Electrical Properties of Reservoir Rocks

DETERMINING FLUID SATURATIONS

Methods of Determining Saturations 1. Conventional core analysis 2. Capillary pressure measurements

3. Well log analysis

OPENHOLE LOG EVALUATION

Most abundant data for formation evaluation and determination of fluid saturations Well Log
SP Resistivity

From NExT, 1999

RHOMBIC PACKING OF SPHERES

Electrical properties of reservoirs vary strongly with porosity and characteristics of the fluids in the pore space; usually, basic properties are determined assuming: clean reservoir rock (non-shaly) Sw = 1.00 (water saturated rock)

RESISTIVITY
Resistivity Resistivity is an intensive rock/fluid property, and is a measure of (the inverse of) the electrical flow capacity of the rock Resistance is extensive and for linear, 1-D electrical flow, r=(R L)/A r electrical resistance, R electrical resistivity, m L length of electrical flow path, m A cross-sectional area perpendicular to electrical flow path, m2

Rate Processes
Darcys Law (1-D Linear) q=(k/m)(A/L)(D p) Ohms Law (1-D Linear) i=DV/r= (1/R)(A/L)(DV)

RESISTIVITY DEFINITION OF THE OHM-METER

From Halliburton (EL 1007)

RESISTIVITY
Resistivity Resistivity is determined by measuring the voltage required to pass a measured amount of electrical current through the rock. For a rock cube with sides of 1 m, if electrical potential of 1 V (Volt) is required for current flow of 1 A (Ampere), then resistivity is 1 m (Ohm meter)

RESISTIVITY
Resistivity Electrical resistance () is inverse of Electrical conductance (S, Siemens) 2 = (1/2) S Resistivity is the inverse of conductivity 2 m = (1/2) S/m

RESISTIVITY OF EARTH MATERIALS

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Rock Gas Oil Fresh Water Salt Water
Conductivity Resistivity

Common Notations
Ro = Resistivity of non-shaly rock saturated (Sw=1) with formation water (ohm-m)
Rt = True formation resistivity (ohm-m) Rw = Formation water resistivity (ohm-m)

ELECTRICITY AND EARTH MATERIALS

Primarily, conduction is by ions in water
Na+ and Cl- are very common Other monovalent ions K+ and OH Bivalent ions, too: Ca++, Mg++

But, clays can conduct electricity also

Factors Affecting Electrical Resistivity

Resistivity of water Porosity of the formation, Pore geometry - tortuosity Lithology of the formation Degree of cementation, and Type and amount of clay in the rock

Rock containing pores saturated with water and hydrocarbons

Saturation Equation
Non-shaly rock, 100% saturated with water having resistivity, Rw

Formation Factor Equation

Cube of water having resistivity, Rw

Rt
= 20% Sw = 20%

Ro
= 20% Sw = 100%

Rw
= 100% Sw = 100%

(1) Rock
Increasing Resistivity

Increasing Conductivity

(2) Gas (3) Oil (4) Fresh Water (5) Salt Water