CASE STUDY

Accurate Total Porosity for Bakken and

Three Forks Formations
Litho Scanner services quantified mineralogy and TOC used for correct matrix
density and porosity
CHALLENGE
Accurately evaluate matrix density
for determining total porosity in the
low-porosity, very low-permeability
dolomitic limestones of the Bakken and
Three Forks Formations.
SOLUTION
Obtain accurate elemental concentrations
with Litho Scanner* high-definition
spectroscopy service for determining total
organic carbon (TOC) and correcting matrix
density for organic content to correctly
calculate total porosity.
RESULTS
Accurately determined porosity in these
complex reservoirs by using Litho Scanner
services mineralogy and matrix density
Mineralogy for petrophysical modeling
Petrophysical evaluation of porosity and saturation in the low-porosity and very low-
permeability dolomitic limestones of the Bakken and Three Forks reservoirs requires an
accurate evaluation of matrix density, which is a function of formation mineralogy. However,
conventional methods for determining mineralogy are not independent of the level of maturity
of the organic content, formation salinity, density, or resistivity, requiring the operator to
conduct expensive and time-consuming coring operations for laboratory analysis to get the
necessary quality of mineralogy data.
Accurate measurement of elements and TOC determination
The unprecendented accuracy of Litho Scanner services elemental weight fractions,
particularly for Mg, and the stand-alone TOC output makes these measurements key to
petrophysical modeling in complex lithology. The direct measurement of formation carbon
coupled with an assessment of inorganic carbon from the mineralogy results in a robust,
accurate TOC measurement that does not require core calibration, previous knowledge of
the kerogen type or maturity, or optimization of empirical algorithms that rely on conventional
core analysis.
Core Grain
Density
Upper Bakken nBakken Zones

corrected for organic content. Core Si Core Ca Core Fe Core Mg Core S Core Al Core K Core Na Core Gd
Density
Core TOCGrai From Elements e
Depth, ft

Corrected
R e Si Ca Fe Mg S Al K Na Gd TOC TOC- Grain Density n
1 2 0 0.5 0 0.5 0 0.2 0 0.2 0 0.25 0 0.2 0 0.25 0 0.05 0 ppm 50 0 0.2 2 g/cm3 3
U

X000
Low eber k k en Middle Bakken

X025
Lesser
Bakken
SanishBakken Silty Member

X050
LowLower

PS
Prongh

X075
Three Forks

X100

The accurate determination of elemental weight fractions is essential for obtaining

formation mineralogy in this unconventional reservoir. The accuracy of Litho Scanner
services element logs is confirmed by their excellent agreement with elements
obtained
X125
from core analysis, especially for Mg, which is critical in differentiating
calcite from dolomite.

Formation Evaluation
X150
CASE STUDY: Litho Scanner services TOC-corrected matrix density, Bakken and Three Forks Formations

Mineralogy determined from Litho Scanner services elemental weight fractions is confirmed by core mineralogy. The
core photograph shows the highly laminated nature of the Three Forks Formation, which can cause occasional scatter
when comparing log data with standard core plug data.

Correct total porosity

Litho Scanner services mineralogy and matrix density corrected for organic content made it
possible for the operator to correctly determine the porosity without extensive sample collection
and the lengthy wait for laboratory analysis.

As shown on the logs for elements and mineralogy, the accuracy of the element and mineral
determinations is confirmed by their close agreement with core analysis results. A similar confirming
relationship exists for matrix density corrected for organic content by using Litho Scanner services
TOC output.

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