Geosteering Horizontal Wells using High Speed Chromatographic Gas Ratios

Presented at:
The Aberdeen Formation Evaluation Society, SPWLA Aberdeen Chapter Conference on
Technical Solutions for Surviving An Erratic Oil Price, November 23rd 1999
Author:

D.P.Hawker, Datalog, 3030 9th St SE, Calgary, Alberta; Tel (403)-243-2220;

E-mail daveh@datalog.ab.ca

Presenter:

A. Gittos, Datalog, Unit 1 Cadleigh Close, Lee Mill Ind Est, Plymouth, Devon;
Tel 1752-893841; E-mail tonyg@datalog.ab.ca

ABSTRACT
The use of chromatographic gas ratios in reservoir evaluation, to determine petroleum type and contact
points, is well recognized. This paper demonstrates how the principles of ratio evaluation, and other mud
logging data, can be successfully applied to the geosteering of horizontal wells and result in significantly
reduced operating costs.
INTRODUCTION
Reservoir productivity can be significantly increased by drilling horizontal wells through zones of
optimum reservoir quality but, at the same time, steering the wells with Logging While Drilling (LWD)
increases overall drilling costs.
Steering a well requires the identification of lithology changes, reservoir contacts and reservoir quality.
These requirements are met through traditional mud logging techniques, evaluating lithology, porosity
and fluid type through penetration rate, drilled cuttings, fluorescence and gas responses.
Chromatographic gas ratios provide an extra dimension to geosteering wells, through accurate
determination of reservoir fluid changes and contact points, providing a technique where contacts are
strictly fluid based, with no corresponding lithology changes required for the LWD gamma tool to work.
REQUIREMENTS
The chromatography must be high speed in order to provide the necessary depth resolution and accurate
contact and zonal definition. The examples shown in this paper are with an analysis time, methane
through pentane, of less than 30 seconds. In addition, the gas ratios must be calculated real-time so that
reservoir fluids are characterized as drilling proceeds.
The ratios (2,3) used for geosteering are:
Wetness Ratio Wh = [(C2+C3+C4+C5)/(C1+C2+C3+C4+C5)] x 100
Balance Ratio Bh = [(C1+C2)/(C3+C4+C5)]
Character Ratio Ch = (C4+C5)/C3

These were derived, empirically, by comparing wellsite gas data to subsequent test and production data.
Although guidelines exist (Table 1) by which to evaluate these ratios, many factors affect the circulation
and gas extraction process. Definitive values can therefore vary and if this is not recognized, be
misinterpreted.
For example:

Heavier oils with low C1 can result in low Bh and high Wh.
In underbalanced drilling, producing zones may release more light end gas and, therefore, a higher
Bh.
Very tight lithologies may lead to formation fluid, especially heavier hydrocarbons, being retained in
cuttings porosity and not released to the drilling fluid, resulting in lower Wh and higher Bh.
Even viscous mud systems, with poorer extraction of heavier gases, can produce lower Wh and higher
Bh.

APPLICATION
Taking these factors into consideration, ratios are better applied at wellsite by evaluating the trends and
relationship of the curves (Table 1). The geosteering application is largely based on the relationship
between the Wh and Bh curves to identify gas-oil contacts (Wh and Bh cross over) and oil-water contacts
(Wh and Bh typically separate due to the heavy residual component).
Ch is principally used in initial reservoir evaluation to confirm whether a gas prediction is actually
identifying a productive gas phase or an association with light oil. Putting this to the geosteering
application, in certain situations where Wh and Bh are close together, generally still indicating gas but
perhaps criss-crossing, Ch may be used to determine the gas-oil contact.
Ratio values, as described, may be higher or lower than expected, but the trends and relationships of the
curves remains an extremely viable tool to steer wells. Examples of where ratios may not be definitive
include identifying very dry gas contacts, or identifying oil-water contacts with certain heavy oils. In
these situations, there is insufficient compositional variation for the ratios to identify the contact.
Knowing the composition, and resultant ratios, through individual zones is therefore an important
component to geosteering. Once a vertical ratio profile is known (Figure 1), from a pilot well for example,
it can seen whether geosteering the lateral section is viable. Effectively, the ratios can be turned on their
sides to provide the boundaries and control necessary to steer the well (Figure 2). Should the ratios start
to cross, or separate, then it is known that a downward or upward course correction is required.
The log examples (Figures 3-5), from Western Canada, show how the zones and contacts are identified on
lateral well sections.
SUMMARY
Existing ratio principles can be used in most reservoirs to steer lateral well sections by properly applying
them. Through rapid real-time analysis and calculations and informed evaluation of ratio curve trends,
established controls can be followed in order to steer the well and dramatically reduce the overall cost of
the drilling program.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
(1) Datalogs Hydrocarbon evaluation and interpretation manual, DP. Hawker, 1999
(2) Reservoir characterization by analysis of light hydrocarbon shows, J.H. Haworth, M.P. Sellens, R.L.
Gurvis, SPE12914, 1984
(3) Interpretation of hydrocarbon shows using light (C1-C5) hydrocarbon gases from mud log data. J.H.
Haworth, M.P. Sellens, A. Whittaker, AAPG V69 No8, 1985

Wh

Bh

Ch

PREDICTION

<0.5

>100

Very dry gas, probably non

productive

>0.5

>100

Very dry gas, possibly productive

0.5<Wh<17.5

Wh<Bh<100

Gas, increasing in wetness, or

density as Wh increases and Wh
/Bh curves approach each other

<17.5

>Wh

<0.5

<17.5

>Wh

>0.5

17.5<Wh<40

< Wh

Ch
0.5
0

Wh
31

Bh
17.5 40
10
100

Curves close together, but still

indicate gas; sometimes crisscrossing; Ch ratio confirms
productive phase, in this case Gas
As above, but with higher Ch
ratio, a light oil is now being
indicated
Curves have now definitely
crossed over, oil is indicated,
the greater the separation
the heavier the oil

> 40

<<Wh

Residual Oil

Table 1
Guidelines to fluid characterization using the Wetness, Balance and Character ratios. The ratios
are plotted alongside to illustrate how reservoir profiling can be achieved, either while drilling, or
from subsequent depth based analysis.

Example A
1

10

Example B
17.5

Wh

40

100

Bh

10

17.5

40

Wh

100
Bh

High Bh, Low Wh

Non-associated

Gas-Oil Contact

Productive
Gas Zone

Medium gravity oil

Oil-Water contact

Figure 1

Typical Wh and Bh ratio profiles, showing an oil-bearing reservoir in A, and a

reservoir gas in B

GOC

OWC

OWC

GOC

GOC

Bh

Wh
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
GAS
OIL
WATER

Figure 2

Applying the ratios on a lateral basis, in order to identify changes and

contacts and steer the well.

100
1
3
Ch
0
100
Chrom Gas %

Wh
Bh

Trip Gas

0.001
1655m TVD
Basal Shale/Sand Transition
where Bh/Wh separate, Ch
increases, and gas levels drop

Top of Shale where

Wh/Bh cross back
over to show gas

GOC where gases increase

and Wh/Bh cross over
1665m TVD

30 ROP min/m
0

Figure 3

Horizontal log section showing GOC, medium-heavy oil bearing sand, and basal
sand/shale transition.

100

Bh
Wh

1
3

Light oil indicated by close

Wh/Bh and increased Ch

Ch
0
100

Chromatographic Gas %

0.001
TVD Profile

Heavier composition exhibited

by basal shale laminations

GOC where gases increase

and Wh/Bh cross over

30
ROP min/m
0

Figure 4

GOC shown for a light oil bearing sand.

100
Wh
1
Bh
3
Ch
0
100 Chromatographic Gas %

0.001
1659m TVD

Wh/Bh cross, but drop inReservoi

Ch from
OBM background, suggests gas

1665m TVD

GOC with good separation of

Wh/Bh, and increased gas level

Shale laminations

Base, OWC
where Wh/Bh
separate off-scale
and Ch increases

30
ROP min/m
0

Figure 5

Oil bearing sand, dipping right-left, showing determination of GOC and OWC.