Maximizing Reservoir Contact Using Memory Quality LWD Logs in Real-Time from High-Bandwidth Wired Drill Pipe Telemetry Technology

Abstract Objectives of this technical paper is to share the outcome of how deployment of high-speed high-bandwidth unconventional wired drill pipe telemetry transmission of logging while drilling (LWD) to maximize reservoir contacts in an ultra-deep clastic gas reservoir. Real-time visualization and interpretation of images from higher bandwidth (57,600 bits per second) delivered memory quality formation evaluation logs in real time for timely critical decision-making and better well placement. High-end drilling and logging technologies were used to optimize well placement in a challenging environment, including gamma ray (GR), resistivity, and density images enabling timely and full (360 deg) view of reservoir properties. The real-time near-bit GR image provided a clear stratigraphic interpretation that has been used for well placement. The deep azimuthal resistivity measurement and inversion provided critical reservoir vertical distribution away from the wellbore and guided well placement lookahead of time. The real-time density image provided hole shape information for mud weight adjustment on top of the stratigraphic information for well placement. The combination of all the above-mentioned measurements and high-speed telemetry was used for minimizing the risk associated with critical well placement decision-making and improving net to gross. The above-mentioned technologies have been successfully applied to a well placement job. The memory quality data was transferred through wired drill pipe (WDP) to the surface in real time while geo-steering through a relatively heterogeneous sandstone reservoir with lateral facies variations. The real-time data was transferred to a centralized server for advanced processing and interpretation by team members to enable critical decision-making. As a result, more than 30% net-to-gross increase was achieved compared to the average net-to-gross from existing nearby horizontal laterals drilled in the same reservoir but with mud pulse telemetry (MPT) and basic logs. The ability of WDP to transmit significantly extra images from log curves ensures higher bedding visualization and improves formation evaluation qualities, technical reliability and confidence. Real time high speed LWD data streams enhanced interpretation and subsurface geological mapping, minimizes bit trip through increase in ROP and maximizes well placement. This technology opens the gateway for any other advanced high-end LWD technology tool in the future.