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SLIMHOLE WELL SEISMIC TOOL (SWST*) USED FOR VSP-INVERSION IN

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G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

JOURNAL OF ASSOCIATION OF EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICISTS

July 1991
VOL XII, No. 3

Association of Exploration Geophysicists

C.E.G. Building, Osmania University Campus
Hyderabad - 500 007
India

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys.

July 1991, Vol. Xii No.3
pp 153 to 160

SLIMHOLE WELL SEISMIC TOOL (SWST*)

USED FOR VSP-INVERSION IN ASSAM

G.K. Handique, R.K. Mallick

Oil India Limited, Duliajan, Assam

Robin Westerman
Schlumberger
4th Floor Mohan Dev Building, 13 Tolstoy Marg, New Delhi - 110001

Abstract

The Slimhole well Seismic tool (SWST) has been

specifically designed to pass through tubing and operate
under high well pressures. A high pressure grease seal
on monocable then allows VSP acquisition in production
oil wells. The SWST is small and light thus minimising
parasitic tool mode vibration problems.
Oil India Limited has recently acquired a land VSP in
Assam to look ahead of bit at an over-pressured zone. The VSP
corridor stack was inverted. The resulting seismic impedance
profile is compared with: surface seismic data, open-hole log
information and mud logs acquired whilst drilling.
In more established reservoirs, detailed information
about faults and formation changes are needed to aid
production studies and reservoir simulations. The newly-proven SWST
instrumentation will allow VSP-offset and
VSP-walkaway surveys to be acquired wherever reservoir
continuity is in doubt.

Introduction

Overpressure analysis techniques may be grouped as follows:

1. Prior to drilling from surface seismic and nearby borehole data .

2. Look ahead of bit from Vertical Seismic Profile Inversion.

3. While Drilling from Drilling Exponent and Mud Logs.
4. After Drilling from wire-line Logs.
compare Sahay and Fertl., 1988.

Manuscript received on 16.11.89.

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

The seismic methods (groups 1 & 2
above) provide the only information
prior to drilling. They enable drilling
parameters to be assigned in advance
of meeting the hazard.
Vertical Seismic Profiling followed by
VSP-Inversion for pore pressure
prediction is now routinely used in
several Indian petroleum exploration
basins. VSP Inversion gives a more
precise estimate of the depth ahead of
bit to a seismic event than is possible
from surface seismic data.
The ‘while drilling’ techniques (group
3, above) are used for safety purposes
and also yield valuable lithological
information.
Wireline log methods are the most
definitive, especially if Repeat
Formation Tester* pressure
determinations are made. However
wireline logs can only be acquired
after the hazard has been drilled
through.

Lithostratigraphic Units

Epoch Group Formation Thickness Major Lithologic types

[m]

Recent – Alluvium 1300-2000 Unconsolidated sands with

thin clay bands
Pleistocene Dihing Dhekiajuli
Pliocene
Unconformity

Pliocene Dupi Tila Namsang 0-1000 Poorly consolidated

Beds sandstone with clay and
lignitic bands.
Unconformity

Miocene Tipam Girujan Clay 100-2300 Mottled clay with sandstone

lenses.
Tipam 500- 900 Sandstone with shale
sandstone bands.
? Surma 30-100 Sandstone with shale and
Not subdivided grit bands.
Unconformity

Oligocene Barali Not 500-1200 Upper part: mudstone/shale

subdivided with sandstone beds and
coal bands.Lower part:
sandstone with shale
bands.
Eocene Jaintia “Kopili 280-500 Splintery shale and fine-
alternations’ grained stone with coal
bands.
Sylhet 350-450 Splintery shale with
Limestone sandstone and limestone
bands.
Therria 60-170 Sandstone, calcareous
sandstone and limestone.
Unconformity

Precambrian granitic basement

* Mark of Schlumberger

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

G.K. Handique et al.
GEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
Table 1 shows the geological
succession in the Upper Assam valley;
see Mathur & Evans (1964) and
Handique & Bharali (1981). Surface
seismic analysis and earlier boreholes
showed overpressure development
with the Girujan Clay Formation in the
extreme eastern part of the Upper
Assam Basin, Oil India Limited
(1988). Sand lenses within the Girujan
Clay Formation appear to be of limited
vertical and lateral continuity, with
thick intervening clay/shale sections,
Handique & Mallick (1989).
Table 1, does not show a thick bed of
boulders and pebbles of quartzite,
granite, gneisses and basic rocks which
is locally developed from surface to a
depth of 500m. The boulder bed poses
an enormous problem to both drilling
and surface seismic exploration; see
Handique & Mallick (1989, in press).
THE SLIMHOLE WELL SEISMIC
TOOL (SWST)
The SWST tool has been designed to
pass through tubing and allow VSP
surveys to be acquired in production
wells, see figure 1.
Key characteristics are:
Outer diameter: 1.11/16 in
Overall length: 78 in
Maximum 7 in. standard
anchoring
9.5/8 in. with kit
diameter:
Minimum ″ ″ 4in.
Weight: 30 lb
Pressure rating: 20,000 psi
Temperature 350 deg. F.
rating:
Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys.
SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion
Fig I: The Slimhole Well Seismic Tool
VSP DATA
Figure 2 shows the VSP Upgoing
Wave Field (UWF) after
deconvolution (at right) compared with
the surface seismic reflection data (at
centre and left). The corridor stack of
the VSP UWF is inset to the surface
seismic. Two possible correlations are
shown to indicate that there is a statics
problem affecting the surface seismic
data in the survey area. This is
probably caused by the thick boulder
bed referred to in Geological
Background, above.
Analysis of the VSP Down-going
Wave Field (DWF) will allow multiple
events to be recognised, the VSP –
surface seismic correlation to be
confirmed and the statics problem to
be back-analysed. The improved
Signal/Noise and higher
frequency content of the VSP data set
compared to the surface seismic is
evident from Figure 2.
Figure 3 shows a frequency versus
depth and amplitude plot of the VSP
DWF. The VSP survey section (from
3993 m to 3293 m BKB) shows a
linear transmission character within the
frequency bandwidth of the airgun
source used. However, Figures 2 and 4
VSP UWF displays show that the
July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3
G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

reflector near to 3774 m BKB comparison can then be made between

attenuates amplitude and shields lower seismic primary events observed with
reflection events. This the VSP and log data. Both depth and
shielding reflector corresponds to a time scales below Seismic Datum are
thin bed which has high Neutron provided in the margins of the plot.
porosity, low sonic velocity and The VSP survey depths are also listed
low density, see Figure 4. with respect to Rotary Kelly Bushings
datum. From right to left, figure 4
Vertical Seismic Profiling clearly
shows:
distinguishes between Down-going and
Upgoing Wave Fields, Gal’perin ACQUISITION DATA
(1974). In data processing, robust SEQUENCE
separation of UWF and DWF (Walia et
al., 1989) is followed by a
1. Prior to drilling • VSP
target / Look
deterministic deconvolution using an ahead of bit • VSP-Inversion
operator calculated from the DWF. A
corridor stack of the UWF then 2. While drilling • Shale Factor
represents the UWF free from multiple • Shale density
energy; see Figures 2 & 4. VSP- • Mud weight
inversion uses the corridor stack and
the deconvolved, observed down-going • Drilling Exponent
wavelet taken from the DWF. These 3. After drilling • Sonic log
two inputs are used to calculate the
reflectivity series. Berkhout (1987) • Density log
reviews the matrix formulation of this • Neutron porosity
relationship. However, matrix log
inversion is not stable and a costly Compare Introduction
iterative algorithm is used, Hardage
(1983). Other relevant logs that could be
displayed are the borehole temperature
The reflectivity series estimate is profile and Repeat Formation Tester,
checked by convolution with the direct pressure determination
wavelet and the result compared with results, see Sahay and Fertl. (1988).
the corridor stack input. Integrating the
reflectivity series yields a profile of
acoustic impedance. The acoustic
impedance profile from VSP can be
compared with that calculated from the
sonic and density logs above T.D.; see
Figure 4. Below T.D., the VSP-derived
impedance profile is the best indicator
of rock properties; see Figure 4.
MUD LOG AND WIRELINE LOG
DATA
Log data of any kind can be converted
from a linear depth scale to a linear
time scale using VSP velocity control.
Figure 4 also shows a selection of mud
logs and wire-line logs relevant to
porosity determination. A direct

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

 G.K. Handique et al. SWST used for V.S.P. Inversion

OVERPRESSURE REFERENCES
INTERPRETATION Berkhout, A.J., 1987. Applied Seismic
Interpreted ‘normal-trend’ lines have Wave theory: Elsevier, Amsterdam
been drawn on to all logs in Figure 4. Gal’perin, E.I., 1974. Vertical Seismic
Cutbacks can then be compared, Sahay Profiling. Society of Exploration
& Fertl (1988). These cut-backs are Geophysicists, Special Publication No.
taken to be indications of overpressure 2, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
in a shale sequence but care should be
Handique, G.K. and Bharali, B., 1981.
taken that lithological variations other
Temperature distribution and its
than porosity are not likely. Table 2
relation to Hydrocarbon Accumulation
summarises the tops of over-pressured
in Upper Assam Valley, India: AAPG
zones interpreted from Figure 4.
Bull, v 65, No.9.
It can be seen that the VSP-inversion
Handique, G.K. and Mallick, R.K.,
shows three or four zones of
1989a. Neogene Sediments of Upper
overpressure, one of which starts
Assam Intermontane Basin and their
above T.D. of the well. Shale factor
Hydrocarbon Potential: Int. Symp. on
trends and the Sonic Log support the
Intermontane Basins, Geology &
VSP-Inversion results; density and
Resources. Chaiang Mai, Thailand,
neutron logs are less convincing.
30th January - 2nd February, 1989.
The Drilling Exponent is seen to be
Handique, G.K. and Mallick, R.K.
incompletely corrected for Mud
1989b, in press. Hydrocarbon
Weight. Sahay & Fertl (1988) discuss
exploration in eastern part of Upper
possible solutions to this commonly
Assam Basin, Problems and
observed problem.
Challenges. Technical seminar on ‘Oil
CONCLUSIONS and Gas Industries in the next two
The Slimhole Well Seismic Tool has decades’, Oil India Ltd., Duliajan,
been developed for VSP data Assam.
acquisition in production wells. It has Hardage, R.A., 983, Vertical Seismic
been successfully used in Assam. The Profiling, Part a: Principles:
acoustic impedance profile calculated Geophysical Press, London.
from the VSP indicates a complex
Mathur, L.P. and Evans, P., 1964, Oil
profile of overpressured shales ahead
in India: International Geological
of the bit. The VSP-derived impedance
congress, 22nd Session.
results are supported by the Shale
Factor and Sonic Logs. Oil India Limited, 1988, Prediction of
abnormal formation pressures from
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
analysis of seismic velocity data.
The authors express their thanks to the Unpublished Exploration Note.
Management of Oil India Limited for
Sahay, B. and Fertl, W.H., 1988,
permitting them to present this paper.
Origin and Evaluation of Formation
Assistance of colleagues in the
Pressures. Allied Publishers, New
geological department is
Delhi.
acknowledged.
Walia, R.K., Upadhayaya, B.C. and
Shri R. Saran was responsible for the
Venkat Subramanian, R., 1989, F-K
VSP data processing. Margaret
filter for the separation of upgoing and
Westerman rendered the secretarial
downgoing waves: JAEG, V 0, No.2.
assistance.
Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys.

Jour. Assoc. Expl. Geophys. July 1991, Vol. XII No. 3

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