Advanced Petrophysics

In the E&P business, integrated petroleum engineering studies and field development plans are management tools which are used to maximise economic recovery of hydrocarbons. Petrophysical engineers fulfil a key role in analysing and interpreting subsurface reservoir data, which form the basis for reservoir models. E&P technical staff and team leaders involved in integrated studies require more than general skills in petrophysical interpretation techniques to produce quality input to development plans.

The subjects that are covered are petrophysical relations, tool principles, modern interpretation methods and core measurements. Throughout the course, work sessions will be held on Personal Computers. The importance of interaction between seismology, geology, well log analysis, reservoir engineering and other disciplines is emphasized and illustrated. At the end of the five (5) days several wells displaying different petrophysical characteristics will have been evaluated in detail using different techniques

The trainer will provide participants with sound understanding of the various evaluation techniques to enable them to select the appropriate methods for their environment. The main emphasis during the course is on practical application rather than extensive discussion around the theoretical background with exercises using Interactive Petrophysics (IP) software and Excel.

• To provide participants with a sound understanding of the various evaluation techniques to enable them to select the appropriate methods for their environment
• Understand principles, quality, editing and response characteristics of the major open hole logging devices
• Understand the differences and application of the effective and total porosity systems using the Archie, Simandoux, Indonesian, Waxman Smits, Dual Water and Juhasz saturation equations
• Practice the various crossplot methods that can be applied to determine clay volume, lithology and assist in hydrocarbon differentiation
• Understand capillary pressure curves and saturation height functions
• Learn how probabilistic interpretation methods can be applied in complex formations
• Use various statistical techniques and logging tool responses to estimate permeability
• Apply uncertainty analysis and appropriate cut-off methods for volumetric calculations
• Be aware of the logging methods that can be applied in the cased hole environment
• Understand the response relationships between petrophysical measurements and seismic interpretation
• Be introduced to the techniques that can be applied in unconventional resources

The course is primarily intended for junior petrophysical staff to augment the skills that they should have already acquired during basic training. The course is also suitable for participants from other disciplines, who wish to have more insight into petrophysical analysis methods. Such participants should be familiar with basic petrophysical principles and will typically have 2 to 5 years or more working experience in a geoscience or reservoir engineering function.

Day One

• The role of petrophysics in exploration & production
• Review of petrophysical principles
• Review of physics of main logging tools
• Quick look evaluation methods and saturation determination
• Introduction to the IP software

Day Two

• Introduction to the IP software (continued)
• Basic and special core analysis methods
• Wireline formation testing
• Clastic reservoir geology and clay types
• Shaly sand analysis for total porosity systems using Waxman Smits equation

Day Three

• Shaly sand analysis for total porosity systems using Waxman Smits equation
• Cut-off criteria
• Dual Water model and Juhasz normalised Qv method
• Hydrocarbon differentiation in shaly sands
• Evaluation of laminated shaly sands

Day Four

• Capillary pressure
• Saturation height functions
• Capillary pressure and reservoir simulation
• Permeability prediction (including NMR logging) and statistical considerations
• Uncertainty ranges

Day Five

• Probabilistic methods for the analysis of complex formations (main emphasis on carbonates)
• Cased hole saturation determination and production logging
• Wellbore seismic applications
• Petrophysical support for geothermal projects, tight gas reservoirs and shale oil/gas projects