Geology & Geophysics Applied in Industry

FWS

Exercise 4: Well Log Correlation EXERCISE 4: Well Log Correlation In this exercise, you will perform 2 well log correlations using 5 well logs. The logs are displayed on 11 x 17 inch sheets of paper. Each of the 5 logs has an SP log in the left track. Excursions (kicks) to the left indicate sand. Shales are characterized by SP excursions to the right. Use the SP log to indicate lithology, i.e., to distinguish sands from shales. The 5 logs have 2 resistivity curves in the right track. We will use the resistivity patterns in the shaley intervals to correlate stratal (time-equivalent) units. Note that on Well 5 some resistivity markers have been labeled: A, B, C, . G, H. You are provided with two copies of the well log sheet. You can do both correlations on the same sheet, or one on each sheet. Correlation 1: Lithostratigraphy 1. Note the position of a Regional Unconformity on each log. Correlate this unconformity by drawing a line across the sheet that connects this position. 2. Use the SP to mark the major sands lying above this regional unconformity. You might color or shade the central track of each log to highlight the sandy intervals. 3. Now correlate the major sandstone unit(s) lying above the unconformity. If you do not have 2 colors, make these light-weight lines.

Correlation 2: Chronostratigraphy 4. Note the resistivity pattern marked A on the well 5 log (right track). Look for the same resistivity pattern on the well 4 log (similar but not a perfect match) and marked it with an A. Do the same for the other markers (B through G) just between well 5 and well 4. When you are satisfied that you have a reasonable set of correlations from well 5 to well 4, draw in correlation lines (A to A, B to B, etc.). Layering within the shaley intervals is fairly constant over the distance between the wells. In this type of analysis, we are correlating a series of age-equivalent stratal units (beds or bed sets). 5. Repeat the process in step 4, this time correlating from well 4 to well 3.

Geology & Geophysics Applied in Industry

FWS

Exercise 4: Well Log Correlation 6. Repeat the process in step 4, this time correlating from well 3 to well 2. 7. Repeat the process in step 4, this time correlating from well 2 to well 1. Now consider this: Is the lithostartigraphic correlation you did in part 1 the same as the chronostratigraphic correlation you did in part 2?

They should be different. You have been looking at a transgressive sequence sitting above a regional unconformity. As the area was progressively flooded, sand was deposited updip (to the right) while marine shale was deposited downdip (to the left). The older G-age sand onlaps onto the unconforminty and is not present in wells 1 and 2. At F time, nearshore sands where deposited at the position of wells 1 and 2 while marine shales were deposited at the positions of wells 4 and 5. In this example, the sands are time-transgressive. Thus the time lines (Part 2) and the lithostratigraphic lines are not parallel.

Note: In many instances, time lines and lithostratigraphic lines will be parallel, marking changes from deposition of one rock type during an older time period and the deposition of another rock type in a younger time period.