New Generation of MWD, LWD, and Image
Logging Opens New Possibilities
for Data Acquisition and Evaluation in Deep
gas Reservoirs
Harsh Shah
Roll No: 14BPE141D
Seminar No: 13
Batch: G2
Table of Content
Introduction
Existing Technology
Development of Technologies for Deep Gas
Applications
Advantages and Limitations
Conclusion
Bibliography
Introduction
In the Middle East, countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, and
Bahrain all have active deep gas development programs under way,
while in other areas such as Italy, oil production is targeted from
deep wells. Regardless of the hydrocarbon type, drilling wells to
greater depths requires advances in drilling technologies that can
stand up to the higher temperatures and pressures that are
commonly encountered at these depths.
In addition, abnormal pressure regimes and subsurface stresses can
result in severe borehole break-out adding even further
complications in these deep drilling operations. To mitigate some of
the drilling challenges in these wells, drilling fluids that are oil based
or salt saturated are often used. These drilling fluids also have the
benefit of reducing formation damage
Another technique to mitigate risk is to run several casing strings
and liners to seal any potential zones that could cause kicks during
the drilling process.
Each of the factors described above, (high temperature, high
pressure, borehole breakout, non fresh water mud systems,
and slim holes) all make the acquisition of formation
evaluation data more challenging compared to wells drilled to
shallower targets For this reason the geological and
petrophysical understanding of many deep reservoirs has
been acquired from the analysis of core, drill cuttings, and
basic well logs acquired during the drilling process when the
down hole logging devices can be cooled by circulation. As
many deep reservoirs exhibit low porosity and permeability,
the need for increased understanding is essential to make
decisions regarding testing and completion of these wells.
Logging tools that can operate in these harsh conditions and
that can acquire measurements with a higher level of
sophistication are thus required.
Existing Technology
The following technologies are currently in use in many of the deep
reservoirs around the world
The Hostile Environment Logging (HEL) MWD system from
Weatherford is rated to a maximum operating temperature of 180 C
(356 F) and an operating hydrostatic pressure of 30,000 psi (207
Mpa). This system is comprised of the following sensors:
1. High-temperature Azimuthal Gamma Ray (HAGR) tool
2. Integrated Directional Sonde (IDS) tool
3. Pressure while drilling sensor for both bore and annulus
(BAP)
4. Vibration and temperature using the Environmental Severity
Measurement (ESM) sensor
The Multi-Frequency Resistivity tool is rated to the same
maximum temperature as the HEL tool, 180 C (356 F). The
other sensors in the Weatherford LWD system have maximum
temperature ratings of 165 C (329 F). All tools have a
hydrostatic pressure rating of 30,000 psi (207 Mpa).
This system is comprised of the following sensors:
1. Multi-Frequency Resistivity (MFR) tool - 180 C (356 F)
2. Thermal Neutron Porosity (TNP) tool - 165 C (329 F)
3. Azimuthal Density (AZD) tool - 165 C (329 F)
4. Shockwave Sonic Tool - 165 C (329 F)
Development of LWD Techniques for
Deep Gas Application
The development of technologies that make subsurface measurements in
deep gas environments require significant financial investments and
creative thinking from highly trained Research and Development people.
In order to develop these types of technologies the following design
objectives were established in order to ensure a reliable and accurate
system that is transparent to the drilling operation:
1. Fastest logging speed while drilling for LWD triple combo with
wire line accuracy
2. Greater reliability
3. Highest flow rate
4. Highest pressure rating
5. High temperature
Advantages and Limitations
The technology described above allows for the acquisition of critical
formation evaluation data in challenging environments. This data
has led to significant increased understanding of crucial reservoir
details which, until recently, were unknown. Due to the high costs
associated with the drilling of deep gas wells, the ability to collect
this data while drilling reduces the risk of conventional wireline
operations when hole conditions become challenging.
In addition, the time associated with conventional wireline logging
operations is saved. The operation of this equipment in the extreme
environments means higher reliability and less non productive time
due to equipment failures. As many deep gas reservoirs have low
porosity and permeability, the effects of invasion are lower on logs
acquired while drilling adding improved understanding of the
reservoir parameters.
Historically, the limitations associated with the acquisition of log data
while drilling in the deep environment is largely due to the range of
measurements that are available. In recent years however,
measurement such resistivity imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance,
and formation pressure testing have all been introduced into the
market.
These new measurements are now beginning to compliment core,
drill cuttings, and the basic LWD logging suites to produce improved
information about deep gas reservoirs.
Conclusions
In order to understand the nature and productive capacity of deep
gas reservoirs, the acquisition of subsurface data is critical. Thedeep
nature of these reservoirs often means that extreme operating
conditions due to high temperatures and pressures will be
encountered during the drilling of these well. These extreme
conditions have presented a challenge in the acquisition of
subsurface data due to the technical limitations of the technology.
Bibliography
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