Bottlenecking problems in mud logging services development and countermeasures

At present, traditional logging services are being challenged by poor geological service capability, low economic aggregate, low profit and so on. To struggle out of such passive situation, we presented solutions in the following four aspects. First, to enrich the quantitative acquisition approaches to logging data collection. Abandoning the simple ground data acquisition method, we put sensors down a hole and advanced them to the bit and around the wellbore to achieve logging ground and downhole simultaneously. Second, to improve the automation and intelligentization degree of equipment. Through the development of integrated logging, collection and interpretation software and intelligent warning, forecasting and remote monitoring systems, many wells can be monitored at only one monitoring port with unattended operation at each single well, thus to reduce the total work force. Third, to expand logging interpretation methods. The dynamic design of a well's trajectory will be performed through measurement and logging while drilling (MWD/LWD) data integrated with mud logging information and dynamic tracking, thus to really achieve geosteering in the end. Fourth, to strive for exploring two types of engineering technical services: single-well service and regional service. This will help create more opportunities for mud logging services. Numerous field practices demonstrate that the single-well service has been employed on a large scale especially in Sichuan and Chongqing gas fields, while the regional service has won good reputation in many overseas projects; as a result, not only the volume of mud logging services has increased, but the geological service capability, output value and profit have all been obviously improved. ©, 2014, Natural Gas Industry Journal Agency. All right reserved.