Reliable Fracture Characterisation and Value Addition Through Special Core Reorientation: Kuwait Case Study

Al-Enezi, Abdulmohsen; Narhari, Srinivasa Rao; Al-Ajmi, Neema Hussain; Pattnaik, Chinmaya; Rao, Jonna Dayakar; Al-Ateeqi, Khalid; Staffelbach, C.; Anis, Abdel-Hamid Anis; Chakravorty, Sandeep; Barbé, Jean-françois

doi:10.2523/iptc-16661-ms

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

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Discrete 3D fracture network extraction and characterization from 3D seismic data — A case study at Teapot Dome

Thachaparambil

2015

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Three-dimensional discrete fracture networks (DFNs) extracted from the seismic data of the Tensleep Formation at Teapot Dome successfully matched 1D fracture data from multiple boreholes within the area. The extraction process used four seismic attributes, i.e., variance, chaos, curvature, and spectral edge, and their multiple realizations to define seismic discontinuities that could potentially represent fractures within the Tensleep Formation. All of the potential fracture attributes were further enhanced using a fracture-tracking attribute for better extraction and analysis of seismic discontinuity surfaces and their network properties. A state-of-the-art discontinuity surface extraction and characterization workflow uniformly extracted and interactively characterized the seismic discontinuity surfaces and networks that correlate with borehole fracture data. Among the attributes, a fracture-tracking attribute cube created out of the high-resolution spectral-edge attribute provided the best match with the borehole fracture data from the Tensleep Formation. Therefore, the extracted discontinuity planes were classified as fractures and then characterized. The extracted fracture population also matched earlier published records of faults and fractures at Teapot Dome. Unlike the conventional method, which uses 1D borehole fracture data as primary input and 3D seismic data as a guide volume during DFN modeling, I used 3D seismic attributes as the primary data and the 1D borehole fracture data only for quality control. I also evaluated the power of converting seismic fracture attribute volumes into discrete surfaces and networks for effective correlation with 1D fracture logs from boreholes.

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Discrete 3D fracture network extraction and characterization from 3D seismic data — A case study at Teapot Dome

Thachaparambil

2015

Interpretation

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Field Development and Well Planning in Tight Carbonate Reservoir Using Fracture Characterization and In-Situ Stress Mapping From Core Reorientation Studies: Kuwait Case Study

et al. 2015

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Fracture characterization is vital for efficient field development of naturally fractured Carbonate reservoirs. Successful development of fracture reservoir in the study area was possible due to early recognition of fracture play right from the exploration phase and through careful execution of relevant data acquisition campaign in the initial stages of field development. Comprehensive and integrated studies have been carried out over the past few years to arrive at an understanding of the conceptual model in deciphering structural evolution of North Kuwait Jurassic.Extensive core and image log data was acquired in the initial stages of field appraisal, which helped in comprehensive forward planning in design of deviated and horizontal wells. The data analysis steps included accurate and reliable reorientation of the cores. These data were calibrated with the image logs, along with available seismic attributes, which resulted in better understanding of structural evolution and sweet spotting of horizontal wells. This reorientation of the core data also helped in establishing a number of quantitative fractures attributes such as frequency, spacing, dip-azimuth and aperture along with mapping of in-situ stress directions. The detailed integration of these data also helped in accurately mapping the local and regional present day stress and its variations spatially across the fields. Stress direction across the field was helpful for deciding the azimuth of wells during well planning along with selection of completion strategy for current set of horizontal drilling Campaign.Drilling and testing results have been encouraging through enhanced reservoir performance in these tight carbonate reservoirs, based on these integrated studies.

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First Successful LWD NMR T1 and T2 Measurements in Unconventional Source Rock with Harsh Drilling Environment: A Case Study from Kuwait

Abdulkarim

Aki

Balliet

et al. 2022

SPE Western Regional Meeting

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The thickness and thermal maturity of the Najmah formation presents a favorable prospect for commercial exploitation of unconventional shale gas. Estimating reservoir storage volume is one of many formation-evaluation objectives when assessing an unconventional reservoir. The presence of kerogen has significant effects on several downhole logging sensor measurements. An operator used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements to evaluate total fluid-filled porosity for a reliable estimate of the reservoir storage volume in source rock. While wireline NMR has historically provided a large segment of unconventional reservoir logging, logging-while-drilling (LWD) NMR provides an alternative method for assessing the total fluid-filled porosity within unconventional reservoirs. This paper provides a case study in the Najmah Shale Formation, where an operator used an LWD penta-combo system (gamma ray, electromagnetic wave resistivity, azimuthal bulk density, thermal neutron porosity, high-frequency multipole azimuthal sonic, ultrasonic caliper, and NMR sensors) in real time. The system provided petrophysical and geomechanical evaluation with well inclinations greater than 50° in 16-ppg oil-based mud. T1 and T2 measurements were acquired with an LWD NMR sensor while drilling and during wiping passes. These measurements provided an additional dimension to differentiate clay-bound water from organic hydrocarbons, with good correlation to existing core data in real time. Reservoir characterization of the Najmah Formation using LWD measurements is currently underway to provide a better understanding of reservoir quality, hydrocarbon potential, and reservoir storage capacity of this unconventional source rock. Acoustic velocities play an important role as input to geomechanical information, including the stress regime, principal stress orientation identification, and rock moduli estimation. An azimuthal acoustic tool measuring shear velocities at 360° around the borehole provides answers for the first two attributes. Estimation of formation rock moduli requires accurate acoustic properties and density log inputs, as provided by high-frequency sonic and azimuthal density measurements. In wells above 60° inclination, it becomes almost impossible to run wireline logging, thus LWD quad-combo with a high-frequency azimuthal acoustic tool is a viable solution for this environment. Additionally, it is an advantage to run LWD while in drilling mode to save rig time and optimize well construction costs.

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Reliable Fracture Characterisation and Value Addition Through Special Core Reorientation: Kuwait Case Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Discrete 3D fracture network extraction and characterization from 3D seismic data — A case study at Teapot Dome

Discrete 3D fracture network extraction and characterization from 3D seismic data — A case study at Teapot Dome

Field Development and Well Planning in Tight Carbonate Reservoir Using Fracture Characterization and In-Situ Stress Mapping From Core Reorientation Studies: Kuwait Case Study

First Successful LWD NMR T1 and T2 Measurements in Unconventional Source Rock with Harsh Drilling Environment: A Case Study from Kuwait

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