Formation Evaluation

Lecture 9

Resistivity Logs

Acknowledgements: Several of the figures were created by Pete Kane of Reservoir Management Limited (RML), Aberdeen.
Thanks to Peter Griffiths (Director, Geoscience) for permission to use RML’s training and teaching material.
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Logs Covered So Far

• Caliper • a measurement of borehole diameter

• A measurement of the difference in salinity between

• SP the mud filtrate and the formation water

• gamma ray • a measure of the natural radioactivity of the whole

formation near the wellbore

• a measure of the travel time of sound waves in the

• sonic/ acoustic formation near the wellbore

• a measure of the bulk electron density of the

• bulk density formation near the wellbore

• a measure of the bulk volume of hydrogen (and

• neutron porosity chlorine) in the formation near the wellbore

• a measure of the average resistivity surrounding the

• resistivity tool - including contributions from the mud and the
formation around the wellbore

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

Resistivity theory
Multimeter
• Apply a known (regulated) DC
voltage (V) across opposite
sides of a 1 cubic meter
sample.

• Measure the current (I) flow.

• Determine the resistance (R)

from Ohm’s law (R=V/I).

• Resistivity = Resistance * Area

Distance

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Resistivity Logs

Borehole
profile

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Resistivity Logs
Drilling fluid invasion

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Resistivity Logs

Resistivity anisotropy...?

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Resistivity Logs

Resistivity devices...
flushed zone shallow medium deep

Current-flow devices 16” Normal 64” Normal

• Short Normal Microlog LL8

• Focused MLL LLS LLD

MSFL SFL

Induction devices ILM ILD

• Induction tools PHASOR Processing

• Array RPhase RAttenuation

Depth of Investigation 1 - 6 inches 0.5 - 1.5 ft 1.5 - 3 ft >3 ft

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
The ‘Short Normal’ tool

Ohm’s Law:
V = current * resistance

source volts = amps * resistivity

current flow
r
constant
values
4*π*r

detector
equipotential
resistivity = cal.fact. * volts
spheres
curves:
• Ra - apparent resistivity
electrical
infinity
• Rc - corrected for mud resistivity
environment:
• needs conductive mud
• too conductive - short circuit through mud
• too resistive - not enough current to formation
excellent qualitative measurement in ideal conditions
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Resistivity Logs
Laterolog devices
• bucking electrodes...
• maintain zero voltage with source current flow
• no current flow up and down bucking
electrode
• only laterally
Tools: detector equipotential
• Guard Log (LL3) surfaces

voltage drop = 0
• 3 electrodes source

• Laterolog 7 (LL7) detector

• 7 electrodes
• Dual Laterolog Deep/Shallow (LLD/LLS)
• 9 electrodes
• Micro Spherically Focussed Log (MSFL)
bucking
electrode

• 5 rectangular electrodes current flow

Used for the determination of Rt

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Resistivity Logs
Induction devices
how it works...
• constant 20 kHz current supplied to
transmitter
• creates alternating magnetic field
receiver
• magnetic field 1
• induces the eddy current in the
formation
• eddy current
• creates alternating magnetic field
• magnetic field 2
• induces current in the receiver

Logs: ILD, ILM (IDPH, IMPH)

• Tool: DIFL & PHASOR
• Used for the determination of Rt Foucault,
• Units: ohmm transmitter
or eddy
current

• Primary Use: Determine Rt (Poor in high resistivities) flows in

ground
loop
• OBM

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Log Displays
Density (RHOB) Medium Induction
Neutron Porosity (NPHI) (ILM) Deep Laterolog
Caliper Photo-electric Factor Deep induction (LLD)
(CALI) (PEF) (ILD) Micro Spherically
Gamma ray Density Correction Sonic
Spherically Focused Focused Log
(SGR) (DRHO) (DT)
(SFLU) (MSFL)
PEF
DEPTH

DRHO SFLU
0 10 -0.4
FEET

B/E 0.1 0.2

G/C3 OHMM 20
CALI RHOB ILM MSFL
6 IN 16 1.95 G/C3 2.95 0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20
SGR NPHI ILD LLD DT
0 GAPI 200 0.45 V/V -0.15 0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20 140 US/F 40

100

200

300

400

500

600

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Log Displays

SFLU
0.2 OHMM 20
ILM MSFL
0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20
Medium Induction ILD LLD
0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20 1
(ILM)
Deep induction
(ILD)
Spherically
Focused
(SFLU)

Deep Laterolog
(LLD)
Micro Spherically
Focused Log
(MSFL)

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Fluid interpretations
• Rock Matrix is generally non-conductive
• Hydrocarbons and ‘pure’ water are non-conductive
• Only the formation water (and to a certain extent,
the clay) is conductive
• Water resistivity is a function of Salinity
• Formation water reflects depositional environment
and hydrodynamic history
• Marine, Brackish, Fluvial

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

Invasion
• R = resistivity, S = water
saturation.

• There are three basic

categories of readings in each
of the zones.

• 1) The resistivity of the zone

(square)

• 2) The resistivity of the water in

the zone (circle), and

• 3) The water saturation in the

zone (triangle).

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

Invasion
Rt Resistivity of uninvaded zone
(true resistivity)

Rw Resistivity of formation water

Sw Water saturation of uninvaded

zone

Rxo Resistivity of flushed zone

Rmf Resistivity of mud filtrate

Sxo Water saturation of flushed zone

Rmc Resistivity of mud cake

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

Normal Device

Rt Rt
RLOG RLOG

Thin Bed Thick Bed

• Long 64”
• Short 16”

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

Lateral Device

Rt Rt
RLOG
RLOG

Thin Bed Thick Bed

• Common Spacing 18’8”

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

Laterolog Induction Log

Rt Rt
RLOG RLOG
RLOG

• Desirable: Rxo < Rt • Desirable: Rxo > Rt

• Can give good Rt • Can give good Rt

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Microlog
Rt
• Good for Rxo;
• Indicates Invasion and
Permeability RLOG
RLOG
Microlaterolog
• Good for Rxo; Higher Resolution
• Instead of Microlog,
if Rxo / Rmc >15

Proximity Log
• Good for Rxo;
• Instead of Microlaterolog,
if mudcake >3/8”

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Summary of a typical workflow

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Summary of a
typical workflow

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Interpretation
True Formation Resistivity from the Resistivity Log

• The resistivity measured by the above suite of logs varies from that of
the mud/mud cake to a combination of the true formation resistivity
and the mud.

• Archie’s laws require true formation resistivity (Rt) to derive porosity

(1st Law: Ro/Rw = a (φ)-m ) and water saturation (Sw)n = (Ro/Rt) (Archie’s
2nd Law: Swn = Ro/Rt ).

• A key task is therefore obtaining as accurate as possible a value of

true formation resistivity RT

• Note: RT is sometimes also designated Ro when considered 100%

water saturated.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Interpretation
True Formation Resistivity from the Resistivity Log

• This section outlines a fairly simple but accurate procedure to

obtain RT from a standard suite of resistivity logs:

• STEP 1: Attempt to apply the interpretation to as thick a bed as

possible, in order to avoid distortion of resistivity value by surrounding
formations.

• STEP 2: Select an Induction Log or Laterolog if possible, otherwise

choose a wide electrode-spacing Normal or Lateral Device (to ‘see’
deeply into the formation).

• [It should be noted that where RXO > RT, the Induction Log is
preferable, and when RXO < RT the Laterolog is preferable].

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Interpretation
True Formation Resistivity from the Resistivity Log

The Induction Log is used for the remainder of this procedure

• Read the log value, now designated RIL.

• STEP 3: When invasion of the formation is not too deep, RIL is a fairly good
representation of RT (Induction Log, invasion diameters less than ~40”) and
the Induction Log value RIL is within ~10% of RT. Consider if correction for
the invaded zone is needed. If invasion is shallow, STOP HERE!

• STEP 4: If the invaded zone is considered relatively large, the value of RXO
needs to be examined. Read the resistivity value (for the same depth) from
the Microlaterolog (designated RML). For large invasion zones, RML ≈ RXO.
The value of RXO can also be found similarly from the Microlog or Proximity
Log reading.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Interpretation
True Formation Resistivity from the Resistivity Log

• STEP 5: Calculate the ratio RXO/RIL. Insert this ratio into the appropriate
chart (page 9-10 of your notes), and read the value of the ratio RXO/RT for the
invaded zone thickness (di) that you expect.

• [Note that RIL = R6FF40, and neglect the RXO/R16C curves, for this application.]

• STEP 6: The true formation resistivity RT is now found from the ratio RXO/RT.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Water Saturation

Rock Model
• Water saturation is the
percentage of water contained Whole
rock
in a rock’s porespace

Rw = formation water resistivity

• generally obtained from formation
water samples (RFT), or production
samples
• or nearby well/field data

Rt = true formation resistivity

• the matrix is non-conductive
• conductivity is through the pore
system

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Water Saturation

Archie Equation for water saturation (Sw)

Sw = [ (a / Øm)*(Rw / Rt) ](1/n)
• Archie's Law was developed in 1942. This is an empirical formula which shows
the relationship between saturation, formation resistivity, formation fluid
resistivity, and porosity. Therefore, it measures only total water saturation (Swt).

• To calculate/ estimate the effective water saturation you will need to use a shaly
sand model. The three most commonly used shaly sand models are:

• Indonesian equation
• Waxman and Smits equation
• Dual water equation

• Archie's formation factor has to be updated to account for other variables such
as cementation, tortuosity, granular shape and size.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Water Saturation

Archie Equation for water saturation (Sw)

Swt = C* [ (a / Øm)*(Rw / Rt) ](1/n)

Sw = water saturation
Ø = porosity
C = a constant (often taken to be 1)
Rw = formation water resistivity
Rt = true formation resistivity
a = a constant (often 1)
m = cementation factor (varies around 2)
n = saturation exponent (generally 2)

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Porosity - Rock interaction
Ratio of Brine Saturated Rock to the resistivity of a lump of rock
the Saturating Brine Fluid is containing salty water in a total pore
Ro/Rw volume of 1 litre isn’t the same as the
resistivity of a 1 litre bucket of the
Ro/Rw is the Formation same water!
Resistivity Factor ‘F’
• Ro is therefore responding
to Pore and Electrical
‘tortuosity’ and Porosity

a = intercept

Ro a
m = slope

F= = F
Rw PHIm
Rock 1
Rock 2
Ø

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
Hydrocarbon - Rock interaction
the resistivity of a lump of rock
Ratio of Hydrocarbon containing salty water isn’t the same
Saturated Fluid to the as the resistivity of the same lump of
rock with a mixture of the same
Saturating Brine ~ Ro/Rt water, plus hydrocarbon!
Zero Hydrocarbon
Saturation Rt=Ro
Hence:

n Ro FRw aRw ‘n’ is a function of :

Sw = = = • rock wettability

PHImRt
• type of hydrocarbon
Rt Rt • formation water resistivity
• formation resistivity factor
• clay type and content
Slope of the line = ‘n’
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Resistivity Logs
Archie saturation equation

n FRw
Sw =
Rt
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Resistivity Logs
Water zone calibration
Water Zone Calibration
n
Sw = 1 • Rw is a CONSTANT

FRw = Rt • F is a variable calculated

from POROSITY
Ro = Rt • Rt is a VARIABLE read

Rt from the log

Rw =
F
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Resistivity Logs
Hydrocarbon Zone Calculation
n FRw
Sw =
Rt • Rw is a CONSTANT from
the water leg
n FRw
Sw =
Rt • F is a variable function
of POROSITY

F = a * PHI -m • Rt is a VARIABLE read

a from the log
F=
m
PHI

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs
What reservoir fluids might we expect?

GAS
• Neutron-Density Separation
• High Resistivity
OIL
• High Resistivity
WATER
• Low Resistivity

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs- Calculate Sw

DEPTH
FEET
PEF DRHO SFLU
0 B/E 10 -0.4 G/C3 0.1 0.2 OHMM 20
CALI RHOB ILM MSFL
6 IN 16 1.95 G/C3 2.95 0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20
SGR NPHI ILD LLD
0 GAPI 200 0.45 V/V -0.15 0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20 1

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 ASSUMPTIONS

IF
Knowns 1
Rw = 0.02 ohmm a Rw n
a = 0.62, Swt = c *
m = 2.15 Øtm Rt
n = 2.0

From Log
Rt = approx 0.35 F = a / Øtm (Formation Factor)
Porosity = 0.25 Sw = n√(FRw/Rt)
if Sw = 1, then Rw = Rt/F

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Resistivity Logs

DEPTH
FEET
PEF DRHO SFLU
0 B/E 10 -0.4 G/C3 0.1 0.2 OHMM 20
CALI RHOB ILM MSFL
6 IN 16 1.95 G/C3 2.95 0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20
SGR NPHI ILD LLD
0 GAPI 200 0.45 V/V -0.15 0.2 OHMM 20 0.2 OHMM 20 1

100

200

300

400

500

Porosity = approx 0.25 0.25

600

700
0.35

800 Rt = approx 0.35 From ILD

900

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 A SOLUTION

IF a Rw
1
n
Swt = c *
Knowns Øtm Rt
Rw = 0.02 ohmm
a = 0.62, 0.62 0.02 1/2
m = 2.15 Sw = 0.25 2.15 0.35
n = 2.0

From Log 0.62 0.057 1/2

Rt = approx 0.35 Sw = 0.05
Porosity = 0.25

Sw = 0.707 1/2

F = a / Øtm (Formation Factor)

Sw = n√(FRw/Rt)
if Sw = 1, then Rw = Rt/F Hence Sw = 0.84 or 84%
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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 Calculate the effective Ø
HOWEVER! ? (=Øtotal - Øshale)

PORT RW
DEPTH
0.5 V/V 0 0.002 OHMM 0.2 Sw
F ILD SWT
FEET

0 50 0.2 OHMM 20 1 V/V 0

100

Rw calc
200

Sw app. 30%
300

400

OWC = 492’
500
Rw app. 0.025

Water
If we Assume Sw = 100%
600
Sw app. 100%

Zone
Rt = 0.35

Approx Then: Rw = Rt/F

F = 14

700
100%

800 Rw = 0.35/14

900
Rw = 0.025
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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 Bulk Volume of Water (BVW)

BVW = Sw x Ø
•Note: if values for BVW are constant or near constant at several depths in
a formation, this indicates that the zone is homogeneous and at
irreducible water saturation (Swirr).

•When a zone is at irreducible water saturation, water in the uninvaded

zone will not move because it is held in the grains by capillary pressure.

•Therefore, hydrocarbon production from a zone at Swirr should be water

free, and a zone not at Swirr will exhibit a wide range of BVW values.

•As the amount of water a formation can hold by capillary pressure

increases with decreasing grain size, the bulk volume of water also
increases with decreasing grain size.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 PORT
bulk
BVW
0 V/V
BVW
1

0.5 V/V 0 Sw 0.4 volumes

V/V 0 1 V/V 0
DEPTH

F ILD SWT PORT PORT

FEET

NET

0 50 0.2 OHMM 20 1 V/V 0 0.4 V/V 0 1 V/V 0

? ?

Sw app. 25%
100
Calculate the
effective Ø
(=Øtotal - Øshale)
200 Rt

F ?
300

400 oil

OWC = 492’
500

600 water
Sw app. 85%

what’s this?
700

800

900
?
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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 Calculate the effective Ø
HOWEVER! ? (= Øtotal - Øshale)

PORT RW
bulk
BVW
0 V/V
BVW
1
DEPTH
0.5 V/V 0 0.002 OHMM 0.2 Sw 0.4 volumes
V/VF 0 1 V/V 0
F ILD SWT PORT PORT
FEET

NET

0 50 0.2 OHMM 20 1 V/V 0 0.4 V/V 0 1 V/V 0

Sw app. 30%
100

If Sw = 1 Rw calc
then 200

Rw = Rt/F Not clay

300 Oil
(Rw = 0.35/14
= 0.025) 400
oil

OWC = 492’
500
Rw app. 0.025

600 water
Sw app. 100%
Rt = 0.35
F = 14

700

Not Oil
800

900
Not
Oil
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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 1
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN FOLKS! a Rw n
Swt = c *
Øtm Rt

Identify Hydrocarbons & Calculate SW & BVW

F = a / Øtm (Formation Factor)

Using your resistivity curves and newly Sw = n√(FRw/Rt)
gained knowledge, determine if Sw = 1, then Rw = Rt/F

• where’s the oil and where’s the water?

• where’s the oil/water contact?
• Calculate the Sw

Initially, try these values….

a = 0.62, m = 2.15
n = 2.0.
Rw = ? Calculate your values!
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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