SPE 93889

Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management

F. Morris, Schlumberger–PTC; C. Morris, SPE, Schlumberger; and T. Quinlan, SPE, Schlumberger–PTC

Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

formation lithologies, formation fluids, and borehole
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2005 SPE Western Regional Meeting held in environments to illustrate the robustness of the technique.
Irvine, CA, U.S.A., 30 March – 1 April 2005.
These cases include detailed analytic studies between the PNC
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
information contained in a proposal submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
tools. The results indicate that the new sigma processing can
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to provide direct time-lapse reservoir monitoring continuity and
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at yield accurate reservoir saturation analysis.
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper
for commercial purposes without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is Introduction
prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to a proposal of not more than 300
words; illustrations may not be copied. The proposal must contain conspicuous The PNC log records the thermal neutron capture cross section
acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435.
of the formation by measuring the thermal neutron’s rate of
decay. Because chlorine is the strongest neutron absorber of
Abstract the common earth elements, the response of these tools is
Pulsed neutron capture (PNC) tools are considered a primary determined primarily by the chlorine present (as sodium
evaluation means in reservoir monitoring and surveillance. chloride) in the formation. Since the effects of water salinity,
Systematic time-lapse PNC logging gives a detailed and porosity, and shaliness on the thermal neutron decay rate are
dynamic picture of the reservoir saturation response to similar to those of resistivity logs, the PNC log resembles the
production and injection operations. The neutron capture usual openhole resistivity logs and is easily correlated with
cross section measurements offer the essential means to them.
monitor hydrocarbon saturation, water breakthrough, and fluid Pulsed neutron capture tools first became available to the
contact changes in a timely manner. petroleum industry in 1968 with the introduction of the new
The recent introduction of a new generation of pulsed cased-hole technology by two service companies. These tool
neutron capture logging tools has lead to a reappraisal of the systems indirectly measured the rate of decay of thermal
design of reservoir monitoring logging programs. Efficient neutrons in the formation from the accompanying decay in
reservoir management requires that the latest PNC tool gamma rays produced as these neutrons are absorbed by the
technology be comparable with the older measurement results formation. The tools inject pulses of 14 MeV neutrons into
to provide continuity, precision, and accuracy in the the formation that, through scattering, are rapidly reduced to
monitoring program. A new sigma processing technique was thermal energy levels. As these neutrons spread through the
developed for the dual-burst pulsed neutron capture formation, they are captured by various atomic nuclei making
measurements to accomplish this objective. This technique up the formation at a rate proportional to their population.
maintains the resolution and repeatability of the new- Capture events produce gamma rays, some of which are
generation tools but provides results needed for reconciliation detected by the tool. As the neutron population decays, so
with the older generation tools used for more than 20 years in does the number of gamma rays detected. The decay time
reservoir monitoring. value was originally presented on the log presentation as 'Tau'.
The sigma processing technique is described relative to the With initial work at qualitative interpretation of this data,
old and new generation tools, which utilize radically different the term ‘Macroscopic Capture Cross Section’ was devised
approaches. Diffusion, borehole, and lithology effects must be and became what is now termed ‘Sigma’ of the formation.
considered when transforming observed quantities such as The relationship between Tau and Sigma is a fixed
decay times or near-to-far ratios to actual physical quantities. relationship: Sigma = 4545/Tau, where Tau is in microseconds
General considerations of repeatability and accuracy are (of decay time). In a sense, this was the first attempt at
discussed which apply to PNC logs and their use in both qualitative interpretation as the PNC technology was born.
stand-alone and time-lapse techniques. The PNC log provides the means to recognize the presence
More than 30 cases have been evaluated with the new of hydrocarbons (via the absence of salt water) in formations
processing technique. Examples are presented that show that have been cased, and to detect changes in water saturation
reservoir monitoring results obtained in a wide variety of during the production life of the well. The PNC log is thus
useful for evaluation of old wells, for diagnosing production
2 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

problems, and for monitoring reservoir performance when the 126 measurement gates (Fig. 1), more efficient detectors, and
formation water salinity permits. These tools have been a more powerful neutron source that generates over twice the
designed for use in reservoirs where the formation water neutron yield in neutrons/second of the existing TDT-P tool5.
salinity is high. Optimal logging conditions occur when the The result is a more accurate tool with excellent repeatability.
wellbore is filled with a high capture cross section fluid such Sigma is used to discriminate between hydrocarbon and
that the borehole signal will rapidly decay and interfere less saline water, since chlorine has a very large capture cross
with the formation signal. As in the case of the resistivity log, section compared to hydrocarbon and reservoir rocks. The
the most important parameter values needed for quantitative greater the total salt count (NaCl per 1000 ppm) in the
interpretation are porosity and water salinity. Information is formation waters, the better any PNC tool quantitatively
also required on shaliness, lithology, and the nature of the describes the water saturation. The effects of water salinity,
hydrocarbon. porosity, and shaliness on the measured parameter sigma (the
In the years that have transpired since, service companies quantitative part of the water saturation solution) are similar to
have endeavored to enhance and specialize this technology to those on resistivity logs. A simple interpretation model
assist their customers in differentiating between gas, oil, and presumes that formation sigma is equal to the sum of the
water. In Schlumberger, the technology evolved through five constituent sigma values weighted by the fractional volume
different tool designs to arrive at the Thermal Neutron Decay occupied1,2,3,4.
∗
Time (TDT-P ) tool of 1986. The TDT-P tool emits regular
pulses of fast neutrons and indirectly measures the rate at ∑log = ∑ma(1-φe-Vsh) + Vsh∑sh + φeSw∑wa + φe(1-Sw)∑hyd (1)
which thermal energy level neutrons are captured. This rate is
approximately exponential in character. The decrease in the The sigma log value is then used to calculate moveable water
thermal neutron population is primarily caused by neutron saturation. Transformation of the functional volume model in
capture, but there is some additional depletion because of Eqn 1 yields the classic shaly sand model solution for Sw:
neutron migration (diffusion).
Each measurement cycle contains two neutron pulses, a (∑log - ∑ma) - φe (∑hyd - ∑ma) - Vsh (∑sh - ∑ma)
short one and a longer one. Fig. 1 shows how the counting Sw = -⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯- (2)
gates are positioned very close in time to the initial short burst φe (∑wa - ∑hyd)
of neutrons. This allows measurement of a fast (borehole
related) decay, without saturating the detectors. A long burst This quantitative solution for Sw directly identifies the
follows the first set of counting gates, and it is used to provide moveable water content of the effective porosity.
good counting statistics for the slower formation decay Three factors interfere with a simple measurement of
component. Sixteen time gates are used for each detector, and formation sigma: borehole fluid, borehole hardware (e.g., a
a full measurement cycle includes 128 repetitions of the dual- gravel pack), and diffusion effects. The TDT-P processing
burst plus a background check. utilizes a two-component diffusion model to characterize
The TDT-P tool uses a method of analyzing the decay of a borehole effects. This approach separates the borehole and
burst of fast neutrons in the downhole environment that formation components of the signal. The RST processing
provides an accurate measurement of neutron capture cross utilizes a dynamic parameterization technique, based on an
section of the formation by applying a physically realistic extensive set of laboratory and modeled data, that has been
model of the decay which accounts for neutron diffusion developed to provide answers including formation sigma,
effects. Intrinsic sigma is computed directly from the decay formation porosity, salinity of the borehole fluid, and other
curve. The depth of investigation for optimum sigma logging formation property curves5.
conditions is about 14 inches. The diffusion model has been
validated using over 1000 measurements in well-characterized Applications
laboratory test formations. The standard model used to Reservoir Monitoring. In the time-lapse technique, each
describe the decay by capture of thermal neutrons is the time- PNC log is compared with one or more logs run earlier in the
dependent neutron diffusion equation1. life of the well. Differences between successive logs will
The Reservoir Saturation Tool (RST*) is the next reflect either changes in water saturation, salinity, or changes
generation PNC tool with multi-functional capabilities in the nature of the hydrocarbon. Preferably a reference log is
including carbon/oxygen (which generates elemental yields of run soon after production begins, but after a sufficient period
oxygen, silicon, calcium, iron, magnesium, hydrogen, of time has elapsed for the filtrate-invaded zone behind casing
chlorine, and carbon), sigma/porosity, oxygen activation, to dissipate. These time-lapse logs provide direct information
phase velocity, and production logging applications. This tool for use in planning workover operations to enhance production
is radically different from the TDT-P tool in both hardware and to control water production. Quantitative determination of
and data processing techniques. Briefly, the RST tool uses the the residual oil saturation in the swept zones is necessary for
dual-burst measurement technique in the sigma mode, with efficient reservoir management.
In general, the water saturation changes can be determined
∗
Mark of Schlumberger from PNC time-lapse measurements by calculating
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 3

Change in Sw = change in ∑log / φe (∑wa - ∑hyd) (3) where τ is the capture time constant (Tau) of the medium and
is given in terms of the mean velocity of the thermal neutrons,
Using the above equation and assuming that ∑wa = 54, ∑hyd = v, and the capture cross section of the medium (Σ) as
21, and φe = 0.26, it can be calculated that an uncertainty of
1
0.5 cu in the measurement of sigma formation will produce an τ= . (5)
uncertainty of about 6 saturation units (su) for typical vΣ
moderate porosity oil reservoirs with saline water. For a The e −t τ term represents the effects of neutron capture and
sigma repeatability of 0.2 cu, such as can be attained with the
RST tool, the uncertainty would be only 2 water saturation the t −γ term with constant exponent γ, 0 ≤ γ < 1 , models the
units. effects of neutron diffusion.
In water flood, steam flood, or CO2 flood projects, For a PNC tool in a fluid-filled wellbore surrounded by a
reservoir non-uniformities have a significant effect on both the fluid-filled rock formation, the instantaneous gamma ray
areal and vertical sweep efficiency. In addition, gravity count-rate response at the detector is approximated by two
fingering of the CO2 over the oil bank, viscous fingering of terms of the type given in Eqn 4, one for the borehole and one
CO2 through the oil bank, and changes in mobility and for the formation,
injectivity due to relative permeability changes create
N b Ab −γ b −t τ b N f A f −γ f −t τ f
additional problems. In water flood projects, the salinity of h( t ) = t e + t e (6)
the commingled waters is unknown so an analysis using sigma τb τf
measurements alone is not possible.
where the b and f subscripts respectively designate borehole
Fluid Saturation. The PNC log is a valuable tool in and formation. Here, all the components in the wellbore
evaluating untested or unswept reservoirs in most lithologic (fluid, casing, cement, etc.) are lumped into a single
environments. The primary method for analysis is to estimate homogeneous borehole.
the composite sigma cross section of the matrix material and For a pulsed neutron source, S(t), the resulting gamma ray
apply a correction for shaliness. The uncertainty in the sigma count-rate response at a detector will be a convolution of the
matrix, where the bulk of the rock matrix cross section results source function with the impulse response from Eqn 4 given
from the primary mineral, is much greater than that in the by
PNC measurements. The normal assumption is that the ∞
surrounding shales have a similar composition as the clay R( t ) = ∫ S ( t ′) h( t − t ′) dt ′ . (7)
minerals in the sands of interest. The sands have the same −∞
shale composition, but vary in the percent shale content. This
The tool actually measures the number of gamma rays
technique has proven highly reliable in many different
detected during a set of fixed time gates distributed throughout
formation environments. The solution of Eqn 1 requires that
the other appropriate variables, such as the sigma values for the source cycle. For the ith gate beginning at t 0i and ending
the fluids (oil, gas, and water), be measured or calculated from at t1i , the number of gamma ray counts occurring within the
the fluid composition. gate is given by the integral
In reality, the sigma log value does not equal the terms on
t1i t1i ∞
the right side of Eqn 1 because of borehole effects and the
measurement and calculation techniques utilized to determine Ci = ∫ R ( t ) dt = ∫ ∫ S ( t ′) h( t − t ′) dt ′dt . (8)
the value. The newer PNC tools provide corrections for these t 0i t 0i − ∞
conditions to measure a sigma log value approaching the Assuming S (t ) is a square pulse of width T and assuming that
intrinsic formation capture cross section value. The effects of counts following a burst come only from that particular burst,
the borehole conditions must be removed from the sigma we can substitute Eqn 6 into 8 and simplify to give
value used in the final saturation calculations.
t1i 0
e −( t −t ) τ b dt ′dt
NAb
∫ ∫ ( t − t ′)
Processing Techniques −γ ′
TDT-P Processing Model. The processing model Ci = b

developed initially for the TDT-P tool is based on an τb t0 i −T

instantaneous gamma ray count-rate response at a given t1 j 0
detector to an impulse source of thermal neutrons in a NA f − ( t −t ′ ) τ f
∫ ∫ ( t − t ′)
−γ
homogeneous medium2 described by + f
e dt ′dt . (9)
τf t0 j −T
h( t ) =
NA −γ − t τ
t e (4)
τ To further simplify, we assume that detected counts in the
gates immediately following the burst come mostly from the
borehole, while counts in the late gates following the long
4 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

burst come primarily from the formation. This will be a set of more than 1000 laboratory formation measurements.
especially true when the formation Σ f is much smaller than Using this characterization, the values for γ to be used for
processing TDT-P decay data can be predicted from
the borehole Σ b . In this case, the counts in the early and late
environmental conditions and from initial estimates of sigma
gates can be approximated, respectively, with the borehole and and porosity.
formation term alone from Eqn 9. Because the RST source-to-detector spacing is different
Evaluation of the convolution and gate summation from TDT-P tool, the RST tool requires different diffusion
integrals can be simplified by using power series exponents. Since the aim is to match the TDT-P response, the
−γ
approximations for the t term. With these approximations, RST exponents are chosen to produce the same sigma value as
the borehole and formation gate counts of Eqn 9 can each be the TDT-P tool. The database of over 1000 RST and TDT-P
expressed as laboratory measurements, taken back-to-back in
Schlumberger’s Environmental Effects Calibration Facility,
t1i 0
e −( t −t′ ) τ dt ′dt
was used for this characterization.
∫ ∫ ( t − t ′)
NA −γ
Ci =
τ t0i −T Contamination Correction. The basis for the two-
≅ NA ( t1i − t 0i ) e −ti τ component processing model is that the early gates following
×
(K )
the burst will be influenced almost entirely by the fast
0 ti
−γ
+ K1 ( t i + T 2)−γ + K 2 ( t i + T )−γ (10) decaying component and the late gates by the slow. This will
be the case for low-to-medium porosity formations filled with
where K 0 , K1 and K 2 are constants depending on the pulse oil, gas or fresh water (slow decay) and boreholes filled with
duration T and initial estimate for τ and t i is the time during highly saline water (fast decay). Here, there is a large contrast
in formation and borehole sigma. For higher porosity
the ith gate when the count rate multiplied by the gate duration formations with saline water and oil-, gas- or fresh water-filled
equals the counts in the gate. Rearranging this equation to boreholes, the contrast in sigma values is much less so that the
express the exponential variation gives two decay components will overlap substantially. This results
( t1i − t 0i )
Ci in considerable contamination of one of the decay components
NA e −ti τ = (11) with portions of the other.
K 0 ti −γ
+ K1 ( t i + T 2 )−γ + K 2 ( t i + T )−γ Of primary concern is the contamination of the formation
decay with borehole signal that will bias the formation sigma
Dividing the gate instantaneous count rate in the numerator by
determination. The far and near detector biases can be
the denominator term yields a purely exponential decay with
described the with the equations
time constant directly related to formation sigma. Thus, the
denominator term in Eqn 11 can be considered as a correction Σ f true = Σ f , f − Σ f bias , f (13)
for diffusion.
Least squares estimates for the exponential’s amplitude and
and decay constant can be derived from equations obtained by Σ f true = Σ f ,n − Σ f bias ,n (14)
taking the logarithm of both sides of Eqn 11 to give
where the second subscripts f and n indicate far and near
ln (NA) − t i τ = detector results. Comparing the far and near detector biases
Ci ( t1i − t 0i )
⎛ ⎞ for the over 1000 laboratory measurements suggests that in a
ln ⎜ ⎟.
( )
(12) given environment, one detector’s bias is proportional to the
⎜ K t −γ + K ( t + T 2 )−γ + K ( t + T )−γ ⎟
⎝ 0 i 1 i 2 i ⎠ other; i.e.,

The K 0 , K1 and K 2 coefficients and the t i values all require Σ f bias ,n = Y Σ f bias , f . (15)
a value of τ, so a final solution for τ requires an iteration. A
starting τ value is determined by fitting the decay data Subtracting Eqn 13 from Eqn 14 and using Eqn 15 gives
assuming no diffusion correction and then used to compute
K 0 , K1 , K 2 and t i , which in turn, are used to compute a new Σ f ,n − Σ f , f = Σ f bias ,n −Σ f bias , f
value of τ. Two iterations are normally needed for the = (Y − 1) Σ f bias , f (16)
solution to converge to a stable value.
from which
Diffusion Correction. In general, the γ diffusion exponents
are complex functions of the source-detector spacing and the Σf bias , f =
1
Y −1
(
Σ f ,n − Σ f , f )
( )
formation and borehole geometry and decay rates. The
behavior of γ has been characterized for the TDT-P tool over = X Σ f ,n − Σ f , f (17)
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 5

where X = 1 (Y − 1) . Substituting this back into Eqn 13 augment the strong aquifer drive. The monitoring program for
this field includes the gas-oil and water-oil contacts as well as
gives
the formation fluid saturation changes.
Σ f true = Σ f , f − X ( Σ f ,n − Σ f , f ) (18) The completion is in 5-1/2”, 14 lbm/ft casing within an 8-
3/4” borehole. The RST tool was run in this well to evaluate
The second term in this equation, the gas cap development in the reservoir. The WINR

Σ f corr = X ( Σ f ,n − Σ f , f ) ,
algorithm, developed for the PNC tools, was processed and
(19) shows a significant gas response in the interval 538-552 ft.
The porosity measurement is decreased to about 6 pu,
is the formation sigma bias correction. The factor, X, depends confirming the sigma and WINR curve responses. The
mainly on the contrast in borehole and formation sigma values interval from 552-558 ft is the oil leg of the zone.
and has been characterized over the set of TDT-P database Furthermore, a second oil sand is located from about 572-588
measurements. Since the goal is to replicate the TDT-P ft. The RST can also be run in the inelastic/capture mode to
response, the TDT-P contamination corrections are used for determine the carbon/oxygen ratio and the elemental yield
RST. lithology5. This information can be very useful in determining
if a low porosity response, as seen here, is caused by calcite
RST Processing Model. In contrast to the TDT-P signal cementation of the formation or is a clean gas filled sand.
model, the RST model utilizes a dynamic parameterization As can be seen, the basic results from the fluid saturation
technique5. The RST tool response was recorded in a calculations are the same regardless of the tool used for the
combination of over 1300 laboratory and 400 modeled analysis, since there would be internal consistency for the
formations and mapped to the formation sigma, formation sigma values used for each tool in Eqn 2. The comparison of
porosity, salinity of the borehole fluid, and other formation the measured sigma values from the two specific PNC tools is
property curves. As the tool is logged, its response is used to given in Fig. 3. The crossplot results from the TDT-Like
interpolate within the mapped database to determine sigma, processing shows excellent agreement with the TDT-P sigma
porosity and borehole salinity. A weighted multiple linear results in the sands. The TDT-Like sigma matches the TDT-P
regression procedure is employed for the interpolation. Since sigma values much better than the standard RST sigma
the actual tool response in a wide range of environments is measurement. The RST sigma is an average of 3 cu higher
utilized, this technique provides more accurate formation than the TDT-P sigma in the mid-range values – better at the
sigma and porosity answers than the TDT-P model when low and high sigma values as seen the Fig. 3. There is no
logging in one of these characterized environments. average RST sigma offset to correct the tool results back to the
Because of the differences in tool hardware, detector TDT-P values. TDT-Like sigma agrees with the TDT sigma
spacing, and processing techniques, a direct comparison of the as well as TDT repeats itself as shown in Fig. 4.
measured RST sigma values will usually show a 2-3 cu
variable offset to the TDT-P values. In order to easily Example B. This field has a long history of production from a
compare the results from the two tools, it seems logical that shaly-sand formation with a water salinity of about 30,000
the RST measurements can be reprocessed using the TDT-P ppm NaCl equivalent, which is considered marginal for
processing technique and maintain the superior precision and definitive PNC interpretation. The porosity is in the range of
repeatability of the new generation tool. The TDT-Like about 23-25 percent. It has seen an extensive PNC monitoring
processing, therefore, accomplishes this objective for the dual- program for more than 30 years in which the PNC tools have
burst neutron capture measurements by utilizing the extensive changed drastically and may require measurement corrections
data base and generating the appropriate diffusion exponents. for proper interpretation. Low salinity workover fluid, such as
Thus, the TDT-Like processing can be used on RST seawater, and formation wash out zones can be a significant
measurements in real-time or applied in a playback mode. logging problem. The determination of a diffusion and
borehole corrected sigma largely removes the problem of
Field Examples borehole effects. One method that has been used for the
Example A. Fig. 2 shows the lithology analysis from the comparison of different generation PNC tools is to run a back-
original openhole log data and the fluid saturation analysis to-back comparison. The development of the TDT-Like sigma
from the latest PNC logging data obtained with the two PNC processing now makes it possible to obtain the sigma
tools. This field, in production for over 60 years, is in the comparison data from the same tool.
central portion of the Woodbine basin. Production is from this In 2004, a comparative logging program was performed in
formation of the Upper Cretaceous age. The sands were which the RST and TDT-P tools were run back-to-back. The
deposited by braided streams and tend to be thick with good example well from this field was completed with 7-5/8”, 29.7
continuity throughout the field. The structure was generated lbm/ft casing in a 9-7/8” borehole. Fig. 5-8 show plots of the
by the upward thrust of a deep-seated salt dome that created sigma data from this on-going reservoir monitoring project.
extensive faulting in the formation. The porosity is in the The RST sigma gives a large, variable offset from the TDT-P
range of 25-27 percent and an original oil gravity of 24 °API. sigma in the 10-15 cu range. The TDT-Like sigma matches
The field is unitized and gas injection operations started to TDT-P much better. The measured offset is clearly evident in
6 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

Fig. 7, whereas the offset between the TDT-Like and TDT-P rock with higher perm, and represents a substantial amount of
sigma is very small. The match between the two sigma remaining reserves. In this well, the majority of the upper
values, given in Fig. 8, is almost as good as the repeatability sands are undergoing successful steam management with the
of one TDT-P pass with another. Based on this result, the sigma value approaching 12 cu for 100% steam placement,
TDT-Like sigma can be readily used to monitor the reservoir and the remaining oil and water intervals in the 18-12 cu
response to production without additional corrections or range.
manipulations of the data. This well is completed with 5-1/2” casing in a 7-7/8”
borehole. The comparison of the RST, TDT-Like, and TDT-P
Example C. The next three examples are from one of the sigma values is given in Fig. 12. The comparison shows an
oldest and largest heavy oilfields in central California, which RST sigma variable offset from the TDT-P sigma values,
has been in production for over 100 years. Oil Gravity ranges especially in the 10 – 15 cu range. The crossplot of formation
from 10-15 °API. The reservoir is a multi-layered fresh water sigma values is given in Fig 13. On the average, there appears
braided river deposition system undergoing various stages of to be a slight sigma-dependent offset between RST and TDT-P
enhanced recovery processes. Steam flood operations are a values varying from –1 to 2 cu. No offset exists for the TDT-
major part of this field’s development. Time-lapse 4-D Like sigma from the TDT-P values with a consistent match.
models are developed from temperature profiles; steam and oil
saturation derived from PNC, CNT, C/O, and temperature Example E. A third well is from a central California field
logs. These profiles are then analyzed for bypass oil, adjacent to the previous example presented above. This
estimates of reserves remaining, and steam management. example helps show the complex channel systems that form
Water salinity is from 300-2000 ppm, so the application of the reservoir when compared to the previous example. Here
standard PNC log evaluation techniques cannot distinguish the sands appear thin and inter-dispersed with siltstone,
between water and oil. A typical sigma value from the oil- forming smaller sand channels. Again oil gravity is about 12
water is 23 cu. Carbon/Oxygen logging techniques are used to °API and formation water salinity ranges from 300-2000 ppm.
effectively determine the oil and water saturations. However, The upper sands appear to be effectively undergoing steam
the sigma measurements are used to accurately derive the management; intervals at 7250-7280 ft and 7290-7310 ft
gas/steam saturation from total liquids. contain residual oil (sigma values greater than 12 cu) that
This example well is completed with a single string of 7” would be providing the majority of production in the offset
casing in a 9-7/8” borehole. The Upper Interval at 7850-7880 producer.
ft is close to 100% steam with residual oil saturation from 2.5- The well is completed with 5-1/2” casing in a 7-7/8”
5.0 su remaining. The sands above and below are still borehole. Fig. 14 shows that the RST sigma again has a
undergoing steam injection and the remaining oil or water is variable offset from the TDT-P sigma, especially in the 10 –
contained where the sigma values are less than 12 cu. C/O is 15 cu range. The crossplot in Fig. 15 shows that the TDT-
used to distinguish the water from the oil due to the fresh and Like sigma matches TDT-P sigma response much better.
changing water values. The comparison of the RST, TDT-
Like, and TDT-P sigma values is given in Fig. 9. The Example F. This well is completed in a field located in Kern
comparison shows a variable offset between the TDT-Like County, California. Production is from fine-grain fluvial
sigma values and the TDT-P values over the entire interval. alluvial sandstone of Miocene to early Pleistocene age.
The crossplot of formation sigma values is given in Fig 10. Formation water salinity is less than 1000 ppm. Oil gravity is
On the average, there appears to be a sigma-dependent offset 13-14 °API. The reservoir porosities range from 28-32 pu.
between RST and TDT-P varying from –1 to 2 cu. No offset New techniques are being evaluated to reduce production
exists for the TDT-Like sigma from the TDT-P values. The costs and increase the return on investment on heavy oil from
match between TDT-Like sigma and TDT-P sigma is almost these fields; this completion is with 3-1/2” tubing in a 6-1/2”
as good as the repeatability of the TDT sigma measurement, as borehole. PNC logs are being used to replace traditional
seen in Fig. 11. openhole logs in these monitor wells to establish a reservoir
fluid baseline measurement and to provide correlation with the
Example D. A second well from the same field as above offset wells and placement in the 3D models. The utilization
located in central California is presented next. Again for of small-hole production casing and ‘casing drilling’
review, oil gravity is about 12 °API and formation water techniques is an emerging trend in field development today.
salinity is in the range of 300-2000 ppm. Use of the PNC tool PNC applications must be able to address the formation
to discriminate oil from water is not practical. Grain size evaluation issues accurately as cased-hole logging becomes
distribution of the Mio-Pleistocene braided river system the dominant evaluation method. As with any service,
deposited a mixture of reservoir quality varying from highly operators also want to address the legacy issue with a previous
permeable sands to lower permeable siltstones with small generation of logs and newer services. The TDT-Like sigma
amounts of clay. This stacking of the reservoir rock and now allows the operator to use reservoir model parameters
production has led to pockets of reservoir rock with residual based on TDT-P logs and without having to develop new
oil saturation of 10-30 su higher then the adjacent reservoir models or parameters.
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 7

Fig. 16 gives the RST and TDT-P sigma results. It shows TPHI = PNC Neutron Porosity, pu
a variable RST sigma offset from the TDT-P sigma values, TSCF = Total Counts Far Detector, cps
especially in the lower sigma (5 – 10 cu) range in this small TSCN = Total Counts Near Detector, cps
diameter casing. On the average, there appears to be a sigma- Vsh = Shale Volume, percent (may be obtained from
dependent offset between RST and TDT-P varying from –2 to GR using correlations; e.g., linear, Clavier,
3 cu. Fig. 17 is a crossplot of the PNC data. No offset exists Stieber, Larionov, etc.)
for the TDT-Like sigma from the TDT-P values with a WINR = Weighted INelastic Ratio
consistent match through the lower-to-mid sigma range. ∑hyd = Sigma Hydrocarbon, cu (capture units)
∑log = Sigma Log, cu
Conclusions ∑ma = Sigma Matrix, cu
The TDT-Like processing model can: ∑sh = Sigma Shale, cu
• Be utilized with any RST data set in real-time or be ∑wa = Sigma Water Apparent, cu
used to re-process data in a playback mode to identify φe = Effective Porosity, pu (porosity units, V/V)
potential hydrocarbon zones. (PHIE)
• Aid the production engineer in identifying reservoir φt = Total Porosity, pu
fluid contacts.
• Be used to monitor fluid saturation changes with time- References
lapse logging. 1. Cased Hole Log Interpretation Principles, Schlumberger,
Houston (1988).
Acknowledgment 2. Olesen, J-R., Mahdavi, M., and Steinman, D.K.: “Dual-Burst
The authors wish to thank the many petroleum industry Thermal Decay Time Processing and Examples,” paper U
companies for their cooperation in permitting use of well presented at the 1987 SPWLA Twenty-Eighth Annual
information and well logs for the various examples and case Symposium, London, England, June 29- July 2.
3. Olesen, J-R., Mahdavi, M., and Steinman, D.K., and Yver, J-P.:
histories presented herein. We also wish to thank
“Dual-Burst Thermal Decay Time Logging Overview and
Schlumberger for its support of this project. Examples,” paper SPE 15716 presented at the 1987 SPE Middle
East Oil Show, Manama, Bahrain, Mar. 7-10.
Nomenclature 4. Steinman, D.K., Adolph, R.A., Mahdavi, M., Marienbach, E.,
BSAL = Borehole Fluid Salinity, kppm Preeg, W.E., and Wraight, P.D.: “Dual-Burst Thermal Decay
BV = Bulk Volume, fraction Time Logging Principles,” paper SPE 15437 presented at the
BVW = Bulk Volume Water, fraction 1986 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, New
CCL = Casing Collar Locator, v Orleans, LA, Oct. 5-8.
CIRF = Capture-to-Inelastic Ratio/Near 5. Plasek, R.E., Adolph, R.A., Stoller, C., Willis, D.J., and Bordon,
E.E.: “Improved Pulsed Neutron Capture Logging With Slim
CIRN = Capture-to-Inelastic Ratio/Far
Carbon-Oxygen Tools: Methodology,” paper SPE 30598
DPHI = Openhole Density Porosity, pu presented at the 1995 SPE Annual Technical Conference and
FBAC = Background Counts, cps Exhibition, Dallas, TX, Oct. 22-25.
GR = Gamma Ray, GAPI
ILD = Deep Induction Resistivity, ohm-m SI Metric Conversion Factors
LLD = Deep Lateral Log Ressistivity, ohm-m °API 141.5/(131.5+°API) = g/cm3
LLS = Short Lateral Log Ressistivity, ohm-m ft x 3.048* E -01 = m
INFD = Inelastic Far Detector Counts, cps in x 2.54* E+00 = cm
IRAT = Inelastic Near/Far Ratio lbm x 4.535 924 E -01 = kg
NPHI = Openhole Neutron Porosity, pu
RHOB = Openhole Density, gm/cc *Conversion factor is exact
SIGM = Neutron Capture Cross Section, cu __________________________________________________
SIBH = Sigma Borehole, cps
SP = Spontaneous Potential, mv
Sw = Water Saturation, percent
SwB = Bulk Water Saturation, percent
8 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

Fig. 1 - The RST TDT-Like processing (top) model uses 75 gates with no gaps. The total processing time is about 300 µsec shorter
during the long burst. The TDT-P model processing (bottom) uses 15 gates.
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 9

Fig. 2 – Example A: Comparison of the sigma

response from two PNC monitor logs with original
openhole log data interpretation. Fluid saturation
and fluid contacts obtained after four years
production. The TDT-Like sigma processing shows
good agreement with the TDT-P sigma results.
10 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

RST vs TDT-P TDT-Like vs TDT-P

45 45

35

TDT-Like SIGM
35
RST SIGM

25 25

15 15

5 5
5 15 25 35 45 5 15 25 35 45

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 3 – Example A: Crossplot comparisons of the sigma calculations made with the two PNC tools. The TDT-Like processing shows
excellent agreement with the TDT-P sigma results in the sands.

TDT-P Repeatability TDT-Like vs TDT-P

45 45

35
TDT-Like SIGM

35
TDT-P SIGM

25 25

15 15

5 5
5 15 25 35 45 5 15 25 35 45

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 4 – Example A: Crossplot of the sigma calculations from multiple TDT-P tool runs and the comparison of TDT-Like processing
sigma to TDT-P sigma values. The TDT-Like processing sigma matches as well as the TDT-P sigma repeats itself.
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 11

Fig. 5 - Example B: Comparison of the sigma response from two PNC monitor logs with original openhole log data interpretation.
12 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

SIGM - RST vs TDT-P : SIGM - TDT-Like vs TDT-P :

40 20 0 40 20 0
9250 9250

TDT-P
RST

9350 9350

9450 9450

9550 9550

Fig. 6 – Example B: RST sigma has variable offset from TDT-P sigma, especially in the 10 – 15 cu range. TDT-Like sigma provides
a good match to the TDT-P results over the entire interval.
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 13

RST vs TDT-P TDT-Like vs TDT-P

40 40

30

TDT-Like SIGM
30
RST SIGM

20 20

10 10

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 7 – Example B: The offset between RST and TDT-P sigma is evident in the crossplot. There is no offset between the TDT-Like
and TDT-P sigma values.

TDT-P Repeatability TDT-Like vs TDT-P

40 40

30
TDT-Like SIGM

30
TDT-P SIGM

20 20

10 10

0 0
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 8 – Example B: The match between the TDT-Like and TDT-P sigma values is almost as good the repeatability of one TDT-P pass
with another.
14 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

SIGM - RST vs TDT-P : SIGM - TDT-Like vs TDT-P :

25 20 15 10 25 20 15 10
7800 7800

TDT-P
RST

7900 7900

8000 8000

8100 8100

8200 8200

Fig. 9 – Example C: Comparison of the results from the RST and TDT-P sigma measurements show a variable offset across this
interval even in the lower sigma range. The TDT-Like sigma values compare reasonably well with the TDT-P results in the lower
sigma range, but there are larger differences in several mid-to-higher sigma zones.
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 15

RST vs TDT-P TDT-Like vs TDT-P

25 25

TDT-Like SIGM
20 20
RST SIGM

15 15

10 10
10 15 20 25 10 15 20 25

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 10 – Example C: On the average, there appears to be a sigma-dependent offset between RST and TDT-P measurements varying
from –1 to 2 cu. No offset exists for the TDT-Like sigma from the TDT-P values.

TDT-P Repeatability TDT-Like vs TDT-P

25 25
TDT-Like SIGM
TDT-P SIGM

20 20

15 15

10 10
10 15 20 25 10 15 20 25

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 11 – Example C: The match between TDT-Like sigma and TDT-P sigma is almost as good as the repeatability of the TDT sigma
measurement.
16 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

SIGM - RST vs TDT-P : SIGM - TDT-Like vs TDT-P :

25 15 5 25 15 5
7200 7200

TDT-P
RST
7300 7300

7400 7400

7500 7500

7600 7600

Fig. 12 – Example D: The RST sigma has a variable offset from the TDT-P sigma, especially in the 10 – 15 cu range. TDT-Like
sigma matches TDT-P much better over the entire interval.

RST vs TDT-P TDT-Like vs TDT-P

25 25

20
TDT-Like SIGM

20
RST SIGM

15 15

10 10

5 5
5 10 15 20 25 5 10 15 20 2
25
5

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 13 – Example D: The crossplot shows a slight sigma-dependent result between the RST and TDT-P sigma values with a
difference of –1 to 2 cu. The TDT-Like sigma matches TDT-P sigma much better over the entire range.
SPE 93889 Applications of Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in Reservoir Management 17

SIGM - RST vs TDT-P : SIGM - TDT-Like vs TDT-P :

25 15 5 25 15 5
7200 7200

TDT-P
RST

7300 7300

7400 7400

7500 7500

7600 7600

Fig. 14 – Example E: The RST sigma has a variable offset from the TDT-P sigma, especially in the 10 – 15 cu range. TDT-Like
sigma matches TDT much better over the entire interval.

RST vs TDT-P TDT-Like vs TDT-P

25 25

20
TDT-Like SIGM

20
RST SIGM

15 15

10 10

5 5
5 10 15 20 25 5 10 15 20 2
25
5

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 15 – Example E: The crossplot shows consistent results between the RST and TDT-P sigma values with a difference of –1 to 2
cu. The TDT-Like comparison shows better agreement especially in the lower sigma range.
18 F. MORRIS, C. MORRIS, T. QUINLAN SPE 93889

SIGM - RST vs TDT-P : SIGM - TDT-Like vs TDT-P :

35 20 5 35 20 5
8800 8800

TDT-P
RST

8900 8900

9000 9000

9100 9100

9200 9200

Fig. 16 – Example F: The comparison shows a variable RST sigma offset from the TDT-P sigma values, especially in the lower sigma
(5 – 10 cu) range in this small diameter casing.

RST vs TDT-P TDT-Like vs TDT-P

35 35
TDT-Like SIGM
RST SIGM

20 20

5 5
5 20 35 5 20 35

TDT-P SIGM TDT-P SIGM

Fig. 17 – Example F: On the average, there appears to be a sigma-dependent offset between RST and TDT-P values varying from –2
to 3 cu. No offset exists for the TDT-Like sigma from the TDT-P values with a consistent match through the lower-to-mid sigma
range.