Results from Pilot Tests Prove the Potential of ... - Saudi Aramco

high intensity light source and a high optical apertureallowing iris reduction. Advanced image processing featuresand their full integration into the operating system allowmaximum usage, not only on-site, but also in real time at anoperator’s office based operations center.With the advanced image processing system, manyquantification tasks can be done much faster and with higherprecision and accuracy than is possible with conventionalmethods. Figure 2 shows a case in which a laboratory test ofthe system, a quantification of lithology fraction, turned outto be perfectly correct.Rock Matrix DensityThe rock grain density is measured with a gas pycnometer.Washed, crushed and dried samples are weighed and placed ina chamber, which is filled with gas to a certain pressure.Release into a second chamber with a known volume allowsthe calculation of total grain volume and, with the totalweight, the matrix/grain density.PorosityTwo methods to measure porosity on cuttings are used: one isbased on a powder pycnometer to establish total bulk cuttingsvolume and separately determined grain volume, while theother is based on total cuttings volume and nuclear magneticresonance (NMR) measurements. The NMR measurementsalso provide a quantification of both effective and totalporosity. A good correlation between the two at least partiallyindependent measurements was found in some early tests, Fig. 3,corroborating the quality of both processes.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)When in a measurement sample of cuttings, there is sufficientdifference in “pore size” between the inter-cuttings “porosity”and the intra-cuttings (“real”) porosity; NMR measurementson cuttings suspended in a liquid should be able to yield arobust porosity. When the cuttings are more closely packedand large pores are present, a careful removal of adsorbedliquid, as in the conventional core plug measurements ofelectric properties, is required. We employed the latter method.Two NMR systems were used. The first commerciallyavailable system, while simple to use in some respects,required a relatively large volume of cuttings, and whilelaboratory tests on many samples had yielded good results,the first field pilot test showed the system to be less suitablefor our field operations; more flexibility in acquisition andprocessing parameter settings was required. Therefore, a newsystem was developed.The second system, now used in AML operations, iscomposed of a thermo-regulated magnet and integratedelectronics. It is driven by a laptop and specific software thatalso allows the display of the results after the measurement isperformed. Total and effective porosities are derived fromrelaxation curves by applying appropriate cutoffs. Samplepreparation consists of washing and volume determination ofthe cuttings. Only a very small amount of cuttings is required,so handpicking of individual cuttings is practical. This meansthat for very thinly laminated formations, such as turbidites,we can handpick some cuttings and measure the properties ofthose very thin laminations separately, when neither electriclogging measurements nor even normal core plug measurementscan resolve those properties directly.Spectral Gamma Ray (GR)Fig. 2. Illustration of AML system’s image processing capability to quantifylithology fractions.A spectral GR instrument has been developed, with a NaIdetection crystal, special shaped sample holders (Marinellibeakers of about 250 cc) and shielding, which is gearedspecifically towards well site cuttings measurements. A typicalmeasurement takes 15 minutes and displays GR activity inAPI units. Laboratory tests proved a remarkably good signalto noise ratio and an excellent match with measurements doneon large rock pieces with conventional tools in terms ofabsolute value of the GR readings as distinct from only agood correlation with a (systematic) offset. Maybe even moreimportant, a comparison between a laboratory test done withcuttings collected from a remote well and a conventional GRtest showed a good correlation.X-ray Diffraction (XRD)Fig. 3. Comparison of porosity measurements.Laboratory work with various elemental and mineral quantificationsystems showed that while initially the expectations20 FALL 2011 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY

Phase Actual Weight % Weight % from XRDQuartz 5 4Dolomite 5 7Anhydrite 42 42Siderite 32 33Calcite 16 14Table 1. Test results of XRD on five-phase mixturefor a system based on spectral analysis from laser inducedrock fragment breakdown were very high, advances made incommercially available portable XRD/X-ray fluorescence(XRF) instruments made them more suitable for our purposes.Consequently, the focus was shifted to these, and severalalternatives were tested in the laboratory.Cuttings mineralogy is determined by XRD. Each mineraldiffracts X-rays differently according to its crystallographicstructure, thereby creating a unique diffraction pattern characteristicof the mineral. Moreover, the signal produced by amineral in XRD is proportional to the quantity of thatmineral. This enables a quantitative approach after appropriatecalibration of the instrument with a mixture of minerals ofknown quantities.Table 1 provides results from one of the laboratory testsconducted using a well-known mixture, and confirms theaccuracy and reproducibility of the measurement as beingaround 2%.Quantified minerals are quartz, calcite, dolomite, anhydrite,feldspars (K and Na) and clay minerals. Sample preparationconsists of washing, drying and manually crushing thecuttings. The analysis itself takes 12 minutes.X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)Elementary composition is determined by energy dispersiveXRF (ED-XRF), which yields a reliable quantification ofvirtually all elements of interest (with an atomic number of 12or higher), even when present only as traces. Samplepreparation consists of fine grinding (to below 100 µm) of thecuttings, which is achieved with an automatic electricalgrinder. The powder is then pelletized with a hydraulic press.The measurement takes 5 minutes and is performed under ahelium atmosphere.Tables 2 and 3 give some results from laboratory tests doneto confirm the reliability of the instrument for select elements.Complete Mud Gas Analysis Processing SystemThe total mud gas processing system has two separate parts:(1) A real time, continual measurement gas extraction andanalysis system, and (2) A near real time fluid facies interpretation,evaluating the previously obtained data and groupingthose into interpreted clusters of separate sub-reservoir units.Given traditional mud gas analysis systems, to be able tomove to the goal of quantified hydrocarbon composition, andthereafter to a direct quantification of total hydrocarbon poreSiO2 (%) TiO2 (%) AI2O3 (%) Fe2O3 (%) CaO (%)Measured 47.45 1.03 17.33 6.63 1.33Actual 51.95 0.85 16.76 6.33 1.13MgO (%) Na2O (%) K2O(%) BaO (%) P2O5 (%)Measured 1.71 0.96 2.51 544 .024Actual 1.53 1.37 2.51 580 0.18Table 2. XRF test results on major elementsMnO (ppm) Cr (ppm) Pb (ppm) S(%)Measured 723.4 162 14.8 0.07σ (st.dev.) 4.04 6.96 0.84 0Actual 710 120 16 0.05Co (ppm) Zr (ppm) V (ppm) Cu (ppm)Measured 7.33 194 149.4 56.8σ (st.dev.) 0.58 1.41 6.35 0.84Actual 18 180 140 52Table 3. XRF test results on minor elementsvolume from mud gas readings only, requires major stepsforward across the whole process chain for mud gasextraction and analysis.The extraction of hydrocarbons from drilling mud underconstant high temperatures and controlled thermodynamicconditions ensure the sample’s independence from environmentalfactors, such as variations in mud temperature at theflow line and the mud flow rate. The sampling point for thisextraction from the return mud flow is best placed as close aspossible to the bell nipple, and the apparatus for this, a majordevelopment in itself, obviously should be close to thesampling point. Also, to correct for gas still in the mud beingpumped into the well, an identical gas extraction system isemployed on the mud flow going into the well. Note thatthere are some well documented cases of significant gas beingleft in the mud going into a well, even in cases with seeminglynormal and adequate surface degassing; we’ve seen examplesof this in some of our recent tests.An exact knowledge and precise quantification of theextraction efficiency for the various hydrocarbon componentsis essential. This is continually checked and calibrated in thefield, because these extraction efficiencies will vary sufficientlyand affect the final compositional calculations. This is acrucial part of the whole process, and it required significantR&D efforts during the past 10 years.Given the distance between gas extraction points and the(advanced) mud logging unit even in the best rig layouts,special efforts are required to prevent any dropout of (heavier)hydrocarbon components. A special gas transfer line underpartial vacuum to allow transfer of the heavier components inthe gas phase proved sufficient.The extracted hydrocarbon is analyzed in the gasSAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2011 21

chromatography/mass spectrometry unit. After a quick realtime processing of the data, the final analysis providesprecisely quantified downhole fluid composition in the C1-C5range, with a little less precise indication of some highercomponents. Qualitative information on long chain n-alkanesand light aromatics are efficiently used as markers.The fluid facies identification process used employs anumber of peak gas selections and gas ratios for fingerprinting,typically displayed in star/spider diagrams.ILLUSTRATION OF AML POTENTIAL WITH EARLYFIELD PILOT TEST EXAMPLESIn the early field pilot testing stages of a total system like this,which is where we are now, rather than immediately strivingfor a complete and perfect formation evaluation, the firstfocus is of course on testing and adjusting the various separateelements, confirming that laboratory performance is repeatedin the field and that the devised operating procedures reallywork in a normal well site setting. Yet we already have somenice examples illustrating the potential value from a fullyoperational AML system.Fig. 4. Illustration of string vibration not observed with conventional means, butclearly visible on the AML system.Fine-Tuning of Drilling Parameters to Eliminate Vibrationsand Extend Bit LifeAn excellent example of the AML system’s potential to influencedrillstring vibrations was obtained when coring long sectionsof a special technology test well. The AML drilling monitoringsystem detected clear vibrations that the conventional systemdid not, Fig. 4. Rather than reacting to the AML indications,(at some risk) operations continued as if no AML informationwas available and eventually led to a badly worn bit.On subsequent test runs, whenever the AML detectedvibrations, remediation was made; only a slight adjustment ofthe drilling parameters was necessary to eliminate thevibrations, Fig. 5. Therefore, on those runs, the bit came outin excellent condition, allowing several further runs.Fig. 5. Adjustment of drilling parameters to reduce vibrations.Good Correlation of AML Spectral GR with Wireline GRThe good performance of the spectral GR instrument in thelaboratory tests was also demonstrated in an exploration well,with a strikingly small difference between GR values fromfully corrected wireline logs and the GR values from thecuttings obtained in real time, as well as a very good comparisonfor the individual elements (Th, Ur and K), Fig. 6.An excellent match was also obtained between the U, Thand K concentrations obtained from the spectral GR tests andthose derived from the XRF measurements. This also confirmsthat the overall well site processing routines for bothmeasurements are very well under control.Easier Measurements on CuttingsHowever simple it might seem, the ease of making fast,accurate measurements of grain size under the installed digitalmicroscope and using other cuttings metrics is helping wellFig. 6. Comparison of AML and wireline spectral GR.site geology staff to improve on cuttings descriptions andreducing the amount of work required for documentation.With the quality of cuttings images available — imagesnow routinely provided with the cuttings descriptions andincluded as part of the logs available in real time to officebased operations staff — the need for oil company well sitegeology staff on location might be reduced, i.e., tasks may beshifted from the well site to an operations center coveringseveral rigs at the same time.XRD for Reliable Lithology IndicationIn many cases where there is a conflict between indicationsfrom different systems — e.g., cuttings description suggesting22 FALL 2011 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY

one lithology and a wireline density neutron log suggestinganother — but some uncertainty in the interpretation, nofirm conclusion can be drawn. We had an illustrative caselike that on an appraisal well, where the initial geologicaldescription suggested an almost 100% dolomite lithologywith seemingly little doubt. The well site XRD system,however, showed a roughly 50/50 dolomite/anhydritemixture, Fig. 7, and only subsequent reexamination revealedthe formation to consist of anhydrite grains fully coveredwith a thin layer of dolomite.Fig. 9. A good match between cuttings and wireline derived grain densities.Comparison between AML and Wireline NMRThe newly developed NMR system on its very first field testalready showed clear trends in determining formation porosityin line with porosity from the wireline NMR, even when theactual porosity values were biased, confirming that some moredevelopment work is to be done in this area.AML Hydrocarbon Composition Matches PVT ResultsFig. 7. Seemingly 100% dolomite turns out to be 50/50 anhydrite/dolomite on XRD.Correlation of XRF Trace Elements and Mud Gas ReadingsThe quality and potential value of the XRF measurements isnicely illustrated in Fig. 8, showing a correlation betweentrace elements detected by XRF known to be associated withhydrocarbon resources, detected by XRF, and the mud gasreadings.Close Match between AML and Wireline Derived GrainDensitiesA comparison of grain densities derived from the directcuttings measurements and those determined after elaboratemulti-mineral analysis using a full wireline logging set, includingelemental spectral logs, shows encouraging results, Fig. 9.All the efforts put into fine–tuning the whole acquisition andprocessing chain for the compositional analysis of the mud gasstream came to fruition when the composition, determined inreal time and continuously obtained from this system, appearedto match perfectly with results from a full PVT analysison wireline fluid samples obtained subsequently, Fig. 10.This perfect match was one of the results obtained in amore elaborate test of two distinctly different AML systemsfrom two different companies conducted on a specialtechnology test well. As mentioned before, having several(advanced) mud logging units operating in parallel whiledrilling is about the only realistic way in which mud gasanalysis systems really can be properly compared. If twosystems were tested on two different wells, and the match withthe PVT results on one were not perfect, the question wouldremain whether or not the other unit would have done better.The results of the other system employed, while very goodon any absolute scale one may use and significantly betterFig. 8. Correlation of XRF trace elements and mud gas readings.Fig. 10. AML gives real time, continuous equivalent of PVT analysis of wirelinefluid sample.SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2011 23

than many would have expected only a few years ago, were alittle less in terms of a perfect match than the results of thesystem presented in Fig. 10.The potential business value of compositional informationas precise and reliable as this, provided in real time andcontinuously, is obviously enormous. The first benefit is anoptimization of the subsequent formation fluid samplingprogram whether wireline or logging while drilling (LWD).For example, taking more subsequent samples in a case whereunexpected variations in fluid composition are encounteredacross a reservoir section would assist in the delineation ofseparate reservoirs; alternatively, one could economize onfurther sampling activities when the information alreadyobtained is adequate.Reservoir Correlation and Geosteering with AML Fluid FaciesGiven the quality of the fluid characterization previouslymentioned, it becomes possible to do reservoir correlation andeven geosteering based on AML fluid facies. As shown in Fig.11, two distinct reservoirs, labeled “A” and “B,” had differentfluid types. Having penetrated reservoir/zone A, the well siteoperators easily established the reservoir from normallyavailable data and confirmed it with a few samples of thedetermined fluid facies. When the new well penetrated zone“X,” even with conventional electric logs, it was not clearwhether or not this zone X was in reservoir B or whetherreservoir B lay still deeper. The fluid facies analysis, however,clearly indicated that zone X did not belong to reservoir B, orthat reservoir B was split into distinct units/blocks withdifferent fluids, type B and type X.GETTING LARGE CHUNKS FROM PDC ANDCONVENTIONAL DIAMOND BITSHowever successful conventional diamond and PDC bits havebeen for drilling, the major drawback is that rather thancuttings of several millimeters, these bits produce only powder.Making a “dream bit,” which combines the advantages ofdrilling performance with the production of (very) large piecesof rock, also described as “microcores,” can be done byleaving out the center of the bit, as if it were a very smallFig. 12. Typical chunks recovered from a “dream bit.”diameter core bit. The microcores that are drilled are brokenoff, ejected into the annulus and then transported with thecuttings to the surface.In several tests done in Saudi Aramco, the potential of thesedream bits has been confirmed, with nice large chunks of rockbeing recovered amid the otherwise near powder formation,Fig. 12.While these chunks are not as nicely shaped as, and smallerthan, a conventional core plug, clearly they are large enough formany a measurement normally done on core plugs.Even though some more testing and further development ofthis technology might be required, the problem of PDC bitsproducing only powder has been resolved in principle, andtherefore moved from a research area to a development andapplication area.CONCLUSIONSGiven the still early stages of AML development, severalchallenges remain to be tackled: A further reduction in thetotal well site footprint, including the number of staff requiredfor the unit’s full operation; a further refinement of samplingand sample cleaning procedures; and an improvement in theaccuracy and precision of some of the measurements oncuttings. Therefore, further R&D AML efforts will berequired to achieve the ultimate goals.Yet, based on the foregoing, we may conclude the following.Cuttings Size from PDC Bits Is No Real ProblemReservoir/Zone A infieldand fluid facies in newwell.Zone “X” in new well.Uncertain from conventionallogs whether Reservoir B hasalready been penetrated.Reservoir/Zone Binfield.Fig. 11. Zonation, correlation and possible geosteering with AML fluid facies.It can no longer be said that PDC and other diamond bitsproduce cuttings that are too small. When desired, a dream bitshould produce chunks large enough even for many conventionalcore plug measurement techniques.AML Is EstablishedWe have developed an Advanced Mud Logging system,including instruments and processes that serves: (1) In aidof formation evaluation, as a complete “first aid,” and(2) To assist, optimize and improve drilling operations.Measurements that previously were limited to large24 FALL 2011 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY

laboratories are now possible with portable, well site suitablesystems. Improved sensors and operating systems allowenhanced monitoring and further optimization of drillingoperations. Unlike conventional electric logging tools, AMLdoes not have any reservoir temperature or pressurelimitations, and is hardly, if at all, affected by adverse holeconditions that often affect wireline and LWD electric logs.AML May Resolve Properties of the Thinnest LaminaeInterestingly enough, it appears that one of the largesttraditional concerns related to mud logging: An intrinsicallylow depth resolution linked to the manner in which even thebest cuttings sample catching can be done, might be at leastpartially compensated for by the ability to measure very smallrock fragments, thereby opening the possibility of directlymeasuring the properties of very thin laminae, well below theresolution of normal electric logs and even core plugmeasurements.Clear Illustration of AML Potential from First Field TrialsThe first results of the field trials being done with this systemare very encouraging in all four areas: (1) high frequency andimproved accuracy in monitoring of drilling parameters; (2)enhanced cuttings image acquisition and processing; (3) directmeasurements on cuttings, including grain density, spectralGR, NMR, XRD and XRF; and (4) sophisticated mud gasanalysis capabilities. Those results clearly illustrate the valueand potential of AML.AML Hydrocarbons Fluid Composition Matches PVTAnalysisThe quality of the hydrocarbon compositional analysisobtained perfectly matches the PVT analysis results onwireline fluid samples. AML provides the results in real timeand continuously across the whole well, in comparison withthe PVT analysis that tests formation fluid samples only afterlogging at only (a few) selected intervals, and after requiringfurther time and laboratory effort.Potential of Geosteering with AML Fluid FaciesGiven the quality of the fluid composition analysis, reservoircorrelation and even geosteering based on AML fluid faciesbecome possible.Spectral GR, XRD, XRF for Challenging Mineralogyreal time, continuous quantification of total hydrocarbonvolume (porosity * hydrocarbon saturation; f * Sh) seemswithin reach. This, obviously, might be particularly useful forsituations where traditional methods face serious challenges,such as in low porosity and tight shale gas formations.*ARCHIE’S DREAM = Advanced Rock Characterization andHydrocarbon Indication and Evaluation, through SystematicDetermination with Rock and Elemental Analysis MethodsACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis article was presented at the SPE Saudi Arabia SectionTechnical Symposium and Exhibition, al-Khobar, SaudiArabia, May 15-18, 2011.REFERENCES1. Loermans, T. and Touati, M.: “Archie’s Dream … andBeyond: Advanced Mud Logging (AML),” SPE TechnicalSymposium of Saudi Arabia Section, June 7-9, 2003.2. Marsala, A.F., Zausa, F., Della Martera, M. and Santarelli,F.J.: “Sonic While Drilling: Have You Thought AboutCuttings?” SPE Formation Evaluation, Vol. 12, No. 2,June 1997, pp. 77-84.3. Marsala, A.F., Figoni, A. and Brignoli, M.: “TransientMethod Implemented under Unsteady-State Conditions forLow and Very Low Permeability Measurements onCuttings,” SPE paper 47202-MS, presented at the SPE/ISRM Rock Mechanics in Petroleum EngineeringConference, Trondheim, Norway, July 8-10, 1998.4. Santarelli, F.J., Marsala, A.F., Brignoli, M., Rossi, E. andBona, N.: “Formation Evaluation from Logging onCuttings,” SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering,Vol. 1, No. 3, June 1998, pp. 238-244.5. Touati, M., Siddiqui, S., Funk, J., Loermans, T. and Kanj,M.: “Porosity Measurements on Cuttings from X-ray CTScans: Study Highlights,” SPE Technical Symposium,Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, May 15-17, 2004.6. Loermans, T., Kanj, M. and Bradford, C.: “Advanced MudLogging: From Archie’s Dream to Reality,” SPE paper106324-MS, presented at the SPE Technical Symposiumof Saudi Arabia Section, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, May14-16, 2005.The spectral GR, XRD and XRF functionalities might turnout to be very effective and cost-efficient elements for makingan adequate evaluation in challenging environments, such asvery tight/shale gas reservoirs.Total Hydrocarbon Volume Quantification within ReachGiven the demonstrated precision obtained with the AMLunit’s hydrocarbon compositional analysis, a reliable, direct,SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2011 25

BIOGRAPHIESir A.M. (Ton) Loermans is a PetroleumEngineering Consultant with theReservoir Engineering TechnologyTeam (RETT) of Saudi Aramco’sExploration and PetroleumEngineering Center – AdvancedResearch Center (EXPEC ARC).Studying mechanical engineering and physics, heobtained his M.S. degree with honors from theEindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, theNetherlands, in 1980.For the next 19 years, Ton worked in various functionsand countries for the Shell Group, followed by 2 years atthe Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Hejoined Saudi Aramco in 2002.Farouk Kimour is a Research andTechnology Project Leader forGeoservices R&D Group in Roissy,France. He leads projects related tonew technologies for mud logging andmeasurements on cuttings, gas andmud. Before joining Geoservices in2004, Farouk worked for 3 years for American Air Liquideas a R&D Engineer in Chicago, Illinois. There he workedin the Gas Analysis Group and developed several gasanalyses techniques using GC-MS and ICP-MS. During hisfirst 4 years at Geoservices, Farouk held several positionsfrom Mud Logger to Senior Flair Engineer, working inFrance, Austria, U.A.E., Iran, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan(Caspian Sea), Turkey (Black Sea), Brunei, and the UnitedStates (Gulf of Mexico). Between his field rotations he alsoconducted R&D projects at Geoservices headquarters.Farouk received his M.S. degree in Chemistry fromEcole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Mulhouse,Alsace, France.He has authored several technical papers andinternational patents.Charles M. Bradford has 24 yearsof upstream petroleum industryexperience. In 2001, he joined SaudiAramco’s Reservoir Description andSimulation Department. Charles hasspent the last 10 years evaluating SaudiAramco operated exploration andappraisal wells, most recently as a Petroleum EngineeringSpecialist in the Exploration Petrophysics Unit. He hasplayed a major role in the introduction of formationevaluation technology, including advanced mud logging, inthe evaluation Saudi Aramco’s exploration prospects.In 1987, Charles received his B.S. degree in MechanicalEngineering from the University of Minnesota,Minneapolis, MN.He has authored and coauthored numerous technicalpapers on the subject of formation evaluation.Yacine Meridji is a Petroleum Engineerin the Exploration Petrophysical Unitat Saudi Aramco. He currently overseesthe petrophysical formationevaluation of exploration wells. Beforejoining Saudi Aramco in 2008 he wasa General Field Engineer with BakerAtlas Wireline Services in the Gulf of Mexico.Yacine received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineeringfrom the National Institute of Electricity and Electronics,Boumerdes, Algeria.Karim Bondabou joined Geoservices in2008 as an International FieldEngineer in mud logging. He has beeninvolved in the development of advancedmud logging techniques for cuttingsanalysis. Karim has participated in thedevelopment of the cuttingsmeasurement technology, the field deployment of thesetechniques and the interpretation of the acquired data.He received his M.S. degree in Geology with aspecialization in Geological Reservoir Characterizationfrom the University of Sciences and Technology,Montpellier, France, in 2008.Pawel Kasprzykowski joinedGeoservices in 2009 to work as anInternational Field Engineer. He hasbeen involved in the development ofadvanced mud logging, in particularthe analysis of cuttings. Pawel hasparticipated in the development ofcuttings measurement technology and the field deploymentof these techniques.In 2008 he received his M.S. degree in Technical Physicswith a specialization in Nuclear Physics from the Universityof Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland. During hisuniversity years, Pawel gained scientific experience as aMeasurement Specialist in the Radiochemical Laboratory,which allowed him to become an expert in natural waterradioactivity measurements.Dr. Reda Karoum is an R&D Engineerfor Geoservices in Roissy, France.From 2004 to 2007, he was employedas a Ph.D. student by the PSA group (aFrench automotive company) todevelop an electro-catalytic process. In2008, Reda joined Geoservices wherehe gained field experience as a Mud Logger and DataEngineer. He has been involved in the development ofcuttings analysis and advanced mud logging, from thelaboratory to field deployment. Reda permanently joinedGeoservices in 2011.He holds M.S. degrees in Polymer Sciences and inMaterials. Reda also holds a Ph.D. degree in Environmentand Energy Sciences.He has authored several publications and patents.26 FALL 2011 SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY

Mathieu Naigeon joined Geoservicesin 2009 as a Field Engineer, and hehas since held different field positionsthrough his many assignments, fromMud Logger to MeasurementsSpecialist. He has been assignedmainly offshore, working for major oilcompanies in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Norway, Denmark, theNetherlands and the United States (Gulf of Mexico).Mathieu is also involved in the R&D Department atGeoservices headquarters, evaluating and developing specifictechnologies dedicated to mineralogical, petrophysical andgeochemical analyses conducted on cuttings while drilling(advanced mud logging).He received his M.S. degree in Geological ReservoirsCharacterization from the University of Sciences andTechnology, Montpellier, France.Dr. Alberto F. Marsala has more than20 years of oil industry experience andfor the last 5 years he has beenworking in Saudi Aramco’sExploration and PetroleumEngineering Center – AdvancedResearch Center (EXPEC ARC). Hismain interests are in reservoir technologies, deepdiagnostics, electromagnetic methods and reservoir characterizationwhile drilling via measurements on cuttings.Previously while at Eni and Agip, Alberto participated inseveral upstream disciplines, including 4D seismic, reservoircharacterization, petrophysics, geomechanics, core analysis,drilling and construction in environmentally sensitive areas.He worked on the Technology Planning and R&DCommittee of Eni E&P. Alberto was Head of PerformanceImprovement for the KCO joint venture (Shell,ExxonMobil, Total and others) concerned with thedevelopment of giant fields in the northern Caspian Sea.He has authored a book, several technical papers andinternational patents. Alberto served for several years onthe Board of Directors of the Society of PetroleumEngineers (SPE) – Italian Section, and he is currently theQuality System Manager of the European Organization forQuality.In 1991, Alberto received his Ph.D. degree in NuclearPhysics from the University of Milan, Bicocca, Italy, and in1996, he received an MBA in Quality Management fromthe University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. He also holds aspecialization in Innovation Management, received in 2001.SAUDI ARAMCO JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FALL 2011 27