WELL LOGGING

Well logging means continuous recording of a physical parameter of the formation with
depth. Well logs are results of several geophysical measurements recorded in a well bore.
They consist of key information about formation drilled i.e
1. To identify the productive zones of hydrocarbon.
2. To define the petrophysical parameters like porosity, permeability, hydrocarbon
saturation and lithology of zones.
3. To determine depth, thickness, formation temperature and pressure of a reservoir.

CLASSIFICATION OF WELL LOGS

TYPES OF WELL
LOGS

EXAMPLES

Gamma Ray

USAGE

REMARKS

A log of the natural

radioactivity
of
the
formation
along
the
borehole,
measured
in API, particularly useful
for distinguishing between
sands and shales in a
siliclastic environment

Difference
in
radioactivity between
shales
and
sandstones/carbonate
rocks
allows
the
gamma
tool
to
distinguish
between
shales and non-shales.
It works through the
steel and cement walls
of cased boreholes.

LITHOLOGY
LOGS

Spontaneous Potential

ELECTRICAL
LOGS

Resistivity Logs

The SP log is commonly

used to detect permeable
beds and to estimate clay
content and formation
water salinity.

They
are
used
in
conjunction with porosity
to determine the water
saturation
of
the
formation.

The
log
works
by
measuring small electric
potentials (measured in
millivolts) between depths
in the borehole and a
grounded voltage at the
surface. Conductive fluids
are necessary in bore hole
to create a SP response, so
the SP log cannot be used
in nonconductive drilling
mud.
Resistivity logging is
sometimes used in mineral
exploration (especially
exploration
for iron and potassium)
and water-well drilling,

but most commonly for

formation
evaluation in
oil- and gas-well drilling.

Image Logs

Neutron Log

It is used to identify the

presence and direction of
rock fractures, as well as
understanding the dip
direction
of
the
stratigraphy.

Image logs use a rotating

transducer
to
measure acoustic
impedance across
the
entire
borehole
stratigraphy.

Neutron log is used to

determine the porosity of a
formation by using a
neutron source to measure
the hydrogen index in a
reservoir, which is directly
related to porosity

Subject
to
various
assumptions
and
corrections, values of
apparent porosity can be
derived from any neutron
log. Certain effects, such
as lithology, clay content,
and amount and type of
hydrocarbons, can be
recognized and corrected
for only if additional
porosity information is
available.
Any
interpretation of a neutron
log alone should be
undertaken
with
a
realization
of
the
uncertainties involved.

POROSITY LOGS

Density Log

Sonic Log

The density log measures

the bulk density of a
formation along the length
of a borehole. The bulk
density is the used to
determine the porosity.
The Sonic log is used to
calculate the porosity of a
formation by measuring a
formation interval transit
time.
Sonic logs are also used
in mineral
exploration,
especially
exploration
for iron and potassium.

MISCELLANEOUS
LOGS

Calliper Log

Calliper Log measures the

diameter of the wellbore
along it depth and
commonly
used
in
hydrocarbon exploration.
It can be used to detect
regions
where
the

Density logs are the most

reliable porosity indicator
for
sandstones
and
limestones because their
density is well-known
The accuracy of sonic logs
is rather poor, evident by
the fact that regular- and
long-spaced
log
measurements
often
conflict, and this should be
taken into account when
there are disagreements
between seismic data and
sonic log data
The measurements that are
recorded can be an
important indicator of cave
ins or shale swelling in the
borehole which can affect
the results of other well
logs.

borehole
walls
compromised

In
most
cases,
the
boreholes circumference
will not be a perfect circle
are
and therefore a calliper
tool with several arms is
required.

Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance Log

NMR log uses the NMR

response of a formation to
directly determine its
porosity and permeability.

Logging While Drilling

(LWD)

LWD is used by drilling

engineers and geologists
to
quickly
obtain
information
such
as
porosity, resistivity, hole
direction and weight-onbit and they can use this
information
to
make
immediate decisions about
the future of the well and
the direction of drilling.

Cement Bond Log

It is used to documents an
evaluation of the integrity
of cement work performed
on an oil well.

NMR log exploit large

magnetic
moment
of
hydrogen
which
is
abundant in rocks in the
form of water to determine
the porosity and also the
rate of decay of the NMR
signal amplitude to obtain
information
on
the
permeability
of
the
formation.
LWD tools work with its
measurement
while
drilling (MWD) system to
transmit
partial
or
complete
measurement
results.
High-definition downhole
and
subsurface
information is available
through networked
or
wired drillpipe that deliver
memory quality data in
real time
CBLs clearly indicate the
top of cement, where there
is unbonded pipe, and they
indicate where the pipe is
well cemented. However,
they are not reliable as
indicators of hydraulic
sealing by the cement,
because they cannot detect
small channels therein.
Part of the problem is that
conventional
CBL
transducer
arrays
are
vertical, whereas bonding
problems need to be
investigated
circumferentially.