SPE-188039-MS

Increasing Certainty in Formation Evaluation Utilizing Advanced Mud Logging

Gas Analysis
Endurance Ighodalo, Graham Davies, (Saudi Aramco),
Steve Austin D’Souza, Abdelhamid Ahmed (Weatherford)

Copyright 2017, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, 24–27 April 2017.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by
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methane (C1) to pentane (C5), and also

ABSTRACT extended the detection range to include the
dominant C6, C7, C8, aromatics and lighter
Recent developments in surface logging and
alkenes.
the need for sophisticated information on
Gas ratio analysis of the detected hydrocarbon
reservoir content and type in the oil industry
components enabled us to evaluate the
have led to the availability of real-time
reservoir fluid content and to identify and
advanced fluid solutions assisting in informed
characterize the formation fluid and possible
decisions while drilling.
fluid contacts.
The objective of this study was to identify
The results, validated by correlation and
possible fluid contacts and acquire PVT quality
comparison with other data such as wireline
sample data while drilling Paleozoic
logs, well tests and PVT results assisted in the
formations. This is accomplished by extracting
characterization of lithological changes,
and analysing formation gas from the drilling
possible fluid contacts, vertical fluid
fluid employing the Advanced Formation Gas
differentiation in multi-layered intervals, and
Extraction System for formation evaluation
drill bit metamorphism (thermal cracking)
with a high-resolution chromatograph.
effect.
The Advanced Formation Gas Extraction
The comparison between surface gas data
System provided consistent flow and heated
analysis and PVT data confirms the consistency
mud and maintained constant temperature
between the gas show and the corresponding
conditions. Thus, it provided an accurate
reservoir fluid composition.
chromatographic breakdown of the formation
gas extracted from the drilling fluid at surface.
The chromatograph was able to detect the INTRODUCTION
hydrocarbons from the light to heavy factions,
2 SPE-188039-MS

Mudlogging services provide one of the mud must be done with a device which
earliest data available while drilling. The guarantees that the volume of mud treated in
acquisition of gas in mud data while drilling for a time is constant. The mud sample must be
safety and geological surveillance is an almost kept in a constant temperature, with the help
universal practice. of a mud heating system. The sampling line
First introduced commercially in 1939, these carrying the gas to the mudlogging laboratory
mobile laboratories carried little more than a must be thermally insulated and made of
coffee pot, a microscope for examining material which is not subject to chemical
formation cuttings and a hotwire sensor for interaction with hydrocarbons present in the
detecting the amount of hydrocarbon gas gas sample. The system must guarantee a
encountered while drilling. constant and controllable sample flow, via a
The measurement of drilling gas data (gas gas flow control system which distributes the
shows) is presently a standard practice during gas sample to all the instruments connected to
drilling of Exploration, Appraisal/Delineation the system. Which usually consist of a total
and occasionally, Development wells. hydrocarbon detector and gas
Continuous gas monitoring sometimes chromatograph.
enables us to indicate, in general terms, the The system must be monitored, so that the
presence of hydrocarbon bearing intervals but effective operating conditions can be
rarely define fluid type (oil, condensate and / controlled and recorded. Sensors must
or gas, water). measure continuously mud flow, mud
The acquired mudlogging data is still not fully temperature and gas sample flow rate.
utilized for formation evaluation owing to the Furthermore, procedures must be in place to
general belief that they appear unreliable and verify the status of the entire extraction
unrepresentative. system and to quantify the extraction
The ability to extract a gas sample from the efficiency of the gas sample extractor.
mud returns that is representative of the This study employs the Gas ratio from the
reservoir fluid is a function of a number of Advanced Gas chain to analyse the detected
parameters including efficiency of the hydrocarbon components which enabled us to
degassing system, fluctuating volume of the evaluate the reservoir fluid content, to identify
mud degassed, the design of the gas line used and characterize the formation fluid
to transport the gas to an analyser and the signatures, and fluid contacts. The results
accuracy / speed sensitivity of the analyser. were validated by correlation and comparison
This is termed the gas chain. (Al-Ghamdi et al., with other data such as wireline logs, well tests
2008). and PVT results. This assisted in the
Recent developments in the industry to characterization of lithological changes, fluid
improve mud gas data acquisition and analysis contacts, vertical fluid differentiation in multi-
has led to the availability of better quality layered intervals, and drill bit metamorphism
data. These recent developments applied a gas (thermal cracking) effect.
detection system which is accurate and This studies was performed in a Paleozoic
repeatable and depend on an advanced gas formation.
chain which delivers a high quality gas sample.
The advance gas chain is a gas extraction
system that meets the following minimal
requirement: The extraction of gas from the
SPE-188039-MS 3

THE GAS CHAIN THE ADVANCED GAS CHAIN

The gas chain can be broken down into three The advanced gas chain is a gas extraction
main processes: the delivery of drilling fluid to system which meets the following minimal
the gas extractor, the extraction of the gas and requirements: The extraction of the
the analysis of the formation gas. hydrocarbon gases from the mud must be
The Sampling device and the mud delivery done with a device that guarantees that the
system: This sampling device is a tool for mud volume of mud treated in a time period is
extraction and is used to extract the drilling constant (constant flow). The mud must be
kept at a constant temperature, with the help
fluid directly from the flow-line at a position
of a mud heating system. The sample line
closest to the bell nipple. This accounts for carrying the gas to the mud logging
lighter hydrocarbon loss at surface and chromatograph must be made of a material
ensures a constant stream of mud through the which is not subject to chemical interaction
delivery system. To make sure that the drilling with hydrocarbon gases. The system must
fluid is delivered at a constant volume to the guarantee a constant and controllable sample
extractor, a constant volume pump is added to flow, via a gas flow control system which
distributes the gas sample to all instruments
the gas chain.
connected to the system, which usually
The Gas Extractor: The drilling fluid then consists of a total hydrocarbon detector and
gas chromatograph (Ferroni et al., 2012).
undergoes the gas extraction process in a
Such a system must be monitored, so that the
closed environment, ensuring minimal effective operating conditions can be
hydrocarbon loss. Since the fluid is delivered at controlled and logged. Sensors must
a constant volume, the air to mud ratio within continuously measure and record mud flow,
the extractor remains the same. The gas mud temperature and gas sample flow rate.
extractor blades agitate the mud with a fixed
rotation and extract the gas from solution. The The Fluid Handling module: For the advanced
gas chain, a similar setup of the gas sampling
mud is then expelled back into the circulation
system is used, however, before delivery to
system and the gas is delivered through the the extractor, a fluid handling module is
sample lines to the gas analyzer. One of the introduced. Depending on the climate and
problems associated in this process is the environment, the returning mud stream can
temperature of the mud which can severely undergo a ‘cool-down’ effect. Cold muds
impact the detection and quantification of generally need more agitation to extract the
gas. The fluid handling module heats the mud
heavier hydrocarbons.
to a specified temperature set point. Heating
The Gas Analyzer: Standard gas analyzers the mud aids heavy hydrocarbon extraction.
break the formation gas into its C1 – C5
The Transport Line: A pump mechanism draws
constituents and have only a basic application
the extracted formation gas to the gas
for hydrocarbon analysis.
analyzer. Heavier hydrocarbons can condense
within the sample lines as a result of outside
temperatures and environment. The sample
lines are able to maintain a constant
4 SPE-188039-MS

environment to the gas analyzer, which effect of recycled gas and mud chemical
reduces the chance of potential residue or contamination.
blockages from heavier hydrocarbons and As a quality control (QC) step, false indications
condensation. of gas can be eliminated from gas analysis by
using a DELTA gas system that measures the
The Advanced gas analyser: An advanced difference between gas going into the
chromatograph was used to detect the wide wellbore (GAS IN) and gas coming out (GAS
spectrum of gases from the formation. The OUT). The delta readings acquired are more
chromatograph simultaneously detects the representative of formation fluid content and
hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon give a greater accuracy when combined with
components of the formation gas. Pixler’s hydrocarbon ratio’s (1969) and
Increasing the number of detectable Haworth’s Wetness and Balance equations
hydrocarbons allows the identification of (1984). Fig. 1 GAS IN, GAS OUT and DELTA GAS
reservoir fluid and formation characteristics. illustrates this ability to identify the false
Another benefit of having a fast indication of gas influx.
chromatograph is that it can increase the
resolution of the hydrocarbons. This helps in
the detection of minute changes that may DRILL BIT METAMORPHISM (DBM)
occur within the drilled formation and will help DBM is the phenomenon where interactions
in better planning for wireline and completion between drill-bit, rock and drilling fluids
operations. impart artefacts to mud gas and/or cuttings
Overall, the distinctive advanced gas returns including: 1) Generated products
extraction and analysis system allows for a (including hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon
better mud gas representation, higher quality gases) from reactions at high temperatures,
sample and quicker analysis, while providing pressures, strain rates, and metal surface
heavy hydrocarbon detection for enhanced exposure at the bit. 2) Altered drill cuttings
formation evaluation. which impact geologic and geochemical
interpretation. Gas artefacts related to DBM
include the occurrence of unsaturated gas
QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS components, Ethene, Propene and Butenes.
The major quality control process applied in (Wenger et al., 2009)
this study is discussed below. The detection of Alkenes is a useful tool in
identifying Drill Bit Metamorphism (DBM)
DELTA GAS ACQUISITION artefacts and the gas analyzer implemented
If a high formation gas peak is detected while has the ability to detect such lighter
drilling, there is a possibility that gas can be hydrocarbon alkenes. The overview of the
pumped re-circulated through the circulation chromatography with the DBM artefacts while
system. This generally happens if the drilling coring and drilling is shown in Fig. 2.
fluid is not degassed while passing through the In the illustration in Fig. 2, the presence of
surface processing equipment. This gas event alkenes is not always seen through the drilled
can show up as a false indication of formation interval. Associating the alkenes with other
gas content and is commonly known as drilling parameters is a useful tool in
recycled gas (Mercer, 1974). The objective of determining the cause of alkene presence and
applying a delta gas system is to remove the
SPE-188039-MS 5

this can in turn reflect the formation and hydrocarbon presence. This can vary
characteristics. between fields, wells and even between
Alkenes can be produced during thermal formations.
cracking of the hydrocarbons in place or from Zones of interest are highlighted in (Fig. 3b).
the drilling fluid and the associated chemicals These show up as potential zones of interest-
(Wenger et al., 2009). This occurs as a result of 1a, 1, 2 and 3.
frictional heat generated by the bit on the Zone 1a (Fig. 3) as highlighted in the plot
formation. This effect is enhanced when suggests the presence of hydrocarbons in the
hydrocarbon gases are present in the formation. However, it was observed that the
formation. WOB was relatively much higher. Increase in
In this study, the increment of saturated and alkene levels was also associated with this
unsaturated hydrocarbons associated with increment. It is believed that this gas is
drilling parameters proved useful in
mechanically liberated gas (Mercer, 1974) and
highlighting and determining the cause for
has more relationship to the drilling
these gas increments. During coring
operations, DBM artefacts were observed. procedures adopted at the time of drilling this
This is believed to be caused by increased particular interval. This zone was eliminated
friction between the core barrel and the from further analysis and comparisons.
formation causing the in-situ saturated
hydrocarbons to break down. Due to coring VERTICAL DIFFERENTIATION IN MULTI-
operations, the increased surface area contact LAYERED INTERVALS
between the core barrel and the formation From the gas analysis, hydrocarbon presences,
resulted in greater friction. a transition zone (TZ) and water zone, were
Apart from these Quality Control steps, care identified.
was taken to ensure lag calculations and gas
calibration checks were performed during Transition Zone
tripping operations to ensure gas quality An increase in aromatic compounds, along
output, system maintenance and monitoring. with an increase in the hydrocarbons, was
observed below zone 3 (fig 4a). Since the
aromatics Benzene and Toluene are water
FLUID ANALYSIS soluble hydrocarbons (Hall et al., 2013); (Pinna
An abundance of gas was observed through et al., 2008), the presence of water is deduced
the drilled interval, presence of C1 – C5, C6 – where they exist.
C8 and aromatics were observed through the Heavier hydrocarbon ratios (C5-C8) are also
reservoir. To identify the zones of interest, a noted in the interval below Zone 3 (Fig. 4a).
cut off of 1.75% was on applied on TG to Using advanced gas composition analysis
separate the background from the formation [(C6C7/C3), (C6C7/C4C5) and (C8/C4C5)], the
gas in the interval (Fig. 3a). gas ratios also show a change in the trend
The background gas is a continuous trend of below Zone 3. Integrating the information of
gas that is seen while drilling a well. In an ideal the aromatics and advanced gas analysis, a
situation, this trend is seen to gradually transition zone is inferred at that depth (Fig.
increase with depth. This is not always the 4a). These ratios indicate a grading in the fluid
case, as some of the variables that affect this density with depth. The presence of heavier
trend can be bore-hole size, formation components such as C6+, indicate more
pressures, lithology, porosity, permeability
6 SPE-188039-MS

resilient hydrocarbons in the formation In this study, the presence of water is

(Newton et al. 2014) abundantly clear in the advanced gas ratios HC
and Aro/Alk. This is also seen in the WH/BH
The gas ratios were able to differentiate the ratios. The WH/BH ratios begin to show a
hydrocarbon presence within the formation separation at the beginning of the transition
from the top of the transition zone (TZ) and zone and his seen to be continually present
move away from the inferred hydrocarbon from this depth. (Fig. 7a). Similarly in the
trend (Fig. 4b). The distinctive trend is seen in binary plot (Fig. 7b) the separation is made
the ratios as a result of the increase in the clear. (HC=C1/(C4+C5) and ARO/ALK=
heavier hydrocarbons and the aromatic (Benzene + Toluene)/(∑C1-C8) ((Pinna et al.,
compounds. 2008) and (Farouk et al., 2014)) and WH=
((C2+C3+C4+C5)/∑(C1 – C5)) x 100 and BH =
Pressure tests data was acquired using (C1+C2)/(C3+C4+C5) (Haworth et al., 1985)
formation tester tool across these intervals.
This data confirm the hydrocarbon presence at
the top with fluid gradient of 0.15psi/ft and
water presence at the bottom with fluid COMPARTMENTALIZATION
gradient of 0.42psi/ft (fig 5). There is a region Through the detection of heavier hydrocarbon
of fluid uncertainty between the top and species and incorporating advanced gas
bottom. The mud-gas analysis was used to analysis and ratios, the formation fluid is
locate the beginning of the transition zone and compartmentalized into three hydrocarbon
reduce the fluid uncertainty within this region. zones of interest, Transition Zone (TZ) and
Three fluid samples were also acquired using a Water.
formation tester: Oil, water with traces of oil On comparing the zones, clear limits can be
and water. The second sample (water with inferred based on the gas ratio behaviour.
traces of oil) was taken below the appearance Hydrocarbon (Zone 1, 2 and 3), Transition
of the aromatics which confirms the presence Zone (TZ) and Water zone was established and
of water through this interval (Fig. 6) clearly shows the compartmentalization of the
fluids through the gas readings on surface. Fig.
Water zones
8a highlights the zone selection with regard to
The presence of water should show a drop in the inferred fluid type and shows the
the hydrocarbon gas quantities but this is not relationship of the zones to one another. Fig.
always the case, as it can also depend on the 8b shows the spider plot which reflects an
formation pressures, permeability and increase in density towards the centre, with
mobility of fluids within the formation. the water zone plotting in the centre. It can be
Water zones, like transition zones, are not noticed that the water zone plots with a
always obvious through the gas analysis. The different trend from the rest of the zones,
confirming a shift in the characteristics of the
acquired gas data has to be compared to other
gas ratios. The gas trend below the
parameters and trends to establish a
hydrocarbon/water contact was seen to
behavioural pattern.
gradually decrease and the gas ratios in the
SPE-188039-MS 7

interval plot separately from the hydrocarbon BH – Balance

trend. Ben - Benzane
C1 – Methane
C2 – Ethane
FLUID CHARACTERIZATION C3 – Propane
C4 – Butane
The first hydrocarbon sample acquired using a
IC4 – Iso-Butane
formation tester tool (Fig. 6), was subject to
NC4 – Normal Butane
PVT analysis. A mud gas sample collected at
C5 – Pentane
the same depth passed through the advanced
IC5 – Iso Pentane
gas system for the compositional analysis.
NC5 – Normal Pentane
The readings were then normalized to the C6 – Hexane
total of C1 – C5. After normalization of both NC6 – Normal Hexane
data sets (PVT and advanced mud gas sample), C7 – Heptane
the advanced mud gas sample compares NC7 – Normal Heptane
closely with the PVT results (Fig. 9). The results C8 – Octane
show that the advanced gas system is capable NC8 – Normal Octane
of quantitative results in the C1 – C5 spectrum. HC – Hydrocarbon
MCC6 – Methylcyclohexane
PVT – Pressure Volume Temperature
CONCLUSIONS TG – Total Gas
Tol – Toluene
From the results of the advanced mud gas
system and applying advanced gas analysis, it WH – Wetness
WOB – Weight on Bit
was possible to find the compositional
breakdown of the fluid. It was also possible to
detect possible transition zone, detect
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
hydrocarbon / water contact and confirms the
consistency between the gas show and The authors would like to acknowledge the
reservoir fluid with integration with PVT support of Mr Ali Al-Belowi and Dr. Tareq Al-
analysis results from the sample taken with Ghamdi, both Saudi Aramco. They will also like
the formation tester. to acknowledge the support of Amin Nabil and
Stephanie Heard, both of Weatherford.
This analysis result, in addition to other well
data, was integrated into real-time decision
making, post wells studies and integrated field
studies. REFERENCES
Al-Ghamdi, T.M., AlWaheed, H., Bradford, C.
and Cheshire, S. (2008) “Utilizing Mud
NOMENCLATURE Logs for Optimal Formation Evaluation
ALK – Alkane and Guidance in Formation Testing
ARO – Aromatics Decisions” SPE – 117071, pp. 11-8.
8 SPE-188039-MS

Farouk, A., Pinna, G.N., Ahsan, S.A., Mahmoud, Mercer, R.F. (1974) “Liberated, Produced,
G., Heard, S.T., Al-Hanaee, A.R., Recycled or Contamination?” SPWLA-
Kingsley, K., and Al-Shehhi, A. (2014) 1974, pp. 1-18.
“New Approach for Formation Newton, S., Liu, C., Al-Dwaish, M.S., Al-Harbi,
Evaluation Using Advanced Mud Gas M., Esterabadi, J., Shoeibi, A. and
Analysis of Conventional and Ferroni, G. (2014) “The Application of
Unconventional Reservoirs: A Case Mud Gas Analysis in the Evaluation of a
Study from Onshore UAE” SPE – Complex Carbonate Reservoir” SPWLA
171714, p. 13. – 2014, pp. 55, 14.
Ferroni, G., Rivolta, F. and Schifano, R. (2012) Pinna, G.N. and Law, D.J. (2008) “Advances In
“Improved Formation Evaluation While Mud Gas Interpretation Whilst Drilling”
Drilling With a New Heavy Gas SPWLA – 2008 - OOO, pp. 1-12.
Detector” SPWLA – 2012-183, pp. Pixler, B.O. (1969) “Formation Evaluation by
53,12. Analysis of Hydrocarbon Ratios” J Pet
Hall, D., Sterner, M. and Shukla, R. (2013) Tech, pp. 665-670.
“Combining Advanced Mud-Gas And Wenger, L.M., Pottorf, R.J., Macleod, G.,
Rock-Fluid Analysis To Aid Exploration Otten, G., Dreyfus, S., Justwan, H.K.
And Development In Unconventional and Wood, E.S. (2009) “Drill Bit
Plays” Article ShaleShaker, p. 3. Metamorphism: Recognition and
Haworth, J.H., Sellens, M.P. and Whittaker A. Impact on Show Evaluation” SPE
(1985) “Interpretation of Hydrocarbon 125218, pp. 1-10.
Shows Using Light (C1-C5)
Hydrocarbon Gases from Mud-Log
Data” AAPG - Vol 69, No 8, pp. 1305-
1310.
SPE-188039-MS 9

C1 C2 C3 IC4 NC4 IC5 NC5 NC6 NC7 NC8 BEN TOL MCC6

formation gas
Difference between gas-in and gas-out showing

Fig. 1 GAS IN, GAS OUT and DELTA gas illustration for all the gas compositions.
SPE-188039-MS

Fig. 2 Overview of chromatography with DBM artifacts while coring and drilling
Propene
Ethene
Ethene
Propene
Advanced Gas Compositions (C6 – C8)
and Aromatics (Ben and Tol)
Gas Compositions (C4 and C5)
Gas Compositions (C1 - C3)
10
11

Fig. 3a: Cut off applied to the background. Fig 3b intervals highlighted as zones above background

Advanced Gas Compositions (C6 – C8)

and Aromatics (Ben and Tol)
Gas Compositions (C4 and C5)
Gas Compositions (C1 - C3)
Formation gas
Background gas
SPE-188039-MS
SPE-188039-MS

Fig. 4a The transition zone and the comparison of the heavier hydrocarbon behaviour

Advanced gas ratios (C8/C4C5)

Advanced gas ratios (C1/C6 and C1/C7)
Advanced gas ratios (C6C7/C4C5)
Advanced gas ratios (C6C7/C3)
Aromatics (Tol)
Aromatics (Ben)
Advanced Gas Compositions (C6 – C8)
Gas Compositions (C4 and C5)
Gas Compositions (C1 - C3)
12
SPE-188039-MS 13

Hydrocarbons

Transition Zone

Fig. 4b Change in the trend of the hydroarbon ratios

14 SPE-188039-MS

Gradient =0.15psi/ft, Condensate, Light oil?

Region with uncertainty in fluid composition

Gradient =0.42psi/ft, Water

Fig. 5 Pressure Test plot across the Hydrocarbon, Uncertain fluid type and water intervals.
SPE-188039-MS 15

Fig. 6 Three zones identified and matched with formation tester and Wireline data
16 SPE-188039-MS

Gas ratios (HC and ARO/ALK)

Gas ratios (WH and BH)
and Aromatics (Ben and Tol)
Advanced Gas Compositions (C6 – C8)
Gas Compositions (C1 - C3)

Gas Compositions (C4 and C5)

Gas ratios (C1/C2)

Fig. 7a Behaviour of the advanced gas ratios in the transition and water zone

Fig. 7b Binary plot of HC Vs ARO/ALK showing the transition and water zone from the hydrocarbons
17

Fig. 8a Inferred fluid type

Advanced Gas Compositions (C6 – C8)
and Aromatics (Ben and Tol)
Gas Compositions (C4 and C5)
Gas Compositions (C1 - C3)
SPE-188039-MS
18 SPE-188039-MS

Fig. 8b Spider plot

Fig. 9 Compositional chart showing a match between PVT and advanced gas Mol %