CRAIN'S TECHNICAL PAPERS and Articles
 Write What You Know

Technical and general interest articles about well log analysis, petrophysics, and petrophysical software development are listed below. All FREE publications were originally published in a technical journal or newsletter and have a button. These documents are in PDF format.

To provide a complete bibliography, Crain's Reference Manuals and Crain's Integrated Petrophysical Self-Study Video Courses have been added. These are NOT free downloads but can be purchased for a modest fee. Click the  button to see more information on that item.

Software documentation manuals, newsletters, marketing brochures, and minor magazine and newspaper articles are not included.

Special Note: Two published SPE papers on analysis of shale gas were copied directly from my prior work without permission. These are not included on the list, even though my name may appear on the title pages.
 

THE COMPLETE LIST 

 

106 - 107. Rapid Cross Plot Discrimination of Commercial Potash Mineralization
D. G. Hill, PhD.and E. R. Crain, P.Eng. 
SPWLA 62nd Annoal Symposium, Stavenger, 17 - 20 May 2021,Virtual Presentation
Full Length Paper PDF
Narrated Slideshow MP4

105. Petrophysics with Ross Crain
Podcast with Maureen Stonehouse, Stone's Notes, Dec 2020
From Stone's Notes  on Spotify   

103 - 104. Rapid Discrimination of Potash Mineralization Using Crossplots - Case Histories
E. R. Crain, P.Eng. and D. G. Hill, PhD.
GeoConvention 2020,  Calgary, 21 - 23 Sept 2020, Virtual Presentation
Long Abstract PDF  See Paper 106 for full length version
Narrated Slideshow MP4

102. Integrated Petrophysics, Detectives, and Big Data
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., LPS Newsletter
Invited Article  (Pages 4 and 5) Jan 2017

 

101. How "Crain's Petrophysical Handbook" Came To Be Written
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., SPWLA Young Professions SIG Newsletter,
Invited Article for "The Bridge" (Page 2) Jan 2016

100. Potash Petrophysics - Then and Now
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CSPG Reservoir, Sep 2014

99. Apples and Aarvarks - A Tutorial on Petrophysical analysis of Oil Sands
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CSPG Reservoir, Jul/Aug 2014

97 - 98. Petrophysics and Fracture Optimization - A 20-Step Workflow
D. Holgate, P.Geol., E. R. Crain, P.Eng. Half day course presented at the SPE/CSUR Unconventional Resource Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Sep 2014

  2014 Version

  2016 Version

96. Digital Log Data To Mechanical Rock Properties For Stimulation Design
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., D. Holgate, P.Geol., GeoConvention 2014, May 2014,
Also Presented at PowerLog User Group Meeting, Mar 2014

92 - 95. A 12-Step Program to Reduce Uncertainty in Kerogen-Rich Reservoirs
E. R. Crain, P.Eng. D. Holgate, P.Geol.
Pt 1: Get the Right Porosity, CSPG Reservoir, Mar 2014
Pt 2: Get the Right Gas Volume, CSPG Reservoir, Apr 2014
GeoConvention 2014, Calgary, May 2014
CWLS Insite, Apr 2014

91. The Value of Full Petrophysical Analysis for Stimulation Design
Tim Leshchyshyn, P.Eng., Dorian Holgate, P.Geol., E.R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Ted Leshchyshyn, PhD, P.Eng.,  GeoConvention 2014,  Calgary, May 2014
Abstract Only

90. Synthetic Log Curves: An Essential Ingredient For Successful Stimulation Design
E. R. Crain, P.Eng. D. Holgate, P.Geol., CSPG Reservoir, May 2013

89. Facies, Environments, Diagenesis, Sequence Stratigraphy, Stress and an Oil Migration Model for the Bakken Petroleum System of the Williston Basin
David W. Hume, Graham R Davies, et al, PBS-SEPM Luncheon Talk, Feb 2012


88. A History of Oil and Gas in Canada
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., Azerbaijan Oil Industry Magazine, Oct 2011
English

87. Potash Redux
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CWLS InSite, Dec 2010
 See Also: More Potash Papers

86. A True History of Oil and Gas "Neftqazcixarmanin asl tarixi baqqunda"
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., Azerbaijan Oil Industry Magazine, Nov 2010
Translated from: CWLS InSite, Sept 2004
Azerbaijani and Russian Versions
     CWLS 2004
     CSPG 2005

76 - 85. Unicorns In The Garden Of Good And Evil -- A Series on Log Analysis in  Unconventional Reservoirs,
 E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CSPG Reservoir
  Part 1: Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analysis, Nov 2010
  Part 2:  Coal Analysis, Dec 2010
  Part 3:  Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Analysis, Jan 2011
  Part 4:  Gas Shale Analysis, Feb 2011
  Part 5:  Oil Shale Analysis, Mar 2011
  Part 6:  Tar Sand Analysis, Apr 2011
  Part 7:  Laminated Sacd Analysis, May 2011 
  Part 8:  Igneous / Metamorphic Reservoirs, Jun 2011
  Part 9:  Tight Oil Reservoir Analysis, Aug 2011  
  Part 10: Gas Hydrate Reservoir Analysis, Sep 2011

74 - 75. They Came From Outer Space - First Logs On The Moon and Mars
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
CWLS InSite, May 2010  
CSPG Reservoir, Oct 2011

73. A New Migration Model for Oil in the Bakken Petroleum System of the Williston Basin.
D. W. Hume, PGeol., G. R. Davies, PhD, PGeol., Kaush Rakhit, MSc. PGeol.,
E. R. Crain, PEng
AAPG, New Orleans, April 2010 and AAPG, Calgary, Sept 2010
Abstract Only

72. Evaluation of Unconventional Oil Resources, Bakken Formation, Saskatchewan and North Dakota.
D. W. Hume, PGeol., G. R. Davies, PhD, PGeol., Kaush Rakhit, MSc. PGeol., E. R. Crain, PEng
Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, Regina, 28 Apr 2009
Abstract Only

71. Crain's Petrophysical Data Acquisition (incl Wireline, LWD, MWD, Core, SCAL, etc)
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-10,
Self Published, 2008
Last Update May 2021


70. A Future History of Oil Development (Peak Oil and Alternatives) includes CWLS Distinguished Member Interview
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CWLS InSite, Dec 2008


69. The Giant Next Door: Middle Bakken Member, SE Saskatchewan
D. W. Hume, PGeol., G. R. Davies, PhD, PGeol., Kaush Rakhit, MSc. PGeol., E. R. Crain, PEng
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Denver, 30 Apr 2008
Abstract Only

68. Crain's Integrated Petrophysics - Practical Quantitative Log Analysis for Unconventional Reservoirs
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.
Self-Study Course AV-03, 11 Narrated Video Lectures, 2006
Last Update Dec 2020


67. Crain's Analyzing Unconventional Reservoirs
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-02,
Self Published, 2006
Last Update May 2021


63 - 66. Myth Interpretation - A Series On Common Misconceptions
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CWLS Insite,
  Myth #1 Tornado Charts Correct For Invasion, Sep 2005
  Myth #2 Dipmeters Measure True Dip, Dec 2005
  Myth #3 High Water Saturation Means Water, Mar 2006
  Myth #4 Density Logs Read Porosity in Sands, Jun 2006

62. Crain's Integrated Petrophysics - Geoscience and Engineering Applications
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.
Self-Study Course AV-02, 13 Narrated Video Lectures, 2005
Last Update Dec 2020


61. Crain's Analyzing Fractured Reservoirs
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-09 Video Course RF-09S
Self Published, 2004
Last Update May May 2021


60. Productivity Estimation in Milk River Laminated Shaly Sands, Southeast Alberta
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., D. W. Hume, P.Geol.
CWLS Insite, Dec 2004

58 - 59. A True History of Oil Development
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CWLS InSite, Sept 2004; CSPG Reservoir June 2005
CWLS 2004    
CSPG 2005 

57. How Many Acoustic Waves Can Dance on the Head of a Sonic Log?
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CWLS InSite, Apr 2004

56. The New Role of Petrophysics in Geophysical Interpretation
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., CSEG Recorder, Sept 2003
 

55. A History of Well Logging in Canada
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.,
CWLS InSite, Sept 2003, Reprinted from CWLS Journal, Dec 1982

54. Crain's Integrated Petrophysics - Practical Quantitative Log Analysis for Conventional Reservoirs
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.
Self-Study Course AV-01, 13 Narrated Video Lectures, 2003
Last Update Dec 2020


53.Crain's Analyzing Dipmeter and Image Logs
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-08  Video Course RF-08S 
Self Published, 2003
Last  Update May 2021


52. Crain's Seismic Petrophysics
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-07, Video Course RF-07S
Self Published, 2003
Last Update May 2021


51. A Quantified Resource Assessment of a Pervasive Shallow Biogenic Gas System in Southern Alberta.
D. W. Hume, P. Esslinger, J. Johnson, E. R. Crain
AAPG, Sept 2003
Abstract Only

50. Crain's Analyzing Cement and Pipe Integrity
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-06  Video Course RF-06S
Self Published, 2002
Last Update May 2021


49. Crain's Analyzing Mechanical Properties
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual,RF-05  Video Course RF-05S
Self Published, 2002
Last Update May 2021


48. Crain's Logging Tool Theory
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-04  Video Course RF-04S
Self Published, 2001
Last Update May 2021


47. The Future of Petrophysics in Reservoir Description
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Transactions 1st Annual Formation Evaluation Conference, Tripoli Libya, Oct 2000
** Keynote Address - Invited Speaker **
** Reprinted in Libyan Petroleum Research Council Journal 2001

45 - 46. Quantitative Analysis of Older Logs for Porosity and Permeability, Lake Maracaibo Western Flank Reservoirs, Venezuela
E. R. Crain, M. Garrido, C. Lamb, P. Mosher
GeoCanada 2000 May 2000
Long Abstract   
Poster Presentation

44. Crain's Petrophysical Handbook
An Internet-based Worldwide eLearning Resource for Petrophysics
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., Nov 1999
Updated regularly, 395 webpages of technical content.

43. Belly River Exploitation in Southeast Alberta
D. W. Hume, P.Geol., E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
CSPG June 1999
Verbal presentation, no text available

42. The Log Analysis Handbook
Volume Two - Geological and Geophysical Methods - 588 pages
E. R. Crain Self Published. 1998
Out of Print - content moved to website Ref 44

41. The CWLS Reprint Volumes (Set of 3)
with CWLS Bibliography on Disc (by Stephen Prensky, USGS)
E. R. Crain, D. Orman, Editors
Canadian Well Logging Society, November 1992
Order from CWLS

39 - 40. Dipmeter Tools and Presentations
E.R. Crain, P.Eng.
Canadian Well Logging Society Journal, Dec 1992
Part 1- Tool Types and Processing Methods
Part 2 - Computer Displays of Dipmeter Data

38. The CWLS Water Catalog On Disc
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Canadian Well Logging Society Journal, March 1991

37. Crain's Analyzing Ancient Logs (incl. Russian Style Logs)
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-03, Video Course RF-03S
 Self Published, 1998
Last Update May 2021


35 - 36. META/LOG - A Knowledge Based Spreadsheet System To Reduce Complexity In Log Analysis
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans. 12th Formation Evaluation Symposium, CWLS, Calgary, Sept 1989
  CWLS Paper
Geobyte Software Review

34. Crain's Petrophysical Pocket Pal
E. R. (Ross) Crain, P.Eng.,
Course Reference Manual RF-01,
Self Published, 1987
Last Update May 2021


33. Log/Mate ESP Assistant – A Knowledge Based System for Log Analysis – A Progress Report
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
D&S Petroleum Consulting Group, Sept 1986
  
Follow up by others, based on research in Ref 28 - 32:
     Pepperdine etal, CWLS 1987
     Einstein-Edwards, SPE 18129, 1988
     Pepperdine, D&S 1988

32. A Primer on Expert Systems for Log Analysis
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.,
Canadian Well Logging Society Journal, March 1986

31. The Log Analysis Handbook
Volume One - Quantitative Methods
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.,
Pennwell Books, Tulsa, 1986, Out of Print
ISBN 0-87814-298-3  Hardcover 700 pages
Out of Print - content moved to website Ref 44

29 - 30. A Primer on Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems in the Petroleum Industry
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Verbal Presentations: DEC: 13 Nov 85, CWLS: 18 Dec 85, CSPG: 29 Mar 86, CSEG: 14 May 86
** Best Paper Award, CWLS, 1985 **
 
  Slides for Verbal Presentation

28. Log/Mate ESP - A Fourth Generation Language for Log Analysis
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
D&S Petroleum Consulting Group, Apr 1986
Updated and expanded version of Sept 1985 published paper

27. Log/Mate ESP - A Fourth Generation Language for Log Analysis
E. R. Crain, D. Jaques, K. Knill, K. Edwards
Trans. 10th Formation Evaluation Symposium, CWLS, Calgary, Sept 1985

26. Spreadsheet Analysis of Logs
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans. 10th Formation Evaluation Symposium - CWLS, Calgary, Sept 1985

25. The Evolution of Log Analysis Methods
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., C.I. Ganz
Offshore Resources Magazine, May, July, Sept 1984

24. Biased Book Reviews
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Canadian Well Logging Society Journal, 1984

23. The CWLS Log Analysis Handbook
E. R. Crain, D. Orman, Editors
Canadian Well Logging Society, 1983 (Updated 1986)
Order from CWLS

22. CWLS Journal - 25th Anniversary Issue
E. R. Crain, Editor
Canadian Well Logging Society, Vol 11, 1982
Order from CWLS

21. The CWLS Log Analysis Example Book - A Preview
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Canadian Well Logging Society Journal, 1982

19 - 20. A History of Well Logging in Canada
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Journal Canadian Petroleum Technology, February 1982
Reprinted Canadian Well Logging Society Journal, Dec 1982
Reprinted in CWLS InSite, Sept 2003
JCPT 1982
CWLS 1982 Reprint

CWLS 2003 Reprint

18. Log Evaluation Results in the Deep Basin Area of Alberta
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans. 8th Formation Evaluation Symposium, CWLS, Calgary, Sep 1981

17. Log/Mate System for Analyzing Wells
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Journal Canadian Petroleum Technology, December 1980
(Not Available for Download)

16. Economics of Log Evaluation for Large Projects
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans. Society Professional Well Log Analysts, Lafayette LA, July 1980

14 - 15. Determination of Seismic Response Using Edited Well Log Data
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., J.D. Boyd, P.Geoph.
CWLS 7th Formation Evaluation Symposium, Oct 1979
CSEG Annual Symposium, October 1979
** Best Paper Award, CSEG, 1979 **
CWLS Version

13. The Log/Mate Evaluation System
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., D.W. Curwen, P.Eng.
Trans. 7th Formation Evaluation Symposium, CWLS, Calgary, Oct 1979

12. Basic Well Log Analysis Course
E. R. CraIn, P.Eng.
Log/Mate Limited, 1978
Ptrsented annually in Calgary 1978 - 1986

11. Log Interpretation in the High Arctic
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans. 6th Formation Evaluation Symposium- CWLS, Calgary, Oct 1977

10. Review of Gravity and Magnetic Data Processing Systems
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
CSEG Journal, Vol 8 No 1, Calgary, Dec 1972

9. Review of Semi-Automatic Velocity Analysis Techniques
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
ASEG Bulletin, Vol 2 No 1, Sydney, 1971

8. Logistical Considerations Associated with Sulphur Exploration Drilling in the High Arctic
D. J. B. Marshall, P.Eng., E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Transactions AIME,  Paper 2821, Denver, February 1970

7. Prediction of Well Log Interpretation Parameters - An Independent Study
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans. 3rd Formation Evaluation Symposium, CWLS, Calgary, Oct. 1971


6. Basic Well Log Analysis Course
E. R. CraIn, P.Eng.
Published Internally for Dome Petroleum Ltd, 1968

5. Basic Well Logging Course for Geophysicists
E. R. CraIn, P.Eng.
Published Internally for Geophysical Services Inc, 1967

4. Basic Geology Course for Geophysicists
E. R. Crain, P.Eng.
Published Internally for Geophysical Services Inc, 1967

3. Log Evaluation of Non-Metallic Minerals
M.P. Tixier and R.P. Alger
SPWLA 1967,
Geophysics Vol 35 #1, 1970
** Contains material from Ref 1.
 

2. Defining Evaporite Deposits with Electrical Well Logs
R.P. Alger, E.R. Crain, P.Eng.
Trans Northern Ohio Geological Society - Second Symposium on Salt, Cleveland, 1966
** Quoted in Schlumberger Log Interpretation Principles - Applications, 1969, 1972, 1974 **

1. Quantitative Log Evaluation of the Prairie Evaporite Formation of Saskatchewan
E. R. Crain, P.Eng., W.B. Anderson, P.Eng.
Presented at 17th Annual Technical Meeting, The Petroleum Society of C.I.M., Edmonton, May 1966, Published in Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Juo - Sept Issue 1966
.** Salesman of the Year award from Schlumberger for this paper **
As published, 1966
As written with legible illustrations, 1964
Program for IBM 1620, 1964
Related Papers quoting or followup to the above paper:
 Schlumberger Log Interpretation Principles p106-107 1969
Costello and Norquay CIMM 1969
 Schlumberger Log Interpretation Principles p108-109 1972
 Schlumberger Log Interpretation Principles p103-104 1974