SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

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LWD QUADCOMBO TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION IN TOUGH LOGGING CONDITIONS IN
MEXICO - MARINE
Jos Marcelo Caballero, Oscar Dario Xochipa, Ana Peternell, Patrick Galletti, Rafael Sanchez, Oscar Buitrago, Carlos
Alberto Buenrostro, PEMEX - Schlumberger

ABSTRACT
Although conventional logs are normally used to
acquire well information, not always is possible to
run cable tools due to tough environmental
conditions (i.e. high temperatures, high-deviated
well, etc). Furthermore, when directional drilling is
being performed, it is essential to count with enough
information to avoid possible problems or simple to
know the position of the drill bit according to the
expected lithology.

LWD technology in reamdown mode for a 8 hole

because the stability of the well was compromised if the
well was left in static conditions and because it was
possible to take advantage of the recognition trip while
conditioning the well to lower down the casing shoe.
The major impact of the LWD Technology (Logging
While Drilling) relies on its advantage of taking decisions
in real-time, likewise its reamdown mode can offer great
advantages with major probabilities of success for being
direct related to drilling operations while comparing to
wireline TLC (Tough Logging Conditions).

Introduction
In October 2004, a Schlumberger LWDQuadCOMBO was run in Bolontiku 21 which is
one of the Mexico-Marine wells within the Bolontiku
field. Recent geomechanics studies have identified
three main zones with abnormal formation pressure
in the Bolontiku field where more difficulties while
drilling are found. These zones consist of shaly-sand
formations with high potential of loss circulation.
Specific drilling techniques and certain mud salinity
values have been suggested in order to avoid such
problems.
It is this scenario the reason to run a LWD
QuadCOMBO in Bolontiku-21 instead of using
conventional wire logging. it was decided to use the

Schlumberger
mberger Private

This paper describes the applications of a

QUADCombo LWD job performed in October 2004
in one of the Mexico-Marine wells, where its
conditions were beyond the cable logging limits. It
shows how this data was used for well placement
purposes and the cost-benefit by saving rig time to
client. Also, it shows how this information was
interpreted to know local horizontal stresses and
borehole condition. The quality of this data was
compared to cable logs of nearby wells to identify
geological zones, and a further formation evaluation
was performed in order to explain the tool response
according to the observed lithology. Likewise, a brief
cost-benefit analysis is shown if this technology
would have been applied in nearby wells already
drilled within the same field. Finally, it explains how
this data are delivered to client and the advantages
of doing so.
Figure 1. Bolontiku Field and its wells
The Well Bolontiku 21 (Figure 1) belongs to the Litoral
Tabasco Asset of the Southwestern Mexico Marine
Division of PEMEX (Petrleos Mexicanos). It is the first
well to apply this technology in Mexico. The scope of
doing so, was to identify and quantify possible pay zones
among other aims.
As said before, its main problem relies on its narrow
operating window regarding to loss circulation and
formation fluid manifestation, making difficult every trip to
change the drill bit (Figure 2). The results obtained by
using this technology covered our client expectations.
The density, neutron-porosity, and sonic logs response
match nicely to what it was expected according to
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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

previous knowledge of this field in the Cretaceous

period.
In addition, the azimuthal capacity of the *VDN
(VISION Density-Neutron) Tool offered a glimpse to
the borehole geometry identifying fracture zones and
oval effects at certain depths.

The well trajectory follows an inverse fault dress in the

seismic maps. All tool sizes were 6 and partial fluid
losses were noted with certain resistance while drilling
the whole section. All LWD QuadCOMBO tools are
addressed in the appendix section.

DEPTH

Figure 4. Structural Configuration of the Bolontiku field.

The BOLONTIKU reservoir consists mainly of fracture
carbonates with relatively nice permeability due to its
secondary porosity (communication between fractures).
DENSITY

Figure 2. Typical Bolontiku stresses window

Description of the LWD QuadCOMBO technology
in reamdown mode
The scope of the Bolontiku-21 in the 8 section
was to drill from the Upper Paleocene (PS) up to the
entry of the Tithonian Jurassic (JST). Oil base mud
with 1.99 g/cc density was used, having a maximum
well deviation of 28 deg.

Figure 3. Drilling Survey of Bolontiku 21.

* Mark of Schlumberger

The bottom hole assembly (BHA) was performed by

PEMEX and Schlumberger staff having in mind an
optimum log response. The LWD tools were placed as
close to the bit as possible in order to guarantee a
complete log of the reservoir. It was decided not to use
stabilizers, which are devices that keep the tools
centralized. This decision was made in order to remain
the mud cake in place.
The QuadCOMBO logs in Bolontiku-21 consist of:
Resistivity, Density, Neutron-Porosity, Compressional
and fast shear waves. By using this information, a nice
geological correlation to nearby wells was possible to
accomplish, as shown in figure 5.

Figure 5. Geological correlation between nearby wells in

Bolontiku field
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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

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LWD sonic-while-drilling tool (sonicVISION*) was
introduced within this market by obtaining
compressional and fast shear waves in a quiet
hostile environment (Figure 6). This information was
later used for geomechanics studies and rock
properties in further Bolontiku wells.

Figure 6. sonicVISION output logs showing a nice DT

compressional (DTCO) and DT shear (DTSM) in
Bolontiku -21
Upper Paleocene Epoch
Based on the information obtained, it is clear a high
clay volume with low resistivity profile, having a nice
porosity values due to shale content as shown in the
separation of density and porosity curves in figure 7.
LWD VDN* also provides density images. It uses
an algorithm which looks for the best contact to the
formation. The first curve is called IDRO (GO) Density derived from image. Its correction is called
IDDR (GO ) - Density correction derived from
image. By using these two curves, a better formation
density is computed.
A hole caliper was also available by using LWDVDN*. This caliper is based on the difference
between the two density sensors. It was noted an
increasing hole size from 8 up to 9 in the sand
zones, explaining the density corrections applied by
IDDR.

* Mark of Schlumberger

Figure 7. Upper Paleocene Epoch as seen by *LWD

QuadCOMBO Logs in Bolontiku -21
Lower Paleocene Epoch
It is clear in figure 8 the transition zone from a shalysand formation to a carbonate formation where lower
porosity, higher density, higher resistivity and lower
gamma-ray are marking the entrance of the Upper
Cretaceous period.

Figure 8. Lower
Paleocene Epoch
as seen by *LWD
QuadCOMBO Logs
in Bolontiku -21

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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

Cretaceous Period

Jurassic period where other hydrocarbon reservoirs were

found.

Figures 9a and 9b show the log response of the

upper and medium cretaceous epochs. Relative high
resistivity profile due to low formation porosity, also
gamma-ray and density-neutron show zones with
more clay volume. Matrix density points to a
Limestone matrix which is shown in company to fluid
saturations in figure 10 where a formation evaluation
is presented based on these logs.
Figure 11. Mechanical Diagram
in Bolontiku -21. Casing shoes
were positioned based on log
information

Images
*VISION technology adds important values while
providing images. This information is of special interest
while taking decisions regarding to formation evaluation
and directional drilling purposes. Any azimuthal data
can be displayed as an image, including density, PhotoElectric Factor (PEF), and Ultrasonic Caliper. In high
quality images is possible to identified thinly laminated
shales formations and beddings. In Bolontiku-21, this
kind of data was useful to have a better understanding of
the geological structure in the Cretaceous period, as well
as to identify secondary porosity.
Figure 10. Formation Evaluation in Medium Cretaceous
Epoch based on QuadCOMBO logs in Bolontiku -21
After analyzing these logs and performing a
formation evaluation (Figure 10), it was found an
important pay zone in the Cretaceous period. These
pay zone was confirmed in other Bolontiku wells
where wire logging was used. Also this information
was useful to set up the casing shoe at a correct
depth (Figure 11) and continue drilling until the

* Mark of Schlumberger

A technical difference between Schlumberger LWD

VISION Density and wireline log density, relies on its
ability to see a complete borehole while Wireline logs
focus their measurements in a single section. This is the
reason of why this technology was previously called
Azimuthal Density-Neutron (ADN).
By identifying
different densities and assigning specific PEF values, is
possible to create images based on this information.
Figures 12a and 12b show a red point representing a
density window which rotates according to the tool (blue
circle) which in turns is pushed down to the bottom hole
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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

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due to gravitational forces (green arrow). Every 22.5
degrees, a new sector is created as shown in figure
13.

These sectors are created in order to have an image,

where the bottom hole is represented in the middle of it
and the upper parts of the hole are represented in both
sides (figure 14).
If we have a look to those images related to deviated
wells, it will be found that the best formation
measurements will be in the centre of the image (window
8 and 9), this is because the tool is making a better
contact at these points. This perhaps explain why LWD
density logs show a mnemonic called bb (Density of the
bottom hole sector). Outside windows (1 and 16) are
affected by different parameters.

Figure 12a. VISION Density-Neutron Principle

Figure 14. Density Image numbered per sectors

Figure 12b. VISION Density-Neutron Principle

Photo-Electric Factor (PEF)

The mud density used in Bolontiku-21 was 1.99 g/cc with
a high volume of barite. It was this fact that PEF
measurements were not taken into account for lithology
identification, nevertheless the images obtained from
PEF were quiet useful for interpretation purposes.
While interpreting the PEF images in Bolontiku-21, a
dark colour was assigned to high PEF values which in
turn were representing mud zones, while light colour
were representing formation zones. Typically a PEF
image in a well drilled by using a high density mud,
shows a light colour lines in the centre, surrounded by
darker lines (figure 14). In Bolontiku 21, the PEF image
showed something different (Figure 15).

Figure 13. Sixteen Sectors created as if we would have

sixteen calipers.
* Mark of Schlumberger

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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

SE. This information was later confirmed by using other

software processing program called *Boreview. These
results are shown in figure 17.

Direction

Azimuth
Figure 15. PEF Image in Bolontiku -21
This image suggests that the best contact was made
at the right and left sides of the hole (lines 6 and 13
of figure 14). In order that a 6 size tool makes this
happen in a 8 hole size, an oval effect must be
presented.
Bedding
Figure 17. 3D Caliper-Density Images in Bolontiku - 21

Figure 16. Oval effect

It is clear an oval effect from NW to SE with an azimuth

of 230 degrees and bedding of 80 degrees. This
information in Bolontiku-21 was useful to identify the
direction of the maximum and minimum horizontal
stresses and mapping the geological structure.
These events confirm the influence of an inverse fault in
the Bolontiku field.

By using the azimuthal density measurements, it

was possible to calculate a standoff between the tool
and the formation, providing a better understanding
of the real hole size in these intervals. This
technique is commonly known as density caliper. In
other words, by using LWD-VDN* measurements is
possible to obtain the same information as if we
would run 8 calipers oriented. This information is
important while analyzing horizontal stresses acting
on a specific interval.
The 3D images obtained from the density-caliper
technique show an oval effect oriented from NW to
* Mark of Schlumberger

Figure 18. Geological structure in Bolontiku -21

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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

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Cost-Benefit Analysis in the Mexico Marine Rigs
CONCLUSIONS
A brief cost-benefit analysis was performed taking
into account the non productive times (NPT) in 2005
due to open-hole wire logging operations in the
Mexico Marine rigs, finding that its total amount of
NPT is equivalent as stopping all operations in one
rig for nearly a year (figure 19). These NPT values
can highly be minimized by using LWD technology.

Figure 19. Cost Benefit Analysis in the Mexico Marine Rigs

Regarding to Open Hole Wireline Logging Operations
Real Time Data Delivering
As explained before, the major impact of the LWD
Technology (Logging While Drilling) relies on its
advantage of taking decisions in real time. In
Bolontiku 21, this technology was applied in
reamdown mode, nevertheless many wells of the
Mexico Marine Division are being monitored while
this paper is written. This task is accomplished by
qualified engineers located in visualization centres in
which real time answers are provided by using
interactive softwares such as *InterACT.

A successful LWD QuadCOMBO job was

performed in a 8 hole section in Bolontiku 21,
where no wireline logging technique was
suitable due to well instability.
Important pay zones in the Cretaceous period
were found based on the LWD QuadCOMBO
logs.
Casing shoe was set up at a correct depth in
order to continue drilling until the Jurassic
period, where other hydrocarbon reservoirs were
found.
LWD QuadCOMBO logs were useful to correlate
geological structures to nearby wells in which
wireline logging was suitable.
Density images were quiet useful while showing
an oval effect at certain depths, identifying
horizontal stresses acting on local area.
SonicVISION* logs response were in particular
of interest in further geomechanics studies and
rock properties calculations.
Density images were useful to have a better
understanding of the geological structure in the
Cretaceous period, as well as to identify
secondary porosity.
The application of this technology in this
particular well might be taken as a reference for
further wells in local area. Tools, staff, contracts
and computing devices are available and ready
to be used.
It is clear that a considerable amount of time can
be saved by applying this technology, and even
sometimes is the only alternative to have
formation log data.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to express our gratitude to Gervasio
Matias Robles, Francis Elisabeth, Csar Gutirrez and
Agustin Ramos for providing his support while writing
this paper. Special thanks are also extended to all staff
from PEMEX Drilling Design Department in the
Southwestern Marine Division (UOSO) in particular to
Ignacio Martinez Tapia, Jos Juan Lpez Mata, Luis
Manuel Prez Ceja, Alejandra Hernndez and all
Schlumberger staff who make possible this article.

Figure 20. Operational Drilling Visualization Centre

Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche Mexico
* Mark of Schlumberger

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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

Figure 9a. Upper Cretaceous Epoch as seen

by *LWD QuadCOMBO Logs in Bolontiku -21

* Mark of Schlumberger

Figure 9b. Medium Cretaceous Epoch as seen

by *LWD QuadCOMBO Logs in Bolontiku -21

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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

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APPENDIX

LWD sonicVISION* (sonic-while-drilling)

Integrates with all Schlumberger Logging While

Drilling (LWD) systems
Industry-leading collar attenuator

The sonicVISION* sonic-while-drilling tool sets high

performance standards with hardware and software
advances that substantially enhance real-time log
quality and add functionality. Building on more than
a decade of Schlumberger experience with sonic
LWD technology, the sonicVISION tool now delivers
robust, real-time interval transit time data for
compressional waves and shear waves in fast
formations. This gives operators the confidence
needed to rely on the real-time data to make critical
well decisions.
Waveforms available in memory further increase log
quality and allow advanced processing, such as
extending the range of measurement out to the mud
velocity.

sonicVISION* (Sonic-WhileDrilling) Tool

Real Time Applications

Pore pressure trends

Borehole stability assessment
Bit On Seismic* positioning
Rock strength and other mechanical
information
Formation gas and gas influx detection
Drilling optimization
Porosity determination
Top-of-cement identification

Benefits

Higher confidence from unique real-time

quality control
Reduce drilling risk and cost
More effective mud program management
Accurate seismic positioning
Holes sizes from 8 to 30

Features

Real-time acquisition of compressional and

fast shear waves
Real-time slowness projections
Real-time interactive surface labeling of
compressional, shear and Stoneley waves
Pumps-off station measurement
Wideband receivers
High-power wideband transmitter
6 , 8 , and 9 collar sizes
High speed acquisition of up to 1,800 ft/hr
for 6 sampling

* Mark of Schlumberger

LWD VDN (VISION Density-Neutron)

The LWD (Logging While Drilling) VDN * tool acquires 16
bulk density measurements azimuthally around the
borehole.
An algorithm was developed to derive an azimuthal
caliper from the density measurements.
Benefits
Density and neutron porosity accuracy identical
to wireline

Azimuthal measurements

Reduce sensitivity to borehole rugosity

Provide precise bed detection in

deviated wells

Remove
the
guesswork
from
geosteering

Azimuthal images

Provide geologic dip indicators

Identify heterogeneous formations
Enhance
Petrophysical/Geological
Interpretation

Density Image improve sand count and Net to

Gross estimation

Ultrasonic standoff for additional quality control

and borehole imaging

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SPWLA Annual Logging Symposium. Veracruz, Mexico June 4-7, 2006.

LWD VDN* (VISION

Density-Neutron) Tool

LWD ARC VISION*

The Array Resistivity Compensated (ARC) family of
tools
provides
the
formation
resistivity
measurements while drilling with up to 20 resistivity
curves (5 phase-shift and 5 attenuation resistivity
curves for 2Mhz and 400khz). These curves can be
used for correlation and geosteering purpose in
addition to formation evaluations. The new
generation ARC tools (ARC675, ARC825 and
ARC900) measures the phase shift and attenuation
of 2 MHz and 400 kHz electromagnetic waves
alternately generated by five transmitters each with
increasing distance from the receiver pair. The
phase shift and attenuation are functionally
dependent on the electrical resistivity and dielectric
constant of the formation surrounding the tool. Two
apparent formation resistivities, Rps and Rad are
computed from the measured phase shifts and
attenuations, respectively, for each transmitter
spacing and frequency.

* Mark of Schlumberger

LWD ARC VISION* (Array

Resistivity Compensated) Tool

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