Pulsar

Multifunction spectroscopy service

Introducing environment-independent, stand-alone
cased hole formation evaluation and saturation monitoring

1
APPLICATIONS FEATURES AND BENEFITS
■■ Stand-alone formation evaluation for diagnosis of bypassed ■■ Environment-independent reservoir saturation monitoring ■■ High-performance pulsed neutron generator (PNG)
hydrocarbons, depleted reservoirs, and gas zones in any formation water salinity ●● Optimized pulsing scheme with multiple square and short
●● Differentiation of gas-filled porosity from very low porosity ●● Production fluid profile determination for any well pulses for clean separation in measuring both inelastic and
formations by using neutron porosity and fast neutron cross inclination: horizontal, deviated, and vertical capture gamma rays
section (FNXS) measurements ●● Detection of water entry and flow behind casing ●● High neutron output of 3.5 × 108 neutron/s for greater
■■
P etrophysical evaluation with greater accuracy by accounting ●● Gravel-pack quality determination by using measurement precision
for grain density and mineral properties in neutron porosity elemental spectroscopy ■■ State-of-the-art detectors
■■
T otal organic carbon (TOC) quantified as the difference ■■ Metals for mining exploration ●● Near and far detectors: cerium-doped lanthanum bromide
between the measured total carbon and inorganic carbon (LaBr3:Ce)
■■ High-resolution determination of reservoir quality (RQ)
■■
Oil volume from TOC and completion quality (CQ) for formation evaluation ●● Deep detector: yttrium aluminum perovskite (YAP)
■■
Hydrocarbon identification in low-resistivity pay of unconventional reservoirs and complex lithologies ●● Compact neutron monitor (CNM), photomultiplier,
■■
Identification of oil zones in freshwater and mixed- on the basis of detailed quantitative mineralogy and counting electronics
or unknown-salinity reservoirs ●● Rigless service deployment ●● Excellent spectral energy resolution at high operating
●● Formation evaluation in old wells where modern openhole temperatures (175 degC [350 degF])
logs have not been run ●● Highest count rate capability in the industry
■■
 igh-fidelity mineralogy and lithology for geochemistry,
H ●● Elimination of stabilization sources
stratigraphy, and rock typing ●● Calibrated measurement of elemental concentrations for Al, Ca,
■■
 arbonates: Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and S to differentiate
C Fe, Gd, K, S, Si, Ti, Ba, Cl, H, Mg, Mn, Na, Br, O, and the metal
and determine the volume of calcite, dolomite, anhydrite, Cu, with other elements on request
and other carbonate minerals ■■ In situ TOC measurement
■■
S iliciclastic rocks: Si, Al, Fe, K, Ca, and Mg as the primary ■■ Borehole fluid- and completion-compensated sigma and
elements to resolve quartz, feldspar, mica, and clay minerals
thermal neutron porosity (TPHI) measurements
■■
 ore than 20 measured elemental concentrations routinely
M ■■ Simultaneous acquisition of time and energy domain data
available to identify specific minerals, with additional
elemental standards available on request
■■ Improved elemental precision delivering high-quality data
even at faster logging speeds
●● Element logs for well-to-well correlation and
sequence stratigraphy
■■ Extensive laboratory and modeling characterization to ensure
accuracy in a wide range of environments
■■ Fully combinable hardware with the PS Platform* production
services platform, SCMT* slim cement mapping tool,
ThruBit* through-the bit logging services, and wireline
tractor conveyance
■■ Corrosion-resistant housing qualified per the requirements of
NACE MR0175

2
Formation Evaluation
Pulsar* multifunction spectroscopy service
introduces the industry’s first stand-alone cased
hole formation evaluation and the new FNXS
measurement for reliably differentiating gas-filled
porosity from tight zones—all from a single tool.

Challenge: Telling apart intermixed low-porosity Pulsar service also provides the new fast neutron cross
gas-filled zones and tight zones in a shaly sand section (FNXS) measurement that reliably differentiates
A US land well was drilled with an 8¾-in bit size but gas-filled porosity from liquid-filled zones and tight formations.
Case Study completed with 4½-in 11.6-lbm/ft casing. As a result Because the fast neutron inelastic scattering response used
of the difference between the hole and casing diameters, to calculate FNXS is not dominated by particular elements,
Differentiating Gas and the completion has a relatively large cement volume, with
a cement thickness greater than 2 in. The formation lithology
which is the case for conventional neutron logging, the FNXS
measured values for rock matrix and water are in the same
Tight Zones in a Shaly Sand is shaly sand, with alternating low-porosity gas-filled zones and range. This makes FNXS insensitive to variation in liquid-filled
very low porosity zones. Although openhole logs had been run, porosity but highly sensitive to variation in gas-filled porosity.
Despite Cement Thickness the operator was interested in obtaining an interpretation that
Results: Differentiating and quantifying gas-filled
Greater Than 2 in would provide greater insight to the formation and its
fluid contents.
porosity from tight zones
Logging the shaly sand with a single run of Pulsar service
Solution: Introducing a new measurement to identify revealed two zones of interest at X,160 to X,180 ft and
and quantify gas-filled porosity X,270 to X,330 ft. Both the environmentally corrected FNXS
New Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service uniquely curve and the gas ratio curve it is calculated from (Tracks 7
provides operators with a stand-alone petrophysical volumetric and 6, respectively) show that only the lower zone contains gas—
interpretation incorporating robust, high-fidelity quantified unlike the very low porosity upper zone that conventional cased
mineralogy and lithology for cased holes. No openhole logging hole logging would have assumed was also gas bearing.
data is necessary for complete formation evaluation from The stand-alone volumetric interpretation performed using
a single run of this one tool. In addition to obtaining highly a linear solver with Pulsar service’s sigma, FNXS, and TPHI
accurate elemental concentrations—including total organic measurements (Tracks 10 and 11) is validated by the previously
carbon (TOC)—Pulsar service acquires the traditional cased obtained openhole logs (Tracks 8 and 9).
hole sigma, porosity, and carbon/oxygen ratio measurements
With this one-run, one-tool solution to logging cased wells,
but at a higher resolution and significantly faster logging speed.
the operator can streamline operations to a single log obtained
in the more stable cased wells.

3
 9.5 9.5

9 9

0 Dolomite porosity, % 0 Dolomite porosity, %

8.5 10 20 8.5 10 20
30 40 30 40
50 50
8 Limestone porosity, % 8 Limestone porosity, %

20 30 40 50 20 30 40 50
0 10 0 10
7.5 0 Sandstone porosity, % 50 7.5 0 Sandstone porosity, % 50
40 40
20 30 20 30
7 0 10 7 0 10
10 10
0 0
FNXS, m–1

FNXS, m–1
6.5 6.5
10 20 10 20
6 6
20 30 20 30
5.5 5.5
30 40 30 40
5 5
40 40
50 50
4.5 4.5
50 50
Gas-filled porosity, % Gas-filled porosity, %
4 4

3.5 3.5

–0.1 –0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 –0.1 –0.05 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 The large annular volume of light cement had to be accounted for in
TPHI, ft3/ft3 TPHI, ft3/ft3 quantifying the gas-filled porosity. In the left-hand crossplot of Pulsar
10 Sigma 30 10 Sigma 30 service’s FNXS and thermal neutron porosity (TPHI) measurements,
FNXS has the standard wellbore correction applied. However, the
cement used in developing the characterization database was heavier,
Effective Gas Saturation causing FNXS to clearly read too low compared with the expected
0
Pulsar Fluid Density
g/cm3 3
Gas Gas
4-ft Array Induction
Neutron-Density
Crossover
Water
0
Pulsar Mineralogy
V/V 1
value. An additional offset correction was applied for the effect of the
Pulsar Borehole Sigma Openhole NPHI Near/Deep Capture Ratio Near/Deep Burst Count Ratio Resistivity AF90 Openhole Porosity (NPHI) Gas
light cement, which adjusted the FNXS value close to the theoretical

Bound Water
Depth, ft Gas Gas
0 cu 250 0.45 ft3/ft3 –0.15 3 23 9.5 30.5 0.02 ohm.m 2,000 0.45 ft3/ft3 –0.15 0.25 V/V 0
value for the very low porosity shaly zones. As shown in the right-hand

Quartz
Pulsar Sigma Pulsar TPHI Gas Ratio FNXS 4-ft Array Induction Resistivity AF10 Bulk Density

Water
Pulsar Gamma Ray Near/Far Capture Ratio Near/Far Burst Count Ratio Bulk Density

Illite

Gas
0 gAPI 150 0 cu 30 0.45 ft /ft
3 3
–0.15 1 2.6 1.8 2.9 60 45 6 m–1 8 0.02 ohm.m 2,000 1.95 g/cm3 2.95 0.25 V/V 0

crossplot, the additional offset produced environmentally corrected FNXS

values that are much more consistent with the sandstone envelope
and thus are appropriate for use in a quantitative interpretation.

X,200

Pulsar service’s FNXS measurement was environmentally corrected

X,300 for the large volume of light cement in the annulus to differentiate
the dry tight zone at X,160 to X,180 ft from the gas-filled porosity zone
at X,270 to X,330 ft. A conventional cased hole pulsed neutron log,
as approximated by the near/deep count ratio in Track 5, would read
gas in the upper tight zone.

4
Reservoir Saturation Monitoring
Pulsar service delivers environment-independent
reservoir saturation monitoring in any formation
water salinity and without requiring any openhole
logging data input.

Challenge: Difficulties monitoring in fresh response is not dominated by any elements, the FNXS
formation water values for rock matrix and water are in the same range,
An operator producing a California heavy oil reservoir by which focuses the measurement’s sensitivity on variation
Case Study steamflooding wanted to periodically run cased hole logs in gas or steam content.
to track changes in the steam front and oil saturation. Prior to
Results: Reliably tracking fluid movement
Accurately Tracking Steam being cased, the monitor well had been extensively cored and
logged to establish a baseline, which provided the usual open-
and saturations
Front and Heavy Oil hole logging data that conventional pulsed neutron logging
Pulsar service was run in the monitor well to simultaneously
acquire inelastic gas, sigma, hydrocarbon index, and dual
in cased hole requires for determining saturations. However,
Saturation in a Freshwater the field’s very fresh formation water meant there would be
inelastic and capture spectroscopy data. The TOC computed
from spectroscopy and the resulting determination of oil
Formation, California no contrast in a conventionally logged capture cross section
between oil and water in the reservoir. Because traditional
saturation were confirmed by the openhole logging by
Litho Scanner* high-definition spectroscopy service. As shown
cased hole tools do not have this differentiation capability,
in the second log track from the right, Pulsar service’s dry-
the operator needed another approach to reliably track
weight TOC (black) obtained at 50 ft/h compares favorably with
the steamflooding.
TOC similarly obtained by the larger-diameter Litho Scanner
Solution: Monitoring saturations in cased hole with service (magenta) at 450 ft/h. The oil saturation computed from
one tool in one run the cased hole TOC is a good match to the core-measured satura-
Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service overcomes the tion on the far-right track.
limitations of conventional pulsed neutron logging tools by
The initial openhole neutron density log shows steam- and
integrating a high-performance pulsed neutron generator with
air-filled sands above X,500 ft. Pulsar service’s sigma, TPHI,
multiple advanced detectors in a single 1.72-in-diameter tool. The
and FNXS logged in the well completed with 7-in 23-lbm/ft
result is a complete petrophysical volumetric interpretation based
casing all also show gas (steam or air) in the same interval.
on highly accurate elemental concentrations—including carbon
In this situation, where openhole porosity logs are available,
as the basis for TOC—in addition to traditional sigma, porosity,
they can be used to compute gas saturation in conjunction
and carbon/oxygen ratio measurements.
with any of these gas-responding measurements, usually with
The new FNXS measurement introduced by Pulsar service the deeper-reading sigma or TPHI.
differentiates gas-filled porosity from liquid-filled zones and
tight formations. Because the fast neutron inelastic scattering
5
 Pulsar Casing Collar Locator Neutron-Density Crossover Gas

Pulsar Borehole Sigma Openhole Porosity Openhole Porosity FNXS Pulsar Dry-Weight TOC Pulsar TOC-Based Oil Saturation
8.5 0.6 ft3/ft3 0 0.6 ft3/ft3 0 0.6 m–1 0 0 ft3/ft3 0.6
Pulsar Gamma Ray Depth, ft Openhole Bulk Density Pulsar Sigma Pulsar TPHI Gas Ratio Openhole Dry-Weight TOC Core Oil Saturation
1.65 g/cm3 2.65 30 cu 5 0.6 ft3/ft3 0 0 ft3/ft3 0.6

8.0 Limestone water-filled porosity, %

20 30 40 50
0 10
7.5
Sandstone water-filled porosity, % 40 50
30
20
7.0 0 10
10
FNXS, m–1

6.5
10 20
Fluid-filled sands and siltstones
6.0
20 30 X,250

5.5
30 40
Air- and steam-filled sands
5.0
40
50
4.5 Gas-filled porosity, %
50
–0.05 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50 0.55 0.60
TPHI, ft3/ft3
10 Sigma 30

X,500

Crossplotting Pulsar service’s FNXS and TPHI responses differentiates gas-filled from fluid-filled zones.

However, if openhole logs are not available, the difference between the crossplotted FNXS and
TPHI responses can be used to not only solve for the gas saturation but also the total porosity
after gas correction. The overlay on the crossplot of FNXS and TPHI shows the expected response
of various lithologies. The subhorizontal upper boundaries are where 100% water-filled porosity
plots, and the subvertical boundaries to the left represent where 100% gas-filled porosity plots.
The responses of TPHI and FNXS significantly differ because TPHI is a hydrogen-dominated
measurement, whereas FNXS is not dominated by any element. X,750

Without the new FNXS measurement or openhole logs, solving both gas saturation and
porosity from pulsed neutron logs is underdetermined. In openhole, an accurate formation
porosity in gas-filled formations is usually computed from a combination of density and
neutron porosities. In cased hole, FNXS plays a role similar to that of density because its
response contrasts with the traditional neutron porosity–type response, which is dominated
In the second-from-right track, openhole logging of TOC (magenta curve) confirms Pulsar service’s spectroscopic
by hydrogen. As a result, the response for air- and steam-filled sands is in the gas region of
determination of TOC for identifying oil saturation, which similarly matches the core-measured saturation (green points)
the crossplot and the fluid-filled sands and siltstones plot along the 100% fluid line. in the far-right track. Both the open- and cased hole logs in Tracks 2–5 indicate gas-filled sands above X,500 ft.

6
Unconventional Reservoirs
Pulsar service’s detailed quantitative mineralogy
resolves the complex lithology of unconventional
reservoirs for the high-resolution determination of
reservoir quality (RQ) and completion quality (CQ).

Challenge: Streamlining resource-intensive In addition to traditional sigma, porosity, and carbon/oxygen

openhole characterization ratio measurements, Pulsar service also provides the new FNXS
To evaluate a complex shale gas reservoir in Pennsylvania, measurement that reliably differentiates gas-filled porosity from
Case Study USA, an operator had run a full suite of openhole logs in the liquid-filled zones and tight formations.
8¾-in borehole, including triple-combo, nuclear magnetic
Results: Flagging the transition from gas to low porosity
Replacing an Entire Openhole resonance (NMR), and an advanced spectroscopy tool. The
high-definition spectroscopy data was critical in quantifying
that conventional cased hole logging would overlook
Logging Program for a the complex mineralogy, including the spectroscopy dry-weight
Because the well had been comprehensively logged prior to
completion with 5½-in 23-lbm/ft casing, there was extensive
TOC as a key input for determining the kerogen volume
Shale Gas Reservoir with for evaluating RQ. Having both density and NMR (Track 7)
openhole data from the freshwater-filled well for comparison
to Pulsar service’s interpretation. Three separate passes of
One Cased Hole Tool was necessary to compute the gas volume and total porosity
because they have contrasting responses to kerogen and gas.
Pulsar service were made at 300 ft/h in hybrid GSH-lithology
mode, which simultaneously acquires data for gas, sigma,
The operator wanted to learn if the accurate, detailed and hydrocarbon index (GSH) in addition to elemental
interpretation provided by an openhole logging program spectroscopy including TOC and the carbon/oxygen ratio.
could be achieved with cased hole logging, which would The data were stacked, and a stand-alone volumetric interpretation
streamline well construction and reduce the risk posed was conducted using sigma, TPHI, FNXS, and spectroscopy
by wellbore instability in the shale reservoir. data, all from Pulsar service. At this relatively slow logging
speed, Pulsar service’s spectroscopy data, including dry-weight
Solution: Efficiently conducting formation evaluation TOC, has very good precision and compares favorably with
in cased hole—without openhole input the openhole data from the larger-diameter advanced
Introduced to fill the measurement gaps for cased holes, innovative spectroscopy tool.
Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service obtains a standard
formation evaluation suite with a single slim-diameter tool for A stand-alone cased hole interpretation was performed next
conducting a complete petrophysical volumetric interpretation. using all the Pulsar service data in a weighted linear solver
By employing the state-of-the-art cerium-doped lanthanum with standard end-point values. Again, the interpreted volume
bromide (LaBr3:Ce) gamma ray detector proven by Litho Scanner compares quite favorably, including the gas volumes and total
high-definition spectroscopy service, Pulsar service similarly porosity, even though no openhole logs were used in the
obtains highly accurate elemental concentrations for a robust interpretation, as would be required if a conventional pulsed
determination of mineralogy, including TOC. neutron logging tool had been run.
7
 Pulsar CCL AT90 Resistivity Neutron-Density
Open Hole
–4 V 1 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 Crossover
Pulsar Borehole Sigma AT60 Resistivity Magnetic Resonance Porosity Openhole Mineralogy Pulsar Mineralogy
0 cu 250 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 0.45 ft3/ft3 –0.15 0 V/V 1 0 V/V 1
Measured
Pulsar Gamma Ray AT30 Resistivity Bulk Density Openhole Gas Volume Openhole Kerogen Volume

Bound Water

Bound Water
Depth, ft TOC TOC
Gas Gas

Aragonite
0.2 ohm.m 2,000 1.95 g/cm3 2.95

Aragonite
0 gAPI 250 0.1 V/V 0 0.1 V/V 0

Dolomite

Dolomite
Kerogen

Kerogen
Quartz

Quartz
Cable Speed Pulsar Sigma Pulsar TPHI Gas Ratio FNXS AT20 Resistivity Neutron Porosity Openhole Dry-Weight TOC Pulsar Dry-Weight TOC Pulsar Gas Volume Pulsar Kerogen Volume

Pyrite

Pyrite
Illite

Illite
Gas

Gas
0 ft/h 2,000 0 cu 50 0.45 ft3/ft3 –0.15 60 40 6 m–1 8.5 0.2 ohm.m 2,000 0.45 ft3/ft3 –0.15 –0.03 0.12 –0.03 0.12 0.1 V/V 0 0.1 V/V 0

X,500

Where the openhole density and dry-weight TOC logs responded to

a transition at ~X,550 ft from low porosity, low kerogen, and low gas
volume to higher values below, Pulsar service’s FNXS and dry-weight
TOC similarly respond to the low porosity–gas transition at that depth.
The lack of change in the sigma and TPHI measurements shows that
if conventional pulsed neutron cased hole logs had been run instead
of Pulsar service, the transition would not have been obvious.

The operator was pleased that the comparison confirms that Pulsar
service’s single-tool performance in cased hole is equivalent to a
full suite of openhole logs. Having this reliable, accurate option for
X,600

thoroughly evaluating complex unconventional reservoirs in cased

hole will simplify future operations and significantly reduce wellbore
stability risks.

Comparison of the volumetric interpretation from a full suite of openhole logs (Tracks 10 and 12) with that exclusively from cased hole data acquired with
Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service (Tracks 11 and 13) demonstrates the quality and accuracy of Pulsar service. Total porosity and gas volume, which
conventional pulsed neutron logging could not provide without additional openhole input, are particularly well matched. Pulsar service’s new FNXS
measurement (Track 5) enables stand-alone computation of an accurate gas volume.

8
Unconventional Reservoirs

Challenge: Lacking high-quality cased hole logging Result: Augmenting accurate RQ and CQ with
data for RQ and CQ in lateral wells geomechanical modeling from a single logging run
Through-casing measurements, necessary for formation evaluation A single run of a sourceless toolstring comprising Pulsar
Case Study and as an input to hydraulic fracture stimulation design, have and ThruBit Dipole services was deployed on the TuffTRAC*
been historically difficult to obtain, particularly with sufficient cased hole services tractor to acquire key petrophysical and
Building a Comprehensive quality and in lateral sections. An operator in the Niobrara Shale
was facing this challenge of acquiring high-quality data to
geomechanical formation properties data.

Petrophysical Model in One properly evaluate RQ and CQ in two lateral wells. The only available The Pulsar service measurements were spectrally processed
with the Quanti.Elan* multicomponent inversion solver to
interpretation to date was an MWD evaluation based on total
Cased Hole Logging Run to gamma ray measurements obtained during construction of the build a petrophysical model of formation properties, including
mineralogy, porosity, and saturation. The model also provided
Guide Niobrara Shale Completions wells that was not of sufficient resolution to guide completion.
the bulk density required for accurate processing of the
Solution: Logging unconventional reservoirs in cased formation elastic properties. In addition to supporting a high-
hole with the precision and range of openhole services confidence assessment of RQ and CQ, the model revealed the
In addition to running Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service to presence of marl beds and related subseismic faulting that
provide a complete, stand-alone cased hole petrographic volumetric were not identified by the MWD interpretation.
interpretation, including TOC and gas-filled porosity, as the basis
for reliable RQ and CQ, key geomechanical properties for enriching Dipole sonic data from ThruBit Dipole service was paired with
the model would be obtained with ThruBit Dipole* through-the-bit the bulk density to define the elastic properties Young’s modulus
acoustic service on the same string. Well suited for cased hole and Poisson’s ratio. These values were key to solving the
logging in shale reservoirs, ThruBit Dipole service provides a detailed anisotropic closure stress profile for evaluating potential
sonic investigation of the formation, classifying the formation as completion challenges along the lateral and further refining
isotropic or anisotropic and determining whether the anisotropy is the CQ.
intrinsic or caused by drilling-induced stress. In turn, the bulk density
derived from Pulsar service’s volumetric interpretation refines the
acoustic processing for mechanical properties, providing critical
information for guiding well completion, designing fracturing stages,
understanding wellbore stability aspects, and planning trajectories
for future wells.
9
Anisotropic closure stress
Anisotropic moduli
Slow shear
Fast shear
Compressional
Bulk density
Petrophysical model
XX,100

XX,110

XX,120

XX,130

XX,140
XX,130

XX,150

XX,160
XX,150

XX,170
XX,150

XX,180
XX,150

XX,150
XX,190

XX,150
XX,200

XX,150
XX,210

XX,220
XX,150

XX,150
XX,230

XX,240
XX,150

XX,150
XX,250

XX,150
XX,260

XX,150
XX,270

XX,150
XX,280

XX,150
XX,290

XX,300
XX,150

XX,150
XX,310

XX,150
XX,320

XX,150
XX,330

XX,150
XX,340

XX,150
XX,350

XX,150
XX,360

XX,370
XX,150

XX,380
XX,150

XX,390
XX,150

XX,150
XX,400

XX,410
XX,150

XX,420
XX,150

XX,150
XX,430

XX,440
XX,150

XX,450
XX,150

XX,150
XX,460

XX,150
XX,470

XX,480
XX,150

XX,490
XX,150

XX,150
XX,500

XX,510
XX,150

XX,520
XX,150

XX,530
XX,150

XX,540
XX,150

XX,550
XX,150

XX,560
XX,150

XX,570
XX,150

XX,580
XX,150

XX,150
XX,590

XX,150
XX,600

XX,610
XX,150

XX,620
XX,150

XX,630
XX,150

XX,640
XX,150

XX,650
XX,150

XX,660
XX,150

XX,670
XX,150

XX,680
XX,150

XX,690
XX,150

XX,700
XX,150

XX,710
XX,150

XX,720
XX,150

XX,730
XX,150

XX,740
XX,150

XX,750
XX,150

XX,760
XX,150

XX,770
XX,150

XX,780
XX,150

XX,790
XX,150

XX,800
XX,150

XX,810
XX,150

XX,820
XX,150

XX,830
XX,150

XX,840
XX,150

XX,850
XX,150

XX,860
XX,150

XX,870
XX,150

XX,880
XX,150

XX,890
XX,150

XX,900
XX,150

XX,910
XX,150

XX,920
XX,150

XX,930
XX,150

XX,940
XX,150

XX,150

XX,960
XX,150

XX,970
XX,150

XX,980
XX,150

XX,990
XX,150

XX,150
XX950
X,X60

X,X70

X,X80

X,X90

The petrophysical interpretation of Pulsar service measurements in Well B provides mineralogy, bulk density, and fluid analysis. The compressional and fast and slow shear slownesses are
obtained from ThruBit Dipole service’s sonic measurements. The slownesses are paired with the bulk density to compute the horizontal and vertical Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio.
The anisotropic moduli are then used as inputs to the hydraulic fracture stimulation design.

150

140

R2 = 0.07
130

120

110

100

90

Total gamma ray, gAPI

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
The clay volume, obtained from the petrophysical model built with
Clay volume, V/V
Pulsar service measurements, exhibits abrupt changes along the
well path where transected by marl as the result of faulting. Tool depth

Because some of the faults are at the subseismic level, they

had not been previously identified. The marl in the toe half of
Well A (III) was also not previously identified because there
was no correlation between the clay volume and MWD total I II III
gamma ray measurement. Identifying the presence of marl is
important for anticipating production challenges because marl
often contains ash beds that can pinch off production.

10
The next generation in formation evaluation and reservoir monitoring in cased hole

Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service integrates significant

advances in spectroscopy in a slim OD of only 1.72 in for ready LaBr3:Ce versus Conventional BGO LaBr3:Ce at 150 degC
Mg Mg
through-tubing access in cased hole environments. Building on Room Temperature Conventional BGO at 60 degC
technologies first introduced to the industry by Litho Scanner
high-definition spectroscopy service, Pulsar service pairs a pulsed
neutron generator with four detectors: Si Si
■■ Compact neutron monitor, primarily sensitive to fast neutrons,

Counts, arbitrary scale

Counts, arbitrary scale

adjacent to the high-output PNG for accurate and precise Ca Ca
measurement of the source output
■■ Three scintillation gamma ray detectors for near, far, and
deep detection S S
●● Near and far detectors are closest to the source and have
cerium-doped LaBr3:Ce scintillators.
●● Deep detector is the farthest-spaced detector from the PNG H H
source and uses a YAP scintillator.
All three gamma ray detectors are coupled to high-temperature
photomultiplier tubes with integrated low-noise power supplies.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Detector pulses are counted with specialized electronics matched 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
to the high counting rate capabilities and high resolution of Energy channel Energy channel
the LaBr3:Ce scintillators and ruggedized to operate at high
Elemental standard spectra measured with Pulsar service’s LaBr3:Ce gamma ray detector (blue) on the left panel have better resolution, with sharper, better defined
temperatures. features that improve the accuracy of deconstructing each measured spectrum into its components, in comparison with the spectra from conventional BGO detectors
(red). The right panel compares performance at elevated temperatures. At 150 degC [350 degF], LaBr3:Ce (blue) maintains its high light output, whereas the BGO
The slim tool profile enables fitting through most completion (red) decrease in light output significantly degrades the elemental standard spectra at only 60 degC [150 degF].
restrictions. Detector resolution is only minimally degraded at high
temperatures to 175 degC, avoiding conventional use of a flask, or in the neutron generator output. However, these two causes output normalization, a solid-state diamond detector is incorporated
which would increase the tool diameter. The housing is corrosion cannot be rigorously separated without resorting to taking a ratio in Pulsar service’s tool architecture. This detector is highly sensitive
resistant and qualified per the requirements of NACE MR0175, of different detector or timing-window count rates to provide to fast neutrons yet largely insensitive to low-energy neutrons and
enabling deployment in corrosive well environments such as those insensitivity to source output variations. A common practice gamma rays.
in the presence of H2S or CO2. with previous-generation measurements, such as neutron porosity,
was to use a ratio of a farther-spaced detector count rate to In addition to its dual sensitivities, the CNM’s diamond detector
Compact neutron monitor that of a nearer-spaced one. Although this is an effective way to has several other advantages. It has a high 5.5-eV bandgap, which
Unlike radioisotopic neutron sources, PNGs have a neutron output normalize for source output variations, the nearer detector’s count minimizes the dark current, leakage current, and noise while
that can vary with time. This means that count-rate variations in rates are generally more sensitive to the borehole environment supporting good stability at high temperatures. The detector’s excellent
a pulsed neutron tool can be caused by a change in the formation than the farther-spaced ones, and not all environmental effects radiation hardness means that its sensitivity to fast neutrons does
are reduced by taking a ratio. To enable more-effective neutron not significantly deteriorate over the tool’s operating life. Most

11
New hardware for new measurement capabilities and higher accuracy

importantly for this slim tool, the detector is sufficiently compact integral and low thermal capture cross section). This results in Signal processing
to be placed in proximity to the neutron source point without a lower background signal from neutron capture in the detector Higher neutron output and fast detection of gamma rays are
taking space away from the gamma ray detectors or affecting and an enhanced relative contribution from formation gamma rays of no value unless the pulse processing electronics in the tool
the inline shielding. to enable better separation of the inelastic gamma ray counts from can handle the resulting signals. Pulsar service has adapted
the simultaneous epithermal and thermal capture counts that Litho Scanner service’s proprietary pulse processing electronics
YAP deep detector occur during the neutron burst. Good separation is important that produce high-quality spectra at high count rates. For good
Different materials were considered for the scintillator of the for the measurement of FNXS. Another advantage of YAP is spectral response, each pulse must be distinguished from its
deep, farthest-spaced gamma ray detector. The purpose of that its relatively high density of 5.37 g/cm3 is good for detector neighbors. At high count rates, pulse pileup can distort the
the deep detector is to collect information about the formation efficiency. Because it is nonhygroscopic, it requires no hermetic measured spectrum if not accounted for. To achieve a high count
beyond what can be obtained from the near and far detectors. packaging, which allows using the maximum possible crystal rate but a low fraction of pileup counts, Pulsar service uses
The near and far detectors are close enough to the neutron source diameter, in turn giving the highest count rate possible. YAP an improved pileup rejection technique, which, in combination
that they have very high peak count rates, nominally 1.0 × 106 is also mechanically robust, which reduces the risk of breakage with the increased energy resolution and excellent temperature
and 0.7 × 106 cps, respectively, for typical conditions. LaBr3:Ce during transportation and operation. In addition, the scintillation performance of the very fast crystal and pulse processing electronics,
was chosen for those scintillators because of its high speed and properties of YAP in the temperature range from –40 to 175 degC makes the inelastic spectral quality much better than that of any
excellent spectroscopy performance. For the farther-spaced deep remain almost constant, which supports an exceptionally stable deep- other pulsed neutron tool at any tool diameter. The situation is even
detector, the gamma ray flux is much lower, and spectroscopy detector response at any operating temperature of Pulsar service. better for the capture measurement.
would add little additional precision to the formation measurement.
Therefore, the deep-detector scintillator material was optimized The gain regulation of the YAP detector does not require the use
for the fast neutron cross section (FNXS) measurement. of a radioisotopic source. Rather, it is based on spectral features
in the neutron-induced gamma ray spectrum. Similar methods of
YAP (YAlO3) has several advantages as a scintillator material for gain regulation are used for the LaBr3:Ce detectors. This approach
the FNXS. One of the most appealing properties of YAP is that eliminates all radioactive material from the tool with the exception
its constituents (Y, Al, and O) have a very low cross section for of the tritium contained in the PNG.
epithermal and thermal neutron capture (i.e., a low resonance

12
The science of spectroscopy

The neutrons emitted by Pulsar service’s PNG

induce the emission of gamma rays from the
formation via two primary interactions: inelastic
scattering and thermal neutron capture. Each
of these interactions produces gamma rays
with a specific set of characteristic energies.
11 Spectral
Spectral
Acquisition
• Inelastic
Acquisition
• Inelastic
• Capture
• Capture
22 Spectral
Spectral
Stripping
• 14 inelastic
Stripping
• 14 inelastic
• 19 capture
yieldsyields
• 19 capture
yieldsyields

The coupling of the LaBr3:Ce detector to the

Inelastic
Inelastic Inelastic
Inelastic
high-temperature spectroscopy photomultiplier
10 –1 10 –1 10 –1 10 –1
produces signals that are integrated, digitized,
and processed by a high-performance pulse-height
10 –2 10 –2 10 –2 10 –2
analyzer. The analyzer determines the pulse Al CaAl S Ca Fe S Fe
Normalized counts

Normalized counts

Normalized counts

Normalized counts
height (proportional to energy) of each detected Tool background
Tool background

10 –3 10 –3 10 –3 10 –3
gamma ray and accumulates pulse-height
histograms (spectra) that tally counts versus O O

pulse height. Spectra are acquired during and 10 –4 10 –4 10 –4 10 –4 C C

after each neutron burst, which enables separation

Si Si
of the inelastic and capture gamma rays. 10 –5 10 –5 10 –5 10 –5 Sulfur
Mg Sulfur
Mg
Iron Iron

10 –6 10 –6 10 –6 10 –6

Energy channel
Energy channel Energy channel
Energy channel
CaptureCapture CaptureCapture
10 – 2 10 – 2 10 – 2 10 – 2 H Gd H Cl Gd Si Cl K Si Ca K Fe Ca Fe

10 – 3 10 – 3 10 – 3 10 – 3
Normalized counts

Normalized counts

Normalized counts

Normalized counts
Tool background
Tool background

10 – 4 10 – 4 10 – 4 10 – 4

Mg Mg S S Ti Ti
Al Al
10 – 5 10 – 5 10 – 5 10 – 5

10 – 6 10 – 6 10 – 6 10 – 6

Energy channel
Energy channel Energy channel
Energy channel

The spectroscopy workflow begins with measurement of the separated inelastic Each spectra is decomposed into the combination of spectra from the
and capture gamma ray spectra. individual elements.

13
 Each spectrum is decomposed into a linear
combination of standard spectra from individual

33 Closure
Closure
• Elemental
• Elemental
weight
weight
fractions
fractions 44 Interpretation
Interpretation
• Minerals
• Minerals
• Matrix
• Matrix
properties
properties
elements. This step involves correction for
some environmental and electronic factors.
The coefficients of the linear combination of
the standard spectra are converted to elemental
• TOC• TOC
weight fractions via a modified geochemical
oxides closure model or by using an inversion
approach. Two methods are available to generate
mineralogy and lithologic fractions from the
Corrected forCorrected
TOC for TOC elemental concentration logs. One is sequential

Montmorillonite

Montmorillonite
2 g /cm
23 g /cm
3 3 3
SpectroLith* spectroscopy lithology processing,

Na-Feldspar

Na-Feldspar
K-Feldspar

K-Feldspar

Anhydrite

Anhydrite
Dolomite

Dolomite
Kerogen

Kerogen
Chlorite

Chlorite
Ma trix D eMa
n strix
ity D e n s ity
which is based on the derivation of empirical

Calcite

Calcite
Quartz

Quartz

Pyrite

Pyrite
TO C TO C

IIlite

IIlite
2 23
g /cm g /cm
3 3 3
relationships between elemental concentrations
and mineral concentrations. The other is by using
an interative inversion technique, such as the
Quanti.Elan multicomponent inversion solver
in the Techlog* wellbore software platform.

The individual spectral yields are then converted to elemental weight fractions Interpretation of the elementary weight fractions determines mineralogy, matrix
presented as logs. properties, and TOC.

14
How it works
Pulsed neutron logging is commonly used to monitor reservoir
saturation through casing because of the ability of the neutrons Pulsar Service at 200 ft/h Conventional Tool at 100 ft/h
Casing Collar Locator Casing Collar Locator
and gamma rays to probe the reservoir rock through casing Spectral Far
C/O Ratio
Spectral Near
C/O Ratio
Windows Far
C/O Ratio –5 Windows Near C/O Ratio 18
Spectral Far
C/O Ratio
Spectral Near
C/O Ratio
Windows Far
C/O Ratio –5 Windows Near C/O Ratio 18

and cement. Based on the neutron interaction with the minerals Run 5 Run 5 Run 5 Run 5 Run 5 Run 5 Run 5 Run 5

Run 4 Run 4 Run 4 Run 4 Run 4 Run 4 Run 4 Run 4

and the fluids contained in the pore space, pulsed neutron Run 3 Run 3 Run 3 Run 3 Run 3 Run 3 Run 3 Run 3

measurements are sensitive to different formation properties, Run 2 Run 2 Run 2 Run 2 Run 2 Run 2 Run 2 Run 2

such as neutron cross-capture section (sigma), hydrogen index (HI), Well Schematic
Run 1 Run 1 Run 1 Run 1 Run 1 Run 1 Run 1 Run 1

and, as introduced by Pulsar service, the FNXS high-energy neutron Open hole

elastic cross section. OD: 12.25 in

Casing

Sigma is highly responsive to elements with a high thermal

OD: 9.625 in
ID: 8.681 in

capture cross section. Chlorine, in particular, is usually present Tubing

OD: 3.5 in

in formation waters, so it provides a way to estimate the water

ID: 2.992 in

Perforations
volume and compute water saturation if the salinity is known, OD: 6.184 in

constant, and sufficiently high.

Hydrocarbon gas or other fluids such as CO2 have an HI

measurement that is much lower than that of water or oil; Spectral C/O Windows C/O Spectral C/O Windows C/O
therefore, comparison of HI from the TPHI measurement with
an externally supplied total porosity provides a means to identify Casing
OD: 7 in

and quantify the gas presence.

ID: 6.184 in

Open hole
OD: 8.5 in

The new FNXS measurement gives good contrast between gas-

filled porosity and liquid-filled or dense zones. This property offers
new information that differs from HI and provides a functionality
similar to a bulk density log, although it is not a cased hole density Casing
measurement. In combination with sigma and HI, FNXS can be joints
used to compute complex multiphase fluid saturations even in the
absence of an externally supplied porosity. Pulsar service provides a C/O ratio at both double the logging speed and higher repeatability—whether obtained as a spectral or windows C/O ratio—than
possible with previous-generation spectroscopy tools.

15
Spectroscopy of neutron-induced gamma rays provides information
about the elemental concentrations in the formation minerals and
fluids. The high-energy neutron interactions generate inelastic
gamma rays and their spectra can be used to determine the
carbon/oxygen (C/O) ratio, which can be converted into oil volume
and oil saturation independently of the formation water salinity
if lithology and porosity are known. There are two approaches to
measuring the C/O ratio. Pulsar service determines a spectral C/O
ratio from full spectral analysis of the carbon and oxygen elemental
yields. The other approach obtains a windows C/O ratio by defining
broad windows over the carbon and oxygen spectral peak regions
of the inelastic spectrum in an effort to improve measurement
statistics. The oil volume computed from the spectral C/O ratio
is more accurate, whereas the oil volume computed from the
conventional windows C/O ratio has better statistical precision.
However, higher accuracy means being closer to the correct
answer. Because Pulsar service’s tool architecture delivers a
significant improvement in spectral C/O, the result is a saturation However, the fluids in the borehole and the completion hardware Pulsar service’s measurement technology can be operated
answer that is highly accurate and can be acquired at faster speeds. can complicate the pulsed neutron measurements. The challenge in different modes equivalent to previous-generation logging
is then to cancel out or remove the borehole and near-wellbore services, including inelastic gas, sigma, and HI (GSH) mode;
Spectroscopy of gamma rays produced by subsequent thermal effects to get meaningful estimates of the true formation properties. inelastic/capture mode for elemental spectroscopy, C/O, and TOC;
neutron capture reactions enables the detection of many important This is achieved with an algorithm that combines the shallow and hybrid GSH-lithology mode, in which both GSH and spectroscopy
elements in the formation. The inelastic and capture elemental measurements, which are more sensitive to the borehole and data are recorded.
yields are combined in computing the elemental concentrations near-wellbore environment, with deeper measurements, which
in the formation, which are usually expressed in dry-weight are sensitive to the formation, to compute self-compensated
percent, to produce quantitative lithology fractions and estimate properties for sigma and TPHI that overcome the measurement
the TOC as an alternative method to the C/O ratio for computing difficulties posed by challenging environments, such as gas in
oil saturation. the borehole and complex completions.

16
The industry’s largest range of in situ quantitative elemental concentrations from any tool
—at only 1.72-in OD

Pulsar service’s high-fidelity determination of both mineralogy With TOC logging a reality for unconventional resource plays Element Element Capture Inelastic
and lithology revolutionizes gamma ray spectroscopy by directly such as shale gas, shale oil, and in situ thermal processing of Symbol Name Spectra Spectra

measuring the majority of the elements that constitute the Earth’s oil shale, operators can move from one shale play to another Al Aluminum
crust. Schlumberger excellence in metrology makes it possible to and build tangible workflows to evaluate these challenging Ba Barium
acquire quantitative elemental concentrations downhole at reservoir reservoirs long before the results of core analysis are available.
Br Bromine
pressures and temperatures—in both open and cased holes. TOC is also immediately applicable in conventional reservoirs
to quantify the oil saturation. C Carbon
The elemental concentrations are the basis of continuous wellsite Ca Calcium
logs of the mineral composition of the formation. With interpretation
Cl Chlorine
powered by dedicated apps and workflows in the Techlog wellbore
Cu Copper
software platform, operators can reliably identify rock types to
accelerate their understanding of the geological environment. Fe Iron

The geologic answers are ready for direct use in the Petrel* E&P Gd Gadolinium
software platform to obtain further insight through modeling. H Hydrogen

Pulsar service introduces the first in situ determination of TOC K Potassium

through tubing in cased hole. The measured quantitative elemental Mg Magnesium

concentrations enable interpretation in much the same way Mn Manganese
as core analysis in terms of the mineral composition, kerogen
N †
Nitrogen
content, and hydrocarbon type and content.
Na Sodium
TOC is quantified from Pulsar service’s measurements by subtracting O Oxygen
the amount of carbon associated with the carbonate minerals, P† Phosphorus
also referred as the total inorganic carbon (TIC), from the total
S Sulfur
measured carbon. The difference between the two is the TOC
determined independently from the environment and from the Si Silicon

reservoir. No longer do operators have to settle for an approximation Sr† Strontium

by using models incorporating multiple measurements from different Ti Titanium
logging services or wait for laboratory analysis on the scale of †
Available on request.

weeks or months to accurately determine TOC.

Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service provides
the industry’s only slim-technology downhole
measurement of TOC, in both cased and open holes.

17
Evaluation methodology
With the advent of Pulsar multifunction spectroscopy service’s
self-compensated sigma and TPHI bringing new robustness to Sigma
traditional pulsed neutron measurements and the introduction Solver
of the new FNXS measurement and expanded high-quality
spectroscopy elemental concentrations, more information is TPHI
being obtained from stand-alone pulsed neutron logging while
requiring less external knowledge and fewer assumptions. Tool
planner FNXS
An important advantage of these independent measurements Multiphase saturations
is that they follow linear mixing laws, so they can be entered in
simultaneous equation solvers to compute the various mineral Elemental dry weights
and fluid volumes, including the oil, water, and gas fractions.
From these fractions, multiphase saturations are obtained.
Available local knowledge of the mineralogy and porosity can TOC or C/O
also be incorporated in the model, with the log analyst deciding
which information to use and whether to weight them based on
confidence in the data. Including both Pulsar service’s independent
The workflow can be adapted to any situation to solve for fluid saturations and any other important unknowns for the reservoir. The main advantages of this
inputs and existing data in the model enables checking the solution workflow are that it can use multiple independent measurements either to solve for multiple unknowns, such as multiple fluid phases, or as a consistency check
for consistency. to ensure a robust result.

Another advantage of using Pulsar service’s formation properties

is that complex nuclear models are no longer required to interpret
raw data, such as count ratios during or after the PNG bursts.
Instead, the same methodology and interpretation software used
to analyze openhole logs can be applied to formation properties
measured through casing.

18
Pulsar
Multifunction spectroscopy service
Measurement Specifications
Acquisition Real time with surface readout
Output
Time domain Sigma (SIGM), porosity (TPHI), fast-neutron cross section (FNXS)
Energy domain Inelastic and capture yields of various elements, carbon/oxygen ratio, total
organic carbon
Logging speed†
Inelastic capture mode 200 ft/h [61 m/h]
Inelastic gas, sigma, 3,600 ft/h [1,097 m/h]
and hydrogen index
(GSH) mode
Sigma lithology mode 1,000 ft/h [305 m/h]
Range of measurement Porosity: 0 to 60 pu
Mud type or None
weight limitations
Combinability Combinable with tools that use the PS Platform production services platform’s
telemetry system and ThruBit through-the-bit logging services
Special application Qualified per the requirements of NACE MR0175 H2S and CO2 resistance
† Logging
 speed determined using the tool planner

Mechanical Specifications
Temperature rating 350 degF [175 degC]
Pressure rating 15,000 psi [103.4 MPa]
Casing size—min. 23/8 in [6.03 cm]
Casing size—max. 95/8 in [24.45 cm]
Outside diameter 1.72 in [4.37 cm]
Length 18.3 ft [5.58 m]
Weight 88 lbm [40 kg]
Tension 10,000 lbf [44,480 N]
Compression 1,000 lbf [4,450 N]

slb.com/pulsar

*Mark of Schlumberger
Copyright © 2019 Schlumberger. All rights reserved. 19-PR-546187