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

Rate Processes
Darcys Law (1-D Linear)
q=(k/m)(A/L)(D p)
Ohms Law (1-D Linear)
i=DV/r= (1/R)(A/L)(DV)

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

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

Rock
Gas
Oil
Fresh Water
Salt Water

Conductivity

Resistivity

RESISTIVITY OF EARTH MATERIALS

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)

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

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

Saturation
Equation

Rock containing pores saturated

with water and hydrocarbons

Non-shaly rock, 100% saturated

with water having resistivity, Rw

Formation
Factor
Equation

Rt
Cube of water
having resistivity, Rw

= 20%
Sw = 20%

Ro
= 20%
Sw = 100%

Rw
= 100%
Sw = 100%
Increasing
Resistivity

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

Increasing
Conductivity

(1) Rock