GLGY 377 ~ LABS 6/7

Maps & Correlation

Falher Formation, Elmworth Field

OBJECTIVES: - log a siliciclastic core 06-07-70-11W6M and determine relationships among porosity,
permeability, lithology and well log signature
- interpret lithology from gamma-sonic logs and correlate a well log cross section
- utilize scout tickets and well logs to refine picks for isolith and structure maps
- use the information gathered from the cross section and maps to choose a possible well
location for future drilling

MATERIALS:
Pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, calculator, crayons (green, blue or purple, yellow and grey), few sheets of lined paper,
couple sheets of graph paper

Download from D2L:

1) Core analyses for 06-07 (Excel file)
2) Isolith maps (x3 included in pdf file posted on D2L)
5) Structure maps (x2 included in pdf file posted on D2L)
6) Well location map (included in pdf file posted on D2L)
7) A set of scout tickets (picks cards) for each well in the cross section (included in pdf file posted on D2L)
10-15-070-08W6
08-17-071-08W6
11-34-079-09W6
11-10-070-10W6
07-23-070-11W6
06-07-070-11W6
06-23-060-12W6
07-23-069-13W6
A-083-H 93-I-16

Previously distributed to students:

1) 06-07-70-11W6 core summary sheet
2) SW-NE cross section of well logs from the Elmworth Field. The datum for this section is the top of the
Notikewin Formation. It is assumed to be horizontal and coincides with a readily recognizable kick in each well
that is used to align the logs. Logs used in this section are gamma ray and sonic. The KB elevation is given
below each log; the DLS well identifier is given above the log.

INTRODUCTION

This lab exercise gives you the opportunity to examine well logs over the Falher interval in the Elmworth area.
These are real logs, one of which is for the well (06-07-070-11W6) that contains the core you will examine.

Depositional Environments
The Falher Formation in the Elmworth Field is a shoreline and nearshore marine succession that contains
conglomerates, sands, shales and coal. The depositional models have variously been interpreted to be river-
dominated sediments and barrier bar beach complexes. Sediments were transported southeastward by longshore
currents and deposited along the shoreline. The beach (shingle) ridges that formed gradually prograded northward,
with some spits developing (Figure 1).
 Figure 1. Depositional model for Falher sediments

Conglomerates and coarse sands are characteristically found in beach facies, and fine sand with high clay content
and organic matter is predominant in subtidal shoreline facies. Carbonaceous (coal) and sandy shales are common
in lagoon bay environments. The conglomerates and sandstones are usually overlain by carbonaceous shale and coal
that was deposited in a swampy environment. These features are summarized in the sketch in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Idealized block model of Falher deposition.

Cycles
T-R cycles (transgressive-regressive) are comprised of sandstone and conglomerate locally separated by shale and
coal deposited. In each cycle the sea initially floods over the older beach and flood plain sediments (shoreline
advances towards the land – transgression), then retreats as the sediments prograde (shoreline retreats towards the
centre of the basin – regression). The exercise involves two cycles (Falher A and B) formed in this manner.
Geometry
Sediments that form the lower part of Falher A and B units were deposited during transgressive phases. Sediments
that form the upper part of the Falher A and B units were deposited during regressive phases. Note that the sands
and conglomerates form bodies of limited dimensions. The NW-SE trend of the shoreline is an important feature in
terms of possible subsurface interpretations. Note that the well log cross section you have been given cuts across the
trend of the shoreline. This attitude for the cross section best displays the relative position of the various units.

LAB EXERCISE:

To be completed and handed in during the first lab period:

1) Log the core from 06-07-70-11W6, one of the wells on the cross section. Pay special attention to the different
lithologies present and compare their position in the core to the log trace for this well on the cross section.
Identify and label the Falher A, Falher B and two coal zones. The Falher A and B units consist predominantly of
sandstone and conglomerate. The coal zones are primarily coal and carbonaceous sand/shale. Briefly comment
on the lithology, texture and sedimentary structures visible in each unit. Also comment on the nature of
porosity, Kmax and Kv. Finally, comment on the nature of the gamma ray and sonic log signatures over each
interval. These relationships will help you identify the reservoir sands in the other wells in the section.

To be worked on prior to and during the second lab period and handed in to the TA:
Well Log Cross Section and Isolith Maps
2) On the well log cross section, identify coals situated above, below and in between the Falher A and B. Use
colour (green, blue or purple) to highlight the position of the coal seams. Remember that coals have high transit
times on the sonic log and in this case, are relatively thin.
3) Plot the top of Falher A, B and C on the right side of each pair of logs from the scout tickets. Note that different
companies drilled the wells at different times – the “picks” from one operator to the next do not necessarily
agree. Also note that these picks do not always match a “kick” that you might have chosen to represent the top
of a sand-dominated unit. On the left side of each pair of logs for each well, correct the picks by identifying the
top of the sand-dominated Falher A and B units using the gamma ray log.
4) Using a gamma ray 45 API cutoff, colour in the log signature (yellow) where API is less than or equal to 45
API on each well. Determine the net sand thickness of the Falher A and B and record the sand thickness on the
appropriate isolith map. Note that wells from the cross section are circled on the maps. Wells surrounding the
cross section wells have their net sand thickness values posted to the left of the well. Prepare isolith contours
using a contour interval of 5 m and be sure to label each contour you draw. When contouring, consider the
geological model and remember that the isolith data provided is linked to a well location – your contour lines
can go through the isolith values and should not “swing” around them.
5) Determine the gross thickness of the combined Falher A/B from the cross section logs. Measure a thickness
extending from the top of the coal underlying Falher B to the bottom of the coal overlying Falher A. On the
remaining isolith map, post the thickness values and contour them. Use a contour interval of 10 m.
6) Using a ruler, correlate the coals across the entire cross section. Note that by correlating the coals, you are
indirectly correlating the Falher A and B as well. ONLY correlate the three coals above, between and below the
Falher A/B - DO NOT correlate your corrected picks from #3. Extend the colour of the coals across the entire
cross section. Note that the Falher A and B become increasing shalier in a lateral sense. Using a zig-zag line
representing a facies change, determine where the Falher A and B change from being sand-dominated to shale
dominated (according to the gamma ray logs). Colour the sand-dominated portions of the Falher A and B
yellow and the laterally shalier portions grey. Label the Fahler A and B in bold print and provide a legend for
the colours used. Comment on any difficulties you encounter while correlating.

To be worked on prior to and during the third lab period and handed in to the TA:
7) Examine the isolith contour maps for the Falher A and B and compare these to the isolith map for the combined
Falher A/B. Comments?
8) Compare the thickness values you measured for the Falher A and B, and combined A/B to those reported on the
scout tickets. Comment on any discrepancies you find.
Structure Maps
9) Using the KB elevation values and your values for the top of the sand-dominated Falher A and B as picked from
the well logs, determine the subsea elevation for the top of the Falher A and B for each well. (Round the KB
and subsea values to the nearest metre). Record the values on the appropriate structure map. Contour your
values and the values posted on the map so as to show the structure of the top of the Falher A and B. Use a
contour interval of 100 m and be sure to label your contours. Comment on the structure of the top of the Falher
A and the Falher B.

Structural Cross Section

10) From the subsea elevation data you have collected using the well logs, plot the top of the Falher A and B on
graph paper (structural cross section). Plot subsea elevation on the Y axis and plot the wells on the X axis. Be
sure to space the wells out along the X axis so as to represent the actual spacing of the wells in the field. Use a
vertical scale of 1 cm = 50 m.

Evaluation
11) The well log cross section is constructed more or less perpendicular to the trend of the shoreline. Why was it
not constructed to be parallel to the shoreline?
12) What is the vertical exaggeration of your structural cross section and the approximate vertical exaggeration of
the well log cross section?
13) What other sand-dominated units on the well logs might be expected to produce hydrocarbons? Refer to the
formation names provided along the right side.
14) If you had the money (or could raise the money) where would you drill an infill well in this field? Why?

List of items to be handed in:

- 06-07-70-11W6 core summary sheet
- Folded well log cross section (with coals, Falher A/B correlated, coloured and labeled, scout ticket picks
and corrected picks; title and legend)
- Three isolith maps (Falher A, Falher B and combined Falher A/B)
- Two structure maps (Top of Falher A and B)
- Structural cross section
- Written responses to questions 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14