Electrical Properties

of
Reservoir Rocks
 DETERMINING FLUID
SATURATIONS

Methods of Determining Saturations

1. Conventional core analysis

2. Capillary pressure
measurements

3. Well log analysis

OPENHOLE LOG EVALUATION
Most abundant data for formation evaluation and
determination of fluid saturations

Well Log
SP Resistivity

From NExT, 1999

 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
Resistivity
Resistivity is an intensive rock/fluid property, and
is a measure of (the inverse of) the electrical flow
capacity of the rock
•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
RESISTIVITY – DEFINITION OF THE
OHM-METER

From Halliburton (EL 1007)

 RESISTIVITY
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
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)

From J. Jensen, PETE 321 Lecture Notes

 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 also

Modified from J. Jensen, PETE 321 Lecture Notes

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 From J. Jensen, PETE 321 Lecture Notes
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

From J. Jensen, PETE 321 Lecture Notes

 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%
Res
istiv Rw
it y
= 100%
Sw = 100%
(1) Rock
Conductivity
Increasing
Resistivity
Increasing

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