The sensitivity of the array resistivity log to mud filtrate invasion and its primary five-parameter inversion for improved oil water recognition

Abstract

In order to improve reservoir fluid recognition, the sensitivity of array resistivity response to the difference of the invasion properties in both oil-bearing layers and water layers is analyzed. Then the primary inversion is carried out based on the array resistivity log. The mud invasion process is numerically simulated based on the oil-water flow equation and water convection diffusion equation. The results show that the radial resistivity of a fresh mud-invaded oil-bearing layer presents complex distribution characteristics, such as nonlinear increase, increasing to decreasing and low resistivity annulus, and the resistive invasion profile of a water layer is monotonic. Under specific conditions, array resistivity log can reflect these changes and the array induction log is more sensitive. Nevertheless, due to the effect of factors like large invasion depth, reservoir physical and oil-bearing properties, the measured apparent resistivity may differ greatly from the actual mud filtrate invasion profile in an oil-bearing layer. We proposed a five-parameter formation model to simulate the complex resistivity distribution of fresh mud-invaded formation. Then, based on the principle of non-linear least squares, the measured array resistivity log is used for inversion with the Marquardt method. It is demonstrated that the inverted resistivity is typically non-monotonic in oil-bearing layers and is monotonic in water layers. Processing of some field data shows that this is helpful in achieving efficient reservoir fluid recognition.