Baker Atlas
3-D Induction Resistivity Improves Reservoir Characterization
in Low-Contrast, Low-Resistivity Shaly Sand Formations
Anisotropy and Multicomponent
Resistivity Measurements
By Richard A. Mollison, Berthold F. Kriegshäuser, Liming Yu, Baker Atlas, Conventional induction logging tools are
Johan van Popta, Shell Technology E&P limited to measurements in one dimension
because their sensors are aligned along the
tool or Z axis. Such measurements are satis-
factory only when evaluating formations
at least as thick as the tool’s vertical resolu-
tion, which is generally several feet. The 3D
Explorer instrument uses three orthogonally
mounted transmitter-receiver coil arrays
in the X, Y, and Z planes relative to the
tool axis. This configuration, together with
specially developed software, provides the
information necessary to determine verti-
cal and horizontal resistivity, Rv and Rh,
from the 3-D induction data (Kriegshäuser,
et al., 2000)3.
Macroscopic electrical anisotropy occurs
when a formation’s resistivity varies with
direction and Rv is greater than Rh. The
3DEX horizontal resistivity is always deter-
mined parallel to the bedding plane, and
vertical resistivity is perpendicular to the
bedding plane. Thus, with any change in
borehole deviation or change in apparent
strike and dip, the 3DEX Rh and Rv mea-
surements remain parallel and perpendicu-
lar, respectively, to the formation bedding.
An example of a laminated, thinly bedded
sand-shale sequence from the modern
Mississippi delta region is shown in Figure 2
(from Coleman and Prior)1. The vertical
Fig. 1. Outcrop exposing laminated sediments
scale is approximately two-thirds of a
meter with sand and shale layers varying
from a few millimeters to a centimeter in
B aker Atlas recently announced the commercial introduction of the 3D Explorer Induction Logging SM
thickness. In this case, highly conductive
Service (3DEX ). Developed and field tested by Baker Atlas and Shell Exploration and Production
SM
shales and low-conductivity (resistive) pay
Technology, the 3DEX logging service is the first wireline resistivity instrument to provide both vertical sands occur as thin, inter-bedded ‘laminated’
and horizontal resistivity measurements independently of borehole deviation or formation dip. sequences. The term ‘low-contrast pay’ refers
The 3DEX service is specifically designed to overcome the limitations of conventional induction to intervals composed of inter-bedded sands
logging technology when evaluating thin bedded, low-resistivity shaly sand formations as shown in and shales that may have a combined resis-
the outcrop photograph (Fig. 1). This is accomplished by utilizing the physical effect of macroscopic tivity only a few tenths of an Ω-m higher
electrical anisotropy through a unique orthogonal transmitter-receiver configuration. Thin bedded, than the adjacent shales. These potentially
laminated formations pose a special problem for log analysis. Thin shale beds occurring in these for- productive intervals are almost indistin-
mations do not alter the inter-bedded sand’s porosity and permeability characteristics. However, the guishable from adjacent shales as a result
highly conductive nature of shales greatly suppresses the standard induction log response, which is of insufficient vertical resolution of con-
the measurement of current flow parallel to the shale beds. In many instances, these formations pro- ventional resistivity data to determine the
duce hydrocarbons at very high rates. The 3DEX technology overcomes this limitation by providing properties of the individual beds.
the necessary information to determine the current flow perpendicular to the bedding where the
Low-Resistivity, Low-Contrast
vertical resistivity response is dominated by the resistive pay sands. When combined with Baker Atlas’
Geologic Environments
nuclear, imaging and standard resistivity services, the 3DEX service provides a more accurate quanti-
Thinly bedded sand-shale sequences are
tative formation evaluation of these complex reservoirs.
common in moderate to low-energy fluvial
sequences, including upper point-bar, levee
and crevasse splay sands and silty sands.
Laminated shales and thin, flasher-bedded,
8 9
© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. © Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
sand-shale sequences commonly occur in
sub-aqueous prograding and tidal-estuarian
deltas, and shelf sands. These sands are
generally a minor reservoir component and
not considered primary exploration targets.
A recent geostatistical study (Pettingill,
1998)7 indicates that deepwater (>3000’)
turbidite exploration plays are globally at
an immature stage and have an important
role in the future of hydrocarbon explo-
ration and production. Thus, a significant
percentage of the world’s undiscovered
hydrocarbon reserves are most likely con-
tained in laminated, low-resistivity, low-
contrast, shaly sand formations. Accurate
formation evaluation of shaly sand forma-
tions is a major concern to operators in
today’s frontier areas. The 3-D multicompo-
nent induction measurements are able to
solve this formation evaluation problem,
providing robust and quantitative answers.
Turbidite fan and channel sand systems
can be very large and prolific exploration
targets. These systems, consisting of thinly
bedded sands and shale to massive sands,
have become major exploration targets in
deeper, immature basins. Turbidite sand
deposits span a large spectrum of deposi-
tional energy environments. Thinly bedded,
laminar sands and shales are common in
the channel levee and overbank-levee envi-
ronment and middle-to-distal fan complexes
(Kuecher and Millington, 2000)4. These
thinly bedded turbidite sand sequences
play a significant role in the overall net pay
and oil-in-place determination of most
deepwater exploration plays. The laterally
extensive sheet sands and inter-bedded
shales of the middle and outer turbidite
fan complex are highly productive. When
they occur in sufficient thickness, a single
wellbore can drain large areas and sustain
extremely high flow rates as a result of the
vast hydraulic continuity of these reservoirs.
Turbidite overbank and channel levee
sands are more erratic in both thickness
and areal extent, but are still significant
exploration targets in many basins. These
sands may also be hydraulically well con-
nected, both laterally and vertically due to
their cross-cutting or cut-and-fill relation-
ship. Seemingly poor low-resistivity pay
intervals within a wellbore will commonly
produce at unexpectedly high rates due at
least in part to a well-connected hydraulic
network with adjacent sands.
Fig. 2. Core photo shows thinly bedded, laminated
sand-shale sequences.
 Baker Atlas
3-D Induction Resistivity Improves Reservoir Characterization
in Low-Contrast, Low-Resistivity Shaly Sand Formations
Anisotropy and Multicomponent
Resistivity Measurements
By Richard A. Mollison, Berthold F. Kriegshäuser, Liming Yu, Baker Atlas, Conventional induction logging tools are
Johan van Popta, Shell Technology E&P limited to measurements in one dimension
because their sensors are aligned along the
tool or Z axis. Such measurements are satis-
factory only when evaluating formations
at least as thick as the tool’s vertical resolu-
tion, which is generally several feet. The 3D
Explorer instrument uses three orthogonally
mounted transmitter-receiver coil arrays
in the X, Y, and Z planes relative to the
tool axis. This configuration, together with
specially developed software, provides the
information necessary to determine verti-
cal and horizontal resistivity, Rv and Rh,
from the 3-D induction data (Kriegshäuser,
et al., 2000)3.
Macroscopic electrical anisotropy occurs
when a formation’s resistivity varies with
direction and Rv is greater than Rh. The
3DEX horizontal resistivity is always deter-
mined parallel to the bedding plane, and
vertical resistivity is perpendicular to the
bedding plane. Thus, with any change in
borehole deviation or change in apparent
strike and dip, the 3DEX Rh and Rv mea-
surements remain parallel and perpendicu-
lar, respectively, to the formation bedding.
An example of a laminated, thinly bedded
sand-shale sequence from the modern
Mississippi delta region is shown in Figure 2
(from Coleman and Prior)1. The vertical
Fig. 1. Outcrop exposing laminated sediments
scale is approximately two-thirds of a
meter with sand and shale layers varying
from a few millimeters to a centimeter in
B aker Atlas recently announced the commercial introduction of the 3D Explorer Induction Logging SM
thickness. In this case, highly conductive
Service (3DEX ). Developed and field tested by Baker Atlas and Shell Exploration and Production
SM
shales and low-conductivity (resistive) pay
Technology, the 3DEX logging service is the first wireline resistivity instrument to provide both vertical sands occur as thin, inter-bedded ‘laminated’
and horizontal resistivity measurements independently of borehole deviation or formation dip. sequences. The term ‘low-contrast pay’ refers
The 3DEX service is specifically designed to overcome the limitations of conventional induction to intervals composed of inter-bedded sands
logging technology when evaluating thin bedded, low-resistivity shaly sand formations as shown in and shales that may have a combined resis-
the outcrop photograph (Fig. 1). This is accomplished by utilizing the physical effect of macroscopic tivity only a few tenths of an Ω-m higher
electrical anisotropy through a unique orthogonal transmitter-receiver configuration. Thin bedded, than the adjacent shales. These potentially
laminated formations pose a special problem for log analysis. Thin shale beds occurring in these for- productive intervals are almost indistin-
mations do not alter the inter-bedded sand’s porosity and permeability characteristics. However, the guishable from adjacent shales as a result
highly conductive nature of shales greatly suppresses the standard induction log response, which is of insufficient vertical resolution of con-
the measurement of current flow parallel to the shale beds. In many instances, these formations pro- ventional resistivity data to determine the
duce hydrocarbons at very high rates. The 3DEX technology overcomes this limitation by providing properties of the individual beds.
the necessary information to determine the current flow perpendicular to the bedding where the
Low-Resistivity, Low-Contrast
vertical resistivity response is dominated by the resistive pay sands. When combined with Baker Atlas’
Geologic Environments
nuclear, imaging and standard resistivity services, the 3DEX service provides a more accurate quanti-
Thinly bedded sand-shale sequences are
tative formation evaluation of these complex reservoirs.
common in moderate to low-energy fluvial
sequences, including upper point-bar, levee
and crevasse splay sands and silty sands.
Laminated shales and thin, flasher-bedded,
8 9
© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. © Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
sand-shale sequences commonly occur in
sub-aqueous prograding and tidal-estuarian
deltas, and shelf sands. These sands are
generally a minor reservoir component and
not considered primary exploration targets.
A recent geostatistical study (Pettingill,
1998)7 indicates that deepwater (>3000’)
turbidite exploration plays are globally at
an immature stage and have an important
role in the future of hydrocarbon explo-
ration and production. Thus, a significant
percentage of the world’s undiscovered
hydrocarbon reserves are most likely con-
tained in laminated, low-resistivity, low-
contrast, shaly sand formations. Accurate
formation evaluation of shaly sand forma-
tions is a major concern to operators in
today’s frontier areas. The 3-D multicompo-
nent induction measurements are able to
solve this formation evaluation problem,
providing robust and quantitative answers.
Turbidite fan and channel sand systems
can be very large and prolific exploration
targets. These systems, consisting of thinly
bedded sands and shale to massive sands,
have become major exploration targets in
deeper, immature basins. Turbidite sand
deposits span a large spectrum of deposi-
tional energy environments. Thinly bedded,
laminar sands and shales are common in
the channel levee and overbank-levee envi-
ronment and middle-to-distal fan complexes
(Kuecher and Millington, 2000)4. These
thinly bedded turbidite sand sequences
play a significant role in the overall net pay
and oil-in-place determination of most
deepwater exploration plays. The laterally
extensive sheet sands and inter-bedded
shales of the middle and outer turbidite
fan complex are highly productive. When
they occur in sufficient thickness, a single
wellbore can drain large areas and sustain
extremely high flow rates as a result of the
vast hydraulic continuity of these reservoirs.
Turbidite overbank and channel levee
sands are more erratic in both thickness
and areal extent, but are still significant
exploration targets in many basins. These
sands may also be hydraulically well con-
nected, both laterally and vertically due to
their cross-cutting or cut-and-fill relation-
ship. Seemingly poor low-resistivity pay
intervals within a wellbore will commonly
produce at unexpectedly high rates due at
least in part to a well-connected hydraulic
network with adjacent sands.
Fig. 2. Core photo shows thinly bedded, laminated
sand-shale sequences.
 Baker Atlas
3-D Induction Resistivity Improves Reservoir Characterization in Low-Contrast,
Low-Resistivity Shaly Sand Formations

Characterizing Shaly Sand horizontal resistivity is calculated versus Explorer measurements.

10 Rsand = 10 Ω-m 5 Reservoirs the laminar shale volume for two values of Shown in track 3,
1 V Vshale To properly characterize shaly sand laminar sand resistivity, 5 Ω-m and 10 Ω-m. Resistivity Results, are
= sand +
Rh Rsand Rshale reservoirs, it is important to understand Utilizing horizontal resistivity alone, these the inverted horizontal
Rv for 10 Ω-m sd, 1Ω-m sh
the relationship between resistivities and two sand-shale sequences would be virtually resistivities from a High-
4 Rv = Vsand • Rsand + laminar shale volume. To illustrate this indistinguishable at a 50% laminar shale Definition Induction Log
volume, with only a 0.16 Ω-m difference in

Anisotropy Ratio - λratio

Vshale • Rshale point, a model of thinly bedded sands of (HDILSM) service (Beard et
5 10 Ω-m resistivity and shales of 1 Ω-m resis- horizontal resistivity. Yet under similar con- al. , 1996).2 Also shown in
λratio
Resistivity (Ω-m)

1 = Vsand + Vshale tivity is shown in Figure 3. For this laminated
4 3 sand-shale sequence model describing lami-
Rv
λratio = nated shaly sand formations, the vertical
Rh and horizontal resistivities, Rv and Rh respec-
3
tively, are plotted as a function of the lami-
2 Measuring Vertical and
nar shale volume, Vshale. The equations for
the computation of both Rh and Rv as a
2 function of laminar shale volume, Vshale,
laminar sand volume, 1 - Vshale, laminar
1 receiver sensors with their axes aligned
Rh for 10 Ω-m sd, 1Ω-m sh shale resistivity, Rshale, and laminar sand
resistivity, Rsand, are shown. The maximum
separation between vertical and horizontal
R = 1 Ω-m resistivity occurs at the 50% laminar shale
1 shale
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% volume point, where the electrical anisotropy
ratio, Rv /Rh, reaches its maximum value.
Laminar Shale Volume This graph demonstrates that as the laminar
shale volume increases from 0% to 30%,
Fig. 3. Vertical and horizontal resistivity the horizontal resistivity decreases very
(Rv, Rh) vs. laminar shale volume
(Vsh) net sand
rapidly. Thus, for laminar shale volumes
greater than 30%, the horizontal resistivity
exhibits low sensitivity to changes in shale
10 volume. When laminar shale volume is
Rv for 10 Ω-m sd, Rsand = 10 Ω-m greater then 30% the horizontal resistivity,
Rh, also has less sensitivity to variations in
1Ω-m sh
the laminar sand-shale resistivity and
detection of thin bedded, resistive sands
Rsand = 5 Ω-m
containing hydrocarbons becomes increas-
5 are more sensitive to hydrocarbon bearing
ingly difficult. The vertical resistivity, how-
Rv for 5 Ω-m sd,
Resistivity (Ω-m)
ditions, the vertical resistivity changes by track 3 are the 3DEX Rh
2.5 Ω-m. Therefore, the availability of verti- and Rv inversion results.
cal resistivity data can greatly improve the There is good correlation
evaluation of laminar sand-shale reservoirs. between the borehole
image and horizontal
resistivities from the HDIL
Horizontal Resistivity
and 3D Explorer instru-
Conventional induction logging tools ments. The anisotropy
consist of a transmitter and a number of ratio correlates well with Fig. 5. 3D Explorer instrument — basic principle
the thin-layering features visible in the of operation. Laminated segments are
parallel to the borehole and tool ‘Z ‘axis surveyed by three orthogonal coil arrays
borehole image. (X, Y, and Z). Interpretation of these
(Fig. 5). If the apparent formation dip is
measurements provides horizontal
small, conventional induction tools induce Enhancing Petrophysical Analysis
(Rh) and vertical resistivity (Rv).
currents that mainly flow in the highly con- Archie’s original water saturation relation-
ductive beds that are typically the shales in ship was published in
a hydrocarbon bearing section. As a result 1942 and is the estab-
of this induced current flow pattern, the lished foundation of
horizontal resistivity is heavily biased toward modern petrophysical
low resistivity shales and Rh is relatively interpretation.
insensitive to the hydrocarbon-bearing This empirical equa-
sands. The horizontally mounted coil trans- tion was derived from
mitter arrays in the 3D Explorer instrument shale-free granular rocks
(sandstones) and labora-
(TX and TY) are aligned with their axes
perpendicular to the borehole to better tory prepared samples.
resolve vertical resistivity (Figure 5). These Generally speaking, higher
arrays induce currents that flow primarily formation resistivities, Rt,
across laminated sand-shale sequences and correspond to lower
water saturation, Sw, or
conversely, higher hydro-

ever, is a volume-weighted average of the sand resistivity. Vertical and horizontal

4 1Ω-m sh sand and shale resistivity components and resistivity values are obtained by processing carbon content, 1 - Sw,
shows a much more gradual reduction as measurements from the multicomponent within the pore space, Ø.
the laminar shale volume increases. The induction vertical (RX and RY) and horizon- Numerous empirical vari-
3 vertical resistivity and, most importantly, ations of Archie’s original
tal (RZ) receiver coil arrays.
the resulting anisotropy ratio, Rv / Rh, are equation have been
Rh for 10 Ω-m sd, sensitive to changes in both laminar shale Resistivity/Borehole Imaging derived to solve unique
2 content and laminar sand resistivity through- Data Comparison formation evaluation
1Ω-m sh
Rh for 5 Ω-m sd, out the entire range from 0% to 100% To verify the quality of the electrical problems in shaly sand
shale volume. Therefore, the vertical resis- anisotropy ratio obtained from the 3D reservoirs. These ‘bulk
1Ω-m sh
tivity measurement is more sensitive to Explorer induction data, high-resolution shale’ models generally
presence of hydrocarbon-bearing laminated borehole electrical-image data were do not distinguish
Rshale = 1 Ω-m also acquired in a field test with the between laminar shale
1 sands within the sand-shale sequence. A
better reservoir petrophysical evaluation Simultaneous Acoustic and Resistivity and porosity reducing dis-
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Imager (STARSM) tool in a test well as shown persed shale effects on
of these sequences is now possible by using
Laminar Shale Volume both the horizontal and vertical resistivi- in Figure 6. Borehole-image data are shown the inter-bedded laminar
ties, Rh and Rv. on an equalized scale. The dark shades indi- sand properties. As a
Fig. 4. Horizontal and vertical resistivity result, hydrocarbon reserves and produc- Fig. 6. Comparison of 3D Explorer resistivity data
The limitations of horizontal resistivity cate conductive layers and the light shades
(Rh, Rv) as a function of laminar (Rh, Rv, Rv/Rh) with induction-resistivity data
sand resistivity and laminar shale sensitivity are better illustrated in Figure 4. correspond to more resistive layers. tion performance may be underestimated (Rh, HDIL) and borehole-image data (STAR).
volume (Vsh) net sand For the laminated sand-shale model in Overlain on the resistivity image is the elec- by as much as 40%. Therefore, these mod- There is good correlation between the resistivity
Figure 3 with a 1 Ω-m shale resistivity, the trical anisotropy ratio derived from 3D els are not always adequate for reserve and image data.

10 11

© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. © Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 Baker Atlas
3-D Induction Resistivity Improves Reservoir Characterization in Low-Contrast,
Low-Resistivity Shaly Sand Formations

Characterizing Shaly Sand horizontal resistivity is calculated versus Explorer measurements.

10 Rsand = 10 Ω-m 5 Reservoirs the laminar shale volume for two values of Shown in track 3,
1 V Vshale To properly characterize shaly sand laminar sand resistivity, 5 Ω-m and 10 Ω-m. Resistivity Results, are
= sand +
Rh Rsand Rshale reservoirs, it is important to understand Utilizing horizontal resistivity alone, these the inverted horizontal
Rv for 10 Ω-m sd, 1Ω-m sh
the relationship between resistivities and two sand-shale sequences would be virtually resistivities from a High-
4 Rv = Vsand • Rsand + laminar shale volume. To illustrate this indistinguishable at a 50% laminar shale Definition Induction Log
volume, with only a 0.16 Ω-m difference in

Anisotropy Ratio - λratio

Vshale • Rshale point, a model of thinly bedded sands of (HDILSM) service (Beard et
5 10 Ω-m resistivity and shales of 1 Ω-m resis- horizontal resistivity. Yet under similar con- al. , 1996).2 Also shown in
λratio
Resistivity (Ω-m)

1 = Vsand + Vshale tivity is shown in Figure 3. For this laminated
4 3 sand-shale sequence model describing lami-
Rv
λratio = nated shaly sand formations, the vertical
Rh and horizontal resistivities, Rv and Rh respec-
3
tively, are plotted as a function of the lami-
2 Measuring Vertical and
nar shale volume, Vshale. The equations for
the computation of both Rh and Rv as a
2 function of laminar shale volume, Vshale,
laminar sand volume, 1 - Vshale, laminar
1 receiver sensors with their axes aligned
Rh for 10 Ω-m sd, 1Ω-m sh shale resistivity, Rshale, and laminar sand
resistivity, Rsand, are shown. The maximum
separation between vertical and horizontal
R = 1 Ω-m resistivity occurs at the 50% laminar shale
1 shale
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% volume point, where the electrical anisotropy
ratio, Rv /Rh, reaches its maximum value.
Laminar Shale Volume This graph demonstrates that as the laminar
shale volume increases from 0% to 30%,
Fig. 3. Vertical and horizontal resistivity the horizontal resistivity decreases very
(Rv, Rh) vs. laminar shale volume
(Vsh) net sand
rapidly. Thus, for laminar shale volumes
greater than 30%, the horizontal resistivity
exhibits low sensitivity to changes in shale
10 volume. When laminar shale volume is
Rv for 10 Ω-m sd, Rsand = 10 Ω-m greater then 30% the horizontal resistivity,
Rh, also has less sensitivity to variations in
1Ω-m sh
the laminar sand-shale resistivity and
detection of thin bedded, resistive sands
Rsand = 5 Ω-m
containing hydrocarbons becomes increas-
5 are more sensitive to hydrocarbon bearing
ingly difficult. The vertical resistivity, how-
Rv for 5 Ω-m sd,
Resistivity (Ω-m)
ditions, the vertical resistivity changes by track 3 are the 3DEX Rh
2.5 Ω-m. Therefore, the availability of verti- and Rv inversion results.
cal resistivity data can greatly improve the There is good correlation
evaluation of laminar sand-shale reservoirs. between the borehole
image and horizontal
resistivities from the HDIL
Horizontal Resistivity
and 3D Explorer instru-
Conventional induction logging tools ments. The anisotropy
consist of a transmitter and a number of ratio correlates well with Fig. 5. 3D Explorer instrument — basic principle
the thin-layering features visible in the of operation. Laminated segments are
parallel to the borehole and tool ‘Z ‘axis surveyed by three orthogonal coil arrays
borehole image. (X, Y, and Z). Interpretation of these
(Fig. 5). If the apparent formation dip is
measurements provides horizontal
small, conventional induction tools induce Enhancing Petrophysical Analysis
(Rh) and vertical resistivity (Rv).
currents that mainly flow in the highly con- Archie’s original water saturation relation-
ductive beds that are typically the shales in ship was published in
a hydrocarbon bearing section. As a result 1942 and is the estab-
of this induced current flow pattern, the lished foundation of
horizontal resistivity is heavily biased toward modern petrophysical
low resistivity shales and Rh is relatively interpretation.
insensitive to the hydrocarbon-bearing This empirical equa-
sands. The horizontally mounted coil trans- tion was derived from
mitter arrays in the 3D Explorer instrument shale-free granular rocks
(sandstones) and labora-
(TX and TY) are aligned with their axes
perpendicular to the borehole to better tory prepared samples.
resolve vertical resistivity (Figure 5). These Generally speaking, higher
arrays induce currents that flow primarily formation resistivities, Rt,
across laminated sand-shale sequences and correspond to lower
water saturation, Sw, or
conversely, higher hydro-

ever, is a volume-weighted average of the sand resistivity. Vertical and horizontal

4 1Ω-m sh sand and shale resistivity components and resistivity values are obtained by processing carbon content, 1 - Sw,
shows a much more gradual reduction as measurements from the multicomponent within the pore space, Ø.
the laminar shale volume increases. The induction vertical (RX and RY) and horizon- Numerous empirical vari-
3 vertical resistivity and, most importantly, ations of Archie’s original
tal (RZ) receiver coil arrays.
the resulting anisotropy ratio, Rv / Rh, are equation have been
Rh for 10 Ω-m sd, sensitive to changes in both laminar shale Resistivity/Borehole Imaging derived to solve unique
2 content and laminar sand resistivity through- Data Comparison formation evaluation
1Ω-m sh
Rh for 5 Ω-m sd, out the entire range from 0% to 100% To verify the quality of the electrical problems in shaly sand
shale volume. Therefore, the vertical resis- anisotropy ratio obtained from the 3D reservoirs. These ‘bulk
1Ω-m sh
tivity measurement is more sensitive to Explorer induction data, high-resolution shale’ models generally
presence of hydrocarbon-bearing laminated borehole electrical-image data were do not distinguish
Rshale = 1 Ω-m also acquired in a field test with the between laminar shale
1 sands within the sand-shale sequence. A
better reservoir petrophysical evaluation Simultaneous Acoustic and Resistivity and porosity reducing dis-
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Imager (STARSM) tool in a test well as shown persed shale effects on
of these sequences is now possible by using
Laminar Shale Volume both the horizontal and vertical resistivi- in Figure 6. Borehole-image data are shown the inter-bedded laminar
ties, Rh and Rv. on an equalized scale. The dark shades indi- sand properties. As a
Fig. 4. Horizontal and vertical resistivity result, hydrocarbon reserves and produc- Fig. 6. Comparison of 3D Explorer resistivity data
The limitations of horizontal resistivity cate conductive layers and the light shades
(Rh, Rv) as a function of laminar (Rh, Rv, Rv/Rh) with induction-resistivity data
sand resistivity and laminar shale sensitivity are better illustrated in Figure 4. correspond to more resistive layers. tion performance may be underestimated (Rh, HDIL) and borehole-image data (STAR).
volume (Vsh) net sand For the laminated sand-shale model in Overlain on the resistivity image is the elec- by as much as 40%. Therefore, these mod- There is good correlation between the resistivity
Figure 3 with a 1 Ω-m shale resistivity, the trical anisotropy ratio derived from 3D els are not always adequate for reserve and image data.

10 11

© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A. © Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 Baker Atlas
3-D Induction Resistivity Improves Reservoir Characterization in Low-Contrast,
Low-Resistivity Shaly Sand Formations
Fig. 7. Field example showing log data and petrophysi-
cal analysis in a shaly sand environment.
12
© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
evaluation in marginal or costly develop-
ment economic evaluations typical of
today’s deepwater exploration plays and
field developments.
The 3DEX petrophysical evaluation
model removes the laminar shale conductiv-
ity effects by utilizing electrical anisotropy
measurements, Rh and Rv, provided by 3D
Explorer data (Mollison, et al., 1999,
2000)5,6. Thus the 3DEX saturation evalua-
tion model accurately quantifies both lami-
nar and dispersed shale effects when they
occur in combination. Petrophysical analysis,
using data from a 3D Explorer field example
in a typical shaly-sand environment, is
depicted in Figure 7. This log example has
three sand intervals with different ranges
for both electrical anisotropy and shale
content (Mollison, et al., 2000)6. The middle
sand, x145 ft to x169 ft, is gas producing
with low shale content, which can be prop-
erly identified and evaluated with conven-
tional data. The upper sand, x100 ft to
x145 ft, has moderate shale content and
electrical anisotropy range, both of which
can be identified by conventional log data.
The Rv and Rh data improve the evaluation
accuracy for this upper sand. The lower sand,
x169 to x220 ft, has a higher shale content
and higher electrical anisotropy than the
upper sand. Conventional, deep-induction
resistivity data, HDIL, shown in Track 2,
cannot effectively identify this trend as a
potentially productive sand-shale sequence.
The Rv and Rh data improve evaluation
accuracy of the lower sand and properly
identify this as a finely laminated sand
interval. The fining-upward sequence of
moderately shaly sand in the upper inter-
val, x100 ft to x145 ft, shows significant
electrical anisotropy, Track 1, as demon-
strated by the separation of Rv and Rh
(Track 2).
Petrophysical analysis reveals that the
shales are predominantly laminar with
some minor amounts of dispersed shale
present (Track 4) and that the calculated
laminar-sand resistivity, Rsd, is 3 to 5 Ω-m
higher than shown by 3D Explorer Rh or
HDIL R90 (Track 2). Water saturation from
the laminar sand analysis is 10% to 15%
lower than that from standard saturation
analysis (Track 3), indicating probable
commercial hydrocarbon production rates
from this interval. The middle sand interval,
x145 ft to x169 ft, exhibits little anisotropy,
as would be expected in a massive, high-
porosity sand.
Both Rv and Rh resistivities obtained
from the 3D Explorer tool measurements
agree well with deep-induction resistivity
from the HDIL service. Hydrocarbon satura-
tion interpretation of these measurements
indicated this is an excellent pay sand,
which should produce at high rates. The
lower sand interval, x169 ft to x220 ft, is
the most interesting in this well. Typical
shale-resistivity anisotropy values measured
in this well were included in this analysis.
The total shale volume is 60% to 70%. The
Rh and Rv curve separation, together with
the resulting anisotropy ratio, indicates
that the formation is almost entirely lami-
nar and thin-bedded, analogous to the
core photo shown in Figure 2 with an aver-
age net-to-gross ratio of 35%. The laminar
sand water saturation results of 40% to
55% agree well with the water saturation
values in the upper sand interval. The
water saturation results indicate that this
interval may contain potential finely lami-
nated pay sands and could produce gas at
economic rates. The net result is a possible
18 ft of additional pay that might not have
been identified based on standard resistivity
and traditional water saturation analysis
methodology.
Conclusion
The initial commercial deployment and
field tests of the 3D Explorer induction
logging service have confirmed its ability to
detect resistivity anisotropy in low-resistivity,
thin-bedded sand-shale formations and
accurately quantify hydrocarbon reserves.
The 3DEX resistivity measurements, com-
bined with new petrophysical interpreta-
tion methods, can result in a more accurate
shaly sand reservoir characterization. An
integrated interpretation of 3D Explorer,
nuclear magnetic resonance, and conven-
tional porosity and resistivity data is likely to
significantly improve the accuracy of reserve
estimates and reservoir simulation results.
This groundbreaking new technology will
likely have a significant economic impact on
the appraisal of thinly laminated deepwater
turbidite sand-shale reservoirs in the fron-
tier exploration basins worldwide.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank Shell Technology EP
for their sponsoring and continuing
support of this project. Thanks also go
to various Shell operating groups for
their kind permission to publish the log
data and examples.
© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
References:
1. Coleman, J.M., and Prior, D.B., 1982. “Deltaic
Environments of Deposition”, from AAPG Memoir
31, pp. 139-178.
2. Beard, D. R., Zhou Q., and Bigelow, E.L., 1996.
“Practical Applications of New Multichannel and
Fully Digital Spectrum Induction System”, SPE paper
36504, SPE ATCE.
3. Kriegshäuser, F., Fanini, O., Forgang, S., Itskovich,
G., Rabinovich, M., Tabarovsky, L., Yu, L., Epov, M.,
and v. d. Horst, J., 2000, “A New Multicomponent
Induction Logging Tool to Resolve Anisotropic
Formations”, paper D, SPWLA 41st Annual Logging
Symposium Transactions.
4. Kuecher, G., and Millington , J., 2000. “Turbidites
Hold Great Potential for Deepwater Exploration”,
inDepth , v. 6, no. 1, pp. 30-35.
5. Mollison, R.A., Schoen, J.H., Fanini, O.N.,
Kriegshäuser, B., Meyer, W.H., and Gupta, P.K.,
1999, “A Model for Hydrocarbon Saturation
Determination from an Orthogonal Tensor
Relationship in Thinly Laminated Anisotropic
Reservoirs”, paper OO, SPWLA 40th Annual
Logging Symposium.
6. Mollison, R.A., Ragland, T.V., Schoen, J.H., Fanini,
O.N., and van Popta, J., 2000, “Reconciliation of
Waxman-Smits and Juhasz ‘Normalized Qv’ Models
from a Tensor Petrophysical Model Approach using
Field Data”, paper YY, SPWLA 41st Annual Logging
Symposium.
7. Pettingill, H.S., 1998, “Worldwide Turbidite E&P:
A Globally Immature Play with Opportunities in
Stratigraphic Traps”, SPE paper 49245, SPE ATCE.
About the Authors:
Richard Mollison is a petrophysicist for Baker Atlas,
where he provides petrophysical and interpretation
R&D support for new technology. He earned a BS
degree in geology from the University of Oklahoma
in 1976 and an MS degree in geology from the
University of Arkansas in 1979.
Berthold Kriegshäuser has worked as a research
scientist for Baker Atlas since 1994. He earned an
MSc degree in geophysics from the University of
Cologne and a PhD degree in geophysics from
the University of Utah. Dr. Krieghäuser’s primary
responsibilities include the design of electromagnetic
logging instruments and development of interpreta-
tion and inversion techniques for wireline data.
Liming Yu has been a senior scientist at Baker Atlas
in Houston since 1997. He earned an MS degree in
geophysics from the China University of Geosciences
in 1982 and a PhD degree in geophysics from the
University of Toronto. Dr. Yu’s interests are electro-
magnetic modeling and inversion, induction logging
data processing and interpretation.
Johan van Popta joined Shell in 1979 as a research
petrophysicist, working in a multidisciplinary team
for interpreting seismic using well data. He earned
an MSc degree in Physics from the University of
Groningen in 1977. Since 1989, he has worked in
Shell Technology EP, involved with acoustic, gravity
and resistivity tool development and interpretation
and reservoir monitoring.
13
 Baker Atlas
3-D Induction Resistivity Improves Reservoir Characterization in Low-Contrast,
Low-Resistivity Shaly Sand Formations
Fig. 7. Field example showing log data and petrophysi-
cal analysis in a shaly sand environment.
12
© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
evaluation in marginal or costly develop-
ment economic evaluations typical of
today’s deepwater exploration plays and
field developments.
The 3DEX petrophysical evaluation
model removes the laminar shale conductiv-
ity effects by utilizing electrical anisotropy
measurements, Rh and Rv, provided by 3D
Explorer data (Mollison, et al., 1999,
2000)5,6. Thus the 3DEX saturation evalua-
tion model accurately quantifies both lami-
nar and dispersed shale effects when they
occur in combination. Petrophysical analysis,
using data from a 3D Explorer field example
in a typical shaly-sand environment, is
depicted in Figure 7. This log example has
three sand intervals with different ranges
for both electrical anisotropy and shale
content (Mollison, et al., 2000)6. The middle
sand, x145 ft to x169 ft, is gas producing
with low shale content, which can be prop-
erly identified and evaluated with conven-
tional data. The upper sand, x100 ft to
x145 ft, has moderate shale content and
electrical anisotropy range, both of which
can be identified by conventional log data.
The Rv and Rh data improve the evaluation
accuracy for this upper sand. The lower sand,
x169 to x220 ft, has a higher shale content
and higher electrical anisotropy than the
upper sand. Conventional, deep-induction
resistivity data, HDIL, shown in Track 2,
cannot effectively identify this trend as a
potentially productive sand-shale sequence.
The Rv and Rh data improve evaluation
accuracy of the lower sand and properly
identify this as a finely laminated sand
interval. The fining-upward sequence of
moderately shaly sand in the upper inter-
val, x100 ft to x145 ft, shows significant
electrical anisotropy, Track 1, as demon-
strated by the separation of Rv and Rh
(Track 2).
Petrophysical analysis reveals that the
shales are predominantly laminar with
some minor amounts of dispersed shale
present (Track 4) and that the calculated
laminar-sand resistivity, Rsd, is 3 to 5 Ω-m
higher than shown by 3D Explorer Rh or
HDIL R90 (Track 2). Water saturation from
the laminar sand analysis is 10% to 15%
lower than that from standard saturation
analysis (Track 3), indicating probable
commercial hydrocarbon production rates
from this interval. The middle sand interval,
x145 ft to x169 ft, exhibits little anisotropy,
as would be expected in a massive, high-
porosity sand.
Both Rv and Rh resistivities obtained
from the 3D Explorer tool measurements
agree well with deep-induction resistivity
from the HDIL service. Hydrocarbon satura-
tion interpretation of these measurements
indicated this is an excellent pay sand,
which should produce at high rates. The
lower sand interval, x169 ft to x220 ft, is
the most interesting in this well. Typical
shale-resistivity anisotropy values measured
in this well were included in this analysis.
The total shale volume is 60% to 70%. The
Rh and Rv curve separation, together with
the resulting anisotropy ratio, indicates
that the formation is almost entirely lami-
nar and thin-bedded, analogous to the
core photo shown in Figure 2 with an aver-
age net-to-gross ratio of 35%. The laminar
sand water saturation results of 40% to
55% agree well with the water saturation
values in the upper sand interval. The
water saturation results indicate that this
interval may contain potential finely lami-
nated pay sands and could produce gas at
economic rates. The net result is a possible
18 ft of additional pay that might not have
been identified based on standard resistivity
and traditional water saturation analysis
methodology.
Conclusion
The initial commercial deployment and
field tests of the 3D Explorer induction
logging service have confirmed its ability to
detect resistivity anisotropy in low-resistivity,
thin-bedded sand-shale formations and
accurately quantify hydrocarbon reserves.
The 3DEX resistivity measurements, com-
bined with new petrophysical interpreta-
tion methods, can result in a more accurate
shaly sand reservoir characterization. An
integrated interpretation of 3D Explorer,
nuclear magnetic resonance, and conven-
tional porosity and resistivity data is likely to
significantly improve the accuracy of reserve
estimates and reservoir simulation results.
This groundbreaking new technology will
likely have a significant economic impact on
the appraisal of thinly laminated deepwater
turbidite sand-shale reservoirs in the fron-
tier exploration basins worldwide.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank Shell Technology EP
for their sponsoring and continuing
support of this project. Thanks also go
to various Shell operating groups for
their kind permission to publish the log
data and examples.
© Copyright 2001 Baker Hughes Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
References:
1. Coleman, J.M., and Prior, D.B., 1982. “Deltaic
Environments of Deposition”, from AAPG Memoir
31, pp. 139-178.
2. Beard, D. R., Zhou Q., and Bigelow, E.L., 1996.
“Practical Applications of New Multichannel and
Fully Digital Spectrum Induction System”, SPE paper
36504, SPE ATCE.
3. Kriegshäuser, F., Fanini, O., Forgang, S., Itskovich,
G., Rabinovich, M., Tabarovsky, L., Yu, L., Epov, M.,
and v. d. Horst, J., 2000, “A New Multicomponent
Induction Logging Tool to Resolve Anisotropic
Formations”, paper D, SPWLA 41st Annual Logging
Symposium Transactions.
4. Kuecher, G., and Millington , J., 2000. “Turbidites
Hold Great Potential for Deepwater Exploration”,
inDepth , v. 6, no. 1, pp. 30-35.
5. Mollison, R.A., Schoen, J.H., Fanini, O.N.,
Kriegshäuser, B., Meyer, W.H., and Gupta, P.K.,
1999, “A Model for Hydrocarbon Saturation
Determination from an Orthogonal Tensor
Relationship in Thinly Laminated Anisotropic
Reservoirs”, paper OO, SPWLA 40th Annual
Logging Symposium.
6. Mollison, R.A., Ragland, T.V., Schoen, J.H., Fanini,
O.N., and van Popta, J., 2000, “Reconciliation of
Waxman-Smits and Juhasz ‘Normalized Qv’ Models
from a Tensor Petrophysical Model Approach using
Field Data”, paper YY, SPWLA 41st Annual Logging
Symposium.
7. Pettingill, H.S., 1998, “Worldwide Turbidite E&P:
A Globally Immature Play with Opportunities in
Stratigraphic Traps”, SPE paper 49245, SPE ATCE.
About the Authors:
Richard Mollison is a petrophysicist for Baker Atlas,
where he provides petrophysical and interpretation
R&D support for new technology. He earned a BS
degree in geology from the University of Oklahoma
in 1976 and an MS degree in geology from the
University of Arkansas in 1979.
Berthold Kriegshäuser has worked as a research
scientist for Baker Atlas since 1994. He earned an
MSc degree in geophysics from the University of
Cologne and a PhD degree in geophysics from
the University of Utah. Dr. Krieghäuser’s primary
responsibilities include the design of electromagnetic
logging instruments and development of interpreta-
tion and inversion techniques for wireline data.
Liming Yu has been a senior scientist at Baker Atlas
in Houston since 1997. He earned an MS degree in
geophysics from the China University of Geosciences
in 1982 and a PhD degree in geophysics from the
University of Toronto. Dr. Yu’s interests are electro-
magnetic modeling and inversion, induction logging
data processing and interpretation.
Johan van Popta joined Shell in 1979 as a research
petrophysicist, working in a multidisciplinary team
for interpreting seismic using well data. He earned
an MSc degree in Physics from the University of
Groningen in 1977. Since 1989, he has worked in
Shell Technology EP, involved with acoustic, gravity
and resistivity tool development and interpretation
and reservoir monitoring.
13