Spwla Seventeenth Annual Logging Symposium, June 9-12, 1976

SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976
EFFECT OF PYRITE ON RESISTIVITY AND

OTHER LOGGING MEASUREMENTS
by
C. Clavier, A. Heim, and C. Scala

Schluniberger-Doll Research Center, Ridgefield, Connecticut
ABSTRACT
During the past decade there have been several major oil fields where
the well logs may have been distorted by the effect of pyrite disseminated
throughout the producing horizons. This has provided the incentive for a
fundamental study of the effects that pyrite may have on well logs and on
their use in the evaluation of reserves.
In this investigation, the approach has been essentially experimental.

It includes laboratory measurements on field cores (provided by BP-
Alaska), artificial sand packs, and large chunks of pyrite.
The effect of pyrite on the porosity logs appears to be small for Sonic
and Neutron logs, but large for the Density log. The Density log may be
more useful in some cases for determining pyrite content than porosity.
The electrical properties of pyritic rocks, for the range of frequencies

used in resistivity logging, were found to be strongly dependent on the
distrl%ution of pyrite and the frequency of the measuring current.
In the usual case where the concentration of pyrite is too low to provide
metallic electrical continuity through the pyrite, the low-f requency resis -
tivity measurement remains essentially undisturbed. Increasing the f re -
quency appears to lower the measured value of resistivity in a manner HH
which has been related to the frequency, pyrite content, and water resis -
tivity. This frequency effect is essentially independent of temperature and
water saturation, and may be corrected using an appropriate chart.
When electrical continuity exists through the pyrite phase, the measured
resistivity decreases dramatically at any frequency and cannot be used for
saturation computation. This situation is characterized on the logs by a
sharp, low- resistivity anomaly at least as thick as the vertical resolution
of the resistivity device,,
Recommendations concerning the logging program are given in the final

section of this paper.
-1-
INTRODUCTION
Pyrite (FeS2) is the most common of the “heavy” minerals associated

with sedimentary rocks. Pyrite survives chemical alteration only in a
reducing environment. This is probably the reason it is found rather often
in shales and carbonates rich in organic material.
Its presence has been also reported in recent years in the sandstones
and conglomerates of some important producing formations throughout the
world (Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, the North Sea, the McKenzie Delta in
Canada, Uinta Basin in ~Jtah, etc . . . . ) where the presence of hydrocarbons
helps maintain the reducing conditions.
Most pyrite in sedimentary rocks is autogenous and does not result

from a transportation/deposition process. However, pyrite tends often to
be concentrated in planar bands parallel to the bedding, with thicknesses
varying from a few inches to a few feet. Pyrite appears in the form of
small clusters of crystals unevenly distributed through the intergranular
porosity of the rocks. These clusters may easily form a continuous net-
work even at relatively low pyrite concentrations.
These characteristics of pyrite distribution would be of little importance

to the petrophysicist if it were not for the electrical properties of pyrite.
Unlike the usual rock minerals, pyrite exhibits good electrical conductivity,
usually comparable to or higher than the conductivity of the formation
water. Its conduction is of metallic (electronic) nature and, consequently,
any transfer of current between waters and pyrites involves a process of
conversion from ionic to electronic conduction and vice versa. This leads
to polarization at the water-pyrite interfaces with the corresponding fre-
quency-dependent electrical properties.
Old timers will remember the so-called “Velasquez effect” which was
noticed in py ritic formations on the chronological Electrical log. *
More recently, some oil companies have reported inconsistencies in the

resistivity measurements by modern logging devices (Induction log and
Laterolog:~*). For one of the producing formations of Prudhoe Bay known
‘: In the chronological Electrical log, the Lateral and Normal resistivity

measurements were taken sequentially 30 times a second. In the Velasquez
effect, a negative polarization potential was induced in pyritic formations
by the lateral current which persisted through the Lateral measure period
and lasted long enough to be seen superimposed on the Long Normal mea-
surement.
‘~:: Trademark of Schlumberger.
-2-
to contain appreciable amounts of pyrite, Rt from the Induction log often

appeared lower than Rt from the Laterolog and the resistivity index based
on log readings was often Iowe r than expected from the oil saturation
estimated from cores; in a few thin zones, the log resistivity collapsed to
very low values hardly compatible with the presence of oil. * In addition,
the Density log was strongly influenced by dense pyrite; it often appeared
pessimistic and sometimes useless for porosity evaluation. In view of the
economic importance of evaluating accurately the hydrocarbon reserves,
the situation verged on disaster for log analysts.
At the instigation of BP-Alaska an experimental study was made of the

effect of pyrite on logging measurements. The objective was to define the
logging program and methods of interpretation adapted to this problem.
BP-Alaska contributed a variety of full-size pyritic field cores from the
Sadler ochit conglomerate and provided some back-up information on the
petrophysical properties of the reservoir.
The measurements on cores were not sufficient to cover all the ques -
tions of interest. Therefore, the study also included measurements on
large chunks of pyrite and on sand-pack mixtures of quartz and pyrite
made to simulate conditions of uniform distribution of pyrites throughout
the sand. The pyrites used in these experiments were of various origins
and may have had somewhat different properties.
Measurements on the pyrite chunks included density, acoustic velocity,

conductivity, and water /pyrite-interface impedance at several frequencies.
The effect of water saturation on the complex conductivity of the sand-pack
mixtures was studied.
Measurements on cores included mineral identification by x-ray dif -

fractio~ quantitative chemical analysis, bulk density, grain density,
porosity, and complex conductivity at 100.percent water saturation for
several frequencies, water salinities, and temperatures.
Relevant details concerning the measurement methods and setups are

given in Appendices B and C.
LOGGING PROPERTIES OF BULK PYRITE
Density and Photoelectric Absorption
The true density of pyrite is 5.00 gin/cc. The apparent density as seen
* Logs from Prudhoe Bay are kept confidential, and no examples will be
presented in this paper,
-3-
Gamma R(Iy Bulk Density

) APIU 101 !,0 gm /cc 3.(
Caliper
1..-. inches
—— ______ II
aid
The negative deviation of the
Ap cur;e (hatched ●rea) is
uoed to correct the Denoity
curve for effect of pyrite.
by the Density tool is 4.985 gin/cc. This takes into account the e Iect ronic
density of pyrite and the calibration of the Density tool.
The photoelectric absorption factor is high (T = 17. O) leading to an

effective atomic number, “Z”, equal to 22.0.
The short- spacing counting rate of the Density measurement is some-

what sensitive to the photoelectric absorption; this leads to erroneously
negative values of the compensation, Ap, in front of zones containing
pyrite. Because of this, the compensated bulk density, pb, will be too low
by an amount essentially equal to the error introduced by the Ap. This
can be corrected as indicated in Fig. 1.
Even after this correction, the Density log is of little use for porosity
in a pyritic formation; 1 percent by volume of pyrite shifts the Density by
0.023 gin/cc, corresponding to a porosity error of -1.4 p.u.
The Density log may be used to determine the pyrite content if the poro-
sity and the hydrocarbon effects are known.
The high photoelectric absorption of pyrite offers another approach for

determining pyrite content. Fig. 2 shows the relation between Zeff
-4-
PYRITE EFFECT ON IJTHOLOG
E!iu
Effect of pyrite on Zeff,
effective atomic number
as Been by Litholog.
I VOLUME OF PYRITE ( PERCENT) I
(from the Litholog*) and the pyrite content in quartz sands. Note the small
influence of porosity on this measurement.
Acoustic Travel Time
The acoustic interval travel time, At is 67 ~ 2 micros ec/ft.

pyr’
This value has been obtained from measurements on large-size pyrite

samples. Since the samples were contaminated by calcite, the measured
travel time was corrected for the calcite impurity according to the Wyllie
time -average relationship. The slow acoustic velocity of pyrite reflects
its high density.
One percent of pyrite by volume will increase At by 0.11 microsec/ft

leading to a porosity error of less than 0,1 p.u.
Neutron- Log Parameters
a) Epithermal Neutron (SNP**~
Computation of the neutron slowing-down length in pyrite leads
‘: The Litholog measures the effective atomic number, Zeff, of the for-
mation from its effects on the photoelectric absorption of gamma rays. It
is to be run in conjunction with the Density log. It is still an experimental
technique, not yet available on request as a regular logging service.
*’x Trademark of Schlum’berger.
-5-
——
INCREASE IN ~cNT.A DUE TO PYRITE
‘~
6“ t
‘+CNT-A
(p.u)
4 - Fig. 3
Effect of pyrite on CNT-A
Neutron log.
QUARTZ SAND
2 -’
VOLUME OF PYRITE{ PERCENT)

A
to an apparent Neutron-1og porosity, (6N)Pyr, of -3.2 p.u. (with

the Neutron log recorded on a sandstone scale).
One percent of pyrite by volume will decrease the apparent SNP

porosity by about 0.03 p.u.
b) Dual-Spacing Thermal Neutron (CNL*)
The rmal-neut ron rnig ration is inf Iuenced by the large neutron-
capture cross section of iron nuclei. Fig. 3 shows the pyrite
effect on CNT-A porosity. It is based on experimental ‘d-ata re-
lating the influence of neutron absorbers on CN T- A response.
There is some dependence of the pyrite effect on porosity as
shown by the &o curves for water-filled pdrosities of 15.4 and
36 P.U.
Pulsed Neutron
The neutron capture cross section of pyrite is high, because of the

presence of iron. The capture cross section, Zpyr, is 90.0 C.U. Thus
1 percent of pyrite will increase the average matrix capture cross section
of a sand by 0.8 C.U. or about 10 percent.
Electrical Properties
The resistivity of pyrite was measured on several large dry chunks of
* Trademark of Schlumberger.
-6-
... —..__.._ .—-----

pyrite of different origins. It appears to vary with the sample. Resistivi-

ties ranging belxveen 0.8 and 0.03 ohm-m were found. The electrical pro-
pe rties of the interface water-pyrite will be commented upon after review-
ing the results of the measurements on field cores.
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF FIELD CORES
Ten cores, from Sadlerochit conglomerates of Prudhoe Bay were in-

ve stigated. These cores covered a wide range of pyrite content (O to 27
percent by volume). Electrical measurements were taken on the full- size
cores to minimize the influence of local heterogenities.
Prior to the electrical measurements, the mineralogy of the cores

was checked, and the porosity and pyrite content were measured as ex-
plained below. Minerals were identified by x-ray cliff raction for the five
cores with lowest pyrite content. The results are summarized in Table 1A.
This established the major constituent to be quartz, the dominant clay to
be kaolinite, and the major heavy mineral to be pyrite, with some traces
of siderite. Chemical analyses were made on the five cores having the
highest iron content to verify that the heavy mineral fraction was essential-
ly pyrite. Table 1B presents these results. Only one core shows a size-
able amount of side rite, although it was still much Iess than the pyrite
content.
Since quartz and kaolinite have approximately the same grain density
( Pg = 2.65), it was concluded that the pyrite content would be best obtained
for the full cores from the measurements of the porosity and bulk density. *
The electrical measurements included: dry conductivity (a test of the con-
tinuity of the pyrite phase through the sample), wet conductivities at full
saturation for saturating waters of conductivities, 0.06, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0
mho/m and at five AC frequencies representative of those gene rally used
for measurements of resistivity in the field.
Frequencies of 19, 35, 280, 1,000 and 20,000 Hz were thus selected.
These correspond approximately to those employed in resistivity tools as
folLows :
15 Hz (Laterolog 7, Electrical log)
35 Hz (Deep Late rolog of Dual Late rolog)
280 Hz (Shallow Laterolog of Dual Late rolog, 16-in. Short

Normal of the Induction-Electrical log)
* X- raY and chemical analyses were made on the tailings from the end
faces of the cores. Thus the pyrite content obtained from the bulk-density
measurements should be considered more representative of the cores.
-7-
. . . .... .. —
TABLE 1A -- X-Ray Analysis /Whole Core Analysis
cc
I X-Ray Mineralogy Whole Core Analysis
N[0.
I Major
)25 wt.% I Minor
<25 Wt.’% gin/cc‘g ‘X-M
P:.k%
I
2
I Quartz
Quartz
I
Kaolinite,
Kaolinite
Pyrite 2.64
2.66
2.28
2.32
22.0
20.4
0
0.2
3 Quartz Kaolinite, Ankerite, 2.68 2.37 18.4 l.l

Side rite, Pyrite,
Dolomite
i4
II II
Quartz Kaolinite, Illite /Mica 2.69 2.39 17.6 1.3
Pyrite
[ 2.81 2.40
I 22.3 5.1
TABLE lB-- Ghernical Analysis /Whole Core Analysis
I Chemical Analysis Whole Core Analysis I

C;:e Pyrite Siderite Computed I
. ‘b
B dk Bulk “ & Pyrite
Volume 70 Volume ’70
“
gin/cc gin/cc p.u.” vol.. ’70
5 14.1 5.72 3.12 2.75 2.54 12.2 3.7
+
7
8
14.2
14.3
0.63
0.14
3.05
3.02
2.85
3.23
I 2.62
3.04
12.3
8.5
7.5
22.5
9 23. 0.25 3.24 3.21 3.08 5.7 22.5
10
I 30.6
I 0.33
I 3.41 3.32
I 3.22 4.2 27.3
1 kHz (Laterolog 3, Laterolog 8, SFL’~, MLL, Micro-

SFL’:, Proximity* j
20 kHz (Induction logs)
The measurements for each individual core are listed in Tables B-1
to B-10 of Appendix B.
‘: Trademark of Schlumberger.
-8-
IN-PHASE CONDUCTIVITY
LOW-PYRITE FIELD CORE
.8 - FREQUENCY
Fig. 4 (HERTZ)
(Right) Effect of pyrite on conduc-
,1
tivity (in-phase measurement) of
co
water-saturated low-pyrite- content .6 . (rnrios/rn)
field core.
.4 -
.2 -
EL5
(Below) Effect of pyrite on conduc-
tivity (in-phase measurement) of
water- saturated high-pyrite con-
Cw (mhos/m)~
1
tent field core.
12 i6 20
IN PHASE CONDUCTIVITY OF
HIGH-PYRITE FIELD CORE
FREQUENCY (HERTZ)
t \
co*
mho/m
@ 23.6°C
+=4.2 P.U HH
VPYC=27.3’Y0
C (dry) =0.6 mho/m
Cw, mhosim --
I t 1 I 1 1 1 I 1 I
00 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Typical Co- Cw plots for low- and high- pyrite content are s hewn in
Figs. 4 and 5.
From the figures and the Mbulations, it is apparent that in pyritic for-
mations:
-9-
...—.
WATER-PYRITE INTERFACE IMPEDANCE
+ IN PHASE
100-0 “oOUT (-900)
OF PHASE
ACCURACY ~ I.O ohms/sq cm
t
z
,0 (OHMS/SQ CM) Fig. 6
Water-pyrite interface
impedance.
FREQUENCY (HERTZ)~
‘$
,\
‘o 10 100 10 )
1) The conductivity is an increasing function of current frequency.
2) The effect of frequency is more pronounced at high pyrite content.
3) The conductivity is complex, C = C’ + j C“, but the out-of-phase

component C‘’ has an amplitude usually less than 1 /10th the in-
phase component.
Electrical-Model Equivalent of a Pyrite Formation
The frequency dependence of the conductivity suggests a polarization

phenomenon. To investigate this point we attempted to measure impedance
across the interface ‘beixveen salt water and pyrite on a large chunk of py-
rite. The results, which could not be trusted ‘beyond 200 Hz due to in-
stabilities, are shown on Fig. 6: both in-phase and quadrature components
of the impedance seem to vary with the reciprocal of the frequency, lead-
ing to the following model for the interface impedance, Z :
s
-’-11-
.i
P~
‘s
z=
s Znf. s
-1o-
where
s = surface of water-pyrite contact
PcJ ‘ interface specific resistivity
f = frequency
= interface specific capacity

Cs
ps appears to be independent of water salinity, C.S seems to decrease

somewhat with water salinity.
Let us now extend the electrical model to the current flow through the
conductive channels (water and pyrite ) in the rock.
We will consider three typical modes of conduction.
MODE 1 (Fig. 7a). The current flows through the water as a continuous
phase across the rock sample; the resistance of the water-filled channels,
Rx, is proportional to the water resistivity. Some of the channels are
bridged by pyrite, the resistance of which is rl, independent of the water
resistivity. The expression of the equivalent electrical conductance Cl
for this mode will be of the form:
&
1 1
(
c =~ .
‘FIRw + rl A1-j B1
1 ‘oRw
1 + f (FIRW + rl) )
The exponent O > a > 1 takes into account the fact that the second term re-
presents not one, but an array of parallel branches with parameters, Ai,
HH
B i, Fi, and ri, distributed around the average values, Al, Bl, F], and rl .
MODE 2 (Fig. 7b). The current flows through the pyrite as a continuous
phase acress the rock sample with some of the pyrite channels bridged by
water. The expression of the equivalent electrical conductance, C 20 may
be written along the same lines as the expression above for G,:
L
a
1+ 1. 1
c =— Al _jB;
r’ +F’R
2FORW11W 1
1+
f (ri + FiRw) )
-11-
MODE 3 (Fig. 7c). The water and pyrite coexist as continuous phases
such that the area of their contact interface becomes large, and the im-
pedance of their interface may be neglected. The current flows through
both phases in series. The flow of current in each phase may be partially
impeded by small bridges of the other phase.
The conductance through this mode is given by a combination of ex-

pressions of the types previously given for Cl and C2, such as:
1
C3=A B
q+q
Mode 1 conduction should prevail when there is no electrical continuity

through the dry core. This is the case of Cores 1 through 6.
Mode 1 conduction is prevented when there is too little porosity to keep

the formation factor reasonably low. This is probably the case for Cores
9 and 10. Then the conduction is made up of Modes 2 and 3 in parallel.
The three conduction modes probably coexist in parallel for Cores 7

and 8.
As an illustration of these models, the parameters for Cores 5 and 6

(Mode 1 ) and Core 10 (Modes 2 and 3) have been estimated empirically and
used to compute in-phase conductivity y. * These results are presented in
Appendix A, together with a listing of the measurement conductivity. One
may check that the cliff e rence between calculated mode 1 conductivity and
measured conductivity rarely exceeds a few percent.
Interpretation of the Field Core Measurements
Although Cores 5 and 6 represent the same conduction mode, the

parameters of their electrical models differ greatly, and in an unpredict-
able manner. Thus the electrical model representation appears to ‘be of
little practical usb and does not help answer some of the basic questions:
Under which conditions can we trust the resistivity measurements? When
they are in error can we correct them, and how?
To help find the answers, the cores were listed in Table 2 in order of
pyrite content giving the volume of pyrite ( Cols. 2 and 3), the porosity
* For sake of sil-nplicity the real part of conductivity has been computed
neglecting the imaginary part of the interface impedance. This is formally
incorrect, but leads to an acceptable approximation.
-12-
•1 WATER
u WATER
N QUARTZ
IIsi QUARTZ
PYRITE PYRITE
FI* Rw rl r; F\. Rw
WATER PYRITE INTERFACE PYRITE WATER INTERFACE

- I * - ~ *
F.. Rw r’o
A.
WATER PYRITE
Fig . 7a Fig. 7b
Illustration of Mode 1 conduction (con- Illustration of Mode 2 conduction (con-
tinuous phaae ic water, with .ome tinuous phase is pyrite, with some
channels bridged by pyrite) and proposed channel. bridged by water) and proposed
equivalent electrical circuit. equivalent electrical circuit.
•1 WATER
•1 QUARTZ
PYRITE Fig . 7C
Illustration of Mode 3 conduction
(both water and pyrite are con-
tinuous phasea ) and proposed
equivalent electrical circuit.
F!. Rw r’;
PYRITE WATER ,NTER-

‘ATER ‘R’TE lNTER-
- FACE 4- I FACE -
1 F’&Rw
II F2. Rt#
I
WATER Piiil TE
-13-
TABLZ Z
Field Coro Musuremat Summa v
Pyrtta ~ D- COIW ‘4” ‘w ‘4” ‘w R LL

:Ora fwl. m rcaat) F1* Iu@rcopt ‘d — — —
d Cad. RLL ‘I
‘4 ‘LL” UIho/m F~ ‘I
Uo. fran from p.m. nlho/m
X-Ray Pg R= = 0.25 Rw = 0.25 R = 0.25
w
1 Minor o 22.0 0 16.1 15.4 ~ .1 12.3~.4 .60 1.05 1.14 1.46 1.28
2 0 0.2 20.4 0 18.5 18.6 ~ .1 17.5~ .2 .12 .99 1.01 1.07 1.06
3 Minor 1.1 18.4 0 22.4 24.6~ .8 22.0~ 1.1 .22 .91 .92 1.07 1.16
4 Minor 1.3 17.6 0 24.3 24.z~.7 20.7~ .9 .15 1.00 1.01 1.20 1.19
5 YOs 3.7 12.2 0 47.6 49.1~ 2.9 37.9+

_ 8.9 .45 .7
\ 1.10 1.64 1.49
6 Yos 5.1 22.5 0 15.5 14.9~ .2 8.6~.3 .35 1.04 1.09 1.96 1,80
7 Yoo 7.5 12S .0023 46,9 38.6~ 12.4 25.6 ~11. 1.4 1.22 1.95 2.65 1.36
8 Yoc 22.5 8,5 .560 92.4 lo.5~ 1.2 6.1 ~ .7 4.8 8.8 16.6 29.1 1.75
9 Yet 22.5 5.7 .140 192. 29.7~1.fI 15.221.6 8.8 6.5 16.8 32.7 1.95
0 Yes 27.3 4.2 .600 337. 27.3 ~ 1J 17.52 1.0 15.5 12.3 46.5 73. 1.57
(COL 4), the dry-core conductivity (COL 5), and the Archie formation
factor F& = 1/41=83 (Col. 6). Concerning resistivities, we concentrated on
the data for the lowest and highest frequencies. The subscript, LL (to
remind that it applies to Laterolog 7 and Deep Laterolog*), is used to
identify the low-frequency (1 9-Hz) case. The subscript, I (to remind that
it applies to the Induction), is used to identify the high-frequency (20-kHz)
case.
Co was plotted versus ~ in the Waxman-Smits fashionl (see Fig. 8) to

determine the “intercept” (Col. 9) and formation factor, FLL* = 1 /(Slope)LL
( Col. 7). Using the same value of intercept, an average line was traced
to obtain F1* = 1/(Slope) I (Col. 8). The uncertainty on F* reflects the dis-
persion of the experimental points around the average Co -VS - Cw line.
Good match between F# and F* indicates that the electrical measure-

ment is not influenced 13
ignif icantly by pyrite.
Table 2 shows that:
(1) Cores containing less than 7-percent pyrite have zero dry conduc-
tivity (no continuity through pyrite) while cores with more than 7-percent
pyrite have some finite dry conductivity. Continuity through the pyrite is
the key factor concerning the electrical properties.
‘~ The difference between the 19-Hz and 35-Hz conductivities is generally
negligible.
-14-
E!K&!?
Waxrnan - smite - type /
crossplot of conduc- /
tivity measurements
on water- saturated
field cores. CO is
water-saturated-core
conductivity. CW is
conductivity af saturat-
ing water. Measured I
values are indicated by
X symbols.
F*
-Cw
/
INTERCEPT
(2) Cores without dry conductivity have a small intercept (interpreted

in this case to be clay effect) and show an excellent match between F~ and
FLL’~ (see F~/FLL:~, COL 10 of Table 2), thus indicating little or no in-
f luence of discontinuous pyrite on Deep Late rolog re sistivity. On the other
hand, F1:: departs significantly from F# and this effect increases rapidly
as pyrite content increases. Thus the Induction log is affected by even a
small amount of pyrite in the dispersed state, but, as will be seen later,
it is still usable in this case and may be corrected.
(3) The intercepts and ratio, F~/F’:, increase drastically when there
is electrical continuity through the dry cores. Then, the departure be-
tween F~ and FLL>~ or F1’~ increases so much that it appears illusory to
attempt to correct the resistivity reading in such case.
Although zones of high pyrite content, such that there is metallic con-
tinuity through the formation, are usually quite thin in the field, these
zones will kill the resistivity reading over an apparent thickness on the
log at least equal to the vertical resolution of the resistivity device (5 1/2
feet for the Induction log, 2 1 /2 feet for the Deep Laterolog).
(4) Of course, neither the F* nor the intercept values are known in
the field. Then how can it be recognized that the resistivity reading is
still usable ?
One may look at the pyrite content. If it is found to be less than 7 per-
cent, chances are there is no electrical continuity through the pyrite, and
the re sistivity log should be usable.
Another way is to compare the resistivity to the best estimate of what

it should be in a water-bearing formation, i.e., F .R Cols. 11 and 12
d w“
-15-
RESISTIVITY CORRECTION FOR

FREQUENCY EFFECT
2.5
WATER-BEARING FM.
RW=0.25 at 770F
I I
2 h A 1000 HZ
0280 HZ ..dP I
EilL2
Correction factors found for
effect of pyrite on various
resist ivity logs for water-
saturated formations. Rw =
0.25.
/ /“~w
VOLUME OF PYRITE (PERCENT)
of Table 2 list the ratios, F~.Rw/RLL and F~. Rw/R1. One may see that
these ratios exceed 1.5 for the Deep Laterolog or 2.5 for the Induction log
when there is continuity through the pyrite. These limits remain essential-
ly valid when the formation contains hydrocarbon, since the main reason
for the low resistivity is the conductance through the pyrite, which remains
unaffected by the presence of hydrocarbon.
(5) For field cores without dry continuity, RLL is unaffected by fre-
quency effect and reflects better the true variation of resistivity than F~.
Accordingly, the ratio, RIJL/RI (Col. 13), will be used preferentially to
derive a correction factor for the Induction log. Except for Sample 1,
which probably contains more pyrite than indicated by its grain density,
the Induction-log correctic)n is very well behaved. The correction factor
is given on Fig. 9. This chart has been drawn for a water resistivity of
0.25 ohm-m at 77°F, roughly equivalent to the formation-water resistivity
for these field cores. The line for SF L/ LL8/MSFL corresponds to an
approximate correction at 1 kHz. The line for LLs and 16-in. Short Nor-
mal (IES) corresponds to 1!80 Hz.
Effect of Temperature
It has been verified on Core 9 that temperature does not appreciably

change the frequency dependence of the resistivity. Core 9 was measured
at all frequencies at 22.5° C (72.5°F) and at 78°C (1 72°F). Results have
been plotted on Fig. 10 after normalizing the resistivity changes to the
value at 19 Hz. The frequency changes at high temperature match the
changes at low temperatures within 5 pe rcent.
-16-
TEMPERATURE STUDY
1.0-< 1 I ,
CORE #9
0.9- += 5.69 P.U.
Vpyr.=22.5%
0.8- C(dry)=O.135mho/m
Rw=l.ol Q.m at 250c
R (at frequency)
Fig. 10
Effect of temperature on 0.7- R(19HZ)
frequency dependence of a
pyritic core.
0.6-
0.5-
II FREQUENCY (HERTZ)—
1 , 1
0“410 100 1000 IOK
MEASUREMENTS ON SAND PACKS--INFLUENCE OF SATURATION
It was not practical to make resistivity measurements on desaturated

whole cores, so the effect of desaturation has been studied on man-made
sand packs of quartz and pyrite grains. Besides being highly permeable,
sand packs differ from field cores in two ways: 1) Their porosity is very
high (40 percent or :more). 2) The pyrite takes the place of quartz grains
whereas the pyrite i.n the field cores has been formed in the available
porosity. This makes possible much higher concentrations of pyrite (30
percent by volume of solids) without generating dry conductivity.
The sand packs were made to fill a long vertical plastic tube with po-
tential electrodes located every 5 cm. Thus it was possible to measure
the resistivity at different vertical levels on the core and obtain a satura-
tion profile. Technical details on the measurements are given together
with some of the conductivity data in Appendix C.
H}
A pure quartz sand pack provided reference values for the formation
factor, F, and the resistivity index. Frequency-dependent measurements
were taken in three sand packs percent pyrite and with
containing 16.5
water resistivity of 0.5, 0.3, and 0.06 ohm-m, respectively. To analyze
the conductivity data, Tables 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D (one for each pack)
are shown. Formation-factor exponents, “m”, have been computed from
the 19-Hz resistivities and the average porosity of each pack.
In these tables, the first column gives the reference number of the sec-
tion of the pack starting from the top of the sand column.
The third and fourth columns apply to the sand pack fully water saturat.
ed. Ro/RLL is the ratio of the average resistivity of the column to the one
-17-
of the section measured at a frequency of 19 Hz. It provides an index of

the homogeneity of the sand-pack porosity. RLL/RI is the ratio of the
resistivity value measured at 19 Hz to that measured at 20 kHz, i.e. the
frequency-dependence factor for the Induction log. Its variations provide
a clue to the uniformity of the distribution of pyrite throughout the pack.
The right side of each table covers data taken after desaturation. The
listed Sw values have been computed from fluid-volume-balance and 19-
Hz- resistivity measurements (see Appendix C).
represents the resistivity index, R Sw/Ro, for the 19-

lLL
Hz measurements
11 represents the resistivity index, R Sw/Ro, for the

20,000-Hz measurements
R LL/R1 is the frequency-dependence factor of the Induction log

and may be compared to the value at Sw = 100 percent
We observe the following:
(a) The 19-Hz resistivity, RLL, of water-saturated sand packs is not

influenced by the pyrite content. This can be deduced from the computed
values of the formation-factor exponent, “m”, which, if anything, tend to
be larger in the pyrite packs than in the quartz pack.
(b) The 20-kHz (Induction-log) resistivity of a water-saturated sand

pack shows a large frequency effect, which would indicate, by comparison
with the core data, that the sand packs are equivalent to a field core con-
taining 6 percent of pyrite by volume.
(c) In desaturated packs, the resistivity index at 19-Hz repeats well

from pack to pack.:: One concludes that RLL gives the correct resistivity
even in hydrocarbon -beari:ng formations.
‘: Note, however, that the saturations computed in the quartz pack are
significantly higher than in the pyritic packs. The pyrite grains had the
same size as the quartz grains and were water wet. It is therefore believ-
ed that at a given level all of the desaturated packs should have about the
same saturation. The values of saturation for the quartz packs are suspect
as they lead to a saturation exponent, n, of 2.18, which appears abnormal-
ly high for a sand where m = 1.47.
-18-
TAB LE 3A
SAND PACK NO. 1
PYRITE O% Cell
s
w ‘a ‘A Sw
I
11
R
—
LL
’70 ‘LL ‘I LL
= 0.0599 ohm-m 70 ‘I
R
w
at 25°C 1 100 .99 1 13.8 75 75 1
zw = 207’0 2 100 .98 1 15.6 56 56 1
4 100 1.0 1 17.0 47 47 1
J = 40.4 p.u.
7 100 1.04 1 20.0 34 34 1
m= 1.47 A
TABLE 3B
SAND PACK NO. 2 R

s s LL
Y
PYRITE 16.5% Cell
R = .510 ohm-m 7ii R
I ‘7: lLL 11 —
‘I
w
at 25° C 1 100 1.01 1.58 7.6 76 76 1.59
sw = 12.4%
2 100 .96 1.75 9.4 54 57 1.68
z = 41 p,u. 4 100 1.01 1.90 11. 43 45 1.81

7 100 1.00 1.99 12.5 34 32 2.09
m= 1.50
TABLE 3C
SAND PACK NO. 3 s s I
‘o ‘LL
f!
PYRITE 16.5%, Cell w I
Rw = .306 ohm-m
!rO
~L RI
7“ LL 11
at 25° C, 1 100 1.01 1.92 10.7 50 56 1.73

+
z = 15.070 2 100 .98 1.98 11.9 42 I 44 1.89
w
4 100 1.00 1.99 13.2 36 39 1.84
J = 42 poll.
7 100 f1.01 1.98 14.3 32 33 1.95 HH
m = 1.60 [ I
TAB LE 3D
w
SAND PACK NO. 4
PYRITE 16.5’70 ‘LL
~
u
R= .0596 ohm-m
w
at 25°C
1 100 1.04 1.38 11.0 76 28 3.8
s = 14.970
w 2 100 1.01 1.40 12.0 66 30 3.1
J = 40.5 p.u. 4 100 .97 1.55 13.9 49 32 2.4
7 100 .99 1.63 15.2 40 29 2.3

m = 1.55 :
-19-
R at frequency, f
ave
R at19Hz
TABLE 4 R ave
w f=19 35 280 1, 000 20K
RESISTIVITY
FREQUENCY .06 1 .96 .79 .71 .39
DEPENDENCE IN
DESATURATED .3 1 .95 .78 .68 .53
SAND PACKS
.1 1 .96 .80 .72 .56
(d) The 20-kHz resistivity index is essentially the same as the oneat
19 Hz for the lxvo packs of lowest water salinity. This indicates that sat-
uration apparently has little influence on the frequency dependence under
these circumstances.
(e) Only at high water salinity does the 20 kHz resistivity behave ab-
normally. Then the frequency effect, RLL/R1, decreases in the 100 per-
cent water pack and increases in the desaturated pack. However, the trend
of RLL/RI versus saturation shown by Table 3D suggests that this ratio
should reach its terminal value for S = 100 percent at relatively low
w
water saturation.
Table 4 shows how the resistivity decreases with frequency in the de-
saturated pyritic packs. It is clear that, except for the Induction-log f re -
quency, the frequency effect is independent of the water resistivity.
The resistivity correction chart for hydrocarbon-bearing formation

(Fig. 11) is based on this data. Equivalence of the sand packs with field
rocks containing 6 percent pyrite and linearity of the correction with py-
rite content have been as sulmed. By comparing Fig. 11 with Fig. 9 it can
be seen that the saturation has little influence on the frequency correction.
APPLICATIONS TO LOGGING PROGRAM AND INTERPRETATION
In pyritic formations the porosity will be best determined from the

Sonic log. The pyrite content may thus be obtained from the Density log
(knowing the porosity and the type of formation fluid) after removing the
Ap correction when it appears negative. A lithology correction may also
be used in barite-free muds when such knowledge is available.
Comparison of the Neutron porosity to the Sonic porosity provides the

ability to detect gas. In non-gas -bearing horizons the Neutron log will be
used to obtain the porosity values to calibrate the compaction correction
of the Sonic log.
-20-
1 1
2.5
t
&
Rc
0’
+
~
“./ +
2.0
Fig. 11
Correction chart derived
from measurements on de-
saturated pyritic packs for
various resistivity logs in I .5
hydrocarbon-bearing for.
mations.
VOLUME OF PYRITE (PERCENT) ~
For resistivity, the Deep Laterolog of the Dual Laterolog or the LL7
will be preferable because they are practically free of frequency effect.
Their readings will not require any correction for pyrite effect at low
concentrations of pyrite. (This is still the most common situation.) If a
correction for invasion appears necessary, the Rxo and Shallow Laterolog
readings may require a mild correction for pyrite (Figs. 9 or 11 ).
Still, the resistivity readings will be badly in error and therefore use-
less for saturation evaluation in those sections where the pyrite concen-
tration is large enough (> 7 percent) to ensure electrical continuity. This
will be noticed on the resistivity logs by sharp conductive anomalies of
apparent thickness equal or greater than the vertical resolution of the re -
sistivity device.
Unless other logging conditions provide overriding advantages, the In-

duction log is not recommended in pyritic formations as it has the worst
frequency effect and poorest vertical resolution of the resistivity devices.
A correction may be applied on Induction logs already run in the Prudhoe
Bay, which should be fairly reliable under the conditions of water resis -
tivity prevailing there.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank BP-Alaska for providing the field cores,
and granting permission to publish the corresponding experimental data,
-21-
REFERENCE
1. Waxman, M.H. and Smits, L. J. M.: “Electrical Conductivities in Oil-

Bearing Sands”, Sot. Pet. Eng. J., June 1968.
APPENDIX A
Appendix A contains three tables to illustrate the various conduction

models.
I Real Part of Conductivity

TABLE A-1
Water
MODEL COMPUTATION
Resistivity Frequency [ Model I Measured I
CONDUCTION MODE NO. 1
19 .336 .335
35 .337 .339
cl= 1 + Rw = .060 280 .341 .345
510 R
w lK .347 .357
20K .371 .369
65
(
1 1 19 .225 .225
51,400 35 .226 .227
8.6 RW + 23.1
1 ‘f(8.6R $ 23.1) R = .0875 280 .232 .231
w
w lK .241 .243
20K .273 .266
19 .0515 .0515
Core No. 5
35 .0519 .0523
Pyrite (Vol. ‘%) = 3.7 R = .388 280 .0559 .0560
= 12.2 w
d (p.u. ) IK .0620 .0628
Dry Conductivity = O mhoa/m 20K .0830 .0910
BQV* = 0.35
19 .0279 ,0277
*B% is the W~an 35 .0279 .0282
R = .732 280 .0309 .0319
and Smits shaliness w
term. lK .0376 .0373
20K .0565 .0564
-22-
Real Part of Conductivity

TAB LE A-2
Water
MODEL COMPUTATION Model Measured
te sistivity Frequency
CONDUCTION MODE NO. 1
19 1,13 1.13
35 1.18 1.13
R = .061 280 1.38 1.38
~1= 1 w
15.3 ‘R + lK 1.61 1.57
w 20K 1.95 1.95
~
19 .684 .696
35 .696 .707
.65
1 1 Rw = .103 280 .868 .871
17.9 R 76.25 lK 1.01 .976
Wl+q
() 20K 1.16
u
19 .163 .164
35 .174 .166
Core No. 6 R = .480 280 .223 .210
w
lK .242 .236 I
Pyrite (Vol. %) = 5.1
20K .252
4 (p.u.) = 22.5
Dry Conductivity = 0.35 mhos /m 19 .092 .0935
35 .099 .0993
R = .967 280 .119 .113
w
lK .123 .113
20K .124
TAB LE A-3 IReal Part of Conductivity
Water
MODEL COMPUTATION
Resistivity Frequency Model Measured
CONDUCTION MODE NOS. 2 AND 3
19 ].i27 1.120
35 1.141 1.167
RW= .0613 280 1.336 1.348
C’ = .439 + .255(U) + lK 1.490 1.454
20K 1.659 1.697
19 .983 .984
1
35 1.010 1.027
RW
1 Rw = .102 280 1.196 1.182
.984 +.370(U) + .0837+ .128(U) lK 1.344 1.279
20K 1.506 1.512
19 .651 .651
with U=
()
1+~
1000 ‘*5
Rw = .480
I
35
280
IK
.669
.799
.905
.683
.804
.874
1.02 1.057
Core No. 10
.580 .579
Pyrite (Vol. Yo) = 27.3 .595 .614
II
d (p.u.) = 4.15 Rw = .880 280 .705 .710
Dry Conductivity = 0.60 mhos /m lK .795 .768
20K .896 .931
-23-
APPENDIX B
CORE RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENTS
All electrical measurements were made on whole cores 4 to 5+ in. in

diameter. Ends were trim”med perpendicular to the axes. Within this
constraint, the lengths were kept as long as possible but varied from 3
to 7 in. All cores were cleaned of hydrocarbons using hot recirculating
solve~ts until no further discoloration of the solvents could be detected.
Cores were confined in rubber Hassler collars inflated with pressur-

ized water to insure against air diffusion through the rubber into the cores.
The cell ends were plexiglass fitted with large-area current electrodes
and voltage electrodes contacting the core faces. Thus, all measurements
were of the four-electrode type.
Complex conductivity measurements were made with an AC bridge

using a modified AC Wheatstone circuit. Both resistance and capacitance,
in parallel, could be varied in the comparison arm. Null detection was
by oscilloscope with a high.-s nsitivity variable-frequency band-pass
preamplifier. In all cases, t Re measurement system was sensitive to a
change in khe third significant figure of both resistance and capacitance.
At each solution salinity, measurements were made at five frequencies

corresponding to Schlumberger logging tools as follows:
19Hz (15 Hz = LL7)

35 Hz (LLd)
280 Hz (SN, LLs)
1 kHz (LL3, LL8, SFL)
20 kHz (Induction)
Appendix Tables B-1 through B-1 O give results of the measurements at

the five frequencies for each of four salinities. The measurements were
made at temperatures varying between 22.5° and 23. 6°C, and are present-
ed in uncorrected form because of the uncertainty in the relation between
quadrature conductance and temperature. Also, note that data for three
cores are for total vector conductivity only. These samples were mea-
sured using a non-phase-sensitive bridge.
-24-
:omplex Conductivities, (1) mho/m(2)

C , mho/m Frequency,
‘at 25°C hertz
c c’
I c“
TABLE B-1 1.129 1.129

19 0.0220
CORE NO. 1
35 1.136 1.136 0.0316
16.7 280 1.204 1.203 0.0502
= lK 1.248 1.247 0.0520

Pyrite (Vol. 70) o
20K 1.397 1.394 0.0948
b (p.u. ) = 22.0
19 0.682 0.682 0.0226
35 0.692 0.692 0,0283
Dry Conductivity . 0
10.0 280 0.743 0.742 0.0395
lK 0.774 0.773 0.0370
BQ =. O. 6CI
v 20K 0.844 0.844 0.0208
19 0.169 0.169 0.0110

(l)c
=C’+j C” 35 0.172 0.171 0.0154
2.00 280 0.193 0.192 0.0123
(2)
At Z2.5°C IK 0.200 0.200 0.00902
20K 0.219 0.219 0.00231
19 0.0923 0.0916 0.0116

35 0.0972 0.0969 0.00789
1.09 280 0.108 0.108 0.00777
lK 0.113 0.113 0.00705
20K 0.124 0.124 0.00694
. , mh:jm ) mh~/m(2\
Frequency,
‘w
at 25 C hertz
- c“
TABLE B-2
19 0.839 0.839 0.0
CORE NO. 2
35 0.844 0.844 0.0
15.4 280 0.844 0.844 0.0
IK 0.897 0.897 0.0
Pyrite (Vol. %) = 0.2
20K 0.903 0.902 0.0361
d (p.u.) = 20.4
19 0.522 0,522 0.0 H
35 0.524 0.524 0.0
Dry Conductivity w O
9.66 280 0.531 0.531 0.0
lK 0.533 0.533 0,00901
BQ = 0.12
v 20K 0.552 0.552 0.0144
19 0.108 0.108 0.0

(I)c =Cl+jcll
35 0.108 0.108 0.0
1.88 280 0.110 0.110 0.00126
(2)
At 23.0°C IK 0.111 0.111 0.00162
20K 0.114 0.114 0.00270
19 0.0512 0.0512 0.0

35 0.0512 0.0512 0.0
1,00 280 0.0512 0.0512 0.0
IK 0.0526 0.0526 0.000901
20K 0.0538 0.0537 0.00180
-25-
c, mho /m
‘at 25°C c’ c“
I
TABLE B-3 19 0.642 0.642 0.0
CORE NO. 3 35 0.612 0.612 0.00267
15.3 280 0.642 0.642 0.0190
IK 0.654 0.654 0.00169
Pyrite (Vol. 70) = 1.1 20K 0.688 0.687 0.0356
d (p.u.) = 18.4 19 0.400 0.400 0.0

35 0.396 0.396 0.0
Dry Conductivity w O 0.408 0.408 0.00948
10.0 280
lK 0,421 0.421 0.0118
BQ = 0.22
20K 0.447 0.446 0.0220
v i
19 0.0962 0.0962 0.00161

(1) 35 0.0970 0.0969 0.00267
C= C’+j C”
2,10 280 0.102 0.102 0.00351
(2) lK 0.105 0.105 0.00347
At 22.5°C
20K 0.112 0.112 0.00508
T
19 0.0465 0.0465 0.0
35 0.0499 0.0499 0.000296
1.11 280 0.0561 0.0561 0.0
lK 0.0591 0.0591 0.00178
20K 0.0653 0.0651 0.00525
1
c, mho I m Frequency, Complex Conductivities, (1) mho/m(2]

‘at 25° C hertz cl?
c c’
TABLE B-4
CORE NO. 4 19 0.663 0.663 0.0
35 0.663 0.663 0.00249
15.6 280 0.667 0.666 0.0199
Pyrite (Vol. ‘7’0) = 1.3 lK 0.671 0.670 0.0253
20K 0.746 0.737 0.120
d (p.u.) = 17.6
19 0.394 0.394 0.0
Dry Conductivity - 35 0.394 0.394 0.00277
0
9.71 280 0.407 0.406 0.0114
BQ lK 0.418 0.417 0.0182
= 0.1,5
v 20K 0.461 0,460 0.0317
(1) 19 0.0895 0.0895 0.00135

C= C’+j C” 35 0.0900 0.0900 0.00194
(2) 1.98 280 0.0939 0.0938 0.00423
At 23.0°C lK 0.0978 0.0976 0.00475
20K 0.108 0.108 0.00475
19 0.0455 0.0455 0.00110

35 0.0460 0.0460 0.00147
1.01 280 0.0483 0.0482 0.00244
IK 0.0505 0.0504 0.00317
20K 0.0548 0.0548 0.00237
-26-
(1;
TABLE B-5
ZW, mho/
at 25°C 4 Frequency,
hertz
Conductivity,
Measured
mho /m
CORE NO. 5 19 0.335

35 0.339
16.67 280 0.345
Pyrite (Vol. 70) = 3.7 lK 0.357

20K 0.369
4 (p.u.) = 12.2
19 0.225
Dry Conductivity - 0 35 0,227

9.85 280 0,231
BQ = 0.35 lK 0.243
v I 20K I 0.266
I
(1) 19 0.0515
At 23.0°C 35 0.0523
2.15 280 0.0560
lK 0.0628
20K 0.0910
19 0.0279
35 0.0279
1.075 280 0.0309
IK 0.0376
20K 0.0565
I Complex Conductivities, (1) mhO/m(2

c, mho/m Frequency,
‘at 25° C hertz
c c’ c“
TABLE B-6
19 1.132 1.132 0.0
CORE NO. 6
35 1.132 1.132 0.0
16.4 280 1.380 1.380 0.0
IK 1.572 1.572 0.07
Pyrite (Vol. ’70) = 5.1
20K 1.976 1.951 0.313
d (p.u.) = 22.5
19 0.696 0,696 0.0 HI
Dry Conductivity - 0 35 0.707 0.707 0.0
9.71 280 0,871 0.871 0.0179
BQ = 0.35 lK 0.978 0.976 0.0711
v 20K 1.152 1.132 0.213
(1) 19 0.164 0.164 0.00108

C= C’+j C” 35 0.166 0.166 0.00199
2.08 280 0.211 0.210 0.0199
(2)
At 22.5°C lK 0.240 0.236 0.0427
20K 0.297 0.296 0.0284
19 0.0935 0.0935 0.0

35 0.0993 0.0993 0.000249
1.03 280 0.114 0.113 0.00159
lK 0.114 0.113 0.0142
20K 0.117 0.113 0.0284
-27-
c, mho /m Frequency, Conductivity, mho/rn(l)

‘at 25°C hertz Measured
TABLE B-7
19 0.396
CORE NO. 7
35 0.401
17.9 280 0.428
Pyrite (Vol. lK 0.451

70) = 7.5
20K 0.463
d (pou.) = 12.3
I I 19 I 0.342 I
-3 35 0.350
Dry Conductivity = 2.27 x 10
mhoim 9.75 280 0.376
IK 0.396
20K 0.477
(1)
At 23.0°C 19 0.147
r 35 0.150
2.0 280 0.164
lK 0.175
20K 0.191
19 0.0518
35 0.0524
1.082 280 0.0645
lK 0.0814
20K 0.127
UW, mom
hl Frequency, Conductivity, mho /m (1
at 25°C hertz Measured
TABLE B-8
CORE NO. 8 19 1.836
35 1.898
15.85 280 2.346
Pyrite (Vol. ’70) = 22.6 lK 2.639
20K 3.312
d (p.u.) = 8.47
19 1.444
Dry Conductivity = 0.555 35 1.609
mho /m 10.27 280 1.898
lK 2.138
20K 2.598
‘1 ‘At 23.1°C
19 0.771
35 0.836
2.070 280 1.104
lK 1.224
20K 1.280
19 0.512
35 0.563
1.053 280 0.771
IK 0.866
20K 0.836
-28-
Complex Conductivities, (1 ) mho/m (2)

c, mho /m Frequency,
hertz c c’ c!,
‘at 25°C
TABLE B-9
19 0,822 0.815 0.108
CORE NO. 9
35 0.867 0.961 0.109
16.6 280 1.013 1.005 0.124
IK 1.125 1.116 0.139
Pyrite (Vol. ‘3’o) = 22.5
20K 1.472 1.458 0.202
d (p.u.) = 5.69
19 0.679 0.673 0.089
35 0.711 0.705 0.093
Dry Conductivity = 0.135
10.0 280 0.841 0.833 0.111
mho /m
IK 0.948 0.939 0.129
20K 1,275 1.261 0.192
(l)c
=C’+j C”
19 0.385 0.381 0.053
(2)
At 22.6°C 35 0.409 0.404 0.600
2.00 280 0.496 0.491 0.076
lK 0.566 0.559 0.087
20K 0.796 0.792 0.079
19 0,318 0.315 0.045

35 0.334 0.330 0.053
1.075 280 0.409 0.404 0.063
lK 0.466 0.461 0.073
20K 0.662 0.659 0.061
2omplex Conductivities, (1) mhO/m(2

c mholm Frequency,
w’
at 25°C hertz c c’ c“
TABLE B-10
19 1.129 1.120 0.141
CORE NO. 10
35 1.177 1.167 0.148
16.3 280 1.355 1.348 0.129
lK 1.459 1.454 0.113
Pyrite (Vol. ‘7o) = 27.3
20K 1.697 1.697 0.0389
4 (p.u.) = 4.15
19 0.992 0.984 0.131
35 1.036 1.027 0.136
Dry Conductivity = 0.60
9.78 280 1.188 1.182 0.121
mtiolm
1K 1.284 1.279 0.122
20K 1.513 1.512 0.0512
(1)
C= C’+j C”
19 0.658 0.651 0.0974
‘2)At 23 .6°C 35 0.690 0.683 0.0990
2.08 280 0,808 0.804 0.0841
lK 0.877 0.874 0.0795
20K 1.058 1.057 0.0336
19 0.587 0.579 0.0974

35 0.621 0.614 0.0897
1.14 280 0.714 0.710 0.0742
lK 0.772 0.768 0.0760
20K 0.932 0.931 0.0300
-29-
APPENDIX C
SAND PACK DESATURATION EXPERIMENTS
Sand packs were made using a cell 48 cm high with two current elec-
trodes at top and bottom and eight voltage electrodes at 5 cm intervals
along the cell. Both sand and pyrite were carefully screened to be about
1 mm in linear dimension. 130th were acid washed and dried before pre-
ps ration of the packs. A separate pack had to be prepared for each solu-
tion because after a gravity desaturation it was not practicable to re -
saturate to ~ of 100 percent for the next solution. Care was taken that
segregation of the quartz and pyrite did not occur as the mixture was
dropped into the cell.
Fig. C-1 shows a typical water-saturation profile of a pack after very

slow drainage (taking at least 12 hours). The profiles were calculated
from resistivity values at each pair of electrodes, adjusting the satura-
tion exponent until the integral of all saturations equaled the measured
average saturation of the whole pack. Resulting exponents are noted on
each figure.
Tables C-1 through C-4 give in-phase resistivity and formation factor
for each pair of electrodes for each solution in both saturation states at
frequencies of 19 Hz, 1 kHz, and 20 kHz.
Table G-5 gives complete complex conductivities for all five frequencies
in both saturation states at four selected pairs of electrodes for the
20,000 ppm NaCl solution. These four electrode stations correspond to
the stations used for the data in Table 3 of the paper.
—
TABLE C-1
Sw = 10070 5w = 20.070
‘t’a. Distance Ave. Temp. 21.2°C Ave. Temp. 20.5°C

DRAINAGE 10.
3elow Tor (1]
DESATURATION t~ at 25°C, 19hertz(1) R~ at 2S°C, 19 hertz
ohm-m ‘F ohm-m ‘F
100qoQ WAR TZ —
SAND PACK
o 2.5 cm 0.276 4.61 30.1 502
2 = 40.4 p.u. 1 7.5 0.229 3.83 17.2 287

n = 2.18
2 12.5 0.232 3.87 13.0 217
m= 1.47
Rw = 0.0599 ohm-m 3 17.5 0.232 3.87 11.6 193
at 25°C
4 22.5 0.227 3.79 10.7 178
(130 kppm NaCl)
5 27.5 0.227 3.79 9.80 164
(1)
This pack showed no 6 32.5 0.225 3.75 9.16 153
frequency dependence 7 37.5 0.219 3.65 7.47 125
betieen 19 Hz and X
kHa at either saturation 8 43.55 0.242 4.03 1.65 27. t
state. —
-30-
DRAINAGE SATURATION PROFILE

0[ .,,, ,
PYRITE 16.57. by Vol.
F= 40.5 p.(1.
Rw. om06ohm-m
SW=14.9% (from out -
put volume)
~s I-964
m. [.53[
DISTANCE (S;= Ro/Rt)
9ELOW 20 I
TOP
(cm’
25
Fig . c-1 t
Typical drainage saturation profile 30-
of pyrite-sand pack.
35-
40 -
45- “\
I \
\
\
50~ t t , , t
20 30 40 50 o
&OATER SATURAT ION (Ye)
Sw = 100%, 1$ ohm-m at 25°C, ave. temp. 23.4°C I

~~. Distance
19HZ IM-?z 20kI-Iz
No” Below Top
R: ‘F R& ‘F RI OF
o
TABLE C-2
0 2.5 cm 2.09 4.10 1.55 3.05 1.14 2.23
1 7.5 1.92 3.77 1.55 3.04 1.22 2.38
2 12.5 2.01 3.95 1.56 3.07 1.15 2.26
DRAINAGE 3 17.5 1.97 3.87 1.49 2.92 1.05 2.05
DESATURATION 4 22.5 1.92 3.77 1.47 2.88 1.01 1.98
HI
5 27.5 1.89 3.71 1.44 2.82 1.01 1.98
6 32.5 1.93 3,78 1.40 2.74 .942 1.85
PYRITE Vol. ‘% 16.5 7 37.5 1.95 3.82 1.44 2.82 .974 1.91
SAND PACK 8 43.9 2.08 4.08 1.43 2.80 .978 1.92
3 = 41.0 p.u. Desaturated to ~ = 12.4?0, ave. temp. 20.3°C

w
n = 1.69
m= 1.50 o 2.5 cm 169 337 127 253 84.9 169
0.510 ohm-m 1 7.5 145 288 114 227 91.2 182
R=
w 2 12.5 10s 215 81.3 162 64.2 128
at 25° C
(11 kppm NaCl) 3 17.5 90.4 180 64.4 128 48.8 97.1
4 22.5 80.9 161 57.6 115 44.6 88.7
5 27.5 83.0 165 58.4 116 46.6 92.7
6 32.5 70.2 140 47.5 94.6 34.3 68.2
7 37.5 64.1 128 43.0 85.7 30.7 61.1
8 43.9 24.1 40.0 15.4 30.7 * 10.9 21.8
-31-
. ...—.
Sw = 100%, R’ , ohm-m at 25° C, ave. temp. 23.0°C

jta. Distance
No. Below Top 19* 1kHz 20kHz
R; % R& w R’ T
o
TABLE C-3
o 2.5 cm 1.31 4.29 0.960 3.14 0.635 2.07
1 7.5 1.22 3.97 0.949 3.10 0.635 2.07
2 12.5 1.24 4.05 0.958 3.13 0.628 2.05
DRAINAGE 3 17.5 1.25 4.09 0.951 3.11 0.612 2.00
DESATURATION 4 22.5 1.23 4.02 0.935 3.06 0.617 2.02
5 27.5 1.19 3.88 0.909 2.97 0.590 1.93
6 32.5 1.21 3.95 0.940 3.07 0.633 2.07
PYRITE Vol. ‘% 16.5 7 37.5 1.22 3.98 0.924 3.02 0.615 2.01
SAND PACK 8 43.9 1.37 4.48 0.925 3.02 0.587 1.92
z = 42.0 P.U.
Desaturate to ~
w
= 15.0%, ave. temp. 21.2°C
n= 1.76
o 2.5 cm 86.8 284 62.0 203 46.1 151
m= 1.60
1 7.5 60.9 199 43.6 143 35.2 115
R= 0.306 ohm-m
w 2 12.5 51.7 169 35.5 116 27.4 89.4
at 25° C
3 17.5 46.7 153 30.9 101 23.4 76,3
(_20 kppm NaCl)
4 22.5 44.8 146 30.4 99.5 24.3 79.3
5 27.5 43.9 144 29.3 95.7 23.1 75.4
6 32.5 42.2 138 28.7 93.7 23.1 75.6
7 37.5 39.4 129 25.7 84.1 20.2 66.1
8 43.9 16.1 52.7 10.0 32.8 7.61 24.9
—
5= = 100%, R:, ohm-m at 25°C, ave. temp. 21.2°C

h. ..
Distance “
Vo. 3elow Tol 19HZ lkl+z 20kHz
R; *F *F R’ *F
TABLE C-4 L o
o 2.5 cm 0.255 4.27 0.214 3.60 0.161 2.71
1 7.5 0.234 3.92 0.219 3.67 0.169 2.84
2 12.5 0.240 4.03 0.221 3.70 0.171 2.88
DRAINAGE 3 17.5 0.244 4.10 0.223 3.74 0.171 2.88
DESATURATION 4 22.5 0.249 4.17 0.227 3.81 0.161 2.71
5 27.5 0.242 4.06 0.214 3.60 0.156 2.63
6 32.5 0.244 4.10 0.214 3.60 0.159 2.66
PYRITE vol. ~o 16.5 7 37.5 0.244 4.10 0.217 3.63 0.150 2.52
SAND PACK 8 43.9 0.273 4.58 0,214 3.60 0.150 2.52
z = 40.5 p.u. Desaturated to ~ = 14.9y0, ave. temp. 21.5°C

-
n = 1.97
m= 1.55 0 2.5 an 26.5 444 18.8 315 5.55 93.2
R= 0.0596 ohm-m 1 7.5 17.8 299 13.2 221 4.74 79.5
w 2 12.5 15.8 264 11.8 197 5.16 86.6
at 25° C
(130 kppm NaCl) 3 17.5 13.5 226 9.86 165 5.18 86.9
4 22.5 12.3 207 8.67 146 5.22 87.6
5 27.5 10.9 182 7.23 121 5.26 88.2
6 32.5 10.8 181 7.38 123 5.47 91.7
7 37.5 9.71 163 6.21 104 4.29 72.0
8 43.9 4.25 71.3 2.57 43.1 1.71 28.7
—
-32-
TABLE C-5
Complex Conductivities
R = 0.3 ohm-m d = 42.0 p.u. n = 1.849 m = 1.531

w
1
I Distance
Sta. Below TO Frequency,
I Complex Conductivities,
(1)
mho/meter
1No. cm
1 hertz
~= 100’%, T= 23° C
c“
0.017
; w, %
Desaturated,
I
c
0.0122
T = 21.2°
I c’
0.0121
I
C
c“
0.0014
19 0.790 0.789
35 0.794 0.794 0.030 0.0127 0.0126 0.0015
1 7.5 280 0.875 0.869 0.106 11.7 0.0149 0.0148 0.0019
lK 1.022 1.012 0.146 0.0166 0.0165 0.0021
20K 1.523 1.512 0.179 0.0207 0.0206 0.0023
19 0.774 0.774 0.015 0.0148 0.0147 0.0020

35 0.779 0.778 0.027 0.0155 0.0153 0.0021
2 12.5 280 0.864 0.857 0.110 11.9 0.0186 0.0184 0.0028
lK 1,016 1.002 0.168 0.0213 0.0210. 0.0034
20K 1.541 1.528 0.195 0.0277 0.0273 0.0044
19 0.781 0.781 0.021 0.0178 0.0177 0.0025

35 0.787 0.787 0.034 0.0186 0.0184 0.0028
4 22.5 280 0.882 0.874 0.120 13.2 0.0227 0.0224 0.0033
lK 1.044 1.026 0.190 0.0257 0.0254 0.0039
20K 1.569 1.556 0.200 0.0322 0.0319 0.0041
19 0.788 0.788 0.025 0.0210 0.0207 0.0033

35 0.796 0.795 0.039 0.0222 0.0219 0.0038
7 37.5 280 0.890 0.880 0.135 14.3 0~0277 0.0273 0.0048
lK 1.060 1.039 0.214 0.0322 0.0317 0.0055
20K 1.576 1.562 0.211 0.0416 0.0411 0.0066
(1)
C= Cf+j C”
-33-

Spwla Seventeenth Annual Logging Symposium, June 9-12, 1976

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Spwla Seventeenth Annual Logging Symposium, June 9-12, 1976

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SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

EFFECT OF PYRITE ON RESISTIVITY AND

C. Clavier, A. Heim, and C. Scala

In this investigation, the approach has been essentially experimental.

The electrical properties of pyritic rocks, for the range of frequencies

Recommendations concerning the logging program are given in the final

Pyrite (FeS2) is the most common of the “heavy” minerals associated

Most pyrite in sedimentary rocks is autogenous and does not result

These characteristics of pyrite distribution would be of little importance

More recently, some oil companies have reported inconsistencies in the

‘: In the chronological Electrical log, the Lateral and Normal resistivity

‘~:: Trademark of Schlumberger.

to contain appreciable amounts of pyrite, Rt from the Induction log often

At the instigation of BP-Alaska an experimental study was made of the

Measurements on the pyrite chunks included density, acoustic velocity,

Measurements on cores included mineral identification by x-ray dif -

Relevant details concerning the measurement methods and setups are

LOGGING PROPERTIES OF BULK PYRITE

Density and Photoelectric Absorption

Gamma R(Iy Bulk Density

The photoelectric absorption factor is high (T = 17. O) leading to an

The short- spacing counting rate of the Density measurement is some-

The high photoelectric absorption of pyrite offers another approach for

PYRITE EFFECT ON IJTHOLOG

I VOLUME OF PYRITE ( PERCENT) I

Acoustic Travel Time

The acoustic interval travel time, At is 67 ~ 2 micros ec/ft.

This value has been obtained from measurements on large-size pyrite

One percent of pyrite by volume will increase At by 0.11 microsec/ft

Neutron- Log Parameters

a) Epithermal Neutron (SNP**~

Computation of the neutron slowing-down length in pyrite leads

INCREASE IN ~cNT.A DUE TO PYRITE

VOLUME OF PYRITE{ PERCENT)

to an apparent Neutron-1og porosity, (6N)Pyr, of -3.2 p.u. (with

One percent of pyrite by volume will decrease the apparent SNP

b) Dual-Spacing Thermal Neutron (CNL*)

The neutron capture cross section of pyrite is high, because of the

The resistivity of pyrite was measured on several large dry chunks of

... —..__.._ .—-----

pyrite of different origins. It appears to vary with the sample. Resistivi-

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF FIELD CORES

Ten cores, from Sadlerochit conglomerates of Prudhoe Bay were in-

Prior to the electrical measurements, the mineralogy of the cores

15 Hz (Laterolog 7, Electrical log)

35 Hz (Deep Late rolog of Dual Late rolog)

280 Hz (Shallow Laterolog of Dual Late rolog, 16-in. Short

TABLE 1A -- X-Ray Analysis /Whole Core Analysis

3 Quartz Kaolinite, Ankerite, 2.68 2.37 18.4 l.l

TABLE lB-- Ghernical Analysis /Whole Core Analysis

I Chemical Analysis Whole Core Analysis I

9 23. 0.25 3.24 3.21 3.08 5.7 22.5

1 kHz (Laterolog 3, Laterolog 8, SFL’~, MLL, Micro-

20 kHz (Induction logs)

WATER-PYRITE INTERFACE IMPEDANCE

1) The conductivity is an increasing function of current frequency.

2) The effect of frequency is more pronounced at high pyrite content.

3) The conductivity is complex, C = C’ + j C“, but the out-of-phase

Electrical-Model Equivalent of a Pyrite Formation

The frequency dependence of the conductivity suggests a polarization

s = surface of water-pyrite contact

PcJ ‘ interface specific resistivity