Well Logging

Methods & Applications

— Induction Logging

Petroleum Engineering Department

KNUST
1
 Outline
 Introduction
 Principle
 Compound Coil Array
 Apparent Conductivity Curves and
Corrections
 Uses of Induction Logging Data
 Summary

2
 Introduction
• Conventional resistivity logging methods and laterologs are:
– based on galvanic principle
– using electrodes
– DC or very low frequency current delivered to formation
– Potentials (or difference) produced by current through formation are
measured
• Can only work in wells containing conductive fluids
• Therefore, determining formation resistivity in wells containing
no (or weak) conductive fluids becomes a challenge which
needs to be addressed!
• And so new tool has to be designed for use!
INDUCTION LOGGING METHOD

3
 Introduction
• Induction logging method is:
– based on electromagnetic induction principle
– AC (20kHz)
– no direct contact to formation is necessary
• It is originally designed for use in boreholes where the drilling
fluid is very resistive. (oil-based muds or even gas)
• It can, however, be used reasonably also in water-based muds of
high salinity, but it has found its greatest use in wells drilled
with fresh water-based muds

4
 Principle
• Principle of EM Induction:
– an AC current is delivered into coil A
– EM fields are induced in the space of
vicinity of coil A
– induced EMF can be produced in coil
B if it is in the alternating induced
field, and thus the induced current
can be measured
– alternating EM field can be induced
and propagated in non-conductive
and conductive media AC
Meter
– Induced current in coil B is Source

proportional to the conductivity of EM induction

media

5
 Principle
• Principle of Induction logging:
– Transmitter and receiver coils are in well
– an AC current is delivered into transmitter coil
– EM fields are induced in the formation near the
borehole
– An eddy current is then induced in the formation
around the axis of well
– The strength of eddy current is proportional to
the formation conductivity
– A secondary EM field is induced in the vicinity of
receiver coil
– Induced EMF can be produced in receiver coil by
this secondary induced field and hence the
induced current in the receiver coil

6
 Principle
• Comparing with other
Logging Tool
resistivity logging methods borehole
Invasion zone
– Conventional resistivity logs
 Galvanic principle Laterolog response
Virgin formation
 Current mainly in z direction
 a is proportional to grounding Normal Log
resistance series in z direction
– Laterologs

Rs
 Galvanic principle
 Current mainly in r direction

Rt
 a is proportional to grounding
resistance series in r direction
– Induction logs
 Induction principle Induction Log
 Current in ground loops
 a is proportional to grounding
conductance series in r direction
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 Compound Coil Array
• Two coil system
– Shallow probing depth ( ~0.8m)
– Only one probing depth
– Poor vertical resolution (~2m)
– Very large direct coupled signal

• Compound coil arrays:

– Coils added in different styles to improve the probing
features both in vertical and in radial direction
 Multiple transmitter coils in series
 Multiple receiver coils in series
 Coils at different locations
 Coils with different number of turns
 Coils with different winding directions

8
 Compound Coil Array
• Six-Coil Array
– T0R0, pair of main coils, nT0 =nR0=100, and L  T0 R0  0.8m
– Number of turns of T0 coil is always set to positive
– It indicates the coil is wound in different direction with T 0 if the number of turns
is negative
– T1R1, pair of compensating coils, nT1 =nR1=−25, to improve probing depth and
reducing the effect of the size of borehole
– T2R2, pair of focusing coils, nT2=nR2=−7, to improve vertical resolution and
reducing the effect of the adjacent beds

n
9
0.8m Six Coils System
 Compound Coil Array
• Six-Coil Array
– Coil system is symmetric to the center of the array
– Consist of three pairs of transmitter and receiver coils
– k = 0.3086
– Geometric factors

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 Compound Coil Array
• Dual Induction Array (DIL)
– Deep penetrating induction array (ILd)
 T0,T1,T2 – transmitter coils, number of turns are as shown below
 R0,R1,R2 – receiver coils for ILd
 This 6-coil (3 pairs) system is symmetric to the center of the array
 Ld  T0 R0  1.016m

n
Configuration of Dual Induction Array 11
 Compound Coil Array
• Dual Induction Array (DIL)
– Medium penetrating induction array (ILm)
 T0,T1,T2 – transmitter coils
 r0,r1,r2,r3,r4– receiver coils for ILm
 This 8-coil system is not symmetric
 Lm  T0 r0  0.873m

n
Configuration of Dual Induction Array 12
 Apparent Conductivity Curves and
Corrections
• Apparent conductivity curves
– Observed apparent conductivity curve is the convolution of geometric factor
with the formation conductivity variation in vertical direction
– There is almost no effect
of the mud in well for
compound coil systems

a

t

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 Apparent Conductivity Curves and
Corrections
• Apparent conductivity curves
– The half amplitude
points well define the
boundaries of bed for
h>3m for 0.8m 6-coil
array
– The thickness will be
over estimated by half
amplitude points if
h<3m
– Vertical resolution will
be different for tools
with different size of
coil array

Apparent conductivity curves for various thickness of beds

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 Apparent Conductivity Curves and
Corrections
• Factors Affecting (apparent conductivity) a curves
– Thickness and conductivity of beds
– Well diameter
– Mud resistivity
– Radius of invasion zone
– Resistivity of surrounding beds

15
 Apparent Conductivity Curves and
Corrections
• Correction for propagation effect
– Propagation effect: amplitude attenuation and phase shifting will take place for EM
wave propagating in conductive medium
– More propagation effect for high frequency of EM wave in highly conductive medium

– For 20kHz used in

induction logging tools,
the propagation effect can
be neglected for t < 100
mS/m
– For layers with t > 100
mS/m, observed a <t

Correction chart for propagation effect in homogenous medium

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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
• Features
– Convert the apparent conductivity to apparent resistivity curve for
presentations and interpretations
– Better estimation of Rt for clastic rocks comparing with laterolog
– One of the widely used EM methods
• Applications
– Determination of formation parameters (Rxo, Rt, Sw)
– Stratigraphic correlations
– Recognition of hydrocarbon zones
– Can not be used to detect fracture zones

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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
• Layering Shale indication curves 3 porosity curves Resistivities

– Combined with SP and GR

Interpretations
curves
– According to the half-

Depth (m)
amplitude points for layers
h>3m
– Smaller thickness for layers
h<3m

Gas
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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
Shale indication curves
• Rt and Rs 3 porosity curves Resistivities

Interpretations
– Taking the extreme value at
center

Depth (m)
– Taking average if it is thick non-
homogenous layer

– Directly reading the extremes for

homogenous adjacent beds
– Taking readings near bed
boundaries for non-homogenous
adjacent beds
– Taking reading separately if the
upper and lower bed show large

Gas
difference in resistivity

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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
• Combination of DIL-LLS
– a deep penetrating induction log (Ild)
– a medium penetration induction log
(ILm)
– a shallow investigation laterolog
(LLs)
– suitable to determine the Rxo, di, and
Rt, especially good for increasing
resistivity invasion case (i.e, Rxo>Rt)

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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
• Combination of DIL-SFL
– a deep penetrating induction log (Ild)
– a medium penetration induction log
(ILm)
– a shallow investigation laterolog
(SFL)
– suitable to determine the Rxo, di, and
Rt, especially good for decreasing
resistivity invasion case (i.e, Rxo<Rt)

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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
• Stratigraphic correlations
跃灰4-7井
2950

− Use with SP, GR curves together as for laterolog data

2960 2960

2970 2970

2980 2980

2990 2990
跃新2-3井
3000 3000

3010 3010 3010

− Dynamic range of IL is 0.2~2000ΩM in general

3020 3020 3020

3030 3030 3030

3040 3040 3040

3050 3050 3050

3060 3060 3060

− Suitable for clastic (sandstone and shale) formations with relatively low
3070 3070 3070

3080 3080 3080

3090 3090 3090

砂西60井 跃1-01井
3100 3100 3100

resistivity .
3110 3110 3110 3110 3110

3120 3120 3120 3120 3120

3130 3130 3130 3130 3130

3140 3140 3140 3140 3140

3150 3150 3150 3150 3150

3160 3160 3160 3160 3160

3170 3170 3170 3170 3170

3180 3180 3180 3180 3180

3190 3190 3190 3190 3190

3200 3200 3200 3200 3200

3210 3210 3210 3210 3210

3220 3220 3220 3220 3220

3230 3230 3230 3230 3230

3240 3240 3240 3240 3240

3250 3250 3250 3250 3250

3260 3260 3260 3260 3260

3270 3270 3270 3270 3270

3280 3280 3280 3280 3280

3290 3290 3290 3290 3290

3300 3300 3300 3300

3310 3310 3310 3310

3320 3320 3320 3320

3330 3330 3330 3330

3340 3340 3340 3340

3350 3350 3350 3350

3360 3360 3360 3360

3370 3370 3370 3370

3380 3380 3380 3380

3390 3390 3390 3390

3400 3400 3400 3400

3410 3410 3410 3410

3420 3420 3420 3420

3430 3430 3430 3430

3440 3440 3440

3450 3450 3450

3460 3460 3460

3470 3470 3470

3480 3480 3480

3490 3490 3490

3500

3510

3520
3500

3510

3520
Legend
3530 3530

3540 3540

oil oil/water water dry

3550 3550

3560 3560

3570 3570

3580

3590
3580

3590
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 Uses of Induction Logging Data
• Recognition of hydrocarbon zones
Shale indication curves
3 porosity curves Resistivities
– Combined with porosity curves
Shale indication curves 3 porosity curves Resistivities

Interpretations
– For hydrocarbon zones, Rxo<RILM<RILD

Interpretations
Depth (m)

– For water zones, RxoShale

>RILMcurves
>RILD 3 porosity curves Resistivities

Interpretations
Gas
Gas

W
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 Well logging data processing and interpretation results
AC

Uses of Induction Logging Data

Interpretation results
(µs/

Depth
CAL ft)
DEN RILD
Pore
(in) (ΩM) Permeability Water
(g/cm ) 3
(mD) sandstone

• Calculation
GR CNL residual oil/gas coal
of Sw RILM
(ΩM)
Water saturation
movable oil/gas shale

– Archie’s law
aRw
Sw 
n
Rt  m


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 Summary
• Induction logging
– Physical principle: induction
 EMF in receiver is proportional to the conductivity of formation
 Geometric factors are used to define the relative contribution of formations at
different locations to the total EMF
 Geometric factors display the features of radial and vertical penetrating
 Compound coil array is designed to improve the radial and vertical probing
features.
 Besides corrections of conventional affecting factors to apparent conductivity
curves, propagation effect must be taken into account for correction for
conductive beds
 Best suitable for using in fresh water mud or oil mud drilling and for increasing
resistivity invasion case.

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 Summary
• Comparison of DIL with DLL
– At first sight it seems that induction logs and laterologs are complimentary:
 Induction logs provide conductivity (can be converted to resistivity)
 Laterologs provide resistivity (can be converted to conductivity)
 Induction logs work best in wells with low conductivity fluids
 Laterologs work best in wells with low resistivity fluids
 Both logs provide a range of depths of penetrations and vertical resolutions.

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 Summary
• Comparison of DIL
with DLL
– The decision to use one
or the other depends
upon the value of Rt/RXO
ratio, with the cutoff
made at about 2.5

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 Summary
• Bed resolution
– The smaller the
electrode spacing,
the better the
vertical and bed
resolution.
– One should chose
the tool for the
purpose required,
and this is related
also to investigation
depth.

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Summary
• Investigation depth
– Figure at left summarizes the depths of
investigation of the various tools
– In general, the tool to use is that best
suited for the purpose.
 If gross changes are needed, such as in
certain types of correlation and shale
compaction trends, the deeper looking tools
should be used.
 If characteristics and values from
formations which are relatively thin are
needed, them a shallower looking tool with
a better resolution should be used.

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 Summary
Tool Mnemonic Type
Commonly
Measured
Possibly
Measured
• Investigation depth
Laterolog3 LL3 Borehole Ri Rt – Fine bed structure requires
Laterolog7 LL7 Borehole Rt - very shallow reading tools
in order to obtain sufficient
Dual Laterolog-deep DLL-LLd Borehole Rt -
bed resolution.
Dual Laterolog-shallow DLL-LLs Borehole Ri Rt – Changes in formation
Spherically Focused Log SFL Borehole Ri Rt microstructure (texture) are
Microlog-normal ML Pad Rmc Rxo best seen on logs that
Microlog-inverse MIV Pad Rmc Rxo measure the invaded zone.
Microlaterolog MLL Pad Rxo Rmc
Proximity Log PL Pad Rxo Ri
Micro Spherically Focused Log MSFL Pad Rxo -
IES-40 IES-40 Borehole Rt -
IES-28 IES-28 Borehole Ri Rt
Dual Induction Log-deep DIL-ILd Borehole Rt -
Dual Induction Log-Medium DIL-ILm Borehole Ri Rt
Induction Spherically Focused Log ISF Borehole Ri -
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Array Induction Tool AIS, HDIL Borehole Ri to Rt -
 Review Questions
1. Why are there two basic types of well-logging tools to measure the electrical
resistivity of rock formations?
2. What are the factors that need to be taken into account in deciding whether to use
an induction or a laterolog tool?
3. How are resistivity tools designed to exhibit variable radial depth of
investigation?
4. What is the vertical resolution of induction and laterolog tools?
5. How can the separation of the shallow, intermediate, and deep resistivity curves
be associated with the process of mud-filtrate invasion? What petrophysical
variables would have the most impact on the separation of these three curves?
6. What would be the petrophysical information available from the ratio of virgin-
zone resistivity to flushed-zone resistivity?

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 Review Questions
7. What types of super-shallow electrical resistivity tools are there available? What
are they used for? Why are they pad tools?
8. What are the environmental corrections that are applied to resistivity logs?
9. Why does one need to worry about bed thickness in the interpretation of resistivity
logs in terms of in-situ hydrocarbon saturation? When are bed thickness
corrections necessary?
10. Why does one need to worry about invasion in the interpretation of resistivity
logs in terms of in-situ hydrocarbon saturation? When are invasion corrections
necessary?
11. What are the so-called resolution enhanced resistivity curves?

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Thanks for your
attention!

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