Weatherford is one of the largest and fastest-growing providers of surface logging services in the world. Backed by a global team of more than 1,500 specialists and incorporating a suite of highly innovative tools, our surface logging capabilities help you to make timely and informed decisions that reduce reservoir uncertainty and optimize your drilling operations. Our approach to surface logging is modular. We will help you choose from among our wide range of systems and services to address the specific needs of your exploration, development or infill-drilling operation.
We offer a full spectrum of reservoir evaluation services to reduce the guesswork inherent in drilling and completing oil and gas wells. We also provide an array of drilling optimization services to minimize unexpected events and wellsite risk during drilling operations.
We don’t just recruit talent; we cultivate it. We provide our surface logging specialists with customized training to complement their field experience. As a result, you have access to a global team of highly qualified surface logging experts.
Our innovative systems are designed to provide you with better data, which translate to better decisions. Several of our offerings are unique to Weatherford.
Reducing reservoir uncertainty. Surface logging entails detailed analysis of formation cuttings and fluid entrapped in drilling mud to determine the subsurface nature and presence of oil and gas.
Formation cuttings analysis
Geoscience consulting services
Formation gas analysis
The analysis of formation cuttings carried to the surface in drilling mud is a fundamental component of surface logging. On full-service operations, our experienced crews examine cuttings to detect hydrocarbon shows, to assess a formation’s porosity and to characterize its lithology. Coupled with wellsite laboratory-based mineralogical analysis, these data enhance reservoir understanding to inform well placement and completion operations.
We offer a broad range of geoscience-based consulting services at the wellsite and from remote locations. Equipped to work in standard, as well as high-pressure/ high-temperature, hydrogen-sulfide-rich and deepwater drilling environments, our experienced wellsite geologists lend tactical support to your drilling operations. Their services include selection of casing, coring and testing points; correlation with offset wells; and geosteering support. Our operations geologists focus on the planning and support of comprehensive evaluation programs, including budget analysis and program design.
One area of surface logging in which we have truly pushed the technological envelope is formation gas analysis. Using data from our GC-TRACERTM (Gas Chromatograph Tool for Real-Time Analysis, Characterization and Evaluation of Reservoirs) surface gas detector, our specialists determine hydrocarbon fluid types and contact points, identify pay zones and support geosteering.
Surface Logging Systems
Maximizing drilling efficiency.Surface logging combines expertise with innovative tools to minimize unexpected events and enhance overall drilling efficiency.
Electronic drilling recording Kick detection
Hole-stability monitoring
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) detection
Geopressure consulting (GPC) services
Our advanced electronic drilling recorder (EDR) monitors a wide range of parameters key to drilling efficiency and safety. Its complementary software facilitates tracking, organization and analysis of the measured data for maximum benefit. Its remote-access feature enables key stakeholders to monitor data from offsite locations.
Our pit-volume totalizer (PVT) and early kick detection system (EKDS) monitor a range of parameters—including pump strokes, flow measurements, pit levels and standpipe pressure measurements—to identify unexpected changes in the drilling fluid system, critical to detecting the onset of a kick.
We offer a comprehensive hole-stability monitoring service to help minimize unscheduled events during drilling. We examine trip overpull and underpull conditions, analyze surge/swab and torque/drag, and perform fill-on-bottom analysis to preempt any hole-stability problems. We also use a quantitative cuttings tool (QVC) to continuously monitor cuttings volumes and sizes. In addition to their application to hole-stability monitoring, these measurements can be used to improve cuttings circulation, determine borehole diameter and maximize rate of penetration.
Prolonged exposure to amounts of H2S as low as 10 parts per million (ppm) can be harmful; amounts greater than 1,000 ppm can be fatal. Using our pH/pS system, Weatherford wellsite surface logging specialists sample drilling mud to detect H2S early, reducing the risk of personnel exposure.
Maintaining a vigilant eye on pore pressure is essential to optimizing drilling, minimizing nonproductive time and wellsite risk, and reducing operational costs. Our GPC consultants provide an array of services to predict and manage pore pressure, such as assisting in the selection of drilling mud, advising on measures to remediate abnormally high pore pressure, identifying fractures and advising on casing points. They perform a pre-drilling assessment to predict a well’s pore pressure and highlight potential drilling hazards. Using real-time data, they continue to refine the pre-drill prognosis during drilling operations and then perform a post-well profile to generate geopressure curves for the entire logged section of the well to facilitate drilling optimization on subsequent wells.
Controlled Pressure Drilling® (CPD®) services
Vibration detection
Surface logging plays a critical role in CPD operations, especially as it applies to optimizing mud weights. We lend critical expertise to your underbalanced drilling operations. Our WellWizard® underbalanced drilling software enables us to monitor underbalanced and managed pressure wells with a high degree of precision. Our capabilities include maintaining optimal mud weights, determining when a well enters a sweet spot, and preventing circulation loss and differential sticking.
Particularly problematic in harsh drilling conditions, torsional drillstring vibrations can lead to overgauge hole, drillstring failure and excessive bit wear. Leveraging our proprietary vibration-detection software suite, we help you detect and remedy vibration before it becomes a problem.
Better data equate to better operational decisions. At the core of our surface logging systems are a range of highly innovative measurement tools and sensors designed to build better datasets. Some, such as our GC-TRACER™ surface gas detector and the Source Rock Analyzer™ tool, are unique to Weatherford. Others, like our auto-calcimeter, incorporate innovations that enhance performance relative to their more conventional counterparts. Use our surface logging systems with our full support services, or as stand-alone tools to facilitate your independent surface logging operations.
ANAX 500 systemThe MLU’s central data-collection hub is equipped with two independent hard drives, multiple databases, and specialized evaluation and drilling optimization tools. It also houses five standard internal components: a central processing unit; a depth processing unit, used to measure block movement, hook-load, and drilling and heave compensation; a data-acquisition unit; a total gas-detection unit, used for wellsite monitoring of combustible and toxic gases; and a gas chromatograph, used to analyze formation gas. A specialized operating system for real-time data acquisition, complete online time and depth database and the interactive WellWizard® user interface make the ANAX 500 system a robust and reliable platform in even the most extreme wellsite locations.
Mud-logging unit (MLU)The hub of our wellsite surface logging services, this portable laboratory provides a workspace for surface logging crews. Designed and stringently certified for maximum comfort, durability and safety, it is the product of more than 40 years of engineering, manufacturing and maintenance experience. We offer three standard sizes of the most modern units available to accommodate onshore, offshore and heli-lift applications. All units are pre-equipped with basic surface logging applications and can provide wellsite geochemistry and MWD/LWD applications.
Reservoir evaluation measurements
Source Rock Analyzer (SRA) pyrolysis toolThe SRA uses the pyrolysis of geologic samples (conventional and sidewall cores, cuttings and outcrops) to identify and characterize hydrocarbon zones with a high degree of precision (C1 through C60). While other tools can detect pay zones, the SRA also permits real-time differentiation between productive and nonproductive intervals within a zone; therefore it can be used to target productive intervals and avoid tar mats while geosteering. Additional applications include evaluating the generative potential, kerogen type, organic richness and thermal maturity of a zone. Weighing only 40 lb (18 kg), the SRA is easily deployed at the wellsite.
Auto-calcimeterThe auto-calcimeter measures limestone and dolomite concentrations in drilling cuttings. Weatherford added proprietary software to this mud-logging staple to make it faster and more accurate. This tool enhances the qualification of mineralogical composition of carbonates.
GC-TRACER surface gas detector Our advanced surface gas detector extracts formation gas samples from drilling fluid. Leveraging a patented membrane-based extraction technology, it overcomes the limitations of conventional gas-trap systems to improve sample quality. It also incorporates a high-speed gas chromatograph to analyze the samples and customized software to derive ratios between the various gases. Use the ratios to determine hydrocarbon fluid types and contact points, identify pay zones and support geosteering.
Drilling optimization hardware and softwareBy continually monitoring multiple sensors, drilling parameters and real-time mud-logging data, drilling optimization hardware and software integrate and present data. In conjunction with the WellWizard® user interface and database, tailored applications enable optimization of drilling performance. Available software applications include torque/drag, surge/swab, kick/kill, real-time hydraulics, mechanical specific energy, fracture gradient and formation pressure.
VibrAVibrA aids in the detection and suppression of harmful drillstring vibrations common in harsh drilling conditions.
Early kick detection system (EKDS)Used with our PVT, EKDS tracks a range of parameters—including pump strokes, flow measurements, pit levels and standpipe pressure measurements—to monitor unexpected changes in the drilling fluid system, thereby facilitating early kick detection.
Data management software
WellHub information management softwareOur WellHub information management application enables consolidation of real-time and historical surface logging data from a variety of sources, thereby enabling efficient analysis and decision-making.
WellWizard integrated data system (IDS)Our WellWizard IDS enables access to real-time and historic WellHub data from virtually any offsite location. This powerful and flexible system allows users to set up custom trend monitoring and exception alarms.
Drilling optimization measurements
Pit-volume totalizer (PVT)Used with our proprietary software, our PVT is equipped with sensors that detect changes in drilling fluid to facilitate early kick detection, enhancing wellsite safety and minimizing nonproductive time.
Quantitative cuttings tool (QVC)Our QVC enables continuous, precise measurements of cuttings volumes and sizes, the applications of which include improving cuttings circulation, determining borehole diameter, maximizing ROPs and monitoring wellbore stability.
Electronic drilling recorder (EDR)Equipped with highly specialized sensors, our EDR enables monitoring of parameters key to drilling efficiency and safety—including rate of penetration (ROP), weight-on-bit (WOB), standpipe pressure (SPP), torque, casing pressure, pit totals and total gas. It can also be used to monitor other rig-related parameters (such as the temperatures, speeds and fuel levels of motors), thereby facilitating preventative maintenance, essential to minimizing nonproductive time.
pH/pS systemOur unique H2S detection system samples drilling fluid, as opposed to the more conventional approach of ambient monitoring around the wellsite. This method facilitates earlier detection of the potentially fatal gas.
Cultivating talent.More than 1,500 specialists support our surface logging systems. Their experience and interpretive expertise translate surface logging information from multiple sources into informed, decision-enabling recommendations that maximize drilling efficiency and reduce reservoir uncertainty.
Information management services
Tailored expertise
Training.
As the range of available real-time data has increased, so has the need for effective data integration and information management. Backed by advanced software applications and communications infrastructure, Weatherford’s network of wellsite and remote data hubs enables consolidation and communication of data streams from multiple sources, including LWD/MWD, surface logging and wireline logging. Located in WellHubs in major oil and gas centers, our information-management specialists act as client liaisons and conduits to relevant subject matter experts. Remote accessibility to data means the experts no longer have to be present at the wellsite, reducing operational costs, enhancing safety, enabling a broader range of input and ultimately enhancing decision-making.
A typical full-service surface logging crew might consist of one to six specialists including a mud logger, a sample catcher, a pressure engineer and a data engineer. We can also provide additional wellsite and offsite specialists in a range of disciplines to support your reservoir-evaluation and drilling-optimization efforts.
Ongoing development of our people is a core Weatherford commitment. We provide our surface logging specialists with customized training to complement their field experience. As a result, you have access to a highly qualified team of surface logging experts, equipped with up-to-date information on surface logging tools and techniques.
Data Engineermonitors drilling and logging data to advise on techniques to optimize drilling; documents probable hydrocarbon-rich pay zones.
Wellsite Remote
Wellsite Geoscience Consultantprovides range of wellsite support services including assistance in selection of casing, coring, pressure and testing points; core sampling and analysis; correlation with offset wells; geosteering support; and compilation of the final well report.
Wellsite Remote
Mud Loggerprepares and analyzes cutting samples to support drilling optimization and formation evaluation.
Wellsite Remote
uses our GC-TRACER surface gas detector to extract and analyze formation gas in drilling fluid, and interprets data; can also support third parties using GC-TRACER surface gas detector in their drilling operations.
Remote
GC-TRACER™ Specialist
Wellsite
Offsite Geoscience Consultantprovides operational support services including design of well-acquisition programs, and cost and budget analysis.
Wellsite Remote
Technical Supportprovides support to users of our multiple surface logging software packages; accessible via telephone and e-mail, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
RemoteWellsite
GPC Consultantassists in the selection of appropriate drilling mud, advises on measures to remediate abnormally high pore pressure and helps identify fractures that may necessitate the use of protective casing; performs pore-pressure assessments before, during and after drilling.
RemoteWellsite
Pressure Engineermonitors pore pressure during drilling operation as a means to optimize drilling and ensure wellsite safety.
RemoteWellsite
Sample Catcherretrieves samples from drilling mud and supports the wellsite crew.
RemoteWellsite
Surface Logging Systems
complementary services.
Integrating drilling and evaluation.Our broad range of surface logging capabilities and expertise enables you to maximize surface logging as an effective reservoir-evaluation and drilling-optimization tool. Use our equipment and services in concert with one another or independently to suit the specific needs of your operation.
In addition to surface logging, Weatherford’s complementary drilling and evaluation capabilities include LWD, MWD, wireline, Controlled Pressure Drilling® and testing services; laboratory analysis; and information management. We integrate data and experience in unique ways to maximize reservoir recovery, reduce drilling costs and optimize well productivity around the world.
Weatherford provides worldwide service and support from more than 800 locations in 106 countries. To experience our surface logging systems, contact an authorized Weatherford representative or visit weatherford.com/surfacelogging.
515 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600Houston, Texas 77027 USATel: 713-693-4000weatherford.com
Weatherford products and services are subject to the Company’s standard terms and conditions, available on request or at weatherford.com. For more information contact an authorized Weatherford representative. Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and service marks herein are the property of Weatherford. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Weatherford sells its products and services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable contract between Weatherford and the client.
