ENHANCING SHALE RESERVOIR COMPLETION DESIGN USING ORIENTED UNIPOLE LOGGING WHILE DRILLING SONIC MEASUREMENTS IN HORIZONTAL WELL

摘要

Computation of Vertical Transverse Isotropy (VTI) anisotropic mechanical properties in a horizontal shale reservoir well is essential for efficient completion design. This requires measuring the horizontal compressional and shear (fast shear), vertical shear (slow shear) and a synthesis of vertical compressional. While shear measurements are commonly associated with the dipole excitation and require complex inversions of the dispersive flexural waves, oriented unipole sonic could be used to directly measures refracted head waves from the component compressional and shear measurements, oriented in the specific horizontal and vertical directions, with no dispersion correction or inversion required, and no averaging of opposing directions (ex. up / down). We present a case study to demonstrate the features and benefits of an oriented LWD unipole sonic tool and characterization of the VTI shale anisotropy using measurements acquired in the horizontal well.