The Answer: The Definitive Formation Evaluation Log Through Well-Site Information Management

Abstract

Formation evaluation data are currently available at the well site from many different service sources, such as drilling and geological surveillance, formation evaluation measurement while drilling (FE-MWD), and wireline logging. Additional critical data are available from the mud engineer and drilling supervisors. Traditionally, their outputs have been presented inconsistently in a variety of formats, at different scales and data intervals, and during and after drilling the well. The well-site use of an information management system permits a continuous process of integrating and presenting all data as the data become available. The FE-MWD service provides continuous measurements of formation properties, which are confirmed by geological logging of the cuttings. Formation fluids interpretation from FE-MWD are qualified by mud gas analysis and hydrocarbon show evaluation. Uncertainties associated with the individual data sets, i.e., surface vs. downhole, are dispelled when the data are presented together. Drilling data allows the driller to optimize rig, BHA, and bit performance. Daily reporting is simplified through the rapid production of composite logs in specialized formats and scales. This permits the geologist and petroleum engineer to see at a glance all information necessary for decision making. Futhermore, the ability to combine offset well data with current well datamore » allows for better anticipation of reservoirs, hole problems, etc. The subsequent addition of wireline data allows for a verification of the while-drilling data quality and finalizes the data set. Subsequent workstation data manipulation can proceed with final depth matching and merging to standardized or customized log formats. Because data have been accumulated and verified on an ongoing basis by the well-site team, the final well report is rapid. Furthermore, the main advantage is the speedy production of the definitive end of the well [open quotes]composite log.[close quotes]« less