operations represent an added value
of great importance for the industry. Therefore, this research work is focused on oil and gas well drilling
using tools to obtain data from studies of azimuth and gamma ray resistivity allowing the navigation in
complex environments in geological matter, optimizing to a large extent the displacement of the current
well trajectory on the planned trajectory, avoiding deviations and thus effectively improving the water / oil
contact, minimizing the associated risks with well abandoning, and avoiding collision with nearby wells[2].

Operational Theory
Intentionally controlling the trajectory of a directional well within a productive zone has currently two
methods, which are: to measure and recognize the targets in a three-dimensional way in a given space, and/
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or to interpret data based on the results of the measurements derived from the bottomhole data geological
records, in other words, directing the path of the well thanks to the azimuthal data obtained through
geological records in real time helps to optimize the well trajectory. In so-called mature deposits, low-
thickness sands, lateral changes of facies, unforeseen structural changes and low resistivity contrast, the
azimuth geosteering process is used to maintain a well in a given section of a reservoir in order to minimize
the influx of gas or water and maximize the economic production of the well.
An imperative need of the industry is to have the ability to geo-direct wells regarding the boundaries
of the reservoir, even when the well does not cross such limit. The commonly used resistivity propagation
LWD (Logging While Drilling) tools do not indicate whether a near boundary is approaching from above or
below because they are non-azimuthal tools. The tools for azimuthal geosteering consist of the incorporation
of tilted and transverse antennas in the drilling collar. Providing azimuthal orientation of the resistivity of
the reservoir boundaries in which it is desired to geo-position the well, these types of tools allow a proactive
geo-direction for optimized well placement, thus allowing visualization of a real-time interpretation of the
structure of the well and thus make decisions regarding direction.
In the particular case of Ecuador, in fields located in the eastern basin, where the aforementioned
geological scenarios are found on a recurring basis, the use of this type of tools becomes imperative when
drilling horizontally.
To explain the functionality of the tool, let'sconsider first the coupling between a transmitter and a
receiving antenna whose both moments are oriented in the same plane but at an arbitrary angle θT and θR,
respectively, with the axis of the tool. The voltage of the receiver as the tool rotates will vary depending on
the azimuthal angle of the tool face, ϕ, in the general form as shown in the following equations.
Eq. 1

Eq. 2
Where Vij (i, j = x, y, z) denotes the complex coupling between multicomponent and receiver transmitters,
oriented in the cartesian coordinate system fixed in space as follows; "z" along the axis of the tool and both
"x" and "y" perpendicular to the axis of the tool. In the case of a conventional resistivity tool, where both
antenna moments are oriented along the tool axis (θT = θR = 0), all coefficients will be zero except the zero-
order terms, aREO and aIMO. In the case of an arbitrary orientation transmitter and receiver, the first and second
order harmonic terms will also be greater than zero and will represent information on azimuth resistivity
and/or resistivity anisotropy variations. Therefore in the figure 1, whether the transmitter or the receiver is
along the axis of the tool (θT = θR = 0) the second-order harmonics disappear.
Eq. 3

Eq. 4

Eq. 5

Eq. 6

Eq. 7
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Figure 1—Axial-directional antenna coupling compared with axial-axial antenna coupling

For a directional transmitter-receiver, a directional attenuation and a directional displacement

measurement are defined as follows:

Eq. 8

and

Eq. 9

Eq. 10

and

Eq. 11

Where ϕ1 (f, t, r) = is an angle related with the formation orientation angle.

Eq. 12

The attenuation and phase shift, as well as the phase angle, are expressed exclusively in terms of
coupling coefficient ratios, measured between the same transmitter and receiver under the same bottomhole
conditions. Accordingly, any potential phase or gain deflections of the transmitter and/or receiver electronics
are removed from the measurements. Measurements representing second-order harmonic terms can be
similarly defined.
A measure with special sensitivity to anisotropy in quasi-vertical wells can be defined using the zero order
coupling coefficients between the tilted receivers R3 and R4 and the transverse transmitter T6, compensated
by the near axial transmitter T2.
The transmitter and receiver indices have been explicitly specified for the zero order coefficients in the b
coefficient. The measurements are a combination of a 44"and a 74" spacing, resulting in an effective spacing
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of 59 inches for anisotropy measurements. These measures have sensitivity to resistivity anisotropy, even
in vertical wells, since both the transmitter and the receivers include a transverse component.
Other measures can also be defined from the complex coefficients. For example, conventional phase shift
and attenuation measurements can be constructed from the zero order coefficients of R3 and R4 from axial
transmitters, in the same way as the anisotropy measurement except for T2 and T6 which are replaced by
axial transmitters.

Methodology for Tool Selection andGeological Model Development

Using petrophysical records of nearby wells, navigation models are developed, which simulate certain
subsoil scenarios, so the response of azimuthal and non-azimuthal LWD tools are simulated during drilling.
Likewise, the proposed seismic images are used to emulate the geological behavior and to establish a
correlation pattern. Once the historical records of the neighboring wells are raised within the planned
trajectory, the stratum dips are adjusted and measured. This step is imperative to select the type of directional
technology to perform the drilling.
It is necessary to determine the lateral section within the zone of interest, to make a primary geosteering
model using the historical records of wells near the planned trajectory and to be able to simulate the response
of the LWD tools, determining the resistivity anisotropy to obtain the azimuth and correlate it with the MWD
tools and in this way to project a trajectory with precise directions, to cross the zone of interest avoiding the
collision with the nearby wells. It is worth mentioning that while simulating the answers, several trajectories
are proposed, from which the most accurate and lowest distance from center to center with the neighboring
wells will be chosen[3].
For the case study of this article during the modeling, changes of apparent dipping were identified
between 5 to 8 degrees upwards. However, at the end of the lateral section, a marked change of apparent
dip of 10 to 13 degrees in the same direction was observed. The thickness of the reservoir was estimated to
be between 10-25 feet with an average resistivity of 200-300 ohm-m, and with gamma-ray values ranging
from 20 to 30 degrees API.
The detailed engineering works allow the implementation of a directional plan that couples to the
proposed geological model. After simulating the LWD tools responses, the contrasts of radioactive elements
are determined either at the top or at the bottom. This allows to include in the directional assembly a gamma
ray tool with high azimuth resolution and the use of spectral sensors to identify radioactive isotopes (Th,
K, U); likewise, it allows to select effectively if it requires to work with a conventional directional motor
or a continuous rotation system (RSS)as show in the Figure 2.

[1]
Figure 2—Azimuthal and gamma ray resistivity tools design and diagram
SPE-185605-MS 5

The azimuth high-resolution gamma ray recording tool consists primarily of a transverse and tilted
antenna, in addition to conventional axial antennas, to realize new types of deep directional measurements
that are sensitive not only to resistivity but also to the structure of the formation of the earth. These
measurements can be used to reconstruct the formation geometry around the well to help the proactive geo-
direction independent of the mud type.
This way, the well can be located by interpreting structures in real time, it also improves the formation
evaluation by providing a precise resistivity of the formation. In particular, the tool can provide structural
immersion at very low angles, vertical well anisotropy, fracture detection and orientation, anisotropy and
drop in the arbitrary deviation of the well.
Considering aspects such as depositional environments and the response of LWD curves in the developed
synthetic models, the sensors and the curves show an optimal response according to the selected drilling
scenario. For this reason, for the case study, the simulated tool responses were analyzed by selecting the
azimuth gamma ray technology and the azimuth resistivity described above.
With azimuth resistivity, multiple options are found because their operational principle is to emit different
frequencies for the formation and to receive the results of these electromagnetic waves with different depths
of investigation. For this reason, this case studies the frequencies of 2 MHz that were chosen because they
are more sensitive in low thickness strata, followed by tools capable of pulsating 400 kHz curves, trying
to solve the hypothetical case in which the channel would dilate its thickness and so continue navigating
within the target sand, maintaining the trajectory as close to the top of the reservoir as possible[4]. The tools
were arranged in a directional assembly with continuous rotation system (RSS) with several azimuth and
gamma ray resistivity sensors, to allow it to obtain appropriate measures in order tocorrect the trajectory in
the desired time and to ensure the interval perforated inside the deposit as show in the Figure 3.

Figure 3—Bottomhole assembly design with azimuthal and gamma ray resistivity and rotary steerable system tools

Real-time Curve Monitoring

It requires real-time measurements to carry out the work of geosteering and to determine the performance
of the tools in the beginning of these tasks, for this the response of each resistivity curve must be analyzed,
determining specific aspects in each of them, such as the sensitivity of the polarization effect, anisotropy
effects (depths, vertical resolution, invasion profile effect), positive or negative directional conductivity
curve and contrast levels that facilitate the calculation to determine the distance between the seal and the
base[5]. Likewise, the gamma ray curves are also analyzed, the distance of the curves for each of the quadrants
(up, down, left, right) as an approximation indicator to a lithological contrast area, and the azimuthal ray
images are processed to determine the local structural dip of the reservoiras show in the Figure 4.
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Figure 4—Real-time measurement analyzing the curve-to-curve resistivity response

Generally, the suitable curves to be pressed in real time according to the petrophysical properties of the
deposit, are those of deep resistivity of 2MHz and 400 KHz, because of the logging depths (surveys) and
because of the fact that they are sands of little thickness, they are more sensitive at the time of determining
the proximity of more conductive means up and down the tool in order to move away from the water-oil
contact (OWC) present in the field and from the upper limit of the clay deposit in the field. Referring to
gamma ray curves, the azimuth curves would be pulsed in order to determine lithological changes and, if
necessary, complementarily determine where the reservoir exit would be. Additionally, the images to be
interpreted confirm the apparent dipping of the strata that should be used, which could be calculated with
azimuth curves of resistivity

Conclusions
• The application of the azimuth geosteering allows to improve the operations in the reservoir,
optimizing associated costs.
• The use of LWD tools is mandatory to reduce the uncertainty percentage and to achieve a precision
increase in the geosteering operations, especially in deposits of little thickness.
• Using azimuthal geosteering tools can obtain a greater understanding of diffuse geology with a
high percentage of accuracy.
• Azimuthal tools have identified geological changes such as channels and stratigraphic variations.

Recommendations
Using continuous rotation well steering systems maximizes landing success at the reservoir as it allows real-
time decision making on the basis of curve-to-curve analysis of azimuth and gamma-ray resistivity.
SPE-185605-MS 7

References
1. M, Epov., V, Mironov., K, Muzalevskiy., I, Eltsov., U, Salomatov.: A geosteering tool for
horizontal well logging, Russian Geology and Geophysics (2013)
2. Phillips, I. C., Paulk, M. D., & Constant, A.: Real Real-time Geosteering. Society of Petroleum
Engineers (2000, January).
3. Mottahedeh, R.: Horizontal Well Geosteering: Planning, Monitoring And Geosteering. Petroleum
Society of Canada (2008, November 1).
4. D, Cedeno., J, Fuentes., A, Alvarez., C, Portilla.: Advantages of rotary steerable drilling applied
in eastern Ecuador, Revista Cientifica Tecnologia UPSE (2016, December).
5. Rider, M.: The Geological Interpretation of Well Logs, Second edition, Interprint ltd., Sutherland
Scotland (2002)