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SP Logging

1. The spontaneous potential (SP) log measures natural electric potentials that occur between the wellbore and formation. 2. SP readings can be used to distinguish permeable sandstones from shales and detect boundaries between formations. It can also determine formation water resistivity. 3. Differences in salinity between drilling mud filtrate and formation water create a "natural battery" that produces the SP response. When the mud filtrate is more saline than the formation water, there is a negative deflection on the SP log. A positive deflection occurs if the mud filtrate is less saline.

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Shyh-Zung Lo
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94 views

SP Logging

1. The spontaneous potential (SP) log measures natural electric potentials that occur between the wellbore and formation. 2. SP readings can be used to distinguish permeable sandstones from shales and detect boundaries between formations. It can also determine formation water resistivity. 3. Differences in salinity between drilling mud filtrate and formation water create a "natural battery" that produces the SP response. When the mud filtrate is more saline than the formation water, there is a negative deflection on the SP log. A positive deflection occurs if the mud filtrate is less saline.

Uploaded by

Shyh-Zung Lo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LC-3

SP Log
spontaneous potential
SP Log general
The SP curve is a recording versus depth of the difference in electric potential
between a fixed electrode at the surface and a moving electrode in the borehole.
It is measured in millivolts, and there is no absolute zero;
Only changes in potential are recorded.
It is recorded on track 1, and is always linear.
SP log applications:
(a) Identification of permeable beds and the location of their boundaries.
(b) Determination of the formation water resistivity in the uninvaded zone (Rw).
(c) Estimation of the degree of shaliness of reservoir rocks.
Origin of SP
Electrochemical (Ec) potentials
Electrokinetic (Ek) potentials.
also nown as the electrofiltration or streaming potential
it is in most cases negligible, and the observed SP response is assumed to be
solely due to the electrochemical component.
SH SH

SS SS

SH SH

SS SS
SH SH

SS SS

SH SH
SP Log
- +

SH

SS - deflection
SH
SS +deflection
SH

SS - deflection
SH
Interpretation of SP Log

Rmf << Rw
Deflection of SP curve

Rmf >> Rw Deflection to left (normal)


indicate salty formation water

Rmf << Rw Deflection to right(reverse)


indicate fresh formation water
Rmf >> Rw
Rmf = Rw No deflection

Rmf >> Rw
Interpretation of SP Log

Deflection of SP curve

The first step in the interpretation of the


SP log is the establishment of "sand" and
"shale" lines as shown in Fig.

Deflections to the left of the shale line are


regarded as normal or negative, and
correspond to porous and permeable
zones containing a more saline interstitial
water than the drilling mud (i.e. Rw< Rmf).

Sand line Shale line


Example of SP Deflection

Normal/Negative
Deflection

Reverse/Positive
Deflection
V-shale from SP
Rw from the SP

Rw is often known from client


information or local knowledge.
The SP can be used to check
the value or compute it when it
is unavailable.
It is especially useful when
there are variations along the
borehole.
Facies interpretation
Summary of SP Log
1. The spontaneous potential log (SP) can be used to
detect permeable beds
detect boundaries of permeable beds
determine formation water resistivity (Rw)
determine volume of shale (Vshale) in a permeable bed
2. The variations in the SP are the result of an electric potential that is present
between the well bore and the formation as a result of differences in salinities
between mud filtrate and formation water.
This salinity difference produces a resistivity difference between Rmf and Rw.
3. The SP response in shales is relatively constant, and a vertical line drawn along
the SP response in a shale is referred to as the shale baseline.
In permeable beds, the SP has the following responses relative to the shale
baseline:
negative deflection (to the left of the shale baseline)
where Rmf > Rw
positive deflection (to the right of the shale baseline)
where Rmf < Rw
no deflection where
Rmf = Rw
4. The SP response can be suppressed by thin beds, shaliness, and the presence
of hydrocarbons.
SP surface Effects
The SP can be affected by a number of surface
effects as it relies on the fish as its reference electrode.
Power lines
electric trains
electric welding
close radio transmitters
All these create ground currents which disrupt he
"fish" reference causing a poor, sometimes
useless, log.
Permeable bed & Bed boundary
SP Base Line Drift
H.C. Effect on SP Log
SP Base line Shift
SP Base line Drift

The shale baseline shows a distinctive drift


with depth.

This characteristics is commonly caused by


an increases in relative oxidation of the
rocks that are close to the land surface.

The highest sandstone in the well has a


muted deflection on the SP log as
compared with the lower sandstones.

This contrast is an immediate indication that


water in the upper sandstone may be
significantly fresher than waters of the lower
sandstone.
SP Deflection to Left or Right

It is not uncommon to see sandstone units where


the SP deflection goes to the right of the shale
baseline.
In these case, the drilling mud filtrate is salter
than the formation water.(Rmf<< Rw)

the upper sandstone, "U",


the SP log shows a deflection to the right,
indicating formation water to be fresher than
the drilling mud,

the lower sandstone, "L",


the deflection is to the left,
showing the formation water to be more
saline.
SP-General

The spontaneous potential tool measures natural electrical potentials occur in boreholes

SP distinguishes porous, permeable sandstones from intervening shales.

The "natural battery" is caused when the use of drilling mud with a different salinity from
the formation waters, causes two solutions to be in contact that have different ion
concentrations.
Ions diffuse from the more concentrated solution (typically formation water) to the
more dilute.
The ion flow constitutes electrical current, which generates a small natural
potential measured by the SP tool in millivolts.

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