Introduction
The Centre for Excellence in Well Logging Technology (CEWELL) founded on 2nd February 2006 with the vision to provide integrated Petrophysical solutions to E & P domain. The centre has its own R&D centre in area of Petrophysics. CEWELL is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories comprised of Petrophysical, Geomechanical (Triaxial), NMR, XRD & Geology labs for log to core integration. Strategically located in Vadodara, CEWELL provides integrated petrophysical and Geomechanical solutions to all the Assets and Basins of basins of ONGC.
Signified as Applied R&D centre, CEWELL holds robust architecture for quality log data processing, interpretation, assimilation, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of well logging & related disciplines. CEWELL is conferred as a nodal agency for Petrophysical studies among ONGC Institutes.
Charter of CEWELL
- Nodal agency for skill development, knowledge assimilation and dissemination in well logging and related disciplines.
- Scouting, field trials, assessing its applicability and assimilation of well logging technology.
- To study and advise Basins/Assets on specific problems.
- To carry out special field studies through integrated evaluation efforts.
- Development of new interpretation techniques and standardization of field specific Interpretation models.
- To forge production optimization through cased hole technology.
- To provide solutions to issues related with drilling, well, completion, cementation etc.
- To develop business opportunities in well logging.
The mission of the Institute is to develop and nurture competencies for providing best well logging and Petrophysical solutions and services in domestic and international markets.
Capabilities
- Log data processing, interpretation and reservoir summation for accurate reserve estimations.
- Robust Petro-physical / Geological Modelling through Integration of multi-disciplinary data along with lab data e.g. Lab data of Core & Cuttings, Petro-physical constants, Production Test Data etc.
- Geo-mechanical studies for 1D-MEM indicating stress directions for well stability, well placements, reducing drilling NPT, Pore pressure predictions, provide inputs for Hydrofracturing and predicting sanding scenarios.
- Evaluation of Unconventional Reservoirs like Shale Gas, HP-HT, Tight Reservoirs & Low Resistivity–Low Contrast pays, thin bed reservoirs, fractured basement and Gas hydrates.
- Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) for data collection, processing and interpretation in complex and unconventional reservoirs. SOPs for data generation in Petrophysical / NMR / XRD / SEM / Geo-mechanics Labs for fast & better integrated interpretation of log data.
- 3D Resistivity inversion and Thin Bed Analysis
- Rock Physics modelling
- Providing petrophysical inputs towards robust GCM.
- Exploring more capabilities of AI / ML.
Highlights of FY 2024-25
- CEWELL released the compendium namely “Compendium of Rock Strength & Mechanical parameters in Indian Basins”. The compendium provides standardized transforms & calibrated 1D MEMs for different Basins to establish static parameter correlation and their estimation based on triaxial tests on core plugs.
- CEWELL developed a web platform called “PETROMINICAL” which serves as a guiding tool in reference to formation specific geological models and petrophysical parameters of different fields across Pan-India Basins.
- Team CEWELL was actively involved in real-time monitoring of key exploratory wells like the recently concluded one exploratory well, wherein team CEWELL was involved since data acquisition till production-testing phase. Petrophysical evaluation along with core sample processing were key operational functions performed by team.
- CEWELL has provided 1D-MEM for key wells (90+ MEM) across all Assets of ONGC which is extensively used as a parameter in designing the hydrofracturing operations for production enhancement.
- Team CEWELL vetted more than 1000 wells for various GCMs being prepared for robust modelling.
- CEWELL processed 482 core samples for Triaxial, Petrophysical, XRD and NMR lab studies during the year 2024-25.
- Team CEWELL was actively involved in monitoring logging related activities in the latest exploratory well Kamakshi-1.
- CEWELL provided faculty support for various training modules conducted by different agencies like; IDT, SDC, specifically on Geo-Mechanics. As part of the Institute's endeavour and commitment to disseminate practical knowledge gained through projects carried out at CEWELL.
- CEWELL celebrated its 20th Foundation Day on 02nd February 2025, which was inaugurated by ED - Chief Logging Services, Shri S.K. Singhal along with other senior Executives present during the event and many other senior executives joined online from pan India locations. The keynote address on “OSDU and AI platforms – Unlocking the well data potential” was presented by Mr. Swapnil Patel and Mr. Zainal Hakim Bin Achmad Rivai, Domain Champions, SLB. The agenda included: Introduction to OSDU, Fundamentals of OSDU and Cloud Computing, Implementation and Application examples in well data management and AI/ML Applications. A total of about 350 Executives attended the event Offline /Online.
High Impact projects
A total of 27 scheduled projects have been completed under AWP 2024-25 and 22 unscheduled projects are completed. Some of the key scheduled projects are mentioned below:
- Integrated Petro-physical Analysis & Identification of Missed Opportunities in Bengal Shallow Offshore Wells.
- Determination of Sedimentary Structures & Permeability prediction of sands using Resistivity Image & NMR Logs in Mandapeta-Endamuru Area.
- Assessment of Cambay Shale in the Gandhar Area.
- Petrophysical & Geomechanical Studies for the Syn-rift and Turonian reservoirs of offshore well CHOLA#1, Cauvery Basin.
- Evaluation of logs in Ankleshwar pays of Padra field based on recent mineralogical studies.
- Geo-mechanical studies with focus on mitigating Sanding Issues in wells from GS-29 & G-1 Fields.
- Compendium of Rock Strength & Mechanical parameters in Indian Basins.
- Characterization of tight reservoirs of Lower Bassein through logs and core derived parameters in NWQM area.
- Identification of bypassed hydrocarbon in matured fields through classical reservoir engineering techniques and re-visit of well logs.
Collaborative projects/Joint Research projects/ MOUs
- An MOU between Skoltech, Russia and ONGC for carrying out collaborative study in Thermal Petrophysics and Gas hydrate was signed by HoI - CEWELL on 2nd March 2021. The project work was concluded in 2023-24 after completion of work under Annual Work Programme (AWP) 2021-22, 2022 – 23 & 2023-24.
Technology Induction/Absorption
- Procurement of “CAPRI FULLY AUTOMATED CAPILLARY SYSTEM” which will be utilized for Capillary pressure measurement in core plug samples at near at reservoir-representative conditions, both drainage and imbibition experiments on core samples while simultaneously determining the rock electrical properties. From these results, the relationships between core saturation profile, capillary pressure and electrical properties can be deduced. Specifically, saturation exponent “n”, formation factor and cementation exponent “m” are calculated.
- Procurement of 02 Nos of “Electronic Analytical Balance” for petrophysical lab. For accurate and precise measurements of readings towards lab experiments. This instrument will be utilized to measure the Dry weight, Saturated weight and Suspended weight of the core plugs for the Porosity-Permeability measurements and will contribute to the study of a, m, n parameters.
- CEWELL procured “CHILLER UNIT” for Petrophysics laboratory at CEWELL as part of the Lab upgradation plan. Recirculating chiller unit is an effective temperature-regulating machine that uses the same water repeatedly to cool up equipment and save water by reducing its wastage. This equipment is connected to Soxhlation unit which cleans the core samples plugged from the reservoir’s core segment. of 20 TB Network – Attached Storage (NAS) completed through GEM and installed for sharing of business data at CEWELL in secure environment.
Papers Published / Presented
Total six technical papers were presented in Oral / Poster sessions of GeoIndia 2024 and one paper was accepted for presentation at SPWLA 66th Annual Symposium to be held during 17th – 21st May 2025 at Dubai, UAE.
IPRs / Patents / Copyrights / Trademarks
CEWELL conferred with award of one patent during Q2, 2024-25. Patent Title: A quantitative and robust method for computing total organic carbon using resistivity and density logs. (Patent No: 549604)
