Iraqi Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) 27- 33

Iraqi Journal of Chemical and
ISSN: 1997-4884
University of Baghdad
Petroleum Engineering College of Engineering

Estimation of the Rock Mechanical Properties Using Conventional Log Data in

North Rumaila Field

Wafa Al-Kattan and N. Jasim Al-Ameri

University of Baghdad, College of Engineering, Petroleum Engineering Department

Abstract
Hydrocarbon production might cause changes in dynamic reservoir properties. Thus
the consideration of the mechanical stability of a formation under different conditions
of drilling or production is a very important issue, and basic mechanical properties of
the formation should be determined.
There is considerable evidence, gathered from laboratory measurements in the field of
Rock Mechanics, showing a good correlation between intrinsic rock strength and the
dynamic elastic constant determined from sonic-velocity and density measurements.
The values of the mechanical properties determined from log data, such as the
dynamic elastic constants derived from the measurement of the elastic wave velocities
in the material, should be more accurate than that determined by direct strength tests
with core samples. This can be attributed to the scale effect and sampling
disturbances.
The aim of this study was to present methods of determining measures of some
mechanical properties, from available well log data (conventional sonic, density, and
gamma ray) for a well in North Rumaila field.
The mechanical properties include formation strength and Poisson’s ratio. For the
formation strength, combined elastic modulus (Ec) and shear modulus (G) were
determined. The Poisson’s ratio was determined by using three different techniques to
permit the accuracy of their values. The elastic modulus, shear modulus, and
Poisson’s ratio were then correlated with depth and effective stress.
The results show that combined correlations are important source of the prediction of
overpressure zones which represent a major problem encountered in drilling and
production process.

Kew Word: mechanical properties, North Rumaila field, elastic modulus, shear
modulus, Poisson’s ratio, effective stress

Introduction
Effective stress laws and their exerted by the weight of overlying
applications are not new, but are often rocks; tectonic stresses that are
overlooked or miss-applied. generated by the large-scale
At depth reservoir rocks are subjected movements in the earth crust; and pore
to in-situ stress arising from the pressure that is exerted by the fluids
combined effects of overburden present in the rock pores.
pressure (external stress), which is
Estimation of the Rock Mechanical Properties Using Conventional Log Data in North Rumaila Field

It is common practice to choose a net logging data, principally, the sonic,

effective stress that is thought to result density, and gamma ray logs.
in identical rock properties. Poisson’s ratio should, in principle, be
According to Terzaghi[1], an effective derivable from the sonic compressional
stress law is a mean to convert two and shear wave velocities, Vp and Vs
variables, external stress (σ) and pore respectively. Because Vs is not
pressure Pp, into one equivalent available, alternative methods were
variable (σeff): used to estimate values of Poisson’s
ratio.
σeff = σ -α Pp The studied interval, ranges from 2000
to 5200 m, passes through many
Where α is the effective stress complex formations. The formation
coefficient (Biot constant) which is materials include limestone, dolomite,
assumed to be 1.0 at high pressure. anhydrite, and some sand enterbeded
Normal pressure refers to formation with beds of shale and salt.
pressure which is approximately equal The results of the derived mechanical
to the hydrostatic head of a column of properties of the studied interval were
water of equal depth (approximately correlated with depth and effective
0.465 psi/ft depth). Formation with stress; the abnormal pressure zone can
pressure higher than hydrostatic is be detected easily from the
referred as bring abnormally pressured. correlations.
High formation pressures cause major Good correlation between effective
changes in subsurface-rock parameters. stress and Poisson’s ratio is observed
In over pressured shales, the acoustic in abnormal interval zone.
velocity and density are lowered and
porosity is higher than that in normal Modulus Properties
pressures. Modulus values have been used as a
Because formation-fluid pressure, in an measure of the strength properties and
abnormal pressure zone, is increased stability of rocks under different
the effective stress is expected to conditions of drilling and production.
decrease. The combined elastic modulus ,Ec[2],
The aim of this study is to draw take in to consideration the effect of
attention to the potential impact of very both shear modulus G and bulk
high pore pressure on rock mechanical modulus Kb,is given by:
properties.
The effects of effective stress Ec = G + Kb …(1)
decreasing on the compressional wave
velocity (Vp), combined elastic
Where, G is the shear modulus in psi
modulus (Ec), shear modulus (G), and
of a material, subjected to a given total
Poisson’s ratio for the studied aria, a
load, defined as the ratio of shear load
deep well in North Rumaila, were
to lateral deformation. Alone, G is
determined.
serving as a direct measure of the
Direct measurements of rock strength
strength of the formation solids.
and Poisson’s ratio are not easily
The bulk modulus Kb is the reciprocal
obtained for typical hydrocarbon wells,
of bulk compressibility, its value
so it is of interest to develop means of
depends on the compressibility of both
obtaining them indirectly from more
formation solids and fluids.
easily available measurements. One
The log data were used to calculate the
such possible source is from wireline
combined elastic modulus from the
equation:

28 IJCPE Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) -Available online at: www.iasj.net

 Wafa Al-Kattan and N. Jasim Al-Ameri

Ec = …(2) The estimated shear modulus, G, is a

measure of the formation strength by
itself.
Where: tc is transit time from sonic log, Poisson’s ratio, υ, then may be
⁄ expressed in terms of the following
modulus [2]:
tc =
υ= … (4)
p is the compressional wave velocity
ft s Anderson et al [3] have presented an
is bul density from density log gm empirical relationship relating Poisson
cc s ratio to shaliness given by:
Effective stress provided by the
overburden weight may be determined υ = 0.125q + 0.27 …(5)
from the equation:
Where q is the shaliness index and has
=D (Gov – Gp) … (3) been defined as:

Where:
q= …(6)
σ = effective stress provided by
overburden weight, psi
D = depth, ft Where ϕs is porosity from sonic log
Gov = overburden weight gradient, psi ϕD is porosity from density log
Gp = fluid pressure gradient, psi Poisson’s ratio calculated by equation
(5) was used to calculate, again, the
From the correlation, given in Fig-a [2], shear modulus G by the relation [4]:
between Ec and Kb the value of Kb
was estimated, then the value of G is G= … (7)
calculated using equation (1).
Where
12
y = 0.5818x + 0.4318 A=
R² = 0.993
based on published data
10
Using the concept of a variable
8 overburden pressure Eaton [5] calculate
Bulk modulus,(EB ),spi*106

the Poisson’s ratio by the equation:

6
Pf = Pp + … (8)
4
Where Pf =fracture pressure, psi
Pp = pore pressure, psi
2 Po = overburden pressure, psi
υ =Poisson’s ratio
0
0 5 10 15 20 In terms of pressure gradient, the
Combined modulus, (Ec)Ϭ=0,psi*106 above equation may be expressed as:
Fig. a, Estimating the bulk modulus
… (9)

-Available online at: www.iasj.net IJCPE Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) 29

Estimation of the Rock Mechanical Properties Using Conventional Log Data in North Rumaila Field

Where: degree of rock compactions and its

Gf = pressure fracture gradient, psi ft bulk modulus, it follows that Vp
Gp= pore pressure gradient, psi ft depends on compaction. The more
Gov= overburden pressure gradient, psi compacted the rock the higher its
ft acoustic velocity. Also the acoustic
velocity depends on the elastic
The value of the fracture pressure properties of rocks, so the combined
gradient, Gf, was measured from the elastic modulus, Ec, compressional
DST. The pore pressure gradient Gp wave velocity, Vp, are correlated with
calculated by the equation of pore depth (as shown in Fig. 1).
pressure prediction [6], as:
Ec*(10^6) & Vp(10^4)
Gp = Gov – (Gov – Gpn) 3 0 10 20 30
2000

Where:
Gpn= normal pore pressure gradient
3000
(0. 5), psi ft
depth top of abnormal
tn= the normal travel time, s ft
to = the shale travel time, s ft
4000
The overburden pressure gradient
calculated by the equation:
5000
Gov = * 0.433 Ec,*(10^6)
Vp*(10^4)
6000
The determined Poisson’s ratio,
Fig. 1, correlation between compressional
depending on pressure gradients, was
wave velocity & elastic Modula with depth
used to calculate the shear modulus G
again.
The calculated variables, Vp,Ec,and G poisson's ratio
(G was calculated by three 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.45
methods),and Poisson’s ratio 2000
(calculated by three methods) were
plotted against the depth and the
effective stress. 3000

depth,m
Results and Discussions
A reservoir rocks is subjected to 4000
external (overburden) and internal
(pore fluid) pressures. Laboratory
measurements [7] have shown that the
5000
acoustic velocity, Vp, is affected by the
effective stress, which is the difference v,Eaton
between external internal pressures v,anderson
(ΔP), rather than the absolute value of 6000
external pressure or the internal v,Elastic modula
pressure. Compressional wave Fig. 2, Poisson's ratio correlation comparison
velocity, Vp, increase as the ΔP for the studied well
increases. Because ΔP determines the

30 IJCPE Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) -Available online at: www.iasj.net

 Wafa Al-Kattan and N. Jasim Al-Ameri

In Fig.2 Poisson’s ratio,calculated by Ec & G, *(10^6) &vp *10^4

three different methods, was correlated 0 5 10 15
with depth. 800
The shear modulus, also calculated by 850
three methods, was correlated with 900

effective stress,psi
depth in Fig.3. 950
1000
1050
Shear modulus,psi,*10^6 1100
1150
1200
0 2 4 6 8 1250
2000 1300
G,Anderson 1350
1400
2500 G,Elastic 1450
1500 Ec,*10^6
depth, G,Eaton 1550 G(Eaton),*10^6
3000 1600
1650 G(Anderson),*
3500 1700 10^6
1750 G
(Elastic),*10^6
4000 Fig. 4, the correlation between elastic Modulus
Ec , shear modulus G , compressional wave
velocity Vp with effective stress Ϭo in the
4500 normal zone

5000
Effective stress,psi
600 1100 1600 2100
5500 0.1
v,Elastic
0.15 v,Eaton
Poisson's ratio

Fig. 3, the correlation between shear modulus v,Anderson

& depth for the studied well 0.2

The trends of increasing Vp, Ec, G, 0.25

and υ with depth is obvious, and the
abnormal pressure zone can be 0.3
detected between 3200 and 5200 m
0.35
depth.
To show the effect of the effective 0.4
stress, ΔP, on p, Ec, G, and υ, the Normal
normal interval, Fig(4-5), and
abnormal pressure intervals Fig. 5, the correlation between effective stress
(Fig. 6 to 9) were separated . & Poisson’s ratio in the normal zone
In Fig. 4, the normal zone, the effect of
lithology on Vp, Ec, G is more than the In Figs. 6,7,8, and 9,(the abnormal
effect of effective stress since the zone) the effective stress was
important factor here is the rock correlated with Ec, G, and Vp.
density. Any increase in bulk density,
grain size would cause an increase in
Vp, but its influence on the strength of
the rock is small.

-Available online at: www.iasj.net IJCPE Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) 31

Estimation of the Rock Mechanical Properties Using Conventional Log Data in North Rumaila Field

Effective stress
Effective stress,psi
0 1000 2000 200 700 1200 1700 2200
0 0.1
y = 1E-10x3 - 6E-07x2 + 0.001x - 0.0533
0.15 R² = 0.7739, Eaton
0.5

Poisson's ratio
Vp*10^4

0.2
1
0.25
1.5 0.3
2 0.35
0.4
2.5
0.45 v,Eaton

Fig. 6, correlation between compressional 0.5 v,Anderso

wave velocity Vp & effective stress Ϭo in the n
0.55
abnormal zone

Fig. 9, the correlation between effective stress

Effective stress & Poisson’s ratio in the abnormal zone
0 1000 2000
0
2
Gov, Gp, Effective stress (psi/ft)
4 0 0.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.80.9 1 1.11.2
Ec,*10^6

6 2000
8
depth,m

10
2500
12
14
16 3000
18 top of
3500 abnormal
20

4000
Fig. 7, the correlation between elastic Modula
Ec & effective stress Ϭo in the abnormal zone Gov
4500

Effective stress Gp
0 1000 2000 5000
0 Effective stress
G,Eaton
1 G,Anderson 5500 gradient
G,Elastic Fig. 10, Effect of different pressure gradient
2 for normal and abnormal zone
G, *10^6

3
The scattering, shown in these figures,
4
is due to the influence of both the
5 complicated lithology and effective
6 stress. This is very clear in Fig. 10
which shows that the increasing in Gov
7
(its value depends mainly on bulk
8 density) is very small comparing to
Fig. 8, the correlation between shear Modulus
& effective stress Ϭo in the abnormal zone

32 IJCPE Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) -Available online at: www.iasj.net

 Wafa Al-Kattan and N. Jasim Al-Ameri

that of Gp, and the effective stress different and more attention should be
decreasing is great. given to this constant.
The correlation between Poisson’s The mechanical properties of rocks can
ratio and effective stress in Fig. 5&9 be used very effectively in the planning
support the above illation. The of drilling a well.
estimation of Poisson’s ratio, in the The rock strength, determined from
normal zone, depending on Eaton’ s shear modulus (G) and poisson’s ratio
equation show that the increase in (Ѵ), can be used to estimate the rate of
effective stress dose not affects the penetration (ROP) and bit wear.
value of Poisson’s ratio. While the More knowledge is necessary in order
value estimated from the other models, to get batter correlations between
which depend on shale index, show petrophysical and mechanical
deviations correlated with lithology properties for Iraqi Oil Field.
changes. The higher Poisson’s ratio of
limestone comparing to that of References
anhydrite, sandstone, shale, and salt, 1. Terzaghi, ., and Pec , R., B.,”soil
may be the main cause of this Mechanics in Engineering
deviations. Practice,” John wiley&sons, Inc.,
In the abnormal pressure zone, the N.,Y., 1984 (566).
effect of both the effective stress and 2. Nathan Stein: “Mechanical
lithology are clear. The scattering is Properties of Friable Sands from
due to the decrease of effective stress, conventional log data,” SPE
which has influence on the dynamic no.5500 (1975).
elastic parameters, The higher the 3. Anderson, R. A., Ingram, D. S., and
value of Poisson’s ratio of a sediment Zainer, A. M.: “Fracture Pressure
the more vertical matrix stress is Gradient Determination from Well
transmitted in the horizontal direction. Logs,” SPE-AIME Meeting, (Oct,
In overpressured shales sonic velocity 1972, 8-11).
and density are lower and porosity is 4. M. P. Tixier, G.W. Lovelesss, R.A.
higher than in normal pressure. Anderson "Estimation of Formation
In Fig.9, good correlation between the Strength from the Mechanical
effective stress and Poisson’s ratio is Properties Log". SPE 4532 (1973)
observed when depending on Eaton 5. Ben A.Eaton,”Fracture Gradient
equation. Again the scattering is great Prediction and its Application in
depending on the other methods. oilfield operation”.JPT(oct.19 9)
1353;Trans.,AIME, 246.
Conclusion 6. Ben A. Eaton and Travis L. Eaton,
In this work, we have investigated “Fracture Gradient Prediction for
whether we can derive correlations the new generation”. World Oil
between petrophysical and mechanical (oct. 1997) 93.
properties using wireline log data. 7. John l. shafer, Grey N. Boitnott,
Neglecting the pressure effect on Russell T. Ewy “Effective Stress
velocity result in over estimation of Laws for Petrophysical Rock
rock porosity by sonic log in over Properties”. SPAWLA 9th Annual
pressured formations, and under logging symposium, May 25-28
estimation of porosity in pressure 2008.
depleted zones.
The effective stress coefficient (Biot
constant in Terzaghi equation)
assumed to be equal to 1 but it can

-Available online at: www.iasj.net IJCPE Vol.13 No.4 (December 2012) 33