RECONSIDERATION OF HYDROCARBON

POTENTIALS IN ANGSI FIELD USING

WIRELINE LOGS.
Tee Ann Yheen
Bachelor of Technology (Hons)
Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Tronoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan
Email: annyheen@gmail.com

Abstract Due to poor reservoir characterization, 20-30% of
unexploited hydrocarbon remain in Malay Basin (USGS, 2000).
Furthermore, producing hydrocarbon is starting to decline,
urging the need for reevaluation of basin field and exploration for
unconventional reserves. Main objective of this study is to identify
economically feasible thin beds and to estimates its volume of
reserves. Good thin beds are capable of yielding sufficient amount
of hydrocarbon provided they are of good quality reservoir and
lateral continuous. Nevertheless, there are high uncertainties in
determining pay zones within shaly sand especially in terms of
petrophysical properties. This is due to their low vertical
resolutions which limit conventional log interpretation approach.
Borehole imaging tools Formation MicroScanner was adopted
due to its high resolutions to better characterize thin beds which
demonstrate low resistivity low contrast (LRLC) log response.
Moreover, Thomas-Stieber (1975) method of using laminated
sand-shale sequence for parameters calculation is utilized as it is
rather specific and reliable. Four layers of extensive thin beds are
proposed to be prolific and further detailed analyses should be
carried on to confirm its potentials.
Keywords- thin bed, lateral extent, borehole image, low resistivity
low contrast.
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND
In order to reinvestigate the hydrocarbon potential on the
study area, detailed log analysis were carried on and have
integrate ideas from different approaches such as seismic
and borehole images. Besides, unconventional method will
be taken into account so new findings will be proposed and
suggested.
Instead of focusing on produced intervals in the area, thin
beds of hydrocarbon bearing sandstone will become the
primary objective of this study. However, it is challenging
to explore for these zones as they demonstrate abnormal log
response especially resistivity log. Therefore, Low
Resistivity Low Contrast (LRLC) will be highlighted on in
this study. To produce an economic thin pay zone, it is
utmost important that the section is laterally continuous to
yield sufficient amount of hydrocarbon.
This can be done by constructing lithostratigraphic and
seismic well correlation. The parameters of the rock
properties at different area varies due to temperature,
pressure, depositional environment, mineralogy and tectonic
event which took place. Due to well data and time constraint,
a general formations rock properties and volume of reserves
were measured and calculated by using numerous
approaches and theories to fit with the conditions and
properties of rocks.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Over the years, the hydrocarbon production from Angsi
Field has declined rapidly. There is about 20-30% of the
original oil in place remained in the reservoir that could not be
exploited due to poor characterisation of reservoir (USGS
World Energy Assessment Team, 2000). The previous study
focused on seismic analysis without much emphasis on the
wireline logging interpretation. Nevertheless, without the
geological constraint of wireline logging in seismic
stratigraphic interpretation, it is subjected to high uncertainty
because of the poor resolution of seismic data and human error
in visual inspection of seismic reflector configuration.
1.3 OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the FYP research is to use
petrophysical approach, particularly wireline log data to
undergo reservoir characterization of the system in order to
reinvestigate the hydrocarbon potential of the Malay Basin.
The specific objectives of the research are:
i. To perform seismic-well, and lithostratigraphic
correlation to determine lateral continuation of interest
zones.
ii. To recognize unexploited hydrocarbon-bearing
potential beds by utilizing wireline logs data and
 borehole images specifically for thin rock beds.
iii. To evaluate detail petrophysical information of
economically feasible pay zones using conventional
and unconventional methods.
1.4 SCOPE OF STUDY
The study was carried out to investigate the petrophysical
properties of lithofacies and enhance oil recovery in the Angsi
Field, Malay Basin (Figure 1).
The significant aim looked into were the thin beds which
were previously disregarded due to economic issue. Although
this investigation was conducted primarily based on wireline
logs, interpolation and extrapolation of the geology and
geometry of structures within the wells requires integration of
secondary supportive data such as seismic data, core data and
borehole images.
Figure 2: Oil and gas fields in Malay Basin. Box
showing location of study area.
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 TECTONIC EVOLUTION OF MALAY BASIN
The Malay Basin had underwent a series of tectonic events:
Syn-Rift Phase started from Eocene due to the collision of India
and Asia which resulted in extrusion of continental slivers
along major NW-SE trending strike-slip faults. During
Oligocene, the peneplain experienced rifting which resulted in
formation of E-W trending grabens and half grabens filled with
thick sequences of alluvial, fluvial and lacustrine sediments.
These grabens and half grabens are pull-apart basins which
developed due to sinistral wrenching along the Axial Malay
Fault Zone (Khalid et al., 1996). During Post-Rift Phase,
thermal subsidence phase initiated in late Early Miocene, with
the halting of extensional faulting which then interrupted by
major inversion phase. The sediment supply mostly sourced
from the Tenggol Arc and minor deposited from the Khorat
Swell in the NE part of south Malay Basin. Then, inversion
phase or compression is caused by dextral movement along the
re- activated Axial Malay fault zone and probably proceed to
Pliocene age, as suggested by Tjia (1994), and Mazlan
(1997).The inversion caused regional rise and tilt at northwest
region, resulting in major Upper Miocene erosional
unconformity in the southern part of the basin (Mazlan et al.,
2006). Anticlines are developed over pre-existing grabens
within the central basin while exhibiting complex positive
flower structures associated with wrench faulting. Lastly,
cessation of inversion phase occur in middle Late Miocene
where basin experienced gentle subsidence without major
tectonic event and became fully open marine till present.
2.2 STRATIGRAPHY PROFILE OF MALAY BASIN
Figure 1: Stratigraphic profile of Malay Basin.
2.3 THIN BEDS FORMATION EVALUATION
This lamination of shaly sands are special case which are
not amenable to conventional petrophysical explanations
(Figure 3). In anisotropic reservoirs which contain more
physical properties and directional dependant, can be best
measured by resistivity tool. However, Low Resistivity Low
Contrast (LRLC) pay zones occasionally happen in resistivity
log responses due to influence of variety of factors. According
to Moore (1993), factors which cause LRLC pay zones are:
Bed Thickness: pay zones which are thinner than
logging tool resolution.
Clay Distribution: dispersed, structural, or laminated
clays are all capable of holding bound water
Mineralogy: presence of conductive minerals (such as
pyrite, glauconite, hematite, or graphite)
Water Salinity: high salinity interstitial water causes
low resistivity within pay zone, while low salinity water
can cause low contrast pays.
Nevertheless, the most common cause of low resistivity pay
is the simple combination of thin beds containing highly
conducive shales, along with thin pay sands which are below
the vertical resolution of the logging tool. Advanced tools can
be utilized to resolve the problem such as 3D induction logs and
borehole image tools.

Figure 3: Thomas-Stieber model of sand shale laminations.
2.4 BOREHOLE IMAGES
Borehole image logs play a major role in description of
reservoir as they provide very detailed and high resolution
information where conventional logs are not able to the same
extent. This resistivity image logs is specifically suitable to
limit the effect of adjacent shale layers on log measurement,
which may lead to inaccurate interpretation in thin sandy layers
and as a result affect the calculation of the reserves. However,
image logs contribution are limited to better estimation of net
to gross ratio in thinly laminated reservoirs. Clear laminated
sand can be delineate from shales in image log due to the
resistivity contrast between various lithologies as instances:
dark colour indicates low resistivity occurrence in shales and
open fractures; whereas lighter yellowish brown colour
indicates high resistivity of porous sands.
2.5 LOG INTERPRETATION AND PETROPHYSICAL
TECHNIQUES
In this study, the logs are extremely valuable to perform
detection and evaluation of hydrocarbon-bearing formations,
few approach and methods are intergrated to interpret the
properties precisely.
Archies Equation is a conventional interpretation
technique and can implies for clean and consolidated sands.
Based on Archie, the rock resistivity, Rt, were determined by
several parameters: (1) porosity, ; (2) formation water
resisitivity, Rw; (3) water saturation, Sw; and (4) rock type,
reflected by a, m, and n, however, the output is susceptible to
errors in the these parameters. In Archies equation, one of
the analysis method is to differ an unreliable parameter
throughout certain range and then corresponding change in
calculated saturation value could be observed excluding
saturation exponent m, n and Rw (Zaki, 1994). As example,
same porosity percentage error cause more distinct change in
higher saturation value than lower one.
Shale volume is one the parameter for porosity
corrections and water saturation as result of clay bound
water. Shale volume can be indicated by various Shale
Volume Calculation Models, and this study focuses on 3
models: the commonly used GR, SP and neutron density
crossplots. The SP method is the alternative of calculating
shale volume other than GR log. The SP is reduced by high
resistivity, which is usually related to tight zones or
hydrocarbons bearing zones. This method is especially useful
in radioactive sands, but not in carbonates.
Quick Look technique , also called Reconnaissance
interpretation, have been developed for an instant and easy
well log scanning in order to identify zones which yield to
more detailed analysis. The basic quick look technique start
off with 3 curves: GR log, porosity logs and resistivities log.
Furthermore, advance application of reconnaissance
techniques were reviewed as well to handle specific
problems in the geological sections. The advantage of this
technique is to calculate a specific parameter quickly without
providing the insufficient information necessary, unlike the
conventional technique, which involved more complicated
steps and parameters to solution.
Organic Richness from log R Techniques work by
overlaying deep resistivity curve on porosity curve in water
zone, which means the lowest resistivity values were in line
with porosity curve while higher resistivity values end up
falling to the right of porosity curve most probably indicated
that it is hydrocarbon bearing zone (Figure 4). Non-source
shale rock can be used as secondary reference if obvious
water zone was fail to be identified. The other possibility of
the condition is tracking, which means the zone is wet.
Figure 4: Sonic Log and Resistivity Cross Plot.
METHODOLOGY
Several methods were carried out in order to achieve the
objectives of this study including seismic and well data
interpretation, well lithostratigraphic correlation, quick look
analysis, borehole image study, petrophysical properties and
reserves calculation of interest zones. Each of the methods
applied is discussed in relation to its applicability to the study
of thin beds pay zone.
 3.1 Quick Look Evaluation Thus, this study also integrate the usage other methods
fitting the condition of interested zones which is laminated thin
bed.

Figure 5: Conventional HC bearing thick sandstone.

Reservoir above display high GR value, high contrast
between the resistivities due to permeable zone, specifically Figure 7: Thomas-Stieber Model
low Rxo due to saltwater mud, higher Ri and Rt due to the
presence of hydrocarbon, negative separation between neutron
porosity and density porosity indicates presence of void spaces
as well as hydrocarbon fluid.

Figure 6: Unconventional possible HC bearing thin bed.

Interval above can be interpreted as low resistivity low

contrast pay zone, due to its negative crossover between
neutron porosity and density porosity which indicate
hydrocarbon zone, however low resistivity response are
affected by adjacent shale which produce low resistivity.

3.2 Well Correlation

Via wireline logs, correlation initiated with delineating
coal marker beds as boundary. Next, integrating the
knowledge and theories of tectonic events as well as
stratigraphic information, parasequence trend were
determined, mainly dependent on lithological means.
Subsequently, parasequence sets were further interpret into
detailed formations by utilizing log curve shapes trend.
Spontaneous potential (SP) and gamma ray logs are the
important elements for log curve shapes correlation and their
primary interpretive target is gross lithology which is the
distinction between reservoir and non-reservoir.
3.3 Petrophysical Interpretation
In this study, combination and comparison of conventional
calculation method with unconventional calculation method
were implemented. Commonly used to calculate general
formations properties include Archie water saturation method,
bulk volume water and so on.
Figure 8: NPHI and DPHI crossplot to calculate shale volume
3.3 Seismic Interpretation
By determining discontinuities and variance attribute,
faults are picked first and foremost to construct fault
models. Bright reflection of seismic responses are picked
manually to ease the interpretation process. The
interpretation can be supported by well correlation of
facies continuity after seismic well tie is done.
Interpreted horizons will be used to construct time
structure maps. Then, by using checkshots relationship of time
and depth, time maps will be converted to depth maps where
thickness maps of isochore, isochron and isopach will be
developed.
Construction of these subsurface maps is one of the
requirement for this project in order to understand the
geology and structure of formation in study area. Besides,
the maps will be used to calculate the area of interested
zones, which is the input to calculate volume of reserves.
 RESULT AND DISCUSSION in significant underestimation of results due to strong effect of
shale on the measured average resistivity of the formation,
4.1 Identification of Lithology which developed low deep resistivity curve.

Based on the sidewall core analysis reports, all the

wells in the studied area have various cut-off values and were
classified into three main lithofacies: sandstone, siltstone and
shales. Angsi-1, Angsi-7, Angsi-5 and Angsi-4 have quite
similar lithology trend which is interbedded sequence at the
middle section of the wells, whereas Angsi-2, Angsi-8 and
Angsi-3 have increasing shale content accordingly. Generally,
based on the lithology of the wells, shale content are increasing
and indicating a basinward trend towards the south, which is
corresponding to the idea proposed by Leo, 1997.
Furthermore, Group L shows regional coarsening upward
trend indicating alluvial depositional environment, overlies by
thick K sandstone and K shale. Series of interbedded formation
were found deposited in Group I indicate prodeltaic
environment in the section. Within the interbedded formation,
coal also deposited extensively at the area suggesting
lacustrine environment.
Figure 10: Thin bed display low contrast respond.
On the contrary, low contrast pay in Figure 10 is implication
of lack of resistivity contrast between pay sands and adjacent
shales or wet zones. This condition is usually seen when
resistivity tool encounters fresh water zone. The explanation is,
as salinity drops, the electrical pathway through a body of water
becomes weaker and more dispersed, resulted in less
conductivity high resistivity of water. Therefore, while
resistivity of the pay zone is high at the same time, it becomes
challenging to distinguish between pay and wet zones.

4.2 Identification of Interest Zones 4.3 Seismic Interpretation

Group K thick intervals of pay zones had been perforated

and produced, thus leaving upper interbedded sections
unexplored, which is also the primary target of this study.
Angsi-5 is provided with borehole image, Formation Micro
Scanner (FMS) tool, thus enable thickness to be calculated
effectively and accurately compare to conventional logs. There
are slight difference in thickness of the interested bed
comparing the conventional logs and resistivity image tool due
to different resolutions.
B
Figure 11: Seismic Well Correlation after seismic well tie is
done.
A Based on seismic-well correlation, seismic structure of zone of
interest laterally continue in regional scale. Figure 11 shows
interbedded structure of zone of interest, corresponding to
wireline log analysis and borehole images interpretation.

Figure 9: (A) Thin bed of 6m showing low resistivity despite

other logs showing condition of HC bearing. (B) Borehole
image of scale 1:50 measure 5.6m of thin sandstone bed (light
brown colour, high resistivity) interbedded within shales (dark
colour, high conductivity).
Figure 9 (A) shows a low resistivity pay zone with contrast.
This can be attributed to a combination of shale content,
mineralogy, water salinity, and microporosity, as well as bed
thickness, dip, and anisotropy. Based on Tyagi, Guha, Voleti
and Saxena (2009), the conventional log interpretation resulted Figure 12: Isopach thickness map used for area measures.
Table 1: Area measurements of 4 layers of interested zones. 4.5 Petrophysical Properties Calculation
Thin Bed Layer Area (m2)
Table 2: One of the table used for properties calculation
Layer 1 45,548,921
Layer 2 22,153,723
Layer 3 7,495,563
Layer 4 8,763,791

4.4 Lithostratigraphic Correlation

Figure 13: Lithostratigraphic Correlation to observe thin beds

lateral continuation.

4.6 Reserves Calculation

Table 3: Reserve calculation of prolific thin beds Layer 1 & 2. Table 4: Reserve calculation of prolific thin beds Layer 3 & 4.
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, four layers of thin beds in study area,
Malay Basin are hydrocarbon prolific and detailed analyses
are required to further proof the potential of these beds. Based
on lithologic and stratigraphic interpretation, the thin beds are
located within Group I which consist of series of laminated
thin shale sand beds, corresponding to the stratigraphic profile
(Hutchison, 1996). Furthermore, resistivity borehole imaging
logs are employed to characterize the thin beds as they have
high vertical resolution, thickness of thin sand are able to be
delineate accurately. Thomas-Stieber (1975) model of
proposing dispersed shale, laminated shale and structural
shale were integrated in the calculation of reserves within
laminations of shale sand produced comparatively different
results from conventional calculation method. Conventional
log interpretations are invalid and unreliable at most of the
thin beds due to various factor including effect of high
conductivity by adjacent shales. Borehole imaging tools and
Thomas-Stieber equations are relatively reliable and
dependable methods in interpretation of thin sands case.
FURTHER STUDY
Rock physics calibration based on well logs should be
carried on to further proof the potential of these thin beds as
model can be created for subsurface lithofacies, indicating its
petrophysical and elastic behavior via series of empirical,
heuristic and theoretical relations. In addition to implication of
rock physics is fluid replacement where rock response can be
assess depending on effect of different fluid fill on the seismic
expression.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Myo Myint for the
opportunity to conduct this study and his guidances and
supports provided throughout the course of my final year
project. My sincere appreciation also goes to Dr. Numair, AP
Loh Shyh Zong and Dr. Ahmed Salem for their advices and
helpful comments on my works.
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