Types of Log Data Quality control[edit]

Log data quality control is a method to assure a certain level of well log data quality and accuracy
in the oil company’s system. The most effective way to be certain of the quality is to make checks
at the time of the data acquisition while the wireline operation is ongoing or just finished. The
best practice is for all three types of log quality checks to be done on-site during a wireline job.
According to Storey (2016)[4] there are three types of log data quality control (LQC):

 Type 1 - Acquisition LQC

Quality control applies to original data as they are recorded by the wireline service company and
is performed by the wireline service companies engineers and/or wireline log witnesses. The
main objectives are to monitor operational procedures, that the logging program is followed,
communication about progress and problems, recording of any notable events, verifying the
precision, accuracy and completeness of acquired data (logs and contextual information), and
equipment verifications and calibrations.

 Type 2 - Acceptance LQC

Quality control during the acceptance of data by the oil/gas company (log data recorded and
collected by the wireline service company and/or 3rd party). Objective is to verify the data and
record for any deviations from original job plans and register them without delay. The purpose is
to assure completeness and accuracy, to remedy all unacceptable deviations from the original
plan and record all acceptable deviations, to clarify any significant questions or problems, to
communicate progress, problems and concerns to subject matter experts, to record the log
quality control summary in writing and to accept the data formally. The main concern is the
completeness and accuracy of data, and consistency of different components of the data and
information set.

 Type 3 – Pre-exploitation LQC

Verifying that the Type 1 and Type 2 LQCs have been done before data exploitation. This control
can happen during operations/job to help decide on the next operation, or after the operation/job
to construct, constrain, and refine formation and reservoir models, appraise uncertainties and
decide on follow-up action.

Wireline QA/QC service providers[edit]

The well site is the front line of well log quality control. Only while the equipment is on-site and
the well bore is open is it possible to investigate in-situ formations, and, if necessary, influence
decisions which can result in better, higher data quality. If the problem is detected it can be
readily addressed by the personnel around.[4] Quality executed wireline logging job from start to
finish makes subsequent steps in oil and gas extraction (the main goal of well site operations)
more straightforward and thus ultimately less expensive. It makes better prediction possible and
adapting to unwanted surprises and problems which usually cause delays (down-time), additional
interventions and higher costs.

Service companies[edit]
Wireline service companies are responsible for delivering complete, accurate and consistently
recorded all-encompassing data and information which has been acquired by correctly calibrated
and verified instruments, correctly used during the logging runs (standard division of logging job)
by providing relevant documentation in hard and soft copy data. Wireline service companies
provide the personnel and equipment needed and agreed upon, in coordination with the oil
company, for any specific logging job on the specific well site (Schlumberger, Baker
Hughes, Halliburton, Archer well to name a few).

Wireline logging QA/QC witness[edit]

Oil companies, to ensure that the highest quality data is recorded, engage an experienced expert
to supervise wireline logging job on site that coordinates an entire operation (with assistance of
logging engineer and operational geologist) from start to finish and has knowledge of every step
of the operation in intimate detail. They are called wireline log witnesses and are either individual
consultants or part of the wireline QA/QC consulting firms. Their objective is to keep track of the
wireline performance of logging provider, their efficiency and procedures. Some of the notable
wireline QA/QC consulting firms are QO Inc., Gaia Earth Sciences Limited, OGEC, one &
zero and STAG. Complexity of the modern wireline and LWD logs, with several pages of logging
job parameters and calibrations, makes this duty very demanding and even specialized training
courses for log witnesses are available (for example Petroknowledge).
Roles and responsibilities of wireline log witness[edit]
The role of wireline log witness is all-encompassing and includes coordination, participation, and
supervision of all pre-job, during job (on site), and post-job logging activities:

 They are responsible for communication with on-site personnel, for reporting all logging
objectives, and operations to the contractor (usually the oil company) during the job and a
final report after the job.
 Their answerability includes following up the predetermined logging program and objectives
(between the oil/gas company and wireline service company) and approving and recording of
all subsequent modifications within the limits of service company abilities and the oil
company wants.
 They need to know what tools are required and what tools are available.
 They need to make sure the logging crew has checked all the equipment (to ensure all the
logging tools are in working condition), that no equipment required for the job is missing, and
all tool calibrations and verifications are valid.
 They are responsible for repeating the tool calibrations and verifications several times during
the job to check them.
 They are obliged to review and discus job risk assessment and potential safety issues.
 They are in charge of implementing "Lessons learned" from previous jobs and taking the
notes of "Lessons learned" on present job.