Electrical Properties

Of Rock-Fluid System

Well Log
SP Resistivity
 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
The Electrical resistivity (reciprocal of conductivity) of a
fluid-saturated rock is its ability to impede the flow of
electric current through that rock. It is an intensive
rock/fluid property.

•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
Definitions
Electrical Properties of Rocks
Electrical Properties of Rocks
 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 – DEFINITION OF THE
OHM-METER

From Halliburton (EL 1007)

 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) Rock

Conductivity
Resistivity

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

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.

Electricity and
Earth Materials

• Water resistivity
controlled by
– Ion
concentrations
– Type of ions
– Temperature
• Chart GEN-4 to
convert to NaCl
equiv
• Chart GEN-5 for
temp/resist for
NaCl
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
Saturation
with water and hydrocarbons Equation Formation
Non-shaly rock, 100% saturated
Factor
with water having resistivity, Equation
Rw

Rt Cube of water
= 20% having resistivity,
Sw = 20% Rw
Ro
= 20%
Sw = 100%

Rw
= 100%
Sw = 100%
(1) Rock
Conductivity
Increasing
Resistivity
Increasing

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