3D Real-Time Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity

Logging-While-Drilling

Glenn Wilson & Nigel Clegg

MTnet EMinar – 9 February 2022

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Overview

▪ Introduction to Logging-While-Drilling
▪ Ultra-Deep Resistivity
▪ Inversion
▪ 1D → 2.5D → 3D
▪ Case Studies

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Acknowledgements

▪ Halliburton
▪ Alban Duriez, Geosteering Manager
▪ Neila Kadri, Strategic Business Manager – LWD
▪ Sperry Drilling Technology
▪ Computational Geoscience
▪ Eldad Haber
▪ Dave Marchant
▪ Nigel Phillips
▪ Halliburton & various operators for permission to publish

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 3

Logging-While-Drilling

Azimuthal Directional Resistivity Azimuthal Neutron Sonic Formation Magnetic Telemetry

Gamma Sensors Density Porosity Pressure Resonance
Ray and Fluid Imaging
Sampling

• Navigation • Mud pulse

• Direct sampling of
• Orientation fluids and pressures • EM
• Wired Pipe

• Azimuthal or non-azimuthal • Azimuthal

• Resistivity is related to fluid • Slowness (velocity) is related
saturation and porosity to rock mechanics

Nuclear tools
• Density – Compton scattering • Porosity
of gamma rays for density • Fluid discrimination
• Detects natural radiation • Neutron porosity – neutron
in rocks (K-U-Th) backscattering for porosity
• Total or spectral count • Mineralogy – backscatted
gamma ray spectra from
• Lithology indication neutron activation
• Chemical or neutron generator
sources

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 4

Subsurface Resolution

Sinha, S., Clegg, N., Beset, K., Kristoffersen, I., Kolsto, S., and Marchant, D., “Optimized well planning using 3D EM inversion results.” Paper presented at Abu
Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Virtual, November 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/202606-MS
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 5
Timing Constraints on Well Construction

Data, needs to be measured, 500ft drilled at 120ft/hr will take

pulsed to surface and then inverted. approximately 5 hours to drill.
Generally this is done in a matter of
a few minutes.

60ft

60ft

• Geosteering decisions need to be made quickly. To avoid this exit smoothly a decision needs
to be made early, ideally in the first 50 to 100 ft.
• At best a decision needs to be made in the first 30 mins.
• These decisions are made following trends in data, not on 1 data point.
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Resistivity Logging-While-Drilling

EWR-P4

EWR-M5

EM Field Phase
Difference

Attenuation

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Resistivity Logging-While-Drilling

EWR 500 KHz, 32 inch

1 Ohm-m 1 Ohm-m
EWR
20 Ohm-m
EWR
20 Ohm-m

1 Ohm-m 1 Ohm-m

Avg Avg

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Resistivity Logging-While-Drilling

ADR

EM Field Phase
Difference

Attenuation

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Resistivity Logging-While-Drilling

ADR 500 KHz, 32 inch

1 Ohm-m 1 Ohm-m
ADR
20 Ohm-m
ADR
20 Ohm-m

1 Ohm-m 1 Ohm-m

Down Up
Avg Avg

Up Down

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 10

Ultra-Deep Resistivity Logging-While-Drilling

Other LWD Tools Transmitter Sub

Typically ALD™ and CTN™ for reservoir Multiple, low-frequency firings for maximum
evaluation, doubling as spacers for EarthStar™ formation penetration
antennas

Receiver Subs Other LWD Tools

Azimuthally sensitive measurements, spaced 25 to 125 Typically ADR™ azimuthal resistivity geosteering
ft. from transmitter for maximum depth of investigation sensor for near-wellbore detail

 Z XX Z XY Z XZ  Surface
Z ZYY ZYZ  Processing Geosteering
Raw Data  YX 
 Z ZX Z ZY Z ZZ  & Inversion
Downhole Telemetry
Processing
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 11
Inversion Dimensionality

1D • 1D inversion assumes changes only happen

above and below the wellbore

• 2.5D inversion assumes a plane of infinite

2D strike, so changes happen above/below the
wellbore and along the wellbore

3D • 3D inversion permits changes in all directions

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 12

1D Inversion for Ultra-Deep Resistivity

Multi-layer pre-well model 1D inversion of pre-well model

Wu et al., 2018, SPWLA

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1D Inversion for Ultra-Deep Resistivity

Wu et al., 2018, SPWLA

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2.5D Inversion for Ultra-Deep Resistivity

Thiel & Omeragic, 2019, Geophysics

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3D Inversion for Multi-Source Surveys

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3D Inversion for Multi-Source Surveys: Decouple Grids

Commer & Newman, 2008, GJI

Yang et al., 2014, GJI
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3D Inversion for Multi-Source Surveys: Decouple Grids & OcTree

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 18

Haber & Schwarzbach, 2014, Inv. Prob.
3D Inversion for Multi-Source Surveys: Use All or Local Data?

Standard Inversion Inversion with Local Data

𝑁
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑑
𝑚𝑖𝑛 ෍ ||𝑑𝑗𝑜𝑏𝑠 − 𝑑𝑗
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑑
𝜎 ||2 + 𝛼𝑅(𝜎, 𝛻𝜎) 𝑚𝑖𝑛 ෍ || 𝑑𝑗𝑜𝑏𝑠 − 𝑑𝑗 𝜎 ||2 + 𝛼𝑅𝑁 (𝜎 − 𝜎𝑁−1 , 𝛻(𝜎 − 𝜎𝑁−1 ))
𝑗=1

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 19

3D Inversion for Dynamic Multi-Source Surveys: Decouple Grids & OcTree

Wilson et al., 2019, SPE ATCE

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But… “Real-time 3D inversion is impossible!”

1D 2.5D 3D OcTree Standard 3D

Degrees of nLayers x nFT nX x nZ x nKy 30-50K 500K+
Freedom x nHankle ~ ~ 100k+
30K
Run Time Seconds Hours Seconds Hours to Days
Parallelization ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Geological X ✓ ✓ ✓
Complexity
Anisotropy ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 21

3D Inversion for Ultra-Deep Resistivity: Model Study

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 22

3D Inversion for Ultra-Deep Resistivity: Model Study

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 23

3D Inversion for Ultra-Deep Resistivity: Model Study

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 24

© 2019 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 25
 Tracking Injection Water

© 2019 Halliburton. All rights reserved.

 Why is 3D Inversion so Important?

Water injected to
push hydrocarbons
towards the
production well

Ohmm
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 27
View while drilling

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Case Study – Water Slumping UAE

Maniesh Singh, Parmanand Dhermeshwar Thakur, Mariam N. M. Al Baloushi, Haitham Ali Al Saadi, Maisoon M. Al Mansoori, Ahmed S. Al Mesafri, Saif Al Arfi, Vikram K. Pandey, Alaa Al Shalabi,
Flavien Maire, Ernesto L. Barragan Chang, Maher M. Kenawy, Mouza Ali Al Nuaimi, Douglas Boyd, Nader Gerges, Wael Fares, Eduard Bikchandaev, Nigel Clegg, Arthur Walmsley, Ahmet Aki. Real-
Time 3D Ultra Deep Directional Electromagnetic LWD Inversions: An Innovative Approach for Geosteering and Geomapping Water Slumping Movement Around Sub-Seismic Fault, Onshore Abu Dhabi.
Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, November 15–18, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/207478-MS.
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 29
Case Study – Water Slumping UAE

Maniesh Singh, Parmanand Dhermeshwar Thakur, Mariam N. M. Al Baloushi, Haitham Ali Al Saadi, Maisoon M. Al Mansoori, Ahmed S. Al Mesafri, Saif Al Arfi, Vikram K. Pandey, Alaa Al Shalabi,
Flavien Maire, Ernesto L. Barragan Chang, Maher M. Kenawy, Mouza Ali Al Nuaimi, Douglas Boyd, Nader Gerges, Wael Fares, Eduard Bikchandaev, Nigel Clegg, Arthur Walmsley, Ahmet Aki. Real-
Time 3D Ultra Deep Directional Electromagnetic LWD Inversions: An Innovative Approach for Geosteering and Geomapping Water Slumping Movement Around Sub-Seismic Fault, Onshore Abu Dhabi.
Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, November 15–18, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/207478-MS.
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 30
 Turbidite Sands

© 2019 Halliburton. All rights reserved.

Channel Sand

Side View
(1D)
Well Path Exit!
Did the sand pinch out?

Side-track? Missed Pay?

Plan View

Potential to Geosteer?

© 2019 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 32

Exiting a Channel Sand

Side View

Ohm.m
View along well bore
© 2019 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 33
Case Study: Complex Turbidite Reservoir, Norwegian Continental Shelf

1D inversion canvas with associated fluid interpretation

Wilson, G., Marchant, D., Haber, E., Clegg, N., Zurcher, D., Rawsthorne, L., & Kunnas, J. (2019, September 23). Real-Time 3D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity
Logging-While-Drilling Data. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi:10.2118/196141-MS
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 34
3
 1D

3D Inversion

Wilson, G., Marchant, D., Haber, E., Clegg, N., Zurcher, D.,
Rawsthorne, L., & Kunnas, J. (2019, September 23). Real-
Time 3D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity Logging-While-
Drilling Data. Society of Petroleum Engineers.
doi:10.2118/196141-MS 3D
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 35
 Verification

Top
8 kHz PH Sub 1

Left
Bottom
Right
Top

Top Top Top Right Top

Top Top Top to Top Left Top Top Left Top Right
Thin Thin Right

Plan View ohmm

Side View

22 m

0 200 m
Wilson, G., Marchant, D., Haber, E., Clegg, N., Zurcher, D., Rawsthorne, L., & Kunnas, J. (2019, September 23). Real-Time 3D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity
Logging-While-Drilling Data. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi:10.2118/196141-MS
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 36
3D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity Data from Multi-Lateral Wells Integrated with
Seismic Data

Mapping erosive turbidite

channel that defines the
top reservoir, confirmed
with pilot hole

Wilson, G., Marchant, D., Haber, E., Clegg,

N., Zurcher, D., Rawsthorne, L., & Kunnas, J.
(2019, September 23). Real-Time 3D
Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity Logging-
While-Drilling Data. Society of Petroleum
Engineers. doi:10.2118/196141-MS

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 37

3
EarthStar® 3D Real Time Inversion

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 Landing Operations

© 2019 Halliburton. All rights reserved.

Pre-Drill Scenarios

Clegg, N., Domingues, A. B., Ameneiro Paredes, R., Gardner, N., Mendoza Barrón, V., Rowden, E., and Marchant, D. "Mapping Complex Geological Surface
Morphology During Landing Operations Using 3-D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Electromagnetic LWD Data." Paper presented at the Offshore Technology
Conference, Virtual and Houston, Texas, August 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.4043/31216-MS
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 40
1D Inversion and Azimuthal Resistivity Image

Clegg, N., Domingues, A. B., Ameneiro Paredes, R., Gardner, N., Mendoza Barrón, V., Rowden, E., and Marchant, D. "Mapping Complex Geological Surface
Morphology During Landing Operations Using 3-D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Electromagnetic LWD Data." Paper presented at the Offshore Technology
Conference, Virtual and Houston, Texas, August 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.4043/31216-MS
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 41
3D Inversion Results

Clegg, N., Domingues, A. B., Ameneiro Paredes, R., Gardner, N., Mendoza Barrón, V., Rowden, E., and Marchant, D. "Mapping Complex Geological Surface
Morphology During Landing Operations Using 3-D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Electromagnetic LWD Data." Paper presented at the Offshore Technology
Conference, Virtual and Houston, Texas, August 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.4043/31216-MS
© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 42
Conclusions

▪ Logging-while-drilling operations require real-time analysis to impact drilling and

completion decisions
▪ Ultra-deep resistivity is important for landing, geosteering, and geostopping operations
▪ 3D inversion captures full geological complexity
▪ No approximations in modeling per se
▪ OcTree enables real-time 3D inversion
▪ Many case studies to validate results and value to well construction

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 43

Selected References

▪ Clegg, N., Domingues, A. B., Ameneiro Paredes, R., Gardner, N., Mendoza Barrón, V., Rowden, E., and Marchant, D. Mapping Complex
Geological Surface Morphology During Landing Operations Using 3-D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Electromagnetic LWD Data. Presented at the
Offshore Technology Conference, Virtual and Houston, Texas, August 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.4043/31216-MS
▪ Maniesh Singh, Parmanand Dhermeshwar Thakur, Mariam N. M. Al Baloushi, Haitham Ali Al Saadi, Maisoon M. Al Mansoori, Ahmed S. Al
Mesafri, Saif Al Arfi, Vikram K. Pandey, Alaa Al Shalabi, Flavien Maire, Ernesto L. Barragan Chang, Maher M. Kenawy, Mouza Ali Al Nuaimi,
Douglas Boyd, Nader Gerges, Wael Fares, Eduard Bikchandaev, Nigel Clegg, Arthur Walmsley, Ahmet Aki. Real-Time 3D Ultra Deep
Directional Electromagnetic LWD Inversions: An Innovative Approach for Geosteering and Geomapping Water Slumping Movement Around
Sub-Seismic Fault, Onshore Abu Dhabi. Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, November
15–18, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2118/207478-MS.
▪ Sinha, S., Clegg, N., Beset, K., Kristoffersen, I., Kolsto, S., and Marchant, D., Optimized well planning using 3D EM inversion results.
Presented at Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Virtual, November 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/202606-MS
▪ Wilson, G., Marchant, D., Haber, E., Clegg, N., Zurcher, D., Rawsthorne, L., & Kunnas, J. Real-Time 3D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Resistivity
Logging-While-Drilling Data. Presented at SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, September 2019. doi:
https://doi.org/10.2118/196141-MS
▪ Clegg, N., Parker, T., Djefel, B., Monteilhet, L., & Marchant, D. The Final Piece of the Puzzle: 3-D Inversion of Ultra-Deep Azimuthal
Resistivity LWD Data: Presented at SPWLA 60th Annual Logging Symposium, Houston, Texas, June 2019. doi:
https://doi.org/10.30632/T60ALS-2019_HHH
▪ Wu, H.-H., Golla, C., Parker, T., Clegg, N., and Monteilhet, L. A New Ultra-Deep Azimuthal Electromagnetic LWD Sensor for Reservoir
Insight. Presented at SPWLA 59th Annual Logging Symposium, London, UK, June 2018,

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 44

© 2020 Halliburton. All rights reserved. 45