Dr. Raed H.
Allawi
Borehole environment
▪ The borehole environment and symbols
used in log interpretation. This schematic
diagram illustrates an idealized version of
what happens when fluids from the
borehole invade the surrounding rock.
Dotted lines indicate the cylindrical nature
of the invasion.
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▪ Given:
Resistivity of drilling mud (Rm) equals 1.2 ohm-m at 75°F. Formation temperature (Tf) =
160°F.
▪ Procedure:
1. Locate the resistivity value, 1.2 ohm-m, on the scale at the left of the chart.
2. Move to the right horizontally along the 1.2 ohm-m line until the vertical line representing a
temperature of 75°F (from the bottom of the chart) is encountered (point A on the chart).
3. Move parallel to the (diagonal) constant salinity line to where it intersects the vertical line
representing a temperature value of 160°F (point B on the chart).
4. From point B, follow the horizontal line to the left to determine the resistivity of the fluid at
the desired temperature (0.58 ohm-m at 160°F). Each diagonal line on the chart shows the
resistivity of a solution of fixed concentration over a range of temperatures. The diagonal
lines at the bottom of the chart indicate that an NaCl solution can hold no more than 250,000
to 300,000 ppm NaCl depending on temperature (i.e., the solution is completely salt
saturated).
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SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL SP
The spontaneous potential (SP) log was one of the earliest measurements used in the petroleum industry, and it has
continued to play a significant role in well log interpretation. Most wells today have this type of log included in their log
suites. Primarily, the SP log is used for determining gross lithology (i.e., reservoir vs. nonreservoir) through its ability to
distinguish permeable zones (such as sandstones) from impermeable zones (such as shales). It is also used to correlate
zones between wells. However, as will be discussed later in this chapter, the SP log has several other uses that are perhaps
equally important. The SP log is a record of direct current (DC) voltage (or potential) that develops naturally (or
spontaneously) between a moveable electrode in the well bore and a fixed electrode located at the surface (Doll, 1948). It
is measured in millivolts (mV). Electric voltages arising primarily from electrochemical factors within the borehole and
the adjacent rock create the SP log response. These electrochemical factors are brought about by differences in salinities
between mud filtrate and formation water within permeable beds. Salinity of a fluid is inversely proportional to its
resistivity, and in practice salinity is indicated by mud filtrate resistivity (Rmf) and formation water resistivity (Rw).
Because a conductive fluid is needed in the borehole for the generation of these voltages, the SP cannot be used in
nonconductive (e.g., oil-base) drilling muds or in air-filled holes.
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▪ The SP log is usually recorded on the left track of the log (track 1) and is used to
• detect permeable beds
• detect boundaries of permeable beds
• determine formation-water resistivity (Rw)
• determine the volume of shale in permeable beds
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▪ To the left (negative deflection; Rmf > Rw)
OR
▪ To the right (positive deflection; Rmf < Rw)
▪ Note that when recording through impermeable zones or through permeable zones where Rmf is equal
to Rw, the SP curve does not deflect from the shale baseline.
▪ The magnitude of SP deflection is due to the difference in salinity between mud filtrate and formation
water and not to the amount of permeability. This salinity difference produces a difference in the
resistivities of the mud filtrate (Rmf) and formation water (Rw)
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▪ SP curve is used to find a value for Rw by the following procedure:
1. After determining the formation temperature, correct the resistivities of the mud filtrate (Rmf) and
drilling mud (Rm) (obtained from the log heading) to formation temperature.
2. To minimize the effect of bed thickness, the SP is corrected to static SP (SSP). SSP represents the
maximum SP a formation can have if unaffected by bed thickness. Figure 2.3 is a chart used to correct SP
to SSP. The data necessary to use this chart are:
• bed thickness,
• resistivity from the shallow-reading resistivity tool (Ri)
• the resistivity of the drilling mud (Rm) at formation temperature
3. Once the value of SSP is determined, it is used on the chart illustrated in Figure 2.4 to obtain a value
for the Rmf /Rwe ratio. Equivalent resistivity (Rwe) is obtained by dividing Rmf by the Rmf /Rwe value
from the chart (Figure 2.4).
4. The value of Rwe is then corrected to Rw, using the chart illustrated in Figure 2.5, for average deviation
from sodium chloride solutions, and for the influence of formation temperature.
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Q1/ Determine the formation water salinity for Sands A through C in Fig 1 . The log
heading lists the following in formation : Rm = 0.30 at 66 ° F , Rmf = 0.23 at 68 ° F ,
and T = 148 ° F at 7,665 ft .
Q2/ What are the sources of naturally occurring electrical potentials?
Q3/ Why does an SP deflection occur at the boundary between a shale bed and a permeable
formation?
Q4/ Why does the measured SP differ from ESSP?
Q5/ How would you relate Essp to Rw in relatively freshwater formations that contain salts other
than NaCl?
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