SPE 105232

Formation Evaluation While Drilling of a Complex Khuff-C Carbonate Reservoir in

Ghawar Field, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Al-Fawwaz and Nedhal Al-Musharfi, Saudi Aramco, and Parvez Butt and Abdul Fareed, Schlumberger Oilfield
Services

Copyright 2007, Society of Petroleum Engineers

The new tool’s exclusive capability to perform capture gamma
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 15th SPE Middle East Oil & Gas Show and ray spectroscopy and “sigma” measurements is also examined.
Conference held in Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, Kingdom of Bahrain, 11–14 March
2007. The incorporation of these advance measurements into
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
petrophysical evaluations significantly improves the accuracy
information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as of mineral volume and saturation computations. Estimation of
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any calcite, dolomite, anhydrite and heavy minerals fractions in the
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Papers presented at
SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the Society of
formation assisted in identifying better porosity development
Petroleum Engineers. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper and producible reservoir intervals. In this paper several
for commercial purposes without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is
prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than examples of advance formation evaluation in Khuff-C
300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous
acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
reservoir are presented, these examples clearly shows the
Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. significant contributions this new technology provides for the
understanding of complex Khuff-C carbonate reservoir.
Abstract
Within the Saudi Aramco organization, complex reservoir
In this paper, a case study of high GOR (Gas Oil Ratio)
formation evaluation is regarded as a key discipline - fulfilling
horizontal well is presented. Since the well start producing
a critical role in maximizing production and facilitating
high GOR in a less than a year, the detection of gas entry
accurate estimation of reserves. The timely acquisition of high
intervals was the primary objective. Integrated production
quality and detailed petrophysical properties of the various
logging tool string including new Gas Hold up Optical Sensor
reservoirs in Saudi Arabia is central to this role. Towards this
tool was run. The results showed the detection of gas and oil
end, Saudi Aramco Reservoir Description Division (RDD)
entry intervals with confidence achieving the objectives.
introduced a new-generation multi-functional LWD (Logging-
While-Drilling) technology into Saudi Arabia, has been
Khuff-C Geological Setting
directed to evaluation of on-shore complex carbonate
reservoirs.
The Khuff Formation is the earliest major carbonate
sedimentation of the Ghawar field. The formation is deposited
The traditional LWD measurements of propagation resistivity,
in late Permian during transgression of Tethys Sea over the
gamma ray, density and neutron porosity along with advanced
Arabian Plate.
gamma ray capture spectroscopy measurements into a single
compact collar. The electronic pulsed neutron source required
The Formation is deposited in tidal flat environments (Fig.1).
for the spectroscopy measurements also provides a much
Four major transgression cycles for carbonate deposition
improved neutron porosity measurement1.
represented as Khuff-D, -C, -B and -A from bottom to top.
Each cycle starts with a marine transgressive phase to mainly
This technology has been used in a number of Saudi Aramco
sub-tidal carbonate and shallows upward into regressive phase
horizontal wells in carbonate and clastic reservoirs. The data
of mainly inter-tidal and sabkha environments. Khuff-C is the
from these wells has been comprehensively evaluated. The
main reservoir unit having grainstones and packstones and
results of the evaluation of the data acquired by the new tool
interbedded mudstone to wakestone facies. It is interbedded
and conclusions about the tool’s introduction into Saudi
with limestone and dolomite layers overlain and underlain by
Arabia are summarized in this paper.
thicker anhydrite units.
Introduction
Studies using seismic inversion methods, logs and core
The geological complexity of the Khuff formation has made
analyses indicate that the Khuff-C reservoir has sporadic
formation evaluation very challenging and new logging while
development of porous and non-porous limestone/dolomite
drilling measurements are needed to properly evaluate the
intervals throughout the area. Furthermore, the core studies
reservoir in real-time. Newly developed multifunctional
indicated syndepositional diagenetic processes played
logging while drilling tool has been run to date in four wells in
important role in changing porosity and permeability of the
Khuff reservoir and the data from these wells has been
reservoir.
comprehensively evaluated.
2 SPE 105232

Generally leaching and dissolution processes have increased closer to the bit, provides detailed formation image data to the
the porosity and permeability, however, cementation of surface much quicker. Similarly, improvements in the
evaporatic material has decreased the porosity and sensitivity of the azimuthal gamma ray and density
permeability of the reservoir units. This has further increased measurements allow the analyst to easily resolve thin
the complexity of Khuff-C reservoir. anhydrite/dolomite stringers and identify meaningful porosity
changes in the reservoir section. This together with an
improved data up-link greatly enhances the geo-steering
Multi-Function Logging Tool Overview process, resulting in a more confident well placement.

A single collar, 26 feet long multi-function LWD tool is

designed for advance formation evaluation and well Validity of Multi-Function Tool:
placement. The new tool (Fig.2) has three distinct sections.
The bottom section contains an Azimuthal Gamma Ray In well A, multi-function logging tool is used in washed-
(AGR) detector, Annular Pressure While Drilling; APWD, down logging mode after nearly 60hours of drilling the well
drilling dynamics and inclination. The AGR measurement over Khuff-C Formation. Later it has been evaluated and
provides 16-sectors GR image and located close to the drilling compared with Array Resistivity Compensated tool (ARC)
bit. and Azimuthal Density Neutron (ADN) measurements
acquired while drilling. The data acquired by EcoScope™ tool
In the middle section of the tool, two orthogonal ultrasonic was over Khuff-C reservoir and non-reservoir anhydrite
sensors for high resolution 16-sectors caliper measurements intervals. (Fig.3), shows validity of measurements for the new
and cesium based density and Pe measurements. The cesium tool. The conventional nuclear measurements, Density, Photo
density measurement is similar to previous tools but it is Electric (PEF), TNPH and GR show good agreement with the
designed around the new side-loaded logging source. The new measurements made by the multi-function logging tool,
side-loading cesium source provides optimum position for whereas propagation resistivity measurements show overall
increased count rates and enhanced density response. This good agreement with ARC measurements except, in a few
improves the overall quality of health and environment aspects reservoir intervals where invasion effects were pronounced.
and also results in significant saving of rig time from much
faster source loading and unloading process.
Advance Formation Evaluation
The top section is the heart of the tool it contains Pulsed
Neutron Generator (PNG) section with its associated detectors, Well B is drilled with multi-function logging tool over Khuff
and is co-located with 2 MHz/ 400KHz phase shift and Formation. The data is analyzed for Advance Formation
attenuation propagation resistivity measurements2. The PNG Evaluation and Well Placement needs. Capture spectroscopy
allows neutrons to be generated only when the tool is and sigma measurements allowed for detailed minerals
powered, eliminating the need for an Americium Beryllium volumetric and fluid saturation (Fig.4) shows elemental
(AmBe) chemical neutron source. The PNG provides several concentration and distribution of calcium and magnesium over
new measurements to LWD such as Thermal Neutron Porosity Khuff-C reservoir interval. The precise estimation of calcium
(TNPH), elemental capture spectroscopy providing detailed and magnesium dry weight is used for limestone and dolomite
lithology, formation capture cross section (Sigma) providing differentiation. Further to this there are some anhydrite
an alternative to resistivity for fluid saturation computation fractions identified through capture spectroscopy sulfur dry
and Neutron Gamma Density (NGD) which is a density weight measurements within Khuff-C reservoir unit and is
measurement obtained from gamma rays generated from indicative of complex nature of the reservoir (Fig.5). In
neutron interactions with the formation. addition to spectroscopy measurements, water saturation using
captured cross section (Sigma) measurement provides an
The advantage of co-locating resistivity antennas with PNG alternative to resistivity based water saturation. Water
enables both measurements to be made at the same time as saturation is computed from both resistivity and sigma
opposed to the previous measurements that investigate the measurements (Fig.6). Sigma based water saturation would be
same formation at different times and can be affected by advantageous in cases of low resistivity pay zones and also
borehole environmental effects. This has reduced the length of where LWD resistivity measurements are effected by drilling
the tool and has moved the measurements as close as possible environments and near bed boundary effects.
to the bit3.

Case Studies Well Placement

In this poster, three case studies are presented. First,
fundamental nuclear and resistivity measurements from the The new telemetry system in conjunction with Multifunctional
new service are qualified against similar measurements LWD tool enables us in real-time to recieve large amount of
acquired with conventional LWD service run in the same hole. data up-hole. Real-time density and GR images, in addition to
Subsequent horizontal wells examples illustrate how the tool’s other standard dataset, APWD, ultrasonic calipers and
innovative design, which places primary measurements much spectroscopy measurements were sent up-hole in real-time.
SPE 105232 3

This has shown advantage to steer the well with a better References
understanding of reservoir complexities in real time. As the
tool has much shorter length and measurements closer to the 1. Weller, G, et al: “A New-generation LWD Platform
bit, this feature provides more flexibility to drill wells with brings Next-Generation Formation Evaluation Services,”
lower dog leg severity and more into the target reservoir. paper H presented at the 2005 SPWLA 46th Annual
(Fig.7) shows a clear advantage of measurements available Logging Symposium, New Orleans, June 26-29.
earlier in time. 2. Herron, M. et al: “Real-Time Petrophysical Analysis in
Siliciclastics from the Integration of Spectroscopy and
In the example, density image from ADN tool did not to show Triple-Combo Logging,” paper SPE 77631 presented at
formation layer information yet as it is 49 feet behind the new the 2002 SPEAnnual Technical Conference and
multifunctional LWD density image. Therefore, the earlier Exhibition, San Antonio, Sept. 29 – Oct. 2.
density image helped correcting well trajectory earlier in time 3. R. Griffiths, et al: “Evaluation of Low Resistivity Pay in
once formation layer can be seen on both density and GR Carbonates – A Breakthrough,” paper SPWLA presented
images. Khuff-C carbonate reservoir has divided into various at the SPWLA 47th Annual Logging Symposium, June 4-
layers of variable thicknesses, ranging from few feet to tens of 7, 2006.
feet, of almost zero porosity to > 20%, therefore, to geosteer
the well in < 5 feet thick layer was done with the help of
multiple density and GR images transmitted up-hole in real
time (Fig.8).

Results and Discussion

Multifunctional LWD tool has been developed in complex

Khuff-C carbonate reservoir; it provides an advance formation
evaluation opportunity previously unavailable with while
drilling measurements.

Khuff-C formation is highly dipping in wells located at the

flank of Ghawar field. The multiple images and closer to bit
formation evaluation measurements, while drilling, were
critical for estimating formation dip and reservoir quality. It
also helped to better geosteer the wells in this thin highly
dipping carbonate reservoir (Fig.9).

The technology combines conventional measurements of

propagation resistivity and gamma-gamma density with an
enhanced thermal-neutron porosity measurement and new to
LWD formation capture cross-section, spectroscopy
measurements and advanced 3D Ultrasonic caliber (Fig.10).
The integration of available log data allows for accurate
computation of limestone and dolomite volume fractions
which in turn are related to better porosity and permeability
development in the reservoir.

Currently this solution is available with memory data after

pulling out of hole. Efforts are being made to have this
information available in real-time, this will enable us to
achieve more production by geosteering wells in a highly
permeable zone

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Saudi Aramco management

for permission to publish this work. Special thanks extend to
Saudi Aramco Reservoir Description Division head and
supervisors for their support and technical discussions.
4 SPE 105232

26 ft

Ultrasonic caliper
Azimuthal
Density
Photoelectric

Drilling dynamics
Near-bit inclinometer
APWD
Azimuthal Gamma

Fig-2: Tool layout and measurement configuration

Fig-1: Generalized Paleozoic stratigraphic column showing
position of Khuff Formation in Saudi Arabia
SPE 105232 5

Fig-3: Measurements comparison of ARC/ADN and EcoScope Fig-4: Dry weights elemental concentration from captured
measurements (red). Shading between curves indicates spectroscopy.
difference in measurement values.
6 SPE 105232

Figure-5: Accurate volumes of calcite and dolomite using Figure-6: Complex reservoir Formation Evaluation using
spectroscopy measurements. Multi-mineral analysis shows Spectroscopy and Sigma from Multi-functional LWD tool.
better porosity and permeability development with
dolomitization.
SPE 105232 7

Sw ,
GR, N -D, Archi ,
US.Cali Sigma Resistivity Sigma Spectroscopy

TNPH TNPH
Sw (Sigma)

RHOB RHOB

Sigma Sigma

Figure-7: Track-4 showing Water saturation (Sw, in green) computed from capture cross section (Sigma)
measurement and Sw from resistivity measurement
8 SPE 105232

ADN Density
Image

EcoScope
Density
Image

EcoScope
GR Image

Density Images 49 ft
closer to the bit

4ft

Figure-8: Multifunctional LWD density image is 49ft closer to the bit

compare to ADN density image.
SPE 105232 9

Density GR
image image

Figure-8: Example showing drilling into and out of shale layer on GR image

Figure-9: Thin radioactive layer is more pronounced on GR image as compare to Density image.
10 SPE 105232

3D-Ulatrasonic
calipers 2D-US Image

US-Horz

ROBB

US-Vert

PEB

GRMA

DRHB

Figure-10: 16 sectors, ultrasonic calipers used to create borehole shape profile.