2015 Article Part 2 Print Version
2015 Article Part 2 Print Version
2015 Article Part 2 Print Version
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BOREHOLE RESERVOIR
MONITORING
Borehole-to-surface electromagnetic
(BSEM) surveys. Borehole electromag-
netic (EM) geophysical methods use the
presence of strong resistivity contrasts
between formation fluids, such as oil and
water, to map the resistivity distribution in
the subsurface. This information, in turn,
allows geophysical imaging of hydrocarbon
World Oil®/APRIL 2015123
FORMATION EVALUATION
CORING AND CORE ANALYSIS copy (FTIR), before using them to recon-
Sidewall “pressure” coring. cile disagreements between core and log Fig. 4. Halliburton HRSCT tool with the
Halliburton introduced a new core service data, and presents an in-house QC mea- sidewall “pressure” coring system.15
(CoreVault), which uses pressure-tight sure for assessing the quality of mineral
containers to ensure the recovery of all analysis, once the quality of the elemental
the fluids contained in the core samples concentrations is established.18
recovered by their new-generation, rotary The second paper discusses the mea-
sidewall-coring tool, Fig. 4. Preventing surement of porosity and fluid saturation
the loss of pore fluids, during core recov- on hydrocarbon source rocks. A compar-
ery and transport, ensures more accurate ison of three independent techniques re-
volumetric determinations of the in-place sulted in discrepancies of up to 20%. The
reservoir hydrocarbons. The coring system paper reviews possible reasons for these
can capture up to 10 1.5- x 2.4-in. samples discrepancies, e.g., equipment-related or
per trip, in a sealed container. A specialized procedural, and proposes different tech-
overpack has been designed to allow safe nical solutions. In addition, the authors
handling and transport of the sealed, pres- present guidelines and recommenda-
surized sample container. The coring sys- tions to improve the accuracy of total po-
tem is rated to 400°F and 25,000 psi, and it rosity, grain density and water saturation
can operate in borehole sizes between 6.75 measurements.19
in. and 12.25 in.15
Conventional-coring workflow. A LABORATORY ANALYSIS
recent paper presented at the Society of Digital rock physics. Traditional core
Core Analysts annual symposium pres- analysis, both RCA and SCAL, can be ex-
ents a generic workflow for the acquisi- pensive and time-consuming, particularly
tion of high-quality conventional cores for relative permeability and pore-pres-
to meet core-evaluation objectives. The sure measurements. DRP delivers a rapid
workflow covers planning and opera- and cost-effective solution for estimating
tional aspects that must be considered, macroscopic rock properties (e.g., poros-
e.g., equipment, core preservation, trans- ity) and pore-scale properties (e.g., per-
portation and storage. Two scenarios are meability and fluid transport dynamics) age analysis and 3D visualization software
presented: 1) unconsolidated sand for in rock samples, at scales ranging from (see World Oil, July 2012, p. 107; and July
special core analysis (SCAL) tests; and whole-core and core plugs down to the 2014, p. 81). These imaging techniques
2) carbonate for routine core analysis subpore (nanometer) scale. This capabil- provide textural information, such as
(RCA).16 A second paper, presented at ity can result in an improved understand- grain and pore size, and specific surface
the same meeting, reviews current wax ing of reservoir petrophysical and flow area, which allows for the estimation of
core-preservation techniques and prac- properties, in terms of rock type, pore porosity and permeability, and informa-
tices, and offers recommendations for structure, texture, and interconnectivity tion about the mineralogy and chemical
improving the preservation of whole-core that can lead to improved predictions of composition of core-plug and cuttings
and core-plug pore fluids, to help assure reservoir performance and, ultimately, to samples, at different resolutions in a rela-
the reliability and representativeness of greater hydrocarbon recovery. tively short period of time.
fluid-saturation measurements.17 DRP combines core-imaging tech- Digital imaging includes multi-scale
Quality control of core measure- niques, e.g., scanning electron microscopy computed tomography (CT) and micro-
ments. Ensuring the quality of core-anal- (SEM) and 3D X-ray computed tomogra- CT, and provides 3D images of the spatial
ysis measurements is an ongoing effort phy (CT), with advanced, multiphase, 3D distribution of grains, pores, and pore flu-
(see World Oil, July 2013, p. 71). Two flow modeling and simulation capability. ids of the whole core and core plugs. Sim-
recent papers discuss quality-control is- The DRP workflow involves digital imag- ilar to the microscopy techniques, these
sues related to different laboratory mea- ing to resolve pore-scale features, process- images can be used for estimating rock
surements and offer recommendations ing the images to separate the pore phases properties, such as porosity, permeabil-
for improving the accuracy and reliability from the mineral matrix, and simulating ity, pore-size distribution, effective elastic
of these measurements. The focus of the physical process within the 3D model to moduli, and electrical conductivity, but
first paper is on using laboratory mea- determine effective static and dynamic rock at a higher resolution. Integrating imag-
surements of elemental concentrations to properties, e.g., permeability (absolute and ing data acquired at different resolutions
validate “geochemical” (elemental spec- relative), electrical resistivity, and the elas- (scales) helps to improve the reliability
troscopy) log interpretation. This paper tic moduli, in the microstructural model.20 of the results. Advanced, multiphase, 3D
discusses the importance of understand- The SEM methods, typically, include flow modeling and simulation capability
ing and validating core chemistry and high-resolution backscattered electron allow 3D characterization of the miner-
mineralogy, typically obtained via X-ray imaging (BSE), low-resolution energy- alogy, pore structure and flow processes
fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled dispersive spectroscopy imaging (EDS), of conventional and complex reservoir
plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution focused ion-beam rocks, ranging from the centimeter to the
and Fourier-transform infrared spectros- (FIB) imaging, along with associated im- nanometer scale.
World Oil®/APRIL 2015125
FORMATION EVALUATION
position and crystal defects, and this in- able. The proposed methodology requires construction of Pickett plots without pre-
formation can be used to discriminate the good-quality cuttings, between 1 and 2 vious availability of well logs, and estima-
different types of quartz that are present.28 mm in size, and employs a combination of tions of geomechanical properties, such as
In this SEM-based technique, a focused laboratory analyses (porosity and perme- Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus and brit-
beam of electrons impinges on a polished, ability), and empirical correlations with tleness index. The method has been tested
thin-section sample and induces it to emit petrophysical properties and parameters. in Western Canada tight sandstone, and it
light that is collected by an optical system. The method allows quantitative evaluation provided good results.32,33
The sample is scanned with the beam, of water saturation, pore-throat aperture,
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Applications of 3D printers in core
evaluation. Complimenting the develop-
ment of DRP imaging techniques is a nov-
el application of the emerging 3D-printer
technology. These printers are being used
to create physical models from virtual CT-
image-based models of rock cores and pore
networks, i.e., to replicate textural and pet-
rophysical properties of porous rocks to
aid in visualization and to improve under- ...and take advantage of surface artificial
standing of the factors that affect fluid flow lift and pressure boosting technology.
Leistritz Multiphase Gathering and Wellhead
at different scales. The resolution of the
Systems reliably boost production without
pore networks that can actually be printed
separation and lower wellhead pressure
is limited by the capability of current 3D without intervention.
printers. One long-term objective is to sub-
ject these 3D-printed physical models to
laboratory-based physical measurements,
to help validate the DRP-based porosity MULTIPHASE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS
and pore-connectivity predictions of real Multiphase Wellhead & Gathering Systems
and artificial rocks.30,31 Multiphase Blow Down Units
Drill-cuttings evaluation. A meth- Multiphase Annulus Gas Units
odology has been developed that allows a
complete petrophysical evaluation of wells
in low-permeability formations based sole-
ly on drill cuttings. The objective of this
approach is to complement conventional Leistritz Advanced Technologies Corp.
well-log and core-based petrophysical (201) 934-8262 s www.leistritzcorp.com/pumps
analysis, and to offer an alternative meth-
od for petrophysical evaluation in wells
where well logs and core data are unavail-
World Oil®/APRIL 2015127
FORMATION EVALUATION
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paper SPE-170752, presented at the SPE Annual Technical
STEPHEN PRENSKY is a
consultant to logging service
companies, with over 40 years
of working experience in
petroleum geology and
petrophysics. He has served as
www.rud.com the SPWLA V.P. of technology
and as editor of SPWLA’s Petrophysics
publication. Mr. Prensky is also a 35-year
member of both AAPG and SPE.
128APRIL 2015/WorldOil.com
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