SPE 139942

Using Electrical Borehole Image Log to Optimize Formation Pressure

Sampling and Its Integration to Determine Structural/Stratigraphic Break in a
Tight Carbonate Reservoir at Karachaganak Field
Juandi, D.,El-Battawy, A., SPE, Schlumberger, Russo, J., Chittick, S., SPE, KPO BV.

Copyright 2010, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Caspian Carbonates Technology Conference held in Atyrau, Kazakhstan, 810 November 2010.
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
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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
Karachaganak field hosts world-class gas and liquid reserves in an Upper Devonian to Lower Permian isolated carbonate platform.
A complex diagenesis over carbonate rocks extends from syndepositional to deep burial settings. Effective porosity in most parts
of the reservoir is secondary in nature, such as vugs and fractures, with average porosity considered as low. The complexity of
carbonate reservoirs is well known owing to the nature of their heterogeneity and cannot be resolved by conventional openhole
logs because of limited vertical resolution and large azimuthal dependency.
Electrical borehole image logs provide both the small-scale resolution and azimuthal coverage to quantitatively resolve the
heterogeneous nature and are used routinely to determine subseismic structural or stratigraphic events, as well as to optimize the
selection of formation pressure and sampling points. The use of a high-resolution electrical borehole image log helps place the tool
probes at optimum formation and depth locations, thereby reducing risk and operating time. Analysis of pressure gradients can
confirm subseismic reservoir barriers that had been earlier interpreted as structural or stratigraphic breaks.
Two case studies from nearby vertical Wells A and B are described. Well A has a fieldwide unconformity surface picked at a
depth of X610 m MD, indicated by a drag pattern in the overlying zone. The carboniferous section in that well is composed of
numerous shoaling upward cycles. Any of these cycle tops can act as a vertical permeability barrier and result in a step in the
pressure profile. Meanwhile, Well B has an unconformity within the internal Permian at a depth of X142.5 m MD, indicated by the
drag pattern. The fieldwide unconformity and a stratigraphic barrier can be proved by a shift of pressure gradient at a depth of
X608 m MD, indicated by a change of dip attitude.
Introduction
In tight carbonate reservoir rocks, it is always a challenge to pinpoint the sweet spots suitable to achieving the best selection of
formation pressure and sampling points. Karachaganak field, like many productive carbonate fields, has dual porosity systems with
widely varying proportions of primary and secondary porosity. The secondary porosity may contain vugs, molds, and fractures.
Most interpretation methods rely on traditional resistivity and porosity logs. These often fail to produce results consistent with
production because of the complex nature of the dual-porosity carbonate (Newberry et al., 1996). Borehole electrical images
provide both the small-scale resolution and azimuthal borehole coverage to quantitatively resolve the heterogeneous nature of the
porosity components.
According to Elshahawi et al. (2006) 1-, single- and multi-well pressure gradient analysis play an important role in reservoir
characterization. Even subtle discontinuities in pressures and pressure gradients can be indicative of reservoir
compartmentalization. Success in wireline formation tester operations is greatly increased by accurate planning that includes more

SPE 139942

accurately placing the tester probes and packers in the borehole. A key element is the accurate understanding of subsurface
lithology, including subtle reservoir internal baffles and barriers. Identifying reservoir compartments and flow barriers, and
unraveling reservoir architecture are critically important to reservoir management.
Technical Approach
The electrical borehole image log was fully processed before the interpretation. The image processing included tool speed
correction to correct variation relative to cable speed and sticking of the tool, equalization, and normalization to enhance the image
contrast. The formation pressure points and sampling intervals were selected based on the processed borehole images. The
preferred depths to acquire formation pressure and sampling data were in the zones with fractures and vuggy porosity development
(Figure 1), based on our local experience. In addition, manual dip interpretation on the images was also performed to determine
structural dip, fracture/fault, and unconformity.
The electrical borehole image logging tool (Figure 2) provides the microresistivity image of the breohole wall which is created
from the current measured by the array of buttons. There are 192 microresistivity arrays totaling from all of pads & flaps. The
high-resolution component dominates the image because its value varies from button to button. The low resolution component
appears only as a gradually changing background. Microresistivity changes related to lithological and petrophysical variations in
the rock, which are conveyed mainly by the high-resolution current component, are interpreted in the image in terms of rock
texture, stratigraphic and structural features and fractures4-.
Formation pressure is measured using a probe tool (Figure 3). The probe is set in the wellbore and a short test, called a pretest,
measures formation pressure 4-,6- Up to 20 cc of fluid maybe withdrawn from the formation during the pretest. Both drawdown and
buildup data are acquired for each pretest. Formation pressure is taken to be the final pressure measured. Points with representative
stable final pressure were marked with a green color. If the final pressure was not considered stable or representative, it was
marked on the plot by yellow color, e.g.supercharged, or by red color for incomplete buildup or dry test or tight formation.
Typically, supercharged points may be recognized by their position to the right of a reliable gradient line on the pressure depth
plot. If there was a consistent relationship between low mobility and supercharging, the mobility cutoff was marked in the mobility
track as a shaded band.
Formation pressure data plots (in TVD) for both Wells A and B are presented in Figure 4 and Figure 6. The trend break or
variation in the formation pressure gradient profile provided important information for the reservoir depletion mechanism and
helped to imply the vertical reservoir communication across substrata (Grayson et al., 2000) 3-. While a continuous pressure trend
does not neccessarily imply hydraulic communication, a break in the trend indicated by a step change or shift in pressures or
pressure gradients implies the existence of a pressure barrier and no hydraulic communication.
Case Study One from Well A
There were only 3 lost seal data points out of the 40 attempted pressure tests, suggesting a high success ratio of formation pressure
data acquisition with 4 tight points (Figure 4). The quality of pressure data allowed a detailed reliable pressure gradient profile.
Based on the dip data from the electrical borehole image logs, Well A showed a few shoaling upward cycles (also called cyclic
platform), indicated by the repetition of a dip decreasing upward pattern. The cycle tops are often exposure surfaces (short-lived)
with abundant cementation indicated by tight streaks on density and image logs (Figure 5). As seen on the right plot in Figure 4,
the formation pressure gradient profile along with the magnitude of the pressure steps reflects the dynamic nature of the system,
which has gas injection taking place in a few nearby wells and several producers at various levels.
The dip patterns suggested a possible small scale unconformity at depth of X752 m MD, confirmed by a trend shift of formation
pressure gradient (Figure 4). A fieldwide unconformity (C1 horizon) separating Carboniferous with the overlying Permian
formations at depth X610 m MD can be determined accurately by the dramatic change of the dip magnitude trends below and
above the surface which also corresponds to a shift in pressure data.
Case Study Two from Well B
The electrical borehole image log and formation pressure data were acquired mostly in the uppermost part of Carboniferous
formation and the lower part of Permian formation. There are 11 good-quality formation pressure data points acquired out of 16
attempted pressure tests. All pressure data were plotted in green dots in Figure 6.

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The dip pattern and a shift of pressure gradient profile indicated a downlapping sequence atop the Carboniferous formation
boundary at depth of X608 m MD in Well B. It was also marked as a field scale pressure barrier (C1 horizon). A possible internal
unconformity within the Permian was interpreted at depth of X142.5 m MD by dip pattern change.
Conclusions
Electrical borehole image logs helped geoscientists to select formation pressure and sampling points accurately in the highly
heterogeneous carbonate rocks presented in this study. The zones with fracture and vugs interpreted on borehole images were
recommended for taking pressure points and samples, which resulted in good-quality reservoir engineering data acquisition. The
zones with resistive spots or healed (closed) fractures corresponding to tighter formation were also mostly avoided for taking
pressure data points.
The integration between electrical borehole image log and formation pressure results provided a much better understanding on
reservoir compartmentalization.
A fieldwide unconformity was interpreted at a depth of X610 m MD in Well A using dip data. In addition, a few shoaling upward
cycles were also recognized in the Carboniferous section in the well. Most of the cycle boundaries were detected as vertical
permeability barriers confirmed by dynamic pressure data.
In Well B, an unconformity within the Permian formation was picked at a depth of X142.5 m MD by dip data. The fieldwide
unconformity was recognized at X608 m MD that was also confirmed as a reservoir barrier by the shift in pressure gradient data.
Acknowledgement
The authors wish to thank Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. (KPO B.V) for cooperation and for releasing this data for
publication. Thanks are also extended to Mr. Benjamin Robertson (Res. Devel. Geology Section Head, RPE, KPO B.V.), who
provided his important geological input for Karachaganak field, and to Elena Mitrofanskaya and Saltanat Sargunanova of
Schlumberger for their geological workstation interpretation support.
References
1-

23-

456-

Elshahawi, H., Donaghy, E., Guillory, C., Kear, G.R., Kumar, A., Ardila, M., Williamson, D., Cantwell, W., and Briscoe, B. 2006.
Enhancing Formation Testing and Sampling Operations Through the Use of Log-Derived High Resolution Mineral-Based Lithofacies
Mapping. Paper SPE 100738 presented at the SPE Annual Technical COnfrence and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, 2427
September.
FMI, 2002, Schlumberger publication.
Grayson, C.T., Morris, C.W., and Blume, C.R.: 2000. Fluid Identification and Pressure Transient Analysis in the Fractured Monterey
Using the Modular Dynamics Tester. Paper SPE 62532 presented at the SPE/AAPG Western Regional Meeting, Long Beach,
California.
MDT, 1995, Schlumberger publication.
Newberry, B.M., Grace, L.M., and Stief, D.D. 1996. Analysis of Carbonate Dual Porosity Systems from Borehole Electrical Images.
Paper SPE 35158 presented at the Permian Basin Oil & Gas Recovery Conference, Midland, Texas, 2729 March.
Wireline Formation Testing and Sampling, 1996, Schlumberger publication.

SPE 139942

Figure 1: An example of expanded log images from Well B, showing a small zone (fractured and vugs) where a formation pressure point
was taken at depth X532.44 m MD with good data.

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Figure 2. The illustration of the electrical borehole imager tool shows the current path (yellow shade) from the pads and flaps. An applied
voltage causes an alternating current (AC) to flow from each electrode button in the lower pads/flaps section through the formation to the
electrode on the upper cartridge.

Figure 3: Example of a typical probe tool used for pressure measurement

SPE 139942

1st
Bh
image

2nd
Dual
Caliper

3rd
GR

4th

5th

6th

Density
Tadpoles
0
Resisti Neutron
00
vity
90

7th
Total
Gas

Figure 4: An example from Well A in the lowermost part of Permian and the upper part of Carboniferous formations. Composite on the left
side shows the dip pattern (fourth track from left) from manual dip picking result on the electrical borehole image. The right plot shows
the formation pressure results and its pressure gradient profile (first track from left).
The dip pattern shows the repetition of dip decreasing upward representing shoaling upward cycle over the Carboniferous section.
Meanwhile the formation pressure gradient profile showing the step of formation pressure and confirming the possible small scale
unconformity at depth X752 m MD where there is a big shift of formation pressure gradient.

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X806

X807

X808

Figure 5: Cemented band in Well A over interval X807.5-X806.2 m MD represents one of cycle tops are often exposure surfaces (shortlived) with abundant cementation indicated by tight streaks on density and image logs. Few shoaling upward cycles (also called as cyclic
platform) indicated by the repetition of dip decreasing upward pattern and the steps of formation pressure gradient profile as seen in
Figure 4.

SPE 139942

1st
Bh
image

2nd

3rd

4th
Dual
Caliper
GR

5th

6th

Tadpoles
0
00
90

Resisti
vity

7th
Density
Neutron

8th
Total
Gas

Figure 6: An example from Well B. The far left side shows the dip pattern (fifth track from left) extracted from electrical borehole
image and showing an indication of faulting and an unconformity. The shift of pressure gradient (first track of far right composite)
confirmed an exisisting of fieldwide unconformity at depth X608 mMD which acts as reservoir barrier.