Bore Hole Imaging, the Technology for Reservoir Characterization

Manfred Frass and Rob Christie
Geoscience, Weahterford International, Villahermosa, Mexico

From a production point of view, most reservoirs have anisotropic behavior.

Heterogeneities induced by sedimentological, structural and diagenetic processes are among the causes of such anisotropy. Optimizing reservoir recovery requires reliable models of sedimentary rocks. Capturing those heterogeneities is crucial for precise geological and reservoir modeling.

Borehole imagery is regarded as a powerful tool to study the depositional setting of sedimentary rocks, delineate reservoir characteristics, derive rock properties and assess their potential to produce hydrocarbons.

Finding fractures in deep and tight rocks has become a high priority among explorationists and developers around the world. Recent discoveries have shown that fractures can play an important role in the productivity of low permeability formations. This is because they form an interface with the rock matrix which is many times greater than that provided by the borehole.

The only logging technology with the resolution to detect and identify these small features within the reservoirs are the bore hole images, where 2mm. details could be visualized.

The development of new, smaller and lighter tools, is allowing production companies to have these information in almost every well, where it is requested.

Among all the new developments an imaging tool which could be pushed trough drill pipe is giving drillers the option to acquire information in a low risk and high efficient way.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas