Quality Logging Inc.

Quality Logging Inc. is a geological well logging company based in Midland, Texas, offering mudlogging, high-resolution drilling data analysis, wellbore surveillance and geosteering. It was established in 1980 by the Simmons family, who the company says have had a presence in the Permian Basin geological well logging industry since 1956. Laboratory analysis of cuttings runs alongside the field services, giving chemical and physical characterization of the formations being drilled.

The company describes itself as one of the first in the logging industry to move into the digital age, having started using computers in the early 1980s, and states more than 45 years of experience in geological well logging. It also lists safety training programs and environmental compliance among its stated commitments, including fluid analysis used to monitor drilling impact.

Geological and laboratory analysis

Specialty geoscience work is offered under the Quality Hydrocarbon & Geological Services name. X-ray fluorescence is run on a Bruker S2 Ranger with an XFLASH detector, producing qualitative and quantitative bulk elemental analysis at what the company describes as lab quality, with turnaround it says competes with onsite analysis. EQUA ALL software handles standardless semi-quantitative analysis, and SPECTRA EDX covers qualitative, quantitative and standardless applications.

Stated applications for the elemental data include:

• Chemical stratigraphy to minimize the target window while drilling
• Optimizing target windows in reservoirs with weak gamma profiles
• Regional reservoir mapping
• Verifying the accuracy of downhole gamma tools

X-ray diffraction is run on a Bruker D2 Phaser with a Lynxeye detector and can be combined with XRF where small changes in stratigraphy affect decisions. The company points to XRD for a more accurate log than visual and chemical procedures alone, for locating zones with higher or lower brittleness ratios or total clays, and for narrowing the target window through more accurate lithology profiling. Cuttings are analyzed at any specified interval or at end of well, with turnaround the company describes as rapid.

Geosteering

Geosteering is delivered through PerformWell Geosteering, established in 2007 and based in Houston, Texas. It works as an outsourced geological steering service for horizontal wells across all major North American petroleum basins, and the company states it provides geosteering throughout the United States and internationally. Geologists provide continuous 24 hour support with real-time data and survey monitoring, with the stated aim of holding wells in the pay zone.

Options described include:

• Remote geosteering on a 12 or 24 hour daily basis, usually from 100 feet above the kickoff point to well total depth
• Geosteerers joining client and operations meetings by phone, including discussion with directional drillers and company men
• Pre-well and end-of-well reports
• Re-steering of previously drilled wells
• Work in commercially available geosteering software packages, including SES and Starsteer