Formation Evaluation

Lecture 4

Spontaneous Potential
(SP) Logs
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Spontaneous Potential
The SP Log
Introduction

• The SP (Spontaneous Potential) Log is one of the earliest electric logs used in
the petroleum Industry.

• It was discovered in the early 1930s and at the time it was a major breakthrough
because it was the first log to distinguish between permeable and non-
permeable beds.

• The SP log is a record of the naturally occurring potentials measured in the mud
at different depths in a borehole. This is measured as a current in millivolts
between an electrode in the borehole and a reference electrode at the surface.

• The currents are all natural measurements, which were termed spontaneous
potentials by Conrad Schlumberger and H.G. Doll who discovered them.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.1
Typical responses for the SP log (After Rider,
Spontaneous Potential 1996)
The SP Log
Introduction

• The SP Log is useful when there is

a contrast between the formation
water and mud salinities.

• It can detect permeable beds and

accurately locate their boundaries.

• The SP log is used to calculate or

estimate formation water resistivity
and to indicate permeability.

• It can also be used to estimate

shale volume in the formation,
indicate facies and sometimes for
correlation (care must be taken).
Rw = formation water resistivity
Rmf = mud filtrate resistivity
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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Spontaneous Potential
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log
Principles of measurement

• The principles of measurement are very simple for the SP Log. Three factors
are necessary to generate an SP current:

• A conductive fluid in the borehole

• A porous and permeable bed surrounded by an impermeable formation
• A difference in salinity between the borehole fluid and the formation fluid.

• Therefore, in oilfields, for an SP log to work, a contrast in salinities (or ionic

concentration) should exist between the mud filtrate and the formation water.

• It should be noted that the SP log cannot be used with oil based muds, which
are non-conductive.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log
Principles of measurement

• The most common cause of salinity in oilfields is NaCl.

• SP currents are generated when two different fluids of different salinity are in
contact. This relies on two fundamental electrochemical principles, which are
termed diffusion potential (or liquid junction potential) and shale potential.

• These are considered to be the fundamental electromotive forces (emf) behind

the SP log. Diffusion potential occurs when solutions of different salinity are in
contact in a porous medium.

• In principle, the contact of the fresher water drilling mud with the saline aquifer,
means that two different solutions with different salinities (sodium chloride
concentrations) come into contact and generate a measurable current.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.2
Schematic illustration of
Spontaneous Potential diffusion potential
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log (After Rider, 1996)
Diffusion potential (Sands: SP log reads Negative)

• Diffusion potential occurs when these two solutions mix by the process of ionic
diffusion in a porous medium (e.g. porous and permeable sand).
_
• As the Cl ion is smaller and more mobile
than the larger (and slower) Na+ ion, the Diffusion Potential
ions mix (diffuse) at unequal rates. (17% of SP)
_ FORMATION BOREHOLE
• The Cl ion mixes quickly with the more
dilute solution (in this case the freshwater
+ -
mud).
• This generates a potential between the
Cl- Cl-
negatively charged dilute solution with
_
excess Cl and the positively charged,
Cl- Cl-
concentrated solution (saline formation
water) with excess Na+ .
CONC Na Cl Dilute Solution
Membrane of
porous and
Membrane
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University permeable sand 6
 Figure 4.3
Schematic illustration of
Spontaneous Potential shale potential
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log (After Rider, 1996)
Shale potential (Shales: SP log reads Positive)

• Shale potential is the larger of the two effects, and occurs when the same two
solutions are in contact across a semi-permeable membrane, which in the case
of a borehole would be shale.
Shale Potential
• Shale contains clay minerals with a large (83% of SP)
negative surface charge.
FORMATION BOREHOLE
• Shale is a selective barrier, retarding - +
negative chloride ions (positive ions are
not retarded).
• Overbalance of Na+ ions is created in the Na+ Na+
dilute solution (borehole), generating a
positive charge. Na+ Na+

• A corresponding negative charge is

produced in the concentrated solution CONC Na Cl Dilute Solution

(formation). Membrane
Membrane of
semi- permeable
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University shale 7
Spontaneous Potential
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log
Diffusion and Shale potential Formation

• The SP current is a result of these two effects.

Semi-Permeable
Shale
• If the SP log were run in an interbedded sandstone
and shale succession, both effects would occur
(assuming mud filtrate is less saline than the formation
water).

Porous-Permeable
• A diffusion potential would exist in the sandstones,

Sandstone
giving a negative charge or response in the borehole.
• Shale potential would occur in the shales, with a
positive charge or response in the borehole.
• These effects create a spontaneous current flowing
between the borehole (mud filtrate), the porous
formation (sands) and the shale.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.4a
SP currents in the borehole
Spontaneous Potential
(After Rider, 1996)
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log
Diffusion and Shale potential
Formation Hole S.P. (mv)
• The flow of current is focused - +
at the bed junction where there

Semi-Permeable
+

POTENTIAL
is a change in potential.

SHALE
+

Shale
• As SP measurements do not SP Currents +
record absolute values, only Membrane +
changes in values, it is only at +
the bed boundaries that + +
- -

Porous-Permeable
changes occur and are + - -
Sandstone -
recorded.

POTENTIAL
DIFFUSION
Invaded Zone
-
• If a bed is completely -
impermeable, there will be no -
potential change, but even a -
very small permeability is Relative Excess
Charge
enough to permit current flow
Formation Water Filtrate Mud
and recording of the SP log.
Higher Salinity Lower Salinity
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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 Figure 4.4b
Combination of the electromotive
Spontaneous Potential components of the spontaneous
potential for the formation water more
saline than the mud filtrate.

_
Cl ions
retarded

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.5
SP currents in the borehole
Spontaneous Potential
(After Rider, 1996)
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log
SP Log
SP Circuit SP Log
• The SP log is a record of the naturally Galvanometer
occurring potentials measured in the Millivolts
M2 - +
mud at different depths in a borehole. 0

POTENTIAL
• This is measured as a current in

SHALE
50

Permeable Impermeable
millivolts between an electrode in the
borehole and a reference electrode at 100

the surface. 150

• The SP log tool operates much like a 200

simple circuit. It basically consists of an
electrode (lead) mounted on an 250

electrically isolated bridle on the M1

300
downhole tool.
350
Depth

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.6
Example of an SP log track. There is no
Spontaneous Potential absolute scale, only a relative deflection,
which is either positive or negative.

• Example of an SP log track. SPONTANEOUS

POTENTIAL
millivolts
• There is no absolute scale, only a 20
relative deflection, which is either _ +
positive or negative. 500

• In this case, 1 division equals 10

millivolts.
550
• The deflection is measured from the
shale baseline.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.8
Calculation of SSP from the SP Log
Spontaneous Potential

Static SP (SSP)

• SSP is used to describe the idealised measure of SP

when currents are prevented from flowing between the
borehole and the formation (and between adjacent
beds), i.e. it has been isolated electrically.

• The SSP represents the maximum SP that a thick,

shale-free, porous and permeable formation can have
for a given ratio between Rmf and Rw.

• SSP is determined by a formula or chart and is necessary for calculating

accurate values of Rw and volume of shale.

• To derive the SSP, read the maximum deflection of the thickest clean sand
in a formation. The SSP is the value in millivolts of the difference between
the SP log at the shale base line and the centre of the thick clean formation.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log
Static SP (SSP)

• It should be noted that the SP curve often does not show its full
deflection, and this is for many reasons, including:

• Beds are too thin

• Invasion is very deep

• Shale in the formation

• Lithological complications (high resistivity junction beds)

• Hydrocarbons are present

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.9
The SSP and conditions
Spontaneous Potential causing aberrant SP values
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log (After Rider, 1996)
Static SP (SSP)

• Beds are too thin

• Invasion is very deep

• Shale in the formation

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 Figure 4.9 continued
The SSP and conditions
Spontaneous Potential causing aberrant SP values
4.1.2 Spontaneous Potential and the SP Log (After Rider, 1996)
Static SP (SSP)

• Lithological complications (high resistivity junction beds)

• Hydrocarbons are present

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.2 Interpretation of the SP Log
Lithology and Recognition of Permeable Zones

• Sandstones and shales can often be clearly identified on the SP log, with
full SP deflections occurring over clean sandstone and pure shale intervals.

• Grain size may also be guessed from the SP log, if there is a known
relationship between it and shaliness.

• Sometimes a gradual SP change may indicate coarsening-upward, or fining-

upward grain size changes, which may be related to certain depositional
environments (Serra, 1985).

• Early uses of the SP log were for facies identification and for correlation.
However, the SP log is not as robust as the gamma ray log, which has
largely replaced the SP log for these uses.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.2 Interpretation of the SP Log
Lithology and Recognition of Permeable Zones

• The SP log is useful for identifying beds with permeability because even a
slight deflection indicates permeability.

• Unfortunately, the magnitude of SP deflection and hydraulic permeability of

a formation have no direct relationship, as the amplitude of the SP log is a
function of electrochemical and electrokinetic effects.

• SP deflection normally occurs if permeability exists to permit ion migration

between the drilling fluid and the formation.

• When the mud is less saline than the connate formation water, permeable
beds may be recognised by a negative SP deflection.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.2 Interpretation of the SP Log
Lithology and Recognition of Permeable Zones

• However, it is possible for permeable beds to show no deflection on the SP

log, such as those where there is no difference in salinity between the
formation fluids and the mud filtrate.

• However, this is rare.

• Occasionally, the SP log will deflect when the formation is not permeable.
This is due to mineralization, such as pyrite.

• Coals can occasionally give a large negative deflection, or they may give no
deflection and the reasons for this are unknown.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.1.3 Interpretation of the SP Log
SP GR
Bed boundaries and bed thickness

• The SP log is not known for resolving bed boundaries

well, because the sharpness of the bed boundary is
often poor (a better log for resolving bed boundaries
would be the gamma ray).

• However, bed boundaries can be estimated from the SP GR

SP, if the boundary is drawn from the point of maximum
curve slope (rate of maximum change).

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
SP
4.1.3 Interpretation of the SP Log
Bed boundaries and bed thickness

• If there is a large difference between the mud and

formation resistivities, the currents will spread widely and
the SP will deflect slowly. Thus definition will be poor.

• However, if resistivities are similar, bed definition will be

better because the SP will deflect more quickly.

• For a full SP deflection (SSP), the bed should be thicker

than 20 times the borehole diameter.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.1.3 Interpretation of the SP Log
Shale Base Line and Estimation of Shale Volume

• The SP log does not record absolute values, but instead records the
variation around a defined zero point. The definition of a zero point is based
on thick shale intervals where the SP log is static. This is termed the shale
baseline.

• Measurements are then taken to the left of this line (negative), or to the right
(positive). If the SP log drifts, then the deflection should be measured
horizontally out from the SP log baseline.

• The SP log can be used to calculate the volume of shale.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential
4.1.3 Interpretation of the SP Log
Shale Base Line and Estimation of Shale Volume

• The volume of shale (Vsh) in a water-wet, shaly sandstone can theoretically

be calculated by using the following equation:

• Vsh (%) = (1 - PSP / SSP) x 100

• Where:

•PSP = pseudo-static spontaneous potential (SP reading in the water-

bearing shaly sand zone)

•SSP = static spontaneous potential (maximum SP value in a clean sand

zone)

*Note this method is more qualitative than quantitative, as is not backed up by

theory. The SP derived Vsh is probably over estimated. GR is much better.

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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Spontaneous Potential

CLASSROOM EXERCISE

Based upon your understanding of the SP

log-

Draw a simplified SP log deflection for the

following environmental / borehole
conditions for Case 1-5
Where: Sal = salinity, Mf = mud filtrate
S1 = sand 1, S2 = sand 2

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University

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 SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL
Spontaneous Potential millivolts

CLASSROOM EXERCISE
CASE 1 2 3 4 5
20 20 20 20 20
_ + _ _ + _ _
+ + +

Sand 1 /
Oil

Sand 2 /
Water

1 2 3 4 5
Salmf > SalS2 Salmf < SalS2 Salmf > SalS2 Salmf < SalS2 Salmf = SalS2
SalS1 =SalS2 SalS1 = SalS2 SalS1 > SalS2 SalS1 > SalS2 SalS1 > SalS2

(Where: Sal = salinity, Mf = mud filtrate, S1 = sand 1, S2 = sand 2 )

R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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 SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL
Spontaneous Potential millivolts

CLASSROOM EXERCISE- SOLUTION

CASE 1 2 3 4 5
20 20 20 20 20
_ + _ _ + _ _
+ + +

Sand 1 /
Oil

Sand 2 /
Water

Sal = salinity 1 2 3 4 5
Mf = mud filtrate Salmf > SalS2 Salmf < SalS2 Salmf > SalS2 Salmf < SalS2 Salmf = SalS2
SalS1 =SalS2 SalS1 = SalS2 SalS1 > SalS2 SalS1 > SalS2 SalS1 > SalS2
S1 = sand 1
S2 = sand 2
R.Evans, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University
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