Dry Hole Analysis
AnOverview
By: Mohamed Elfateh
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Dry Hole Analysis
Introduction:
Finding and producing oil and gas are the
major objectives of any upstream oil and gas
company. Dry hole analysis is an exploration
methodology to determine what can be learnt
from drilling failures, not just those that
occur during exploration, appraisal and
development but also those that relate to the
business as a whole. As well as uncovering
technical findings from failures.
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Dry Hole Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
Decision Tree
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Dry Hole Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
The Well is only classified as "dry well" after
drilling through a target zone without obtaining
significant amount of hydrocarbon (gas, oil or
condensate) while drilling & analysis of wireline
logging.
Absence of HC can be due to many reason namely
absence of any Play Element (Source Rock,
Migration Path way, Reservoir Rock, Seal and
Trap), in term of Presence or Effectiveness.
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Dry Hole Analysis
Human Errors
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Dry Hole Analysis
Dry Hole Analysis Steps:
Trap Re-Evaluation:
Re-Evaluate Seismic Interpretation, Well to Seismic Tie and correlation,
Velocity Model(Time to Depth Conversion), Trap Type, Area, Vertical Relief,
Structural Analysis, Distance from Kitchen Area.
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Dry Hole Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
Reservoir Investigation:
Lithology, Porosity, Permeability, Reservoir Thickness, Type, Lateral Facies
change, Diagenetic Processes, Preservation Oil Degradation.
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Dry Hole Analysis
Mud Log Re-Evaluation:
• Lithology Interpretation
• Oil Shows Re-Evaluation
• Gas Shows Re-Evaluation
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Dry Hole Analysis
Petrophysics Re-Checking:
• Interpretation(GR & Resistivity).
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Dry Hole Analysis
• Correlation
• Cutoffs
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Dry Hole Analysis
Seal Evaluation:
Top Seal; Lithology, Thickness, Permeability approach zero.
Lateral Seal; Lithology, Thickness, Fault Throw versus Shale Thickness.
Juxtaposition
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Dry Hole Analysis
Fault Sealing Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
Hydrocarbon Charge:
Volume, TOC, Maturation level.
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Dry Hole Analysis
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Dry Hole Analysis
Timing and Migration:
Trap Formation Before, During or After Migration process.
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Dry Hole Analysis
Migration Path:
Vertical or Lateral, Carrier Bed or Fault and Directions.
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Dry Hole Analysis
DHA Work Flow
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Dry Hole Analysis
Main Causes of Dry Hole :
No Trapping conditions found as predicted by Mapping more
than50%.
Reservoir Section Absent or Tight.
Objective section lacks of Hydrocarbon Accumulations(Timing).
Discovery Lacks a commercial accumulation of
hydrocarbons(Reserve).
Operational problems: Drilling, Completion more than 2.5%.
Lack of Knowledge.
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Dry Hole Analysis
Conclusion:
Dry Hole analysis generally refers to a
technical review of why the well failed to
produce commercial hydrocarbons. Most
analysis focus on each of the major risk
elements: reservoir, seal (top or lateral),
hydrocarbon charge, and trap/structure.
But, the analysis may extend to
completion method, and other factors
relating to drilling and completing the
well.
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Dry Hole Analysis DHA Work Chart
Data Collection
Data Collection && Review
Review
Wireline
Wireline Geochemical
Geochemical
Seismic
Seismic Mud logging
Mud logging SWC
SWC
Logging
Logging Analysis
Analysis
Structure Structure Fault Geometry Trap Seal Reservoir Source Rock
Source Rock
Re-Mapping Evolution and Juxtaposing Analysis Property Evaluation
Evaluation
Fault Lateral
Sealing
Trap Timing and Sealing Reservoir Source Rock
Evaluation Charge Analysis Condition Condition Condition
Failure Reasons
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Dry Hole Analysis
Thank You for Your Attention
Any Questions?
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