May 2010: LogManager™ used for Core Logging Presentations at GeoCanada 2010

Abstract of the How to Log Core presentation given by D.M.Kent and J.H.Lake at the Energy, Resources Conservation Board Core Research Centre, Calgary, Alberta, May 13-14, 2010

This story is less about technique and more about interpreting sedimentary depositional environments. Geologists have an innate ability to envision the third dimension that Engineers seldom possess (left brain-right brain). We should take advantage of this gift when logging core and interpreting lateral facies changes and stratigraphic traps. The Era of Lithostratigraphy is over. This misguided approach involved crossing time lines by joining similar lithologies and identical log and seismic responses. We must model the third dimension in depositional sedimentology to see how hydrocarbons are trapped stratigraphically.

Walther’s Law of Superposition is the key to interpreting facies changes. Lateral facies changes are preserved in a vertical succession in the core. In other words, the depositional environment changes laterally with the facies we see vertically in the core (an easy concept to state but a difficult one to visualise). One fundamental facies modelling concept is the interpretation of the strike and width of the reservoir facies (width of the shelf or platform). There is much evidence from horizontal wells that not all operators understand the limits of the reservoir and cross into non-reservoir. Only Geologists can define the facies/ reservoir width and these answers are in the core boxes. We have seen too many Geologists who return to the office to interpret their core descriptions in three dimensions. By then it’s too late - the thinking/modelling must happen during the core logging procedure. Computers are the ideal modelling tool, since we can hang the cross-sections of our core descriptions and build facies maps while developing the depositional model in three dimensions.

May 2010: StraTerra Inc. demonstrated the LogManager at the GeoCanada 2010 convention, Calgary, Alberta

StraTerra demonstrated the LogManager™ at the premier event for petroleum exploration professionals in Canada.

The LogManager™ was demonstrated in the commercial display and was as was used for the core logs in the poster talks given by Dr. Don Kent (DM Kent Consulting Geologist Ltd.) and John Lake (Lake Geological) and by Erik Nickel (Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Subsurface Geological Laboratory).

The draw was made by our booth neightbour, Robert Paul, General Manager of Core Servcies at Exova (www.exova.com, 403.291.3024). Sussan Carr of Norwest Corporation (www.norwestcorp.com) won the draw. Rick McCulloch, of StraTerra, and Clyde Dudley presented the picture to Susan on May 25th, 2010.