Basic Well Logging

Electrical Properties of Rocks

Neal Alleyne neal.alleyne@utt.edu.tt

Basic Well-Logging Interpretation Sequence

We are Making an Assumption

We are assuming that we know the porosity of the rock !!

Learning Outcomes

Recommended Reading
Pages 108 136 in Introduction to Wireline Log Analysis, Baker Hughes Inc. (2002). Chapter 1, pp 1- 24 in Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs by Zaki Bassiouni, SPE Textbook Series Vol. 4 (1994).

Electrical Resistivity of Rock Constituents

Most rock forming minerals are insulators (exceptions are: ores and graphite) Pore content gas Pore content oil Pore content water Shale and clay Conclusion The electrical conductivity of porous rocks is dependent on

Insights
In clean clastic rocks, electrical resistivity is related to porosity and water saturation or hydrocarbon saturation. Tortuosity and connected porosity have a significant impact on the electrical resistivity of a rock Cementation, grain sorting and grain packing have a significant influence on tortuosity and pore connectivity, and hence on electrical resistivity. The spatial distribution of fluids (hydrocarbons and water) and their saturations have a significant impact on the resistivity of a rock. The presence of clay may cause a significant change in the electrical resistivity behaviour of a rock Oil-wettability may cause a significant change in the electrical resistivity behaviour of a rock. Conclusion Always question the validity, reliability and level of certainty Archies equations and parameters

Acknowledgements:
Dr. Carlos Torres-Verdin, UT at Austin Schlumberger Baker Atlas