Integration of NMR Factor Analysis, Multifunction LWD Measurements, and T2 Modeling Improve Fluid Identification in Complex Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Permanasari Dian , Ernando Zeindra , Nordin Taufik B , Johari Azlan Shah B , Muhammad Fierzan 
Published: December 2021

Carbonate environments are complex by nature and the characterization, based on their petrophysical properties, has always been challenging due to the pore heterogeneity. In this paper, we present the integration of factor analysis applied to while-drilling Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) data, full-suite data from a multifunction logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool, and modeling of the NMR T2 transverse relaxation time to improve the fluid typing interpretation in complex carbonate reservoirs. The interpretation results are essential for perforation and completion decisions in a high-angle development well.

The carbonate reservoirs in this case study are within the Kujung formation in the East Java Basin. Kujung I is a massive carbonate reservoir with abundant secondary porosity, while Kujung II and III consist of interbedded thin carbonate reservoirs and shale layers. High uncertainty in identifying the fluid type existed in the Kujung II and III formations due to the presence of multiple fluids in the reservoir, the effect of low water salinity, as well as pore heterogeneity and diagenesis.

Due to the high-angle well profile, LWD tool conveyance became the primary method for data acquisition. NMR while drilling and multifunction LWD tools were run on the same drilling bottomhole assembly (BHA) to provide complete formation evaluation and fluid identification. The NMR factor analysis technique was used to decompose the T2 distribution into its porofluid constituents. Thorough T2 peaks modeling was performed to interpret the fluid signatures from the factor analysis results. Borehole images, caliper, triple-combo, density-magnetic resonance gas corrected porosity (DMRP), as well as time-lapse data were evaluated to identify the presence of secondary porosity and narrow down the T2 fluid signatures interpretation.

Each of the porofluid signatures were identified and validated in the Kujung I formation with its proven gas and thick water zone. These signatures were then used as references to interpret the fluid types in the Kujung II and III formations. Gas was identified by a low-amplitude peak in the shorter T2 range between 400 ms to 1 s. Oil or synthetic oil-based mud (SOBM) filtrate was indicated by a high-amplitude peak in the longer T2 range (&gt;1.5 s). The water signatures are very much dependent on the underlying pore sizes. Larger pore sizes will generate longer T2 values, which could fall into the same T2 range as hydrocarbon. For that reason, it is important to combine the NMR porofluid signatures interpretation with other LWD data to restrict the fluid type possibilities. This integrated methodology has successfully improved the fluid type interpretation in the Kujung II and III thin carbonate reservoir targets and was confirmed by the actual production results from the same well.

This case study presents excellent integration of LWD NMR with other LWD data to reduce fluid type uncertainties in complex carbonate reservoirs, which were unresolved by conventional interpretation methods. Based on this success, a similar integrated NMR factor analysis method can be applied to future development wells in the same field.