Determination of Residual Oil Saturation From Time-Lapse Pulsed Neutron Capture Logs in a Large Sandstone Reservoir

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cased hole logging with pulsed neutron tools finds extensive use for identifying zones of water breakthrough and monitoring oil-water contacts in oil reservoirs being depleted by waterflooding or natural water drive. Results of such surveys then find direct use for planning recompletions and water shutoff treatments. Pulsed neutron capture (PNC) logs are useful for estimating water saturation changes behind casing in the presence of a constant, high-salinity environment. PNC log surveys run at different times, i.e., in a time-lapse mode, are particularly amenable to quantitative analysis. The combined use of the original open hole and PNC time-lapse log information can then provide information on remaining or residual oil saturations in a reservoir. This paper reports analyses of historical pulsed neutron capture log data to assess residual oil saturation in naturally water-swept zones for selected wells from a large sandstone reservoir in the Middle East. Quantitative determination of oil saturations was aided by PNC log information obtained from a series of tests conducted in a new well in the same field. The tests involved detailed comparative studies between four PNC tools and three different wellbore fluids. Two sets of transforms developed from the above tests provided a means for converting old PNC log data to more current and accurate measurements. Utilizing time-lapse PNC data, residual oil saturations (ROS) were calculated in swept zone(s) for 22 selected wells. An assessment of the uncertainty in derived ROS values was also made.