Well Log Interpretation

Earth & Environmental Science

University of Texas at Arlington
Interpretation
The primary goal of well log interpretation is to
determine whether there is petroleum, and if so, how
much can be recovered and how fast it will flow.
Well log interpretation is used to determine the
economic viability of the well: How profitable it will be
and how soon the drilling costs can be recovered.
Interpretation
Unless the stratigraphy
and reservoirs are
well known, the first
step is to scan the
well log for likely
reservoirs.
The well site geologist
will have information
about the location of
petroleum shows
Interpretation
Which logs would be
used for each of
these steps? What
would you look for in
those logs?
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rxo/Rt
One of the
reconnaissance
methods is the
relationship between
the SP curve and the
resistivity ratio R
xo
/R
t
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rxo/Rt
This technique works
because the SP log is
based on differences
in salinity which in
turn are related to
differences in
resistivity:
t
xo
w
mf
R
R
K
R
R
K Sp log * log * ~ =
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rxo/Rt
When the rock contains
only water, Rxo/Rt
will differ from the SP
only by a constant. If
petroleum is present.
Rt increases so the
two curves deflect
away from each
other.
t
xo
w
mf
R
R
K
R
R
K Sp log * log * ~ =
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rwa
Apparent Water
Resistivity (Rwa)
compares the deep
resistivity of various
zones in the well
bore. The lowest Rwa
is assumed to be
water, so high Rwa
must contain
petroleum.
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rwa
This works because
a
R
R
and
a
R
R
or
R F R
m
t
wa
m
o
w
w o
u
=
u
=
=
*
*
*
Need info about
lithology and porosity
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rwa
If the lowest Rwa
reading reflects only
water in the pores,
then the apparent
water saturation
(Swa) can be
estimated by:
zone wa
wa
wa
R
R
S
min
=
Quick-Look
Methods:
Rwa
This Swa assumes that
the zones being
compared have the
same lithology and
porosity.
zone wa
wa
wa
R
R
S
min
=
Quick-Look Methods:
Resistivity porosity
This method calculates a porosity from
resistivity data using the Archie
Equation, and assuming Sw = 1
In zones that are water filled, u is high
and equal to the true porosity.
In zones that have petroleum, Rt is high
and u is lower than the true value.
u
R
is plotted with porosity logs and
knowledge of the lithology is
assumed.
m
t
w
R
w
m
n
w t
w
R
n
m
t
w
w
R
R a
S When
S R
R a
or
R
R a
S
1
1
1
*
, 1
*
*
*
*
|
|
.
|

\
|
= u
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
= u
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
=
Quick-Look Methods:
Wet Resistivity (Ro)
Ro is the actual resistivity of the
formation and fluids. Rt is the
measured value.
Ro can be estimated from the formation
factor (a, m & u), and Rw.
Assuming a value for Rw and u, then Ro
is the estimate for the resistivity of a
water saturated zone.
m
w
R a
R
u
=
*
0
Quick-Look Methods:
Wet Resistivity (Ro)
When the calculated Ro is plotted with Rt, the deep
measurement by the log, the two traces should
overlay if there is no petroleum. Otherwise, the two
curves will diverge.
m
w
R a
R
u
=
*
0
Detailed Log Analysis
Once prospective hydrocarbon
zones have been identified,
then calculations of the
desired parameters for
economic evaluation are
made.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
Water saturation in the flushed
zone and the uninvaded zone
are calculated using the
Archie Equation.
n
m
xo
mf
xo
n
m
t
w
w
R
R a
S
and
R
R a
S
1
1
*
*
*
*
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
=
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
Instead of calculating Sw and
Sxo separately, it is useful to
calculate their ratio, because
the lithology factors are
eliminated.
w
mf
t
xo n
xo
w
R
R
R
R
S
S
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
Sw/Sxo is the Moveable
Hydrocarbon Index. If
Sw/Sxo = 1, no
hydrocarbons were moved.
If it is less than 0.7 for ss,
or less then 0.6 for carbs,
then petroleum will move.
2
1
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
w
mf
t
xo
xo
w
R
R
R
R
S
S
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
Instead of calculating Sw using
the Archie equation where
lithology parameters must be
known, water saturation can
also be estimated using the
ratio method without knowing
the lithology parameters.
n
m
t
w
w
R
R a
S
1
*
*
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
=
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
2
1
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
w
mf
t
xo
xo
w
R
R
R
R
S
S
The saturation ratio can be
determined using only
resistivity data (above). If
petroleum is present, then:
( )
5
1
w xo
S S ~
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
2
1
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
w
mf
t
xo
xo
w
R
R
R
R
S
S
Substituting Sxo gives Swr
(water saturation ratio
method).
( )
5
1
w xo
S S ~
8
5
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
w
mf
t
xo
wr
R
R
R
R
S
Detailed Log Analysis:
Water Saturation
Swr can be used as a check
on Sw computed using the
Archie equation
8
5
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
w
mf
t
xo
wr
R
R
R
R
S
n
m
t
w
w
R
R a
S
1
*
*
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
=
Detailed Log Analysis:
Irreducible Water Saturation
Water saturation, Sw, includes water that is bound to
particle surfaces, and water that will not move
because of capillary pressure. This is called
irreducible water saturation, S
wirr
.
If Sw = Swirr, then no water will be produced, which
is important to know in making an economic
evaluation of the well.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Bulk Volume Water
Bulk water volume
(BVW) = S
w
* u.
Table 7.1 shows estimates
of BWV at irreducible
water saturations, so
calculation of BVW can
show whether the
reservoir will produce
water along with
petroleum
Detailed Log Analysis:
Bulk Volume Water
Buckles plots are a way of determining whether the
reservoir is at Swirr. (The ordinate should be Sw,
not Swirr).
Detailed Log Analysis:
Bulk Volume Water
Plots of u against Sw will follow the hyperbolic
curves of BVW if the reservoir is at Swirr (left).
Otherwise, both petroleum & water production are
likely.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Assignment
On your spreadsheet from the previous resistivity
assignment, add columns to calculate water
saturation using the ratio method (Swr), Moveable
Hydrocarbon Index (MHI), and Bulk Volume Water
(BVW).
Make a Buckles plot of Sw and u to determine
whether the zones are at Swirr.
For each of the zones you have analyzed, describe
and explain the potential to recover hydrocarbons
economically.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Saturation Crossplots
With the advent of computers, graphical solutions to
the Archie equation arent so necessary any more.
However, there are two that are sometimes used
to get a visual picture of the productive zone
saturation.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Pickett Crossplot
The logarithmic form of the Archie equation can be
written in a couple of ways:
( )
( )
( )
t
m
w
w t
w
w w t
t
m
w
n
w
R
m
R a
or
m R a R
S if and
S n m R a R
R
R a
S
log
1
* log log
log * log log
, 1 ,
log log * log log
*
*
1
= u
u =
=
u =
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
=
Detailed Log Analysis:
Pickett Crossplot
The form below is the one traditionally used for the
Pickett crossplot. (Note equation 7.26 in text and
the description in Fig. 7.4 is wrong).
( )
t
m
w
R
m
R a log
1
* log log
1
= u
Detailed Log Analysis:
Pickett Crossplot
( )
t
m
w
R
m
R a log
1
* log log
1
= u
When u is plotted
with R
t
on log-log
graph paper, the
slope of the line is
-1/m and the
intercept, when
R
t
=1, is
(a*R
w
)
1/m
.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Pickett Crossplot
( )
t
m
w
R
m
R a log
1
* log log
1
= u
Note that this plot
requires Sw =1.0.
If enough points
can be plotted, a
value of m can be
determined.
a can be
calculated if Rw is
known (or vice
versa).
Detailed Log Analysis:
Pickett Crossplot
( )
t
m
w
R
m
R a log
1
* log log
1
= u
This plot also
requires that the
lithology (a) and
Rw be the same
in all zones
plotted.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Pickett Crossplot
( )
t
m
w
R
m
R a log
1
* log log
1
= u
Lines for Sw < 1 can be
drawn parallel to the Sw=1
line using the factors in
table 7.2. Find Rt for Sw=1
at any arbitrary u, and
multiply that Rt by 1.56 to
get the Rt at Sw=0.8 for
that u. Draw the line
parallel to Sw=1.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Hingle Crossplot
u -
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
m
w
n
w
m
t
R
S
R
a
1
1
Hingle crossplots are
strange and based on this
form of the Archie
equation:
Detailed Log Analysis:
Hingle Crossplot
u -
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
m
w
n
w
m
t
R
S
R
a
1
1
u, or any proxy such as
the density or sonic logs is
plotted on a linear scale
at the bottom. The
ordinate is 1/R
t
(or
conductivity) and has to
be scaled for particular
values of a and m.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Hingle Crossplot
u -
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
m
w
n
w
m
t
R
S
R
a
1
1
The scaling of the
ordinate must be
designed so that values of
Rt and u plot as a straight
line for constant Sw.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Hingle Crossplot
u -
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
m
w
n
w
m
t
R
S
R
a
1
1
While a and m must
be assumed to design a
Hingle plot to get a
straight line, the data
plotted on the Sw=1 line
can be used to calculate
Rw. Sw<1 can also be
estimated once the Sw=1
line is established.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Permeability
Permeability can be estimated from porosity,
resistivity, Sw and hydrocarbon density data.
However, Sw must equal Swirr, the irreducible
water saturation.
Bulk Volume Water (BVW) must be calculated and
plotted in advance to made sure the zone of
interest is at Swirr.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Permeability
2
3
250
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
- =
wirr
S
K
There are two simple formulas for medium gravity oil
and dry gas (i.e. hydrocarbon density is assumed.
For medium gravity oil:
For dry gas:
2
3
79
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
- =
wirr
S
K
Detailed Log Analysis:
Permeability
2
3
250
|
|
.
|

\
|
u
- =
wirr
S
K
The equations
can be solved
graphically.
Each
hydrocarbon
density
requires a
separate graph.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Permeability
2
4
2
2
2
2 . 2 log
2
1
75 . 3
188 465 23
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
-
u -
~
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
+ u ~
+ ~
irr t
w
W
irr t
w
h h
R
R
W
C
K
R
R
W
C
A more complicated formula that includes variables
for hydrocarbon density is:
Detailed Log Analysis:
Permeability
The most reliable permeability comes from well
testing and direct measurements of discharge and
hydrocarbon density. If cores are available,
permeability can be measured in the lab.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Shale/Clay Analysis
Shale and clay in in rock directly affects resistivity
and porosity measurements and all of the
parameters derived from them, especially Sw.
Phyllosilicates do not all affect resistivity the same
way. It is the cation exchange capacity of the
layer silicate that is critical; Kaolinite, chlorite
muscovite and biotite with low capacities do not
affect the resistivities as much as the smectites.
Logging tools can not make those distinctions so
clay content in rocks is a significant problem.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Shale/Clay Analysis
Some knowledge of the resistivity of the
phyllosilicate component is important, so the
usual assumption is that Rt of nearby shale zones
is the same as Rsh in the reservoir. This is often a
bad assumption leading to erroneous Sw.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Shale/Clay Analysis
The usual procedure is:
1. Calculate a volume of shale (Vsh) using the
gamma ray log the SP log, or a lithology
crossplot.
2. Use the Vsh to correct porosities calculated by the
sonic, density and/or neutron logs.
3. Measure a bound water resistivity (Rwb) from
zones with 100% shale and a free water
resistivity Rt from a shale free zone.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Shale/Clay Analysis
4. Calculate a water-bound saturation Swb for the
100% shale zone.
5. Find the apparent resistivity Rwa of the reservoir
using the weighted average of Rt and Rwb
knowing Vsh.
6. Calculate a total, shale corrected, water saturation
(Swt) for the reservoir.
Detailed Log Analysis:
Shale/Clay Analysis
7. Then the effective water saturation for the
reservoir (Swe) is
wb
wb wt
we
S
S S
S

=
1