Chapter 6

SP (Spontaneous Potential) Log

Lecture notes for PET 370

Spring 2012
Prepared by: Thomas W. Engler,
Ph.D., P.E.
SP (Spontaneous Potential) Log USES

Identify permeable bed boundaries

Stratigraphic correlations

Estimation of shale content Vsh for shaly sand

formations.

Determination of formation water resistivity, Rw

SP Log Background
Definition of Potential Cells

Diffusion Potential Membrane Potential

- + + -

- -
- Cl - Cl
Dilute Concentrated Dilute Concentrated
+ +
NaCl Soln + Na NaCl Soln NaCl Soln + Na NaCl Soln

Porous Shale
medium membrane

Schematic of diffusion-potential Schematic of a membrane-potential

generating cell generating cell
SP Log Background
Origin of SP Curve

Electrochemical
Membrane potential

Electrokinetic
potentials

Electrochemical
Diffusion potential
 SP Log Application
Estimation of shale content Vsh
Estimated from linear relationship
of SP curve:
Vsh = 1 - EPSP/ESSP
where,
EPSP is the response in the shaly
zone of interest
ESSP is the response in the
adjacent, clean zone
Assumptions
zones of same salinity, shale
type....

Typically, overestimates volume of

shale

Schematic SP curve in sand/shale sequence

(Bassiouni, 1994)
SP Log Application
Identification of boundaries (Helander, 1983)
SP Log Application
Stratigraphic Correlation
SP Log Application-Rw
Procedure to Obtain Rw

Identify the shale baseline and clean sand lines on the SP log. The
difference is SP.

Calculate the formation temperature

Convert (Rmf)Tm => (Rmf)Tf

If necessary, correct SP for bed thickness and invasion effects. Read bed
thickness, h and invaded resistivity, Ri. Obtain SSP.

If necessary, Convert Rmf @ Tf to Rmfe @ Tf.

SSP
Calculate Rwe by:
61 0.133T
f
Convert Rwe to Rw. R we R mfe *10
 SP Log Application-Rw
Bed thickness/invasion correction
(Western Atlas, 1992)
SP Log Application-Rw
Procedure to Obtain Rw

Identify the shale baseline and clean sand lines on the SP log. The
difference is SP.

Calculate the formation temperature

Convert (Rmf)Tm => (Rmf)Tf

If necessary, correct SP for bed thickness and invasion effects. Read bed
thickness, h and invaded resistivity, Ri. Obtain SSP.

If necessary, Convert Rmf @ Tf to Rmfe @ Tf.

SSP
Calculate Rwe by:
61 0.133T
f
Convert Rwe to Rw. R we R mfe *10
SP Log Application-Rw
Procedures to Obtain Rw

Rmfe=0.03

Rw=0.20
SP Log Application-Rw

Example

SP = mV

Ri = ohmm

H= ft
SP Log References

Bassiouni, Z: Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs, SPE

Textbook Series, Vol. 4, (1994)
Chapter 6

Dewan, J.T.: Essentials of Modern Openhole Log Interpretation, Pennwell

Publishing, Ok (1983)

Helander, D.P.: Fundamentals of Formation Evaluation, OGCI

Publications,Tulsa, OK (1983)

Schlumberger, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1995)

Western Atlas, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1992)