SP Log Potential Differences

SP (Spontaneous Potential) Log
3/11/2019 WELL LOGGING - TRUONG QUOC THANH 1

1. INTRODUCTION
• The spontaneous potential log (SP) measures the natural or
spontaneous potential difference (sometimes called self-
potential) that exists between the borehole and the surface in the
absence of any artificially applied current.
• It is a very simple log that requires only an electrode in the
borehole and a reference electrode at the surface.
• These spontaneous potentials arise from the different access that
different formations provide for charge carriers in the borehole
and formation fluids, which lead to a spontaneous current flow,
and hence to a spontaneous potential difference. The spontaneous
potential log is given the generic acronym SP.

2. SP MEASUREMENT PRINCIPLE
There are three requirements for the existence of an SP current:
• A conductive borehole fluid (i.e., a water based mud).
• A sandwich of a porous and permeable bed between low
porosity and impermeable formations.
• A difference in salinity between the borehole fluid and the
formation fluid, which are the mud filtrate and the formation
fluid in most cases. Note, however, that in some special cases an
SP current can be set-up when there is no difference in salinity,
but where a difference in fluid pressures occurs.

• The origin of the spontaneous potential has four different
components. These are shown in Fig. 1.1.
• The spontaneous potential is composed of contributions that are
electrochemical (arise from electrical interactions between the
various chemical constituents of the rocks and fluids), and
electrokinetic (arise from the movement of electrically
charged ions in the fluid relative to the fixed rock).
Figure 1.1 Electromotive components of the

spontaneous potential.

2.1 Electrochemical Components
The diffusion potential (sometimes called the liquid-junction
potential).
 Occurs at the boundary between the flushed zone and the virgin
zone, it is the direct result of the difference in salinity between
the mud filtrate and the formation fluid (formation water)
 Because of the high salinity of the formation water, both cations
(Na+) and anions (Cl-) will migrate towards the mud filtrate.
 The anions (Cl-) move faster than the cations (Na+ ), and the net
effect is a current flowing

The diffusion potential (sometimes called the liquid-junction
potential).
Figure 1.2 Laboratory demonstration Figure 1.3 The diffusion potential in a

of the diffusion potential borehole.

 If the mud filtrate has a higher salinity than the formation
fluid, the same argument applies but in reverse, and leads to a
reverse diffusion potential and current flow.
 The same arguments also apply for more complex fluid
compositions because some ions always have a greater mobility
than others.
 For NaCl solutions at 25oC, the diffusion potential, Ed, is given
by; Ed = -11.81*log(R1/R2), where R1 is the resistivity of the
diluter solution, and R2 is the resistivity of the more saline
solution.

The membrane potential (sometimes called the shale potential).
 Because of its molecular structure, shale are more permeable to
Na+ cations than the Cl- anions; a shale acts as an ionic sieve.
Since Na+ ions effectively manage to penetrate the shale bed
through from the saline formation water to the less saline mud
column, a potential is created known as the membrane potential
(Em).
 The strength of this effect depends upon the shale mineralogy, the
fluid concentration and the fluid pH.
 This results in the shale being more positive than the non-invaded
zone, and hence there is an electrical membrane potential, which
causes current to flow from the invaded zone into the shale

2.2 The membrane potential (sometimes called the shale
potential).
Figure 1.4 Laboratory demonstration Figure 1.5 The membrane potential

of the membrane potential. in a borehole.

The membrane potential (sometimes called the shale potential).
• For NaCl solutions at 25oC, the membrane potential, Esh = Em, is
given by;
Em = 59.15*log(R1/R2),
where R1 is the resistivity of the diluter solution, and R2 is the
resistivity of the more saline solution.
• The total electrochemical component of the SP at 25oC for NaCl
solutions is therefore
• We can be generalized by the formula

2.2 Electrokinetic Components
• The electrokinetic contribution, itself, consists of two effects,
which are usually very small and act in opposite ways such that
they cancel each other out.
• These contributions depend upon fluid flow, and hence are larger
when there is a substantial difference in pressure between the
borehole and the formation.
• Thus, these contributions may be significant for depleted and
under-pressured reservoirs where the differential pressure is high
(>500 psi).

The mudcake potential.
This potential is produced by the movement of charged ions through
the mudcake and invaded zone in a permeable formation. Its size
depends upon the hydraulic pressure drop.
The shale wall potential.
This potential is the same in origin to the mudcake potential, but
applies to the flow of fluids from the borehole into shale formations.
It is usually very small because the flow into impermeable shales is
small.
The total electrokinetic potential is Ek = Emc + Esw, and because Emc
and Esw have the same polarity, the value of Ek is the difference
between their absolute values, i.e., Ek = |Emc| + |Esw|.

2.3 The Combined Spontaneous Potential Effect
• First assume that point A in the
borehole has some unknown potential
relative to the surface Eo.
• The mudcake potential Emc induces a
current flowing into the formation
through the mudcake.
• Therefore at point B, the potential is
Eo + Emc and current has flowed from
Figure 1.6 Combination of the electromotive A to B.
components of the spontaneous potential for the • The diffusion potential Ed across the
formation water more saline than the mud filtrate interface between the invaded and
non-invaded zones induces a current
The membrane potential Em across the interface flowing from the invaded zone into
between the permeable formation and the shale the non-invaded zone. Therefore at
above it induces a current flowing into the shale point C, the potential is Eo + Emc + Ed
from the non-invaded zone. Therefore at point D, and current has flowed from A
the potential is Eo + Emc + Ed + Em and current through B to C.
has flowed from A through B and C to D.

• The shale wall potential Esw induces a
current flowing into the shale from
the borehole. This current counteracts
the current flow set-up in the previous
steps. Therefore at point E, the
potential is Eo + Emc + Ed + Em - Esw
and the current has flowed from A
through B and C to D, and has been
Figure 1.6 Combination of the electromotive slightly reduced there by the small
components of the spontaneous potential for the countercurrent due to the shale wall
formation water more saline than the mud filtrate potential. The overall effect is for a
net current to flow from A through B,
C and D to E.
• The overall effect is for point E in the borehole opposite the shale wall to have a more
positive potential than that at point A opposite the permeable formation. Hence there
will also be a current flow in the borehole between the borehole opposite the shale beds
and the borehole opposite the permeable bed to close the loop.

• First assume that point A in the
borehole has some unknown potential
relative to the surface Eo.
• The mudcake potential Emc induces a
current flowing into the formation
through the mudcake.
• Therefore at point B, the potential is
Eo + Emc and current has flowed
from A to B. This is the same as in
Figure 1.7 Combination of the electromotive the previous case because nothing has
components of the spontaneous potential for the changed locally. The mud filtrate is
formation water less saline than the mud filtrate. still passing through the mudcake and
sets up the same potential difference.
• The diffusion potential Ed across the interface between the invaded and non-invaded zones
now induces a current flowing from the non-invaded zone into the invaded zone (i.e., the
opposite way to the previous case). Therefore at point C, the potential is Eo + Emc - Ed and
current has flowed from C to B. Since this current is generally larger than that flowing from
A to B in the opposite direction due to the mudcake potential, the net current flow is from C
through B to A.
• The membrane potential Em across
the interface between the permeable
formation and the shale above it now
induces a current flowing out of the
shale and into the non-invaded zone
(i.e., again the opposite way to the
previous case). Therefore at point D,
the potential is Eo + Emc - Ed - Em
and the net current has flowed from D
Figure 1.7 Combination of the electromotive
through C and B to A.
components of the spontaneous potential for the
·
formation water less saline than the mud filtrate.
• The shale wall potential Esw induces a current flowing into the shale from the borehole as it
did in the previous scenario. This is because the local situation has not changed – mud
filtrate is still flowing into the shale and setting op the associated streaming potential. This
current now does not counteract the current flow, but contributes to it. Therefore at point E,
the potential is Eo + Emc – Ed - Em - Esw and current has flowed from E through D, C and
B to A, and has been slightly reduced by the small countercurrent due to the mud cake
potential between B and A.

3. MEASUREMENT TOOLS
The tool is extremely simple,
consisting of a single
electrode that is connected to
a good surface earthing point
via a galvanometer for the
measurement of DC potential
(Fig. 1.8). A small 1.5 V
battery is also included
commonly to ensure that the
overall signal is measured on
the correct scale. The
simplicity of the log means
that it is extremely cheap.
Figure 1.8 The SP tool arrangement.

4. LOG PRESENTATION
Figure 1.9 Presentation of

the SP log.
SP is shown in millivolts in Track 1, with negative deflections to the
left and positive ones to the right (Fig. 1.9).
In reading the SP log it is best to first define a shale base line. This is
the typical SP level for shales and can be found by comparing the SP
log with the GR log response. Permeable formations will then have
excursions of variable intensity to the left or right of this line,
depending upon the relative salinities of the formation water and the
mud filtrate.

4. LOG PRESENTATION
Figure 1.10 Typical responses of the SP log.

6. SP LOG EFFECT
Bed Thickness
In a thin formation (i.e., less than about 10 ft [3 m] thick), the measured
SP is less than SSP (Figure 1.11A). However, the SP curve can be
corrected by chart for the effects of bed thickness. As a general rule,
whenever the SP curve is narrow and pointed, the SP should be corrected
for bed thickness before being used in the
calculation of Rw.
Bed Resistivity
Higher resistivities reduce the deflection of the SP curves.
Borehole and Invasion
Hilchie (1978) indicates that the effects of borehole diameter and
invasion on the SP log are very small and, in general, can be ignored.
Shale Content
The presence of shale in a permeable formation reduces the SP
deflection (Figure 1.11B). In water-bear-ing zones, the amount of SP
reduction is related to the amount of shale in the formation.

6. SP LOG EFFECT
Remember, the SP log can used only

with conductive (i.e., saltwater base
or freshwater base) drilling muds.
This log does not work with oil-base
muds or in air-filled holes.
Figure 1.11 A&B

3. APPLICATIONS OF SP LOG
SP Log is usually used to:
(1) identify permeable zones (Porosity and permeability indications);
(2) define bed boundarie ;
(3) compute shale content (Lithology indication);
(4) Depositional Environment from the SP (Correlation)
(5) determine values of formation water resistivity Rw;.

(1) identify permeable zones
• The negative abnormal on
SP curve usually indicates
the permeable zone ; the
higher abnormal range , the
more permeable of the
formation .
• Since invasion can only
occur in permeable
formations, deflections of SP
can be used to identify
permeable formations.

(2) define bed boundaries
• Half of abnormal amplitude
point will be boundaries of
shale and sand.
• The bed thickness is the
interval between two
boundaries
• The vertical resolution of SP
is poor, and often the
permeable bed must be 30 ft
or more to achieve a static
(flat baseline) SP

(3) compute shale content
The presence of shale in a “clean” sand will tend to reduce the SP .
This effect can be used to estimate the shale content of a formation
(maximum deflection is clean sand; minimum is shale).
Where
SPshale is the value observed in a shale ;
SPclean is the value observed in a clean, water-bearing sand;
We also call SPshale the base line of shale .

Shale and sand baselines

When to Consider SP for Vsh Estimates
 Beds should be > 5 ft (1.5 m) thick
 Rmf / Rw contrast should be > 4.0
 Some permeability must exist

Shale have SP lying on the right

side of the log (higher voltage).
Set as shale base line = 0 mv
Point A 2 divisions x 20 mv = 40 mv
Clean, permeable rocks lie on the
left side (lower voltage)
Set as sand base line = 6
divisions x 20mv = 120 mv

(4) Depositional Environment
from the SP
Since shales and clays
are generally finer-grained than
sands, a change in SP suggests a
change in grain size. Thus, SP
deflections can be indicate
depositional sequences, where
either sorting, grain size or
cementation change with depth
and produce characteristic SP
shapes. These shapes are
referred to as bells, funnels, or
cylinders (Following Figure).

(5) Determine values of formation water resistivity
 Rw is often known from client information or local knowledge.
 The SP can be used to check the value or to compute it when it is
unavailable.
 SP curve can be used for estimation of Rw. The equation is : where

Rmfe, Rwe are “equivalent” Rmf or Rw which suppose no shoulder
bed effect on them
•K is a constant - depending on the temperature.
•Kc = 61 + 0.133 ToF
•Kc = 65 + 0.24 ToC

(1) Rw from the SP- background
 Where SP is measured in millivolts and K is a constant which

depends on temperature.
 The SP deflection can be read in a shale-free water-bearing sand
that is thick enough to allow for full development of the potential.
 A reasonable approximation for K is:
 K = (Tf+ 505)/8 where Tf is formation temperature in °F, and
 K = (Tf+ 336)/5 where Tf is formation temperature in °C.

(2) Rw from the SP-Classical Method
Step 1. Determine formation temperature Tf.
Step 2. Find Rmf at formation temperature.
Step 3. Convert Rmf at formation temperature to an Rmfe value.
Step 4. Compute the Rmfe/ Rwe ratio from the SP.
Step 5. Compute Rwe
Step 6. Convert Rwe at formation temperature to an Rw value.

(2) Rw from the SP-Classical Method

Determination of formation
Example 2: water resistivity (Rw) from
an SP log.
Given:
Rmf = 0.51 ohm-m at 135°F
(BHT)
Rm = 0.91 ohm-m at 135°F
(BHT)
Surface temperature = 60°F
Total depth = 8007 ft
Bottom hole temperature
(BHT) = 135°F

From the log:
3. APPLICATIONS OF SP LOG • Formation depth at maximum
Example 2: SP deflection is 7446 ft.
• The maximum SP deflection
in the sand coincides with –
50 mV on the log scale, and
the shale base line is at –5
mV. Note that the SP scale
goes from –160 mV on the
left to +40 mV on the right
and has 20 mV per division.
• Bed thickness is 8 ft (7442 to
7450 ft).
• Short-normal (SN) resistivity
(Ri) is 33 ohm-m. The short-
normal (or 16-inch normal)
log measures the shallow
formation resistivity (i.e., the
resistivity of the invaded
zone, Ri).

Example 2:
1. Determine Tf:
Use Figure and the
information above to
calculate the formation
temperature (Tf).
Tf = 130°F.

Example 2:
2. Correct Rm and Rmf
to Tf:
Use Figure and the
information above to
correct Rm and Rmf to
formation
temperature.
Rm = 0.94 ohm-m at
130°F and Rmf = 0.53
ohm-m at 130°F.

3. Determine SP:
Read the maximum deflection directly from the SP curve in Figure. In
this case, because the SP baseline has a nonzero value (–5 mV), its
value must be subtracted from the value
of the SP curve.
The SP value is: SP (read from log) - baseline value = (–50 mV) – (–5
mV) = - 45 mV
SP = - 45 mV.

4. Correct SP to SSP (correct for a thin bed):
See the procedure in Figure SSP = –59 mV

5. Determine Rmf /Rwe ratio,

and from that, determine Rwe:
See the procedure in Figure
Rwe = 0.096 ohm-m
6. Correct Rwe to Rw:

Use the chart in
Figure, and the Rwe
value in step 6
Rw = 0.10 ohm-m at Tf

SP Log Potential Differences

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SP Log Potential Differences

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SP (Spontaneous Potential) Log

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Figure 1.1 Electromotive components of the

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Figure 1.2 Laboratory demonstration Figure 1.3 The diffusion potential in a

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Figure 1.4 Laboratory demonstration Figure 1.5 The membrane potential

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• We can be generalized by the formula

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Figure 1.9 Presentation of

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Figure 1.10 Typical responses of the SP log.

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Remember, the SP log can used only

Figure 1.11 A&B

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Shale and sand baselines

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Shale have SP lying on the right

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 SP curve can be used for estimation of Rw. The equation is : where

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 Where SP is measured in millivolts and K is a constant which

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5. Determine Rmf /Rwe ratio,

6. Correct Rwe to Rw:

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