TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
New Resistivity-Logging Tool Helps Resolve
Problems of Anisotropy, Shoulder-Bed Effects
Robert Mark Leveridge, SPE, Schlumberger
Three-dimensional, colocated resistivity measurements at
multiple depths of investigation (DOI) can quantify even
low-resistivity, laminated pay zones to reduce uncertainty
and refine reservoir models. Obtaining measurements of this
type has made it possible to resolve formation anisotropy
problems and shoulder-bed effects in a broad range of wells.
For decades, well-log interpretation classes began with
the caveat, “Assume an isotropic, homogeneous formation.”
Indeed, this was the only way a systematic approach could
be developed to calculate such fundamental parameters as
porosity and water saturation in reservoir rocks. Logging
tools of the day lacked the spatial resolution to make precise
measurements in any but the most basic formation/borehole
geometries. Because most wells were vertical, or nearly so,
and since many wells penetrated strata that resembled layer-
cakes, tools were designed using the principle of radial sym-
metry. That is, they worked optimally when the borehole
axis was perpendicular to the formation’s bedding planes.
Even when we knew that formation isotropy was rarely the
case, we were powerless to do anything about it because of
tool limitations. It could be postulated that the introduction
Fig. 1—Inversion of Rt Scanner measurements creates
both horizontal and vertical resistivities and forma-
tion dip and azimuth.
20
of horizontal drilling provided the impetus to develop new
tool systems that could accurately characterize formations
and reservoirs regardless of formation/borehole geometry.
Today, it is possible to resolve even extremely tough
interpretation problems through the application of the Rt
Scanner, a triaxial-induction resistivity-logging tool that
calculates both vertical and horizontal resistivity (Rv and
Rh), respectively, from direct-induction measurements while
simultaneously solving for formation dip at any well devia-
tion. By making measurements at multiple DOI in three
dimensions at the same depth in the tool, true 3D resis-
tivities are derived. Subsequently, enhanced hydrocarbon
and water-saturation estimates computed from these mea-
surements result in more accurate reservoir models and
reserves estimates, especially for formations with lamina-
tions, anisotropy, or faults.
Tool Description
The tool is typically conveyed into the borehole on wireline,
but can be deployed on drillpipe, on coiled tubing, or by
means of a downhole tractor for highly deviated wells. It
contains multiple triaxial arrays, each consisting of colocated
X, Y, and Z coils that collectively measure various depths into
the formation. Rv and Rh are calculated at each triaxial spac-
ing. An electrode sleeve with short-single-axis and colocated
triaxial receivers can be used to fully characterize and man-
age borehole signals in air-filled boreholes and oil-based and
water-based muds.
In addition to resistivity, formation dip and azimuth
are available for structural interpretation. Standard array-
induction-imaging-tool measurements are also delivered for
correlation with legacy field logs. The tool can be used with
most openhole services. A caliper and general-purpose incli-
nometry tool are also required in the tool string.
Tough Anisotropy Issues Can Be Resolved
Laminated sand-shale models with anisotropic shales have
been discussed extensively. However, there has never existed
a clear procedure to determine shale anisotropy. Today,
knowledge of formation anisotropy plays an increasingly
important role in deciding where to land and place lateral-
completion sections of oil and gas wells, and how to design
stimulation treatments.
A graphical-analysis approach has merit because it places
everything in perspective. At a glance, the interpreter can
see where a data point of interest falls in relation to several
boundary conditions. This helps in the evaluation of the
JPT • AUGUST 2010
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Fshale
3 3 0.1 0.05 0.02 0.01 0
10 1000 0.017
10 0.3 0.2
0.5
500 0.024
0.7
0.8
200 0.038
2
2 10 100 0.054
10
50 0.077
Rsand
Pay 20 0.12
Rshale-v =3.2 Sw

Rv
1
Shale 10 0.17
Rv

1 10 Rshale-h=0.55
10
Shale 5 0.24
1
Non-
pay 2 0.38
0
0 10 1 0.54
10
0.5 0.77
0.3 0.99
0.2 1.2
–1 (b)
–1 (a) 10 0.1 1.7
10
–1 0 1 2 3
–1 0 1 2 3 10 10 10 10 10
10 10 10 10 10 Rh
Rh

600
Fshale Dens Neu R h, R v, Rsand, Rshale Anisotropy Water saturation Fig. 2—a) Domain boundaries discriminate pay from
Fsh D Rh Sw Rsand nonpay zones; b) interpreted Rv vs. Rh crossplot;
GR N Rv Sw R h
Rsand c) graphical analysis results. Ro=wet resistivity,
Sw=water saturation, Rsand=sand-layer resistivity,
700 Fshale=shale-volume fraction, Rshale-h=shale-layer
horizontal resistivity, Rshale-v=shale-layer vertical
resistivity.

800 ples, thin-bed zones that once might have been impossible to
interpret are interpreted, with results corroborated by imag-
ing logs, nuclear-magnetic-resonance logs, and core data.
Graphing a complex set of equations under anisotropic
900
conditions requires parameters that are provided by the triax-
ial-induction tool (Fig. 1). Rv and Rh are defined as resistivi-
ties normal and parallel to the bedding planes, respectively.
1000 These parameters can now reliably be measured by the tool,
regardless of hole geometry or tool attitude in the borehole—
results that have not been achievable previously. Typically,
thin conductive shale laminae have effectively masked resis-
1100
tive, hydrocarbon-saturated, thin-sand laminae in the past,
making their detection problematic.
(c)
1200
0 0.5 1 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1 2 0 5 10 15 1 0.75 0.5 0.25 0
West Africa Application
10 10 10
A deepwater operator offshore west Africa needed to drill
a successful sidetrack well using oil-based drilling fluid in
quality of the interpretation at that particular point. The a complex formation. Accurate placement of the sidetrack
objectives of graphical analysis are as follows: trajectory was critical. The formation contained turbidite
• Determine shale anisotropy parameters and whether it is deposits in thin-bedded sands between shale layers. Large
necessary to create multiple zones salt deposits were nearby, and there was no dip information.
• Define region boundaries where each analytical solution Using the multiple-DOI features of the triaxial-induction
is applicable tool, coupled with near-wellbore measurements from a dual
• Illustrate the effect of data outliers so they can be dealt oil-base microresistivity-imaging tool, petrophysicists were
with appropriately able to compute the structural dip accurately. Additional
• Quickly perform sensitivity tests to rank quality of confidence in the results was obtained by comparison with
answers at each level vertical-seismic-profile data. The advantage of multiple
Of course, the question is to differentiate pay and non- colocated triaxial measurements in the tool, and advanced
pay zones. The graphical solution does this very effectively, borehole-signal management, provided a deep reading, a
allowing a global assessment of the hydrocarbon potential of more realistic structural dip, and azimuth direction that
the thin-bed sections directly from the chart. In the exam- enabled drilling of a successful sidetrack.

22 JPT • AUGUST 2010

 Another turbidite channel deposit in Mexico challenged
an operator who wanted to drill additional wells to exploit
the discovery, but lacked seismic information. With a mean-
dering river channel, there was a high risk of missing the
pay altogether. Using the triaxial-induction tool in a single
quad-combo run provided the information on structural
dip that was needed to site the offset wells correctly. Layer
dip was computed at 10- to 50-ft (3- to 15-m) intervals,
sufficient to indicate the direction followed by the channel
sand and to detect major events such as unconformities or
faults crossing the borehole. The first well drilled from this
dip data penetrated the channel pay sand as predicted.
Although in both cases the dips were not as high in reso-
lution as those from the microimager tools, they were suf-
ficiently robust to yield critical structural information usable
to improve drilling success.
Cracking the Anisotropy Code
Another valuable application of the triaxial-induction tool
is cracking the code of anisotropy to refine hydrocarbon-
saturation calculations. Because the tool discriminates
resistivity in three directions and at multiple DOI, its data
can be crossplotted along with sand and shale parameters
to clearly identify and quantify pay. Figs. 2a through 2c
illustrate how the graphical analysis descriptively called
the “butterfly plot” helps unlock the anisotropy code,
and demonstrates what happens if shale anisotropy is not
accounted for.
Fig. 2a is the crossplot of horizontal and vertical resistivity.
Fig. 2b shows the data points on the crossplot, colored to
correspond to the color bars on the left margin of track 3 in
the log example (Fig. 2c).
Quickly one can see that the zone from 500 to 670 m
is mostly shale; the pay zone extends roughly from 730 to
1000 m; and the wet zone extends from approximately 1030
to 1130 m. Ro can be established on the crossplot as the
lowermost blue dot (approximately 0.3 ohm·m), and Sw has
been solved for (indicated by the black scale numbers along
the 45° line).
On the logs (Fig. 2c), gamma ray (blue) and Fshale (red)
are found in track 1; density- (red) and neutron- (blue)
porosity curves are plotted in track 2; Rh (solid black), Rv
(solid blue), Rsand (solid red), Rshale-h (dashed blue), and
Rshale-v (dashed red) curves appear in track 3; Anisotropy
percent (green-filled area) appears in track 4.
In track 5, Sw from Rsand (red) and from Rh (black) are
plotted. The yellow-filled area indicates where erroneous
hydrocarbon saturation would have been plotted if anisot-
ropy had not been considered. The presence of anisotropic
shale drags down the sand resistivity to make apparent water
saturation read too high in the pay zone.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank all those who assisted with
these case studies provided, especially Chanh Cao Minh and
Pablo Saldungaray of Schlumberger, and clients. JPT

K-Spice¨ opens a window into the

process for efÞcient production
Would you like to reduce ßaring, reduce energy
consumption, reduce shut-downs, accelerate start-ups
and ensure safety? K-Spice¨ and LedaFlow¨ provide
a safe simulation test environment throughout the
life-cycle of your Þeld Ð by Kongsberg, specialists
in dynamic simulation for the oil & gas industry.
Visit Kongsberg at www.kongsberg.com/kogt
to Þnd out how we can help you to achieve
intelligent improvement.

K-Spice¨ & LedaFlow¨ from Kongsberg Oil & Gas Technologies