University of Basrah

College of Engineering

Petroleum Engineering Department

3rd year class

Name : ‫محمد كريم زهير‬

No.: (42)
Introduction

Laterolog 3 (LL3)

The basic LL3 design concept was first proposed in the 1920’s by Conrad Schlumberger.
However, it took until 1950 for a commercial version of the tool to be developed by Henri
Doll [94]. The LL3 consists of a short central electrode which emits the survey current,
surrounded by two larger symmetrical electrodes called guard electrodes. For this reason,
LL3 is sometimes called the ‘Guard Log’. The guard electrodes range from 3 to 5 feet in
length, with 5 feet being the most common size. These long metallic guard electrodes are
not without inconvenience; they are prone to surface impedance, prevent the recording of
SP and cannot be interlaced with induction measurements
The classical Laterolog-3 (or Guard Log) is uniquely suited to providing a deep resistivity
measurement while maintaining good vertical resolution. Unlike measurements which
achieve greater depth of investigation through increased sensor spacing, the LL3 achieves
deep investigation with long, equipotential “guard” electrodes which focus the survey
current deep into the formation. Vertical resolution is determined by the survey electrode
length which can be sufficiently short to achieve the desired vertical resolution. The LL3
instrument concept, with modifications to enhance thin bed resolution, provides the basis
for the new laterolog design.
Laterolog 3 is the basis for laterologs, and from it the development of this type of sensor
was launched.

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Scientific Background

Laterolog 3 (Components & principle) :

The LL3 has 3 current emitting electrodes. The middle one, which is 1 foot long
emits the main current, while the 5 foot long electrodes either side of it emit a current that
is designed to help keep the central current more focussed. This is called a bucking current
and the electrodes are called guard electrodes. In this simple tool the bucking current is the
same as that from the central electrode, and the potential of the central electrode is
measured relative to the potential at infinity to give a potential difference. This potential
difference and the known current from the central electrode are used to calculate the
formation resistivity, using a known geometrical factor for the arrangement. The vertical
resolution of the LL3 is 1 ft.
The potential of electrodes A1 and A 1’ is held constant and at the same potential as the
central electrode A0.
Since current flows only if a potential difference exists, there should, in principle, be no
current flow in the vertical direction.

Laterolog-3 (LL3)The sheath of current therefore emanates horizontally from the central
measurement electrode. The current emitted from the focusing, or “guard” electrodes is
often referred to as the “bucking” current, as its function is to impede the measure current
from flowing in the borehole mud

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 Current Lines

Applications

• Recommended in holes drilled with conductive muds (salt muds) .

• Most accurate in medium to high resistivity formations (Rxo < Rt)
The classical Laterolog-3 (or Guard Log) is uniquely suited to providing a deep resistivity
measurement while maintaining good vertical resolution. Unlike measurements which
achieve greater depth of investigation through increased sensor spacing, the LL3 achieves
deep investigation with long, equipotential “guard” electrodes which focus the survey
current deep into the formation. Vertical resolution is determined by the survey electrode
length which can be sufficiently short to achieve the desired vertical resolution. The LL3
instrument concept, with modifications to enhance thin bed resolution, provides the basis
for the new laterolog design.

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Limitation

❖ lowest accurate in low- to medium resistivity formations

❖ It is not used in (Fresh mud)
❖ It is considered an old version as there are newer and more accurate versions
❖ LL3 difficulties Despite these good intentions, the LL3 device still showed some
difficulty with bed boundaries. The effects of shoulder bed resistivity on the
behavior of an LL3 device.

Conclusion

1) Laterolog-3 (LL3) It consists of electrodes (A1, A 1’) and central

electrode A0.
2) Principle of Laterolog3 idealized current distribution from the Laterolog3 device in
a homogeneous formation with current focused into the
formation.
3) Preferably used in high resistivity formations (Rxo < Rt) & Salt mud

References

❖ H. Guyod. Factors affecting the responses of laterolog-type logging systems (LL3

and LL7). Journal of Petroleum Technology, 16(2):211– 219, 1964
❖ ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WELL LOGGING (R.Desbrandes)
❖ Basic Well Log Analysis
❖ Petrophysics MSc Course Notes (Dr. Paul Glover) Ch.9
❖ Modeling and Inversion Methods for the Interpretation of Resistivity Logging Tool
Response

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