The fundamental role of The fundamental role of Formation Evaluation in the Formation Evaluation in the
E&P processE&P process
Mauro GonfaliniMauro GonfaliniMarch 24March 24thth,, 20052005
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Formation Evaluation: definitionFormation Evaluation: definitionFormation EvaluationFormation Evaluation is the is the analysis and interpretation of well analysis and interpretation of well log data, drill stem tests, etc. in log data, drill stem tests, etc. in terms of the nature of the terms of the nature of the formations and their fluid content. formations and their fluid content. The The objectivesobjectives of Formation of Formation Evaluation are:Evaluation are:
to ascertain if commercially producible to ascertain if commercially producible hydrocarbons are present, hydrocarbons are present, to determine the best means for their to determine the best means for their recovery,recovery,to derive lithology and other to derive lithology and other information on formation information on formation characteristics for use in further characteristics for use in further exploration and developmentexploration and development..
From SPWLA Glossary
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The E&P processThe E&P process
FE TechnologiesFE Technologies•• Surface LoggingSurface Logging•• Well LoggingWell Logging•• CoringCoring•• Formation Testing Formation Testing •• Well TestingWell Testing
DisciplinesDisciplines•• GeosciencesGeosciences•• DrillingDrilling•• Production (feasibility)Production (feasibility)•• Reserve evaluationReserve evaluation
FE TechnologiesFE Technologies•• Surface LoggingSurface Logging•• Well LoggingWell Logging•• CoringCoring•• Formation Testing Formation Testing •• Well TestingWell Testing
DisciplinesDisciplines•• GeosciencesGeosciences•• DrillingDrilling•• Reservoir EngineeringReservoir Engineering•• Production (design)Production (design)•• Reserve certificationReserve certification
FE TechnologiesFE Technologies•• CH LoggingCH Logging•• Reservoir Monitoring & Reservoir Monitoring &
SurveillanceSurveillance
DisciplinesDisciplines•• GeosciencesGeosciences•• DrillingDrilling•• Reservoir EngineeringReservoir Engineering•• Production (optimization)Production (optimization)
Exploration & Discovery Evaluation Appraisal
Development & Production
Optimization
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Exploration PhaseExploration Phase
In this phaseIn this phase,, emphasis is put on well data with emphasis is put on well data with limited information about interwell region in terms of limited information about interwell region in terms of geology, facies and fluid distribution, dynamic data, geology, facies and fluid distribution, dynamic data, etc. and the results are characterized by large etc. and the results are characterized by large uncertainties.uncertainties.Well data are:Well data are:
surface logging surface logging ((mud logging);mud logging);core data (often routine, very seldom SCAL);core data (often routine, very seldom SCAL);well logs (both WL and WD);well logs (both WL and WD);fluid sampling (often limited to RFT sampling);fluid sampling (often limited to RFT sampling);formation testing (often limited amount of tests).formation testing (often limited amount of tests).
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Exploration phaseExploration phaseIn this phase, In this phase, surface andsurface and well well logs play a fundamental rolelogs play a fundamental role in in the evaluation of a prospect in the evaluation of a prospect in terms of:terms of:
petroleum system petroleum system characterization (distribution characterization (distribution of source, reservoir and cap of source, reservoir and cap rocks),rocks),reservoir geometry, reservoir geometry, fluid characterization and fluid characterization and distribution (fluid contacts), distribution (fluid contacts), preliminary evaluation of HOIP preliminary evaluation of HOIP and reserves by using the and reserves by using the petrophysical interpretation of petrophysical interpretation of well logs (CPI).well logs (CPI).
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Development & Production phasesDevelopment & Production phases
ObjectivesObjectivesoptimize the reservoir optimize the reservoir exploitation in all the phases exploitation in all the phases oof f its productionits production lifelifemaximize recoverymaximize recovery
MethodologiesMethodologiesreservoir development reservoir development studiesstudiesreservoir managementreservoir management
Reservoir Studies
Reservoir Management
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Reservoir characterizationReservoir characterizationReservoir characterizationReservoir characterization corresponds to the corresponds to the identification of a model (identification of a model (staticstatic) for the reservoir, the ) for the reservoir, the dynamicdynamic behaviour of which must be as similar as behaviour of which must be as similar as possible to that of the reservoir.possible to that of the reservoir.It involves two consecutive steps: It involves two consecutive steps:
the identification of data interpretation models; the identification of data interpretation models; integration of these data interpretation models into a integration of these data interpretation models into a reservoir model.reservoir model.
Various types of reservoir data are used:Various types of reservoir data are used:""staticstatic" data such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, " data such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, petrophysics, which correspond to a description of the petrophysics, which correspond to a description of the reservoir ;reservoir ;““dynamicdynamic" data, such as fluid pressures, geomechanics, " data, such as fluid pressures, geomechanics, tracers, production logs, well tests, production, which are tracers, production logs, well tests, production, which are related to the behaviour of that reservoir.related to the behaviour of that reservoir.
GringartenGringarten et al., SPE 64311et al., SPE 64311
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Reservoir CharacterizationReservoir Characterization
GEOLOGICAL MODEL
ELECTROFACIES
ROCK PROPERTIES
SEDIMENTOLOGY
PETROPHYSICS
SEISMIC
FLUIDPROPERTIES
PRODUCTIONTESTS
GEOCHEMISTRY
FLUIDPRRESSURES
PRODUCTION LOGS
OTHERS …
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Reservoir Characterization GoalsReservoir Characterization Goals
Goals of the Reservoir Goals of the Reservoir CharacterizationCharacterization are the are the description and the description and the characterization of the reservoir characterization of the reservoir heterogeneities that control the heterogeneities that control the fluid flow combined with fluid flow combined with geological and structural model geological and structural model of the reservoir.of the reservoir.In this contest In this contest petrophysicalpetrophysicalparametersparameters are a direct input to are a direct input to numerical simulators and have a numerical simulators and have a strong impact on the dynamic strong impact on the dynamic results in terms of hydrocarbon results in terms of hydrocarbon production forecast.production forecast.
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FE and other disciplinesFE and other disciplines
FE TechnologiesFE Technologies•• Surface LoggingSurface Logging•• Well LoggingWell Logging•• CoringCoring•• Formation Testing Formation Testing •• Well TestingWell Testing•• Well Data DBWell Data DB
GeosciencesGeosciences•• GeologyGeology•• GeophysicsGeophysics•• PetrophysicsPetrophysics•• Reservoir EngineeringReservoir Engineering
ProductionProduction•• Production strategies designProduction strategies design•• Production Monitoring & OptimizationProduction Monitoring & Optimization•• Formation compaction & damageFormation compaction & damage
DrillingDrilling•• Drilling strategiesDrilling strategies•• GeosteeringGeosteering•• Wellbore stabilityWellbore stability•• Post drilling analysisPost drilling analysis
Reserves EvaluationReserves Evaluation
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GeosciencesGeosciences
GeosciencesGeosciences are composed are composed by a variety of disciplines:by a variety of disciplines:
GeologyGeologyGeophysicsGeophysicsPetrophysicsPetrophysicsReservoir EngineeringReservoir Engineering
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GeologyGeology
In the Oil Industry, In the Oil Industry, GeologyGeology is composed by a is composed by a variety of subdisciplines:variety of subdisciplines:
Operational GeologyOperational GeologyStratigraphyStratigraphySedimentologySedimentologyPetrographyPetrographyStructural GeologyStructural GeologyGeochemistryGeochemistryGeomechanicsGeomechanics
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GeophysicsGeophysics
The study of the physics of the The study of the physics of the Earth, especially its electrical, Earth, especially its electrical, gravitational and magnetic fields gravitational and magnetic fields and propagation of and propagation of elasticelastic(seismic) waves within it. (seismic) waves within it. Geophysics plays a critical role in Geophysics plays a critical role in the the petroleumpetroleum industry because industry because geophysical data are used by geophysical data are used by explorationexploration and and developmentdevelopmentpersonnel to make predictions personnel to make predictions about the presence, nature and about the presence, nature and size of subsurface size of subsurface hydrocarbonhydrocarbonaccumulations. accumulations.
Schlumberger Oilfield GlossarySchlumberger Oilfield Glossary
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Geophysical methodsGeophysical methods
SeismicSeismicMagnetometryMagnetometryGravimetryGravimetryMagnetotelluricMagnetotelluricElectrical surveysElectrical surveysElectro Magnetic soundingElectro Magnetic soundingGeoradarGeoradar
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PetrophysicsPetrophysicsPetrophysics Petrophysics is the study of is the study of rock properties and their rock properties and their interactions with formation interactions with formation fluidsfluidsMain Petrophysical properties Main Petrophysical properties are:are:
PorosityPorosityPermeabilityPermeabilityWater saturationWater saturation
Main Petrophysical toolsMain Petrophysical toolsCoresCoresWell logsWell logs
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Formation Evaluation ProcessFormation Evaluation Process
Main steps of the process are:Main steps of the process are:planning of the well data planning of the well data acquisition,acquisition,acquisition phase with acquisition phase with Quality Control,Quality Control,pre and/or post processing,pre and/or post processing,interpretation,interpretation,integration.integration.
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Pressure analysisPressure analysisKISSANJE-2 LM-16 Pressure Profile
1800
1810
1820
1830
1840
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
19702750 2775 2800 2825 2850 2875 2900 2925
Formation Pressure (PSIa)
Dep
th (m
TVD
SS)
Pressure ProfilePressure Profile
Fluid Fluid contactscontacts
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GeosteeringGeosteeringThe intentional directional The intentional directional control of a well based on control of a well based on the results of downhole the results of downhole geologicalgeological loggingloggingmeasurements rather measurements rather than threethan three--dimensional dimensional targets in space, usually targets in space, usually to keep a directional to keep a directional well well borebore within a within a paypay zonezone. . In mature areas, In mature areas, geosteering may be used geosteering may be used to keep a to keep a well borewell bore in a in a particular section of a particular section of a reservoirreservoir to minimize gas to minimize gas or water or water breakthroughbreakthroughand maximize economic and maximize economic productionproduction from the well.from the well.
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Advanced Advanced GeosteeringGeosteering
Advanced Advanced GeosteeringGeosteeringis achieved mainly by is achieved mainly by deep Looking Ahead deep Looking Ahead and Around capabilities:and Around capabilities:
seismicseismicelectromagneticelectromagnetichigh density telemetryhigh density telemetryReal Time integrated Real Time integrated geological & geophysical geological & geophysical interpretationinterpretation3D fast visualization 3D fast visualization techniques (IT)techniques (IT)
SPE Italian Section Lecture to STYPED SPE Italian Section Lecture to STYPED March 24.03.05March 24.03.05 2020
Cased Hole LoggingCased Hole Logging
I INSIDE CASING
II CASING
III CEMENT
IV FORMATION
I INSIDE CASING
II CASING
III CEMENT
IV FORMATION
Production logging provides down hole Production logging provides down hole measurements of fluid parameters on a zonemeasurements of fluid parameters on a zone--byby--zone basis to yield information on the type zone basis to yield information on the type of fluid movement within and near the well of fluid movement within and near the well bore during production or injection. bore during production or injection. Major applications of production logging Major applications of production logging include:include:
evaluating completion efficiencyevaluating completion efficiencydetecting mechanical problems, breakthrough and detecting mechanical problems, breakthrough and coningconingproviding guidance for workovers, providing guidance for workovers, enhanced recovery projectsenhanced recovery projectsevaluating treatment effectiveness evaluating treatment effectiveness monitoring and profiling of production and injectionmonitoring and profiling of production and injectiondetecting thief zones, channelled cementdetecting thief zones, channelled cementsingle layer and multiple layer well test evaluationsingle layer and multiple layer well test evaluationdetermining reservoir characteristicsdetermining reservoir characteristicsidentifying reservoir boundaries for field identifying reservoir boundaries for field development.development.
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Production loggingProduction logging
The family of production logging The family of production logging tools comprises:tools comprises:•• thermometersthermometers•• fluid density sensors fluid density sensors (gradiomanometers, nuclear)(gradiomanometers, nuclear)
•• holdhold--up metersup meters•• flowmeter spinners (continuous, flowmeter spinners (continuous, fullbore, diverters)fullbore, diverters)
•• manometers (strain gauge, manometers (strain gauge, quartz gauge)quartz gauge)
•• calipers (multifinger)calipers (multifinger)•• noise sensors (single frequency, noise sensors (single frequency, multiple frequency)multiple frequency)
•• radioactive tracersradioactive tracers•• gravel pack logging.gravel pack logging.
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Integration: Shared Earth ModelIntegration: Shared Earth Model
Shared Earth Model & Shared Earth Model & Reservoir Reservoir CharacteCharacte--rizationrization Process: Process: circular and not linear! circular and not linear! A very good example A very good example of effective integration of effective integration among different among different disciplines where disciplines where Formation Evaluation Formation Evaluation plays a key role in plays a key role in every phase.every phase.J. Nieto et al. 2004J. Nieto et al. 2004
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PetrophysicistsPetrophysicists are are involved in the whole involved in the whole modeling process modeling process contributing with contributing with their knowledge of their knowledge of many data types and many data types and how these data how these data interact!interact!J. Nieto et al. 2004J. Nieto et al. 2004
Integration: Shared Earth ModelIntegration: Shared Earth Model
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Interpretation/IntegrationInterpretation/IntegrationIntegrated interpretation of well data can strongly Integrated interpretation of well data can strongly reduce uncertainties in Formation Evaluation and reduce uncertainties in Formation Evaluation and in Reservoir Characterization studies.in Reservoir Characterization studies.Integration Integration is a combination and coordination of separate is a combination and coordination of separate and diverse elements or units into a more complex or and diverse elements or units into a more complex or harmonious whole. harmonious whole. Since it implies the creation of a more complete or Since it implies the creation of a more complete or harmonious whole, integration can therefore be considered harmonious whole, integration can therefore be considered as a process whereby as a process whereby extra valueextra value is produced.is produced.(Integrated Reservoir Studies (Integrated Reservoir Studies –– Luca Cosentino Luca Cosentino –– Edition TECHNIP Edition TECHNIP -- IFP)IFP)
Extra valueExtra value gained through integration can be gained through integration can be expressed either in more complex but verified expressed either in more complex but verified geological models or as a higher reliability in a geological models or as a higher reliability in a simplified but stable model.simplified but stable model.
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Integration: … a seamless profession …Integration: … a seamless profession …
…… in recent years we have been singing the in recent years we have been singing the praises of integration between Geosciences praises of integration between Geosciences disciplines ... disciplines ... … lets just knock down the remaining … lets just knock down the remaining physical and perceived walls and merge physical and perceived walls and merge geophysics, geology, petrophysics and geophysics, geology, petrophysics and engineering into a seamless profession … engineering into a seamless profession …
Patrick Corbett, 2005Patrick Corbett, 2005“A changing Role for the petrophysicist?”“A changing Role for the petrophysicist?”
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Organizational challengesOrganizational challenges
Integration and use of shared earth models Integration and use of shared earth models require a high level of Knowledge and Resources require a high level of Knowledge and Resources Management (human & Hardware/Software), Management (human & Hardware/Software), not always present in actual organization of not always present in actual organization of companies.companies.New generation of professionals need to be New generation of professionals need to be educated to team working and managers must educated to team working and managers must facilitate cross fertilization initiatives and facilitate cross fertilization initiatives and cooperation among the different disciplines.cooperation among the different disciplines.Technology champions are still necessary but, Technology champions are still necessary but, please, no more “Prima Donna”!please, no more “Prima Donna”!
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About integration …About integration …
Symphonic Orchestra: Symphonic Orchestra: a good example of an integrated teama good example of an integrated team
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ConclusionsConclusions
Formation Evaluation techniques play a Formation Evaluation techniques play a fundamental role in the hydrocarbon E&P fundamental role in the hydrocarbon E&P process being used in all the different phases of process being used in all the different phases of the process itself.the process itself.Effective use of these Formation Evaluation Effective use of these Formation Evaluation techniques require high level of integration that techniques require high level of integration that can only be achieved by effective team working can only be achieved by effective team working and adequate knowledge and resource and adequate knowledge and resource management.management.