IPSCAL Integrated Petrophysics - How To Use Special Core Analysis with Modern Logs
This course does more than calibrate your density log with core grain density and porosity. It starts with conventional core analysis laboratory procedures and the essential core-log integration techniques necessary to create the compatible data sets required for all special core analysis (SCAL) integration. It then describes lab SCAL procedures for static and dynamic geo-models logically and in sequence, integrating SCAL with powerful, modern logs to show how key reservoir parameters are better quantified with SCAL integration. NMR, Dielectric, Cross Dipole sonic, 3D resistivity, Pulsar, Lithoscanner and MDT are some of the logs whose output is cross-calibrated and welded into the fabric of a true, modern, integrated petrophysical evaluation.
These evaluations are robust, over-determined and grounded in routine and special core analysis. Integration techniques are explained in practical terms of the question being asked, the physical basis of the core-log data being used and the steps necessary to quantitatively integrate the relevant SCAL with logs and geo-models. Like the author’s other “Integrated Petrophysics” courses a logical, systematic structure is followed which enhances understanding of the where, why and how of modern core-log integration. Lithology, Porosity, Saturation, Saturation-Height Functions, Absolute and Relative Permeability, Residual Oil Saturation, Natural fractures, FWL, TOC and mechanical properties for brittleness and fracturing are addressed, with the relevant special core and log data identified, explained and then carefully integrated within a logical framework using Interactive Petrophysics software.
Lectures are interleaved with Micro-practicals, videos, PetroDB-WEB demos, practical exercises, class discussions and timely recaps to achieve a dynamic and engaging training session. This course explains how to capture and integrate legacy and modern SCAL into a comprehensive core-log integration and arms you with a clear understanding of what is and what is not critical to acquire in your particular reservoir, saving valuable time and money during drilling, completion and development.
Core-Log integration has been the central topic of the author’s Imperial College Ph.D. and over 25 years of consulting, reading and lecturing on core-log integration. It is also the central purpose of the PetroDB-WEB software, which expands essential core-log integration to SCAL and modern logging tools.
Day 1
Routine Core Analysis & Essential Core-Log Integration
- Reservoir Schematic
- Role of Core and Logs in Geo-models
- Petrophysical Objectives
- Coring Objectives
- Conventional Core Analysis (RCA) Objectives
- Special Core Analysis (SCAL) Objectives
- When to core?
- Essential Drilling & Mud Preparations for Conventional & Sidewall Coring
- Core Recovery and Handling Wellsite Protocol(s)
- Wellsite SCAL Protocols
- Micropractical
Routine Core Analysis (RCA)
- Requirements for Clastics, Carbonates, Shaly Sands, Laminates, Fractures / Basement
- RCA Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- RCA Plug fixed depth spacing – impact of biased RCA
- RCA Recommended procedure
- RCA Plug cleaning & drying: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- RCA Gas expansion porosity: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- RCA Grain density and Density Porosity
- RCA Permeability: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- RCA Quality Control of received data
- Essential RCA Core–Log Integration
- Need for Log=RCA=SCAL for SCAL equation implementation
- Four core-log calibrations ensure correct HPV’s
- Essential integration: Core-log plot determines apparent fluid density, rhof
- Essential integration: Deriving Øn : 1. Matrix & Shale corrections
- Essential integration: Inverting Equations
- Essential integration: Fluid density prediction for log=core porosity all fluid zones
- Essentials: Check Ø
- Micropractical
- Impact of Porosity Error
DAY 1 PRACTICAL: Essential integration
- Porosity: rhogcr, porcr & rhob and pord
- Essential integration: k. Use of Timur Coates permeability equation
- Essential integration: With or Without RCA – Does it matter?
- Essential integration: k Bound Fluid Volume (BFV) RCA and Logs
- Essential integration: BFV role in HPV and Permeability
- Permeability: bfvacr, por ktc (portsh, ktca)
- Rearrange SLB chart_k4 to calculate Swik4 from RCA
- Essential integration: Cut rotary side-walls after locating HPV Rock Types
Petrophysical Reservoir Type
- What is your Petrophysical Reservoir Type?
- What is your Reservoir Type?
- Does your core and RCA satisfy your Reservoir Type?
- Do your logs satisfy your Reservoir Type?
- Reservoir Types: Data Acquisition Fails if
Day 2
Special Core Analysis & Special Logs – The Static Geomodel
- SCAL Program Design Objectives
- SCAL Common Problems & Solutions
- Rock Typing – Reservoir Rock Type (RRT)
- Different Reservoir Rock Types Require Different SCAL and Special Logs
- How to pick SCAL plugs
- How NOT to pick SCAL plugs: Are Pc Plugs Representative? Have Anomalous plugs been identified
- Micropractical
- Core mineralogy/lithology: XRD, XRF, Clays: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- Modern Special Logs – lithology
- Modern Core-log integration – lithology
- Unconventionals Core Analysis: TOC, Free vs Adsorbed Gas, Brittleness Index
- Log Integration: LithoScanner, Sonic Scanner, NMR
- Static Geo-model: HC Initially In Place (HCIIP)
- SCAL for HCIIP
- SCAL Reservoir Pore Volume Compressibility: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- Overburden Porosity: Uniaxial Compaction Correction
- Overburden Porosity: Often wrong! Check yours
- Special Logs – Porosity
- Core-Log Integration
- Interactive Petrophysics Demo
- Differences: Clastics, Carbonates, Shaly Sands, Laminates, Fractures/Basement
- What SCAL with What Special Log? – briefly
- SCAL Lab Archie m overburden: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- LOGS Sw100 zone Pickett plots show a*Rw & m
- SCAL Core-log common format ‘m’ definition plot. Ø^-m = Ro/Rw
- SCAL m and Water Saturated Resistivity
- SCAL Does m matter for HCIIP / Reserves?
- Micropractical
- SCAL Lab Archie n overburden: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL What is n? Sw^-n = Rt/Ro
- SCAL Core-log common format ‘n’ definition plot
- SCAL Does n matter for HCIIP / Reserves?
- SCAL How to improve your laboratory ‘n’ values..
- SCAL Multiple Salinity for Excess Conductivity, B*Qv & Waxman Smits Fws
- NMR predicts SCAL Qv_core
- Capillary Pressure
- What Is Capillary Pressure (Pc)?
- Four Controls on Saturation: Pc, PTR, IFT, Wettability
- SCAL Porous Plate air / oil-brine Pc: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL Centrifuge air / oil-brine Pc: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL Mecury Injection: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL When To Use Which
- Impact of Inter Facial Tension (IFT)
- SCAL IFT: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- LOGS Sw100 zone Pickett plots show a*Rw & m
- SCAL Core-log common format ‘m’ definition plot. Ø^-m = Ro/Rw
- SCAL m and Water Saturated Resistivity
- SCAL Does m matter for HCIIP / Reserves?
- Micropractical
- SCAL Lab Archie n overburden: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL What is n? Sw^-n = Rt/Ro
- SCAL Core-log common format ‘n’ definition plot
- SCAL Does n matter for HCIIP / Reserves?
- SCAL How to improve your laboratory ‘n’ values
- SCAL Multiple Salinity for Excess Conductivity, B*Qv & Waxman Smits Fws
- NMR predicts SCAL Qv_core
- Capillary Pressure
- What Is Capillary Pressure (Pc)?
- Four Controls on Saturation: Pc, PTR, IFT, Wettability
- SCAL Porous Plate air / oil-brine Pc: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL Centrifuge air / oil-brine Pc: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL Mecury Injection: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL When To Use Which
- Impact of Inter Facial Tension (IFT)
- SCAL IFT: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- Impact of Wettability (Cosineθ)
- SCAL θ: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- Determination of Reservoir Scale IFT.Cosθ by Inversion
- Impact of IFT.Cosθ Uncertainty on Geomodels
- Saturation-Height
- Why Saturation-Height? Sw-Ht, Swpc
- Fluid Zones Initial Conditions: Residual, FWL, OWC, GWC, Transition Zone, @Swi
- Swpc: Converting Laboratory Pc to Height
- FWL: Log Formation Pressure Testers
- FWL: Other methods
- Swpc: Height positions the Pc-Sw data in the reservoir..
- Swpc: Summary of J Function Sw from Pc data, Swj
- Swpc: J Bundles Ø, k and Ht to correlate with Sw
- Swpc: The Reservoir Master Equation J predicts Sw (carbonate, poor fit)
- Swpc: Equation check: Plot Swj vs Sw measured
- Swpc: Use RCA to project SCAL Pc data into the reservoir
- Swpc: Sw-ht is IMPORTANT!
- Swpc: Poor Reservoir Qualities retain more water and have thick Transition Zones
- Swpc: Use of Generic Rock-Typed RCA/SCAL for Sw-ht
- Day 2 PRACTICAL: Saturation-Height
Day 3
- LRLCP: Swobm: Oil and Water mud core Sw compared to reservoir true Sw
- LRLCP: Partial Invasion of an Oil Mud Core leaving an un-invaded center
- LRLCP: Dean Stark determines oil mud Swcore: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- LRLCP: Dean Stark Swcrob = Swrt = Swx (Geomodel)
- LRLC Pay: This is reality! Core (Malay basin shaly sands) reveals the inadequacy of resistivity models
- Log Integration – Sw
- SCAL-RCA Swpc vs Logged Rt/Ro à Saturation Exponent n
- Special Logs for Sw: NMR
- SCAL:NMR (T2-Pc-Ht-PTSD)
- NMR T2 Cutoff: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- Laminated / Dispersed: Dielectric & core Sw, Sor, Qv, m, n
- SCAL Swpc vs NMR Sw-ht
- SCAL Swpc vs Dielectric Swi
- SCAL Swpc vs other logs Sw
- Log Integration for Continuous Swpc Cored or Uncored
- Log Integration Method Differences per Reservoir Type
- Simple Clastic
- Laminated Clastic and 3D Resistivity Tools (See IPLAM training course)
- Thomas Steiber & 3D Resisitvity
- Low Resistivity Low Contrast Pay
- Tight Clastics
- Carbonates
- Tight Carbonates
- Fractures
- Unconventionals
Special Core Analysis & Special Logs – The Dynamic Geomodel
- Reservoir Simulation / Fluid Flow
- SCAL for Reservoir Simulation
- Common SCAL vs Reservoir Drive
- Permeability: Absolute, Relative and Effective
- Fluid Zones Produced Reservoirs: Water Encroachment Zone, Sor, Sgr, Secondary Gas
- Determination of Sw > Swi
- The reservoir’s relationship between Relative Perm. & Capillary Pressure As Height above FWL increases..
- SCAL Static vs Dynamic plug selection
- SCAL Relative Permeability – Unsteady State: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- SCAL Relative Permeability – Steady State: Laboratory Apparatus and Explanation
- Impact of Difference Unsteady vs Steady State
- Micropractical
- Mismatch between Lab and Reservoir Conditions
- Pressure Temperature
- PVT Properties
- IFT*Cosθ
- Restored State Core Analysis
- Impact of Mismatches
- Determination of Reservoir Scale IFT*Cosθ by Inversion
- RCA kh / kv and Lab vs Reservoir Scale
- Does poor History Match = Bad SCAL?
- Reservoir Heterogeneity – Action
DAY 3 PRACTICAL: Relative Permeability
- Log Integration
- Log Integration (RCA-Logs-SCA) for Continuous kw, ko, kg, Cored or Uncored
Petrophysics to Geomodel
- Upscaling and Heterogeneity
- Average vs Summed values
- The Critical Geomodel Checks!
- Day 3 Recap
- Key Points: SCAL-RCA-Log Integration
- WRAP: Do This Don’t Do That!
- END
To explain and demonstrate how new and legacy SCAL data can be integrated with conventional and modern logs to create a truly integrated, robust petrophysical evaluation which makes full use of the existing resources at no additional cost
To explain how to identify and acquire key missing data
To explain the lab and logging tool processes underlying the data to better understand how to use them quantitatively together. This leads to an understanding of what integration techniques to apply to what special core analysis data.
To show how to use Interactive Petrophysics software to demonstrate how properly integrated SCAL and modern logs will impact your geo-model results.
Petrophysicists, reservoir engineers, core analysts, geologists and engineers who build or use static or dynamic reservoir models. Anyone with a year’s experience with core-log integration. Bring your laptop with MS Excel.
Mark Deakin, PhD
Mark Deakin is a consultant, author and course instructor in Petrophysical Data Integration. He holds a Ph.D. in ‘Integrated Petrophysics’ from London’s Imperial College, is an ex Amoco petrophysicist and has over 30 years’ experience, including 25 years as a course instructor. He has performed over 60 detailed reservoir studies worldwide; primarily in Southeast Asia’s low-contrast pay and carbonate & fractured reservoirs. Deakin’s approach is to identify and rank reserves uncertainties then guide companies towards defensible reserves and optimal development via the application of new technology, targeted data acquisition and the systematic, logical integration of all related data.
After his PhD Deakin authored the first public Integrated Petrophysics course in 1989 which evolved into the industry's benchmark petrophysics training course. This was followed by courses in Carbonate & Fracture petrophysics and three day focused modules on Quick Look Integration Techniques; How to use Modern Logs with SCAL; Low Resisivity Low Contrast Pay; Laminates & Thin Beds; How to use PetroDB effectively and a Renewable Energy.
Deakin's special interest has been using PetroDB (a generic, rock typed petrophysical database) and SCAL Digital Rock Physics with logs to identify Missed Pay and EOR. Since 2010 he has been drawn to the inevitability of Renewable Energy, writing the course Renewable Energy Primer in 2015. He is an active member of SPWLA and occasional lecturer at Curtin University and his consulting company PETROPHYSICS Pty Ltd has offices in Perth, Australia.
Upcoming Training
- Code PST0444-202601
- Start Date 18 Nov, 2026
- End Date 20 Nov, 2026
- Locations Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Cost USD 3495
- Code PST0444-202602
- Start Date 30 Nov, 2026
- End Date 02 Dec, 2026
- Locations Bali, Indonesia
- Cost USD 3695
Upcoming Training
| Code | Start Date | End Date | Locations | Cost | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PST0444-202601 | 18 Nov, 2026 | 20 Nov, 2026 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | USD 3495 | Mark Deakin, PhD |
| PST0444-202602 | 30 Nov, 2026 | 02 Dec, 2026 | Bali, Indonesia | USD 3695 | Mark Deakin, PhD |
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