The Use of
Image Logs to Decipher Complex Structures and Aid in Well Completions within
Mature Basins
Howard, Thomas M.1, Paul
Elliott1, Dalton Lockman2 (1) Halliburton, Houston, TX
(2) Plains Exploration & Production Company,
The
During the past three years, older,
middle Miocene zones have been the target of new development. Results from
recently drilled wells indicate that geologic structure is still a dominant
factor in accurately understanding and identifying deeper zones in the field
with new reserves. These lower zones are structurally complex reservoirs that
present challenges both in characterization and subsequent development. Thirty
of forty development wells drilled into the lower most zones have been logged
with conventional triple combo openhole logging suites and electrical
microimage logs. Dips and textural information from the image logs have been
used to 1) re-map the subsurface and resolve thrust fault geometries in the
Miocene; 2) identify facies textures associated with igneous body(ies) not
previously identified; 3) identify productive fractured intervals in a nodular
shale unit; and 4) refine the selections for perforation and stimulation within
sand reservoir intervals. At the forefront of issues addressed is the
collection of reliable dip information that will be used to understand the
structure and compartmentalization of newly discovered reservoirs.
Throughout the drilling program,
iterative interpretations were possible with client-interactive data sets from
each well.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California