Numerical simulation of gamma-ray logging response in non-parallel formations of horizontal wells under different wellbore conditions

Gang WANG, WenSheng WU, Zhen QIN, XiaoYu SONG, JinQian CUI, KeJia SU, KangJian WEI

Prog Geophy ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6) : 2591-2603.

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Prog Geophy ›› 2025, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (6) : 2591-2603. DOI: 10.6038/pg2025JJ0109

Numerical simulation of gamma-ray logging response in non-parallel formations of horizontal wells under different wellbore conditions

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Abstract

With the increasing encounter rate of non-parallel formations during horizontal well construction, the applicability of existing response laws for parallel formations has significantly declined. Especially when non-parallel formations interact with complex wellbore conditions, it severely affects the accuracy of horizontal well logging interpretation, thereby interfering with the evaluation and development of oil and gas resources. To deeply explore the influence mechanism of wellbore conditions on natural gamma logging responses in non-parallel formations, this study established a horizontal wellbore condition model with inclined upper interfaces in non-parallel formations and conducted numerical simulations using the MCNP program. The research focused on analyzing the effects of key wellbore parameters, such as non-parallel interface angle, wellbore diameter, radioactive substance content in drilling fluid, wellbore position deviation, and well deviation angle, on the characteristics of natural gamma logging responses. The simulation results show that: as the non-parallel interface angle increases, the contribution of surrounding rock to the detection point increases, leading to a gradual increase in natural gamma response values, which tend to approach the surrounding rock characteristic values; an increase in wellbore diameter enhances the contribution of mud to the detection point while weakening the contributions of the target layer and surrounding rock, resulting in a decrease in response values; the response values increase significantly with the rise in radioactive substance content in drilling fluid, where the influence of drilling fluid dominates; downward deviation of the wellbore position can weaken the impact of non-parallel formations, and when the angle is greater than 30° with a deviation within 5 cm, the change in response values is too slight to be identified; variations in well deviation angle alter the shape and values of logging curves, with greater angles leading to more obvious curve asymmetry, even causing interface recognition errors. This study reveals the synergistic mechanism between non-parallel formations and complex wellbore conditions, providing basic technical support for horizontal well logging interpretation. It helps improve interpretation accuracy and efficiency, and holds important guiding significance for the optimal design and safe operation of horizontal wells in oil and gas field development.

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Horizontal well / Natural gamma logging / Non-parallel formations / MCNP simulation

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Gang WANG , WenSheng WU , Zhen QIN , et al . Numerical simulation of gamma-ray logging response in non-parallel formations of horizontal wells under different wellbore conditions[J]. Progress in Geophysics. 2025, 40(6): 2591-2603 https://doi.org/10.6038/pg2025JJ0109

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感谢长庆油田相关项目部的实测数据帮助，感谢审稿专家提出的宝贵意见.

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