Continuous scratch testing on core allows effective calibration of log-derived mechanical properties for use in sanding prediction evaluation

This paper discusses the use of continuous scratch testing for evaluation of rock heterogeneity and effective correction and calibration of mechanical properties predictions using wire line logging. Understanding the vertical variability of rock properties (strength and moduli) along the reservoir thickness is of primordial importance for sanding prediction analysis. Logging measurements (GR, Sonic, Density and Porosity) are traditionally used to identify roublesome intervals, to select sections for laboratory testing and for extrapolating laboratory data to untested reservoir sections. However, depending on the scale of the reservoir heterogeneity, the log measurements, by providing integrated values over their window of vertical resolution, can considerably underestimate the strong reservoir sections and overestimate the weak reservoir sections. This leads to misrepresentation of critical weak layers with high