BARG Wireline Log Interpretation Course

Date:
Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st May 2003

Venue:
NRG, School of Civil Engineering & Geosciences, University of Newcastle.

Training provided by:
Martin Saunders, Stag Geological Services Ltd.

Report:
11 BSRG members from 7 British universities joined MSc and PhD students from the University of Newcastle on the Wireline Log Interpretation course. For 3 days, the course covered all aspects of wireline logging: practical reasons for using this method of data acquisition; technical and economic aspects of logging and drilling (including tips on how to lose expensive equipment downhole); and the interpretation of the various wireline results ­ those encountered in current North Sea exploration (Gamma Ray, Neutron Porosity), and also older techniques which are still applied in Middle Eastern and Indonesian regions (Spontaneous Potential).

A stimulating mix of lectures, discussions and paper based practical case studies, the course provided an in depth insight into all aspects of wireline logging. The course provider, Martin Saunders, gave an entertaining and honest impression of the petroleum exploration industry as background to the course, and provided a history of changing drilling technology and wireline logging methodology. Open discussion was encouraged amongst the group, with the lectures tailored to suit. Plenty of equations were provided, and their derivations thoroughly explained (and the infuriating number of “empirical values” and constants which cropped up caused no end of amusement…)

To ensure that we had been paying attention, Martin set detailed case studies throughout the course. This culminated in a final epic case study on the morning of the 21st when, calculators at the ready, everyone attempted to calculate the varying porosities of an oil- and gas-bearing reservoir unit. Armed with wireline logs, multiple equations, and sharp pencils, silence descended as everyone set about calculating the various porosities throughout the unit. The purpose of the paper based exercises being to teach us the methodology behind all the modern computerised calculations now used in industry, and to enable us to predict lithology and oil/gas bearing potential at-a-glance.

The course provided an excellent ­ and rare! ­ opportunity for students, postdocs and lecturers to attend an industrial geoscience course at a realistic and affordable cost. The teaching was second to none, a very open and approachable style, which suited all attendees. Comprehensive course notes were provided by Martin, at no cost to the BSRG, and are sure to be referred to throughout many future careers in the industry.

Socially, various members of the group experienced some of the finest drinking and eating establishments that Newcastle upon Tyne has to offer, including the Playhouse, Pitcher & Piano, Eviva, Pani’s, the Hotspur and the Trent House. The evening social gatherings provided ample opportunity to digest the mammoth amount of information directed at us during the day, and to discuss the merits of empirical values…if it doesn’t fit the model, tweak it, double it, add your granny’s birthday until it does fit….and that, believe it or not, is how it’s done in the exploration industry!

The course was incredibly well received, and the need for more industrial training of this sort has been recognised by Stag Geological Services ­ who have offered another course on the same expenses-only terms. This is provisionally going to take place in early October or mid November (or failing that Feb/March 2004), and could cover pressure evaluation, wellsite operations (include drilling, wellsite geology, cuttings and oil shows) and MWD (geosteering). Rather than keep these courses at Newcastle it makes sense to vary the location, and by moving it to the south/Midlands we reduce the traveling costs for Martin, and hence the BSRG. I’m hoping to base the next course at the University of Leicester.

In addition to this, feedback has already highlighted a strong demand for a seismic interpretation course, which unfortunately Martin and Stag Geological Services do not provide ­ but I’m currently working on it….Insight Training offer 3 day “Seismic Made Simple” courses which are reduced from £800 to £320 for students ­ however I’m currently negotiating with them.

Cheers,

Lisa Buckley