SPE 93130

A Novel Approach to Wireline Logging in Directional Wells and Difficult Logging

Conditions
J.S. Boyes, SPE, P.A.S. Elkington, SPE, Precision Energy Services

Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 14th SPE Middle East Oil & Gas Show and
Conference held in Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, Bahrain, 1215 March 2005.
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real-time QA in the memory repeat formation pressure tester

operations. Examples will be shown where these systems
have demonstrated to be cost effective.
INTRODUCTION
The development of openhole memory logging was driven by
the need to reduce total formation evaluation costs in high
angle directional and horizontal wells and in wells with bad
hole conditions. Also the risk of logging these wells in terms
of guaranteeing data acquisition and the cost of tools lost in
hole were important drivers.

ABSTRACT
Conventional wireline logging has always faced the challenge
of obtaining data in highly deviated wells, horizontal wells and
those with bad hole conditions. Typical solutions included
pumping down tools through open end drillpipe, drillpipe
conveyed wireline logging, coiled tubing conveyed wireline
logging or ultimately Logging-While-Drilling.
These
operations are time consuming and costly.

The choice of logging techniques in these well environments

has previously been confined to LWD, pipe conveyed
deployment of wireline tools and, where deviation allows,
crude deployment of basic wireline tools through drillpipe.
The choices made between the above options have been a
compromise between cost, data integrity and value. The
introduction of openhole memory logging has provided
another alternative.

A new openhole memory logging system was introduced in

2000, initially as a more efficient alternate to pipe conveyed
logging in such wells. Extensive field-testing of this system
over the last few years has yielded a series of technical
developments that has evolved into a low cost and unique
formation evaluation logging system. This system combines
memory logging with a novel deployment system that yields a
cost effective approach to obtaining high quality formation
evaluation data. Obtained post-drilling, the shuttle system
conveys memory logging tools rapidly to TD inside the
drillpipe as part of a wiper trip or check trip.

In shallow vertical wells wireline acquisition is typically the

lowest cost option, but becomes prohibitively expensive in
deep directional wells due to the cost of rig time associated
with pipe conveyance (bearing in mind also that LWD data is
generally acquired concurrently with drilling operations).
Conversely, in shallow vertical wells LWD is expensive
relative to wireline tools conveyed under gravity. Memory
logging occupies the middle ground.

Logging tools used in this system are designed to be extremely

short and small diameter (2.25). The system is battery
powered and includes a wide variety of capabilities including
quad-combo measurements and, in the near future, repeat
formation pressure testing. Logging tools are conveyed to TD
inside the drillpipe. Once at TD, an electro-mechanical
pressure activated release mechanism moves the tool string
from inside the drillpipe into the openhole. A landing collar
and latch mechanism maintains a mechanical connection
between the top of the tool string and the shuttle system that
remains connected to the drillpipe. A pressure signaling
system not only controls the tool release but also provides
simple two-way communications a key element in providing

Wireline service providers have responded to the rapid growth

of LWD in the past two decades by adding new measurements
and more complexity. These can deliver value in many cases,
but the approach is not always appropriate in mature fields that
have a requirement for high quality basic measurements
delivered at low cost. In this context, openhole memory
logging represents a third way neither wireline nor LWD.
The memory tools transducers, geometry and measurement
dynamics are all those associated with wireline data, as are the
measurements and their associated quality. They were proved
initially with wireline conveyance batteries and memory
modules were added later.
The specific benefits of memory logging are a function of how
the tools are deployed. There are several methods. (1,2,3) The

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SPE 93130

system considered here is a shuttle that conveys the memory

string inside drillpipe after drilling, so the tools are not
exposed to the well for extended periods, nor are they exposed
to potentially catastrophic loads, giving reliability advantages
relative to both LWD and wireline pipe conveyance. The
greatest benefit is in wells that do not need to be
petrophysically steered with real time formation evaluation
logs, and/or where there is a high risk of damage or loss of the
BHA. In both cases the risked cost of memory logging can be
advantageous, with the quality and continuity of the data,
being equivalent to wireline data, also counting in its favour.
THE SHUTTLE SYSTEM
The Compact openhole memory logging tools are conveyed
into the well by the shuttle. This comprising of mechanisms
for retaining and deploying the logging tools from inside a
garage, normally drillpipe. The logging string is housed
inside drillpipe at surface and remains protected inside the
pipe until tripped to TD.
The Quad-Combo 2 OD logging tools are operated in
memory mode, therefore no wireline is deployed, hence the
risk associated with wet connects and side entry subs are
eliminated and tool tripping times into the well are reduced.
Once at TD, the logging tools are moved from inside the
garage into openhole by the Pressure Activated Release
Mechanism. (4) This comprises an electric motor, mud column
pressure sensor and processing electronics. Prior to each job
the tool is programmed with the magnitude and duration of the
pressure pulses that will be used during the job to release the
logging string. Once in the hole (and after a pre-set delay) it
begins to monitor the mud pressure. On receipt of the
appropriate pressure signature from surface, it engages the
mechanical release drive tube, and moves it so as to disengage
the latches near the top of the mechanical release tool. This
activates the payload seals. The whole deployment string
(with logging tool string attached) is now free to be pumped
into open hole. The electric release also activates the logging
string (which until now has been dormant to conserve battery
power).
In addition to the large movement used to actuate the drive
tube, small bi-directional movements can be made, controlled
by the signaling part of the mechanism. This modulates the
flow of mud by moving a piston inside a slotted sleeve to
partially occlude a set of circulation ports. The piston position
is controlled precisely, allowing the pressure to change in
small increments. The pattern of pressure change is recorded
at surface, and the input signal re-constituted.
This function is being used initially to return tool status
information to surface (eg. to confirm that the logging string
has powered-up successfully). It is also designed to transmit
log data, including data from a memory formation pressure
tester currently under development. For this application the
system need transmit only the shape of a log curve, not its
absolute values (which are recorded in memory).
Constraining its purpose in this way allows faster transmission
than is possible with binary mud pulse technology.

LOGGING STRING
The tools have an outside diameter of 2, and are qualified
for hole sizes up to 12 (16 in the case of resistivity
measurements). They were introduced initially for wireline
operations where the combination of small size and low
weight have operational advantages relative to previous
generation tools. Battery systems and memory modules were
introduced later that eliminate the wireline and surface
wireline unit, and which allow the tools to be deployed on, for
example, third party slicklines, as well as in novel applications
such as Through Bit Logging. (3) The compact nature of the
logging system makes it suitable for two-person operation.
Primary measurements are: array induction, dual laterolog,
shallow high resolution resistivity, formation density with
photoelectric (Pe) and caliper curves, natural gamma ray,
neutron porosity and acoustic slowness (inverse velocity).
Ancillary measurements include two-arm caliper, navigation
and temperature. A repeat formation pressure tester currently
available in wireline mode is being developed for wireless
operations. Dipole sonic (to determine shear velocities) and a
resistivity imaging tool are under development. Tools are
rated for continuous operation to 257F and 12.5 kpsi.
LOGGING PROCEDURE
Pre-job calibration and checking of the individual logging
tools matches wireline operations except that a
communications umbilical is used in place of a wireline.
These procedures do not interrupt normal rig operations. The
tools are then configured into a logging string, including
battery and memory modules, with ancillary positioning
equipment, such as swivels and knuckles, as appropriate.
The logging process starts after the well has been drilled and
the bit has been tripped back to surface. A shuttle reamer or
mule shoe is held in the slips. Sufficient drillpipe to contain
the logging string is lifted and made up to the landing sub
before run into the hole and then held in the slips. The lower
latching sub is then torqued-up to the drillpipe.
At this point the complete logging string is introduced into the
pipe, and the battery pack activated. This starts a sequence of
internal diagnostic tests that check the proper functioning of
the logging string as a whole. LED displays on the side of the
memory sub allow the test sequence to the monitored. Upon
successful completion of the tests all the logging tolls are
powered down.
The upper latching sub is now made up to the lower latching
sub. Finally the float valve is added, and the shuttle is
complete. A crossover to the remaining drill string is added as
required.
The shuttle assembly is now run to bottom to tag TD. This is
done at normal bit-tripping speed. The well can be circulated
and drillpipe rotated and reciprocated at any time during this
part of the operation. If a well control situation occurs the
pipe rams can be closed completely to remove cuttings and
condition the hole before logging takes place.

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SPE 93130

The drillpipe is pulled off bottom equivalent to the length of

the logging string after deployment from the shuttle, which is
now ready to receive additional pulses to begin the release
sequence. The sequence is pre-programmed into the electric
release tool, and replicated in a hand-held surface panel.
Typically, two pulses are used, each with defined duration,
magnitude and inter-pulse interval. The mud pumps are now
driven according to the sequence indicated on the panel.
The electric release tool releases the deployment string, and
the pumps are driven at a constant rate to drive the tools
toward open hole. When the landing collar is engaged there is
an increase in mud pressure that signals landing. The pressure
relief valve is typically set to open at an over-pressure of 500
psi, and this differential is maintained until the electric release
opens the circulating and signaling ports, allowing the mud
pressure to fall again. It also allows mud to flow back into the
borehole from the drillpipe as it is pulled back to surface. If
these ports should become blocked, a further pre-defined
increase in mud pressure will break shear pins below the
pressure relief valve, and a second set of ports will open to
ensure that pipe is not pulled wet.
The initial deployment pulses also caused the logging tools to
be powered up. These had been dormant while running-in so
as to conserve power. A status pulse transmitted from surface
initiates diagnostic checks in the logging string, and the check
result is returned to surface.
Log data is acquired into memory as the shuttle is pulled back
to surface. When the tool string re-enters casing a signal from
the induction tool can (if required) close the caliper arm of the
density tool to minimize wear on the density skid. Sending the
appropriate pulse sequence can also close the caliper. After
recovery at surface the log data are downloaded from the
memory module to a PC.
MEMORY FORMATION PRESSURE TESTER
This is based on the 2.4 OD pressure tester introduced for
wireline operations in 2002. It has an unusual setting
mechanism that allows it to open into 10 diameter wells; a
long-reach variant opens to 14.
One of the motivations for designing a 2.4 tool was to allow
Through Bit and Through Bore logging operations in which
deployment is via drillpipe and through a PDC bit modified
with a removable and retrievable insert. (3) Through Bit
pressure testing operations on wireline began in early 2004,
and the system is now being developed for shuttle operations.
As with other shuttle deployed logs, memory mode formation
testing is intended to provide a high-quality low-cost option in
high angle wells. The high cost of both wireline testers and
the recently introduced LWD testers provides the motivation
for the development.
The hardware and firmware components are currently being
evaluated in a test loop environment. The logging procedure
is as follows. Test depths are selected from a gamma ray
correlation log transmitted while running-in. A further

sequence of pressure pulses causes the tool to set and the

measurement cycle to begin.
Maintaining circulation
throughout reduces the sticking risk, and a swivel in the
logging string allows pipe to be rotated as necessary.
Drawdown begins after the tool is set, and measurement status
information is transmitted uphole. The arms are retracted after
completion of a measurement cycle, or on receipt of further
commands from surface. The full test data is returned to
surface in the memory module.
RESULTS
Whilst the Pressure Activated Release is a recent refinement,
over 500 open hole memory logging jobs have been
successfully run in total using the shuttle system.
Land operations have been carried out in Canada, the US and
Europe. In Western Canada the shuttle has been used most
usually to replace wireline PCL. Significant rig time savings
have been observed between 40% and 67% depending upon
the ratio of open to cased hole section and therefore the
number of wet connect latches required.
The shuttle was deployed offshore Alaska in an ultralongreach well in the Cook Inlet, targeting oil-bearing sands in the
Tertiary Hemlock formation. Sloughing coals and swelling
clays contribute to drilling and logging problems throughout
the Cook Inlet Basin area. In the well to be logged, the risk of
hole collapse and differential sticking was such that the
operator was unwilling to run FE-LWD. High cost and low
probability of success ruled against PCL (which, in any case,
would have required multiple latches and an estimated 3 days
of logging), and the shuttle was deployed as the only realistic
logging option. After drilling to a measured depth of 20,203
ft, the shuttle was run-in and out in 19 hours with all data
objectives met.
The Mungo field is on the edge of the Eastern Central Graben
in the UK sector of the North Sea. Wellbore instability and
mudlosses have been a persistent feature of the development
phase of the field. The well to be logged was drilled to 11,077
ft measured depth with a maximum deviation of 70 degrees
targeting oil in Palaeocene sands. Severe losses of drilling
fluids to chalk fractures prevented the inclusion of FE-LWD in
the drilling assembly because the risks of plugging and loss of
nuclear sources were unacceptable. Wireline conveyance was
ruled out because of the deviation, and PCL because of hole
conditions and the inability to circulate and rotate the string to
bottom.
Cased hole evaluation was rejected because
interpretation uncertainty would have been too high. The
shuttle was selected and configured with a reamer bit so that
data could be acquired concurrently with a full wiper trip. It
proved necessary to circulate and rotate to reach the target
interval, and an LCM pill was used to stem losses while
pulling out. Rig-up to rig-down took 21hours, during which
time high quality quad-combo data was acquired over the
primary reservoir target, and continuous openhole logs were
recorded for the first time over a secondary chalk target.
On platform development drilling campaigns offshore
Australia, the client has retained MWD and directional drilling

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SPE 93130

services from its original LWD provider but has chosen to use
the shuttle system to replace the formation evaluation element
of the LWD service. This choice was based upon reduced
total cost of well evaluation and improved data quality.
CONCLUSIONS
Shuttle conveyed openhole memory logging is a well tested
system for obtaining high quality well evaluation data reliably
and safely in high angle wells and wells with bad hole
conditions.
The system currently replaces Quad-Combo PCL logging,
providing greater reliability as a result of not requiring a
wireline, wet connect or side-entry sub. Greater levels of tool
protection allow faster tripping speeds this being significant
where multiple latch PCLs are required. Mud circulation and
pipe rotation is possible during pipe trips allowing well
conditioning trips to be made concurrent with logging
operations. The imminent commercialization of the repeat
pressure tester and conclusion of the development of a dipole
sonic and resistivity imager will complete the services
available.
In comparison to formation evaluation using LWD the shuttle
offers high quality, continuous, FE data and, where rig rates
allow, reduced total well evaluation costs. This may be
particularly evident on o/s platforms and land locations.
REFERENCES
1.
Elkington PAS, Spencer MC & Spratt DL, An
Openhole Memory Logging System for High
Angle Wells and Bad Hole Conditions, paper
SPE
87403,
Reservoir
Evaluation
&
Engineering, vol 7, no 1, pp 33-39, February
2004.
2.
Runia J, Murphy E, Boyes JS, Sutherland G, Sim
D & Brown P, Through Bore Drilling Systems:
A New Drilling Option, paper SPE 79794
presented at the SPE/IADC Drilling Conference,
Amsterdam, 19th 21st February 2003.
3.
Runia J, Boyes JS & Elkington PAS, Through
Bit Logging: A New Method to Acquire Log
Data and a First Step on the Road to Through
Bore Drilling, presented at the SPWLA Annual
Symposium, Noordwijk, 6th 9th June 2004.
4.
Spencer MC, Ash SC & Elkington PAS,
Pressure Activated Deployment of Openhole
Memory Logging Tools into Directional Wells
and Past Bad Hole Conditions, paper SPE
88635 presented at SPE APOGCE, 18th 21st
October 2004.

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