Integrated Hyperspectral Core Imaging in Unconventional Reservoirs to Identify Drilling and Completions Hazards and Enhance Reservoir Models

Abstract

Hyperspectral core imaging is a non-destructive, infrared-wavelength technology traditionally used by mining operators as a method of identifying key lithological facies and mineral textures and alterations. An emerging technology with respect to Oil/Gas exploration, when integrated with traditional lab analyses and petrophysical methods hyperspectral core imaging will refine interpretations to accurately identify drilling and completion hazard as well as reservoir and fracture propagation models. Incorporating additional lab analyses such as X-ray diffraction, porosity/permeability analysis, rock mechanics, organic geochemistry, and thin sections interpretation along with hyperspectral imaging can clarify previously tenuous evaluations associated with well log responses in unconventional shale or carbonate plays. By providing high-resolution images of mineralogy in relation to depositional fabric and textures within continuous conventional core, hyperspectral imaging allows for a more inclusive, cohesive grouping and correlation between log-derived electrofacies and sedimentological facies. Strengthening this correlation will increase the capacity to identify drilling and fracking hazards that can cause costly rig delays, including well instability and bit-deviation. Differential cemented facies, recrystallized bedding or the widespread occurrence of expandable smectite are all common origins of drilling and fracking risks that can be better understood and mitigated by integrating hyperspectral imaging with traditional energy exploration techniques. Hyperspectral imaging is invaluable when developing models to characterize specific lithology packages. In turn, these packages are used to identify potential horizontal landing zones, hydrocarbon pay zones, drilling and completion hazards (borehole stability, and fracking hazards) and flow barriers, ultimately reducing cost and increasing production. For example hyperspectrally-defined lithological packages combined with density and resistivity logs can reveal potential flow barriers that in other wells had remained undetected. Hydrocarbon pay zones can be defined by the lithogical packages where hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons enmeshed with other minerals are detected by hyperspectral imaging. This same method of classification are used to evaluate cores in producing wells for behind the pipe pay to be further pursued or to validate new calculations of reserve estimations.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90332 © 2018 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa, November 4-11, 2018