PROCEEDINGS, Thirty-First Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering

Stanford University, Stanford, California, January 30-February 1, 2006

SGP-TR-179

TEMPERATURE LOGGING IN PERFORATED WELLS

Per-Gunnar Alm and Leif Bjelm
Engineering Geology, Lund University
P.O.Box 118
S-221 00, Lund, Sweden
e-mail: Per-Gunnar.Alm@tg.lth.se, Leif.Bjelm@tg.lth.se

ABSTRACT
The deep geothermal well drilling in Lund during
2002 and 2003 reached 3700 m. The lower 1700 m
was drilled in crystalline basement rocks. Casing
was installed to 3310 m.

For more than 300 million years there have been

several highly active tectonic periods along the zone
with intervals of fairly calm conditions. Even today
activities have been noted along this zone.

In order to test and evaluate the well both open hole

and perforated casing testing was carried out. The
report brings to attention the usefulness of repeated
temperature logging over the selected sections. The
measurements were carried out under drawdown and
built up conditions.
All pump testing was performed as air lift operations.
Retrieved data has proven to be useful when for
example evaluating perforation success, thermal
heterogeneity and temperature disturbances.
DEEP GEOTHERMAL PROJECT
The city of Lund in the southern part of Sweden has
the only operational geothermal heat plant in
Sweden. It is a low enthalpy plant operating with
two heat pumps, which in two steps extract the
energy. The delivery temperature to the district
heating net is at the most 85 deg C. The plant has
been in operation since 1984 and is described in
various papers.
In 2002 a new geothermal project was started in the
vicinity of Lund, the Deep Geothermal Project.
The aim of the project was to drill into a major
deformation structure of the Tornquist zone.
The southernmost part of Sweden is located within
the border of the Baltic Shield and one of the major
deformation zones of Europe, the Tornquist zone.
Locally the width is about 100 km and several
thousands kilometer long. It is a major zone
traversing northern Europe. The extent is from the
North See, in the northwest, down to the Black See in
southeast. Its border zone, locally, passes just north
of Lund.

Figure 1. Scandinavia with Sweden

Two deep boreholes were planned down into the
basement. Studies of the geothermal gradient in the
area suggested that it could be possible to find water
in the fractured zone of > 100 deg C.
The temperature would in such case be high enough
for a direct heat exchange.
GEOLOGY
The basement in DGE#1 was encountered at a depth
of 1950 m, only slightly higher than anticipated. The

upper 1950 m of the borehole consists of sedimentary

sequences. Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic strata
overlaying the Precambrian basement.
All the
sedimentary sequence and basement are strongly
faulted divided into several fault blocks. (Erlstrm,
Sivhed 2003).
The selection of the potential production zones were
based on studies of cuttings in combination with
geophysical logging data from the borehole. The
lithology description for the perforated intervals
given here is based on the well- site report. (Erlstrm,
Sivhed 2003).
The perforated section between 1895 and 1905 m
consists of a well sorted fine to medium grained,
silica cemented sandstone. The sandstone belongs to
Early Cretaceous. The section is in between a
claystone at the top and a limestone below.
Between 1827 and 1853 m is a section with the same
type of sandstone as in the previous section but in
this case the sandstone is in-between layers of
claystone.
The section 1685 to 1717 m actually consists of two
subsections. The upper part between 1685 and 1708
m, is an alternating sequence of claystones and
poorly sorted, fine to medium grained, carbonate
cemented sandstone. The lower part 1708 to 1717 m
consists of fine to medium grained, carbonate
cemented, sandstone with poor porosity interbedded
with coal and claystone. Above and below the total
section are layers of claystone. This sandstone also
belongs to Early Cretaceous.
The uppermost geological interval can be divided
into four subintervals. The uppermost between 1427
and 1463 m consists of a sandy claystone and
carbonate cemented sandstone/siltstone.
Below,
1463 to 1477 m, is a fine to coarse-grained, poorly
sorted, carbonate cemented sandstone. Further down
between 1477 and 1490 m is similar to the top
section between 1427 and 1463 m. The deepest
section between 1490 and 1530 m consists of fine- to
coarse-grained, carbonate cemented sandstone. The
layers above and below the intervals consist of
claystone. The lithologies of all these sections
belong to Late Cretaceous.

borehole, several perforation runs through a dual

casing had to be run. The borehole has earlier been
cased down into basement to 3310 m. Below that
point the completion was an open hole.
Before each casing installation a logging program,
consisting of a normal set of open hole logs, was
carried out. A production logging program was also
performed between 1950 and 3310 m.
After well completion the casing installations are as
follows:

30
20
13 5/8
13 5/8
9 5/8
9 5/8

0m
0m
930 m
0m
1880 m
900 m

to 155 m
to 1004 m
to 1975 m
to 930 m
to 3310 m
to 1880 m

Perforations
After production testing of the potential production
zones in the basement parts of the dual casing,
between 900 m and 1000 m, was perforated in order
to test sandstone formations in the sedimentary
section. This was done in steps with flow tests after
each new perforation. In the sedimentary sections the
following intervals were perforated in the first run.

1895 m to 1905 m
1827 m to 1840 m
1827 m to 1853 m
1685 m to 1717 m

All these intervals represent rather clean sandstones

with high porosity. A second perforation was carried
out of some intervals to increase the shot density and
to reduce the skin. (Rosberg, 2006).
Later perforations were also carried out in the
following intervals.

1472 m to 1525 m
1427 m to 1472 m
1427 m to 1531 m

Part of this section has been perforated more than

once in order to increase the productivity and to open
up further sections.

WELL COMPLETION
The borehole DGE #1 was drilled to a total depth of
3701 m, the second deepest borehole in Scandinavia.
During the drilling operation several drilling methods
were tested. (See more in paper by Bjelm, 2006) The
crystalline basement was encountered at 1950 m.
In order to be able to test potential production zones
in the sedimentary part, down to about 1950 m, of the

FLOW TESTS
Two major flow test periods were carried out in
DGE #1, one in the spring and the second in the end
of 2003. Several flow tests, both production as well
as injection of formation fluid, was performed during
these test periods. (See more about this in paper by
Rosberg, 2006). The injection tests have clearly
affected the geothermal temperature distribution in

the borehole and its surroundings as will be shown

later.
The well was flow tested after each perforation. To
dispose of the water when the mud pit was filled up
the water was reinjected into the well.
Before the autumn temperature measurements the
following injection tests were carried out according
to table 1
Table1. Some of the injections carried out during the
second test period.
Date

Injection
time

10-28

24h 40min

Average
injection
rate
(l/s)
10.7

11-04

115h 10min

11.2

1800

11-18

50h 10min

15.6

1798

2003

Injection
point
(m)

Injection
intervals
(m)

918

1895-1905
1827-1840
1895-1905
1827-1840
1895-1905
1827-1840

logging tools used in these operations were

Halliburton tools. A PLT survey in the crystalline
part of the borehole was run by Baker.
All logging operations after well completion were
conducted by the department of Engineering
Geology, Lund University.
During drilling phase
As temperature was one of the most important
parameters in the project, every opportunity to record
the temperature was taken.
Temperature was
recorded both as maximum recording (often bottom
hole temperature) as well as conventional
temperature logs.

TEMPERATURE SURVEYS
Equipment and logging operators
Several different temperature devices were used
throughout the project. Temperature recording was
done with maximum temperature readers and
memory gauge recorders. Temperature logs have
been recorded both with a temperature sensor on a
slick line as well as with a standard logging system
operating with a four conductor logging cable.
On the slick line primarily a Metrolog pressure and
temperature memory gauge has been used. The
sensor has a temperature range -20 150 deg C and
an accuracy of 0.3 deg C. The memory capacity of
the gauge is 1400 000 recording points. The unit
record values against time so therefore when using it
on the slick line the depth devise from the standard
logging unit was used to correlate the depth with time
recordings. During recording the Metrolog the gauge
was stopped every 25 m to allow for temperature
stabilization and to correlate the depth with a time
log.
The logging system used during the temperature
survey was a Mount Sopris system with a
temperature sond that has an accuracy of 0.1 deg C.
For recording of the bottom hole temperature (i.e.
maximum temperature), Hg-thermometers and
thermo strips were used. When used they were
placed in the rod of the deviation measurement
device or run on a slick line.
Responsible for open hole logging and production
logging in the open section in basement was
Geofizyka Torun under contract of Halliburton. The

Figure 2. Temperature recordings in the well

DGE#1.
Figure 2 shows the temperature recordings
accomplished during all the drilling phases and
figure 3 shows the same recordings for the lower part
(crystalline basement) of the borehole. It should be
noted that the specific temperature logs that were run
during the temperature survey in the perforated
sections in the sedimentary part of the borehole are
not included in the figures. They will be presented
later in this paper as a separate temperature study.
Figure 2 also includes a temperature log (upper red
line in figure) that was not recorded in borehole

DGE#1. The log was run in an adjacent borehole,

Flackarp-1, which was drilled 1983 into the
cretaceous sediments south of Lund., some 10 km
west of DGE #1. The log was run in June 2003 and
the well had not been used for injection or production
for several years so it is safe to say that that log
shows the geothermal temperature and gradient for
the area around Lund. The total depth of Flackarp-1
is 823 m.
In figure 2 and 3, a temperature gradient curve is also
plotted. The line represents the estimated local
geothermal gradient of 30 deg C per km. As can be
seen the gradient follows the temperature curve
recorded in Flackarp-1 quite well.

Figure 3. Temperature recordings in DGE#1, lower

part.
There are three Bottom Hole Temperature (BHT)
measurements shown in the figures 2 and 3, (black
dots). The temperature curve from 2002-12-13 was
recorded after the drilling with fluid. On several
occasions there were maximum readings by use of
Hg-thermometers and thermo strips. Theses are
shown as red dots in the lower part of the figures.
Before the 9 5/8 casings were installed a production
test was done between 1880 and 3310 m and a series
of logging runs were carried out with a production
tool. Three of the temperature curves recorded

during this session are shown in the figures. They are

named PLT15, PLT17 and PLT18. In figure 2 they
are in the lower part and in figure 3 they are show
over the complete diagram. In several of the curves
spikes with an increased temperature can be seen.
Figure 3 show a zoom in of the lower part of the
borehole. The temperature peaks (green and blue)
coincide quite well with borehole enlargements
shown by the inserted caliper log. Increased borehole
diameter has been interpreted as fractured and jointed
sections. The operator could not explain the peculiar
behavior of the temperature sensors.
Results from the temperature recordings during the
drilling phase
It can be seen from figures 2 and 3 that there is a
wide spread of temperature readings. This can
clearly be seen if the continuous recordings are
compared to the maximum readings. The highest
variations in the readings occurred in the HG and
thermo-strips readings. There is a spread of up to
25 deg C between the lowest and the highest readings
within a borehole length of less than 150 m. If the
geothermal gradient is considered, the variation
would have been no more than 5 - 6 deg C. Local
influx of hot water from the formation doesnt seem
likely why a malfunction of sensors is possible. The
thermostrips and the Hg-thermometers is a
contradiction but also quite unsafe methods.
In figure 2 there is one curve that differs from the
rest. It is the curve recorded 2002-12-13, (yellow
color). This curve has a higher starting temperature
and a smaller gradient than the rest. The temperature
was recorded directly after the drilling with fluid had
ended. The borehole and its surrounding had over a
long time been heated by circulating mud in the
borehole. A new temperature log, red line, was run
to approximately the same depth about half a year
later, 2003-05-15. This was about two month after
well completion. It can be seen that the formation in
the upper part has cooled down, but the temperature
at the bottom of the curves is the same. The
temperature in the borehole is adjusting towards the
local geothermal temperature gradient.
During flow tests
Before the flow- and temperature tests, autumn 2003,
significant amount of drilling fluids from air drilling
operations was injected to the borehole.
For comparison a steady state temperature recording
was done several months prior to the production and
injection tests. This recording was done about
2 month after the drilling and more than 6 month
before the start of the temperature survey. It is
therefore quite certain that the recorded temperature
and its gradient is fairly close to the local geothermal

temperature and gradient for the area. This recording

is shown in figure 4, 5 and 6 as a dashed line.
Measurements during production flow
Over the test period several temperature surveys were
run. They were run both in near static as well in
dynamic condition. Only 2 of these runs are
presented in figure 4.

As can be seen the temperature increase from the

lower part of perforation (1827-1853 m and 18951905 m) indicates warmer formation water is entering
the well. The section 1685 to 1717 m doesnt seem
to contribute with any inflow of water. In the
uppermost perforated section between 1427 and
1528 m it is primarily the middle part that seems to
contribute.
Measurements after shut in
A series of temperature measurements were run after
shut in and three of them are shown here. The first
temperature log under pressure build-up, the green
curve in figure 5, was recorded about half an hour
after shut in.

Lund DGE#1 - Static and Dynamic Temperature Surveys

on 26/27/28 November 2003

1300.0
Static Temp Survey at 23:00 hrs on 26/11/03
Perforated
intervals
1400.0
1427

There is an increase in temperature at the lower part

of section 1827 to 1853 m. For the rest of the
borehole there is a decrease of temperature towards
the temperature before the airlift. Due to the great
amount of cool water that had been injected into the
perforated sections it will take several months before
the formations reach equilibrium with the geothermal
temperature.

1500.0
1531

Depth (mRKB)

1600.0

1685
1700.0

Lund DGE#1 - Static and Dynamic Temperature Surveys

on 26/27/28 November 2003

1717
Dynamic Temp Survey
at 17:30 hrs on 27/11/03

1300.0

1800.0
1827

Static Temp Survey at 23:00 hrs on 26/11/03

1853

Perforated
intervals

1895

1400.0

1900.0
1905

1427
Temp Survey at 07:00 hrs on 28/11/03

2000.0
20.00

1500.0
25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

1531

Tem perature (Deg C)

Figure 4 shows the temperature just before any water

had been produced from the borehole (blue curve).
The static temperature curve (blue) clearly shows that
there had been a great amount of cool water, injected
into the formation. It can be seen that the major part
of the injected water had entered the upper part of the
perforated interval between 1827 and 1853 m. In the
upper perforation, 1427 to 1531 m, it can be seen that
the inflow has been higher in the middle of the
perforated section.
After that recording, the temperature sond was
lowered below the lowest perforation and left over
night. The next day water was pumped from the well
by air lifting for about 5.5 hrs, with an average flow
of 65 l/s. During the airlifting several temperature
logs were run both up wards as well as down wards.
Figure 4 shows one of these recordings (red curve).

Depth (mRKB)

1600.0

Figure 4. Temperature recording during production.

1685
1700.0
1717

Temp Survey
at 19:30 hrs on 27/11/03

1800.0
1827
1853
1895
1900.0
1905

2000.0
20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

Tem perature (Deg C)

Figure 5. After shut-in.

In the beginning of the shut in period the cooling of
the upper perforated section is more pronounced
compared to pretest conditions (blue curve). On the
red curve, recorded about 12 hours after shut in, the
temperature has gone back to the initial temperature.
This is however not the case for the 2 deepest

perforated sections.
temperature increase.

Here there is an ongoing

Some results from the temperature recordings

during the temperature surveys
If we look in more detail at the lower part of figure 5
two zones with inflow of gas can be seen. They are
shown in figure 6.
The gas influx zones are located in the upper part of
the perforated section 1827 to 1853 m and in the
lower part of the perforated interval 1895 to 1905 m
as indicated in figure 6.
Lund DGE#1 - Static and Dynamic Temperature Surveys
on 26/27/28 November 2003

1700.0

1717

Taken this into consideration, figure 5 and 6, the 2

deepest perforated sections in relative terms seams to
have the highest permeability since the temperature,
after the production (curve red and green), stays
higher in front of these compared to the uppermost.
CONCLUSIONS
As can be seen from the temperature recordings,
during the drilling and flow testing, it is important to
know under which circumstances the temperature
was recorded in order to explain the behavior and
variations of the temperature data.
Recording and comparing temperature data in
perforated wells under static and dynamic conditions
can enhance the understanding of the hetogeneity of
the formation and of different flow regions.

Temp Survey
at 19:30 hrs on 27/11/03

Perforated
intervals

other hand when there is production, convection will

involve the porous zones and increase temperature
faster.

1750.0

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We would like to mention that our Drilling Manager
in charge was Virgil Welch, USA, possessing
extensive Air drilling experience from for example
geothermal operations in California.

Temp Survey at 07:00 hrs on 28/11/03

Depth (mRKB)

1800.0

182
7
Gas

Further acknowledgment is directed to Derek

Howard Orchard, England, reservoir engineer and
invaluable in all matters related to drilling
engineering.

1850.0
1853

Static Temp Survey at 23:00 hrs on 26/11/03

1895
1900.0

REFERENCES

Gas
1905

1950.0
20.00

25.00

30.00

35.00

40.00

45.00

50.00

Tem perature (Deg C)

Bjelm, Leif (2006) Under Balanced Drilling and

Possible Well Bore Damage in Low Temperature
Geothermal Environments. Proceedings, Thirty-First
Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering.
Stanford University, Stanford, California, January
30-February 1, 2006 SGP-TR-179

Figure 6. Zones with inflow of gas.

During injection of cool water, the borehole and its
surroundings will be affected. Except for injection
time, flow and pressure there are two thermal
conditions controlling the temperature impact
convection and conduction. In a porous part of a
formation both conduction and convection will take
place. Thus, in a porous part the cool water will reach
farther away from the borehole wall, than in a less
porous.
After injection when there is only limited movement
of fluids most of the heat energy influencing the
temperature is related to heat conduction. In such a
case the nonporous part will reach geothermal
equilibrium faster than the porous part since the cool
water has reached deeper into the formation. On the

Erlstrm, M, Sivhed, U (2003) Well Site Report,

DGE1/1b. Geological Descriptions and Composite
Litho-Log Deep geothermal Energy project
Skne. Lund, Sweden
Lunds Energi AB (2003) Lund DGE#1 Deep
Geothermal Energy Project Well Evaluation Report,
Lund, Sweden
Rosberg, Jan-Erik (2006) Flow Test of a Perforated
Deep Dual Cased Well. Proceedings, Thirty-First
Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering.
Stanford University, Stanford, California, January
30-February 1, 2006 SGP-TR-179