SPE-171612-MS

Ultrasonic Log Response in Lightweight Cement Conditions

Sonia Thomas, Marathon Oil Company; Charles H. Smith, Brett W. Williams, and Layne Hamilton, Halliburton

Copyright 2014, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE/CSUR Unconventional Resources Conference Canada held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 30 September
2 October 2014.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect
any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written
consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may
not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Lightweight cement can present unique challenges to efficient and accurate evaluation of cement sheath
integrity. Standard bond log tools require strong compressional bonding to casing to observe an attenuation of the sonic signal that is set up inside the casing. Lightweight cement often experiences less
cohesion to casing because of its lowered fluid density when pumped and lower compressive strength after
being set up. These properties can negatively affect measurement.
Definition of the cement sheath must still be determined using a method that is both valid and
repeatable. The industry has demonstrated the ability to accomplish this task using ultrasonic logging
tools. These devices allow very precise definition of the cement sheath using 360 examination of the data,
but still require innovative interpretation techniques to derive useful solutions regarding the isolation
capability of the cement.
Additional complication is introduced when consolidated efficiency fluid material is pumped as an
isolation fluid. This fluid material is lighter weight and has lower compressive strength than even the
lightest cements. However, isolation of the reservoirs from surface water and the ability to fracture treat
wells with restrained fluid mobility must still be determined.
This paper demonstrates the application of ultrasonic cement evaluation tools under these difficult
conditions. Examples of conventional cement, lightweight cement, and consolidated efficiency fluid
isolation fluids are considered. The processed logs highlight the confidence in the reservoir isolation
identified using these tools and evaluation techniques.

Introduction
Deep reservoirs that present pressure challenges have given rise to unique cement designs that provide
isolation for the producing zone, but also prevent premature breakdown from occurring during the
completion process. In many challenging reservoirs, a cement sheath consistent in weight and texture will
produce a gradient that is unsustainable by the formation at depth. When the pressure becomes too great,
the formation will fail and the isolation treatment will force itself into the reservoir. This has several
serious side effects, the most critical of which is isolation of the reservoir from the production mechanism
resulting in poor production.

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Figure 1Typical presentation of a standard CBL.

Good isolation must be maintained in the zone to be produced. The need to isolate additional zones
higher in the well leads to the application of lightweight cements as a lead slurry and neat, or heavier
weight cement, as a tail. This lightweight cement decreases the hydrostatic pressure observed at the deeper
formation and also minimizes pressure in shallower zones that could have previously been produced.
When good cement chemistry and placement procedures are followed, this designed slurry load should
result in isolation in all critical areas.
This idea of differential placement of cement to accomplish necessary isolation with due consideration
to local pressure conditions also has application in horizontal wells. The objective is the same in each case.
In the vertical well, that isolation must exist around the horizons requiring fracture treatments. There must
also be good isolation from any potential problem horizons higher in the well. In horizontal wells, the need
for isolation between each fracture treatment stage in the horizontal portion of the well adds to the
complication of the completion. Designs must incorporate this need to effectively accomplish isolation
objectives.
Effectively placing the cement in the desired pump schedule and with the proper mixing consistency
is not the complete solution to address these problems. Describing the distribution of the cement so that
isolation can be confirmed is also necessary. Confirmation of this isolation in the necessary intervals can
help relieve operators from uncertainty regarding best practices both immediately and later during the
processes and production of a well.
Traditional bond logs alone are not sufficient to address such issues. These tools require a significant
bonding event from cement to casing. If the bonding strength does not achieve a certain compressive
strength threshold, the isolation material will be invisible to the measurement from the device. Lightweight cements offer exactly that scenario. The bond from cement to casing is less in compressive strength
than neat cement, so observation of the quality and isolation capability of the cement is not possible.
Ultrasonic imaging tools provide a solution for this situation. Their principle of operation is different
than previous bond logs. These tools can make a multitude of measurements in the interval, where only
a single observation could be made with a bond log. Even with these enhanced physical capabilities,
specialized analysis is necessary to resolve the issues involved with correctly evaluating a lightweight
cement sheath for isolation and fracture treatment control capability.
This paper demonstrates limitations of standard cement bond logging (CBL) tools in lightweight
cement conditions. Examples of responses from standard bond logs and from ultrasonic imaging tools are
compared and evaluated. In addition, the application of consolidated efficiency fluid as an isolation

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material is explored. The definition of isolation is demonstrated by the ultrasonic response along with the
specialized processing.
Definition of isolation in these difficult conditions is established. This definition allows the design of
fracture treatment operations to help maximize treatment effects in difficult reservoir conditions.

Technical Challenge
Operators within the industry have struggled with analysis of cement sheath and casing to cement bond
for many years. CBLs were introduced in an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of cement slurries.
These had a single source and a single receiver. They sent a sonic signal into the wellbore transmitted
through the fluid, down the casing 360, and then back through fluid to a receiver.
Fig. 1 is a typical log response from one of these bond evaluation tools in a free pipe section. The
principle of evaluation was similar to a ringing bell. In theory, if the cement held strongly onto the casing,
the signal would attenuate, or decline in amplitude very quickly. As shown in Track 2 in the log, where
there is no bond, the amplitude of the signal will be very high. The only apparent attenuation occurs at
the joints or connections of the casing.
Presented in Track 3 is the variable density log (VDL). This is basically a depiction of the sonic
waveform with high points in the waveform presented as light, and low points presented as black. When
there is no deformation in this signal, a smooth waveform is being measured and no cement is apparent
in the interval.
Intervals with cement could also be evaluated this way. The expected differences would be that the
amplitude would have attenuation or, in other words, a depressed signal. The VDL would also exhibit
distortions instead of a smooth wave form. The measurement is still derived from a single source. Any
variations to cement quality that do not impact a fairly large portion of the cement sheath would still return
undistorted signal.
Fig. 2 is a typical example of a bonded segment of pipe. In Track 2, two different curves are present.
One is labeled Pipe Ampl, or amplitude, and is scaled from 0 to 100 from left to right. Because
variations in attenuation can be difficult to observe at this scale, another curve is present. It is labeled
Amp Pipe Amp, or amplified pipe amplitude and is scaled from 0 to 20 from left to right. Both of these
curves read near zero for the entire section.
The amplitude of this signal is greatly depressed. The implication is that this is very well-bonded pipe.
Track 3 shows a variation of the VDL. This section is labeled MSG, which stands for microseismogram.
This presentation of the wave form shows a great deal of distortion. Beginning at the left edge of the track,
no signal exists for some time. When the signal is measured, it is well-defined with a great deal of
variation created by a signal distorting force. That force is the cement quality. All of the measurements
indicate that this is a well-bonded casing with good isolation.
In typical oilwell cement operations, the top of cement is a critical definition. In the pumping operation,
fluid slurry volumes are designed to cover any prospective productive reservoirs. It is also important to
isolate any zones in the well that could present problems later during the life of the well. Definition of this
isolation point will determine if work is necessary to establish this isolation.
Fig. 3 is an example of how that top of cement is visible in a bond log. The attenuation signal in Track
2 shows little attenuation in the top of the section and almost complete attenuation in the bottom. If the
attenuation of signal is continuous down the log from this point, a top of cement could be discerned from
this point.
The amplitude signal also shows where the free collars appear in depth. The spikes in attenuation of
the amplitude are exactly the same as the spikes observed at collar joints in free pipe, as shown in Fig.
1. This is a very good indication of the location of free pipe in the wellbore and is commonly used in the
industry as a free pipe indicator. Using this definition, the first pure pipe joint response is directly above

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Figure 2CBL presentation in a well-bonded, well-isolated section.

Figure 3CBL section with bonded pipe on bottom and free pipe on top.

X75 ft. Below that depth, the signal is not completely attenuated, but is transitioning from this free pipe
event to the well-bonded condition at the base of the log.

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A great change in the character of the VDL in

Track 3 exists at shallower portions of this section.
In the lower part of the log, a great deal of distortion
occurs in the signal. It appears as a very small signal
with great variation in arrival time. The shallow
portions of the VDL trend to straight-line, uniform
arrival of the wave form. This verifies the interpretation from the amplitude. Both measurements
agree with the conclusion of top of cement. In
practical use, the top of cement would normally be
called at approximately the point where the amplitude arrow is positioned in Track 2.
The principles discussed to this point are related
to conventional CBLs. As indicated previously,
these present a single sonic signal and measure how
that signal is deformed by the influences that affect
the transmission mechanism. Neat cement, defined
as normal weight cement, develops a strong compressive strength within a short period of time. This
strong compressive strength is not shared by lightweight slurries. In these lightweight conditions,
both the hardness of the cement and the compressive strength is decreased. The cement still has the
ability to bond to the casing and isolate the critical
formations similar to neat cement.
The effect on the bond log is significant. Fig. 4 is
an example of a bond log in lightweight cement.
This is 10-lbm/gal slurry, so it is fairly lightweight.
The amplitude in Track 2 indicates little to no
cement exists here. The attenuation of the signal is
slight. The collars of the casing easily stand out as
ringing. In addition, the VDL in Track 3 shows very
Figure 4 CBL in lightweight cement conditions.
little distortion; the signal appears strong and robust
throughout the measurement window. This log appears almost identical to bond logs that have been run in no-cement conditions.
The design for cement on this well was lightweight cement as a lead slurry and neat cement as tail
slurry. The design was to place neat cement over the bottom 1,000 ft of the well, with lightweight cement
over the rest of the well. To help ensure the cement was placed as designed, the slurry was circulated all
the way to surface. When the slurry was recovered at the surface, the exact volume of the displacing slurry
was known, so the placement could be exactly matched to the well conditions. This allowed placement
as designed and knowledge that this was placed as desired.
Given this design and pumping conditions, the top of neat cement could be established within several
ft. The rest of the well was the lightweight cement, so any response from the bond log would be exactly
tied to the lightweight cement. In this case, the well was logged one week after slurry placement. This
provided sufficient time for both the neat and lightweight cements to achieve compressive strength. This
is a longer period of time than spacing time for bond logs, but the desire was to achieve optimum
conditions as often as possible.

SPE-171612-MS

Figure 5Impedance responses for various fluids and cements.

Even with this extended cure time, the compressive strength of the lightweight cement was not
sufficient to be characterized using standard bond logging tools. Regulation by governing authorities still
requires that the operator demonstrate isolation. As continued litigation impacts the oil and gas industry,
increased scrutiny of processes and well conditions will result. Operationally, the cement designs require
implementation of increased use of these lightweight and creative isolation designs. A different method
of logging or a different method of interpreting data is necessary to evaluate these conditions.
Ultrasonic tools that operate on different principles and also provide a different analysis system for
interpretation were proposed as a solution to this dilemma. These tools operate from a transducer that is
both a transmitter and receiver. There are several versions of these tools, but the greatest amount of data
is generated by the tools that have a rotating transducer and fire signal almost continuously through each
revolution.
The signal itself is a higher frequency signal than standard bond logs. The alteration of this signal by
the bonding agent is still what defines the quality of the cement and the isolation of that medium. The
measurement is much more precise so that very small events that are a part of the cement sheath can be
identified and evaluated. If the same evaluation techniques are applied for interpretation of the data, the
results would be the same as a standard bond log response, with only increased vertical resolution as a
conclusion. The result in lightweight cement would still be inadequate because the log would indicate lack
of cement in every case. Impedance values from ultrasonic tools change the interpretation of the cement
sheath.
Fig. 5 is a plot that shows the impedance value of various forms of cement, including lightweight
cement, and fluids (Frisch et al. 2000). Impedance is scaled from 0 to 5 MRayls. The plot shows that
impedance alone is not sufficient to discriminate these items. Neat cement has impedance from 2.5 to 6.
Foamed cement can have impedance values less than that of water, depending on foam content.
The color palette listed on the right of Fig. 5 is the method in which the impedance values are plotted
on the log. If only this impedance shading is used, foamed cement, water, and some drilling muds would
have identical presentations on the log.
Additional information regarding the quality of the signal measured, and therefore the quality of the
cement, is defined by inspection of the acoustic impedance measurements circumferentially around the
borehole. When the signal traces are smooth, the implication is that there is no disturbance of the signal
by binding influences, such as cement. The quality of this movement is characterized by the derivative of
the measured signal. Where disturbance is present (alteration in the traces), cement is indicated. When no
alteration occurs, the interpretation is that no cement is present (Frisch et al. 2005).

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Figure 6 Impedance measurement and interpretation of a free pipe section.

Figure 7Impedance measurement and interpretation of a well-bonded segment.

Fig. 6 is an example of the way in which this interpretation is applied. In this case, only free pipe is
present. The log on the left shows the impedance values of radial measurements at depths. Referring to
Fig. 5 would lead to the conclusion that this is either water or lightweight cement. The derivative of these
impedance curves would be the instantaneous change in these wave forms. In other words, deformed
waveforms have high derivative values. Inspection of the log in the last track to the right on the bottom
shows some deformation, but only in one direction. It is possible that the casing is against the borehole
wall.
The log on the right is the interpretation of the log data. Tracks 2 and 3 are bond log information. They
both indicate no cement is present. Track 4 is the raw impedance image. Because the value measured is
1, the palette will be blue. Track 5 is the image of the derivative from the wave forms. Most of the areas
are still blue, except for the portions where distortion in the impedance is observed. This, again, appears
to be casing leaning against the borehole.
Track 6 in this analysis is the sum of the impedance and the derivative. If either the impedance or
derivative indicates cement is present, the track will change from the blue to other characterization colors.

SPE-171612-MS

Figure 8 Impedance measurement and interpretation of a lightweight cement section.

The indication is that the more filled this track becomes, the better the cement quality. When the sum of
impedance and derivative is still within the water defined interval, the palette on this track will be blue,
indicating no cement is present. Conclusions from all input measurements confirm the lack of cement in
this interval.
Fig.7 is an example of the impedance log and the interpretation in an interval with good cement. The
impedance log on the left shows all of the impedance values near 4 on the log. By referring to Fig. 5 for
interpretation, the conclusion is drawn that this can only be cement. The quality of the cement is indicated
by the raw impedance map in Track 2.
The interpretation log on the right confirms this characterization. The amplitude and VDL wave forms
from the CBL indicate quality cement. The impedance in Track 4 is the same as the impedance in Track
2 of the left log. Derivative of the impedance curves is presented in Track 5. The presentation here is
almost all black, indicating a high variation, which results in high derivative values. The image shows
excellent cement, even in areas where either impedance or derivative alone would result in poorer cement
quality estimation.
Both of the conditions inspected are easily discerned using conventional bond logs without the need for
enhanced evaluation techniques. In instances where no cement is present or a complete presence of neat
cement exists, CBL logs are the only logs necessary for evaluation. Fig. 8 is an example of these logs in
the presence of lightweight cement.
The impedance log on the left shows impedance values in the range of 1 to 3 MRayl. This would be
well within the water interval, and the impedance map in Track 2 reflects exactly that conclusion. All of
the shading is blue to red on the map. There is no indication from this presentation that lightweight cement
could be at this depth.
The interpretation log on the right provides clarity for the situation. The bond log definition in Tracks
2 and 3 show not much attenuation in the amplitude and very little deformation in the VDL waveform
presentation. The derivative of the impedance can be visually observed in the raw impedance log on the
left. The interpretation of those derivative departures is evident in Track 6 of the interpreted log. The
bonding characteristics of this lightweight cement are of good quality, as demonstrated by the dark
shading in the track.
The sum of the impedance and derivative is presented as a cement image in Track 7. The impedance
image adds very little to the sum total, so most of the response comes from the derivative image. This
shows good cement throughout the entire section. Lightweight cement can finally be confirmed present
and the quality of the isolation can also be assessed.

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Figure 9 Impedance measurement and interpretation of consolidated efficiency fluid isolation conditions.

Analysis
The specific technical challenge presented in this case was even more intense than lightweight cement
isolation. The horizontal well in question had a cement isolation design in several stages. The lead stage
was not lightweight cement, but was composed of consolidated efficiency fluid material. The plan for
isolation was to lead in with the consolidated efficiency fluid stage, follow up with lightweight cement,
and finally tail in with neat cement. The plan was to pump until the consolidated efficiency fluid material
returned to surface, completing the isolation of the back side.
Problems developed during pumping of the slurry. When the fluids could no longer be displaced, there
was cement inside the casing, and only consolidated efficiency fluid material on the back side of the
casing. Drilling out the cement inside the casing delivered an open wellbore for completion. Fracture
treatment was necessary in order for the well to be economic. Any definition of isolation would be useful.
This presented a difficult challenge. Evaluation of the consolidated efficiency fluid material throughout
the horizontal section of the wellbore was necessary. Presence of the material was not enough; it was
necessary to evaluate the isolation capability of this very lightweight material. Only by using ultrasonic
bond logging with advanced evaluation techniques could this even be possible.
Fig. 9 is an example of the logs with the consolidated efficiency fluid as a bonding agent on the back
side of the pipe. The impedance log is presented on the left. The raw impedance of the material is in the
range of 2 to 4 MRayl. The response is not very consistent, appearing as low as 1 MRayl in some areas,
but with high impedance values nearby. The consistency of the consolidated efficiency fluid material
could be a reason for the inconsistency of the response. Visual inspection of possible derivative values
from the impedance does not offer a simple solution or much confidence in the ability to derive a solution.
The derivative in Track 3 exhibits very little response, so there is very little character to provide a response
on the derivative map.
The interpretation log is on the right in Fig. 9. The bond log tracks reflect complete lack of cement.
There is little attenuation of amplitude in Track 2. There is also no deflection in the waveform in Track
3. Collars are easily identified in either track. As in the cases of no cement or lightweight cement identified
previously, the only conclusion that can be drawn from the CBL response is that there is either no cement,
or the existence of lightweight cement that cannot be identified.

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The acoustic impedance map identifies some mid-range responses that could be identified as possible
bonding material. The challenge with this consolidated efficiency fluid material is that significant portions
of the map indicate lack of bonding or channeling within the bonded material. The variation of the
consistency of this bonding material prohibited characterizing the isolation capability of the consolidated
efficiency fluid material.
A solution to this problem was identified by plotting the volume of the bonding material as well as the
volume of what was apparently not bonding material. This information is presented in Track 6 in the log
on the right of Fig. 9. Stipulation of isolation was determined when the bonding material was 100% of
the material at any given depth. In the log shown in Fig. 9, significant isolation is indicated from 14,880
to 14,906 ft. The consolidated efficiency fluid bonding material is identified by the yellow material; and,
at this depth, the light yellow shading is completely across the track. Intervals such as this were identified
throughout the well and established as isolation boundary effects for the purpose of designing and placing
the fracture treatment.
Because of the discontinuous nature of this bonding, an innovative completion design was necessary.
Regular spacing of perforations for fracture treatment was not an option because such a blind completion
would inevitably lead to treatments attempted in intervals with no isolation. Selection of locations for
initiation required careful inspection of the log.
Additional issues along the horizontal wellbore required creative pumping solutions to achieve the
desired stimulation for the reservoir. In every designed initiation point for the state, interpretation of the
isolation was critical to projecting the ability to introduce the treatment in an effective way in the
reservoir.
The application of this technology was the only possible way to visualize this critical isolation.
Completion of the well, although different from standard completions, was successful.

Conclusions
Lightweight cement is often necessary in vertical and horizontal wells to accomplish hydraulic isolation
in difficult pressure regimes. Sometimes, this is necessary to avoid induced fractures in the targeted
reservoir; and it is sometimes necessary to provide isolation without breakdown in underpressured
horizons shallower in the hole.
The presence of lightweight or foamed cement cannot be identified using standard CBLs. Attempts to
identify bonding information from segmented bond tools also proved ineffective. The treatment could be
placed with pressure situations as required; but, without an effective method for quality evaluation,
completions might not be the best avenue for production for the reservoir.
Ultrasonic imagers added to evaluation programs can discriminate these lightweight cement conditions.
A direct solution is not possible because of the wide disparity of potential impedance responses for this
material. Lightweight cement impedance response can be low enough to be defined as water and high
enough to reflect cement. Impedance maps require additional information to form a solution.
The derivative of the impedance provides a great deal of additional information. The instantaneous
change in curvature characterization established by this derivative is a direct reflection of the quality of
the bonding material on the back side of the casing. The presence of lightweight cement and the isolation
quality of that cement is readily identified.
The ultrasonic imager with this enhanced interpretation can also be used to define and understand even
more difficult circumstances. In this case study, the isolation material was a consolidated efficiency fluid.
This material is not designed to replace cement as an isolation medium but, because of the circumstances
of the well completion, required that application.
The ultrasonic imager was applied; the interpretation of impedance and derivative of impedance was
also applied. A useable solution was achieved when fluid volumes inside the annulus were determined.
Complete isolation in certain intervals composed of 100% consolidated efficiency fluid was identified.

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The fracture treatments were successfully designed and pumped using this evaluation. The well was
efficiently completed, even under these very difficult conditions.

References
Frisch, G., Graham, L., and Griffith, J. 2000. A Novel And Economical Processing Technique Using
Conventional Bond Logs And Ultrasonic Tools For Enhanced Cement Evaluation. Paper SPWLA2000-EE presented at the SPWLA 41st Annual Logging Symposium, Dallas, Texas, USA, 4 7 June.
Frisch, G.J., Fox, P.E., Hunt, D.A. et alet al. 2005. Advances in Cement Evaluation Tools and
Processing Methods Allow Improved Interpretation of Complex Cements. Paper SPE 97186-MS presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, USA, 9 12 October.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/97186-MS.