Surface Logging Technology in oil & gas exploration

Gionata Ferroni Geolog International

Politecnico di Torino Petroleum Engineering Course - April 20th, 2011

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the industrys technology 2. Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration 3. Surface Logging Technology 4. Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling 5. Geolog

6. Q&A

Introduction to the industrys technology

1.

Introduction to the industrys technology

Introduction to the industrys technology

In this moment there are approximately 400 offshore rigs drilling a well in the seabed. There are also 3000 rigs drilling wells on 5 continents. The operating standards of these systems varry significantly: From basic, small land rigs drilling 500 metres wells in Alberta, to drillships operating ultradeepwater wells offshore Brazil. We will describe here the equipment utilized to provide geological analysis and monitor the and drilling activity on the more advanced drilling operations.

Introduction to the industrys technology Type of rigs

LAND RIG Land rigs are utilized for onshore drilling and vary depending on size (which depends on the depth of the well to drill) and on environmental conditions (land drilling can be found in both the hottest and coldest places on earth).

Introduction to the industrys technology Type of rigs

SWAMP BARGE This is a floating structure, utilized to drill wells in swamp areas, where neither land rigs or vessels can be towed to or sustained by the soft ground. Common in the southern US and in the Niger delta.

Introduction to the industrys technology Type of rigs

JACK-UP This is a mobile drilling rig, which requires top be towed over its drilling location. The Jackup has long leg structures, which it lowers to and into the seabed raising the rig out of the water (Jacking-up). The obvious limitation with this type of installation is the depth of water it can operate in. The maximum being five hundred feet. Surprisingly, many areas of the North Sea are not too deep for this type of installation to operate.

Introduction to the industrys technology Type of rigs

SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE RIG This floating drilling unit has pontoons and columns that, when flooded with seawater, can be submerged to a predetermined depth. The structure floats low with a large part of its body under water. This, combined with a number of large mooring anchors, makes it a very stable installation and the preferred choice for exploring deep offshore areas. A Semi-Sub can host up to 100 personnel. Some semi submersibles can drill in water depths over five thousand feet.

Introduction to the industrys technology Type of rigs

DRILLSHIP As the name suggests, this is a ship-shaped drilling vessel. Unlike the semi-submersible and the Jack-up, it does not require tugboats to tow it to location. They can drill in very deep waters (3000m). The latest generation of drillships has also reached a high level of stability, which used to be a problem while drilling.

Introduction to the industrys technology Type of rigs

Production Platform This permanent fixed structure can be built from concrete or steel and rests on the seabed. When oil or gas is located, a platform may be constructed to drill further wells at that site and to produce the hydrocarbon. Although some platforms can be small, most are massive compared to the other types of installations. They can be assisted by Jackups, Semis or Tender barges for drilling. In recent years floating production platforms (FPSO) have been introduced.

Introduction to the industrys technology Rig systems

POWER SYSTEM
HOISTING SYSTEM ROTATING SYSTEM CIRCULATING SYSTEM SAFETY SYSTEM

Introduction to the industrys technology Drilling a well

The well is drilled in sections

Drilling Rig

Marine Riser

BOP Blow-Out Preventer The drilling bit progresses. Mud is circulated into the well to remove excavated rock.

Introduction to the industrys technology Drilling a well

The telescopic well

Il pozzo telescopico
Pressure Test Steel Casing OK Cementation End of section

New Section

Introduction to the industrys technology Drilling a well

Traditional (5 cas.) Profile The hole sections (which can vary from 1 up to 7 or 8) are drilled with progressively smaller bits, with the typical diameters of: 17 , 12 , 8 , 6. Each section is followed by a casing run, which gives the well the typical telescopic profile. Lean Profile

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Introduction to the industrys technology Whos who on a drilling rig

Introduction to the industrys technology Whos who on a drilling rig

Company man (drilling engineer) : The representative of the Oil Company or Operator on a drilling location. For land operations, the company man is responsible for operational issues on the location, including the safety and efficiency of the project.
Well site Geologist : Often a consultant, less frequently an Oil Company staff, he is responsible of all items related to the geological interpretation. Tool pusher : He is responsible for the functioning of the drilling rig for the drilling contractor. The tool pusher is usually a senior, experienced individual who has worked his way up through the ranks of the drilling crew positions.

Introduction to the industrys technology Whos who on a drilling rig

Driller : He is the supervisor of the rig crew. The driller is responsible for the efficient operation as well as the safety of the crew and normally has many years of experience. The driller drives the rig : he operates the pumps, draw works and rotary table via the driller console.

Drilling Crew : The crew consists of motor man, roustabouts, roughnecks, floor hands, lead tong operators, derrick men, and assistant drillers.

Introduction to the industrys technology Whos who on a drilling rig

Service companies: The Mud Engineer is responsible of the drilling fluid (mud). He tests it continuously and prescribes necessary treatments to ensure the recommended properties. He also works closely with the rig's derrick man, who is in charge of the treatment. The Directional Driller is responsible of the correct trajectory of the well in case of directional well (inclination and azimuth). He will consider parameters as rotary speed, weight on bit, down hole motors and will monitor the trajectory according to the deviation surveys. The Cementer is in charge of preparing and pumping the cement slurry needed to cement the casing after a section of the well is run. The Mudlogger runs the geological laboratory and gathers drilling, geological and gas data. He provides the main and most detailed monitoring system of the rig.

Introduction to the industrys technology Whos who on a drilling rig

MWD LWD Operator : He is in charge to collect and analyze data coming from MWD or LWD tools. MWD (Measurement While Drilling) is a special tool that allows to measure different parameters (mainly deviation) while drilling. Those measurements are made downhole, stored in solid-state memory for some time and later transmitted to the surface. Data transmission methods vary from company to company, but usually involve digitally encoding data and transmitting to the surface as pressure pulses in the mud system. LWD (Logging While Drilling) measures formation parameters like resistivity, porosity, sonic velocity, gamma ray.
Casing Operator: In charge of running the casing into the hole. Ensures that each joint is in good order and is properly screwed onto the previous one. Coring Hand: In charge of running the coring equipment and collecting the core samples.

Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

2.

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Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Geological Analysis is one of the 3 main mudlogging duties.

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Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

The Geological analysis reveals what lithologies have been encountered while drilling and what were their characteristics.
Several quicklook analysis are done on the field to provide the initial lithological interpretation. Although more in-depth analysis can further be done in the laboratory, this initial information is crucial to understand if a hydrocarbon reservoir is present. A Mudlog is the result of this field analysis.

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Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Microscopic analysis of the cuttings:

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Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Siltstone

Sandstone

Limestone

Dolomite

Basalt

Tuff

Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Further analysis: Calcimetry Measurement of the percentage of calcium and/or of calcium-magnesium carbonate in rock samples or cuttings.

The calcimetry analysis enables to identify lithology and to correlate in between offset wells.
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Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Fluorescence of rock samples
Direct (Natural fluorescence) under U.V. Light it provides an indication of what type of oil is present in the rock, if any.

Geological Analysis applied to hydrocarbon exploration

High accuracy bulk density
Variations in the sample bulk density are a direct indication of: Lithology change. Shale compaction and water content. Presence of organic content. The absolute reading is less relevant since the rock releases pressure after being excavated.

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Surface Logging Technology

3.

Surface Logging Technology

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Surface Logging Technology

Scope of the Surface Logging Service

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Surface Logging Technology

Real-Time Monitoring is granted by a number of electronic sensors distributed around the rig and an acquisition system which: Gathers all the data in a database Runs software applications enabling usage of the data

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Surface Logging Technology

Review of the sensors utilized: - Sensors measuring the movement and behaviour of the drilling system - Sensors measuring the parameters of the drilling fluid - Sensors detecting the gases liberated by the drilling fluid All these sensors have an accuracy varying from 0.01% and 1% of the reading and are manufactured to operate in harsh environments and explosive atmospheres for months on end.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the movement and behaviour of the drilling system Vertical Movement of the Drill String Measured with a drawworks encoder The sensor enables to measure the movement of the hook and to calculate: -Hook Speed -Rate Of Penetration (ROP) main parameter to evaluate drilling efficiency. -Position of the drilling bit relatively to the bottom of the well.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the movement and behaviour of the drill string. Rotation and Torque of the Drill String Rotation (RPM) Measured with a proximity switch mounted on the Top Drive. Torque (kgf*m) -Measured with a Hall-Effect sensor (measures the EM field induced by variations in the electrical current). -Installed on the mains power supply of the drawworks. Torque measurement crucial to evaluate well stability Problems or well overpressure problems.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the movement and behaviour of the drill string. Weight of the Drill String Weight on the Hook (WOH, tons) Measured with a strain gauge cell mounted on the deadline. This sensor provides a number of important weight Measurements, apart from the WOH: Weight on Bit (WOB) the weight of the string released on the drill bit. Overpull/Drag the weight of the string being released on the wellbore walls. Indicators of drilling efficiency and of potential pipe stuck problems.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the movement and behaviour of the drill string. Pumps Regime Measured with proximity switches monuted on the body of rig pumps. The pump rate is used to calculate a number of parameters: -The mud flow rate. -The lagtime of the rock samples and gas being drilled. -Hydraulic parameters such as flow type, bit hydraulic force, reynolds number and pressure losses.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the movement and behaviour of the drill string. Pressures in the drilling system. Standpipe Pressure sensor (Bars, psi) Measured with a pressure cell installed on the rigs Standpipe manifold.

This sensor measures the pressure of the rig pumps. This pressure is an indication of: -The pumps regime -The pressure losses in the well -The integrity of the drill string -The onset of a kick.
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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the parameters of the drilling fluid. Level of drilling mud in the pits Pit Level sensor (m3, bbls) Measured with a sonic beam bouncing back from the surface of the fluid.

Crucial for operational safety: An unexpected drop of the mud level means the rig is losing mud to the well. An unexpected gain means the well is kicking potential release of hydrocarbons to the surface possible blowout.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the parameters of the drilling fluid. Muyd characteristics Mud Density Sensor (g/cc, ppg) Mud Temperature Sensor Changes in these parameters can indicate an imbalance of the Well pressure, potentially leading to wellbore damage or to a Kick.

Other sensors measure: Mud conductivity Mud pH

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors measuring the parameters of the drilling fluid. Mud flow Rate Electromagnetic Flow Sensors Coriolis Flow Sensors Litres/minute, gpm

This is one of the most important parameters , because it indicated directly if the well is in a balanced condition. Losses or gains in the flow must be recognized acted upon immediately.

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Surface Logging Technology

Sensors Location on a drilling Rig

Surface Logging Technology

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

4.

Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Gas Detection and analysis is the core of the mudlogging service. It represents the real original contribution of this service to the drilling process. Gas Data liberated while drilling provide a direct indication of: -Amount of hydrocarbon content of the rock. -Type of hydrocarbon present (oil, gas, condensate). -Changes in the characteristics of the fluid type and composition with depth. The importance of these data is that, often, they are the only direct Formation Evaluation data available in Real-time. So, how are these data collected?

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

How is gas extracted from mud?
An extractor (gas trap) phisically stirs the gas out of the mud. The gas is dried and sent to the mudlogging cabin via a gasline.

The extraction ideally is done at constant flow, T and P.

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

How is gas delivered to gas detector?
A pump in the cabin draws gus from the Gas trap and sends it through a Gas Distribution System. This system controls the flow of gas sample and grants:

Control on the sample flow, which is dictated by the pressure losses along the gasline and the length of a gasline. This prevents gas data variations not related to gas in mud but to the gasline. In case a change of the suction flow is needed (excessive gas-or the opposite) it can be done with a GDS. This must be recorded on logs.

A GDS, enables to use multiple gas detectors in parallel.

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

What gases arrives to the gas detector?

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Hydrocarbon Shows While Drilling

Methane CH4 Ethane C2H6 Propane C3H8 Butane C4H10 Pentane C5H12 Other gases analyzed are: Hexane, Aromatics, heavier hydrocarbons. Non-hydrocarbons such as: CO2, H2S, atmospheric gases.

Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

How are gases analyzed?
Gas Chromatograph Analysis C1 - C5

Frequency: according to cycle time (60 to 240 sec)

Gas mixture from Trap

Total Gas detector Continuous (or semi-continuous) analysis

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Chromatography: necessary step to separate all the species in a gas mixture enabling their measurement by a detector. The main type of gas detectors utilized are: Flame Ionization Detectors: the most commonly used due to their accuracy in measuring hydrocarbons. Thermal Conductivity Detectors: enable to measure also some non-hydrocarbons. Mass-Spectrometers: these are more complex and enable to measure any volatile substance.

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Flame Ionisation Detector (FID)
The FID utilizes a flame produced by the combustion of hydrogen and air. When an organic compound enters the flame it is burnt and then part of it is ionized, which results in the production of electrons and positive ions. The stream of freed electrons is directed to a measuring circuit by a polarizing electrode within the detector. The measurement circuit senses the electron stream as a current that is proportional to the amount of carbon in the flame.

Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)

Thermal Conductivity Sensor Relationship between Thermal Conductivity and Molecular Weight

The detector consists of a Wheatstone bridge circuit with a tungsten filament. Voltage will depend on the thermal conductivity of the gas passing by the heated metal surface. This in turn depends upon the molecular kinetic energy of the gas and is inversely proportional to the molecular weight of the gas.

500

450 400
Thermal Conductivity (Kcal/mole/C)

Hydrogen

Helium
350

300

250 200

Acetylene Nitrogen Air Methane Ethane Oxygen

150

100

Propane
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Butane

0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

Molecular weight

Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Mass Spectrometer
In the oilfield, MS are invariably associated with a preliminary chromatographic separation of the components (GCMS): Once the gas species are separated, they enter the MS chamber, where high-vacuum is maintained (10-6 atm): in the chamber, gases are bombarded by a stream of electrons causing them to break apart into ions.

All gases break apart in a very rigid pattern, and the ratio of each ion is fixed. Each ion has a specific mass.
The ions are then conveyed to an electromagnetic quadrupole. The quadrupole is programmed to select only ions of a certain mass through the slit. The rest bounces away. The quadrupole cycles through different ionic masses one at a time, covering the range of selected masses. This occurs many times per second. Each cycle of ranges is referred to as a scan.

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

How are gas data utilized? Some examples.

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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Formation change and Gas levels

Below is an example log: Note that the variation in the lithology is the primary cause of: a) An increase in the ROP. b) An increase in the gas level. The claystone has no porosity so has no gas. Plus, it acts as a trap for the gas in the formation below (in this case a limestone with diagenetic porosity).
ROP Lithology Calcimetry Gases C1 to C5

Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

Formation fracture and Gas levels

In the example below the gas peak is not related to a formation change. The gas comes together with a spike in the ROP, which indicates a possible fractured zone which liberates more gas. ROP Lithology Gases C1 to C5

With limestone reservoirs very often the presence and production of hydrocarbons is dependant on the fracturation of the formation. This fracturation can also lead to significant mud losses.

Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

well in Romania Oil Reservoir identified by DualFid Star

DualFid Star heavy gas detection Light Gases do not provide sharp indication of top of oil. Heavy Gases (nC6 to Toluene ) do. Gas-Oil Contact (GOC): gradual increase of C3-C5, but clear identification from heavy species at 2784m.

Heavy gas peaks match very well thin sand stringers.

Top Gas
GOC

Light Gases

Identification of Oil Reservoir with heavy Heavy Gases gas detector

Case History 203
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Hydrocarbon Gas Analysis while drilling

The LWD resistivity showed gas for the entire section. The gas Balance (Bh) ratio showed however two clearly separate compositions, indicating different hydrocarbon fluids (gas in the top two shows, oil in the remaining hydrocarbon shows. The MDT data confirmed the results of the gas analysis. A light oil pressure trend and a clear gas-oil contact are seen.
MDT Data
Wet gas gradient

GOC

Light Oil gradient

Separate gas and oil producers identified

Case History 007 57

Geolog

5.

Geolog

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Company Profile

GEOLOG is the largest independent international mud logging company in the world
GEOLOG is an oilfield services company operating at the forefront of technology in the field of surface logging
GEOLOGs growth is to be attributed, amongst others, to its technological leadership in mud logging and its strong focus on proprietary research and development

Brief history
- GEOLOG was founded in 1982 to provide ML Services to Eni (Agip) in Italy
- Remained mono country (Italy) mono client (AGIP) till 1994 - Venezuela (1994) Congo (1995) Tunisia (1995) - REAL EXPANSION DRIVE since 2000 Recruited over 250 graduates in Spain Portugal - Romania -UK - France Italy - Poland Algeria Iran India Pakistan Turkey Tunisia Venezuela China Wellsite training center on deep well in Italy Training Centers in Hassi Messaoud, Bucharest, Milan, Tripoli, Congo, Kuwait Manufacturing 14 to 18 units per year ( sales + services)

In the World
GEOLOG Presence
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Algeria Angola Argentina Australia Bolivia Brazil China Colombia Congo Croatia Denmark Gabon India Indonesia Italy Kazakhstan 17. Kuwait 18. Libya 19. Mexico 20. Netherlands 21. Norway 22. Peru 23. Romania 24. Russia 25. Spain 26. Tunisia 27. Turkey 28. UAE 29. UK 30. USA 31. Venezuela

Onshore: Exploration wells Development wells Geothermal wells Extended Reach Drilling Workover Underbalanced

Offshore: Exploration wells Development wells Extended Reach Drilling At-balance (MPD)

Deep & Ultra-Deep water wells (2,200m + water depth): Angola Mauritania Italy Trinidad Turkey Venezuela

HP / HT wells (7,500 meters, 370 F): Argentina Austria Italy Kuwait Mexico

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Customer References
GEOLOGs principal National Oil Company clients include: GEOLOGs Integrated service clients include:

GEOLOGs principal International Oil Company and corporate clients include:

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Core Business
To Reduce Drilling Time & Costs
Reduction of fishing operations caused by pipe wash-outs pressure monitoring Prevention of drilling string failures and twist-offs
- Via real time detection of down hole string vibrations SDC Vibration Analysis

To Improve Rig Safety

Prevention of blow-outs via early detection of kick & loss
Early detection of kick during drilling Advance detection of high risk blow-out situations Detection of kicks during tripping in & out Detection of hazardous gases at rig site

Piloting horizontal well (navigation)

- Via fast accurate gas chromatographs GWD Geosteering

To Detect & Evaluate Reservoirs

Hydrocarbon bearing formations containing:
Conductive fluids Fresh formation water

Optimisation of development drilling

- Via well-to-well correlation and field data bases

Prevention of drilling problems

- Via real-time evaluation of down hole cavings and cuttings volume CVM

Detection of hydrocarbons in deep fractured reservoirs Identification of reservoir units with gas ratios analysis Identification of fractures while drilling (and possible modelling to a field) EM FlowMeter or Coriolis FlowMeter Identification of formation fluids while drilling Geofluid Mass Spectrometer Prevention of formation damage in depleted reservoirs 63

Mud Logging Unit

On shore, Off shore, body certified A0 for harsh environment Skid mounted or container type Complete Laboratory for geological analysis & sample conditioning Standard Safety Equipments / Pressurization

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Mud Logger

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Mud Logger

Work shifts: 12 hrs per day 7 days per week. Work tour: 4-5 weeks of work, 2-4 weeks off. Crew of 4 people: 1 Data Engineer + 1 Mudlogging geologist per shift. 66

Work Environment

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Work Environment

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Work Environment

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Work Environment

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Personnel & Training

GEOLOGs employees are our most valuable asset

GEOLOG invests heavily in their recruitment, training and development

Around 1000 people work for GEOLOG
95% university graduated High percentage of geologists and a mix of Electronics and Petroleum Engineers

Very strong emphasis placed on training and development of staff

10 full-time training centres spread across its regions of operations to focus on its local workforce: Milan, Italy Tripoli, Libya Ploiesti, Romania Hassi Messaoud, Algeria Luanda, Angola Point Noire, Congo Maturin, Venezuela Kuwait City, Kuwait Balikpapan, Indonesia Villahermosa, Mexico

Geolog actively pursues stages and summer work experiences with students
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References & Contacts

Headquarters GEOLOG International BV
Operations/HR/Finance De Entree 242 9H 1101 EE Zuid-Oost Amsterdam, The Netherlands Mob +31 (0)6 156 49819 Tel +31 (0)20 342 0620 Fax +31 (0)20 342 0645 Production/Technical Via Carlo Porta, 21 20098 San Giuliano Milanese Milan, Italy Tel : +39-02982521 Fax: +39-0298252324 (Technical Dept) Fax: +39-0298247270
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Questions & Answers

6.

Q&A

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