Well Logging and Formation Evaluation PAB2084 & PCB 2044

Well Log Correlation

Dr. Ahmed Salim

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lecture you should be able to correlate different reservoir units using various data set with an emphasis on well Logs.

CONTENTS
1. Introduction 2. Correlation Data 3. Correlation types 4. Correlation plan and tips 5. Conclusion

Log correlation
Correlation of logs involves the identification of

characteristic patterns or signatures within the logs, and then matching these to the same or similar patterns in neighboring boreholes (pattern recognition). Correlation or stratigraphic correlation is a geological term referring to the process by which two or more geological intervals are equated even through they are spatially separated. Stratigraphic Cross Section is the best demonstration of a correlation results.
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Why Well Log Correlation

Well-to-well correlation studies permit accurate subsurface mapping and the determination of: The elevations (Tops) of formations present in the well Whether well depth has reached a known productive horizon, and, if not, approximately how much remains to be drilled. The presence or absence of faults. dips, folds, or unconformities; The thickening and thinning of lithologic sections; or lateral changes of sedimentation or lithology.
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Correlation Data
Cuttings, cores and well logs constitute the main

data used for correlation, with well logs playing a special role because they are long, continuous recordings.
Additionally, they are useful because they are

unbiased physical measurements and often available in a large number of wells in a field or a basin.
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Correlation Logs
The best combination of logs for the correlation process will depend upon the nature of the rocks being correlated.
Most logs used are Neutron, Gamma ray, Density, Sonic,

Resistivity and SP. Many geologists prefer to use just the GR log or a combination of GR logs with SP logs, because they are commonly available and they carry a relatively strong lithological signal.

Correlation Logs
Nuclear Spectroscopy Logs (NGS) reflect lithology

better than most of logs and practically insensitive to

fluids.
Conventional resistivity curve (commonly base lateral

electrode array with 2.5 meter electrode spacing R2.5 ) is

sensitive to the fluids, so it can be used to correct

affection of fluids and for reference shale tracing.

Correlation Logs
Neutron logs

Their sensitivity to clay mineral content makes them particularly suited to correlating coal bearing strata.
Gamma ray

Since it the most frequently run measurement, recorded in all types of borehole conditions, and is a good lithology indicator (its response in marine bands covering large areas) it has an important role in correlation.

Correlation Logs
Density Some formations, notably coal, anhydrite and halite have density values that are usually diagnostic, giving excellent fingerprinting potential. Resistivity Guard logs have good vertical resolution and are relatively insensitive to borehole conditions, so they are potentially useful correlation logs.
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Types of Correlation
1.trace lateral continuity 2.Lithology - lithologic correlation (lithostratigraphy) 3. correspondence in age and in position (chronostratigraphy) 4.stratigraphic successions 5.fossil content (correlation of two fossil - bearing beds ) Biostratigraphy 6.chemical, petrophysical, magnetic, or geophysical properties
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Physical Criteria for Correlation

1.Physical continuity:

In this photograph, we can be certain about the relationships of different beds, because we can visually trace each bed over long distances
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Examples: Lateral and lithology

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Lateral and lithology

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Physical Criteria for Correlation 2.Lithology:

Similarity of rock types in associated outcrops can be assessed through a comparison of lithological properties including rock type, texture (roundness, sorting, orientation), and color

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Rock properties

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Physical Criteria for Correlation

3.Mineralogy:
Similarity of the mineral composition of rocks in

associated outcrops allows for their correlation, especially if distinctive or uncommon minerals are present.

4.Position in sequence:
Rock position in relation to distinctive rock units

above and below may aid in correlation.

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Physical Criteria for Correlation

In the figure shown here, the limestone unit at locality A can be correlated with the lowest of the four limestone units at locality B because of its position between the gray shale and the sandstone units.
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Physical Criteria for Correlation

5.Foosil content: fossil organisms succeed one another in a definite and determinable order, and therefore any time period can be recognized by its fossil content.

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Fossil content

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Chronostratigraphic Vs Lithostratigraphic

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Stratigraphic correlation
The stratigraphic correlation can be divided into the four scale as follow: Done by methods of absolute age The worldwide scale; dating and/or
the regional scale; The oilfield scale.
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analysis of fossil assemblage. They are not used commonly for petroleum geologists.

the basin (or depression) scale; and

Methods of stratigraphic correlation (1) The concept of similarity

Reflected on log curves with the similarity of amplitude, shape ,thickness and association etc.
Four aspects:

type well; reference horizon (or key horizon/bed); sedimentary cycle; and the rule of facies change.

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 Type well
It is the well, which is the most complete in stratigraphic

succession exposed, strata of the most thick, without strata loss and abnormal thinning or thickening caused by fault and erosion, with good quality and complete logging series, with system analysis data of core and test, clear of chronostratigraphy.
The type well is relative, it is chosen in the process of

stratigraphic correlation.
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 Reference horizon (or key bed)

It is the horizon, which lithological feature is obvious,

steady on lithology, the thinner in thickness, the farther horizontal extension and easy to identify on the log curves.
Generally, the Reference horizon is isochronal. Reference horizon can be divided into main and secondary

according to difficulty to identify and distribution range.

The more the reference horizon is the more reliable the

stratigraphic correlation is.

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Delta front depositional subfacies

The reference horizon with the feature of high resistivity mudstones

 Sedimentary cycle
It is geologic record left in the strata with periodic variation due to periodic variation of geologic agent. Periodic variation in the strata features (such as lithology,

thickness of bed, color, fossil, and lithology association etc.) can be expressed on the log curves except for rock color. Therefore, cycle can be studied comprehensively by log curve combined with lithology, rock texture, thickness and fossil. These features can be analyzed and plotted cyclic curve. (Transgressive Regressive (T - R ))
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Sedimentary cycle
According to the change of

features (bed scale), second

order cycles ( I, II and III) can be determined on the background of the first order cycle (formation scale) exhibited as regressive cycle (reverse cycle).
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 The rule of facies change

The connection between the vertical and lateral changes of facies observed in outcrop and subsurface is made by Walthers Law. As discussed by Miall (1997), vertical changes in litho- and biofacies have been used to reconstruct paleogeography and temporal changes in depositional environments and,

with the aid of Walthers Law, to interpret lateral shifts of these environments. As a note of caution, however, such interpretations are only valid within relatively conformable successions of genetically related strata.
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Walther's Law
(Middleton, 1973): in a conformable succession the

only facies that can occur together in vertical succession are those that can occur side by side in nature.

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Walther's Law
(Posamentier and Allen, 1999): the same

succession that is present vertically also is present horizontal unless there is a break in sedimentation. In other words, a vertical change of facies implies a corresponding lateral shift of facies within a relatively conformable succession of genetically related strata.
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 A prograding delta is a good illustration of the Walther's Law concept.

1. The reconstruction of paleodepositional environments via

facies analysis is an important pre-requisite for sequence

stratigraphic interpretations.

2. The sequence stratigraphic framework is constructed by correlating the key sequence stratigraphic surfaces (chronostratigraphic markers)

3. Sequence stratigraphic cross section, showing key surfaces, withintrend facies contacts, and paleodepositional environments. Within-trend facies contacts, marking lateral changes of facies, are placed on the cross-section after the sequence stratigraphic framework is constructed. Facies codes: A--meandering system; B--braided system; C--estuarymouth complex; D--central estuary; E--delta plain; F--upper delta

front; G--lower delta front--prodelta.

4. Lithostratigraphic cross-section. Three main lithostratigraphic units

A--a sandstone-dominated unit;

B and C - mudstone-dominated units, with silty and sandy interbeds. Formations B and C are separated by Formation A .

Well Correlation Plan

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Example of a Well Correlation Plan

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The skill of stratigraphic correlation 1. The hierarchy of sedimentary cycle

and reference horizon can be identified

by use of log curves of SP / GR /

COND / ML / R0.5 etc.

The reference horizon used commonly

is : thick mudstone interval, oil shale

like comb on conductivity curves, thin coal, thin volcanic tuff interval with high resistivity and high GR, thin limestone interval.

coal

limestone Oil shale with high AC , high GR and low DEN

C81

C82

Thin volcanic tuff interval with high AC , high GR and low DEN

Skills for stratigraphic correlation 2. The logs plot will be shifted to

correlate between wells following the

procedure as :

upper before down

The easier before the more difficult;

The near before far;

large interval before smaller one

Tips for Correlation

As a starting point, align the depth scale of logs

and look for correlation as shown below or if no begin to slide one of the logs.

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Tips for Correlation

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Tips for Correlation

The section should show reservoir lateral and vertical facies changes, markers continuity, missing & repetition sections, completion & prod. testing notes, etc. Good markers can be organic shale, coal/lignite, limestone beds, glauconite, siderite etc. which has good continuity and correspond to the geologic events such as

maximum flooding.

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Tips for Correlation

Start the correlation with the whole log section of

individual well, make zonation based on electro facies then define all markers and zones of interest. Indicates any missing and repetition section. Carry out a detail correlation of objective reservoirs. For reservoir connectivity indication use also fluid contents and contacts, pressure data and production performance data Prepare a good tabulation (database) of geologic data such as depth of top & bottom of reservoir, net & gross thickness, faults depth etc.
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Tips for Correlation

1.For initial quick-look correlation, review major sandstones using the SP or GR curves. 2.For detailed correlation work, first correlate shale sections. shale deposition commonly cover large geographic areas. Sands vary in thickness and character from well to well and contain fluids 3.Initially, use the amplified short normal resistivity curve, which usually provides the most reliable shale correlations.
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Tips for Correlation

4.Use colored pencils to identify specific correlation points. 5.Always begin correlation at the top of the log, not the middle. Because structures like faults tend to die upward towards the surface 6.Never force a correlation. 7.In highly faulted areas, first correlate down the log and then correlate up the log.
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Repeated Sections

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LATIHAN

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LATIHAN

WELL #456

OIL OIL

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WELL #123

LATIHAN

OIL

OWC

OIL

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WELL #123

LATIHAN

OIL

OWC

OIL

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Extension to seismic sections

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CORRELATION
PROBABILISTIC to DETERMINISTIC Modeling

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Conclusion
Wells correlation studies permit accurate subsurface mapping and the determination of different reservoir parameters. Cuttings, cores and well logs constitute the main data used

for correlation, but the latter is the most useful because its consistency and availability. Reservoir units can be correlated according to their lithology, age and in position, stratigraphic successions, fossil content and other chemical or petrophysical properties.

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Conclusion
Correlation is a tedious process planning and steps to be

followed are important with precautions of repeated and missed sections, which are due to dipping and different structures. Modern correlation is done using Artificial Neural Network (ANN),Dynamic Programming (DP), etc. Sequences predicted from well logs have to be linked to seismic data; with VSP, synthetic seismogram; to make the correlation basin wide.

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