Ultrawave™ Ultra-Sonic Imager LWD Identifies Fractures in Horizontal Shale Well Drilled with Oil-based Mud, Saves $1.5 M in Completion Costs

Obtain high-quality image data to identify fractures in a horizontal shale well drilled with oil-based mud (OBM).
Evaluate fractures observed while drilling infill development wells.
Process and deliver a final image log in less than 24 hours after reaching total depth (TD), to enable quick decision-making at the wellsite.

Weatherford Drilling Services specialists met with the operator to propose using the UltraWave ultra-sonic imager LWD to obtain high-quality images in an upcoming unconventional well. The Weatherford team worked with the operator’s drilling engineers and reservoir team to confirm that drilling parameters would not hinder wellbore imaging quality.
The Weatherford team deployed the UltraWave LWD and the HEL™ hostile environment logging system. As the driller maintained a 150 ft/h (45.7 m/h) rate of penetration across the lateral section, the UltraWave LWD acquired image data. The HEL MWD system obtained total gamma ray, vibration monitoring, and HAGR ™ azimuthal gamma ray data. While rotating, the HEL system also acquired continuous inclination and azimuth measurements; during connections, this system acquired six-vector directional survey data.
Weatherford Interpretation and Evaluation Services (IES) petrophysicists downloaded and processed memory data from the tool when it was retrieved to surface. They returned the image logs to the operator in a matter of hours.

The UltraWave ultrasonic imager acquired high-quality images that were quickly processed. Rapid turnaround enabled the operator to evaluate the logs in time to make decisions that would affect ongoing wellsite operations.
This novel technology enabled the customer to identify significant fracture zones that would make a positive impact on their completion program. The operator drafted a new plan that reduces completion costs by 10-20% per well, ultimately saving $300,000 for each of five wells drilled from the pad, for a total of $1.5 million.
Based on image quality and support provided by Weatherford operations and petrophysics personnel, the operator intends to run the oil-based, high resolution LWD imager on offset wells to evaluate reservoir rock properties.

Details

Location

Texas, USA

Well Type

Onshore horizontal shale well

Maximum Hole Angle

90°

Hole Size

8.75 in.

Maximum Temperature

250°F (121°C)

Total Depth

10,000 ft (305 m)

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