26810

Drilling Technology Influence on Boreholes

Quality with Geophysical Measurements
Implications
C Ciuperca (Weatherford International), G.T. Jackson* (Weatherford
International), B.M. Niculescu (University of Bucharest, Department of
Geophysics) & B.M. Popina (OMV Petrom S.A. Bucharest)

SUMMARY
The drilling techniques and operations performed during drilling can affect the borehole's shape and
quality, with direct repercussions on the quality of geophysical records, both LWD and wireline.
However, wireline measurements are more affected than LWD, due to the operations that occur after
drilling the well (e.g., reaming trips, etc.) and the "aging borehole" phenomena (breakouts and fractures
become larger, invasion becomes deeper).
The most affected by borehole's quality and shape are the pad-type geophysical tools: Imaging, Lithodensity or Microresistivity, which require a good contact with the formations. Also, the sonic logging
readings can be affected by the occurence of quasi-horizontal or inclined fracture systems, due to a strong
attenuation of the signal, causing the "time stretch" or even "cycle skipping" phenomena (abnormally long
transit time readings).
Different types of fractures induced by drilling operations can create a false invasion appearance, since the
resistivity tools with short investigation radii are influenced by the drilling fluid penetrating in these
fractures.

8th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society

5-8 October 2015, Chania, Greece

Introduction
Many geophysical measurements, especially those made with pad-type tools, are influenced by the
shape and roughness of the borehole. Furthermore, the borehole's shape and roughness are determined
by the type of drilling techniques being used.
1.

THE INFLUENCE OF DIRECTIONAL DRILLING TECHNIQUES

Drilling motors use. The intervals drilled in "sliding mode" are characterized by the emergence of a
borehole spiralling phenomenon (Figs. 1 & 3). The azimuthal logging while drilling (LWD) images
that involve drill string rotation (Fig. 1) cannot be used over sliding intervals. However, there is a
logging tool that can be used over such intervals - Azimuthal Gamma Ray, equipped with GeigerMueller detectors oriented concentrically (Fig. 2).

Figure 1 "Sliding intervals" - no image.

Figure 2 Weatherford LWD Gamma ray sensors.

Figure 3 Drilling with motor.

Rotary steerable steering (RSS) use. RSS, a relatively new directional drilling technique, ensures a
far superior borehole quality than drilling with motors. The spiralling "sliding" intervals disappear and
the changes of direction are smoother. The azimuthal LWD image can be recorded along the entire
borehole (Fig. 4).

Figure 4 Drilling with RSS.

8th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society
5-8 October 2015, Chania, Greece

2.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE DRILLING OPERATIONS

The conventional borehole coring can generate an irregular

microfracture system, due to the coring bit diamond insertions
and a smaller rate of penetration (Fig. 5).

Figure 5 Core marks on borehole wall.

The Leak-off Test (LOT) and Formation Integrity Test (FIT) is
performed to determine the formation fracturing pressure. LOT
involves formation fracturing, while FIT runs only to the maximum
pressure that would fracture the rocks. In the example shown in Fig.
6, 17 m were drilled in the new formation and then LOT was
performed. Due to the insufficient formation strength, fracturing
occurred, as seen from Pe, density, neutron porosity and sonic
compressional transit time (due to the poor semblance quality, DTC
lacks some values) curves signature.

Figure 6 Fractures created by LOT.

3.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE DRILLING PARAMETERS

The combined use of excessive weight on bit and a

differential pressure drilling fluid - formation fluids
can generate formation fractures at maximum half a meter
below the drilling bit. These "petal fractures", which are
seen on the edge of borehole images, have a circular
shape and are parallel to those called "centerline
fractures" and appear on the middle of the image (Fig. 7).
Thus, an ambiguity can occur related to fractures'
interpretation, the natural ones possibly being
undifferentiated with respect to induced fractures.

Figure 7 Petal and Centerline Fractures.

Type and drilling fluid parameters have a substantial impact on borehole's quality. Water-based
drilling fluids, even if they often are inhibitive, can cause clays swelling and washouts (Fig. 8) or the
dissolution of soluble rocks (e.g., rock salt - Fig. 9). Sometimes, even if the drilling parameters are
adequate, plastic deformation of rocks can occur due to tectonic stress (Fig. 10).
Oil-based drilling fluids are strongly inhibitive but induce some limitations to certain geological
methods. In the case of massive fluid losses in a breccia fault zones, their use constitutes a handicap,
the natural clay swelling being impeded.

8th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society

5-8 October 2015, Chania, Greece

Figure 8 Washout in shale.

Figure 9 Uniform dissolution in salt. Figure 10 Salt deformation due to tectonic stress.

When the drilling fluid pressure is small enough so that the stress combination at the borehole wall
produces shear failure of rocks, breakouts (minimum stress) will appear - Figs. 11 & 12. If the drilling
fluid pressure is high enough so that one of the borehole stresses becomes extensional, drillinginduced fractures (maximum stress) will appear - Fig. 13.

Figure 11 Shear fractures in breakouts zone.

Figure 12 Standoff Images breakouts.

Figure 13 Drilling induced fractures.

In vertical wells, drilling-induced fractures are parallel to the borehole axis and in deviated wells they
have a characteristic "en-echelon" shape. Both drilling-induced fractures and breakouts are arranged
180 apart.
Sometimes, the optimal selection of the caliper tool type directly influences the borehole shape
measurements. Figure 14 shows the borehole shape derived from two different types of caliper
measurements: a 6-pads device OMI - Oil MicroImager (Fig. 15) and an X-Y Caliper (Fig. 16),
performed with the cross-dipole acoustic measurements. The shape derived from OMI calipers shows
an on-gauge borehole, while the one derived from the X-Y tool shows a certain elongation in one
direction, with thin arms of the tool being able to detect incipient breakouts.
8th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society
5-8 October 2015, Chania, Greece

Figure 14 OMI - Cal X-Y borehole shape comparison.

Figure 15 OMI - Weatherford device.

Figure 16 X-Y caliper arm sketch.

Conclusions
The drilling techniques and the operations performed during drilling can affect the borehole's shape
and quality, with direct repercussions on the quality of geophysical records, both LWD and wireline.
However, the wireline measurements are more affected than LWD, due to the operations that occur
after drilling the well (e.g., reaming trips etc.) and the "aging borehole" phenomena (breakouts and
fractures become larger, invasion becomes deeper).
The most affected by borehole's quality and shape are the pad-type geophysical investigation tools:
Imaging, Litho-density or Microresistivity, which requires a good contact with the formations.
Also, the sonic logging readings can be affected by the occurrence of the quasi-horizontal or inclined
fracture systems, due to a strong attenuation of the signal, causing the "time stretch" or even "cycle
skipping" phenomena (abnormally long transit time readings).
The Different types of fractures caused by drilling operations can create a false invasion appearance,
the resistivity tools with short investigation radii being strongly influenced by the drilling fluid
penetrating in these fractures.
References
Barton, C.A. [2002] Discrimination of Natural Fractures From Drilling-Induced Wellbore Failures in
Wellbore Image Data - Implication for Reservoir Permeability. SPE Reservoir Evaluation &
Engineering, 5(3).
Lofts, J.C. and Bourke, L.B. [1999] The recognition of artefacts from acoustic and resistivity borehole
imaging devices. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 159, 59-76.
Zoback, M.D. [2007] Reservoir Geomechanics, Cambridge University Press.

8th Congress of the Balkan Geophysical Society

5-8 October 2015, Chania, Greece