PixStar™ high-resolution ultrasonic service enhances reservoir understanding in near-horizontal wellbore
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Identify and interpret fractures and bedding features in high-angle OBM well
Oil-Based Mud
Engineer a drilling solution that included:
A near-horizontal 6 1⁄8-inch well was drilled in Texas in oil-based mud (OBM), and a PixStar™ high-resolution ultrasonic imaging service was used to assess fractures and bedding features across multiple lithologies, including chalk, shale, and limestone. The service included a bottomhole assembly (BHA) with a 4¾-inch TerraForce™ positive displacement motor, a DGR™ dual gamma ray sensor, and an ADR™ azimuthal deep resistivity sensor. Inclination was built from vertical to 87 degrees, drilling 2,965 feet (904 meters), using 9.6-ppg OBM.
The high-resolution reflection amplitude images revealed fractures, bedding features, and drilling induced features, highlighting the potential use of real-time images for geosteering applications. The four-transducer design of the PixStar sensor section enables accurate assessment of tool position within the borehole, allowing an eccentricity normalization to be applied to remove the potentially detrimental effect of lateral tool motion and eccentricity on the reflection amplitude images.
By enhancing reservoir understanding through interpretation of the high-resolution images, the need for a separate wireline run, and the associated risk and cost, was removed.
High-resolution ultrasonic imaging service shows fractures and geological features in all mud types.
Halliburton delivers drilling performance to increase asset recovery, improve wellbore quality, and reduce overall well construction costs.
