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SP Log

The spontaneous potential (SP) log records the natural electrical potential between a downhole electrode and surface reference electrode. It reflects differences in potential between formation water, drilling fluid, and shale. Though primarily a lithology indicator and correlation tool, the SP can also provide information on permeability, shale volume, porosity, and formation water salinity (Rw). The SP response is influenced by the relative salinities of mud filtrate and formation water. Deflections indicate permeable zones and can help locate reservoir boundaries when calibrated to determine Rw.

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abhishek Gogoi
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74 views

SP Log

The spontaneous potential (SP) log records the natural electrical potential between a downhole electrode and surface reference electrode. It reflects differences in potential between formation water, drilling fluid, and shale. Though primarily a lithology indicator and correlation tool, the SP can also provide information on permeability, shale volume, porosity, and formation water salinity (Rw). The SP response is influenced by the relative salinities of mud filtrate and formation water. Deflections indicate permeable zones and can help locate reservoir boundaries when calibrated to determine Rw.

Uploaded by

abhishek Gogoi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL LOG

The spontaneous potential (SP) curve records the naturally occurring


electrical potential (voltage) produced by the interaction of formation
connate water, conductive drilling fluid, and shale.

The SP curve reflects a difference in the electrical potential between a


movable electrode in the borehole and a fixed reference electrode at the
surface.

Though the SP is used primarily as a lithology indicator and as a correlation


tool, it has other uses as well:

• permeability indicator,

• shale volume indicator

• porosity indicator, and

• measurement of Rw (hence formation water salinity).


SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM FOR RECORDING SP LOG IN THE BORE
HOLE
The electrical potential is
produced by the
interaction of formation
connate water, conductive
drilling fluid, and shale.
REDOX POTENTIAL POTENTIAL
This phenomena is commonly associated with metallic ore bodies such as
FeS etc. which undergo electro-chemical reaction in aerobic environment
surrounding the ore body in weathered zone near ground water table.
Borehole drilled for hydrocarbon exhibit Redox potential under exceptional
conditions such as:
• At contact of marine and continental shale layers.
• Sulphide present as impurity in coals that undergo oxidation when it
comes in contact with mud.
The contribution of Redox potentialto total measured SP is negligible in
well drilled in sedimentary sequence.
Trend of SP Curve

• Opposite shales, the SP readings tend to follow a straight line, called


the Shale Base Line.

• Opposite the permeable formations, the SP curve will deflect to the left
(-ve) when mud filtrate salinities are lower than formation water
salinities (i.e., Rmf > Rw). This is called a normal SP

• When the salinities are reversed (i.e. salty mud and fresh formation
water, (Rmf < Rw), the SP deflects to the right. This is called a reverse
SP.

• There is no SP deflection even against permeable beds when the


salinities of mud filtrate and formation water are equal.

• The magnitude of SP deflection is due to the difference in salinities


between the mud filtrate and the formation water and not to amount of
permeability.
SP Anomalies Related to Invasion Conditions
FORMATION WATER RESISTIVITY (Rw)
ESTIMATION

SSP=-K Log aw/amf


WE DEFINE aw/amf=Rmfe/Rwe

SSP=-K Log (R mfe/Rwe) Eqv.

SSP = -K log (Rmf/Rw)


K is a constant that depends on formation temperature.
K= T + 505 / 8, where T is the formation temperature in °F.

SSP-is taken from the log


Rmf is known from the sample
Rw is determined using above relation
RW IN OHM M
PSP

SSP

Some typical responses of the SP log


Pseudo-static Spontaneous Potential (PSP)
• The Pseudo-static Spontaneous Potential (PSP) is the SP reading in the
water-bearing shaly sand or carbonate.
Shale Volume from SP

Note-The SP-derived Vsh is probably over-estimated


APPLICATIONS OF THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL LOG

• Detection of permeable beds

• Location of reservoir boundaries.

• Delineation of shale beds

• Correlation between wells

• Indications on the environment of deposition

• Determination of shale volumes in permeable beds

• Determination of Rw (formation water resistivity).


Figure  shows a typical
SP in track one.

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