Operations and Wellsite Geology

This course provides a complete overview of wellsite operations from the perspective of the Operations Geologist and the Wellsite Geologist. The focus is on being able to understand the job functions that are typically performed at the wellsite, and what use is made of the large amounts of data collected. The course will also provide an overview of essential drilling operations that have a direct bearing on these discliplines.

Wellsite geologists study rock cuttings from oil and gas wells to determine what rock formations are being drilled into and how drilling should proceed. They identify critical strata from core samples and rock-cutting data and build up knowledge of the structure being drilled. They are experienced geologists, deciding when specialized tests should be carried out and, ultimately, when to stop drilling. They send reports and logs of completed drilling to the operations geologist and offer geological advice to oil company representatives. They also incorporate health and safety requirements in daily geological operations. Wellsite geologists also liaise with drilling engineers, petroleum engineers and mudloggers during the course of projects.

Participants will learn the techniques used by wellsite geologists in formation evaluation through a combination of lectures and exercises that can typically be done at the wellsite. At the end of the course, the participants should have a good understanding and knowledge of the requirements of both Operations and Wellsite Geology.

The course will blend classroom instruction with several practical exercise sessions. If location permits, a visit to a wellsite can be arranged.

• Agenda
• Topics
• Audience
• Prerequisites

• Agenda

  Day 1

  Introduction

  What is an Operations and Wellsite Geologist?

  Exploration and Drilling Programs – Risk assessment, regional analysis, pre-drill data acquisition.

  Components of a prospect

  Overview of Petroleum Geology

  The Petroleum system – elements & processes

  The Reservoir – Sedimentary Environments

  The Trap – Structure & Stratigraphy

  Mapping and Cross-Sections

  Pore Systems and Flow Units

  Reserves and Resources – classification and categories

  Data Types and Management

  Wireline Data – open and cased hole, testing, LWD and MWD

  Mud Logging Data – geological, drilling, pressure

  Core Data – whole core and sidewall core

  Day 2

  Drilling Operations

  The drilling team – who does what?

  Types of Drilling rigs

  Rig Sub-systems – power, hoisting, rotary, circulating, well control

  Drilling tools and components – including drilling fluid

  Well control – kicks causes – basic calculations – safety equipment – kill methods

  Well costs

  Planning a Well

  Well Design

  Directional Drilling – methods and calculations

  Geosteering

  Day 3

  Mud Logging

  The Logging unit – components and functions

  Services – monitoring, sampling, analysis

  Cuttings analysis and description

  The mud log

  Safety considerations – monitoring, overpressure, downtime

  Gas detection and analysis – types of gas – gas shows – equipment and methods

  Coring and Core Analysis

  Coring methods and equipment

  Whole Core and Sidewall Core

  Core handling and preservation

  Basic calculations – core-log integration

  Day 4

  Pore Pressure and Wellbore Stability

  Overburden and compaction

  Pore pressure generation – estimation – normal and abnormal pressure

  Detection from Seismic – pre-drill prediction

  Stress and Strain – wellbore failure – lost circulation

  Sampling – types and preservation

  Quality control of acquired wellsite data

  Wellsite Geologist Responsibilities

  Wireline Logging Tools and Measurements

  Review of basic logging tools for lithology, porosity, saturation

  Resistivity and Invasion

  Day 5

  Wireline Log Interpretation

  Basic concepts – quicklook workflow

  Determination of lithology

  Shale – calculation of shale volume - effects and corrections

  Determination of porosity

  Determination of water saturation – resistivity effects – formation water

  Analysis techniques - crossplots

  Cased Hole Logging
  

  Production Monitoring and Reservoir Performance

  Cement Bold Log Evaluation

  Borehole Imaging
  

  Dipmeter Principles

  Dipmeter Interpretation

• Topics

  Petroleum geology overview

  Drilling operations

  Mud logging

  Pore pressure

  Wellbore stability

  Wellsite geologist responsibilities

  Coring and core analysis

  Wireline logging - tools & measurements

  Wellsite wireline log interpretation

  Cased Hole Logging

  Dipmeter Interpretation

• Audience

  E&P staff who want to learn the functions that are performed by Geologists at the wellsite.

• Prerequisites

  Basic knowledge of Geoscience is suggested but not essential.

• Prerequisites