Petrophysics: A Practical Guide

Petrophysics is the science of evaluating the rock and fluid properties of oil, gas and water reservoirs through the acquisition of physical samples, electrical, chemical, nuclear and magnetic data acquired by surface logging, downhole coring, and drilling and wireline sondes.  The evaluation, analysis and interpretation of this data is as much an art as a science as it requires an understanding of geology, chemistry, physics, electronics, mechanics and drilling technology.  The techniques have been developed over the last 100 years primarily by the oil and gas industry, but the principles are equally relevant in coal mining, hydrogeology and environmental science.

This book is firmly aimed at students of geology and petroleum engineering looking for a practical understanding of the background and workflows required to complete a petrophysical study of a well, a reservoir or a field.  Petrophysics is log analysis constrained by geology, and if we ignore the rocks we risk making poor investment decisions.

Steve Cannon is a geologist by profession, a petrophysicist by inclination and a reservoir modeller by design.  Graduating in 1977, Steve has worked as a geologist and petrophysicist in all sectors of the oil and gas industry, including government, major and independent oil companies, the service sector and consultancy.  Having had the opportunity to work offshore and in a core analysis laboratory, as well as a reservoir geologist has helped to shape his appreciation of petrophysics constrained by geology.  Steve is a Past–President of the London Petrophysical Society.