SPHLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SyMrosium, suNe se, 1670 Ef A SEMIQUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR PREDICTING - PRODUCIBILITY LIMITS OF RESERVOIRS BY WELL LOG ANALYSIS By Orlando Gémez-Rivero Petréleos Mexicanos Mexico City - Mexico L- ABSTRACT An approach is presented for predicting ranges of the ab- i solute permeability index of sands and carbonate reservoir rocks using H only well logs. The method is more qualitative than quantitative. Ne- § vertheless, an equation relating formation resistivity factor with absol- ute permeability, K, is given for computing average values of absolute permeability, which allows for to have an order of magnitude of this re servoir parameter. Unlike the generality of the common similar me- — thods, porosity is not the only directly involved parameter; this parti- cular characteristic makes the method be applicable even to fractured - rocks, The method requires, however, the use of nuclear porosity in- 4 dex logs, such as neutron and density gamma-gamma, but for rocks - i with predominantely primary intergranular, sand-type-prosity, acoustic - t Porosity logs can also be used with confidence. As connate water sa- : turation calculation is an unavoidable step in the computation procedure, i suitable Rr and Rxo logs are required in addition. It is concluded that it is possible to compute more real - values of permeability index, eliminating much of the ambigiiity that - arises when porosity is the only variable, by introducing the formation resistivity factor as one variable more. I.- INTRODUCTION During the fifty years of well logging history, many very - interesting advances have been made in the field of well logging tech- niques and well log interpretation methods and techniques. After Ar- chic established his fundamental relations between porosity, @, and - s‘SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1873 water saturation, Sy, and certain amounts obtainable through well logs!, porosity and connate water saturation were the only reservoir rock para meters that could be determined through well logs, for many years. — The development of the new well logging tools such as neutron, density and sonic logs?» 3,455, as “porosity logs" has produced dramatic chan- z ges in well log interpretation. Many new reservoir rock parameters - can now be determined, such as movable oil, clay and mineral content, Permeability and secondary porosity indexes and cementation exponents, through the application of quantitative special techniques. 6, 7,8, Among those well log derived amounts cited above, despite of the great efforts devoted, permeability determination through well - logs, in the author's opinion, is far from being satisfactory. Most of the relationships used for determining this parameter are mainly empi- rical porosity dependent equations, and experience shows that large dif- ferences in permeability there may be for the same given porosity value ~ On the other hand, these relations are only applicable when primary po rosity is the predominant condition. Then, the necessity for a more — general relation for determining a permeability index by well log analy- sis has remained. This study represents the suin of a series of efforts dedicated to find an approach to solve this problem. By the method here presented, elimination of non-commercial thicknesses by the classical - water saturation and porosity approach as well as permeability is pos- : sible, through the use of a not completely porosity dependent relation - for K. It has.the advantage of being generally applicable whatsoever - the genetic of the existing permeability be. Nevertheless, the probable nature of the predominant permeability can be inferred. ‘The predicted permeabilities are absolute permeabilities, comparable with those obtain ed by core analysis. Charts were developed for a rapid calculation of K. ‘The method is still considered to be more qualitative than quantita- tive. As the method requires the previous comiputation of connate water saturation, the three basic parameters for discarding non-commercial - strata will be simultaneously available. ais Ill.- DEVELOPMENT OF THE F - 9 - K EMPIRICAL GENERAL RELATIONSHIP In his original work,! Archie also shows some plots which indicate that a qualitative relation exists between, formation resistivity factor, F, and permeability K. This fact has been further widely ve- rified by the results of the many core analysis performed since then. Just to make reference to some of these verifications, the work of Ca- rothers!0 and more recently that of Ogbe and Bassiouni!! may be cited.SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 34, 1979 Figures 1 and 2 are similar F - K correlations for sands and carbonate rocks of Mexican fields; core analysis of 142 wells for sands and 59 - wells for carbonate rocks are included, which represents a total of a- bout 2,800 core laboratory determinations of formation resistivity factor, permeability and porosity, for both Kind of rocks. Data of formation - Porosity and permeability are comprised; primary, and secondary perme ability due .to.vugs and fractures are Included. It can be observed chee much scattering of points occurs with respect to the average line drawn and that this is more apparent for carbonate rocks. Nevertheless, des- pite of this dispersion of points, the general trend can be seen: perme- noted; this means that much of the scattering is due mainly to Porosity variations; many permeability values can be assigned to the same poros ity. Similar cqgrelations, but using only 9 and K as variables, have been performed!®, showing that wide scattering of Points also occurs;ne- vertheless, this has not restricted their practical use for determining K by well log analysis. . It has been demonstrated in practice that the general trend of any F—K population of data may be represented by the general rel- ation: F-0 x4 1) Rhereet and /4 are statistical parameters which vary widely, Fortun- - ately, it was possible to establish a general procedure ne determining both. constants, and this was one of the most interesting chapters of this study that will be explained hereinafter. Values of F and K were grouped by convenient ranges of - Porosity and their particular constants © and were determined, Plotting these derived values on a logarithmic grid against the a- wrzse Porosity of each group, a general trend is observed, Both para Meters decrease as porosity increase; the average trend is shown on = Figs. 3 and 4 and is very accurate for oC; nevertheless, it was also Possible to fit an average equation for /@ . ‘The resulting relations are: c= 4,34 yg} 0871 +. 73 = 0.033 g 0-56 EG) ~1. 1945 a for sands, and: “x 7.32 D\SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1979 A= 0.038 9-487 7 for carbonate rocks, When equations (2) through (5) are replaced in the general relation (1), the two general equations are obtained: “1.0871 (0.033 90-56) F=4.09 © for sands, and 0.437, F = 7,32 p71-1945 “(0.088 PU") see for carbonate rocks, where K is in milidarcys and 9) in fraction. Figures 5 and 6 are graphical solutions of Eqs. (6) and(7). - DISCUSSION OF THE METHOD ‘As can be realized, a permeability index can be determin ed by using only well logs, through Eqs. (6) or (7); porosity, @, can” be obtained from sonic, neutron or density logs and formation resisti-) 3 vity factor, F, from electric logs, by techniques already described. As can be observed by Figs. 5 and 6, there may exist an infinite num- ber of permeability values for a given porosity, but this ambigility is eliminated by the third parameter F. Eamsions (6) and (7) and Figs. 5 and 6 show that it is pos sible t6'c88E ie ot difficult interpretation, Theoretical and - practical special studies have been carried out for the very low poros- ity range 94 of reservoir rocks, where chances for natural fractures in- creasel3, 14; the results of such works reveal that if only intergranular porosity is present, formation factor will be very high for a given po- rosity and the derived permeability very low; but if effective natural fractures are important or very important, formation factor will be low or very low; therefore, permeability will be high or very high, for the same given porosity. The opposite case, the high porosity range, may also be @ difficult one; if very good pore interconnection exists, form ation factor will be very low and permeability very high, but if poor pore interconnection and/or isolated porosity is the predominant condi tion, formation factor will be very high; as a result the permeability will be very low. anid In applying Bgs. (6) or (7) or using charts 5 or 6 care - must be taken of using total porosity value. This is the only way to 4 ( :SPNLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1979 tocope with the two critical cases of fractures and isolated high Porosity, This means that if the existence of secondary Porosity is suspected, the use of the method can not rely on only acousie Porosity logs; nuclear - Jogs will be always necessary, shale. Therefore, it will be very important to Perform the necessary clay or shale corrections to F before entering Eqs. (6) or (7), Sable facntcted for determining the left limit of the oe of most probable fracturing in figures 3 ani 6; therefore, any plotted - Point falling on this area will be considered'to belong to'a tracured - Tock, V.- CONCLUSIONS —AMLUSIONS 1.- A new practical approach for determining a ty index has been developed, which ineinder formation resistivity factor as 2.~ Empirical equations relating F, @ and K are proposed, - wvcTage Constants for these relations were determined using a large number of data; nevertheless, some variations can be introduced in or- der to fit particular areas by following the methodology here proposed, 3.- It is convenient to remember that high Porosity not always oans high permeability as well as low porosity is not always indica, tive of low Dermeability. The method Presented accounts for elimina-‘SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1979 4.- The method is suitable for permeability index determina - tion by well log analysis. Therefore, logs for computing total porosity are necessary as well as proper electric loge for Rt and Rxo- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author expresses his appreciation to the Petréleos Me- xicanos management for granting permission to present and publish this paper and to Miss Carmen Rodriguez for her aid in typing the manuscript. REFERENCES 1. Archie, G.E,: "The Electrical Resistivity Log as an Aid in Deter- mining Some Reservoir Characteristics". Petr. Tr. AIME. 1942. 2, Tittman, J.; Sherman, H.; Nagel, W.A.; Alger, R.P.: "The Side - wall Epithermal Neutron Porosity Log". Petr. Tr. AIME. 1957. 3. Alger, R.P.; Locke, S.; Nagel, W.A.; Sherman, H.: "The Dual - cin; CNL". SPE Paper 3565. 46th Annual Fall - Shecang, New Gries, Wri. is 4. Wahl, J.S.; Tittman, J.; Johnstone, C.W. Spacing Formation Density Log". Petr. “The Dual 5. Tixier, M.P.; Alger, R.P.; Tanguy, D.R.: "New Developments in Induction and Sonfc Logging". Jour. Petr. Tech, May, 1960. 6. Poupon, A.; Clavier, C.; Dumanoir, J.; Gaymard, R.; Misk, A.: “Log Analysis of Sand Shale Sequences - A Systematic Approach". Jour. Petr. Tech, July 1970. 7. Poupon, A.; Hoyle, W.R.; Schmidt, A.W.: "Log Analysis in Form- ations with Complex Lithologies". Jour. Petr. Tech. Aug. 1971. 8. Gémez-Rivero, O.: “A Practical Method for Determining Cementation Exponents and Some Other Parameters as an Aid in Well Log Analysis". The Log Analyst. Sept-Oct. 1976. Sonnlins iothiininntiadialliiacibanssonatic Sinbad suiamsnisanouaticbabtianlitinstalliieisas HiRes 9. Poupon, A.; Gaymard, R.: “The Evaluation of Clay Content from - Logs". SPWLA Symposium. 1970. 10, Carothers, J.E.: "A Statistical Study of the Formation Factor Rel- ation". The Log Analyst. Sept-Oct. 1968, 11. Ogbe, David; Bassiouni, Zaki: “Estimation of Aquifer Permeabilties from Electric Well Logs". The Log Analyst. Sept-Oct. 1978.ane ‘SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1979 12, Gémez-Rivero, O.:."The Formation Resistivity Factor - A Qualit- ative Permeability Tool". Petroleum Engineer International. Jan. 1 13, Gémez-Rivero, O.: "The F - 9 - m Cross Plot - A New Approach for detecting Natural Fractures in Complex Reservoir Rocks by Well Log Analysis". SPWLA 19th Annual Logging Symposium. Jun. 13-16, 1978. El Paso, Texas. 14, Gomez-Rivero, O.; Tovar Cruz, V.M.: "Estudio Petrofi'sico de Ya- cimientos de Baja Porosidad - Su aplicacién en el Andlisis de Re- gistros de Pozos". I Congreso Panamericano de Ingenieria del Pe- tréleo. México, D.F., March 1979. 15: Wilson, D.A.; Hensel Jr., W.M.: "Computer Log Amalysis plus - Core Analysis Equals Improved Formation Evaluation in West Ho- ward ~ Glasscock Unit", Jour. Pet. Tech. Jan. 1978. 16. Gémez-Rivero, O.: "Some Considerations About the Possible use of the Parameters, a and m as a Formation Evaluation Tool Through Well Logs". SPWLA 18th Annual Logging Symposium, June 5-8, - 1977. Houston, Texas. Orlando Gémez-Rivero has occupied dif- ferent positions within Petrdleos Mexica nos, He has been Chief Reservoir En- gineer at Coatzacoalcos, Ver., and Re serves Estimates General Department ~ Chief at Mexico City. He is a Petro- Jeum Engineer graduated in the Institu- to Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in 1953. He has taught well logs at the IPN and authored a book on well logs and publi- shed about twenty articles in magazines and symposiums on diffent subjects. - He received the "Juan Hefferan" Medal Prize of the Asociacién de Ingenieros Petroleros de México (AIPM) in 1967, He is a member of the Society of Petroleum 's of AIME, Society of Professional Well Log Analysts, AIPM, Colegio de Ingenieros Petroleros de México, Asociacién Mexicana de Geélogos Petroleros r- Sociedad Geolégica Mexicana, He is listed in several Who's Who pu- blications of USA and England,SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1979 001 ar er ‘K(mb) * we ee “000 Fig. 1, F- K Correlation for sands showing the scattering of points. Neverthe- Jess, the general trend, indicated by the average line is shown. Te Fig. 2, F —K Correlation for carbonate rocks showing more scattering of points than sands, but @ general trend can also be obtained. beSPHLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 34, 1979 Sun 28 TS ee wee Fig. 3. General relation between o< and D for the group of data of Figs. 1 and 2, ' § ) 4300s se oey “ em Fig. 4. General relation between /3 and Q for the group of data of Figs, 1 and 2.(SPWLA TWENTIETH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 36, 1879 K (mb)” ea Fig. 5. Chart for determining K for sands, The shaded area shows the conditions considered typical for fracturing. “eee kG) Fig. 6, Chart for determining K for carbonate rocks. As in sands, the shaded area shows the conditions when fracturing is present. = 10 -