Logging Tools

The logs were recorded using the LWD (Logging-While-Drilling) system, which allows the acquisition of open-hole logs using instruments that are part of the drill string itself. The advantages of this technique include being able to log in formations that would not provide a stable hole for wireline logging (e.g. the upper section of sedimentary formations) and logging a hole immediately after it is drilled, so that it is in good condition and largely free of wash-outs.

The following LWD tools were deployed in Hole 10A:

EcoScope (ARC resistivity, density, porosity, geochemistry, gamma ray, temperature and pressure)

geoVision (GVR resistivity and gamma ray)

sonicVision (velocity)

TeleScope (drilling parameters)

proVISION (nuclear magnetic resonance porosity, free/bound fluid volume)

In Hole 10A, the rate of penetration was approximately 20-30 m/hr.

Processing

Depth shift: The original logs have been depth shifted to the sea floor (-1049.3 m). The sea floor depth was determined by the step in gamma ray and resistivity values at the sediment-water interface.

Gamma Ray data processing: Processing of the data is performed in real-time onboard by Schlumberger personnel. Gamma Ray data is measured as Natural Gamma Ray (GR): the GR from the GVR tool has been corrected for hole size (bit size), collar size, and type of drilling fluid.

Neutron porosity data processing: The neutron porosity measurements have been corrected for standoff, temperature, mud salinity, and mud hydrogen index (mud pressure, temperature, and weight).

Density data processing: Density data have been processed to correct for the irregular borehole using a technique called "rotational processing", which is particularly useful in deviated or enlarged borehole with irregular or elliptical shape. This statistical method measures the density variation while the tool rotates in the borehole, estimates the standoff (distance between the tool and the borehole wall), and corrects the density reading (a more detailed description of this technique is available upon request).

Resistivity data: The geoVISION resistivity is sampled with a 0.03048 m (1.2 in) sampling rate. The ARC resistivity is sampled with a 0.1524 m (0.5 ft) sampling rate.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Data: The proVISION tool data was processed onshore by Schlumberger in Sugarland, Texas.

Quality Control

During the processing, quality control of the data is mainly performed by cross-correlation of all logging data. The best data are acquired in a circular borehole; this is particularly true for the density tool, which uses clamp-on stabilizers to eliminate mud standoff and to ensure proper contact with the borehole wall. A data quality indicator is given by the density caliper (DCAV) measurement of hole diameter. Another quality indicator is represented by the density correction (DRHO).

The NMR porosities need to be interpreted with caution. The magnetic resonance porosity may be underestimated in clay-rich formations that have small pores with fast T2 relaxation times. Murray et al. (2006) note that this underestimation of porosity is most likely to take place when the NMR echo spacing is greater than 200 microseconds. The proVISION tool is limited to a minimum echo spacing of 800 microseconds, and the NMR porosities measured by this tool may be underestimated.

For further questions about the processing, please contact:

Cristina Broglia

Phone: 845-365-8343

Fax: 845-365-3182

E-mail: Crisitna Broglia

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Murray, D. R., R. L. Kleinberg, B. K. Sinha, M. Fukuhara, O. Osawa, T. Endo, and T. Namikawa, 2006, Saturation, Acoustic Properties, Growth Habit, and State of Stress of a Gas Hydrate Reservoir from Well Logs, Petrophysics, 47(2), p. 129-137.