Hydrocarbon Evaluation and Interpretation

Dave Hawker

DATALOG

Aims of the Course

Identify the mechanisms of, and influences on, gas entering the drilling fluid Identify factors controlling the final gas magnitude and composition Total Gas measurement versus Chromatographic analysis

Aims of the Course (continued)

Interpretation of real-time and depth-based logs Use and benefits of gas ratio analysis Further applications of hydrocarbon evaluation

ROP

Chromatographic Gas

Gas Ratios

Hydrocarbon Evaluation
Recognition of hydrocarbon bearing zones
should zones be further tested detect zones that may go undetected by wireline

Determination of fluid type and contacts Evaluation of production potential Evaluation of formation pressure
well planning

Essential component to well safety

Evaluation Considerations
By what mechanisms can gas enter the drilling fluid? How much of the formation gas is detected at surface? How does surface composition compare to the actual reservoir fluid? What factors effect the quantity of gas detected? How does gas analysis correlate with other indicators?

Timetable - Day 1
Petroleum Composition and Classification
Common hydrocarbon groups American Petroleum Institute classification

Detection and Measurement

Gas Traps Total Gas Detectors
Types and Limitations Applications

Gas Chromatography

Timetable - Day 1 (continued)

Surface Gas Evaluation
Sources of gas Changes in state from original reservoir fluid Gas solubility considerations

Origins of Gas
Liberated, Produced, Recycled, Contamination Factors effecting their occurrence Surface recognition and evaluation

Timetable - Day 1 (continued)

Factors controlling surface quantity and composition
Formation considerations Drilling considerations Importance of fluid movements Drilling fluid system Surface considerations

Timetable - Day 2
Log Evaluation
Background gas & show evaluation Recognition and evaluation of produced gases

Chromatographic Analysis
Gas normalization Gas ratio analysis
Pixler ratios Wetness, Balance and Character Ratios Oil Indicator

Timetable - Day 2 (continued)

Fluorescence Techniques
Conventional UV fluorescence versus QFT

Case Studies and Applications

Petroleum
Any hydrocarbon compound that appears naturally in the Earths crust
Solid (i.e. Bitumen, Wax) Liquid (i.e. Crude) Gas

Composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms Contaminants such as CO2, S, N2

Hydrocarbon Compounds
Saturated Hydrocarbons
possessing single covalent bonds between the carbon atoms

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
possessing double bonds between the carbon atoms

Saturated Hydrocarbons
ALKANES
short carbon chains with every bond occupied by hydrogen atoms

Paraffin
straight or branch chained

Naphthene
cyclic chain

Straight Chain Paraffins or Normal Alkanes

Structure Name Abbreviation Formula

Methane

C1

CH4

Ethane

C2

C2H6

Propane

C3

C3H8

Normal Butane

nC4

C4H10

Normal Pentane

nC5

C5H12

Straight Chained Paraffin

Most common hydrocarbon, whether liquid or gas Termed the normal Alkanes

Cn H2n+2

Normal Alkanes
Where n ranges from 1 to 10: Methane Ethane C1 C2 Hexane Heptane C6 C7

Propane
Butane Pentane

C3
nC4 nC5

Octane
Nonane Decane

C8
C9 C10

Isomers

Normal

Iso-

Neo-

Branch Chained Paraffin

Isomers possessing 4 or more carbon atoms Given the same name as the normal alkanes along with the iso- prefix Detection at wellsite is restricted to isobutane and iso-pentane

Paraffins - Branched Alkanes

Structure Name Abbreviation Formula

Iso Butane

iC4

C4H10

Iso Pentane

iC5

C5H12

Saturated Hydrocarbons
ALKANES
short carbon chains with every bond occupied by hydrogen atoms

Paraffin
straight or branch chained

Naphthene
cyclic chain

Naphthene - Cyclic Chained Alkanes

Structure Name Formula

Cyclopropane

C3H6

Cyclobutane

C4H8

Cyclopentane

C5H10

Naphthene

Cn H2n
Closed chained with hydrogen occupying every available bond Names from the Paraffin series are prefixed with cyclo Molecularly lighter than paraffins but analyzed as if the same Associated with higher density crudes

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons or Aromatics

Saturated Hydrocarbons
possessing single covalent bonds between the carbon atoms

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
possessing double bonds between the carbon atoms

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons or Aromatics

Structure Name Formula

Benzene

C6H6

Toluene

C6H5CH3

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons or Aromatics

Closed chained but not saturated with hydrogen Minor component to crude oils Benzene
most common aromatic present in most crude oils

Cn H2n-6

C6 H6

API Classification
Based on the Specific Gravity (gm/cc) and defined by the American Petroleum Institute Determined at 16C and atmospheric pressure The larger the API rating, then the lighter the oil

API 141.5

SG

131.5

API Fluorescence Guide

Gas Condensate High Gravity Oil

Medium Gravity Oil

Low Gravity Oil

Summary
Petroleum fluids contain a complex mixture of hydrocarbon compounds Gas analysis is typically restricted to the lighter, common hydrocarbons
Saturated hydrocarbons
Normal Alkanes and isomers (Paraffins) Cyclo-Alkanes (Naphthenes)

Baffle Type Trap

Sample drawn to logging unit Mud sample in Gas is lifted with the rising air

Gas is released as mud cascades down baffles

Air In
Mud out

Agitator Trap
electric motor Gas/Air sample drawn to unit

gas released by impeller agitation Air in

mud out

mud flow
mud in

Limitations of the Agitator

Changes in mud flowrate
mud volume sampled
gas available to be extracted vs efficiency of trap

Extracted gas expelled with mud

mud flow pattern through the trap
rotation speed, design, immersed depth, mud rheology

Extraction efficiency
relative to individual gases
molecular weight, solubility, mud type/viscosity,

Location and Positioning

Directly over flowline entry Correct depth for maximum efficiency Away from cuttings obstruction Direction of exit port
downstream so not recycling degassed mud avoiding wind fluctuations

Quantifying the Gas Measurement?

Calibrate against gas-in-mud measurement
accounting for losses to the atmosphere poor sample quality if mud is gas cut frequency of mud gas sample

Equate to formation gas volume by comparing cuttings to mud volume ratio

changes in liberated gas volume due to the effects of flushing, influxes, washouts

EVALUATION OF RELATIVE CHANGES

Total Gas Detectors

What information do they provide? How do the different types of gas detector vary in their operation and response? Of what value is Total gas measurement? What are the limitations to Total gas measurement?

Types of gas detectors

Catalytic Combustion or Hotwire Thermal Conductivity Flame Ionization Infrared New technologies

Catalytic Combustion Detector

Platinum Wire

Catalyst

Alumina Bead

CC Operation
Platinum filament combusts a tiny fraction of the gas that is carried through the combustion chamber The combustion increases the temperature of the filament resulting in a change of electrical resistance Resulting potential difference is measured and calibrated for gas concentration

CC Response to Hydrocarbons
As molecular weight increases, combustion heat and detector response increase A registered increase can therefore be caused by higher concentrations or by a change in composition with a greater amount of heavier hydrocarbons

CC Response to Hydrocarbons

Response (relative to C1) C1 C2 C3 iC4 NC4 H2S 1.000 1.478 1.812 1.938 1.710 2.456

CC Response

Detector Response

C3 C2

C1

LEL Concentration in Air

Catalytic Combustion
Advantages
Industry standard for 30 years Simple, reliable, cheap Good sensitivity Response is proportional to heat energy of gas

Disadvantages
Gas mixture has to be below LEL Sensor can be poisoned Sensor deteriorates over time non linear measurement of EMA

Thermal Conductivity Detector

The detector measures the cooling effect that the gas/air mixture has on a filament The response from the gas mixture is referenced against the response from air A greater positive response is given by molecularly lighter gases

Thermal Conductivity Detector

Response (relative to air) Air 1.00 C1 1.25 C2 0.75 C3 0.58 iC4 0.55 NC4 0.55 He 5.90 CO2 0.60

Sample

Reference

Active

Thermal Conductivity Detector

Methane/Air has a linear response from 0 to 100% All other hydrocarbons give a negative response in comparison to air CO2 and H2S have a lower cooling effect H2 and He, very light, give a large positive response

Thermal Conductivity
Advantages
Cheap, reliable Long Life Range to 100% C1, linear measurement

Disadvantages
Poor sensitivity <0.1% C2+ lowers reading Poor zero stability non linear measurement of EMA interference

Flame Ionization Detector

FID Circuit
Ground

+
Combustion Chamber (cathode)

Ionization Cell (anode)

air
Hydrogen

sample

FID Operation
Complete combustion of gas sample
Large hydrogen flame means that heat generated by combustion is negligible
This ensures a constant temperature and the most linear response of all detectors

Detects the ionization process when combustion breaks down the carbonhydrogen bonds

Flame ionization
Advantages
Excellent sensitivity and range Stable Response equal to number of carbon atoms, linear measurement of EMA

Disadvantages
Expensive Complicated Use of hydrogen May not be linear at higher concentrations (chamber size)

Infrared Detector
Detects the infrared absorption frequency unique to different hydrocarbons An infrared stream is passed through cells containing a reference gas and the gas sample A filter removes all but the frequency range of hydrocarbons The difference in emitted energy between the two cells is calibrated in terms of hydrocarbon concentration

Infrared

Gas Sample Detector Source Reference Path Filter

Filter Frequency

Intensity

Filter Range

C1

C2+

Frequency

Infrared
Advantages
0-100% range is possible No poisoning

Disadvantages
Non linear output Interference gases Cost C1 output << C3+

New Technologies
What is the detector output with varying hydrocarbon components? What is the detector output with varying amounts of hydrocarbons? Are there any cross sensitivities? Does the sensor have any degradation mechanisms?

The Value of Total Gas Measurement

Continuous gas monitoring, instantaneous response Effective when zone is well known or only one fluid type will be encountered Assists the wellsite geologist in core point selection and formation tops Backup to chromatographic analysis Safety tool Stand-alone monitoring systems

Limitations
Measurement is qualitative rather than quantitative Can not distinguish hydrocarbon type, therefore cant identify fluid type Poor understanding of the differences between detector measurements

Total Gas Monitoring Systems

Used independently by wellsite geologist Automated with lagged gas, ROP etc Cost effective determination of porosity Continual printout and data storage Well safety Insurance against wireline data not being run or of poor quality due to invasion

Geologger

Real-Time Display

What information do they provide?

Continual Total Gas measurement Depth, Rate of Penetration Lag time, depth Rig operations (status, pump speed) Optional H2S LAS output

Geologger Printout

Chromatographic Analysis
Absolute measurement of individual gases and hydrocarbon compounds
Separation occurs as sample passed through columns containing separating medium
Different retention rates for gases of varying chemical or physical properties Individual components passed to detector where they are analyzed and measured

Chromatographic Analysis
Chromatographs can work on the principle of any of the previous detectors Particular gases analyzed dependent on: separating medium carrier gas column temperature and pressure separation time allowed

Chromatographic Analysis
Samples have to be separated and analyzed before following sample can be taken Chromatographs can be limited by this sample cycle Short sample time allows for: effective analysis with fast ROPs detection of fracture gas identifying formation tops identifying fluid contacts

The Portable Micro-Chromatograph

Silicon Injector

Capillary Column

Thermal Conductivity Detector

Sample Chromatogram
composite O2+N2 Column A Column B

C1 C3

peak milli-voltage area under curve

iC4 nC4 iC5 CO2 C2

nC5

10

determine autozero

20

elution time (seconds)

30

Advantages/Benefits of Chromatography
Absolute measurement of all hydrocarbon components Determination of reservoir fluid type Determination of fluid contacts

TCD versus FID

TCD variable response due to air flow and gas type is not a factor due to auto-zeroing and gas separation Micro-detector provides fast response ensuring linearity comparable to FID Both subject to non-linearity as a result of gas viscosity and entry into columns Both subject to amplifier and column saturation FIDs requirement of hydrogen supply Measurement of non-hydrocarbons with TCD TCD lower sensitivity is 10ppm, FID to the ppb.