Fieldwide evaluation of a complex carbonatic reservoir via the analysis of mud gas data

from an advanced gas detection system

Stephen Newton*, Chengbing Liu*, Javad Esterabadi**, Ahmad Shoeibi** and Gionata Ferroni**
*Saudi Arabian Chevron, **Geolog International

Introduction
The objective of this study was to evaluate reservoir zonation while drilling a number of wells in the
multilayer Ratawi reservoirs of the South Fuwaris Field in Kuwait. The tool utilized to generate
formation evaluation data was an advanced mud gas detection system. The system measured
continuously in Real-Time the relative concentration of formation gases from very light, such as
methane, to heavy, such as toluene. The results were validated with LWD and formation testing data.
The South Fuwaris Field is located in the Partitioned Zone (PZ) between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The primary productive intervals are the Lower Cretaceous Ratawi Limestone and Ratawi Oolite
reservoirs. The degree of vertical continuity between the Ratawi Limestone and Ratawi Oolite, and
within the Ratawi Oolite reservoir was uncertain, and multiple methodologies have been employed to
resolve this uncertainty.
Method and Theory
The primary components of the system utilized are: a constant volume gas extractor, a gas sample
flow control and distribution system, and a high resolution chromatographic system based on Flame
Ionization Detection (FID) technology. These components are used to extract and measure the light
and heavy fraction of hydrocarbon gases, extending the spectrum of gas species analyzed from
methane to toluene, including the light hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane and pentane) and the
dominant C6 and C7 hydrocarbon species, comprising n-hexane, n-heptane, cyclic hydrocarbons and
aromatics (benzene and toluene).
A dedicated high-resolution chromatographic system was utilized, in order to correctly separate the
hydrocarbon components from the background. In fact, heavy hydrocarbon gases have numerous
isomers, whose presence can potentially disturb the detection of the more representative species. A
capillary chromatographic column operating at precisely controlled pressure and temperature,
associated with a dedicated integration software enabled to eliminate disturbance effects from other
components and chemical noise.
However, quite apart from the technology utilized, the crucial point in the success of the project was
the workflow put in place, involving all the parties involved (operator and service company). A strong
accent was placed on the data quality control. Both gas extraction and gas detection were
independently controlled by a system of sensors and thresholds. A dedicated operator supervised the
gas detection process and provided data validation and a first level of interpretation. Subsequently, the
data were compared with third party data, historical information, downhole data and, when available,
fluid sample data. This procedure enabled to identify and model the behaviour and trends of the gas
data in correspondence of formation tops, stratigraphic markers and fluid contacts.
In particular, a series of gas ratios, based on the analysis of hydrocarbon gases, was utilized to identify
reservoir zonation and potential vertical flow barriers, enabling also to identify oil/water contacts
(OWC). A probabilistic approach to the gas components behaviour and trend changes was developed
in order to extract maximum value from the measurements of heavier volatile components (C6+).
Such approach was utilized in order to validate the procedure involving mud gas data for the
identification of Formation Tops. These were identified by Gas Ratios, and in most cases resulted in
line with independent picks. A colour-coded matrix was generated to quantify how close the gas data
were to the official wireline-picked depths. The colour-code varies from green to yellow, green being
the depths picked within 5 of the official depth, and yellow being those which are more than 20 off.
EAGE/FESM Joint Regional Conference Petrophysics Meets Geoscience
17-18 February 2014
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Figure 1 a matrix enables to quantify the accuracy of the gas-picked formation tops.
The development of the above matrix enabled to quantify the gas data accuracy and to build the
confidence needed for the work flowloop to function.
The gas ratios utilized were in part those already known to the industry since the 80ies (Pixler, Wh
and Bh), in part from the GWD technique developed by Eni and Total in the 90ies, and in part
generated in recent times when the measurement of heavier hydrocarbons on site became feasible.

Figure 2 hydrocarbon gas trends and ratios identify formation tops, specific markers and the OilWater contact while drilling.

EAGE/FESM Joint Regional Conference Petrophysics Meets Geoscience

17-18 February 2014
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In particular, the ratio C6C7/C4C5 helped to identify the presence of two distinct zones in the Ratawi
Oolite. The difference between the two intervals is likely due to gravity segregation, resulting in
higher heavy gas components (C6+) concentration in the lower section. This trend is apparent in all
the 8 wells analyzed from the same block.
It must be mentioned that, once the gas extraction system has been optimized via control of the
constant extraction volume, in all the wells analyzed the relative abundance of hydrocarbons provided
a first degree of correlation: the top of the Ratawi Limestone was identified by an overall increase in
the gas shows, also associated with the appearance of heavy gas components. The presence of heavy
gases is directly associated with the presence of fluids of a higher density and wetness. The heavy
components also play a significant role in the identification of the Ratawi Oolite top, as well as
enabling vertical subdivisions.
The higher gas readings recorded in the Ratawi Oolite, compared to the Ratawi Limestone, were
interpreted as related to a change in porosity and permeability.
Finally, specific proxies from the gas data were also used to support geosteering in the horizontal
sections of the wells, to confirm that the well had steered in and out of the target intervals.

Figure 3 horizontal well section showing the response of gas data compared with LWD parameters.
Although geosteering was not within the scope of the projects, the gas data were in fact adopted since
their appearance was occurring little more than one hour after the corresponding depth had been
drilled, providing a potential near-Real Time indicator supporting the well directional management.
Conclusions
The Advanced Gas Analysis technique was confirmed as a powerful tool for reservoir evaluation and
the identification of formation zonation while drilling. In particular, the analysis of heavy components
(hydrocarbon gases heavier than n-pentane) and the comparison between nearby wells has enabled the
validation of models indicating vertical flow barriers between the Ratawi Limestone and Ratawi
Oolite and within the Ratawi Oolite. Furthermore, the Oil/water contact identification obtained
modelling the behaviour of heavy gas ratios was successfully correlated with contacts picked from
nuclear magnetic resonance data.
It was also found that data quality enabled direct comparison between mud gas data and the PVT
samples laboratory data. These results are particularly relevant since the fluid composition is inferred
in a continuous way while drilling, in contrast with the discrete and much delayed results of the
laboratory fluid tests. This correspondence, applied fieldwide, enables to model the formation fluid
composition while drilling.
EAGE/FESM Joint Regional Conference Petrophysics Meets Geoscience
17-18 February 2014
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Figure 4 hydrocarbon ratios obtained from fluid samples and from gas data can be matched.
The different ratio signatures of reservoir fluids were verified in three different reservoirs, and in all
cases a valid correspondence between the PVT data and the mud gas data was confirmed.
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EAGE/FESM Joint Regional Conference Petrophysics Meets Geoscience

17-18 February 2014
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia