SPE 166178

Geological Attributes from Conventional Well Logs: Relating Rock Types to

Depositional Facies in Deepwater Turbidite Reservoirs
Chicheng Xu, SPE, The University of Texas at Austin; Carlos Torres-Verdn, SPE, The University of Texas at
Austin; Ronald J. Steel, The University of Texas at Austin

Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 30 September2 October 2013.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to
reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright.

Abstract
Grain size and bed thickness are important geological attributes for sedimentary facies analysis and reservoir quality ranking
in deepwater turbidite reservoirs. Grain size controls reservoir quality and has causative or correlational effects on most well
logs. Additionally, bed thickness affects well logs in various ways because of different vertical logging-tool resolutions. The
objective of this paper is to quantitatively classify rock and bed types based on conventional well logs to assist facies
interpretation and stratigraphic reservoir modeling.
We model physical properties and well-log responses originating from clastic reservoirs with different grain-size distributions
in the context of deepwater turbidite systems. The model accounts for fluid effects introduced by capillary transitions and
salty connate water. Petrophysical relationships are examined between grain sizes and pore geometry as inferred from the
combined effects of initial connate-water saturation and reservoir capillary pressure. From modeling, we derive several
quantitative petrophysical attributes which correlate significantly with grain size. A list of such attributes includes
volumetric concentration of shale, total porosity, neutron-density porosity difference, and reservoir quality index (RQI). Rock
classification is then performed based on a relevant set of attributes to detect and rank different rock types with specific
grain-size distributions. Concomitantly, a quantitative rock classification scheme using three-dimensional Thomas-Stieber
diagrams constructed with gamma ray, bulk density, and resistivity logs is used to classify petrophysical zones based on their
average bed thicknesses. A dual-attribute rock classification scheme is proposed to better associate rock types with
depositional facies.
The above-mentioned rock-classification and bed-typing methods are synthesized and applied to a turbidite field from the
Gulf of Mexico. We perform facies analysis based on the vertical succession of rock types (grain sizes) and the inferred
variations of bed thickness. The field case demonstrates that these two geologic attributes have great potential in reducing
uncertainty and non-uniqueness in the construction of stratigraphic reservoir models. Results indicate that the classified rock
types and their petrophysical ranking agree with core data while the interpreted facies fit into the depositional context as
inferred from core descriptions and seismic horizons.
Introduction
Rock classification (or simply rock typing) is an emerging reservoir description tool that elicits broad research interests in the
oil and gas industry. It has become increasingly important in modern reservoir description to invoke close integration of
multi-discipline, multi-physics, and multi-scale subsurface data including pore imaging, core measurements, well logs,
seismic amplitude data, well testing, and production surveillance (Gunter et al., 1997a). Interestingly, the definition of rock
type still remains ambiguous and sometimes arguable in many situations as it depends highly on the specific description
purposes to be achieved by geoscientists and engineers. Geologists consider rock types as depositional facies or lithofacies
which emphasize the genesis of rock formations to enable 3D stratigraphic reservoir modeling (Fisher, 1982; Kerans and
Tinker, 1999; Muto and Steel, 2007; Slatt, 2007). Petrophysicists define rock types based on pore geometry that relates all
static and dynamic petrophysical properties (Archie, 1950 and 1952). Reservoir and production engineers group rock types as

SPE 166178

flow units that are stratigraphically continuous intervals of similar geologic and petrophysical features to upscale reservoir
grids for efficient fluid-flow simulation (Gunter et al., 1997b). Noteworthy is that reservoir characterization teams are
working toward a common objective: to construct a verifiable reservoir model populated with accurate petrophysical
properties for reserves estimation and production forecasting (Lucia, 1999). Therefore, developing new rock classification
schemes and workflows that serve multiple characterization purposes from different disciplines remains a challenging but
important task.
For subsurface studies, whole core samples and well logs are the main sources of high-resolution geological data. Routine
geological work infers grain size and bed thickness from slabbed core samples. However, in most cases whole core spans a
very limited segment of the reservoir. Log-core integration is therefore necessary to extrapolate geological properties from
cored depth intervals to remaining wells and into the reservoir. Rock classification based on core data is relatively simple
because petrophysical properties are rigorously measured under the same protocol. However, rock classification using
downhole well logs is more challenging and is subject to great uncertainty. Four technical issues immediately arise when
moving from core data to well logs for rock typing, namely data quality, indirect measurements, variable reservoir
conditions, and scale discrepancy (Xu, 2013). These compounded technical problems were initially defined by Archie as the
geometrical problem (1950). In the present paper, we aim to address the issue of indirectness. Indirectness lies in using
physical measurements to estimate petrophysical properties and interpret geological attributes. In fact, most well logs are
simultaneously sensitive to grains, texture, structure, and fluids. Table 1.1 summarizes the sensitivity of various well logs to
rock petrophysical properties and geological attributes. It is found that none of the logs are directly sensitive to grain size and
only a few logs have good sensitivity to bedding structure. Grain size information can only be indirectly inferred from the
pore geometry formed in-between grains. Moreover, well logs highly sensitive to pore geometry and bedding structure are
also significantly influenced by fluid content, as in the case of resistivity logs. Therefore, fluid effects on well logs need to be
cautiously accounted for before inferring grain and bed properties.
Table 1 Sensitivity of well logs to petrophysical properties and geological attributes (modified
from Serra and Abbot, 1980).
Composition

Texture

Structure

Fluid

Gamma Ray

High

Low

Low

Low

PE Factor

High

Low

Low

Low

Neutron Porosity

Medium

Medium

Low

High

Bulk Density

Medium

Medium

Low

High

Electrical Resistivity

Low

Medium

High

High

Acoustic Slowness

High

Medium

Medium

High

Magnetic Resonance

Medium

High

Low

High

The ultimate goal of rock classification is to associate petrophysical rock types with geological framework and reconcile
them with seismic facies to propagate rock-type associated petrophysical properties into the reservoir model. This endeavor is
difficult without understanding the cause-and-effect relationship between pore geometry and rock geological attributes such
as grain size and bed thickness. Hence, it is necessary to investigate the sensitivity of well logs to those geological attributes
and the associated pore geometries in the presence of different fluid-saturation conditions resulting from either hydrocarbon
migration or mud-filtrate invasion. In this paper, we show the causative and correlational impacts of grain size on various
types of logs. In addition, the relationships between gamma ray log and other logs are interpreted to reveal the underlying bed
thickness information as emphasized in Thomas-Stieber diagrams. We propose an integrated petrophysical workflow and a
dual-attribute rock classification scheme to better relate rock types to geological facies in deepwater turbidite reservoirs. A
field case from the central Gulf of Mexico is used to test the workflow and classification schemes.

SPE 166178

Grain-Size Analysis from Well Logs

Grain size is directly associated with depositional energy. Large grains are deposited under highly energetic flow conditions,
whereas small grains are deposited under low flow energy (Reading, 1996). Grain size information provides key data for
geologists in their facies interpretation work (Glaister and Nelson, 1974). In addition, grain-size distribution determines the
pore-size distribution of most clastic rocks when diagenesis effects are not significant. Consequently, grain size information
becomes a good indicator of reservoir quality in terms of hydraulic capacity.
Grain size is typically measured from core samples or outcrops with a laser particle size analyzer (LPSA). To date, there
exists no effective physical measurement capable of measuring grain size directly at downhole conditions. However, there are
some causative and correlational effects between grain size and physical logs. In the following section, we briefly review the
relationships between grain size and gamma ray, neutron, density, resistivity, and NMR logs.
Gamma Ray Log. Gamma ray logs are sensitive to the natural radioactivity of rock formations. The radioactive elements (U,
K, Th) are predominantly associated with small grains such as silt or clay (Serra and Serra, 2003). Consequently, often there
is a correlation between gamma ray log and grain-size distribution. In fact, the gamma ray log has been long used as a single
indicator of grain size in many geological field studies because the gamma ray log is more readily available than other logs
(Pirson, 1983; Rider, 1990). In clastic reservoirs, the gamma ray log is sufficient to separate clean sands, shaly sands, and
shales (or siltstones). Figure 4 Track 2 shows the typical gamma ray log responses of clean sands, shaly sands, and shales (or
siltstones). However, the gamma ray log alone cannot effectively distinguish clean sands of different grain sizes.
Neutron Porosity and Bulk Density Log. Both neutron porosity and bulk density logs are dominantly sensitive to total pore
volume and pore-filing fluids in clean sands. In many clastic reservoirs, the porosity formed by grain deposition has small
variability. However, the total pore volume will be significantly changed by cementation which is mainly comprised of silts
and clays (Neasham, 1977). As a result, low porosity rock tends to be associated with silt- or clay-size grains. In addition, the
presence of silts or clays will increase the bound water volume that remains in the rock pore system after hydrocarbon
migration. The hydroxyl in clay minerals gives rise to a high hydrogen index which increases the apparent neutron porosity.
On the other hand, clay or silt cementation increases the bulk density of rocks when solid cement replaces the original fluid in
the pore space. As a result, neutron and density porosity logs separate when they are plotted on the same track using the
correct matrix. The separation or difference between neutron and density porosity is an indicator of clay volume. Figure 4,
Track 3 shows the typical neutron porosity and bulk density logs across clean sands, shaly sands, and shales. Neutron-density
separation is smallest in clean sands and largest in shales. However, neutron porosity and bulk density logs still lack the
ability to differentiate sandstones of different grain sizes but with the same porosity.
Resistivity and NMR Logs. We use a simple pore network model to study the cause-effect chain connecting a series of rock
properties including grain size, pore size, capillary pressure, water saturation, electrical conductivity, and NMR transverse
relaxation time T2. Figure 1 shows two thin sections of pore network systems formed by large (Type A) and small (Type B)
grain sizes, respectively. Large grain sizes generate large pore sizes accordingly, resulting in a T2 distribution with large T2
values (Fig. 2). When these two rocks are subjected to the same capillary pressure induced by hydrocarbon migration at
reservoir conditions, rock type A exhibits both lower capillary-bound water saturation and clay hydration water saturation
(Hill et al., 1979), and consequently lower electrical conductivity (Fig. 3). Therefore, in a hydrocarbon-bearing zone,
resistivity logs become sensitive to pore size, i.e., petrophysical rock types. Rock types with higher hydraulic conductivity
tend to have lower electrical conductivity (or higher resistivity) in hydrocarbon-bearing zones in the presence of capillary
pressure. Figure 4 Track 4 describes the typical resistivity log responses observed across clean sands, shaly sands, and shales
in a hydrocarbon zone.

1 mm

1 mm

Figure 1 Thin sections describing pore network systems formed by different grain sizes. Left Panel: large grain size; Right Panel:
small grain size (Xu et al., 2013).

SPE 166178

Figure 2 Modeling of pore-size (left panel) and NMR T2-distributions (right panel) for two different rock types (Xu et al., 2013).

Figure 3 Modeling of drainage capillary pressure and resistivity-height relation for two different rock types. Pc: capillary pressure
(left panel); HAFWL: height above the free water level (FWL) (right panel); Rt: bulk rock resistivity (Xu et al., 2013).

Figure 4Simulated well logs across different rock types. Track 1: Depth; Track 2: Gamma ray log; Track 3: Neutron porosity
(sandstone porosity units) and bulk density logs; Track 4: Resistivity log; Track 5: Rock types. Logs are simulated with software
1
UTAPWeLS .

The University of Texas at Austins Petrophysics and Well Log Simulator

SPE 166178

Correction of Free Water in Capillary Transition Zones. The presence of free water in a capillary transition zone disrupts
the correlation between electrical conductivity and hydraulic conductivity. Xu and Torres-Verdn (2012) proposed a
correction method by linking Leveretts RQI with in-situ capillary pressure (Pc) and initial connate-water saturation (Sw)
using the empirical J-function model (Darling, 2005; Torres-Verdn, 2012):
S w = S wirr + aJ b J ( S w ) = (

S w S wirr b1 ,
)
a

(1)

together with Leveretts capillary pressure model (1941), given by:

RQI =

J (Sw )
S S wirr b1 cos ,
cos = ( w
)
Pc
a
Pc

(2)

where Sw is initial water saturation, Swirr is irreducible water saturation (which is set to 0.01 lower than the minimum water
saturation in the entire reservoir column, Darling, 2005); a and b are constants derived from core-measured capillary pressure
curves; cos is the product of interfacial tension and contact angle, which is assumed constant in the same reservoir; Pc is
in-situ reservoir capillary pressure in psi.
Shale Distribution and Bed Typing from Well Logs
Bedding structure together with bed thickness is often a key parameter for geologists to interpret sedimentary facies
(Campbell, 1967). Thinly bedded or laminated formations are persistent only in some special depositional facies (Passey et
al., 2006). High-resolution image logs provide the best estimation of bedding structures but are not commonly available in all
wells. Thomas-Stiebers diagram (Thomas and Stieber, 1975 & 1977) is a widely applied petrophysical interpretation tool
used to diagnose shale distribution in siliciclastic reservoirs as being laminated, dispersed, or structural (Fig.5; Torres-Verdn,
2012). Thomas-Stieber diagram assumes two end members: clean-sand and pure-shale. Several trends are also defined to
reveal different geological processes yielding different shale distributions which are associated with different mixing laws
reflected on logging measurement physics and the underlying petrophysical properties (Xu and Torres-Verdn, 2013). As a
consequence, rocks with different values of shale volumetric concentration and distribution appear in different locations
when projected onto a Thomas-Stieber diagram (Fig. 6). Xu and Torres-Verdn (2013) proposed a graphical clustering
method to classify petrophysical zones of different bed thickness in a 3D Thomas-Stieber diagram (Fig. 7).

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 5 Three nominal forms of shale distributions in siliciclastic reservoirs: (a) laminated shale, (b) dispersed shale, and (c)
structural shale.

SPE 166178

Figure 6 Thomas-Stieber diagram constructed with bulk density and gamma ray logs. Red circle dots: pivoting points; Blue dashed
lines: trend lines; shaded elliptical regions: uncertainty bounds.

Figure 7 Rock classification and bed typing via k-means cluster analysis (Press et al., 2007) on a 3D Thomas-Stieber diagram
constructed with gamma ray, bulk density, and resistivity logs.

SPE 166178

Figure 8 Integrated dual-attribute rock classification workflow based on well logs and core data.

Dual-Attribute Rock Classification Workflow

Rock types defined by grain size and bed thickness should be integrated to achieve a better reservoir description in multi-well
field studies,. Figure 8 shows an integrated dual-attribute rock classification workflow based on standard petrophysical loganalysis and core-calibration. Grain size and bed thickness information are propagated from cored intervals to log-covered
intervals via step-by-step calibration and validation. Therefore, the final rock types derived from well logs in multiple wells
are geologically consistent for facies interpretation and stratigraphic reservoir modeling. Furthermore, rock type information
needs to be returned to standard petrophysical analysis for more accurate rock-type-specific processing.

Field Case: Marco Polo Field, Gulf of Mexico

The Marco Polo field is a Miocene turbidite oil field located in the central Gulf of Mexico (Fig. 9; Contreras et al., 2006).
Marco Polo minibasin resides in a tectonically active salt environment (Fig. 10; Jackson et al, 2008). The depositional system
is interpreted as a submarine fan complex developed in a mini-basin with stacked progradational turbidite lobes. Reservoirs
consist primarily of sandy turbidite facies interbedded with some siltstone and muddy debris-flow facies. Reservoir rocks are
mainly unconsolidated sandstones of very fine to fine- to medium-size grains. Thin-bedded zones are common across the
entire reservoir. In this study, we evaluate only the two hydraulically connected, hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone units: M40
and M50 in three wells. These sands are buried at depths between 12,000 and 13,000 ft TVD and dip toward the west (Fig.
11). Core measurements indicate that the structureless and plane-parallel laminated sandstones exhibit porosities as high as
35%, as well as 100 2000 md of nominal permeability. Well logs from three wells are used for rock typing. Well no. 1 was
drilled with oil-base mud and penetrated a capillary transition zone and the FWL. Wells nos. 2 and 3 were drilled with waterbase mud where the M40-50 sands are located more than 500 ft above the FWL (Fig. 11).

SPE 166178

Figure 9 Geographic location of the Marco Polo field in the Gulf of Mexico (Contreras, 2006).

Figure 10 Salt tectonics background of the Marco Polo minibasin (Jackson et al., 2008).

Figure 11 Seismic cross-section with the three well trajectories considered in this paper.

SPE 166178

Core-Based Rock Typing and Grain Size/Bed Thickness Interpretation

Petrophysical rock types are first established using routine core porosity-permeability measurements. Six petrophysical rock
types were identified from the histogram distribution of Leveretts RQI (Fig. 12). Table 2 summarizes the statistical
distributions of petrophysical properties for each rock type. We observe that rock types 1 - 3 exhibit a largely overlapping
porosity range. Their average horizontal permeability exhibits a ratio around 2 2.5, which indicates that their average porethroat radius ratio is close to 1.5. Laser grain size measurements for rock types confirmed that the controlling factor for
permeability was mean grain size. Reservoir quality decreases with decreasing grain size. Grain size measurements for rock
types 2, 4, and 5 are listed in Table 3 for comparison. Different bed types identified from core photographs are compared in
Table 4 for facies interpretation.

Figure 12 Core-based hydraulic rock typing via Leveretts RQI.

Table 2 Statistics of porosity, permeability, and RQI for each

hydraulic rock type.
Rock
Type

Porosity (p.u.)

Permeability (md)

RQI

RRT1

33.6 1.8

1099 291

56.8 7.2

RRT2

33.3 2.1

549 130

40.4 4.9

RRT3

31.5 4.4

179 63.7

23.4 3.4

RRT4

24.1 6.1

42.9 19.1

13.1 2.1

RRT5

19.7 3.9

11.3 3.9

7.5 1.1

RRT6

19.6 3.7

4 1.5

4.4 0.86

(m)

10

SPE 166178

Table 3 Comparison of grain-size distribution data for rock types 2, 4, and 5.

Rock Type

Grain Size Distribution

Sand

Description
Dominated by sand-size
grains with a narrow
distribution in the largesize mode (i.e., good
sorting).

Facies Interpretation
Turbidite channel infill
including channel lag.

Dominated by silt-size
grains with only a small
proportion of sand-size
grains. Overall
distribution is widely
spread (i.e., relatively
poor sorting).

Channel levee or channel

margin with thin, finegrained beds.

Dominated by silt-size
grains with an overall
wide distribution (i.e.,
poor sorting).

Overbank deposits
possibly including thin
debris flows.

Silt

Sand

Sand

Silt

Silt

Table 4: Comparison of core photographs of different bed types.

Rock Type

Thick sand

Laminated sand-shale

Thick shale or siltstone

Core Photos

Description
Structureless coarse-grained
sandstone with no clear
internal lamination.

Facies Interpretation
Amalgamated turbidite
channel deposits.

Interbedded sand-shale
sequence with variable netto-gross ratio.

Channel levee or margin

deposits.

Fine-grained shale or
siltstone.

Overbank deposits, possibly

with debris flow.

SPE 166178

11

Log-Based Rock Classification and Bed Typing

Core-calibrated, conventional well-log analysis is first performed to provide relevant petrophysical properties, such as
volumetric concentration of shale, total porosity, and connate-water saturation. We classify rock types via k-means cluster
analysis (Press et al., 2007) on several relevant petrophysical attributes including shale volume, total porosity, neutrondensity separation, water saturation in the irreducible zone, and well-log-derived RQI as in Eq. (2) in the capillary transition
zone. The classified rock types are consistent with core data concerning both petrophysical properties and grain size. Figure
13 shows an interval with log-based rock classification results. A clear fining-upward grain-size trend is observed in both
core and the log-derived rock types in the interval of 13,574 13,580 ft. The high-resolution grain-size information provides
geologists useful data for facies interpretation.

Figure 13 Example of a fining-upward unit identified from vertical stacking of petrophysical rock types. Track 1: Depth; Track 2:
Gamma ray log; Track 3: Neutron (in apparent sandstone porosity units) porosity and bulk density logs; Track 4: Induction
resistivity logs; Track 5: Rock types of different grain-size distributions; Track 6: Core permeability.

Relating Rock Types to Geological Facies in a Single Well

In a single well, we analyze the stacking pattern or trend of the classified rock types that bear grain-size and bed-thickness
information. Similar neighboring rock types are grouped as distinct facies from the adjacent rock type groups. Figures 14 and
15 show two intervals with their sedimentary facies interpretations. Amalgamated channel facies are composed mainly of
thick and coarse-grained sandstones. Both bed thickness and grain size decrease in the levee or channel margin facies.
Overbank deposits are mainly shales or siltstones. The interpretation is consistent with observations contained in Table 3 and
Table 4.

12

SPE 166178

Figure 14 Rock typing and facies interpretation in the key well of the Gulf-of-Mexico case. Tracks 1-4: basic well logs; Tracks 5-6:
standard well-log analysis, saturation-height for rock types 1 to 3; Tracks 7: distribution of rock types; Track 8: interpreted
sedimentary facies.
8

Figure 15 Rock typing and facies interpretation in the key well of the Gulf-of-Mexico case. Tracks 1-4: basic well logs; Tracks 5-6:
standard well-log analysis, saturation-height for rock types 1 to 3; Tracks 7: distribution of rock types; Track 8: interpreted
sedimentary facies.

SPE 166178

13

Stratigraphic Correlation with Multi-Well Logs. After rock classification, bed typing, and facies interpretations are
performed in individual wells, a multi-well cross-sectional view can be constructed for stratigraphic analysis. Figure 16
shows the corresponding results from the three well penetrations. The locations of these wells in a submarine fan complex
with stacked progradational lobes are consistent with the interpretation made from seismic horizons. Stratigraphic analysis
together with the estimated petrophysical properties can then be integrated with seismic amplitude data for populating a
reservoir model.

2.4

3 33
0 000333333333
3 3
0 033337737737 3 7777777777 7 7 9
3 3 7 777 7
7 7779 99 9
000000007
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0000 00000055557757 7777 7 7777 777
00 55 55 5 55 577 777 7777779999 99999 9 9
99
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6
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6
6555
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6552
6
22
2 22 222
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8 22 22
2 2222 2222222 22 2 2
2

2.2

2.4

RHOB (G/CM3)

2.2

3
3
03 33333 3
0
33
0 0 00 0 00
337
00003573
7
777
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0 0 0 0 000
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8
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8

RHOB (G/CM3)

RHOB (G/CM3)

1.8

1.8

1.8

2.2

-1
0 00 37
57 75 7 7 7
0 00000005575
0 000000000
05
5 5557757 77777 799999999 999
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2.4

2.6

2.6

2.6
30

40

50

60

70

GR (GAPI)

80

90

100

2.8
30

40

50

60

70

GR (GAPI)

80

90

100

2.8
30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

GR (GAPI)

Figure 16 Use of rock-type and bed-type distributions in multiple wells to assist sedimentological and stratigraphic interpretation.
The upper panel shows the Thomas-Stieber diagram constructed with bulk density and gamma ray logs in each well below. The
lower panel shows the log tracks in each well with the following information: Track 1: Depth; Track 2: Gamma ray log; Track 3:
Neutron (in apparent sandstone porosity units) porosity and bulk density logs; Track 4: Induction resistivity logs; Track 5: Bed type;
Track 6: Rock type of different grain-size distribution.

Conclusions
Grain size and bed thickness are two geological attributes that can be interpreted from conventional logs in turbidite
reservoirs. The petrophysical quality of young deepwater turbidite reservoirs is controlled chiefly by sedimentary grain sizes.
Therefore, a link exists between petrophysical rock types and depositional facies which can be effectively applied in reservoir
development efforts. Thomas-Stieber diagrams are useful in identifying thinly bedded or laminated zones which provide
additional aid for facies interpretation. We propose an integrated petrophysical workflow that combines grain-size and bedthickness attributes to reduce uncertainty in stratigraphic reservoir modeling. Reservoir capillary transition effects on
resistivity logs need to be corrected for more accurate estimation of grain sizes. In the deepwater Gulf-of-Mexico field case,
we confirmed that multi-well rock typing can assist sedimentary and stratigraphic studies which have potential applications
for exploration in frontier basins or in deepwater environments, where subsalt or pre-salt reservoirs cannot be clearly imaged
with seismic data and well drilling is limited due to high rig costs.

14

SPE 166178

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank Anadarko Petroleum Cooperation for providing the field data used for analysis and verification. The
work reported in this paper was funded by The University of Texas at Austins Research Consortium on Formation
Evaluation, jointly sponsored by Afren, Anadarko, Apache, Aramco, Baker-Hughes, BG, BHP Billiton, BP, Chevron, China
Oilfield Services, LTD., ConocoPhillips, ENI, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Hess, Maersk, Marathon Oil Corporation, Mexican
Institute for Petroleum, Nexen, ONGC, OXY, Petrobras, PTTEP, Repsol, RWE, Schlumberger, Shell, Statoil, Total,
Weatherford, Wintershall and Woodside Petroleum Limited.
Nomenclature
a
:
b
:
J
:
k
:
p
:
:
Pc
R
:
:
Rt
:
Rw
:
Sw
:
Swirr
:
T2
:

Linear coefficient in empirical J function, []

Exponent in empirical J function, []
Leveretts J function, []
Permeability, [mD]
Density function of pore-throat size, []
Capillary pressure, [psi]
Pore-throat radius, [m]
Bulk rock resistivity, [ohm.m]
Connate water resistivity, [ohm.m]
Water saturation, [frac]
Irreducible water saturation, [frac]
NMR Transverse relaxation time, [ms]
Total porosity, [frac]
Interfacial tension, [dyne/cm]
Contact angle, [degree]

List of Acronyms and Log Curve Mnemonics

AHT1-9
:
Array Induction Log (H) with Two Feet Resolution and 10-90 inch Depth of Investigation
BS
:
Bit Size Log
DRHO
:
Density Correction Log
FWL
:
Free Water Level
GR
:
Gamma Ray Log
HAFWL
:
Height Above Free Water Level
HCAL
:
Caliper Log
HGR
:
Gamma Ray Log (High Resolution)
K
:
Potassium
K_Klink
:
Permeability Corrected with Klinkenberg Effect
LPSA
:
Laser Particle Size Analyzer
MICP
:
Mercury Injection Capillary Pressure
NMR
:
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
NPHI
:
Neutron Porosity Log
Pcow
:
Capillary Pressure between Oil and Water
PE
:
Photo-Electric
PHI_LOG
:
Porosity from Log
Por
:
Core Porosity
RHOB
:
Bulk Density Log
RHOZ
:
Bulk Density Log (High Resolution)
RQI
:
Reservoir Quality Index
RRT
:
Reservoir Rock Type
RT
:
Rock Type
SH
:
Shale
SS
:
Sandstone
Sw_c
:
Core Water Saturation
Sw_RT
:
Water Saturation for Rock Type
Swt_LOG
:
Water Saturation from Logs
T2LM
:
Algorithmic Mean of NMR Transverse relaxation time T2
Th
:
Thorium
TVD
:
Total Vertical Depth
U
:
Uranium
The University of Texas at Austins Petrophysics and Well Log Simulator
UTAPWeLS
:

SPE 166178

15

References
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