Application of Dipole Array Acoustic Logging in the Evaluation of Shale Gas Reservoirs

Wenrui Shi, Xingzhi Wang, Yuanhui Shi, Aiguo Feng, Yu Zou and Steven Young
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Wenrui Shi: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Xingzhi Wang: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Yuanhui Shi: Logging Company of Sinopec Oilfield Service Jianghan Corporation, Qianjiang 433123, China
Aiguo Feng: Logging Company of Sinopec Oilfield Service Jianghan Corporation, Qianjiang 433123, China
Yu Zou: Gudong Oil Production Plant, Shengli Oilfield of Sinopec, Dongying 257237, China
Steven Young: Business School, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-17

Abstract: In order to effectively evaluate shale gas reservoirs with low porosity, extra-low permeability, and no natural productivity, dipole array acoustic logging, which can provide various types of information including P-wave slowness (DTC) and S-wave slowness (DTS), is widely used. As the dipole array acoustic logging tool has a larger investigation depth and is suitable for complex borehole environments, such as those with a high wellbore temperature, high drilling fluid column pressure, or irregular borehole wall, it has been mainly applied to the evaluation of lithology, gas potential, fractures, and stimulation potential in shale gas reservoirs. The findings from a case study of the Sichuan Basin in China reveal that the acoustic slowness, S-P wave slowness ratio (RMSC), and S-wave anisotropy of the dipole array acoustic logging can be used to qualitatively identify reservoir lithology, gas potential, and fractures. Using the relationship between DTC and the total porosity of shale gas reservoirs, and combined with the compensated neutron (CNL) and shale content (V sh ) of the reservoir, a mathematical model for accurately calculating the total porosity of the shale gas reservoir can be established. By using the relationship between the RMSC and gas saturation in shale gas reservoirs and tied with density log (DEN), a mathematical model of gas saturation can be established, and the determination of gas saturation by the non-resistivity method can be achieved, delivering a solution to the issue that the electric model is not applicable under low resistivity conditions. The DTS, DTC, and DEN of shale can be used to calculate rock mechanic parameters such as the Poisson’s ratio (POIS) and Young’s modulus (YMOD), which can be used to evaluate the shale stimulation potential.

Keywords: dipole array acoustic logging; shale gas; reservoir evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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