Data collection throughout the exploration stage is of paramount importance, especially for the unconventional projects. Since a vast amount of data is acquired through the well logging, large logging expenditures are usually incurred. In unconventional projects, marginal economics dictate particularly strict budget strategies, including expenditures for logging activities. A significant component of the logging costs is associated with the tool temperature rating. In northern Oman, the bottomhole static temperatures of the tight sandstone gas formation being explored are 175°C [347°F] or higher, which coincides with the upper limit of the conventional logging tools. It has been observed that the tool failure frequency increases dramatically when this limit is approached, leading to repeated logging jobs or regretted (missed) data. The simple way to increase the temperature rating of logging tools to perform at high bottomhole temperatures is to use ceramic electronic boards. However, the cost of this solution is roughly 10 times higher than standard tools. Slightly less costly is acquiring data with logging-whiledrilling techniques; this has its own disadvantages, such as logging tool availability and data resolution. Another possible approach is careful assessment of the bottomhole temperature at particular times during logging to enable using conventional tools with lower temperature ratings. The assessment is a challenge itself. Direct measurements are difficult because the temperature gauges on logging tools are affected by heat from the electronic components. It is possible to simulate borehole conditions, but this requires extensive modeling and involves many variables such as cooling from mud circulation; heat transfer among the formation, annulus, and drillpipe; conversion of mechanical energy from drilling to heat; and the addition of hot cuttings to mud. That latter modeling has been performed and verified with the field data in various conditions: vertical and horizontal geometries and different mud types. The study established the achievable bottomhole circulating temperatures at various operations, duration of safe temperature window for less-expensive logging, and the bottomhole temperature profile in various drilling scenarios. This allowed delineating a road map for logging future high-temperature wells in the field.

Data collection throughout the exploration stage is of paramount importance, especially for the unconventional projects. Since a vast amount of data is acquired through the well logging, large logging expenditures are usually incurred. In unconventional projects, marginal economics dictate particul...