Well Log Analysis

20th lecture 07.03.2019, (08:30-10:30) and (15:30-17:30) (for two groups)-

DOPE, UOK

Laterologs

In the 1920s, Conrad Schlumberger put forward the idea of a guarded

electrode in an attempt to improve on existing electrical logs, which had
undesirable borehole effects. The idea was not put into practice until H.G. Doll
designed a working guard-electrode system. From this starting point, laterologs
evolved in a number of ways. The Laterolog-7, which used small guard
electrodes, was later joined by the Laterolog-3, which used long guard
electrodes (Fig. 20.1). Both operated on the same principle: a constant survey
current (i0) was forced into the formation by bucking currents from the guard
electrodes. By monitoring the voltage required to maintain the fixed current i0,
the formation resistivity was measured. The conductivity laterolog evolved from
these tools. It maintained a constant voltage on the measurement electrode,
while current variations monitored the formation conductivity.

Improvements to the initial single laterolog tools came with the

introduction of the dual laterolog (DLL), which was neither a conductivity nor a
resistivity laterolog, but rather a hybrid which used a constant product of current
and voltage (perhaps it should be called a joule laterolog). It solved many of the
problems associated with the earlier laterologs and is the standard basic
resistivity log for salt-mud environments. This workhorse makes measurements
of formation resistivity at two different radial depths of investigation. The deep
laterolog together with a shallower investigation laterolog, known as the
shallow laterolog, provide the triangulation needed to solve the problem of
making proper allowance for the effects of mud-filtrate invasion.

A more recent addition to the laterolog tool family is the array laterolog
device. This tool adds measurements at graduated radial depths of investigation
(up to four) and improves vertical resolution to approximately one foot.

102
When To Use a Laterolog
Laterologs should be used when the following conditions exist:

 Seawater or brine mud is in the hole.

 The Rmf /Rw ratio is less than 3.
 Hole size is less than 16 in.

Principle of Measurement

More details in Mr. Antwan’s Book. P. 238-243

Fig. 20.1 Schematic Diagrams of Early Laterologs (Schlumberger 1989). Courtesy of

Schlumberger

Note:- The laterolog will produce better results than the induction
log when Rt exceeds 150 ohm-m. It will also give a better estimate of Rt
than the induction log when bed thickness is less than 10 ft.

103
 Q. 20.1:- What are the differences between LL7, LL3 and SFL Tools
regarding to:
1. Design of Tool.
2. Field of Applications.
Q.20.2: In which types of drilling muds can Laterolog tools be run?

DLL Tool

The dual laterolog (DLL) was introduced in

the early 1970s. The DLL records three resistivity curves: the laterolog deep
(LLD or LLd), the laterolog shallow (LLS or LLs), and a microspherically
focused log (MSFL). Auxiliary curves such as caliper, gamma ray, and
spontaneous potential may also be recorded. The resistivity curves are presented
on a standard four-decade logarithmic scale (Fig. 20.2)

Fig. 20.2 Typical dual laterolog presentation.

104
 The principal of operation of laterolog tools may be illustrated by
reference to the simultaneous DLL. Fig. 20.3 is an illustration of the tool with
its associated measurement electrodes.

As shown in Fig. 20.3, the Rxo measuring portion of this tool is a pad-type
device. Once the tool is at the bottom of the well, arms with contact pads are
extended to fit against the sides of the borehole. The mechanics of making both
deep and shallow laterolog measurements with a single set of electrodes are
handled by circuitry inside the tool. The respective current paths for the LL d and
LLs devices are shown in Fig. 20.4.

The LLd uses long-focusing electrodes and a distant return electrode,

while the shallow laterolog (LLs) uses short-focusing electrodes and a close
return electrode. The current paths for the MSFL, which has five rectangular
electrodes mounted on a pad carried on one of the caliper arms, are shown in
Fig. 20.5.

Fig. 20.3 Schematic diagram of the dual laterolog-Rxo tool (Suau et al. 1972).

105
Fig. 20.4 Representative current patterns for deep and shallow laterologs. After Suau et
al. (1972)

106
Fig. 20.5 (a) MSFL current distribution and (b) electrode arrangement (Suau et al.
1972)

107