Advanced Mud Logging Aids (AML) Formation Evaluation and Drilling, and Yields Precise Hydrocarbon Fluid Composition

Abstract

While traditional mudlogging techniques provide largely qualitative data, the prime objective of Advanced Mud Logging (AML) is to provide quantitative real time measurements in aid of a complete formation evaluation. To achieve this, wellsite mudlogging technologies have been enhanced, and various techniques which historically were limited to laboratories, have been adapted for well site usage. AML well site techniques thus include: (1) high frequency, improved accuracy monitoring of drilling parameters; (2) enhanced cuttings image acquisition and processing; (3) direct measurements on cuttings, including graindensity, spectral GR, NMR, XRD, XRF; and (4) sophisticated mud gas analysis capabilities.We describe the main system components developed and present some results of the first pilot tests done in Saudi Arabia with AML techniques and a dedicated AML unit. Examples in the four areas mentioned above illustrate and confirm the potential of AML. On one special technology test well, different systems, from two different companies, were run in parallel to establish the merits and possible limitations of especially the hydrocarbon analysis systems.One of the most striking examples of the quality of AML is a perfect match between the hydrocarbon fluid composition determined from mud gas returns, and those subsequently obtained from PVT measurements on wireline fluid samples. To achieve this, AML technology developers in the industry advanced across the whole process chain affecting such quantification. First and foremost, improving sample extraction and handling, combined with enhanced calibration procedures, to convert from in situ to surface conditions. Second, in addition to sampling both the return mud flow and the inflow, a more precise tracking of flowrates and system volumes was made possible with modern operating systems. Third, adding a mass spectrometer to the gas chromatograph, improved the final measurement potential. Introduction.Several years ago, in Saudi Aramco, a clear business need emerged for additional petrophysical techniques in cases where traditional formation evaluation technologies were unable to provide all the necessary answers with sufficient certainty. Interpretation of tight gas formations in particular was challenging, because the formation properties typically were right at the edges of the operating envelopes of normal logging tool measurements and interpretation technology. With a perceived potential for AML technologies to aid in several of those challenges, an AML research area was set up. The mission was to expand and improve existing mudlogging technologies, and introduce and develop new ones. The vision had two related, but distinct elements. Firstly, also labeled as "ARCHIE'S DREAM" 1 , a complete, albeit preliminary, as a "first aid", formation evaluation, based solely on AML data, including mineralogy, fluid contacts and fluid characterization, porosity and even saturation, permeability and other parameters normally derived from conventional electric logging and cori...

Portable X-ray diffraction for unconventional and conventional petroleum exploration

“…Numerous studies have been conducted to ensure that pXRD is a viable method for qualitative and quantitative mineralogical assessment of geological materials (Loermans, 2011;Uvarova et al, 2014;Burkett et al, 2015;Turvey et al 2017). Preliminary studies on the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of pXRD for mudlogging and mineral exploration were undertaken by Loermans et al (2011) and Uvarova et al (2014), respectively.…”

“…Preliminary studies on the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of pXRD for mudlogging and mineral exploration were undertaken by Loermans et al (2011) and Uvarova et al (2014), respectively. Burkett et al (2015) explored the quantitative capabilities more fully through the analysis of a larger suite of synthetic mixtures of natural minerals, and a variety of field sourced samples with pXRD, laboratory XRD and verification with laboratory XRF.…”

“…Mudlogging traditionally utilized qualitative data, but it recent years has benefited from quantitative mineralogy, onsite which is provided by pXRD (Loermans et al, 2011). Conventional petroleum exploration typically utilizes a range of quantitative measurements, but quantitative mineralogy onsite is rarely available.…”

Caracterização de cascalhos de perfuração de poços de petróleo por técnicas analíticas instrumentais.

“…Os detectores captam a radiação fluorescente característica do átomo que a emitiu e conseguem distinguir diferentes radiações características pelas suas energias (DUTRA;GOMES, 1984) Existem dois tipos de análises em espectrometria de raios X, ambas adequadas para análises qualitativas dos elementos: (LOERMANS et al, 2011, MARSALA et al, 2011.…”

“…Porém, a literatura científica é escassa no que se refere ao uso de técnicas analíticas em sonda de perfuração de poços de petróleo. Alguns artigos técnicos abordam essa questão de maneira superficial (LOERMANS et al, 2011;MARSALA et al, 2011aMARSALA et al, , 2011bLOERMANS et al, 2012). Sendo assim, esta dissertação visa contribuir com o preenchimento dessa lacuna cientifica.…”