Crain's Petrophysical Handbook - WHAT WELL LOGS SHOULD BE RUN?

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WHAT LOGS SHOULD BE RUN?

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RECOMMENDED LOGGING PROGRAM
The logging program should be carefully designed to gather all the data required today, and in the future as well. The program needs to be written, preferably in a checklist format, describing the logs to be run, the curve complement on each log, the scales for each curve, and the interval to be covered. The program forms part of the well drilling and completion program and is used by the logging engineer to guide hin as to what is required. The wellsite representative (geologist, drilling engineer, or petrophysicist) monitors the performance of the logging operation based on this program.

In the past, too few logs were run, even after the advent of many of the modern logging and analysis techniques. Thus re-evaluation of by-passed reserves, definition of geological prospects, and seismic modeling suffer today for the false economy of the past. The best procedure to follow is to run a comprehensive suite of logs. Clearly there are economic constraints, such as in shallow gas or coal bed methane projects, where a full suite of logs is not helpful. You may be required to carefully tailor the log suite to suit the circumstances. Here are my recommendations.

CRAIN'S RECOMMENDED LOGGING PROGRAM

In normal (fresh) mud systems, use:
1. induction sonic combination log
2. density neutron PE combination log
Note: it may be possible to run all 4 tools on one pass.

The SP, gamma-ray, caliper borehole volume integration, and sonic integration curves should be included on the induction sonic, and the caliper, gamma-ray, density correction, cable tension, and photo electric capture cross section (PE) should be included on the density-neutron. The newest version of each tool should be used, especially in overseas, offshore, or frontier locations.

Display both density porosity and neutron porosity on sandstone scale in sand-shale sequences, and limestone scale in carbonate sequences. Use dolomite scale sparingly and only in pure dolomite sequences.

Optional extras in fresh mud include:
3. microlog proximity log combination or micro SFL for thin bed definition
4. dipmeter log or formation microscanner for stratigraphic and structural data

In salt mud, or very high resistivity formation with fresh mud, replace or augment the induction with a laterolog, and the microlog with a microspherically focused log and/or a microlog/microlaterolog combination.

In fractured reservoirs, add the dipole shear sonic log with crossed dipoles and the formation microscanner to define fracture orientation and stress regime. Post-processing for fracture aperture and fracture porosity is recommended.

In radioactive reservoirs, add the gamma ray spectral log to distinguish uranium, potassium, and thorium.

In very shaly sands, or in carbonates with micritic or highly varying pore geometry, run a nuclear magnetic resonance log to determine irreducible water saturation.