FMI-HD Microimager Identifies Vugs and Fractures in High-Resistivity Carbonate, Permian Basin

Conventional imaging ambiguity

Key evaluation objectives for an extended interval of high-resistivity carbonates in a Permian basin exploration well were to identify and characterize potential zones of secondary (vuggy) porosity and the presence of natural fractures. However, in intervals with high resistivity, the low signal of conventional imaging tools amplifies the noise and results in blurry images with ambiguous features. The operator needed better quality imaging for evaluating the porosity and visually quantifying fracture orientation and density.

4× increase in image definition

The all-new electronics and parallel signal processing of the FMI-HD high-definition formation microimager mean that environments that cannot be clearly imaged with conventional microresistivity imaging technology can now be seen in great detail, including high-resistivity reservoirs and wells drilled with salt-saturated muds. The tool's significantly improved signal- to-noise ratio results in a superior sensitivity to fine contrasts in resistivity to obtain well- defined images of features smaller than the 0.2-in nominal resolution defined by the size of the button electrodes.

A clear improvement

Both standard microresistivity images from a conventional imaging tool and high-definition images from the FMI-HD microimager were acquired and compared. Both tools rendered clear and representative images of the formation geology where the resistivity was less than 500 ohm.m. Although the imager performance is similar, finer detail can be seen in the images from the FMI-HD microimager.

Where the formation resistivity was highly variable, only the FMI-HD microimager optimally captured both high- and low-resistivity formation images in a single pass. Automatic signal processing optimization adjusted the FMI-HD microimager to image the entire dynamic range of formation resistivity, whereas the conventional tool had to be retrieved and reset by the engineer to optimize it for either high- or low-resistivity formations and then the well relogged.

At formation resistivities exceeding 500 ohm.m, the high-definition image provided by the FMI-HD microimager consistently provides a superior basis for interpretation. The sharp rendering of fractures and vugs—critical for production—makes them readily identifiable.