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Dr. Adel Al-Matary

Well-logging Lab No. 3

ing zones, the amount of SP reduction is related to the

amount of shale in the formation.

FORMATION WATER RESISTIVITY (RW)

DETERMINATION

Hydrocarbon Content

Figure 2.2 is an induction electric log with an SP

curve from a Pennsylvanian upper Morrow sandstone
in Beaver County, Oklahoma. In this example, the 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 (see Chapter 1).
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.
A careful examination of Figures 2.2 to 2.5 should
help you gain an understanding of the procedure to
determine Rw from the SP. But, rather than using
charts in the procedure, you might prefer using the
mathematical formulas listed in Table 2.1.
It is important to remember that normally the SP
curve has less deflection in hydrocarbon-bearing
zones (i.e., hydrocarbon suppression). Using a hydrocarbon-bearing zone to calculate Rw results in too high
a value for Rw calculated from SSP. Using a too-high
value of Rw in Archies equation to determine water
saturation produces a value of Sw that is also too high,
creating the chance for missed production in the interpretive process. Therefore, to determine Rw from SP it
is best, whenever possible, to use the SP curve produced by a zone that is known to contain only water.

In hydrocarbon-bearing zones, the SP deflection is

reduced. This effect is called hydrocarbon suppression
(Hilchie, 1978). Hydrocarbon suppression of the SP is
a qualitative phenomenon, and cannot be used to
determine the hydrocarbon saturation of the formation. The spontaneous potential log (SP)
The SP response of shales is relatively constant and
follows a straight line called a shale baseline. The SP
value of the shale baseline is assumed to be zero, and
SP curve deflections are measured from this baseline.
Permeable zones are indicated where there is SP
deflection from the shale baseline. For example, if the
SP curve moves either to the left (negative deflection;
Rmf > Rw) or to the right (positive deflection; Rmf < Rw)
of the shale baseline, permeable zones are present.
Permeable bed boundaries are placed at the points
of inflection from the shale baseline.
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).
Over long intervals (several hundreds to thousands
of feet), the SP baseline can drift, either in the positive
or negative direction. While this is of little consequence when making calculations local to a specific
formation, it may introduce errors if the SP magnitude
is being calculated over that long interval, especially
by means of a computer. Accordingly, the baseline
drift can be removed (many programs have such editing routines) so that the SP baseline retains a constant
value (usually set to zero) over the length of the logged
interval.

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Well-logging Lab No. 3

Spontaneous Potential 23

Table 2.1. Mathematical Calculation of Rw from SSP, for temperatures in F (after Western Atlas Logging Services, 1985).

Identify a zone on the logs that is clean, wet, and permeable.

Pick the maximum value for SP in the zone.
Calculate formation temperature at the depth of the SP value.
AMST = Annual Mean Surface Temperature
BHT = Bottom Hole Temperature
FD = Formation Depth
Tf = formation temperature
Convert Rmf from surface (measured) temperature to
formation temperature.
Rmf = Rmf at formation temperature
Rmfsurf = Rmf at measured temperature
Tsurf = Measured temperature of Rmf
Find the equivalent formation water resistivity, Rwe,
from the SP and Rmf.
Rwe = equivalent Rw
Convert Rwe to Rw (this value is at formation temperature).

SHALE VOLUME CALCULATION

The volume of shale in a sand can be used in the
evaluation of shaly sand reservoirs (Chapter 6) and as
a mapping parameter for both sandstone and carbonate
facies analysis (Chapter 7). The SP log can be used to
calculate the volume of shale in a permeable zone by
the following formula:
2.1
where:
Vshale = volume of shale
PSP = pseudostatic spontaneous potential (maximum SP of
shaly formation)
SSP = static spontaneous potential of a nearby thick clean
sand

Or, alternately:
2.2
where:
Vshale = volume of shale
PSP = pseudostatic spontaneous potential (maximum SP of
shaly formation)
SSP = static spontaneous potential of a nearby thick clean
sand
SPshale = value of SP in a shale (usually assumed to be zero)

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ASQUITH AND KRYGOWSKI

Dr. Adel Al-Matary

REVIEW
1. The spontaneous potential log (SP) can be used
to

detect permeable beds

detect boundaries of permeable beds
determine formation water resistivity (Rw)
determine volume of shale (Vshale) in a permeable bed
2. The variations in the SP are the result of an electric potential that is present between the well bore and
the formation as a result of differences in salinities
between mud filtrate and formation water. This salinity difference produces a resistivity difference between
Rmf and Rw.

Well-logging Lab No. 3

3. The SP response in shales is relatively constant,

and a vertical line drawn along the SP response in a
shale is referred to as the shale baseline. In permeable
beds, the SP has the following responses relative to the
shale baseline:
negative deflection (to the left of the shale baseline) where Rmf > Rw
positive deflection (to the right of the shale baseline) where Rmf < Rw
no deflection where Rmf = Rw
4. The SP response can be suppressed by thin beds,
shaliness, and the presence of hydrocarbons.

Throughout this text, italics are used to indicate variable names with numeric
values. The notation SP is the abbreviation for spontaneous potential, and the variable
SP indicates the numerical value (in mV) taken from the SP log.

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Spontaneous Potential 25

Figure 2.1. Examples of SP deflection

from the shale baseline.
2.1A. SP deflection with different
resistivities of mud filtrate (Rmf) and formation
water (Rw). Where resistivity of the mud
filtrate (Rmf) is equal to the resistivity of the
formation water (Rw), there is no deflection,
positive or negative, from the shale baseline.
Where Rmf is greater than Rw, the SP deflects
to the left of the shale baseline (negative
deflection). Where Rmf greatly exceeds Rw, the
deflection is proportionately greater. This is
often called a normal SP.
Where Rmf is less than Rw, the SP deflects to
the right of the shale baseline (positive
deflection). This condition, often called a
reversed SP, is produced by a formation
containing fresh water.
Remember, the SP log can used only with
conductive (i.e., saltwater base or freshwater
base) drilling muds. This log does not work
with oil-base muds or in air-filled holes.

2.1B. SP deflection with resistivity of the

mud filtrate (Rmf) much greater than formation
water (Rw). SSP (static spontaneous potential)
at the top of the diagram, is the maximum
deflection possible in a thick, shale-free, and
water-bearing (wet) sandstone for a given
ratio of Rmf /Rw. All other deflections are less
and are relative in magnitude.
SP shows the SP response due to the presence
of thin beds and/or the presence of gas.
PSP (pseudostatic spontaneous potential) is
the SP response if shale is present.
The formula for the theoretical calculated value
of SSP is given:
2.2
where:
2.3

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Well-logging Lab No. 3

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Well-logging Lab No. 3

Spontaneous Potential 27

Figure 2.2. Determination of formation water resistivity (Rw) from an SP log. This example uses the charts on Figures 2.3 through 2.5.
Given:
Rmf = 0.51 ohm-m at 135F (BHT)
Rm = 0.91 ohm-m at 135F (BHT)
Surface temperature = 60F
Total depth = 8007 ft
Bottom hole temperature (BHT) = 135F
From the log:
Formation depth at maximum SP deflection is 7446 ft.
The maximum SP deflection in the sand coincides with 50 mV on the log scale, and the shale base line is at 5 mV. Note that the SP scale goes from 160 mV on the left to +40 mV
on the right and has 20 mV per division.
Bed thickness is 8 ft (7442 to 7450 ft).
Short-normal (SN) resistivity (Ri) is 33 ohm-m. The short-normal (or 16-inch normal) log measures the shallow formation resistivity (i.e., the resistivity of the invaded zone, Ri).
Procedure:
1. Determine Tf:
Use Figure 1.10 and the information above to calculate the formation temperature (Tf).
Tf = 130F.
2. Correct Rm and Rmf to Tf:
Use Figure 1.11 and the information above to correct Rm and Rmf to formation temperature.
Rm = 0.94 ohm-m at 130F and Rmf = 0.53 ohm-m at 130F.
3. Determine SP:
Read the maximum deflection directly from the SP curve in Figure 2.2. In this case, because the SP baseline has a nonzero value (5 mV), its value must be subtracted from the value
of the SP curve.
The SP value is: SP (read from log) - baseline value = (50 mV) (5 mV) = -45 mV
SP = 45 mV.
4. Correct SP to SSP (correct for a thin bed):
See the procedure in Figure 2.3
SSP = 59 mV
5. Determine Rmf /Rwe ratio, and from that, determine Rwe:
See the procedure in Figure 2.4
Rwe = 0.096 ohm-m
6. Correct Rwe to Rw:
Use the chart in Figure 2.5, and the Rwe value in step 6
Rw = 0.10 ohm-m at Tf

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ASQUITH AND KRYGOWSKI

Dr. Adel Al-Matary

Well-logging Lab No. 3

Courtesy Baker Atlas, 1996-1999 Baker Hughes, Inc.

Figure 2.3. SP bed-thickness correction to determine SSP from SP. (Western Atlas, 1995, Figure 3-1)
Procedure, using the values from the log in Figure 2.2:
1. Calculate the ratio Ri/Rm using the values determined in Figure 2.2, where Ri is equal to the short-normal (SN) resistivity and Rm is the value determined at formation temperature.
Ri = SN = 34 ohm-m
Rm = 0.94 ohm-m
Ri/Rm = 36
2. Locate a bed thickness on the vertical scale. Bed thickness = 8 ft.
3. Follow the bed-thickness value horizontally across until it intersects the Ri/Rm curve.
(Because Ri/Rm = 36, the point lies between the Ri/Rm = 20 and the Ri/Rm = 50 curves.)
3. Drop vertically from this intersection and read the SP correction factor on the scale across the bottom.
SP correction factor is approximately 1.3.
4. Multiply SP by the SP correction factor to find SSP.
SSP = SP
correction factor
SSP = 45 mV
1.3 (SP value taken at 7446 ft, see Figure 2.2)
SSP = 59 mV

The nomogram in the upper right part of this figure also gives SSP. Draw a straight line
from 45 on the SP scale on the left side of the nomogram through 1.3 on the diagonal SP
correction factor scale. Continue this straight line to where it crosses the SSP scale at 59
mV. Remember that the SP value is negative, so the SSP value is also negative.

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Well-logging Lab No. 3

Spontaneous Potential 29

Figure 2.4. Chart used for

determining the Rmf/Rwe ratio from SSP
values. (Western Atlas, 1995, Figure 3-2)
Procedure, using the log data in Figure
2.2 and the values from Figure 2.3:
1. Locate the SSP value on the scale
on the left edge of the chart.
SSP = 59 mV
2. Follow the value horizontally until it
intersects the sloping formation
temperature line (130F; imagine
a line between the 100F and
200F temperature lines).
3. Move vertically from this
intersection and read the ratio value
on the scale at the bottom of the
chart.
The Rmf/Rwe ratio value is 5.5
4. Divide the corrected value for Rmf
by the ratio Rmf/Rwe value.
Rwe = Rmf/(Rmf/Rwe)
Rwe = 0.53/5.5
Rwe = 0.096 ohm-m

Courtesy Baker Atlas, 1996-1999 Baker Hughes, Inc.

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Dr. Adel Al-Matary

Well-logging Lab No. 3

Courtesy Baker Atlas, 1996-1999 Baker Hughes, Inc.

Figure 2.5. Chart for determining the value of Rw from Rwe. (Western Atlas, 1995, Figure 3-3)
Procedure, using the values from Figure 2.4:
1. Locate the value of Rwe on the vertical scale. Rwe = 0.096 ohm-m
2. Follow it horizontally until it intersects the temperature curve desired. 130F lies between the 100F and 150F temperature curves.
3. Drop vertically from the intersection and read a value for Rw on the scale at the bottom.
Rw = 0.10 ohm-m