Egyptian Geophysical Society EGS Journal, vol. 1, No.

1, 129-137 (2003)

RESISTIVITY, RADIOACTIVITY AND POROSITY LOGS AS TOOLS TO EVALUATE THE ORGANIC CONTENT OF ABU ROASH F AND G MEMBERS, NORTH WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT
Said A. Aly*, Hossam A. M. Ali**, Nasser M. H. Abou Ashour* and Mohamed M. El-Gezeiry*** * Geophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. ** StratoChem Services (SCS), New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt. *** Qarun Petroleum Company, Cairo, Egypt.
. G F : ( E ) -

G F -

. G F

ABSTRACT: The open hole well log data (DLL, FDC, BHC, CNL and GR) of three wells (Harun-1, Qarun E-1 and Wadi Rayan-1) of Gindi Basin and Wadi Rayan Platform are utilized to determine the organic content of Abu Roash F and G Members in this part of north Western Desert. The qualitative interpretation of the log data succeeds in translating the inherited log responses into organic content and source rock identification. The quantitative interpretation of the petrophysical parameters helped in determination of the total organic content and source rock potential.
The responses of wireline logs in relation to the increasing of organic matter (OM) content can be detected through crossplot technique. By this way, the organic matter can be expected with increasing in gamma-ray values, sonic transit-time, neutron porosity, resistivity and with reduction in the formation bulk density. In calculating a total organic carbon content (TOC), porosity/resistivity overlay technique was used. The results revealed that Abu Roash F Member is the principal source rock in this area. Also, the results indicate the existence of organic-rich source rocks intervals within Abu Roash G Member. INTRODUCTION The use of petrophysical techniques arises out of the need to assess source rocks for basin studies in various geological settings, where the database is restricted to basic log data and little or no geochemical information and to provide an integrated "running" assessment of source capability for volumetric determinations. Source rocks are mostly formed of fine-grained sediments such as mudstones and shales, or micritic limestones (Tissot, and Welte, 1984). The important constituent of source rocks is organic matter (OM). A rule of thumb, used by petroleum geochemists, is that rocks sourcing commercial amounts of hydrocarbons normally have a TOC (Total Organic Carbon) value of more than 1% (by weight) although their ultimate commerciality depends on other factors such as organic matter type and expulsion/drainage efficiency (Hunt, 1996). Typically, TOC varies from less than 1% in poor source rocks to over 20% in rich so-called oil shales. A number of log techniques has been developed and demonstrated the use of well logs in determining variations and absolute quantities of OM. A review of all techniques, which based on either individual standard log or combination of many logs, was summarized as shown by Aly and Mahmoud, (1994); Aly, (1995); Aly, (2002) and Ali, (2002). In this work, three basic log analysis techniques have applications in qualifying organic content from well logs. The sonic/resistivity overlay (t/R), bulk density/resistivity overlay (b/R) and the neutron porosity/resistivity overlay (N/R) in addition to the gamma ray log are established for determining the TOC inherited in the evaluated units as shown by Passey, et al. (1990). In north Western Desert, the study area (Fig.1) is considered as one of the promising areas scattered allover the northern part of this petroliferous province. Accordingly, intensive exploration and drilling were done in the last years. From 11 wells, which were

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specific gravity of fresh water and contrasts significantly to common matrix densities of 2.6 to 2.9 gm/cc. As the OM is considered to form part of the matrix in a source rock, reduction in bulk density can be expected (Aly, 2002). 3-Sonic Tansit-Time: Average transit times of 180 s/ft are suggested for OM (Mendelson and Toksoz, 1985). The acoustic log response to OM is the increasing of the transit time over 140 s/ft depending upon the distribution of organic matter in the matrix. 4-Neutron Porosity: The neutron tool measures hydrogen concentration, which is present as water and hydrocarbons in rocks. The neutron response to OM is estimated to average 67 porosity units (Mendelson and Toksoz, 1985), whereas matrix responses are typically close to zero. 5-Resistivity: OM is considered to be essentially nonconductive. Therefore, increases in resistivity are expected, where OM is present at the expense of conductive clays. It can be postulated that the most significant increase in resistivity is likely due to the hydrocarbon generation in which free hydrocarbons have displaced part of the conductive pore water. In all logs, the anticipated effects of OM can be negated or exaggerated by other influences. Washed out boreholes can reduce formation densities, increase acoustic transit-times and neutron porosities but reduce resistivities and gamma ray level. The presence of pyrite could negate completely the density reduction. The occurrence of mica can cause both gamma ray and density increase. Overpressure leads to an increase in apparent porosity. For these reasons, it is very important to mimic the effect of OM in all logs through crossplot technique. Two crossplots are drawn for identifying the source rocks of Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members in the studied wells. The crossplots (t-Rt and b-Rt) are based on the calculation of the discriminant function (Meyer and Nedrlof, 1984). The line of the discriminant function (D) separates between source and non-source rocks. The t-Rt and b-Rt crossplots in Harun-1 well (Fig. 3) suggest that most of Abu Roash F Member and some of Abu Roash G Member appear to be source rocks. The t-Rt crossplot for the Qarun E-1 well (Fig. 4) strongly distinguished the source rocks from the non-source rocks. On the other hand, the low measured bulk density, which when plotted on the b-Rt crossplot (Fig. 4), shows that all the two members are considered to be source rocks. The b-Rt crossplot for Wadi Rayan-1 well (Fig. 5) suggests that both Abu Roash F

evaluated geochemically for source rock (Ali, 2002), three of them have a complete set of well log data for the evaluated rock units (Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members). These wells are Harun-1, Qarun E-1 and Wadi Rayan-1. Abu Roash Formation is very significant reservoir and source rock in the Western Desert (Late Cenomanian-Senonian) and is subdivided into seven members (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) as shown by Schlumberger (1984). Abu Roash "F" Member is formed of brownish grey limestone and shale, while Abu Roash "G" Member reflects the predominance of calcareous facies grading to shale, sandy shale and argillaceous sandstone facies (Fig. 2).

LOG CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANIC-RICH ROCKS

The expected responses of the available logs (GR, b, t, N and Rt) to increasing organic content can be summarized as follows: -

Fig. (1) Location map of the study area. 1-Gamma ray: Increase in gamma ray values can be expected where uranium is associated with OM although this is not an exclusive relationship. The total gamma ray (GR) value may increase by over 150 API across organic-rich intervals (Aly, 2002). Direct measurement of U concentration from the NGT (Natural Gamma Spectrometry) are potentially a more direct indicator of organic matter because this tool isolates the influences of Th and K associated with mica and clay minerals (Mann et.al.1986). 2-Bulk density: Specific gravities of OM are estimated to be in the range of 0.95 to 1.05 gm/cc. This is in line with the

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Fig. (2) Generalized litho-stratigraphic column of the northern part of the Western Desert (After WEC, 1984). and G Members are considered to be source rocks. The t-Rt crossplot for Wadi Rayan-1 well (Fig. 5) displays that most of Abu Roash F Member and some of Abu Roash G Member are considered to be source rocks. LOG EVALUATION TECHNIQUES A number of techniques have been developed to demonstrate the use of well logs in determining the total organic content (TOC). Passey et al. (1990) introduced an adequate technique for identification of source rocks and determination of the total organic carbon content. This technique employs the overlaying of a properly scaled porosity log on a resistivity curve. In organiclean rocks, the two curves parallel each other and can be overlain. In organic-rich rocks or reservoir rocks, a separation between the curves occurs. By using the gamma ray log, reservoir rocks can be identified. Therefore, the separation in organic-rich intervals is measured and called ( log R) parameter. Such a parameter is used to calculate the total organic carbon content. This method is applied in a wide variety of lithologies, for Abu Roash G Member (Zein El-Din et. al., 1998); for Bahariya Formation (Aly and Mahmoud, 1994); for Alam El Bueib Formation (El Bassyouni, et al., 1998) and for Khatatba Formation (Aly, 2002). Results from the above mentioned studies showed a good agreement with core data in estimating TOC content.

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By this way, the porosity curves (t, N and b) and the resistivity curve (ILD or AT 90) are scaled (-100 sec/ft, 0.50 fraction porosity and 0.8 g/cm3 per two logarithmic resistivity cycles, i.e. a ratio of -50 sec/ft to one resistivity cycle). The curves are baselined in a fine-grained non-source rocks. A baseline condition exists when the two curves are directly overlying each other over a significant depth range. It is established in a given lithology of the studied formation and sometimes in the formation above or below. With the baseline established, organic-rich intervals can be recognized by separation and non-parallelism of the two curves. The separation is designated as log R and can be measured at each depth increment on the scale of the resistivity log. The algebraic expression for the calculated log R from the sonic/resistivity, neutron / resistivity and density/resistivity overlays are: log RSonic = log10(R/Rbaseline)+0.02x(t tbaseline) (1) log RNeutron= log10 (R/Rbaseline)+4.00x(NNbaseline) (2) log RDensity= log10(R/Rbaseline)-2.50x(b-bbaseline) (3) Fig. (4) Identification of source rocks from sonicresistivity and densityresistivity crossplots for Qarun E-1 well (from Meyer and Nederlo (1984). where log R is the separation measured in logarithmic resistivity cycle. R is the resistivitymeasured in ohm-m by the logging tool. Rbaseline is the resistivity corresponding to the tbaseline, Nbaseline and bbaseline values when the curves are baselined in nonsource, clay-rich rocks. t, N and b are the sonic, neutron and density log readings. The constant values 0.02, 4.00 and 2.50 are the ratios between the scales of the resistivity and each of sonic, neutron and density logs, respectively. The log R separation is linearly related to the TOC content and is a function of maturity. The empirical equation for calculating TOC content in organic rich rocks from log R is:-

Fig. (3) Identification of source rocks from sonicresistivity and densityresistivity crossplots for Harun-1 well (from Mayer and Nederlo, 1984).

Fig. (5) Identification of source rocks from sonicresistivity and densityresistivity crossplots for Wadi Rayan-1 well (from Mayer and Nederlo, 1984). TOC = ( log R) x 10 (2.297 0.1688 x LOM) (4)

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where TOC is the total organic carbon content (wt%) and LOM is the measured level of maturity. LOM is obtained from the vitrinite reflectance or thermal alteration index by using the maturation indicators of Hood et al. (1975).

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APPLICATION AND RESULTS

Wireline techniques in the form of sonic/ resistivity, neutron/resistivity and density/resistivity overlays are applied for Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members in the three studied wells. Three overlays are drawn for each well combining the calculated TOC profile and the GR log. Such type of presentation helps in identifying the organic rich rocks and evaluating the organic richness in a vertical direction as follows: 1- Harun-1 well: The porosity/resistivity overlays of Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members can be presented through the sonic/resistivity overlay (Fig. 6), neutron/resistivity overlay (Fig. 7) and density/resistivity overlay (Fig. 8). These overlays reflect the prevalence of a good log R separation with high percentage of the TOC (wt%) in Abu Roash "F" Member and upper part of Abu Roash "G" Member. The calculated TOC (wt%) of Abu Roash "F" Member ranged from 1.0 wt% to 5.0 wt% while it ranges from 0.0 to 3.0 wt% in Abu Roash "G" Member indicating the predominance of organic matter in the first member. The density/resistivity overlay (Fig. 8) indicates the existence of abnormal values of TOC (>6.0 wt%) due to the increase of formation bulk density. 2- Qarun E-1 well: The porosity/resistivity overlays of Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members can be presented through the sonic/resistivity overlay (Fig. 9). Neutron/density overlay (Fig. 10) and density/resistivity overlay (Fig. 11). These overlays illustrate a great log R separation with high percentage of TOC (wt%) against Abu Roash "F" Member and the interval 12750-12820 ft of Abu Roash "G" Member. The calculated TOC reaches up to 6.0 wt% suggesting the source rock character for these intervals. The resistivities against these intervals read higher value indicating the generation of hydrocarbons. 3- Wadi Rayan-1 well: The porosity/resistivity overlays of Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members can be presented through the sonic/ resistivity overlay (Fig. 12), neutron/resistivity overlay (Fig. 13) and density/resistivity overlay (Fig. 14). These overlays reflect the existence of a good log R separation in Abu Roash "F" Member, where the calculated TOC reads high values (> 6.0 wt%). The log R separation is good against the upper parts of Abu Roash "G" Member but it decreases in the lower parts of this unit in the sonic/resistivity overlay (Fig. 12), while neutron/resistivity and density/resistivity overlays (Figs.

Fig. (6) Sonic/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRawash F and G Members in Harun-1 well.

Fig. (7) Neutron/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRoash F and G Members in Harun-1 well.

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e logging technique have adequately highlighted limitations

13 and 14) reflect a good separation allover the unit. This is due to the increase of neutron porosity and decrease of formation bulk density. The calculated TOC values of Abu Roash "G" Member are higher in the upper parts than that of lower parts in t/R overlay. But in the N/R and b/R overlays, the calculated TOC values are higher in the upper and lower parts than those of the middle one.

the

Fig. (9) Sonic/Resistivity overlay of the Abu-Roash F and G Members in Qarun E-1 well.

Fig. (8) Density/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRoash F and G Members in Harun-1 well. Accordingly, the studied porosity/resistivity overlays of Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members indicate its organic character with high percentage of total organic content. Therefore, the calculated TOC, as derived from these overlays reflect that Abu Roash "F" Member is the most important source rocks in this study area. In addition, Abu Roash "G" Member is also considered as a potential source in certain intervals, which has considerable quantities of organic matter. Limitations in Log Evaluation Technique Although the geochemical analysis may offer specific advantage in making direct measurement of organic content but the extent and nature of geochemical sampling provide the greatest limitation to quantitative appraisal of organic content. Cuttings samples are usually collected over an interval of about 30 m or at best 10 m. They represent an average assessment of organic content for the studied interval. On the other hand, the results of wirelin

Fig. (10) Neutron/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRoash F and G Members in Harun E -1 well. inherent in quantitative determination. These limitations will be arisen from the absence of absolute values definable for log reading of organic matter. Accordingly, the well logging methods that involve direct calibration with core data are only reliable within

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a localized area. By this way, the correlation between the results from geochemical analysis and log technique is important to prove the successfulness of wireline technique in evaluating the organic richness in the study area.

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In Harun-1 well, the correlation between the calculated TOC and the measured TOC (Fig. 15) reflects a good obvious similarity between them for Abu Roash "F" and "G" Members, especially in the t/Rt and N/Rt overlays. The calculated TOC, derived from the b/Rt overlay, is not matching with the measured TOC due to the increase of formation bulk density. Such increase of density may be the result of lithologic content and clay mineral of the evaluated member. Thus, the t/Rt and N/Rt overlays proved more adequate techniques for quantitative determination of TOC content in this well. In Qarun E-1 well, there is a significant difference among the calculated and measured TOC profiles (Fig. 16) in which the calculated TOC values are generally higher than the measured ones especially at Abu Roash "F" Member and the lower part of Abu Roash "G" Member. The higher values of the calculated TOC are mainly due to the increase of formation resistivities. Increase of resistivities may be the result of free hydrocarbons generated by thermal maturation (Ali, 2002). In Wadi Rayan-1 well, the correlation calculated TOC from log technique and the measured TOC from geochemical analysis (Fig. 17) reflects a good agreement between them in many intervals especially in the middle part of Abu Roash "G" Member. The calculated TOC reads higher values than of the measured in Abu Roash "F" Member and the upper and lower parts of Abu Roash "G" Member. This may be due to the increase of resistivity and reduction of formation density and neutron porosity. The t/Rt overlay is considered to be the best technique in this well due to the nearly good calibration with geochemical analysis.

Fig. (11) Density/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRoash F and G Members in Harun E -1 well.

Fig. (12) Sonic/Resistivity overlay of the Abu-Roash F and G Members in Wadi Rayan-1 well.

Fig. (13) Neutron/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRoash F and G Members in Wadi Rayan-1well.

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Fig. (14) Density/Resistivity overlay of the AbuRoash F and G Members in Wadi Rayan-1 well.

Fig. (16) Correlation between the calculated and measured TOC values of the Abu-Roash F and G Members in Qarun E-1 well.

Fig. (15) Correlation between the calculated and measured TOC values of the Abu-Roash F and G Members in Wadi Rayan-1 well.

Fig. (17) Correlation between the calculated and measured TOC values of the Abu-Roash F and G Members in Wadi Rayan-1 well.

Resistivity, Radioactivity and Porosity Logs CONCLUSIONS

Source rock identification and quantification, using wireline logs, is considered as the up-to-date technique. The evaluation system starts by revealing the expected responses of the wireline logs (GR, BHC, FDC, CNL and LLD) to increasing organic content. Increase of gamma ray, sonic travel times, neutron porosity, resistivity and decrease of density may be the result of increased OM content but this is not necessarily always true in all cases. There are no absolute values definable for these logs of organic matter. Porosity/resistivity techniques clearly show that logs can be used to identify organic-rich formations. The calculated TOC (wt%) values derived from t/Rt, N/Rt or b/Rt ranged from 0.5 wt% to more than 6.0 wt% for Abu Roash "F" Member. This means that Abu Roash "F" Member is considered one of essential source rocks in north Western Desert. Added to that, Abu Roash "G" Member could also be a source rock, which contains average to very high organic contents. To enable log techniques to be fully evaluating and successfully applied for quantitative determination of organic matter, it is essential to correlate their results with laboratory geochemical analysis. Results from the t/Rt overlay showed a good agreement with core data in estimating organic carbon content in this area.

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Autric, A., and Dumesnil, P., 1985: Resistivity, radioactivity and sonic transit time logs to evaluate the organic content of low permeability rocks. The log Analyst, v. 20, p. 36-45. Hood, A., Gutjahr, C. C. M., and Heacock, R. .L., 1975: Organic metamorphism and the generation of petroleum. AAPG Bulletin, v. 59, p. 986-996. Hunt, J. M. (1996): Petroleum geochemistry and geology W. H. Freeman and Company, NewYork, p. 743. Mann, U., Leythaeuser, D and Muller P. J., 1986: Relation between source rock properties and wireline log parameters: An example from lower Jurassic Posidonia shale, NW Germany. Advances in Organic Geochemistry, v.10, p. 1105-1112Mendelson, J. D. and Toksoz , M. H., 1985: Source rock characterization using multivariate analysis of log data. SPWLA 26th Annual Logging Symposium, paper U.U. Meyer, B. L., and Nederlof, M. H., 1984: Identification of source rocks on wireline logs by density/resistivity and sonic transit time/resistivity crossplots. AAPG Bulletin, v. 68, No. 2, P. 121-129. Passey, Q. R., Greany, S., Kulla, J. B., Moretti, F. J. and Stroud, J. D., 1990: A practical method for organic richness from porosity and resistivity logs. AAPG Bulletin, v. 74, p. 1777-1794. Schlumberger, 1984: Well Evaluation conference (WEC), Egypt. Schlumberger ltd., p. 1-21. Tissot, B. P. and Welte, D. H., 1984: Petroleum Formation and Occurrence. Springer, Berlin, 2nd Ed. Zein El-Din, M. Y., Abd El-Gawad, E. A., Ragab, M. A., and Abd El-Rahman, A. Y. A., 1998: Evaluation of Abu Roash G Member in terms of source and reservoir rocks, Abu Senan area, Westren Desert, Egypt. Proc. of 11th Symposium of Phanerozoic & Development in Egypt, p. 79-11.

REFERENCES
Ali, H. M. A., 2002: Source rock evaluation and its implications for hydrocarbons generation in Kattaniya and Gindi Basin area, Western Desert, Egypt. M.Sc. Thesis, Fac. of Science, Ain Shams Univ., p. 243. Aly, S. A., 1995: Source rock evaluation and hydrocarbon generation of the brown limestone in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, using well logging and geochemical data. M.E.R.C. Ain Shams Univ., Earth Sci. Ser., p.215-227. Aly, S. A., 2002: A practical guide to the application of wireline logging in source rock evaluation for the Khatatba Formation, north Western Desert, Egypt. Geol. J Egypt. Aly, S. A. and Mohamoud, A. M. E., 1994: The use of density-resistivity overlay method for the determination of the total organic content in potential source rocks. E.G.S. Proc. of the 12th Ann. Meet., p. 41-58. El Bassyouni, A, A., Hassan, N. M. and Kamel, A. A., 1998: The determination of total organic carbon content of the Alam El Beuib Formation in Salam oil field, Western Desert, Egypt. E.G.S. Proc. of the 16th Ann. Meet., p.41-58.