Alexandria University student chapter of The

AAPG

Presents

Weatherford School
By: Mohamed Ashraf Samir
Mud logging Geologist, Weatherford
international, Kuwait Branch

Day 4

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 Content
1) Introduction to Mud Logging (SLS- Surface logging System):

- Theory and Responsibilities

- SLS Sensors Gas system and Equipment.

2) Lag Calculations and Conversions

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 1) Introduction to Mud Logging (SLS- Surface logging System):

- Mud Logging provides subsurface geological information while drilling a well.

- Mud Logging is the examination and analysis of geological information
contained in formation cuttings and drilling mud to determine if oil and gas are
encountered during drilling a well.
- Mud Logging also is used to provide critical safety functions such as determining
pore pressure, kick control and ambient gas monitoring.
- The service requires two to six people at the well site, a mobile laboratory unit,
acting as the information center for the well and may include electronic monitoring
of drilling parameters and third party service provider data.

Responsibilities:
- Monitoring, Processing and logging information from drilling operations
(including drilling data, gas and samples).
Collecting, processing, logging and analyzing geological samples (providing full
description).
- Using Fluoroscope to evaluate detailed and complex data for signs of oil or gas
(oil Shows).
- Monitoring all rig Processes (Drilling, Tripping, Cementing, Fishing).
- Interpreting information and feeding it back to the drilling team to enhance safety
and success.
- Undertaking some on-site Sensors electrical maintenance.
- Formation pore pressure estimation.

What A (LOG) is?

- Log: data recorded systematically, usually versus depth or time which are then
plotted to give and understood summary of the information.

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- Digital sensors that register either an ‘on or off’ state.

- Analog sensors that provide a 4 to 20mA output, 4mA represents zero output
from the sensor, whereas 20mA signifies a full scale output.

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Digital sensors:

1) Draw works Depth Sensor (DDS)/ Depth wheel Sensor:

- The draw work sensor monitors the movement of the traveling block (mounted on
the draw work drum).
- Operation: rotary movement of the drum is translated into a series of pulses that
represent distance traveled, and a direction bit to determine block direction.

2) SPM (strokes per min)/pump Sensor

 Proximity sensor to measure Pump Strokes and RPM
 Activated by metallic target; required distance <15mm

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3) RPM (Revolution per min) / Rotary speed sensor:
 Proximity sensor, same idea as SPM sensor.

Analogue sensors:

1) Ultrasonic Pit Level:

 Operation: Distance travelled by ultrasonic wave to mud level is
translated to current in m Amp (4 – 20)

 The level in these mud tanks is measured by a Pit Level Sensor that
provides extremely important data for the operation of the drilling rig.
The total volume of fluid is continuously monitored to identify any
net gain or loss of fluid. Any increase in net fluid indicates that some
other substance, such as oil, water, or gas, is entering the process. A
decrease in net fluid means that fluid is being lost in the formation.

Calibration
 4mA the tank is empty.
 20mA the tank is full.

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2) Mud Density (in and out):
 Theory: The sensor works by recording the differential pressure
between 2 diaphragms that are positioned a known vertical distance
apart. This can then be converted to a density.

Calibration
 4 mA - 500 kg/m3 (4.16 ppg)
 20 mA - 2500 kg/m3 (20.82 ppg)

Note:

- Mud Density in: suspended in suction tank

- Mud Density out: Suspended in possum belly.

3) Mud Temperature (in and out):

 Make sure that the sensor is kept clean, and ensure that the
temperature out sensor does not become buried in cuttings.

Note:

- Mud Temperature in: suspended in suction tank

- Mud Temperature out: Suspended in possum belly.

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4) (Standpipe) or Annular (Casing) Pressure
 0 to 5000psi or 10,000psi ranges are available.
 This sensor measures the mud pressure by a direct contact with a
pressure transducer.

5) Hook load Sensor:

 Two types of sesnsors may be imployed:
- Tension Hook load Sensor (HKLD)
- Hydraulic HKLD Sensor

Tension HKLD Sensor:

 Installed on drilling deadline.

Operation:
 When the transducer is correctly installed and clamped to the
deadline, the wire rope is bent or deflected over the central yoke.
When load is applied to the line, it will tend to straighten at the
deflection point, thus exerting an outward force on the yoke. This
force is transmitted through the clamping mechanism, creating
reaction forces on the body of the transducer. Strain gauges
detect these stresses on the body of the transducer, producing a 4 –
20mA signal, which is proportional to the tension on the drill line.

Calibration:
 Calibration is performed through 2 points (High point and low point)

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Hydraulic Hookload – Pressure Transducer and Load Cell:
 Installed on Rig’s deadline anchor hydraulic system.
Operation: Same as standpipe pressure sensor.

6) Electric Torque:

Operation:
 The clamp should be placed around the main power cable driving the
rotary table. It is measuring the magnetic field induced, from which
the current is automatically determined. It should therefore be

7)Flow out/flow paddle/ Return flow sensor:

Operation:
 The paddle should be placed in the flow line and its length adjusted in
order to accommodate the depth of the flow line. While the paddle is
in its ‘undeflected’ position, the paddle should just barely be touching
the bottom of the flow line (this ensures that minimal flow can be
registered).

Maintenance:
 Keep a regular check on the paddle for cuttings build up in the flow
line - this may ‘bury’ the paddle preventing movement.

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 Flowing Mud

Gas monitoring equipment

 The gas trap consists of a steel box or cylinder that sits in the mud
possum belly (as near to the flow line exit as possible, but before the
shakers) and allows the drilling fluid to continuously pass through it
by means of a hole in its base.
 An agitator motor sits on top of the gas trap and has a propeller shaft
(Axe) extending into the mud. The propeller continually agitates the
drilling fluid as it passes through the trap.
 A continuous flow of air enters through a vent in the top of the trap
and is whipped through the mud where the maximum mud surface is
exposed. It is this air-gas mixture that is subsequently drawn into the
logging unit.

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Total Gas detector:
 A gas detector measures the total gas content in the drawn sample.

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Gas Chromatograph:
 A chromatograph separates and analyzes hydrocarbons in the gas
sample to determine how much of each hydrocarbon is contained in
the sample.

SLS Equipment:

Calcimeter:

 Equipment used by mud loggers to gauge the

amount of calcite and dolomite in a sample. A
fixed amount of dried and crushed sample is
mixed with a fixed amount of hydrochloric acid
in a scaled closed system.

 The amount and rate of pressure build up caused

by the reaction can give an indication of amount
of limestone and dolomite in a sample.

Bernard Calcimeter

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Bernard Calcimeter Auto- Calcimeter

Fluoroscope:

 Equipment used to detect and describe

hydrocarbon traces under ultraviolet
light.

Fluorescence:

 Property of hydrocarbons and certain

minerals to glow a particular color when
viewed under ultraviolet light.
Fluoroscope

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 2) Lag Calculations

RELEVANT EQUATIONS AND CONVERSIONS

1-METAL DISPLACEMENT (bbl)

= (OD2 – ID2) x L x 0.000971

Where (OD)………….outer diameter DP, HWDP or DC (inch)

(ID)…………..inner diameter DP, HWDP or DC (inch)
(L)…………...Length. (Feet)

2-STRING CAPACITY (also called lag in or lag down) (bbl)

= (ID2) x L x 0.000971

Where (ID)…………………..inner diameter DP, HWDP or DC (inch)

Down Strokes= String capacity/Pump Output

Down time= Down strokes/pump rate.

3-ANNULAR VOLUME (lag up or bottom up) (bbl)

= (ID2 – OD2) x L x 0.000971

Where (ID)……………. inner diameter Casing or Open hole

(Bit diameter)
(OD)………...…outer diameter DP, HWDP and DC

Lag Strokes= annular volume/Pump Output

Lag time= lag strokes/pump rate.

Complete Cycle= Lag Time + Down time

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 CONVERSIONS

1-LENGTH:

Inches x 2.5400 = cm cm x 0.3937 = inches

Feet x 0.3048 = metre meters x 3.2814 = feet

2- VOLUME

ft3 x 0.0283 = metres3 m3 x 35.314 = feet3

ft3 x 0.1781 = barrels bbl x 5.6146 = feet3
ft3 x 7.4805 = US gallons US gal x 0.1337 = feet3
m3 x 6.28994 = barrels bbl x 0.1589 = m3
1lt x 0.2642 = US gallons US gal x 3.7854 = litres
cm3 x 0.06102 = inches3 bbl x 158.98 = litre
1bbl x 42 = gallons in3 x 16.3871 = cm3

3- DENSITY

s.g. x 62.43 = 1 lb/ft3 1lb/ft3 x 0.01600 = s.g.

ppg x 0.11984 = kg/1lt kg/1lt x 8.345 = ppg
psi/ft x 19.268 = ppg ppg x 0.0519 = psi/ft
ppg x 119.9 = kg/m2 kg/m2 x 0.008345 = ppg

4- PRESSURE

psi x 6.98470 = kpa kpa x 0.1450 = psi

psi / 14.5038 = bars bars / 0.06895 = psi
psi / 14.2233 = kg/cm2 kg/cm2 / 0.07031 = psi

5- PRESSURE GRADIENT

psi/ft x 22.62 = kpa/m kpa/m x 0.4421 = psi/ft

6- MASS

1lb x 0.4536 = kg kg x 2.2046 = 1 lb

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