Introduction

In the critical domain of oil and gas exploration and production, Wireline Logging is an indispensable technique for gathering vital subsurface information, enabling informed decisions about reservoir characterization, well completion, and production optimization. Wireline logging involves lowering specialized tools into a wellbore on an armored electrical cable to measure various petrophysical properties of rock formations and fluids. This continuous stream of data, known as a "well log," provides a detailed geological and petrophysical fingerprint of the reservoir, far beyond what can be gleaned from drilling cuttings alone. Without a thorough understanding of wireline logging principles, tool responses, and interpretation techniques, geoscientists, reservoir engineers, and drilling professionals risk making suboptimal decisions that can significantly impact project economics, reservoir performance, and overall well productivity. This essential training course focuses on equipping industry professionals with the expertise to master Wireline Logging.

This intensive training course is meticulously designed to empower geologists, petrophysicists, reservoir engineers, drilling engineers, and field operations personnel with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to effectively utilize wireline logging data throughout the well lifecycle. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the physical principles behind various logging tools, explore techniques for log quality control and environmental corrections, learn about the interpretation of diverse log suites for formation evaluation, and acquire skills in integrating log data with other subsurface information for comprehensive reservoir characterization. The course will delve into topics such as porosity and saturation determination, lithology identification, fluid contact detection, advanced imaging logs, production logging, well integrity assessment, and the safe operation of wireline equipment. By mastering the principles and methodologies of Wireline Logging, participants will be prepared to unlock valuable insights from subsurface data, optimize drilling and completion strategies, and maximize hydrocarbon recovery from complex reservoirs.

Duration: 10 Days

Target Audience

• Geologists
• Petrophysicists
• Reservoir Engineers
• Drilling Engineers
• Production Engineers
• Well Site Geologists
• Field Operations Personnel involved in logging
• Data Scientists in Oil & Gas
• Geo-technicians and Log Analysts
• Aspiring professionals in the upstream oil and gas industry

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles and applications of wireline logging.
• Learn to identify and differentiate between various wireline logging tools and their measurements.
• Acquire skills in performing quality control on wireline log data and applying environmental corrections.
• Comprehend techniques for interpreting log responses to determine lithology, porosity, and fluid saturation.
• Explore methodologies for identifying hydrocarbon zones and fluid contacts from log data.
• Understand the application of advanced logging tools (e.g., NMR, imaging logs) for complex reservoirs.
• Gain insights into production logging and well integrity evaluation.
• Master the integration of wireline log data with other geological and engineering information.
• Learn about safety procedures and operational considerations in wireline logging.
• Develop a practical understanding of log interpretation workflows for reservoir characterization.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Well Logging and Wireline Operations

• Overview of well logging: purpose, history, and importance in E&P.
• Distinguishing between wireline logging, LWD, and MWD.
• Basic principles of wireline operations: surface equipment, downhole tools, wireline cables.
• Types of wireline services: open hole vs. cased hole logging.
• Safety considerations in wireline logging operations.

Module 2: The Borehole Environment and Log Quality Control

• Understanding borehole conditions and their impact on log measurements.
• Mud invasion, mudcake, and their effects on resistivity and porosity logs.
• Environmental corrections: caliper log, borehole fluid salinity, temperature, pressure.
• Quality control procedures for ensuring reliable log data.
• Identifying common log anomalies and tool malfunctions.

Module 3: Natural Gamma Ray and Spontaneous Potential Logs

• Principles of Gamma Ray (GR) measurement and its applications.
• GR log response in different lithologies and its use for shale volume determination.
• Principles of Spontaneous Potential (SP) measurement.
• SP log response for permeable beds, fluid salinity, and shale effects.
• Integrating GR and SP for lithology and reservoir identification.

Module 4: Resistivity Logs for Hydrocarbon Detection

• Fundamentals of electrical resistivity in rocks and fluids.
• Types of resistivity logs: Laterologs, Induction Logs, Microresistivity devices.
• Understanding invasion profiles and their interpretation.
• Using resistivity logs to identify hydrocarbon-bearing zones.
• Dual laterolog and array induction tools for advanced resistivity analysis.

Module 5: Porosity Logs: Density, Neutron, and Sonic

• Principles of Density log: measurement of bulk density and porosity calculation.
• Principles of Neutron porosity log: measurement of hydrogen index and porosity.
• Principles of Sonic (Acoustic) log: measurement of compressional wave travel time and porosity.
• Environmental corrections for porosity logs.
• Cross-plotting techniques for lithology identification and porosity determination (e.g., Neutron-Density crossplot).

Module 6: Formation Evaluation: Lithology and Porosity Determination

• Integrated interpretation of GR, SP, Resistivity, Density, Neutron, and Sonic logs.
• Quantitative lithology determination using multi-log analysis.
• Calculating effective porosity and total porosity.
• Petrophysical models for complex lithologies.
• Practical exercises in log interpretation for porosity and lithology.

Module 7: Water Saturation and Permeability Determination

• Archie's equation and its parameters (a, m, n).
• Other saturation models for shaly sands and complex reservoirs.
• Determining water saturation in hydrocarbon-bearing zones.
• Estimating permeability from log data (e.g., Timur, Coates-Dumanoir models).
• Uncertainty and limitations in permeability estimation from logs.

Module 8: Advanced Logging Tools: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

• Principles of NMR logging: fluid properties and pore size distribution.
• Applications of NMR for irreducible water saturation, movable fluid, and permeability.
• Differentiating between oil, gas, and water using NMR.
• Challenges and advantages of NMR logging.
• Case studies showing NMR application in reservoir characterization.

Module 9: Imaging Logs: Resistivity and Ultrasonic Imagers

• Principles of borehole imaging tools (e.g., FMI, OBMI, UBI).
• Interpreting geological features: fractures, faults, bedding, sedimentary structures.
• Identifying borehole breakouts and drilling-induced fractures.
• Applications for detailed reservoir characterization, structural analysis, and well placement.
• Quality control and environmental effects on image logs.

Module 10: Production Logging (PLT) and Well Integrity

• Overview of production logging tools: flowmeters, temperature, pressure, fluid density.
• Applications of PLT for fluid entry profiling, production allocation, and diagnosing well performance.
• Cement Bond Log (CBL) and Variable Density Log (VDL) for cement evaluation.
• Ultrasonic cement evaluation tools for detailed cement bond assessment.
• Identifying leaks, casing damage, and other well integrity issues.

Module 11: Formation Testers and Fluid Sampling

• Principles of wireline formation testers (e.g., MDT, FMS).
• Obtaining formation pressure profiles and determining fluid contacts.
• Collecting downhole fluid samples for laboratory analysis.
• Interpretation of pre-test data and pressure gradients.
• Challenges and best practices in formation testing.

Module 12: Well Seismic and Advanced Geological Applications

• Principles of Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) and Checkshot surveys.
• Integrating well logs with seismic data for geological interpretation.
• Dipmeter logs for structural dip and stratigraphic analysis.
• Using wireline logs for regional correlation and subsurface mapping.
• Facies analysis for reservoir characterization from log data.

Module 13: Cased Hole Logging and Reservoir Surveillance

• Introduction to cased hole logging tools (e.g., Pulsed Neutron, Saturation Logs).
• Monitoring fluid contacts and saturation changes in producing wells.
• Identifying bypassed pay and remaining oil saturation.
• Corrosion logging and casing inspection tools.
• Applications in reservoir management and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects.

Module 14: Log Interpretation Software and Workflows

• Introduction to industry-standard log interpretation software packages.
• Digital log data formats and transfer.
• Building interpretation workflows: quick-look analysis to detailed quantitative analysis.
• Cross-plotting, statistical analysis, and modeling in software.
• Practical exercises using real-world log data sets.

Module 15: Future Trends and Challenges in Wireline Logging

• Emerging technologies in wireline logging (e.g., fiber optics, advanced sensors, AI/ML).
• Integration of wireline data with real-time drilling data (LWD/MWD).
• Challenges in logging unconventional reservoirs (e.g., shales, tight sands).
• Importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration in log interpretation.
• The role of wireline logging in the energy transition and carbon capture.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world.

The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.