Sonic Log

PNGE 450: Formation Evaluation

Sonic Log

Sonic Log Application

 Porosity determination
 Secondary porosity determination (combined with N-D logs)
 Lithology determination (combined with density log)
 Formation mechanical properties determination
 Determining Rwa (combined with resistivity log)
 Over-pressurized formation detection
 Cement bond log evaluation (cased hole log)
 Fracture detection
 Seismic studies

2
Sonic Log

Sonic Tool Principle

1) A sound signal is emitted from the “Transmitter”.
2) Signal is recorded by “Receivers”.
3) Signal is analyzed based on :
• Wave type(s)
• Velocity/ transit time of the wave
• Attenuation(loss of energy)

Ls
Transit(travel) time or slowness:
Difference in arrival of the compressional wave at receiver

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 − 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 106

∆𝑡𝑡 = 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇/𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓/𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝐿𝐿𝑠𝑠 ∆𝑡𝑡
From Schlumberger
3
Sonic Log

Compressional Wave
• Known as pressure wave (P-wave)
Compression dilatation
• Longitudinal waves

• Propagation direction ll particle movement

• Passes through solid, liquid and gases.
• Speed solid > liquid > gas
• First arrival wave (fastest wave) Wave Direction

• Range in rock : 17390-25000 ft/sec (57.5-40 μsec/ft)

4
Sonic Log

Shear Wave
• Known as S-wave
• Transverse wave

• Propagation direction l particle movement

• Propagates through solid.
• Does NOT propagate through gas and low viscous liquid. Wave Direction

• Some propagation in high viscous liquid with severe attenuation

• Second arrival wave (2nd fastest wave)
• Δts/Δtc (Vc/Vs) in formation: 1.6-2.3
• Sensitive to fractures

5
Sonic Log

Stoneley Wave

• Travels at mud (in the wellbore) and formation interface

• Last arrival wave (slowest wave)
• Sensitive to permeability
• Sensitive to fractures

From Schlumberger

6
Sonic Log

Sonic Log Waves

Bateman, 2012

7
Sonic Log

Δts/Δtc

Sonic Waves

From Schlumberger Bateman, 2012 8

Sonic Log

Sonic Tools

 Basic sonic (mono and dual receiver) Obsolete

 Borehole Compensated (BHC) Most Common

 Long Spacing Sonic (LSS)

 Array Sonic Tool

 Dipole Sonic Tool

9
Sonic Log

Basic Sonic Tool

Mono Receiver a
T

The measured travel time includes the travel 𝑇𝑇 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅 = 𝑡𝑡𝑎𝑎 + 𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏 + 𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐 Ls b
time in mud (a & c) rather than formation (b)
c
R

𝑇𝑇 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅1 = 𝑡𝑡𝑎𝑎 + 𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏 + 𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐

Dual Receiver
𝑇𝑇 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅2 = 𝑡𝑡𝑎𝑎 + 𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏 + 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑 + 𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒 a
T
If tool is tilted or borehole size is not uniform 𝑅𝑅1𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅2 = 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑 + 𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒 − 𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐
(wash out), causes error. If tool is axial b

𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒 = 𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐 c
R1
d
𝑅𝑅1𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅2 = 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑 R2
e

10
Sonic Log

Basic Sonic Tool

b
𝑹𝑹𝟏𝟏𝒕𝒕𝒕𝒕 𝑹𝑹𝟐𝟐 = 𝒕𝒕𝒅𝒅 + 𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 − 𝒕𝒕𝒄𝒄
c

d
𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆 ≠ 𝒕𝒕𝒄𝒄 e b

11
Sonic Log

BHC Tool
• One T & 2 R added to compensate wellbore effect a

• 3 ft from T to near R
b
• 2 ft distance between pair Rs 𝑇𝑇𝑢𝑢 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅1 = 𝑡𝑡𝑎𝑎 + 𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏 + 𝑡𝑡𝑐𝑐 Z

𝑇𝑇𝑢𝑢 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅2 = 𝑡𝑡𝑎𝑎 + 𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏 + 𝑡𝑡𝑑𝑑 + 𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑒

• 1-2 inch depth of investigation c
Y
𝑇𝑇𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅3 = 𝑡𝑡𝑣𝑣 + 𝑡𝑡𝑤𝑤 + 𝑡𝑡𝑥𝑥
• 2 ft vertical resolution X
d
𝑇𝑇𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅4 = 𝑡𝑡𝑣𝑣 + 𝑡𝑡𝑤𝑤 + 𝑡𝑡𝑦𝑦 + 𝑡𝑡𝑧𝑧

𝑇𝑇𝑢𝑢 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅2 + 𝑇𝑇𝑢𝑢 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅2 − [ 𝑇𝑇𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅4 + 𝑇𝑇𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑅𝑅3 ]
Problem 𝑡𝑡 = w e
2

Low DOI which causes error in reading of

undisturbed zone transit time in shales. V

12
Sonic Log

Long Spacing Sonic (LSS)

• 2 T and 2 R
• 8, 10, 12 ft from T to R
• 2 ft distance between pair Rs
• 6 inch depth of investigation (beyond damaged zone)
• 1-2 ft vertical resolution
• Compensation is achieved by memorizing

From Schlumberger

13
Sonic Log

Array Sonic Tool

• 2 T and 10 R
• Combines LSS & BHC
• Records multiple different wave forms
• 2 ft distance between pair Rs
• 6 to 18” depth of investigation
• 6” vertical resolution
• Compensation is achieved by memorizing

Dipole Sonic Tool Transmitters

• Similar to Array Tool

• Incorporates P & S waves

From Schlumberger
14
 Array
Sonic Log
Sonic

Log Presentation

• Linear
SPHI
• Increases right to left Cal

Δt
GR BS
Fast

www.kgs.ku.edu 15
Sonic Log

Sonic Porosity
Fluid ∅ ∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓
Wyllie Time-Average Equation Matrix
∆𝑡𝑡 = ∅ × ∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 + (1 − ∅) × ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
∆𝑡𝑡 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 1−∅
∅𝑠𝑠 =
∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
Consolidated formations

∆𝒕𝒕 from log

Raymer-Hunt-Gardener (RHG) Equation

∆𝑡𝑡 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
∅𝑠𝑠 = 0.7
∆𝑡𝑡
16
Sonic Log

Δt in Common Materials

∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓

Bateman, 2012

17
Sonic Log

Measuring Δtma in Lab

∆𝒕𝒕𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎

∆𝑡𝑡 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇/𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

Wyllie, 1961

18
 Δtf=189 μsec/ft

Sonic Log

Example
Assume Δt log is 80 μsec/ft and matrix is Limestone:

∆𝑡𝑡 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
∅𝑠𝑠 =
∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 26
23
80 − 47.5
∅𝑠𝑠 =
189 − 47.5

∅𝑠𝑠 = 22.9%

19 Por-1 From Schlumberger

Sonic Log

Sonic Porosity in Unconsolidated Formations

• Unconsolidated formations exhibit travel times longer than Wyllie time-average equation.
• It can be handled by compaction factor Bcp.
• Bcp is a value greater than unity and can be obtained from transit time in adjacent shale formations.

∆𝑡𝑡 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 1
∅𝑠𝑠 = ×
∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝐵𝐵𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

∆𝑡𝑡𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝐵𝐵𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = ∆𝑡𝑡 in adjacent shale
100

20
 Δtf=189 μsec/ft

Sonic Log

Example
Assume Δt log is 90 μsec/ft and matrix is sandstone.
Δt of shale in neighbor formation is 120 μsec/ft.

∆𝑡𝑡 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 1
∅𝑠𝑠 = ×
∆𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 − ∆𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝐵𝐵𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 21.5

90 − 55.6 100
∅𝑠𝑠 = ×
189 − 55.6 120

∅𝑠𝑠 = 21.5%

21 Por-1 From Schlumberger

Sonic Log

Secondary Porosity from Sonic Log

Primary: Developed during deposition

Porosity Dissolution

Cementation
Secondary: Developed after deposition
Fractures
Vugs, channels

• Sonic tool is Insensitive to secondary porosity and ONLY detects primary porosity.
• Combination of other porosity tools (Neutron &/or Density) with sonic porosity tools can result in secondary porosity
estimation.

∅𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔. = ∅𝑵𝑵,𝑫𝑫 − ∅𝒔𝒔

22
Sonic Log

Mechanical Properties from Sonic

Shear Modulus 𝜇𝜇 = 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2
𝜌𝜌𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 : Bulk density(from density log)
𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2 (3𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐2 − 4𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2 )
Young’s Modulus 𝐸𝐸 = 𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐 : 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐2 − 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2
𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠 : 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
Bulk Modulus 𝐵𝐵 = 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏 (𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐2 − 3⁄4 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2 )

(𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐2 − 2𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2 )
Poisson’s Ratio 𝜐𝜐 =
2(𝑉𝑉𝑐𝑐2 − 𝑉𝑉𝑠𝑠2 ) 𝑃𝑃𝑝𝑝 : 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝

2𝜐𝜐 1 − 3𝜐𝜐 𝑃𝑃𝑜𝑜 : 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝

Formation Fracture Pressure: 𝑃𝑃𝑓𝑓 = × 𝑃𝑃𝑜𝑜 + 𝛼𝛼 × 𝑃𝑃𝑝𝑝 𝛼𝛼: 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 (𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴. 0.5)
1 − 𝜐𝜐 1 − 𝜐𝜐
23
Sonic Log

Rwa as HC Indicator
𝑛𝑛 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤
Archie’s Law: 𝑆𝑆𝑤𝑤 = 𝐹𝐹
𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡
𝑎𝑎
𝑛𝑛 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤
From Sonic Log: 𝐹𝐹 = 𝑚𝑚 𝑆𝑆𝑤𝑤 =
∅𝑠𝑠 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤
≤1
𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤
Assume: 𝑅𝑅𝑡𝑡 𝑆𝑆𝑤𝑤 ≤ 1
𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 = Always:
𝐹𝐹
Min value of Rwa on the log
𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤 ≤ 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤𝑎𝑎 𝑹𝑹𝒘𝒘𝒘𝒘 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = 𝑹𝑹𝒘𝒘 In Water zone
𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤
≤1
𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤 < 𝑅𝑅𝑤𝑤𝑎𝑎 In HC zone

24
Sonic Log

Rwa Log Curve

25
 0.1
ILD DT (µsec/ft)
GR 0 Rwa 0.05 1000 60
0 100 0.1 SFL 1000
160

Sonic Log 2550

Example
2600

Any possible reservoir? 2650

Any Water Zone?

Rw?
2700

2750

26 2800 26
 0.1 ILD DT (µsec/ft)
GR 0 Rwa 0.05 1000 60
0 100 0.1 SFL 1000
160

Sonic Log 2550

Example HC zone:
2600 High Res.

Permeable zone: W(O/G)C

• Low GR
2650
• Separation between
SFL & ILD

Water zone:
2700
Low Res.

𝑹𝑹𝒘𝒘𝒘𝒘 𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎𝒎 = 𝑹𝑹𝒘𝒘

2750

27 2800
Sonic Log

Over-Pressured Formations

• The deeper a formation is, the more compact it becomes

(overburden pressure increase).

• The more compact the formation is, the less transit time
is recorded.

• The transit time on a logarithmic scale vs. depth on a

linear scale, should show a straight line as compaction
trend.

• If there is a break in the compaction trend with depth to

higher transit times with no change in lithology, it might
indicate the top of an over-pressured zone.

• This behavior is common in shales.

From Schlumberger Hottman, 1965 28

Sonic Log

Over-Pressured Shale
Onset of over-pressure

Compaction trend line

Bateman, 2012
29
Sonic Log

Cement Bond Log (CBL)

 A proper cement behind casing assures:
• Casing is well supported.
• Producing zones do not contaminate water bearing zones
• No surface fluid leakage

 CBL is similar to BHC.

 It measure the amplitude of the first arrival waves.
 The amplitude indicates the quality of the bonding.
 CBL is usually accompanied by wavetrain display of variable
density log (VDL).
Bateman, 2012
 A good cement bond exists when later wave arrivals on VDL
are strong.

30
Sonic Log VDL

Cement Bond Log (CBL)

CCL: Casing Collar Locator

Bad Cementing (Free Pipe):

Formation Arrival
High Amplitude
Week VDL (Formation)
V shape @ CSG collar
Casing Arrival

Partial Cementing:
Moderate Amplitude
Moderate VDL (Formation)

Good Cementing:
Low Amplitude

From Halliburton
Strong VDL (Formation)

31
Sonic Log

Cement Bond Log (CBL)

32
 Stoneley
Sonic Log

Fracture Detection
• Fracture causes delay (due to attenuation) on
wave-train of compression, shear and Stoneley
waves.

• Fracture causes a “chevron pattern” (V shape)

effect on Stoneley waves.

From Schlumberger
Wave-train

Δt

Dip-meter
Wave-train 33
Sonic Log

Fracture Detection

Fullbore Formation MicroImager (FMI)

Ultrasonic Borehole Imager (UBI)

Azimuthal Resistivity Image (ARI)

From Schlumberger
Fracture

34
Sonic Log

Fracture Quantification

• A dipping plane becomes sinusoid wave

on projection (3D to 2D).
A
• Dip can be calculated from amplitude,
A, and borehole diameter, d.
• Azimuth can be read directly from the
sinusoid.

From Schlumberger

35
Sonic Log

FMI Application in Fractures

• Qualifies the fracture

 Azimuth
 Dip
 Aperture

• Type of fracture (natural or induced)

Induced fractures (Dip=90°) after

hydraulic fracturing job.

Luthi, 2001 36
Sonic Log

Sonic Porosity Limitations

 To estimate porosity the matrix lithology must to be known.

 It is insensitive to secondary porosity and cannot detect it.

 Requires compaction correction.

 Transition from one lithology to other one is not easily evident.

 Gas bearing zones are not easily detectable.

Replaced with Density-Neutron logs to overcome these problems

37
Sonic Log

Summary

 Can be used for mechanical properties, porosity, fracture studies.

 Requires correction for borehole, mud and compaction.

 Rwa method.

 Identifying over-pressured zones

Useful Charts
o Por-1

38