On completion of this module, you should be able to:
• Describe how wells are drilled for different industrial objectives
• Create and interpret graphic logs from cores
• Interpret the sediment, fluid and rock properties using different petrophysical logging data
• Describe common pitfalls in drilling and log interpretation and apply them to analyses

Lectures

Lecture 1 : Drilling Processes
Drilling within the value chain. Operations for resource evaluation and geotechnical applications. Casing designs, bit types and terminology, circulations systems, pressure control and mud window. Abandonment.

Lecture 2 : Drilling data and applications
Datums, well headers, TVD, TVDss, MD. Borehole condition, cuttings, lithologs. Temperature data and geothermal gradients.

Lecture 3 : Core and core evaluation
Coring operations. Types of information from core and application to geomodelling. Routine core analysis, special core analysis.

Lecture 4 : Radioactive logs
Introduction to logging and borehole environment. Wireline, LWD. Gamma ray, spectral gamma ray, formation density log, photoelectric factor.

Lecture 5 : Porosity logs
Neutron logs. Sonic logs and density porosity. Porosity determination.

Lecture 6 : Resistivity logs
SP log. Resistivity principals, shale volume. Deep versus shallow resistivity logs. Lithology and fluid interpretation. Archie Equation and water saturation estimation.

Lecture 7 : Image logs
Types of images logs and how they are acquired. Interpretation of drilling induced fractures, natural fractures, lithologies.

Lecture 8: Formation Testing
Testing tools (DSTs, RFT, XPT, MDT). Pressure gradients for fluid identification. Fluid sampling.

Practicals

Practical 1. Investigation of drilling data (datums, cuttings, temperature data)

Practical 2. Core data and gamma ray

Practical 3. Porosity, resistivity and water saturation

Practical 4. Image Logs

Field Trip : National core store depository in Sandyford (accessible by Luas, South Dublin). Access to cores from mineral exploration, oil and gas and geotechnical wellbores.

Not applicable to this module.

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

Students will receive individual feedback on assignments.