KFUPM ENGINEERING

Department of Petroleum Engineering

PETE-313: Well Logging

Lecture [6]

Acoustic Logging

Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud

Semester 211
Porosity Tools

 Sonic (acoustic) mandrel

 Density
Type
 Neutron Jo Pat

2
Young's Modulus is the ability of any material to resist the change along its length. Bulk Modulus is the ability of any material to
resist the change in its volume

y III Youse mama

G É Shea modulus
Sheer Ptrain

Volare Stress
Bulk modular
volume strain
Applications of Sonic Logs

 Determine porosity and lithology

 Determine Rwa
 Determine formation mechanical properties, like
poisson’s ratio
FEET
 Evaluate fractures and permeability
 Evaluate overpressure in basin
 Combined with density logs to produce seismic
traces (synthetic seismograms)
 Evaluate cement bond
only Sonic Can Do
3

This
Sonic Principle

 Generate sound: “click”

 Detect sound: hearing / recording
 Analyzing sound
o How fast ?
o What type of wave ?
o How strong / attenuated ?
4
active send relieve

Most speed
it

of
strand time
Transit time
Transient
Time
a

Steady state Constant properties with

time
Unsteady state Properties is changing with time
 Sonic Tool
Operation
Distance between

Ri Ra Called
Span

5
P-Waves

 Travels through mud & rock

 Velocity depends on
 Lithology
 Porosity/Pore fluid(s)
 Fastest mode
 mud 5,200 ft/sec (190 sec/ft)
 rock 18,000-25,000 ft/sec (55
– 40 sec/ft)
 Weakest mode
 Fracture insensitive
6
P Wakes Bulk wane 9 Compressional Wake

Travel through Rock and mud

attenuation decrees in
energy of the wake as

it Propagates

Ye ru

At Atf t Atma G 4 unreliable

equate
10

Perpendicular Wake
S-Waves Direction of travel

 Travel through rock only

 Velocity (Vs) depends on
 Lithology (weak)
 Shear modulus
 Slower mode
 11,000 –14,000 ft/sec
(90 –70 sec/ft) Mode conversion
Mud-filled
 Stronger mode fracture
Shear wave
 Fracture sensitive
 Shale sensitive
7

Parallel
 Stoneley Waves Not important
 Mud + rock mode
 Slowest mode (VSt)
 3,300 – 5,000 ft/sec (300 –200 sec/ft)
 Strongest mode
 Fracture sensitive
 Permeability sensitive

8
Sonic Principle

or

9
 Threshold at which signals will to
enter
very fast and very weak amplitude
There We need Threshold Amplitude to
Eleminate this noise
G
fast since Pres up
slow since Ob V1

Importance of threshold amplitude

to make sure that first arrival Wane

belongs to the formation

Sonic Principle

When the first P-wave arrival appears the threshold is exceeded and the
timer stops. Clearly the threshold needs to be high enough so that random
noise in the signal dies not trigger the circuit, but low enough to ensure that
the P-wave arrival is accurately timed.

slow
fast 10
Sonic Principle

 There are complex tools that make use of both P-waves and
S-waves, and some that record the full wave train (full
waveform logs).

 However, for the simple sonic log that we are interested in,
only the first arrival of the P-wave is of interest.

 The time between the transmission of the pulse and the

reception of the first arrival P-wave is the one-way time
between the transmitter and the receiver.
11
Sonic Principle

Fei

Ying
É

intersection
with Threshold Amplit

12
Sonic Principle

the correct
it

gyp
tr

13
Sonic Log

Span
 Defined as distance between
receivers

 Determines vertical resolution

14
Sonic Log

Depth of investigation
Varies with wavelength l, which is related to formation
velocity, v, and tool frequency, f.
l = v/f

• Depth of investigation, Di ~ 3l

• Rule of thumb, 0.75 to 3.75 ft.

Very high
• Indirectly related to T-R spacing
15
Sonic Log

Critical T-R Spacing

 Short enough for pulse to be detected

 Long enough to allow 1st arrival to be

compressional wave and not mud wave
P wane from the
 Borehole enlargement effects
Rock

16
Elastic Wave Velocities in Porous Media

The velocity of elastic waves in a porous medium is a

complex function of many of the other
characteristics of the medium, including:
 Rock composition
 Porosity
 Grain size, type and distribution
 Type and degree of cementation and lithification
 Pore sizes and distribution
 Pore fluid densities, viscosity, and saturations
 Rock skeletal (matrix) pressure and pore pressure
 Bulk compressibility and other elastic properties
Thus Sonic is not reliable
17
Sonic Tools

 BHC Sonic
 Standard tool 1950’s - late 70’s
 3 ft & 5 ft R-T spacings
 2 ft resolution
 Only measures Dtc
 Shallow reading (about 3 or 4 in)
 Damaged zone effects

18
Sonic Principle -Wireline
Compression waves

Transmitter
 Non-pad (mandrel) tool
 Pulsed transmitters
 Fire alternately Shear waves

 Broadband
 All directions (azimuths)
Receivers
 Multiple receivers Stoneley waves
 Time window
 All directions (azimuths)
 Multiple modes Transmitter
 Borehole compensation (BHC)
19
Schematic of BHC Sonde

 Note ray paths for the two

transmitter-receiver sets

 Averaging the two Dt

measurements cancels errors
from the sonde tilt and hole-size
changes

20
Sonic Tools

 Long spaced sonic

 8 to 13 ft R-T spacings
 1 to 2 ft resolution
 Deeper reading (about
6+in)
 Reads beyond damaged
zone
 Usually Dts and D tc

21
Sonic Tools

 Array/full-wave tool
 Long R-T spacing
 Deep reading (about 6 to
18 in)
 High resolution (6in)
 Downhole processing
 All modes Dt’s and
amplitudes
 Dipole tool
 As array tool and
 Shear in soft formations
22
Causes of Bad Sonic Logs

 Road noise
 Cycle skipping

23
Road Noise

 Caused by tool movement along the borehole,

generating a high frequency noise component that
is superimposed onto the normal acoustic signal

 Far sonic detectors are more affected by road

noise than near detectors because of the reduced
signal amplitude with increased travel time

24
Road noise because of the marmot
in the well
attenuation decrease in energy of
the wane
OT
112 mane attenuation

te Sens and necrose

ii
The iii flow of mud will be Laminer

high frequency noise

 q

Causes of Bad Sonic Logs

 Low sonic transmitter strength may result in

less than optimal receiver signal amplitudes

 Under extreme conditions this will result in

cycle-skipping

If not high
the amplitude is
enough it
will not be recorded because of level of Threshold amplitude

25
Cycle Skips

Cycle skips occurs when only one of a pair of receivers is

triggered by an arriving wave, which causes sharp
deflections on the log.
The returning signal is a wave train and not a sharp pulse, so the detectors
are only activated at a certain signal threshold. Sometimes, both detectors
won’t be activated by the same peak (or trough) and the next peak (or
trough) wave will activate one of them instead. This type of error is called
cycle skipping and is easily identified because the time difference is equal to
the time interval between successive pulse cycles.

Occurrences
 If the threshold level is set incorrectly

 If there are washouts

 Presence of gas in mud

26
in correct tenet of Threshold amplitude has its
effect on Bt c
transit time
Of a attenuating
gas has low D I attenuation
Measurement Principle

Second pure
Gaff

Threshold level
PE EE

27
Theory of Cycle Skips
Threshold amplitude
must be higher

I
must be
gthresholdlower

28
Theory of Cycle Skips
TT Es
Cause:
Dampening of first arrival at
far receiver

Effect:
Sonic curve shows spiking or an
abrupt change towards a higher
travel time

Occurs in:
• Unconsolidated formations
(particularly gas bearing);
• fractured formations;
• transmitter weak and/or receiver
poor
29
Borehole Enlargement Effect

enlargement of borehole

Cause Sharp Peaks

in the reading of
Transit time

30
Sonic Tool Types

Relievers

12

31
 Cycle skips
became washout
and incorrect threshold

Abrupt spikes in sonic

log indicates cycle skips

32
 Applications

Sonic as a porosity tool

Sonic affected by: Sonic tool depend

Primary on Dt
affected
1. Lithology PM UM attenuation
By Mans
attenuation b
2. Porosity Pb Vy factors
Secondarily Sonic lag is only used
If there is enlargement in
1. Fluids
the wellbore
2. Compaction/consolidation
33
Sonic Velocity and Interval Transit Time for
Different Materials

Sonic is faster in Salt because it has 34

Sound Velocity in Different Fluids

35
Dtc Interpretation

Transit time Dt or slowness

 Transit time is the reciprocal of velocity
Unit : Dt = sec/ft or sec/m
Two porosity models
 Wyllie time average (clean, consolidated formation)

Dt  Dt ma Reading
s  log
Dt  Dt ma
fl Table
 Raymer-Hunt-Gardener

Dt  Dtma
s  0.7 log
Dt
log 36
Dtc Interpretation

Wyllie Typical values (sec/ft)

 Matrix Dt: 51-55 SS; 47.5 LS; 43.5 DOL
Fluid Dt: 189 - salt water Dolomite

Is


218 – fresh water Lime Shane

238 – oil Sans Stan
626 – methane

Dt  D t ma
s  log
D t  D t ma
fl

RHG Typical values (sec/ft)

 Matrix Dt: 56 SS; 49 LS; 44 DOL

Dt  Dtma
s  0.7 log
Dt
log
37
Dtc Interpretation

Sam
stere

38
we have to set a window for each tool
min mat Values

Mft É

fluid

matrit

P Wake Compressioned Warm Perpendicular and Travel

Through
fluid and Rock

S Wale Sheer Parallel and Trend Just In fluids

At log Dtma 9 0
If the Value out of Range will give
Value for
A
Ex SS D8 55 h
Seeff
Ma

If we have formation consist of carbonate with

Dt
Yousef
p
Also An hydrate will give Value for
because of 50
Msft
Transit time
Dtc Interpretation

39
 Compaction decreas In with
depth

Pb 48ft 1 0 Pma
Bulk
Density

Depth 4

b
compacted formation
 pressure
Abnormal
Will be pressurizes
pressure

when Dt too in Shale the pressure

lay
will be Abnormal

high P Db Lew

depth

f
Abnormal pressure
Dbe Sto 189 l Sto Db

Transit Time in soft in flushed Zone

p p

f Dem f

Compacted
uncompacted
b y
no need Atlas will be higher
to
connect of a win be higher and
it itma must be corrected
by
Dtc Interpretation

40
 Matrix is
Quartz
(Dt 55.6 sec/ ft)

Assume:
Dt f = 189 sec/ ft
 = 26.7%

Dt  Dt ma

gym
s  log
Dt  Dt ma
fl
s  90 55 .6
189 55 .6
From log: s  34.4
Dt = 90 sec/ ft 133.4
s  25 .8
41
 field observation adult Value
Time average

We Can
Rely on Sonil in 5 S

S S heterogenous lithology homogenous

many minerals 0
C R homogenous tithe's't hatregenons
Dolomite Calcite

MBE deals with Reservoir as a

Thus
tank MBE is only applicable on

S S
Atma The Blue Line Dravid
Inayat Mma
It
Ex Sand stone lies between 18 oar 195.0 fts Y
let Guy it's 18sec ft's t 5.4 155
as
54 2 55.6
Atma for quartz
 S

Dtc Interpretation
apparent
Estimating Rw: The Rwa Method water
 Needs porosity and resistivity logs
 Assumes
S wn  m
aRw
gstitt
 Archie’s (second) law  Rt
 Sw < 1
n Rw
• Define Rwa = Rt/F Sw   1 or
Rt / F
• Calculate Rwa
Rt
• Take (Rwa)min = Rw  Rw so
F
Rwa  Rw
42
 gut
Gmt
a
IF
Fry

If we have S

It
Rt RW

assumption If Suel it's assured that

Rwa Rw
Rwa
at Rtf
loop

There will be Values for Rwd

minimum Rna is assumed to be equal to

minimum River Indicate that the formation is

fully saturated with water

 Rwa Example 140 Dt 40
 SS @ 156 ft:
 RILD = 0.32-m
 Dt = 83s/ft

 Chart  = 23%
• Assume
– a = 0.81 0.32 -m
– m=2
(Tixier) 83 s/ft
F = 0.81/
• F = 15
• Rwa = RILD/F
= 0.32/15
0.2 RILD 20
= 0.021 -m
F= _a_ a is a constant;
m m is cementation
 factor
43
 0.2 RILD 20
Rwa Example - 2 140 Dt 40

Depth Dt  RILD Rwa

I
t
1
125 87 25 45 3.5 I

156 83 23 0.32 0.021

204 90 26 0.30 0.025

1
Two further points
 Works best in clean formations
I
 Applies to flushed zone, too 1 I
But there will be 1 44

uncertainty
 Dt from leg

game
big

RID Rt
Rwa Rt Rta assume a
M
0.81

Rwa Rt

3.5 H C

0
00259 Sa Tko
0
021 SW toe
 Primary p after deposition

Secondary Porosity Secondary 0 after past deposition

E Vas

F2: secondary porosity

Ft: total porosity from density log
Fs: sonic porosity

45
Sonic Family Tools & Application

Borehole Open Hole Cased Hole

Application Mechanical Formation Casing Bond

Properties Evaluation Casing Corrosion

Young’s Modulus
Output Bulk Modulus Porosity Cement Quality
Shear Modulus Gas Identification Reservoir Isolation
Poisson’s Ratio Lithology Casing Quality
Velocities a
an
Final Use Seismic Parameters Reservoir Appraisal
Perforation
Seismic Calibration Fluid Determination

46
Applications of Sonic Logs

 Determine porosity and lithology

 Determine Rwa
 Determine formation mechanical properties,
like poisson’s ratio
Ettodsitudin
 Evaluate fractures and permeability
 Evaluate overpressure in basin
 Combined with density logs to produce
seismic traces (synthetic seismograms)
 Evaluate cement bond
47
Abnormal Pressure

 Sonic time is shales normally decreases with depth due to the normal
compaction, a plot of Dtsh with depth defines the normal compaction,
departures are abnormal pressures

 Evaluation of the abnormal pressure is important because:

 Knowing of formation pressure aids in the design of the drilling fluid
programs of offset wells to afraid kicks
 Pressure data permits better casing selection
 Trouble caused by lost circulation and well kicks can be minimized
by reducing unnecessary usage of heavy muds, leads to reduction
in stimulation cost because of less filtration damage
 A more accurate selection of DST equipment and well control
equipment Drill Stem Test
 Use of formation data can aid in long-term geological correlation
48
Abnormal Shale

P/D = pore pressure gradient

S/D = overburden stress
gradient
(P/D)n = normal pore pressure
gradient
Dtn = transit time from normal
line
Dto = transit time from the log

49
 Beams of curtains share
fluid in Sand stone formation

be over
Thus overpruscer formation must be
detected before
drilling to design

Shake Internet velocity drilling fluid and to avoid

I
is
0.485 Psi ft
Normal

1k

abnormal
 Interval Velocity

Perf

vb.PL
Conductivity and and Sonic are Used
to determine Pob

Pobs Comes from Pune Pressure and

layers above
Ppone Pressure exerted By fluids

Pf 0.052 H
We assume all the layer
is filled with Sane Density

Bob lo
Jw 05214,1yd
Pcb III
8
0 052 h
of
Job 0.433 h y
ON burden pressure grades
0 7
433 Pai ft
Yw I Baby 0.433 Psi
ft

PB p If
l
4 Pma

Poh

Abnormal Pore pressure

Atta 9 99
 Sonic Logs Used for
Fractures Fracture Detection

Fractures

In fractures, amplitude of
stonely waves and shear
waves are attenuated.
Red – least attenuated
Blue – highly attenuated
50
51
Sonic as a Porosity Tool

Sonic affected by
 Lithology

 Porosity

 Fluids

 Compaction/consolidation

 Borehole conditions the tool must

be In Center
 Gas in drilling mud

52
Summary

 Sonic Physics
 Several modes

 Borehole compensation 12T4 R

 Tools and spacings

 Interpretation
 Two Dt models for porosity

 Rwa method
53
Applications of Sonic Logs

 Determine porosity and lithology

 Determine Rwa
 Determine formation mechanical properties, like poisson’s ratio
 Evaluate fractures and permeability
 Evaluate overpressure in basin
 Combined with density logs to produce seismic traces (synthetic
seismograms)
 Evaluate Cement bond
 Estimate secondary pore space
 Indicate mechanical integrity of reservoir rocks and formations that
surround them (in conjunction with density data)

54
Review Exercise

Determine the depth of investigation of a 20,000 HZ sonic tool

into a consolidated sandstone formation. The formation is water
bearing zone and has a porosity of 20%.
Dtlog  Dt ma 1     Dt f 
Dtlog  0.855.5  0.2189   82.2  sec/ ft

10 6
10 6 lower frequency
v   12165 ft / sec
Dt log 82.2 Increas Do I of the
v 12165
l   0.61 ft tool But there's
f 20000
a limit for frequency
DOI  3l  1.8 ft
55
Review Exercise

Do a complete qualitative and

quantitative interpretation for
this log.

56
Review Exercise

Do a complete qualitative and

quantitative interpretation for
this log.

3 Lithological Zones
Resistivity toes provide

4 Zones

Shake

57
 In Zoned In Resistivity log Thane's high Rt
b
high Rt is Because

b
Abash

none
off
fgn qytk
4 0.2 0.02
4

k 2 o

ga
ji

Suh
FEI p
some
Rt Frm Rt
a
Iq a

Rtz Rt effect of
Calculation of 0 Zone

Ro Rt 0
3 R M

Sw
FRI
CRw
I

0.3 RW
itunes
correction Of uncompaltim

FIFI
Laura

Shale on top of the dean formation

0 will be high Value and it must be corrected
mean

I as
1st
or c
1.3
 after me get a ha substitute in the
equation
Rw 9 Ro

RuponsXII Water
Zone
bearing

Shale above the formation win has its effect

on the Value of g
Review Exercise
Determine the
porosity of the
five zones.

g the date will

continue to
be reprensted on
the Selim
scale

58
 Sonic log is only used in case of

washout Caring