RESERVOIR ROCK

P0ROSITY

RESERVOIR ROCK
PROPERTIES
Part of the total porous rock volume which is
not occupied by rock grains or fine mud
rock, acting as cement between grain
particles.

POROSITY
Storage capacity of medium
An exclusive rock property
Expressed in Fraction or %
Statistical property based on
the rock volume*.
Used for resave estimate.
Effects hydrocarbon recovery
* If the selected volume is too small the calculated
porosity can deviate greatly from the true value
* If the volume is too large the porosity may deviate
from the real value due to the influence of
heterogeneity.
Physically following types of porosity can be
distinguished:
• Inter granular porosity.
• Fracture porosity.
• Micro-porosity.
• Vugular porosity.
• Intra granular porosity.
Utility wise following types of porosity can be
distinguished:
• Absolute Porosity • Effective Porosity
 Characteristics of Porous Media
Geometric character of rock
•inter granular – intra granular
•fractured.
Mechanical properties of rock
•consolidated
•unconsolidated
Heterogeneity
 14.08.2014
Models of Porous Media
Idealized Porous Medium
1. Represented by Parallel Cylindrical Pores*

12.08.2014
where r is the pipe radius and m·n is the number of cylinders contained in the bulk volume.
2. Represented by Regular Cubic-Packed Spheres

where Vm is the "matrix“ volume or the volume of bulk space

occupied by the rock.
3. Represented by Regular Orthorhombic -Packed Spheres

Where h is the height of the orthorhombic-packed spheres .

The matrix volume is unchanged. And thus,
4. Represented by Regular Rhombohedral -Packed Spheres

Where h is the height in the tetrahedron and is given by

5. Represented by Irregular - Packed Spheres with
Different Radii
Real reservoir rock exhibits a complex structure and
a substantial variation in grain sizes as well as their
packing , which results in variation of porosity and
other important reservoir properties , often related
to the heterogeneity of porous medium.
By drawing a graph with radii of the spheres plotted
on the horizontal axis and heights equal to the
corresponding frequencies of their appearance
plotted on the vertical axis ,one can obtain a
histogram of distribution of particles (spheres) in
sizes.
EXAMPLE
 Porosity: relations/presentation
Porosity = Pore volume x 100
Bulk volume

1 Pore volume, Bulk volume

2 Bulk volume, Grain volume

1 Pore volume, Grain volume

 Utility limits of porosity
• The effective porosity of rocks varies
between less than 1% to 40%.
• It is often stated that the porosity is:
(a)Low if Φ < 5%
(b)Mediocre if 5% < Φ < 10 %
(c)Average if 10%< Φ < 20 %
(d)Good if 20%< Φ < 30 %
(e)Excellent Φ > 30%
Physical Impacts
 1. Porosity and hydraulic conductivity
Normally Porosity can be
proportional to hydraulic
conductivity: two similar
sandy aquifers, the one
with a higher porosity
will typically have a
higher conductivity *
*Grain size decreases the proportionality between pore throat radii
and porosity begins to fail and therefore the proportionality
between porosity and hydraulic conductivity fails
Example: Clays typically have very low hydraulic conductivity (due to their small
pore throat radii) but also have very high porosities (due to the structured
nature of clay)which means clays can hold a large volume of water per
volume of bulk material, but they do not release water rapidly as they have
low hydraulic conductivity.
 2. Sorting and porosity
Grains of approximately all one size materials
have higher porosity than similarly sized poorly
sorted materials which drastically reducing
porosity.
3. Consolidation of rocks
Consolidated rocks have more complex porosities
Rocks have decrease in porosity with age and
depth of burial
There may be exceptions to this rule, usually
because of thermal history.
 Types of geologic porosities
1. Primary porosity :
The original porosity of the system
2. Secondary porosity
A subsequent or separate porosity system
in a rock, often enhancing overall porosity
of a rock.
This can be a result of chemical leaching
of minerals.
This can replace the primary porosity or
coexist with it (see dual porosity below).
3. Fracture porosity
This is porosity associated with a fracture
system or faulting.
4. Vuggy porosity
This is secondary porosity generated by
dissolution of large features (such as
macrofossils) in carbonate rocks leaving
large holes, vugs , or even caves.
5. Open porosity
Refers to the fraction of the total volume in
which fluid flow is effectively and excludes
closed pores .
6. Closed porosity
Fraction of the total volume in which fluids
or gases are present but in which fluid flow
can not effectively take place and includes
the closed pores.
7. Dual porosity
Refers to the porosity of two overlapping
reservoirs -fractured rock , leaky aquifer
results in dual porosity systems.
8. Macro porosity
Refers to pores greater than 50 nm* in
diameter. Flow through macropores is
described by bulk diffusion.
9. Meso porosity
Refers to pores greater than 2 nm and less
than 50 nm in diameter. Flow through
mesopores is described by diffusion.
10 Micro porosity
Refers to pores smaller than 2 nm in
diameter. Movement in micropores is by
activated diffusion.
* 1.0 × 10-7 centimetres
 Measurement of Porosity

In situ Surface

Core Analysis
Well Logs
POROSITY DETERMINATION
FROM LOGS
The basic setup of logging process
A wire line truck with a spool of logging
cable is setup so that the measuring equipment
can be lowered into the wellbore.
The logging tools measure different
properties, such as spontaneous potential and
formation resistivity, and the equipment is
brought to the surface.
The information is processed by a
computer in the logging vehicle, and is
interpreted by an Formation engineer or
geologist.
OPENHOLE LOG EVALUATION
Well Log
SP Resistivity
 Interpretation
A decrease in radioactivity from the
gamma ray log could indicate the
presence of a sandstone formation.
An increase in resistivity may indicate
the presence of hydrocarbons.
An increase in a porosity log might
indicate that the formation has porosity
and is permeable.
POROSITY DETERMINATION BY LOGGING

Increasing Increasing Increasing

radioactivity resistivity porosity

Shale

Oil sand

Shale

Gamma Resistivity Porosity

ray
POROSITY LOG TYPES
• Bulk density
• Sonic (acoustic)
• Compensated neutron

Essential Requirements
• Formation lithology
• Nature of the Fluid in pores.
Density log, the neutron log*,
and the sonic logs do not
measure porosity. Rather,
porosity is calculated from
measurements such as electron
density, hydrogen index and
sonic travel time.
* A precallibrated Neutron log directly provides
limestone porososity in carbonates.
 CORES
• Allow direct measurement of reservoir
properties
• Used to correlate indirect measurements,
such as wire line/LWD logs
• Used to test compatibility of injection fluids
• Used to predict borehole stability
• Used to estimate probability of formation
failure and sand production
 ESTIMATING POROSITY FROM
CORE ANALYSIS
► Following equation is used:

► On a sample of generally simple geometric form, two of the

three values Vp , Vs and VT are therefore determined.
►The standard sample (plug) is cylindrical, Its cross section
measures about 4 to 12 cm2 and its length is varies between
2 to 5 cm.
►The plugs are first washed and dried.
►The measuring instruments are coupled to microcomputers
to process the results rapidly.
 A. Measurement of VT
(a) Measurement of the buoyancy exerted by mercury on the sample
immersed in it

The apparatus has a frame C connected by a APPARATUS

rod to a float F immersed in a beaker
containing mercury.
A reference index R is Fixed to the rod. A
plate B is suspended from the plate.
(a) First measurement: the sample is placed
on plate B with a weight P1 to bring R in,in
contact with the mercury.
(b) Second measurement: the sample is
VT
placed under the hooks of float F, and the
weight P2 is placed on plate B to bring R in to
contact with the mercury.
If ρHg is the density of mercury at
measurement temperature. Then:
VT
 M
(b) Use of positive
displacement pump VT

Method:
Without a sample using the piston,
mercury is pushed to mark, indicated on the reference valve (V).
The vernier of the pump is set at zero.
With the sample in place, the mercury is again pushed to same
mark. The vernier of the pump is read and the volume VT is
obtained.
The measurement is only valid if mercury does not
penetrate into the pores.
The accuracy is ± 0.01 cm3.
(c) Measurement:
The foregoing methods are unsuitable if the rock
contains fissures or macro pores, because
mercury will penetrate into them.
Here a piece of cylindrical core’s diameter “d”
and height “h” can be measured using sliding
caliper:
 B. Measurement of VS
Measurement of the buoyancy exerted on the sample by
a solvent with which it is saturated. VS by immersion method

The method is most accurate but difficult

and time consuming to achieve complete
saturation. The operations are normally
standardized.
The difference between the weights of sample in air (P air)
and the solvent in which it is immersed (P immersed) gives
VS as :
 (b)Use of compression chamber and Boyle’ law
Regardless of specific apparatus used i.e. singe cell or double
chamber, the sample is subjected to known initial pressure by
gas, which was originally at atmospheric pressure.
The pressure is then changed by varying the volume of gas in
chamber.
The variation in volume and pressure are measured by using
Boyle’s law.
P1 V1 = P2 V2
The equipments using single cell and double are shown in
next slide.
 Use of compression chamber and
Boyle’ law
Use of single cell Use of double cell

4 4,5

2 6
3
1
1

3
2

1 is chamber for core 1 is chamber for core

2 is core 2 is constant volume chamber
3 is volume plunger 3 is core
4 is pressure gauge 4 & 5 is pressure manometers
6 is source of gas
 C. Determination of VP
a. Measurement of air in the
pores
The mercury positive displacement pump is used for
this purpose. After measuring VT ,the valve of the
sample core holder is closed and the air in the
interconnected pores is expanded. The variation in
volume and pressure are measured using Boyle’s law
b. Measurement by weighing a liquid filling the
effective pores
This liquid is often brine
c. Measurement by mercury injection
In this case the mercury never totally invade the
interconnected pores. Hence the value obtained
for the parameter is under par.
 Fluid Summation Method
• The method involves the analysis of a FRESH
sample containing water, oil and gas.
• The distribution of these fluids is not the
same as in the reservoir. because the core
has been invaded by the mud filtrate and
decomposed when pulled out.
• Still/but the sum of the volumes of these
three fluids, for a unit volume of rock, gives
the effective porosity of the sample.
• The total volume is determined by mercury
displacement pump.
Special Method :Determination of VP
Relation of Fluid Summation and porosity

(1) VP = Vw + VO + VG

(1) Sw + SO + SG = 100%

Sw = Vw/ VP SO = Vo/ VP SG = VG/ VP

 ELECTRICAL METHOD
Formation Resistivity Factor
1
Formation Resistivity Factor : is the ratio of
the resistivity of clean formation(core sample)
fully saturated with brine to the resistivity
observed with brine solution of same salinity. i.e.
F.F. = Ro / Rw
Where
Ro= Resistivity of clean formation sample fully
saturated with brine of specific salinity,
Rw= Resistivity of brine of same salinity
(without core)
2
Formation Resistivity Factor : is also
related to the POROSITY by Archie
Equation given as under:
FF = a/Φm
Where
a = Tortuosity Factor
(Path Complexity)
m= Cementation Factor
(Grain Size)
Higher is the value of ‘a’ higher is the
value of ‘m’ .
 a

m
 3

Formation
Resistivity
Factor :
is also greatly
effected by
over burden
pressure and
in turn with
POROSITY.
POROSITY AVERAGING
1
If the Bedding planes show large variations in
porosity vertically then arithmetic average porosity
2
The thickness - weighted average porosity is used
to describe the average reservoir porosity.
3
If porosity in one portion of the reservoir to be
greatly different from that in another area due to
sedimentation conditions, the areal weighted
average
4
The volume-weighted average porosity is used to
characterize the average rock porosity.
 MATHEMATICAL EXPRESSIONS

averaging techniques are expressed

mathematically in the following forms:
Arithmetic average
Thickness-weighted average
Areal-weighted average
Volumetric-weighted average
POROSITY APPLICATIONS
 APPLICATION OF EFFECTIVE POROSITY
For a reservoir with an areal extent of A
acres and an average thickness of h feet
Bulk volume = 43,560 Ah, ft3 OR
= 7,758 Ah, bbl
The reservoir pore volume PV in cubic feet :
PV = 43,560 AhФ, ft3
The reservoir pore volume PV in bbl is given as :
PV = 7,758 AhФ, bbl
 Porosity Distribution (Histogram)
The multiple sampling of porosity measurements for
reservoir rocks at different depths and in different
wells gives a data set that can then be plotted as a
histogram , to reveal the porosity’s Frequency
distribution.
Such histograms may be constructed separately for
the individual zones, or units, distinguished within
the reservoir, and thus give a good basis for
statistical estimates
(mean porosity values, standard deviations, etc.).
 APPLICATION

1. Zone Analysis

Histogram
 2. Reservoir Simulation
Simulation of fluid flow
in porous media,
require a realistic
picture of the rock
porosity
The grouping of
porosity data according
to the reservoir zones, Trends of porosity
depth variation or distribution in the
graphical co-ordination, depth profiles of
yield spatial trends. two reservoir sand
stone.
3. Sediment compaction
Mechanical digenesis
(compaction)/ chemical
digenesis (cementation)
have a profound effect
on a sedimentary rock’s
porosity. This burial
effect is illustrated by
the two typical
Examples of sand and
clay deposits,
 4. Exploration leads
Development of a bulk and realistic
picture of the reservoir to evaluate -
Early Reserves Estimates Exploration
leads Expected Recoveries, well
treatments , IOR and EOR
Boundaries of
Sand ridges are
shown as separate
units / porosity
zones - numbered
as zone 1 , zone2,
zone3 and zone 4,
indicating their
areal extent.
 REMARKS
Rock at reservoir conditions is subject to overburden
pressure stresses, while the core recovered at surface
tends to be stress relived; therefore laboratory
determined porosity values are generally expected to
be higher than in-situ values.
If ΦR represent porosity at reservoir condition, ΦL be
porosity at reservoir condition, rock compressibility as
Cp (V/V/psi) and net overburden pressure as ∆PN ( over
burden pressure – fluid pressure) psi; then we may
use the following relation:
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING

ROCK POROSITY

EXERCISES
 Example 1
The grain volume of rock sample of
1.5” dia and 5.6 cm length was found
to be 56.24 cc and bulk volume of the
sample using mercury displacement
method was measured 73.80 cc.
If dry weight of the sample is149.88
gms, find the grain density. Calculate
the pore volume and porosity of the
sample.
 SOLUTION -1

*Pore volume = Bulk volume-Grain volume

=73.80 – 56.24=17,56 cc
*Porosity,% =(Pore volume/bulk volume) x
100
=(17.56/73.80)X100 = 23.79%
*Grain density=Dry weight of sample/Grain
volume
= 149.88/56.24
= 2.665 gms/cc
Example-2
Weight of the dry sample in air is
20.0gms.
The weight of the sample when
saturated with water is 22.5gms.
Weight of saturated sample in water
at 40 degree F is 12.6 gms.
Find the Bulk volume.
 SOLUTION-2

Weight of the water displaced

= 22.5- 12.5= 9.9gms
Volume of water displaced
=9.9/1= 9.9cc
Will be the bulk volume of the sample.
 Example-3
A core sample immersed in water has
its weight in air as 20gms
Dry sample when coated with paraffin
weighs 20,9 gms (density of paraffin
being 0.9gm/cc).
If weight of the immersed sample in
water at 40 ºF be given as 10 gms.
Find the bulk volume of core sample.
 SOLUTION -3
Weight of the paraffin=20.9-20.0=0.9gms
Volume of paraffin=0.9/0.9=1cc
Weight of water displaced=20.9-10.0
=10.9gms
Volume of water displaced= 10.9/1.0
=10.9cc
Therefore bulk volume of rock will be:
Volume of water displaced – volume of
paraffin=10.9-1=9.9cc
EXAMPLE- 4

Determine the total porosity of

sample when the grain density is
2.67 gms/cc.
Weight of the dry sample in air is 20
gms.
Bulk volume of the sample is 9.9cc
 SOLUTION -4
*Grain volume of the sample
= Weight of dry sample in
air/Sand density
=7.5
* Total porosity=
(Bulk volume-grain volume)/Bulk
volume X 100
=(9.9 – 7.5)/ 9.9 X 100
= 24.2%
Example -5

Calculate the weight of 1 m3 of

Sand stone of 14% porosity.
Given that the sand density is
2.65 gm/cm3
SOLUTION-5
Volume of sand stone BVs=1m3
PorosityΦ(PV) =14%
Density of sand grains=2.65.
BV= PV + GV
GV = BV - PV
= 1- 0.14 = 0.86 m3
Ws = Density of sand grains x GV
=2.65gm/cm3 x 0.86 x 106gm
=2.279 x 106gm
Example-6

A petroleum reservoir has an areal

extent of 20,000 ft2 and a pay
thickness of 100ft.The reservoir rock
has a uniform porosity of 35%. Find
the pore volume of this reservoir
 SOLUTION - 6

Pore volume
= 7758 AhΦ bbl.
=7758 x 20,000 x 100 x 35/100
=54306 x 105 bbl.
Example – 7
An oil reservoir exists at its bubble-point
pressure of 3000 psia and temperature of
160°F. The oil has an API gravity of 42° and
gas-oil ratio of 600 scf/STB. The specific
gravity of the solution gas is 0.65. The
following additional data are also available
• Reservoir area = 640 acres
• Average thickness = 10 ft
• Connate water saturation = 0.25
• Effective porosity = 15%
Calculate the initial oil in place in STB.
 SOLUTION - 7
Step 1. Determine the specific gravity of the
stock-tank oil as 0.8156

Step 2. Calculate the initial oil formation volume

factor as 1.306 bbl /STB

Step 3. Calculate the pore volume

= 7758 (640) (10) (0.15) = 7,447,680 bbl
Step 4. Calculate the initial oil in place Initial oil in
place = 12,412,800 (1 - 0.25)/1.306 = 4,276,998 STB
Example 8
Calculate the arithmetic average and
thickness-weighted average from the
following measurements
Solution -8
1 DENSITY LOGS
Electron density is a measure of
bulk density
• Radioactive source is used to generate
gamma rays
• Gamma ray collides with electrons in
formation, losing energy
• Detector measures intensity of back-
scattered gamma rays, which is
related to electron density of the
formation
 DENSITY LOG
GR RHOB
0 API 200 2 G/C3 3
CALIX DRHO
6 IN 16 -0.25 G/C3 0.25
CALIY
6 IN 16

4100

Gamma ray Density

Density
correction

4200
Caliper
DENSITY LOGS: PRINCIPLE
Bulk density, b, is dependent upon:
–Lithology
–Porosity
–Density and saturation*of fluids in
pores
* Saturation is fraction of pore
volume occupied by a particular
fluid
 BULK DENSITY
Bulk density varies with lithology
–Sandstone 2.65 g/cc
–Limestone 2.71 g/cc
–Dolomite 2.87 g/cc
b  ma 1     f 
Fluids in
Matrix flushed zone
POROSITY FROM DENSITY LOG
Porosity equation
ma  b

ma   f
Fluid density equation
Where
f  mf Sxo  h 1  Sxo 
mf is the mud filtrate density, g/cc
h is the hydrocarbon density, g/cc
Sxo is the saturation of the flush/zone, decimal

Fluid density (f) is between 1.0 and 1.1.If gas is

present, the actual f will be < 1.0 and the
calculated porosity will be too high.
Mud cake
(mc + hmc)
Actuality
Formation (b)

Long spacing
detector

Short spacing
detector

Source
 Efficiency
1. Minimizing the influence of the mud column
i) Source and detector, mounted on a skid,
are shielded
ii) The openings of the shields are applied
against the wall of the borehole by means
of an eccentering arm
2. A correction for due to mal instrument contact
and formation or roughness of the borehole wall
The use of two detectors is advisable to over come
this problem.
3. Account for all of the effects of borehole breakouts,
washouts, and rugosity
 Working equation (hydrocarbon zone)

b = Recorded parameter (bulk volume)

 Sxo mf = Mud filtrate component
 (1 - Sxo) hc = Hydrocarbon component
Vsh sh = Shale component
1 -  - Vsh = Matrix component
 DENSITY LOGS

• If minimal shale, Vsh  0

• If hc  mf  f, then
• b =  f - (1 - ) ma

ma  b
  d 
ma   f
d = Porosity from density log, fraction
ma = Density of formation matrix, g/cm3
b = Bulk density from log measurement,
g/cm3
f = Density of fluid in rock pores, g/cm3
hc = Density of hydrocarbons in rock pores,
g/cm3
mf = Density of mud filtrate, g/cm3
sh = Density of shale, g/cm3
Vsh = Volume of shale, fraction
Sxo = Mud filtrate saturation in zone invaded
by mud filtrate, fraction
 BULK DENSITY LOG: EXAMPLE
001) BONANZA 1
GRC ILDC RHOC DT
0 150 0.2 200 1.95 2.95 150 us/f 50
SPC SNC CNLLC
-160 MV 40 0.2 200 0.45 -0.15
ACAL MLLCF
6 16 0.2 200
RHOC
10700
1.95 2.95

10800

Bulk Density
10900
Log
2 NEUTRON LOG
Uses a radioactive source to
bombard the formation with
neutrons
For a given formation,
amount of hydrogen in the
formation (i.e. hydrogen
index) impacts the number of
neutrons that reach the
receiver
A large hydrogen index
implies a large liquid-filled
TOOL porosity (oil or water)
 PRINCIPLE
• Logging tool emits high energy neutrons into
formation.
• Neutrons collide with nuclei of formation’s atoms
• Neutrons lose energy (velocity) with each collision of
hydrogen atom.
• The most energy is lost when colliding with a
hydrogen atom nucleus
• Neutrons are slowed sufficiently to be captured
by nuclei.
• Capturing nuclei become excited and emit
gamma rays
 ACTIVITIES
1. Depending on type of logging tool either
gamma rays or non-captured neutrons are
recorded
2. Log records porosity based on neutrons
captured by formation
3. If hydrogen is in pore space, porosity is
related to the ratio of neutrons emitted to
those counted as captured
REMARKS

Neutron log reports porosity, calibrated assuming

calcite matrix and fresh water in pores, if these
assumptions are invalid we must correct the neutron
porosity value
Theoretical equation
where
 = True porosity of rock
N = Porosity from neutron log
measurement, fraction
Nma = Porosity of matrix fraction
Nhc = Porosity of formation saturated with
hydrocarbon fluid, fraction
Nmf = Porosity saturated with mud filtrate,
fraction
Vsh = Volume of shale, fraction
Sxo = Mud filtrate saturation in zone
invaded by mud filtrate, fraction
 POROSITY FROM NEUTRON LOG
001) BONANZA 1
GRC ILDC RHOC DT
0 150 0.2 200 1.95 2.95 150 us/f 50
SPC SNC CNLLC
-160 MV 40 0.2 200 0.45 -0.15
ACAL MLLCF
6 16 0.2 200
CNLLC
10700
0.45 -0.15

EXAMPLE
10800

lithology is
sandstone
10900
Neutron
Log
or
dolomite
3 ACOUSTIC (SONIC) LOG
These logs are usually borehole
compensated (BHC) where in effects at
hole size changes as well as errors due
to sonde tilt is substantially reduced..
system uses two transmitters, one above
and one below a pair of sonic receivers

The travel time elapsed between the

sound reaching the receiver is recorded
and used for porosity calculations.
ACOUSTIC (SONIC) LOG:TOOL
• Tool usually consists of one sound
transmitter (above) and two
receivers (below)
• Sound is generated, travels
through formation
Upper
transmitter • Elapsed time between sound wave
at receiver 1 vs receiver 2 is
dependent upon density of medium
R1 through which the sound traveled.
R2
R3
R4

Lower
transmitter
 BHC METHODOLOGY

When one of the transmitters is pulsed, the sound wave

enters the formation, travels along the wellbore and
triggers both of the receivers; the time elapsed
between the sound reaching each receiver is recorded.

Since the speed of sound in the sonic sonde and mud is

less than that in the formations, the first arrivals of
sound energy the receivers corresponds to the sound-
travel paths in the formation near the borehole wall.

The transmitters are pulsed alternately, and the

differential time or delta t readings are obtained and
averaged. This leads the tool is compensated for tilt.
 COMMON LITHOLOGY MATRIX
TRAVEL TIMES USED

Lithology Typical Matrix Travel

Time, tma, sec/ft
Sandstone 55.5
Limestone 47.5
Dolomite 43.5
Anydridte 50.0
Salt 66.7
 MODIFICATION
• If Vsh = 0 and if hydrocarbon is
liquid (i.e. tmf  tf), then
• tL =  tf + (1 - ) tma
or

tL  t ma
s   
t f  t ma
s = Porosity calculated from sonic
log reading, fraction
tL = Travel time reading from
log, microseconds/ft
tma = Travel time in matrix,
microseconds/ft
tf = Travel time in fluid,
microseconds/ ft
EXAMPLE: ACOUSTIC (SONIC) LOG
GR DT
0 API 200 140 USFT 40
CALIX SPHI
6 IN 16 30 % 10

4100
Sonic travel time
Gamma
Ray

Sonic
porosity

4200

Caliper
 SONIC LOG:TIME RESPONSE
The response can be written as follows:

t log  t ma 1    t f 
tlog  t ma

t f  t ma
tlog = log reading, sec/ft
tma = the matrix travel time, sec/ft
tf = the fluid travel time, sec/ft
 = porosity
 SONIC LOG
CHARACTERISTICS

Sonic log - measures the slowness of a

compressional wave to travel in the
formation.
Matrix travel time (tma) is a function of
lithology
 SONIC LOG :SPECIALITY
There are several more sophisticated sonic logs
that couple/ determine both the shear wave
arrival and the compressional wave arrival.
This log analyst can determine rock properties
such as Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus, and
bulk modulus.
These values are very important when
designing hydraulic fracture treatments or
when trying to determine when a well may
start to produce sand.
 EXAMPLE: SONIC LOG
001) BONANZA 1
GRC ILDC RHOC DT
0 150 0.2 200 1.95 2.95 150 us/f 50
SPC SNC CNLLC
-160 MV 40 0.2 200 0.45 -0.15
ACAL MLLCF
6 16 0.2 200
DT
10700
150 us/f 50

10800

Sonic
Log

10900
FACTORS AFFECTING SONIC
LOG RESPONSE

• Unconsolidated formations
• Naturally fractured formations
• Hydrocarbons (especially gas)
• Salt sections
 LET IT BE KNOWN

The three porosity logs:

– Respond differently to different matrix
compositions
– Respond differently to presence of gas or
light oils
Combinations of logs can:
– Imply composition of matrix
– Indicate the type of hydrocarbon in pores
 GAS EFFECT
• Density -  is too high
• Neutron -  is too low
• Sonic -  is not significantly
affected by gas