Borehole Geophysics for Coal

Bed Methane Logging

Programs
presented by
Brian Peterson
Century Geophysical Corporation
7517 E. Pine Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Major Topics

Introduction and Background

Oil Field versus Slim Logging Tools
Review of Density Tool Designs
Other Common Log Types for Evaluation
Common Log Responses and Examples
Associated Problems and Cures
Closing Remarks

Coal Bed Methane Logging

Tools

Standard Logs in Use Today:

Compensated Density Tools

High Resolution Density Tools
Compensated Neutron
Temperature and Differential Temperature
Various Resistivity Devices, including Focused and
Induction
Imaging Tools and Dipmeter

Limiting Factors for Interpretation

Limited Vertical Resolution of Standard Logs

Core Comparison verses Log Comparison
Gas Content Estimates Errors

Goals of Coalbed Methane

Logging Program

Identify Coal Seams and Determine

Thickness
Identify Possible Production Zones
Determine Coal Quality from Log and
Core Data
Evaluate Cleat Permeability From Core
Data and Correlate to Log Data
Identify Other Possible Productive
Formations and Evaluate SW

Typical
Drilling
Location
in
Wyoming

Coalbed Methane Areas

Typical Geophysical
Logging Truck in Wyoming

STANDARD COAL SUITE WYOMING

NATURAL
GAMMA
CALIPER
FOCUSED
DENSITY
RESISTIVITY

COMPENSATED DENSITY
TOOL

1. Natural Gamma
2. Focused Resistivity
and Temperature
3. Caliper
4. Far Detector
5. Near Detector
6. Source
LENGTH = 10 FEET
DIAMETER = 2.2 INCHS
WEIGHT = 65 LBS

Typical Coalbed Suite in

Wyoming

NATURAL
GAMMA
CALIPER
SP
DUAL RES.
DENSITY
POROSITY
NEUTRON
POROSITY

COALBED SUITE,
COREHOLE

NATURAL GAMMA
INDUCTION
RESISTIVITY
DENSITY
CONDUCTIVITY

STANDARD CDL LOG

NATURAL
GAMMA
CALIPER
CDL DENSITY
DENSITY
POROSITY
COMPENSATION

EXPANDED CDL LOG

NATURAL
GAMMA
CALIPER
CDL DENSITY
DENSITY
POROSITY
COMPENSATION

COMPENSATED DENSITY
TOOL DESIGN

CESIUM 137 SOURCE = 2.0 CURIES

SOURCE ENERGY LEVEL = 662 KEV GAMMA RAY
DETECTOR WINDOWS AT APPROXIMATELY 6 AND 12 INCHES
FULL RESOLUTION = 2 FEET

HIGH RESOLUTION
TOOL DESIGN

AMERICIUM 241 SOURCE = 250 MILLICURIES

SOURCE ENERGY LEVEL = 60 KEV GAMMA RAY
DETECTOR WINDOW AT 1.5 INCHES FROM SOURCE
FULL RESOLUTION = 3 INCHES

CDL LOG - THIN SEAM

NATURAL GAMMA
CALIPER
CDL DENSITY
DENSITY
POROSITY
COMPENSATION

HIGH - RES VS. CDL

COMPARISON

CDL LOG - TEMPERATURE

LOG - WATER FILLED

NATURAL
GAMMA
CALIPER
DELTA TEMP.
TEMPERATURE
CDL DENSITY
COMPENSATION

HIGH - RES VS. CDL

SHOWING SHALE PARTINGS

COAL QUALITY LOG - BASED

ON DENSITY AND CORE
DATA

CALCULATED
PARAMETERS
INCLUDE
PERCENT ASH
PERCENT
MOISTURE
BTU

DENSITY AND ACOUSTIC

TELEVIEWER - COAL
SEQUENCE

Expanded CDL/Temp with

Short Spaced Density

CDL and Temperature

Air Filled Hole

CDL and Acoustic Televiewer

Coalbed Methane Logging

Summary and Conclusion

Utilization of Compensated Density Tools and

Proper Interpretation of the Data can
accurately Predict Coal Seam Thickness and
Quality.
High Resolution Tools have Good Application
in Thin Seams and Partings, but Hole Size
Problems must be addressed.
Other Geophysical Data such as Gamma Ray,
Temperature, and Resistivity have good
applications to Coalbed Methane.