Fracture-frequency prediction from borehole wireline logs using artificial neural networks

Borehole-wall imaging is currently the most reliable means of mapping discontinuities within boreholes. As these imaging techniques are expensive and thus not always included in a logging run, a method of predicting fracture frequency directly from traditional logging tool responses would be very useful and cost effective. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) show great potential in this area. ANNs are computational systems that attempt to mimic natural biological neural networks. They have the ability to recognize patterns and develop their own generalizations about a given data set. Neural networks are trained on data sets for which the solution is known and tested on data not previously seen in order to validate the network result. We show that artificial neural networks, due to their pattern recognition capabilities, are able to assess the signal strength of fracture-related heterogeneity in a borehole log and thus fracture frequency within a borehole. A combination of wireline logs (neutron porosity, bulk density, P-sonic, S-sonic, deep resistivity and shallow resistivity) were used as input parameters to the ANN. Fracture frequency calculated from borehole televiewer data was used as the single output parameter. The ANN was trained using a back-propagation algorithm with a momentum learning function. In addition to fracture frequency within a single borehole, an ANN trained on a subset of boreholes in an area could be used for prediction over the entire set of boreholes, thus allowing the lateral correlation of fracture zones.     

Simple Electrical Logging Technique for Base Metal Exploration

—It is well known that electrical logs of boreholes can play a signi|fi|cant role in base metal exploration in identifying mineralised zones, especially when there is core loss or the borehole diameter is small or if drilling is by percussion. However, electrical logging is not widely utilised because of the additional burden on finances and time.¶A simple electrical logging technique, based on a pole-pole (hole-to-surface) configuration with one borehole electrode and nearly akin to the single point method, for S.P., resistivity and I.P. parameters, is presented. It is shown that it has the resolution of the single point method and the penetration of a very long normal sonde which is helpful for detection. Besides these features, the main advantage of this technique is that it can be easily carried out using ground I.P. (time domain) equipment.¶The electrical logs obtained in different base metal belts in Rajasthan, India, employing this technique and using ground I.P. equipment in connection with mise-à-la-masse surveys, illustrate the above features. A comparison with logs recorded by means of multi-electrode drill hole I.P. equipment of Scintrex, Canada, substantiates the same.     

Characterization of an unstable rock mass based on borehole logs and diverse borehole radar data

Unstable rocky slopes are major hazards to the growing number of people that live and travel though mountainous regions. To construct effective barriers to falling rock, it is necessary to know the positions, dimensions and shapes of structures along which failure may occur. To investigate an unstable mountain slope distinguished by numerous open fracture zones, we have taken advantage of three moderately deep (51.0–120.8 m) boreholes to acquire geophysical logs and record single-hole radar, vertical radar profiling (VRP) and crosshole radar data. We observed spallation zones, displacements and borehole radar velocity and amplitude anomalies at 16 of the 46 discontinuities identified in the borehole optical televiewer images. The results of the VRP and crosshole experiments were disappointing at our study site; the source of only one VRP reflection was determined and the crosshole velocity and amplitude tomograms were remarkably featureless. In contrast, much useful structural information was provided by the single-hole radar experiments. Radar reflections were recorded from many surface and borehole fracture zones, demonstrating that the strong electrical property contrasts of these features extended some distance into the adjacent rock mass. The single-hole radar data suggested possible connections between 6 surface and 4 borehole fractures and led to the discovery of 5 additional near-surface fracture zones. Of particular importance, they supplied key details on the subsurface geometries and minimum subsurface lengths of 8 of the 10 previously known surface fracture zones and all of the newly discovered ones. The vast majority of surface fracture zones extended at least 40–60 m into the subsurface, demonstrating that their depth and surface dimensions are comparable.     

Identification of coal seam strata from geophysical logs of borehole using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System

Different parameters obtained through well-logging geophysical sensors such as SP, resistivity, gamma–gamma, neutron, natural gamma and acoustic, help in identification of strata and estimation of the physical, electrical and acoustical properties of the subsurface lithology. Strong and conspicuous changes in some of the log parameters associated with any particular stratigraphy formation, are function of its composition, physical properties and help in classification. However some substrata show moderate values in respective log parameters and make difficult to identify or assess the type of strata, if we go by the standard variability ranges of any log parameters and visual inspection. The complexity increases further with more number of sensors involved.An attempt is made to identify the type of stratigraphy from borehole geophysical log data using a combined approach of neural networks and fuzzy logic, known as Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System. A model is built based on a few data sets (geophysical logs) of known stratigraphy of in coal areas of Kothagudem, Godavari basin and further the network model is used as test model to infer the lithology of a borehole from their geophysical logs, not used in simulation. The results are very encouraging and the model is able to decipher even thin cola seams and other strata from borehole geophysical logs. The model can be further modified to assess the physical properties of the strata, if the corresponding ground truth is made available for simulation.     

Research of the electrical anisotropic characteristics of water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams

Water flooding disasters are one of the five natural coal-mining disasters that threaten the lives of coal miners. The main causes of this flooding are water-conducting fractured zones within coal seams. However, when resistivity methods are used to detect water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams, incorrect conclusions can be drawn because of electrical anisotropy within the water-conducting fractured zones. We present, in this paper, a new geo–electrical model based on the geology of water-conducting fractured zones in coal seams. Factors that influence electrical anisotropy were analyzed, including formation water resistivity, porosity, fracture density, and fracture surface roughness, pressure, and dip angle. Numerical simulation was used to evaluate the proposed electrical method. The results demonstrate a closed relationship between the shape of apparent resistivity and the strike and dip of a fracture. Hence, the findings of this paper provide a practical resistivity method for coal-mining production.     

基于小波变换图像分割技术的电成像测井资料裂缝、孔洞面孔率提取方法

对于裂缝、溶蚀孔洞发育的碳酸盐岩缝洞储层,如何从测井资料中提取裂缝、溶蚀孔洞信息是评价储层有效性的关键问题.为了从电成像测井静态图像上准确地分割出清晰的裂缝、溶蚀孔洞子图像进而提取其参数信息,本文提出了一种基于小波变换模极大值图像分割技术的电成像测井资料缝洞面孔率提取方法.以钮扣电极电导率曲线为对象,先消除井壁凹凸不平导致的地层背景噪声的影响,利用小波变换模极大值图像分割方法得到包含裂缝和溶蚀孔洞目标的子图像,根据子图像提取裂缝-孔洞总面孔率、裂缝面孔率、孔洞面孔率等信息.本文利用塔里木盆地奥陶系碳酸盐岩地层的电成像测井数据提取了缝洞面孔率参数,还利用同井岩心CT扫描图像计算的平均缝洞面孔率、双侧向电阻率、常规测井资料三孔隙度模型计算的相对连通缝洞孔隙度进行了对比,并进行了试油验证.对比表明,电成像测井裂缝-孔洞总面孔率、裂缝面孔率、孔洞面孔率与岩心CT扫描图像平均缝洞面孔率、双侧向电阻率、相对连通缝洞孔隙度、试油结果均有较好的一致性.这一方面验证了采用本文方法提取的裂缝-孔洞总面孔率、裂缝面孔率、孔洞面孔率的合理性,另一方面表明所提取参数可用于指示缝洞型碳酸盐岩储层的渗透性和有效性.     

Correlation of vertical electrical sounding and electrical borehole log data for groundwater exploration

We have correlated the longitudinal unit conductance CL obtained from interpreted vertical electrical sounding data with the formation resistivity R_t and the formation resistivity factor F, obtained by carrying out electrical borehole logging. Interpreted geophysical data of eleven soundings and two electrical borehole log records are used for the analysis. The geophysical data used were acquired in a sedimentary basin. The study area is called Lower Maner Basin located in the province of Andhra Pradesh, India. Vertical electrical soundings were carried out using a Schlumberger configuration with half current electrode separation varying from 600–1000 m. For logging the two boreholes, a Widco logger‐model 3200 PLS was used. True formation resistivity R_t was calculated from a resistivity log. Formation resistivity factor F was also calculated at various depths using R_t values. An appreciable inverse relation exists between the correlated parameters. The borehole resistivity R_t and the formation resistivity factor F decrease with the increase in the longitudinal unit conductance CL. We have shown the use of such a relation in computing borehole resistivity R_t and formation resistivity factor F at sites that posses only vertical electrical sounding data, with a fair degree of accuracy. Validation of the correlation is satisfactory. Scope for updating the correlation is discussed. Significance and applications of the relation for exploration of groundwater, namely to update the vertical electrical sounding data interpretation by translating the vertical electrical sounding data into electrical borehole log parameters, to facilitate correlations studies and to estimate the porosity (φ), permeability (K) and water saturation S_w of water bearing zones are discussed.     

In-situ neutron flux,36Cl production and groundwater evolution in crystalline rocks at Stripa,Sweden

The meteoric input of³⁶Cl due to cosmogenic or nuclear-weapon-produced³⁶Cl cannot contribute significantly to the³⁶Cl present in the saline groundwaters (up to 700 mg l⁻¹ Cl⁻) from the Stripa granite. The extent of in-situ production of³⁶Cl has been estimated on the basis of the neutron fluxes within the granite and its surrounding leptite. The³⁶Cl present in the groundwaters is attributed to either admixture of labelled Cl⁻ from the leptite with Cl⁻ from the granite or to the total derivation of groundwater chlorinity within the leptite followed by radiochemical ingrowth of³⁶Cl during subsequent groundwater residence within the granite. The chloride derived from the leptite may be either matrix chloride or chloride from an external source which has had a long residence time within the leptite. The implications of³⁶Cl in-situ production for the estimation of groundwater residence times and for the geochemical evolution of groundwater chlorinity are discussed.     

Spatial distribution of resistivity in the hydrogeological systems,and identification of the catchment area in the Rharb basin,Morocco / Répartition spatiale de la résistivité dans les systèmes hydrogéologiques et détection des zones de captages dans le bassin du Rharb,Maroc

Abstract

Abstract Geophysical results obtained in the Rharb basin, Morocco are reported. Correlations between hydrogeological well logs reveal several water-bearing Plio-Quaternary units resting on a substrate of blue marls. Geo-electrical borehole analyses were interpreted using bi-logarithmic diagrams which indicate the permeable layers of the aquifer and also its basement. Resistivity data from NE–SW and NW–SE electrical sections allow definition of the permeable/impermeable levels, and identification of ?ditches? that may be favourable sectors for hydrogeological exploitation. Resistivity anomalies were investigated by analysing maps of resistivity at 400 and 1000 m AB. Anomalies identified in the Rharb basin are related to the thickening of the permeable bodies (sand, limestone, sandstone deposits). In the coastal zone (AB = 1000 m), there is a strong decrease of the resistivity gradient (35–10 Ω m), which is probably linked to marine intrusion. Electrical anomalies allow detection of the water-bearing zones notably in the western and southwestern parts of the Rharb basin.     

Delineation of Ground Water Flow in Fractured Rock in the Southwestern Part of Manhattan, New York, Through Use of Advanced Borehole Geophysical Methods

Advanced borehole-geophysical methods were used to assess the geohydrology of fractured crystalline bedrock at five test boreholes in southwestern Manhattan Island, New York, in preparation for construction of a third water tunnel for New York City. The boreholes penetrated gneiss and other crystalline bedrock that has an overall southwest to northwest dipping foliation with a 60° dip. Most of the fractures encountered are either nearly horizontal or have moderate northwest dip azimuths. Fracture indexes range from 0.25 to 0.44 fracture per foot (0.3 m) of borehole.
Electromagnetic (EM) and heat-pulse flowmeter logs obtained under ambient and pumping conditions, together with other geophysical logs, indicate transmissive fracture zones in each borehole. Pumping tests of each borehole indicated transmissivity ranges from <2 to 360 ft²/day (0.2 to 33 m²/day). Ground water appears to flow within an interconnected fracture network toward the south and west within the study area. No correlation was indicated between the fracture index and the total borehole transmissivity.     

A NEW APPROACH FOR DERIVING PSEUDOVELOCITY LOGS FROM RESISTIVITY LOGS1

This paper describes a method of generating pseudovelocity logs using measurements of electrical resistivity. A theoretical relation between electrical resistivity and transit time, which is applicable to a wide range of lithologies, has been developed. The application of this relation using a method which defines lithoresistivity zones as lithological intervals related to the same formation and showing small resistivity variations, has been tested in the Recôncavo sedimentary basin in Bahia, Brazil. A comparison of derived pseudovelocity logs with actual sonic logs for five wells whows the validity of the present approach.     

Imaging Pathways in Fractured Rock Using Three‐Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography

Major challenges exist in delineating bedrock fracture zones because these cause abrupt changes in geological and hydrogeological properties over small distances. Borehole observations cannot sufficiently capture heterogeneity in these systems. Geophysical techniques offer the potential to image properties and processes in between boreholes. We used three‐dimensional cross borehole electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in a 9 m (diameter) × 15 m well field to capture high‐resolution flow and transport processes in a fractured mudstone contaminated by chlorinated solvents, primarily trichloroethylene. Conductive (sodium bromide) and resistive (deionized water) injections were monitored in seven boreholes. Electrode arrays with isolation packers and fluid sampling ports were designed to enable acquisition of ERT measurements during pulsed tracer injections. Fracture zone locations and hydraulic pathways inferred from hydraulic head drawdown data were compared with electrical conductivity distributions from ERT measurements. Static ERT imaging has limited resolution to decipher individual fractures; however, these images showed alternating conductive and resistive zones, consistent with alternating laminated and massive mudstone units at the site. Tracer evolution and migration was clearly revealed in time‐lapse ERT images and supported by in situ borehole vertical apparent conductivity profiles collected during the pulsed tracer test. While water samples provided important local information at the extraction borehole, ERT delineated tracer migration over spatial scales capturing the primary hydrogeological heterogeneity controlling flow and transport. The fate of these tracer injections at this scale could not have been quantified using borehole logging and/or borehole sampling methods alone.     

Calculation of porosity from nuclear magnetic resonance and conventional logs in gas-bearing reservoirs

The porosity may be overestimated or underestimated when calculated from conventional logs and also underestimated when derived from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logs due to the effect of the lower hydrogen index of natural gas in gas-bearing sandstones. Proceeding from the basic principle of NMR log and the results obtained from a physical rock volume model constructed on the basis of interval transit time logs, a technique of calculating porosity by combining the NMR log with the conventional interval transit time log is proposed. For wells with the NMR log acquired from the MRIL-C tool, this technique is reliable for evaluating the effect of natural gas and obtaining accurate porosity in any borehole. In wells with NMR log acquired from the CMR-Plus tool and with collapsed borehole, the NMR porosity should be first corrected by using the deep lateral resistivity log. Two field examples of tight gas sandstones in the Xujiahe Formation, central Sichuan basin, Southwest China, illustrate that the porosity calculated by using this technique matches the core analyzed results very well. Another field example of conventional gas-bearing reservoir in the Ziniquanzi Formation, southern Junggar basin, Northwest China, verifies that this technique is usable not only in tight gas sandstones, but also in any gas-bearing reservoirs.     

In-situ neutron flux,Cl production and groundwater evolution in crystalline rocks at Stripa, Sweden

The meteoric input of³⁶Cl due to cosmogenic or nuclear-weapon-produced³⁶Cl cannot contribute significantly to the³⁶Cl present in the saline groundwaters (up to 700 mg l⁻¹ Cl⁻) from the Stripa granite. The extent of in-situ production of³⁶Cl has been estimated on the basis of the neutron fluxes within the granite and its surrounding leptite. The³⁶Cl present in the groundwaters is attributed to either admixture of labelled Cl⁻ from the leptite with Cl⁻ from the granite or to the total derivation of groundwater chlorinity within the leptite followed by radiochemical ingrowth of³⁶Cl during subsequent groundwater residence within the granite. The chloride derived from the leptite may be either matrix chloride or chloride from an external source which has had a long residence time within the leptite. The implications of³⁶Cl in-situ production for the estimation of groundwater residence times and for the geochemical evolution of groundwater chlorinity are discussed.     

Vertical seismic profiling using distributed acoustic sensing with scatter-enhanced fibre-optic cable at the Cu–Au New Afton porphyry deposit,British Columbia,Canada

Wireline logs and vertical seismic profile data were acquired in two boreholes intersecting the main mineralized zone at the Cu–Au New Afton porphyry deposit, Canada, with the objectives of imaging lithological contacts, fault zones that may have acted as conduits that channelled the mineralization, and alteration zones. Log data provide physical rock properties for the main lithologies and alteration zones. Calliper logs reveal many faults and caved-in zones generally indicating rocks with low integrity at the borehole wall. The preponderance of these zones, as indicated by the logs, suggests that their response may dominate the seismic-reflection wavefield. Outside fault zones, compressional and shear-wave velocities exhibit significant variability due to porosity, the heterogeneity of volcanic fragmental rocks and alteration. Distributed acoustic sensing was used to acquire vertical seismic profiling data in the two boreholes surveyed with wireline logs. Straight and helically wound fibre-optic cables housed standard fibres and a fibre engineered to increase the intensity of backscattering at the distributed acoustic sensing interrogator. Standard and engineered optical fibres placed in the two boreholes were daisy-chained together to form two 5-km-long continuous fibres that were interrogated at once with two interrogators. A new generation of interrogator connected to the engineered fibres provided field data with lower noise level and higher signal-to-noise ratio. These data with higher signal-to-noise ratio from straight fibre-optic cable were processed and used for depth imaging. Depth images benefitted from new migration weights that account for the directional sensitivity of the straight fibre-optic cable and limit the extent of migration artefacts. Migration results show several reflectors with shallow dips to the northwest, some explained by faults intersecting the surveyed boreholes. The main sub-vertical lithological and alteration contacts at New Afton generated downgoing reflections that were not considered in the migration.     

Application of ERT,Saline Tracer and Numerical Studies to Delineate Preferential Paths in Fractured Granites

Accurate quantification of in situ heterogeneity and flow processes through fractured geologic media remains elusive for hydrogeologists due to the complexity in fracture characterization and its multiscale behavior. In this research, we demonstrated the efficacy of tracer-electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) experiments combined with numerical simulations to characterize heterogeneity and delineate preferential flow paths in a fractured granite aquifer. A series of natural gradient saline tracer experiments were conducted from a depth window of 18 to 22 m in an injection well (IW) located inside the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad campus. Tracer migration was monitored in a time-lapse mode using two cross-sectional surface ERT profiles placed in the direction of flow gradient. ERT data quality was improved by considering stacking, reciprocal measurements, resolution indicators, and geophysical logs. Dynamic changes in subsurface electrical properties inferred via resistivity anomalies were used to highlight preferential flow paths of the study area. Temporal changes in electrical resistivity and tracer concentration were monitored along the vertical in an observation well located at 48 m to the east of the IW. ERT-derived tracer breakthrough curves were in agreement with geochemical sample measurements. Fracture geometry and hydraulic properties derived from ERT and pumping tests were further used to evaluate two mathematical conceptualizations that are relevant to fractured aquifers. Results of numerical analysis conclude that dual continuum model that combines matrix and fracture systems through a flow exchange term has outperformed equivalent continuum model in reproducing tracer concentrations at the monitoring wells (evident by a decrease in RMSE from 199 to 65 mg/L). A sensitivity analysis on model simulations conclude that spatial variability in hydraulic conductivity, local-scale dispersion, and flow exchange at fracture-matrix interface have a profound effect on model simulations.     

塔河油田碳酸盐岩缝洞型储层的测井识别与评价方法研究

塔河油田奥陶系以碳酸盐岩为主，油气的主要储渗空间为裂缝和溶蚀孔洞，具有很强的非均质性．本文利用常规及成像测井资料，对碳酸盐岩缝洞型储层的识别与评价方法进行研究．为了综合各种测井方法识别裂缝，建立了综合裂缝概率模型，计算综合裂缝概率指示裂缝的发育程度．利用地层微电阻率扫描成像测井资料进行裂缝和溶蚀孔洞的定性、定量解释．定量计算的裂缝参数为：裂缝密度、裂缝长度、裂缝平均宽度、平均水动力宽度、裂缝视孔隙度；定量计算的溶蚀孔洞参数有：面孔率、孔洞密度．根据缝洞型储层孔隙空间类型及其中子孔隙度、补偿密度、声波、双侧向电阻率的测井响应物性特征，建立缝洞型碳酸盐岩储层复杂孔隙介质解释模型，用于确定裂缝、溶蚀孔洞孔隙度和评价储层．     

井环境对阵列感应测井响应的影响分析

阵列感应测井资料经常出现与井眼环境有关的质量问题.采用三维矢量有限元法分别在椭圆形井眼、仪器偏心及斜井条件下的阵列感应测井原始响应进行了模拟,并对环境校正和合成聚焦后的数据进行了分析.结果表明,线圈距较短的原始测量信号更易受井眼椭圆度、仪器偏心、泥浆电阻率及与地层电阻率反差的影响;而合成聚焦后的浅探测曲线虽然经过了环境校正和合成聚焦等数据处理,但仍然受这些因素的影响,这反映出阵列感应测井的数据处理是不完善的或采用的校正模型是理想化的;在井斜影响方面,浅探测曲线受井斜角大小影响相对较小,深探测曲线在井斜角为60°以上时受其影响较大而必须进行进一步处理.     

Electrical conductance of sediments overlying the basement of the Czech Republic

Summary The data of borehole resistivity logs were collected, analysed, classified and a contour map of electrical conductance of the sedimentary complex overlying the crystalline basement of the Czech Republic was computer-generated. The map contributes to estimating the distortion fields produced by conductance variations in the surface layer. Information on the basement relief is also obtained from the contour map patterns.