LOGGING THROUGH CASING

Self Learning Module

This document is part of a self learning programme designed for new

petroleum engineers with limited experience of logging through casing
operations. Experienced engineers, occasionally involved with logging
through casing operations, may also find the module a useful refresher.

Logging Through Casing (LTC) describes the acquisition of log data using
nuclear, sonic and other techniques to measure properties outside the
wellbore. Under this definition LTC excludes production logs which
measure fluid flow within the wellbore (and are described in a separate
module).

The module contains a step by step guide on how to approach the planning,
witnessing and interpretation of a cased hole logging job. The document
also includes guidelines for a mentor or supervisor wishing to assess the
competency of an engineer to manage cased hole logging operations.
 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

CONTENTS

Section 1 Introduction

Section 2 Operations Planning

Section 3 Tool Description

and Log Interpretation

Section 4 Worked Exercises

Section 5 Equipment Session

Section 6 Competency Assessment

(Mentor Guidelines)

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 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

1. INTRODUCTION

Logging through casing operations are an integral part of hydrocarbon asset management
activities, and for companies with mature portfolios can represent a much greater spending item
than the acquisition of openhole log data. Unlike most openhole logs which are run once before
setting casing, usually to record the reservoir status in a pre-production or early production
situation, through casing logs are often run on several occasions in a well over its producing
lifetime to follow the dynamic production situation. This makes the management of through
casing logging operations much more vulnerable to the movement of staff within an organisation,
and is why the preparation of a well documented reservoir surveillance strategy is essential if
spending on such activities is to be effective.

Three types of logging operations are described in this document:

- cement bond quality logs

- pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logs, and
- induced gamma ray spectroscopy (IGS) logs.

Cement bond quality logs are arguably not a surveillance tool, except for the role that they can
play in casing inspection. However they form a fundamental element of a reservoir surveillance
strategy, which should start with an assessment of the well integrity. A record of the mechanical
status of a producing (or injecting) well is important input on which to base subsequent surveillance
activity, and is essential (along with openhole logs) for the reliable interpretation of through
casing hydrocarbon saturation and fluid identification logs.

Pulsed neutron and induced gamma spectroscopy logs are useful tools employed in support of
reservoir monitoring activities, although they can also be used for single entry applications.
Pulsed neutron logs have a long commercial history as surveillance tools, and have been a basic
reservoir monitoring work horse in many fields. Engineers with more than 10 years experience
in the business will have seen a number of tool versions evolve over time, though the underlying
principle of measurement remains unchanged.

Induced gamma spectroscopy tools have been used much less widely because of physical size
limitations and because the measurement technology is not as robust as that employed in the
pulsed neutron tools. However recent tool developments are allowed reservoir surveillance
staff to consider the merits of running induced gamma spectroscopy tools in many more situations
than was previously possible, so it is anticipated that the tool will be employed more frequently
in future.

The conditions under which these tools can be run and the constraints limiting wider application
are discussed in the following sections. Worked examples and an equipment session are included
to support the learning process, and for those wishing to prove competency the final section
offers guidelines for an assessment procedure.

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2. OPERATIONS PLANNING

When preparing a reservoir surveillance programme one should consider whether information
about hydrocarbon saturation and/or fluid movement at various stage through the field life will
influence field management decisions. If the answer is no then one is unlikely to need a
surveillance strategy at all. However in many cases understanding the progress of a flood front,
or the being able to predict gas break through will help engineers to forecast more reliably and
manage offtake more efficiently.

Although the benefit of such information may justify the cost outlay, the acquisition of good
quality data still requires that suitable candidates are available in which to log. A candidate well
must fulfill three criteria; firstly it must be in a suitable position on the reservoir structure,
secondly access to the zone of interest must be possible (at surface and downhole), and thirdly
the formation conditions must be such that tools can discriminate change.

Figures 2.1 illustrates two conditions under which the well position criteria is fulfilled. In each
case it is planned to acquire information on the progress of a contact towards producing wells,
and a unperforated logging site is available in each of the wells indicated, over which to monitor
the contact movement. Logging can be conducted over perforated intervals under certain
conditions with PNC and IGS tools, however in such cases one should question whether production
logging is not more suitable.

Prod.
Prod.

HCWC = Hydrocarbon/water contact.

Prod. Prod.

HCWC

HCWC
HCWC

Good candidate intervals

for surveillance logging

Figure 2.1 Candidate Selection

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 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

Figure 2.2 is a tool selection guide which can be used to help decide which of the through casing
surveillance tools is likely to the the most suitable under specific conditions. The reasons for the
constraints will become clear as you work through the document. The term ‘time lapse’ refers to
a situation in which a log is run on more than one occasion across the same interval over the field
life, a technique which is recommended when a logging tool is approaching the limits under
which it can discriminate fluid or saturation change in a formation.

40
IGS Tools
Preferred

30
PNC Tools Preferred
(Single Run or Time Lapse)
Porosity %

20

PNC Tools
10 (Time Lapse
Only)
Not recommended
for PNC or IGS Tools
0
0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000
Equiv. Water Salinity (PPM NaCl)
Figure 2.2 Tool Selection Chart

If the conditions described above cannot be fulfilled or access to a suitable well is not possible,
a deep subsea site for example, then the merits of acquiring a base log as the first step of a
surveillance programme should be questioned. This does not exclude using of the through
casing logs for stand alone operations, such as looking for remaining hydrocarbons in old mature
reservoirs containing unperforated layers, or the establishment of current contacts in fields which
haven’t been monitored for whatever reason. The tool limitations apply of course in either case.

Assuming the reader has been able to develop a reservoir surveillance plan or identify a suitable
candidate by any other method, the following sections should provide them with the information
required to witness and quality control the most common through casing log acquisition operations.

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 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

3.1 CEMENT BOND QUALITY EVALUATION TOOLS

There a two types of cement bond evaluation tools in common usage; sonic tools which are
usually referred to by the log mnemonics, such as the Schlumberger CBL-VDL (cement bond
log - variable density log) and Atlas ACBL (acoustic cement bond log), and ultrasonic tools such
as the Schlumberger CET (cement evaluation tool).

Typical applications (for either tool type):

- To establish zonal isolation of productive intervals (gas, oil or water)

- To identify casing annulus cement top (TOC) for casing cutting operations

Secondary applications include casing damage diagnostics (primarily the CET) and casing size
check runs where it is suspected that a heavier section (i.e. smaller internal diameter pipe) has
been run by accident. Cement evaluation logging runs are also normally used as an opportunity
to run a gamma ray (GR) and casing collar locator (CCL) in combination, to tie in the openhole
and cased hole logs, otherwise a separate run has to be made.

The two types of tool (sonic and ultrasonic) will first be described independently before
comparisons are made at the end of the section.

3.1.1 THE SONIC TOOL (CBL-VDL, ACBL)

Principle of measurement
casing
Bond logs are made using a sonic tool which
consists of an acoustic source (or transmitter)
and two acoustic receivers, spaced at 3ft and bonded
cement sheath
5ft from the transmitter (ref. figure 3.1.1).

A measurement cycle takes place when a short formation

pulse is emitted from the acoustic source and
the resultant wave train (ref. fig. 3.1.2) is
transmitter
registered first at the short spaced and then at
the long spaced receiver. A number of sonic pulse path
characteristics of the incoming wave are
important for cement bond evaluation, a) the
3ft receiver
transit time of the first compressional arrival
at the receiver, b) the amplitude of the first
arrival, and c) the shape of the full wave train. 5ft receiver

Figure 3.1.1

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As this measurement cycle takes place several times a second the resultant log appears continuous
vs. depth.

Wave train recorded

Amplitude

at a receiver

Pulse First time

arrival

Figure 3.1.2

Transit Time: Is a measurement of the time taken for an acoustic pulse to travel from the
transmitter to the nearest receiver. The fastest
E3
route between the two is normally through
the mud to the casing, down the casing, and
back through the mud to the tool (ref. Fig.
Amplitude

Detection level E1
3.1.1). An electronic clock starts when the
Amplitude pulse is transmitted and is triggered to stop
time on the first arrival of a wave at the receiver,
this measurement is termed the transit time
Transit time
(ref. Fig. 3.1.3) and is generally rather
E2 constant over uncemented sections (as the
wellbore fluids and the casing size do not
Figure 3.1.3 normally change over the zone of interest).

Amplitude: The amplitude of the first arrival is also measured and is primarily a function of
bond quality between the casing and cement (as opposed to cement and formation). An analogy
can be drawn with a ringing bell; if a bell is free to vibrate it rings loudly (high amplitude), if the
bell is surrounded by cement it cannot ring (low amplitude). A first arrival with a high amplitude
implies a bad bond, a low amplitude implies a good bond.

The transit time and amplitude curves constitute the cement bond log, or CBL (ref. Fig. 3.1.4),
though the term is often used fairly loosely for both these curves and the variable density log
(VDL) described in the following paragraphs. The CBL is recorded using the 3ft spaced receiver
which is required to ensure that the casing arrival is the first arrival; the velocity of a compressional
wave in steel is far higher than that in mud or brine, so the signal in the casing must be given
time to accelerate ahead of the direct mud signal. However the receiver must also be able to
distinguish the real signal from acoustic (road) noise generated as the tool centralisers scrape
along the casing. The signal loses energy as it travels away from the source so the spacing has
to be limited, the three foot spacing has been found to be a reasonable compromise.

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Transit Time depth Sonic Amplitude

400 µsec 200
ah
0 mV 100
feet

no cement
Freepipe Signal
(no cement)
casing 6030
collar
6.5 mV

6050

65.0 mV

good cement bond

Low Amplitude
cycle 6070 (Good Bond)
skip

stretch

Figure 3.1.4

Figure 3.1.4 shows an example of a CBL across a cement top at around 6040 ft.ah., the amplitude
of the first arrival is displayed in millivolts in the right hand side track. Above 6040 ft the
amplitude reads a steady and relatively high value of ca. 65 mV, this is the freepipe signal indicating
that there is nothing preventing the casing from ringing. The casing collar at 6032 ft. is easily
identified and has a characteristic signature over a 3 ft. interval (the collar is not 3 ft long but the
influence of the collar is ‘seen’ by the transmitter- receiver pair over a 3 ft spacing). Below 6050
ft. the amplitude is almost totally suppressed by well bonded cement filling the casing - formation
annulus, also notice that the casing collar signal at 6052 ft. has almost disappeared.

In the left hand track the transit time is displayed

in micro-seconds per foot, the curve is very
constant above 6050 ft except for 3 ft long
Detection level E1
departures where the tool crosses a casing collar.
Below 6050 ft. one can see a slight lengthening
(stretch) of the transit time which is indicative
of good cement to casing bond, figure 3.1.5
tt stretch illustrates the principle. Where the amplitude
E2 of the first arrival is suppressed below the tool
detection level the clock will continue to run
Figure 3.1.5

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 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

until it triggers on the second positive peak (and returns a longer transit time), this is termed a
cycle skip and when preceded or followed by a period of stretch is another indication of good
bonding. A single cycle skip can be seen at 6074 ft. but in long sections of very well bonded
cement the transit time can trigger on the second arrival for some time.

Wave Train: The 5ft spaced

Amplitude Casing Arr. Formation Arrivals Mud Arrivals
(mV) receiver is used to record a full wave
train over a specific time period,
Transmitter
typically 200 to 1200 microseconds
after the signal pulse. A wave train
E1
arriving at a receiver is a composite
signal, a superposition of
t(µsec)
compressional waves from the same
source which have passed through
the casing, cement, formation and
mud in parallel but at different
Depth
speeds. By using a 5ft spaced
(AH)
receiver the wave train is spread out
3050
and it is possible to discriminate
3052 between some of the components,
as shown in figure 3.1.6.
3054

3056

Figure 3.1.6

The wave train can be displayed as an ordinary waveform or more commonly as a Variable
Density Log where the positive and negative cycles of the wave are shaded black and white
respectively and presented as a characteristic banded pattern vs. depth, as shown in figure 3.1.6.
In order to receive a strong formation signal the bond between cement and formation must be
good, so the VDL is used primarily to verify this aspect of the bond quality, a weak formation
signal implies a poor cement to formation bond. A very weak (or absent) casing signal on the
other hand implies a very good casing to cement bond, as the casing component of the wave
train is heavily suppressed.

The VDL formation signal varies with the acoustic velocity properties of the formation along
the borehole and so it should correlate closely with the open hole sonic log (and often the density
log). The late arrival waves on the VDL display are the slowest arrivals i.e. those which come
directly through the mud. Like the casing arrivals they appear at a constant time period after the
signal as the acoustic properties of the mud or brine are usually constant over the interval of
interest.

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A summary of common VDL and associated amplitude responses can be seen in fig. 3.1.7.,
notice that the casing collar ‘chevron’ response (an interference pattern) in the freepipe example
has a 5 ft. duration corresponding to the transmitter to far spaced receiver separation.

Summary of CBL-VDL Interpretation in Cased Hole

Wave Form 0 Amplitude mV 200 VDL µsec 1200

Freepipe
Transmitter

Strong casing arrivals,

casing collar chevrons evident

Good bond, casing-cement

and cement-formation

Highly suppressed casing arrivals

Strong formation arrival

Micro annulus
or channelling

Both casing and formation arrivals.

Run log under pressure to distinguish
micro annulus from channelling.

Good bond casing-cement

and poor bond cement formation
OR high attenuation formation

No casing arrivals but

weak formation arrivals

Fast formation arrivals

Formation arrivals much

earlier than normal

Figure 3.1.7

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Interpretation

The description so far has concentrated primarily on qualitative inferences about cement quality
drawn from three logging outputs; transit time, amplitude and waveform, and a simple cement
bond model has been assumed. In reality there are a number of common cement bond quality
conditions which fall between the ‘total bond’ and ‘no bond’ situation, and in such cases the
sonic tool response can be rather ambiguous.

The concept of a Bond Index (BI) is one attempt to quantify degrees of bond quality which has
gained wide spread acceptance in the industry, even though it is a rather imperfect measure. It is
based on a mix of theoretical relationships and empirical observations and uses the amplitude
attenuation in a well bonded section as a reference for relative comparison of the attenuation in
less well bonded sections. The BI is defined as the ratio:

BI = Attenuation in zone of interest / Attenuation in a well cemented section

where amplitude attenuation is described in dB/ft, and can be determined from charts. A BI of
0.8 is generally considered to give a good hydraulic seal providing a sufficient continuous of
length this bond quality exists, the chart in figure 3.1.8 shows the length of good cement required
vs. casing size. For a quicklook interpretation it is usually quite acceptable to assume that an
amplitude value equal to 10% of the freepipe value can be used as a cut-off to define a good
cement bond (as shown in figure 3.1.4). It is important to note that both methods rely on being
able to identify the freepipe signal (and a well bonded section in the case of the BI ratio).

Cemented Interval Required

16
14
12
10
Feet

8
6
4
2
0
5 6 7 8 9 10
Casing Size (in)

Figure 3.1.8

Two specific situations which are difficult to differentiate with a CBL/VDL are micro-annulus
and channelling. Micro-annulus describes a condition where the cement sheath is complete but
no bond exists between the casing and cement. It is sometimes induced by pressure testing the
casing when the cement has stiffened but not fully set, or by displacing the well to a lighter fluid
like brine after cement has set causing the casing to contract away from the cement. Channelling
describes a condition where the cement sheath is not complete in the radial sense. A channel can

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 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

occur if the casing is poorly centralised and mud is not displaced from either side of the point of
contact between pipe and borehole wall. A high side channel may also develop if cement mix
water is liberated during the setting process or if gas enters the annulus before cement is fully set.

A micro-annulus condition is normally good enough to contain the movement of oil and water
but can’t be guaranteed to isolate gas zones, just as importantly it can’t be repaired. Channelling
on the other hand can jeopardise cementing objectives completely, but may be repairable. Both
conditions tend to be characterised by a partially suppressed amplitude reading and the appearance
of casing and formation arrivals on the VDL (see figure 3.1.7). Though channel size and direction
cannot be identified using an omni-directional CBL type sonic reading the condition can often be
discriminated from micro-annulus by rerunning a log under pressure. If, under pressure, casing
arrivals disappear and amplitude readings drop to low levels (i.e. the gap closes) then micro-
annulus rather than channelling can be assumed.

Logging Operations

In preparation for running a cement bond log it is important to gather information on the openhole
condition of the well such as hole size, mud type (and properties) and well deviation. A density
log with caliper and gamma ray is a minimum requirement for openhole logs on site. Equally
important are the casing and cementing records which should be captured on the log comments
section for future reference and used with the openhole details to aid log interpretation.

In most cases it is wise to make a casing scraper run between the cement job and the log acquisition
as the tool has to be rigidly centralised during logging and can hang up on bits of cement remaining
on the inside of the casing. The centralisation must not be compromised as the sonic tools are not
run in a borehole compensated mode. If the acoustic source and receivers are eccentered
compressive waves arriving at a receiver will be out of phase and will interfere destructively,
attenuating the amplitude (by as much 50% for an offset of only 6 mm).

If the well is displaced to a lighter fluid such as brine during the scraper trip a 1500 psi. wireline
BOP should be available on site in case the log has to be rerun under pressure. It is common
practise to rig up the BOP on a riser restrained in the casing rams of the rig BOP stack, but only
to insert the wireline stuffing box seals if pressure is required. Note: This practise has become
much less common as many companies are running the sonic tool in combination with ultra-
sonic tools which can discriminate between micro-annulus and channelling.

Most sonic tools are about 3.5" in diameter and the log is run on seven conductor cable (which
accounts for the low rating wireline BOP). The tool is normally run in combination with a
gamma ray and casing collar locator (CCL) to tie in the cased hole with open hole logs for a
perforating reference. A short section of casing called a pup joint is often run across the zone of
interest to make sure of the depth correlation of subsequent runs without a gamma ray, which can
be difficult when all casing joints are of uniform length (typically 40 ft.).

The log is normally run as a single pass at 3600 ft/hr but should be slowed down if tool ‘road’
noise becomes a problem. A short repeat section of up to 200 ft. should be run in the zone of
interest to check the tool and should overlay the main survey very closely. If micro-annulus is
suspected and an ultra-sonic tool is not run in combination then rerun the log after applying

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pressure. If an interval of freepipe (in the same casing size) can be acquired it will considerable
ease the quicklook interpretation task, however in a production liner this will not normally be
possible and charts will have to be used to estimate the freepipe reading.

Most importantly be sure that the objectives of the logging job are clear; typically these can be
a mixture of cement integrity (for zonal isolation), cement top identification and reference log
for perforating operations. Lastly make sure that surface cement samples are hard before logging
and ideally allow 24 hours before running the log to ensure that the cement has time to develop
compressive strength.

Tool calibration

A tool response check is made in the logging contractor workshop where acoustic sensitivity is
checked and the electronic gain set. In the field the electronic gain can be re-adjusted if necessary
when the tool is downhole if the well fluid and casing details are known. A wellsite check
should be made before and after logging, ideally in a section of freepipe to ensure that there is no
drift on the maximum amplitude signal and transit time. The freepipe transit time and amplitude
signal (in a known fluid type and casing and for a specific tool type) can also be estimated from
contractor tool charts and should match log readings.

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3.1.2 THE ULTRASONIC TOOL (CET)

Ultrasonic tools such as the Schlumberger Cement Evaluation Tool (CET) were introduced
commercially in the early 80’s to address some of the limitations characteristic of the sonic
tools. It took some time for the CET to become established and run on a regular basis, early
models were not very robust and there was considerable reluctance in the industry to lose the
benefit of huge comparative sonic bond log databases. Even now it is generally run in combination
rather than as an alternative to the sonic tools. However increasing emphasis on well integrity
and investment in specialist cement programmes (such as ‘gas-block’ cement) in the 80’s promoted
the search for a rather more sophisticated cement evaluation tool and the CET became more
widely used.

Principle of measurement

The CET is different in two main ways from the sonic

tools, firstly it uses a different principle of
measurement, and secondly it makes a measurement
in 8 equally spaced directions around the tool (though
this is not an intrinsic feature of ultrasonic tools). Ultrasonic
Transducer
The CET has eight ultrasonic measurement
transducers (a combined transmitter/receiver) and
one reference transducer mounted in a helical
arrangement around the tool and pointing towards
the casing wall (ref. fig. 3.1.9). When an ultrasonic
pulse is emitted from a transducer it hits the casing
wall and some of the signal energy is reflected (or
echoed) back to the transducer (ref. figure 3.1.10).
This reflected signal is a near replica of the emitted
signal and has a high amplitude because of the
considerable difference in acoustic impedance
between fluid and casing. The energy in this part of
the reflected signal is integrated over a specific time
period or gate (called W 1 or Window 1). The
remainder of the pulse energy is transmitted through
the casing surface and reverberates within the casing
by multiple reflection between the casing-fluid and
casing-cement interfaces. Reflected energy lost back
through the casing surface is picked up by the
transducer and is integrated over a time gated
interval. The tool measures energy content in the
reverberant portion of the reflected signal during a
time gate (W2 or Window 2), a low reading implies
a good bond as energy is lost into the cement and
formation, and high reading implies a bad bond as
more energy is reflected back if there is fluid outside
the casing.
Figure 3.1.9 Principle of CET measurement

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Transducer
Casing Cement Formation

TRANSMITTED RECEIVED
PULSE Direct WAVEFORM
Reflection Reverberant Reflections

0 50µs 100µs

BAD BOND GOOD BOND

Decaying
Reflections Reflections
Suppressed

W2 W2

W1 W1

CET waveform measurements

Figure 3.1.10 Pulse - Echo Technique

Interpretation

The energy content of reverberation reflections received by the tool is a function of the acoustic
impedance of the borehole fluid, casing and cement opposite the transducer. If one assumes that
the borehole fluid and casing do not change over the interval of interest then the early part of the
reflected signal (the direct reflection) can be used to normalise the response from each transducer.
The energy content of the late (reverberation) reflections is then used to give a relative measure
of cement quality.

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A typical wellsite log (ref. fig. 3.1.11) includes an 8 band display in track 3 (one band for each
transducer covering 45 degrees of casing circumference) which is scaled from good cement
(black) to freepipe (white), shades of grey covering intermediate values. At the wellsite, standard
values for freepipe and good cement are used to automatically scale the log display and a wellsite
representative would normally accept this output as a basis for decision making. Typically one
would be looking for the presence of channels in the cement cover which would not be identified
using the ‘wrap around’ measurement employed by sonic tools.

The example shows a cement top at ca. 7870 ft.ah below which there is full cement cover and no
evidence of channelling. Above the cement top in the white ‘freepipe’ section the casing collars
can be identified as black lines across
OVAL DEPTH WWM
-1.0 (in) 1.0 0.0 (psi) 2.0 8-band all 8 tracks of the display, not because
ECCE CSMX variable Formation
0.0 (in) 2.0 10,000 (psi) 0.0 intensity and gas
flags
there is good cement at these points,
display
CALU CSMN
but because the standard input values
CCL

RB (deg)
5.50 (in) 6.50 10,000 0.0 -90 360
for scaling the log display are not valid
over the collars.

The 8 mini tracks to the right of the

7800
main display contain ‘flags’ for gas and
formation reflections. Formation
reflections can occur in the presence
of a thin cement sheath combined with
on-gauge tight formation (or double
casing strings) and become
superimposed on the late part of the
regular signal masking the normal
exponential decay (a feature which is
used to trigger the flag output). The
CET is not designed to investigate the
cement/formation boundary but when
a flag does appear it is usually treated
7900 as a positive sign of cement quality,
take care however, notice how the flags
also appear opposite the freepipe
casing collars in the example.
Quantitative analysis in the presence
of flags is impossible.
Figure 3.1.11 CET log over cement top section
Gas has a very low acoustic impedance and the presence of gas behind casing can often be
recognised by the relatively low attenuation of the reflected signal (compared to signal attenuation
levels where casing is surrounded by fluid or cement). A gas flag is output whenever very low
attenuation of the reflected signal is recognised by the tool, and the variable intensity display is
set to ‘white’ (i.e. no bond) by the internal tool logic. On conventional log panels gas flags are
usually discriminated from formation flags by the thickness of the flag; gas flags are output as
thin lines and formation flags as heavy lines.

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In track 2 of the log example (figure 3.1.11) the minimum and maximum compressive strength
of the cement sheath is output as two curves (CSMN and CSMX respectively). The quantification
of compressive strength is based on the relationship between the ultrasonic signal attenuation
and acoustic impedance of cement. Unset cement (with zero compressive strength) has an acoustic
impedance similar to that of mud and brine, and approximately half the acoustic impedance
value of a set cement (with a measured compressive strength of 4000 psi). As the energy content
of the reverberating part of the reflected signal is determined by the acoustic impedance of the
cement surrounding the casing, an empirical relationship can be defined which allows compressive
strength to be quantified. The minimum and maximum output curves display the highest and
lowest compressive strength calculated within each of the 8 sectors averaged over 2 feet. A
continuous 10 ft. interval of full circumferential cement coverage with a minimum compressive
strength of 500 psi. is generally considered sufficient to ensure hydraulic isolation.

The third curve in track 2 displays the mean value of the normalised Window 2 over Window 1
energy (the W2/W1 ratio or WWM) over 360 deg. of the borehole. In freepipe, WWM should be
close to 1.0, though it can drop to as low as 0.8 if the annulus is filled with heavy mud. Good
cement all round the casing should return a value of less than 0.4, patchy or less strong cement
will give readings between the two extremes, bond quality should be questioned where consistent
readings of greater than 0.6 are observed. Values between 1.2 and 1.5 are indicative of free gas
in the annulus. Although not directly comparable to the bondlog amplitude the WWM curve can
be used in a similar fashion as a relative cement bond indicator.

Track 1 of the log example contains caliper information derived from the ultrasonic reflection
transit time. Four curves are generally output; an internal casing diameter CALU (the average
of the four opposed pairs of transducers), an ovality measurement OVAL (the difference between
the largest and smallest diameters measured), a tool eccentricity indicator ECCE (the largest
difference between two opposite transducer transit times), and an ultrasonic casing collar locator
CCLU (derived from the CALU curve).

The eccentricity reading should be treated as a quality curve as providing the tool is within 5 mm
of the centre position the others measurements are valid (the tool is very light so centralisation is
not normally a problem up to 60 deg.). The caliper and ovality curves can be used to detect
incorrectly sized or damaged casing, and if all 4 casing diameter measurements are displayed
the tool can be used in a corrosion monitoring mode (note however that the transducers have a
resolution of 2 inches and cannot completely replace dedicated corrosion tools such as
multifingered calipers and scanning tools). Ultrasonic transit time through the borehole fluid is
measure over a fixed distance using the reference transducer, the resultant distance measurements
are accurate to 1 mm.

Two other output curves are often displayed on the wellsite log, the relative bearing of the tool
and its deviation. This information allows the 8 band display to be orientated so that the low
side of the hole is always represented by the middle of track 3 and the top by the extreme left and
right hand sides (if one can imagine the display rolled into a tube shape). If a channel is present
this type of reoriented display can make it easier to see the characteristics of the channel, which
in turn make it easier to diagnose what caused the problem.

TRACS INTERNATIONAL 3 - 12 Tool Description and Log Interpretation

 LOGGING THROUGH CASING

Logging Operations

Use of the CET is becoming increasingly widespread and it is now routinely run in combination
with the sonic tool (and gamma ray) by a number of oil companies. The main application for the
combination is to differentiate between micro-annulus and channelling without having to pressure
up the casing, which can involve considerable rig time and the use of non standard pressure
equipment. The CET will not ‘see’ a fluid filled micro-annulus less than 0.1 mm wide and so
resolves the ambiguity created by the sonic log response. A gas filled micro-annulus will influence
the CET response and makes quantitative evaluation impossible, though the variable intensity
display will still yield qualitative information (because of the gas recognition logic which sets
the display to ‘white’).

An example of gas channelling in a gas well deviated at 35 deg. is shown in figure 3.1.12, the
variable intensity display has been oriented so the centre of the track represents the low side of
the hole. Because a channel exists over the whole interval the minimum compressive strength is
zero, the maximum compressive strength ranges between zero and 3000 psi. and averages ca.
1500 psi. The top of cement can be seen at 4080 ft. where CSMX drops to zero. The gas
channel switches from the top side to the bottom side of the hole at around 4500 ft.

Openhole logs should be available on site to help with the interpretation, particularly the density/
neutron which may well identify gas zones and a caliper to quantify hole conditions (such as
wash-outs) likely to influence the cement bond quality.

Centralisation of the CET is maintained by a spring loaded roller system which allows the tool
to deal with small changes in casing diameter without changing out the centralisers (as would be
the case with the sonic tools). The log is normally acquired at 1800 ft/hr though in theory it
could be run at much higher speeds of up to 6000 ft/hr. Often the logging speed is dictated by
the sonic tool if run in combination.

Because of the attenuation effects of heavy mud systems the use of the CET in water based mud
weights greater than 13 lb/gal (0.675 psi/ft) and oil based mud weights greater than 10 lb/gal
(0.52 psi.ft) should be questioned if it appears in a logging programme. The CET cannot be used
effectively in Invert Oil Emulsion Muds.

Confidence in the interpretation of the CET is closely related to confidence in the freepipe
calibration (in which a freepipe value of W2 is acquired), it is important therefore to log a section
of freepipe (under the same conditions as that in the zone of interest) as part of the log acquisition
programme to calibrate the tool response under known conditions. Predetermined input
parameters can be (and often are used at the wellsite) for the W2 free pipe value but without a
reference check in the well, the interpretation quality is reduced. Whichever method is employed
the WWM reading in (fluid surrounded) freepipe should read 1 +/- 0.15 to verify the tool response.

Note: A full interpretation would normally include information from a third time gate (W3) located
between the W1 and W2 gates, however to expand the discussion within this document to
include this feature is of limited use for the wellsite representative.

TRACS INTERNATIONAL 3 - 13 Tool Description and Log Interpretation