SPE

Society of Petroleum Engineers

SPE 21415

Using Electrical Logs To Obtain the Saturation Exponent (n)

in the Article Equation
M. Watta, Schlumberger Middle East SA
SPE Member

Copyright 1991, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Middle East Oil Show held in Bahrain, 16-19 November 1991.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper,
as presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect
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of Petroleum Engineers. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment
of where and by whom the paper is presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O. Box 833836, Richardson, TX 75083-3836 U.S.A., Telex, 730989 SPEDAL.

ABSTRACT INTROPUCTION

The saturation exponent (n) is an essential parameter
that is required to solve the Archie Equation and obtain
saturation values. This equation gives correlations
between resistivity, porosity and saturations. When core
measurements of n are unavailable, its value is assumed
constant (usually 2). However, under certain conditions,
this assumption of a constant value could lead to large
errors in computed saturation values.
This paper presents a technique whereby electrical logs
are used to solve simultaneously for n and the water
saturation values Sw and Sxo in the uninvaded and
invaded zone respectively. This technique combines
open hole log values which are sensitive to saturation,
namely the deep reading resistivity Rt, the shallow
resistivity Rxo , and the electromagnetic transit time tplt
together with the through tUbing cased hole
measurement of the formation capture cross-section (1:).
Essentially four equations are used to solve for Sw, Sxo,
n and the porosity exponent (m) at every log sampling
point.
A data-base containing log data from 22 wells was
constructed from the Upper Jurassic Arab Formation.
This is a carbonate reservoir with anhydrite. The porosity
distribution in sections of this formation is known to be
heterogeneous, with the presence of vugs and fractures.
The results of this study showed that the Arab Formation
is water wet, and the computed values of n are consistent
with the range of values obtained from core
measurements. The n values were found to increase
with increasing dolomitization, and were shown to be
independent of both the pore type and of the porosity
exponent m. The results presented demonstrates
satisfactorily that this technique, under particular
conditions, can give accurate computed values for n at
downhole conditions.
679
The saturation exponent (n) in the Archie Equation
presents interpreters with some serious limitations in
estimating accurate water saturation values. It has long
been recognized that n is tied closely to rock wettability,
and is thus an important factor in determining recovery
and the optimum injection scheme for secondary
recovery. The only practical means at present of
obtaining n values is by using tedious, expensive, and
time-consuming core measurements. This involves the
slow injection of known mixtures of water and oil (Le.
predetermined water saturations Sw) into the core
sample, and the corresponding resistivity measurements.
There has been doubts about the validity of the
computed values of n from such core measurements, as
these .measurements do not reproduce downhole
conditions. Some core cleaning processes have been
known to affect the true rock wettability.
The main limitations of obtaining n from electrical logs is
due to the fact that only one measurement, the deep
resistivity Rt, is made in the virgin zone from open hole
logs. This measurement is used to compute the water
saturation (Sw) by assuming a value for n.
Recent advances in through tubing saturation monitoring
tools have made it possible to obtain very accurate
values of water saturation (Sw), independently of the
Archie Equation, and therefore, independently of the n
and m exponents in this equation. This paper outlines a
technique whereby cased hole measurements of the
formation capture cross-section CI') can, under certain
circumstances, be combined with other open hole logs,
to compute in-situ values of n.
* Mark of Schlumberger
References and illustrations at end of paper
2 USING ELECTRICAL LOGS TO OBTAIN THE SATURATION EXPONENT(n) IN THE ARTICLE EQUATION SPE21415

A data-base comprising 22 wells was constructed. The applies for values of either Sw or Sxo. The results of Fig.-
open hole, cased hole, and well conditions for each well 1 were derived from the following equation:
made it possible to s91ve the system of equations and
obtain values for the saturation exponent n, as well as
solving for other variables such as Sw and m. The data ~= 1.0 (3)
presented in this paper are for the Arab Formation, which Sw2
2
is Jurassic. This formation is a mixture of dolomite,
limestone and anhydrite with very little clay. Its pore Where
structure is complex and heterogeneous, with isolated SW2 = Computed Sw values using a value of n=m=2
porosity and fractures. Moreover, core observations have Swn = True Sw value for the correct n value, and
showed that there is a large variation in particle size over assuming m = 2.
these sections of the formation. Equation-3 can be derived easily from algebraic
manipulations of the Archie Equation.
The results obtained from this study demonstrate that this
approach and technique can yield representative values Effects of variations in m on Saturation
for n at normal downhole conditions. The results also Computations.
showed that the formation is water wet. and the
wettability is affected by the lithology. The study also The effects variations in m on the computed values of
demonstrated that there is no obvious correlation water saturation Sw and Sxo in the uninvaded and
between the two exponents m and n and that n is not
affected buy the pore type. invaded zones is governed by two parameters:

SENSITIVITY OF SATURATION a. True value of m as compared to the value of m

COMPUTATIONS TO YARIATIONS IN THE used in the computations.
VALUES OF nAND m
b. The true value of the porosity".
How important are the parameters m and n in
determining the values of water saturation in the invaded Using a similar procedure as in the preVious section, a
zone (references, 1,2,3)? The Archie Equation, for a value of m =2.0 is normally assumed. Charts are derived
clean formation can be defined as follows: (Fig.-2) that show errors in the computed values of water
saturations for variations in the true value of m from the
assumed value of 2. and for a range of porosity values.
(1) Similar to Fig.-1, the saturation ratio presented on the
horizontal axis in Fig.-2 applies for values of either Sw or
Sxo' The results of Fig.-2 was derived from the following
The same equation applies in the invaded zone, where equation:
the invaded zone parameters replace the uninvaded
zone parameters:
~ = ~1-( m/2) (4)
Rmf Sw2
R xo =-------'-
....
-~- (2)
rt. m n
p . Sxo Where, Swm = true Sw value using correct m, and
assuming n =2. Equation-4 can also be obtained from
These two parameters, m and n will be evaluated algebraic manipulations of the Archie Equation.
separately in order to understand their individual effects
on the computed values of saturation. From Figs.-1 and 2 the following are apparent:

Effects of Variations in n on Saturation a. The effect of n variations on saturation are most

Computations. sensitive at low saturation values.

The effects of variations in n on the computed values of b. The effects of m variations on saturation are most
water saturation Sw and Sxo in the uninvaded and sensitive at low porosity values.
invaded zones is governed by two parameters:
c. The maximum error in computed water saturation
values will occur when both the porosity and
a - True value of n as compared to the value of n used saturation are low. For example, in fig.- 2, if the true
in the computations.
m value is 1.5. but a value of 2 is used, then the
error in the computed value of saturation will be
b - The true value of water saturation Sw or Sxo.
75% when Sw=10 • as compared with a 20% error
when Sw =70%.
Since a value of n =2 is normally assumed, charts are
derived (Fig.-1) to show errors in the computed water
saturation for variations in the true value of n and for the
whole range of saturation variations from 0-100%. The
saturation ratio presented on the horizontal axis in Fig.-1

680
SPE21415 DR. MOHAMED WATFA
MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSIS
Traditionally, all saturation computations were made
assuming constant values of m and n. This was dictated
by practical limitations of the availability of continuous
channels defining the variations of m and n at every
sampling point. The limitations, and resulting
inaccuracies caused by using constant values for m and
n, were recognized from an early stage, and various
techniques were tried to account for the variations of
these parameters. The following is a summary of
techniques that are in use to account for variations in m
and n. :
1 - Use of core data for m and n.: However, such data is
usually incomplete and may not be representative of
true downhole conditions.
2 - Empirical correlations between these parameters and
other reservoir parameters:This was tried mainly for
the parameter m where correlations between m and
porosity and lithology were made (References 5, 6
and 7)
The original limitations of obtaining in-situ log
evaluations of m and n was due to the absence of
enough equations (or measurements) that responded
appreciably to the volume of water. Up to recent times,
only equations (1) and (2), representing resistivity
measurements in the invaded and uninvaded zones,
were available. To solve equations 1 and 2 for water
saturations Sw and Sxo, values for m and n are needed;
values of porosity (0) and clay volume (in shaley
environment) are obtained from other log or core
measurements. Likewise, the salinitv of the formation
water in the uninvaded zone, and the filtrate salinity in
the invaded zone, are obtained from cross-plots in 100%
water bearing environments, or from sample analysis at
the surface.
With the introduction of Electromagnetic Propagation
Time (EPT*) Tool, a third equation was added to the two
saturation equations. This equation can be defined as
follows:
tpl = t pw · 0 . Sxo + tphc. 0. (1-S xo )
+ tpma (1-0) + tpcl . Vcl (5)
Originally, this new equation, together with equations (1)
and (2) were used to solve for Sw, Sxo and m by
assuming a constant value for n (reference 7).
The introduction of the Dual-burst Thermal Delay Time
(TDT-P* ) Tool gave a new dimension in measuring
accurately the formation capture cross-section (E).
Normally, E measurements are made few years after the
original open hole logging of Rxo , Rt and tpl. If the E
measurement is made over sections of the formation
where the water saturation Sw is expected to be the
same as that when the original open hole logging (Le.
the same saturation as that seen by Rt), then a fourth
equation for E can be introduced. This can be defined
as follows:
681
3
.L = LW . 0 . Sw + Lhc . 0 . (1-Sw)
+ Lma· (1-0) + Lei· Vcl (6)
Thus. when open hole measurements of Rt, Rt and tpl
are available, and where subsequently measurements of
.L are made after the filtrate effect has disappeared, and
before changes in water saturation has taken place, then
four equations become available (equations 1, 2 , 5 and
6) which respond to variations of water saturations in the
invaded and uninvaded zones. Under such conditions,
equations 1, 2, 5, and 6 can be solved simultaneously to
obtain values for Sw. Sxo. m and n. The flow chart of
Fig.3 shows the procedure used for this solution. The
iterations for Sxo convergence shown on fig.-3 are
necessary in order to obtain accurate lithology, porosity
and clay volume values; the nuclear log measurements,
which are used to determine porosity and lithology, could
be affected extensively by light hydrocarbon. The
porosity. lithology and clay volume inputs come from
standard open hole log interpretations.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION
A data base containing data from 22 wells (reference 8)
was constructed for the Arab Formation (Upper Jurassic).
All the wells considered had original open hole Rt, Rxo
and tpl logs, and sUbsequent through tubing .L log. The
interpretation procedure outlined in fig-3 was made on all
the data. Local reservoir knowledge, together with
information from production data, were used to determine
the intervals in each well where the value of Sw
remained unchanged between the .L and Rt log's. Four
examples are presented here of Sw. Sxo. m and n
computations over sections of the Arab-B, C and 0
Formations. The examples are shown on Figures 4-7.
Each figure Shows the following:
• Raw data for .L and tpl on Track-1 (left).
Raw data for Rt and Rxo in logarithmic Track-2.
• The computed results for m and n on track-3.
• Volumetric analysis ,of lithology, Water and
hydrocarbon volumes in the invaded and uninvaded
zones in Track-4 (right).
Example-1, Fig-4: This is an example of the Arab-D
formation. The variation in m is in the range 2-2.8; this is
consistent with the observed value for m obtained from
core analysis. The range of variations of n is in the range
of 1.1-2. The variation in n appears also to be affected
by dolomitization.
Example-2, Fig-5: This is a second example of the
Arab-D formation. The trends in m and n variations in
this example are very similar to those observed in
example-1. The value of n also shows an increase in
value with the increase in dolomitization.
Example-3, Fig-6: This is an example of the upper
Arab-B and Arab-C formations. The variations in mare
in the range of 2-4. This large variation in m, which was
observed also from core analysis, reflects the complex
4 USING ELECTRICAL LOGS TO OBTAIN THE SATURATION EXPONENT(n) IN THE ARTICLE EQUATION
pore geometry structure of these upper Arab Formations.
However, the variations in n remained in the same
range of 1.1-2 which was seen for the lower Arab-D
Formation.
Example-4, Fig-7: This is another example of the
upper Arab-B and C Formations. The trends here for m
and n variations are similar to those of Example-3. No
values for m or n are computed in the effectively zero
porosity anhydrite beds.
The trends observed in the four examples were also
apparent for the other wells evaluated in the data-base.
There are few core analysis value for n in the Arab
Formations and these are in the range 1.3-19. The
observation of the variations of m and n in the Arab
Formation of the wells considered can be summarized as
follows:
1 - The variation of n appears to be independent of the
variations in m
2 - The variation in n increases with dolomitization.
Fig.-8 is a cross-plot of lithology versus the variation
in n. This apparent increase in n with dolomitization
was checked to ensure that it is not caused by the
use of wrong parameters for dolomite; namely Ldol'
the Capture cross-section of dolomite, and tpdol, the
electromagnetic transit time of dolomite. However
these two parameters need to be changed
appreciably outside their recognized range in order
to disguise the observed trend.
3 - The variation in n appears to be independent of the
pore geometry structure and pore type. Le. vugs,
fractures and grain size variations. This is in contrast
with the variations in m which is highly affected by
pore geometry variations.
4 - Fig-9 is a multi-well cross-plot of n vs. volume of
water (121. Sw) made for the Arab-D Formation. This
cross-plot shows a decreasing value of n with the
decrease in volume water. This trend of n variations
suggests that the Arab-D Formation in this reservoir
is water wet. Core analysis have shown that a
decrease in water volume will introduce large
increases in n if the reservoir is oil wet (reference 9).
ACCURACY OF THE COMPUTED n VA LUES
The accuracy of the computed values of n is a function of
the following:
1 - Accuracy of the four measurements Rt, Rxo , tpl and
L.
2 - Accuracy of the two assumptions made in order to
use the L equation; namely, no changes in Sw
between the Rt and L measurements, and zero
filtrate effect.
682
SPE21415
The use of Rt, Rt and tpl in order to solve for Sw. Sxo and
m, assuming a constant n, have been routinely applied
in carbonate formations in the Middle East (reference 7).
The results of the variable m obtained has on the whole
being satisfactory when compared with core-derived
data.
The addition of the L log, to facilitate the computation of
n, could introduce additional errors. Fig-10 shows the
range of errors in the computed value of n as a function
of the errors in the measured L (defined as AL). As
shown in fig-10, there are two factors that define the
errors of the computed n value originating from the L
measurement:
1 - Errors in the measured L (Le values of AL).
2 - Volume of water in the uninvaded zone (121 .Sw).
The range of irreducible volume of water in oil zones in
the Arab formation are of the order of 3 pu. If we assume
121 .Sw= 3 pu, a value of AL=0.25 will introduce an error
in n of the order of 10%. This error in n will increase to
20% if the value of AL=0.5. The chart of Fig-10 also
shows that the errors in the computed value of n will
decrease with the increase in the water volume. This
suggests that the accuracy of the saturation computations
using this technique will improve over the transition zone
from water to oil. The errors presented on fig.-10 exclude
errors in the other log measurements.
CONCLUSIONS
A technique was presented that integrates open hole and
cased hole logs to solve for the two exponents nand m
in the Archie Equation. Values of nand m can be
obtained for every log sampling point as a continuous
curve. The results of a 22 well data-base study made on
reservoirs in the Arab Formation showed the following:
• The Arab reservoirs evaluated here appear to
be water wet.
Wettability is affected by the lithology. In this
case, the saturation exponent increases in
value with increase in the dolomite volume.
• There is no definite correlation between the
two parameters nand m in the results
analyzed here.
The variations of n appear to be independent
of pore type and geometry.
The integration of the L equation with the other open
hole logs, which made it possible to compute a variable-
n, did not affect appreciably the overall accuracy of the
water saturation computations. For the reservoirs
evaluated here, the errors introduced by using L are
estimated to be within 15% of the true value of n.
SPE21415 DR. MOHAMED WATFA
NOMENCLATURE
m = Porosity exponent in the Archie Equation.
n = Saturation exponent in the Archie Equation.
At = Deep reading resistivity in the uninvaded
zone (ohm-m).
RxO = Shallow reading resistivity in the invaded
zone (ohm-m).
Rw = Formation water salinity (ohm-m).
Rmf = Filtrate water salinity in the invaded zone
(ohm-m).
Sw = Water saturation in the uninvaded zone.
Sxo = Water saturation in the invaded zone.
SW2 = Computed water saturation assuming
IT1=n=2
Swn = True water saturation in the uninvaded
zone for correct value of n and assuming IT1= 2
Swm = True water saturation in the uninvaded
zone for correct value of m and assuming n =2
t pw , tphc, tpcl tpma = Electromagnetic transit time in
water, hydrocarbon, clay and matrix
respectively (n-seclm).
= Electromagnetic transit time in dolomite (n-
tpdol
seclm)
= Measured electromagnetic transit time (n-
seclm)
= Formation capture cross-section from the
Dual-Burst TDT tools (cu).
o = Effective porosity (pu)
Lw, Lhc, Lei, Lma = Capture cross-sections of water,
hydrocarbon, clay and matrix respectively (cu).
= Capture cross-section in dolomite (cu)
= Errors in the measured E log.
683
5
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author would like to express his sincere thanks for
the various oil companies in Abu Dhabi who cooperated
by releasing, the log examples. The author would also
like to thank Mahender Bhasin, senior technician in
Schlumberger Dubai, for collecting the data and
constructing the data-base.
REFERENCES
1, 2, 3 - Watfa, M.:Seekjng the Saturation Solution,
Middle East Well Evaluation Review, Number-3., 1987.
4 - Borai, AM.: A New Correlation fro Cementation Factor
in Low -porosity Carbonates, SPE 5th Middle East Oil
Show, Bahrain 1987, SPE-14401.
5 - Focke, J.W., and Munn, D.: Cementation Exponents
(m) in Middle East Carbonate Reservoirs: SPE 4th
Middle East Oil Show, Bahrain 1985, SPE-13735.
6 - Neustaeder,R.: Log Evaluation of Deep Ellenburger
Gas Zones, SPE Symposium, Monahans Texas, March
1968, SPE-2071.
7 - Amin, AT., Watfa, M, and Awad, M.A: Accyrate
Estimation of Water Saturation in Complex Carbonate
Reservoirs. SPE 5th Middle East Oil Show, Bahrain
1987, SPE-15714.
8 - Abed, AF., and Watfa, M.: A Dynamic Myltjwell Data
~ Journal of Petroleum Engineering, November
1988.
9 - Anderson, W.G.: WeUability Literature Survey-Part-3:
The effects of Wettability on the Electrical Properties of
Poroys Medja, Jour. Pet. Tech., Volume-39, pp. 1371-
1379.
 $PE. 21 41 ~

Charll oblalned 'or:

"..z
aad .llal Equalloa:
__ '" 3
~= 1.0
=
~ I:
II SW2.2.
"-'II
g 0::
'::l
; c:

.."
ii
rn

u
.5
E
~
2

:s '"
-=u :;:s

..." 8
.. E
Open hole evaluation
to obtain:

Program ror Variable

o -+-----i-------,;-----;------j-- m & n
1.0 1.5 2..0 2..5 3.0 Computation
True Value of saturation Exponent (n )
Fig-1 : Charts showing the effects of errors in the computed

IIJ
values of Water saturation as a function of the variation
the value of the saturation exponent ( n) from a value of 2.0.

Fig-3: Flow chart showing the variable

m and n computations. Sxo convergence
is necessary for accurate initial porosity
and lithlogy computations.

o -f------t-----.. . ?
. ------i-------i-
1.0 1.5 2..0 2..5 3.0

True Value of Porosity Exponent (m )

Fig-2: Charts showing the effects of errors in the computed
values of Water saturation as a function of the variation
the value of the porosity exponent ( m ) from 2.0.

684
 ELECTRO-MAGNETIC DEEP ELECTRO·MAGNETIC DEEP
TRANSIT TIME RESISTIVITY TRANSIT TIME . RESISTIVITY
n sec/m Rl (ohm·mj. _ n sec/m Rl (ohm·m)
:~ ~
0.1 10000 I················· 0.1 10000
.'/! .. :~ !~~ ~
CAPTURE CROSS- SHALLOW CAPTURE CROSS· SHALLOW
SECTION (I: ) CU. RESISTIVITY SECTION (I: ) CU. RESISTIVITY
Rxo (ohm·m) Rxo (ohm-mj
,30
,
CU _
I
0.1 10000
···· .. '30 cu 611_~:.1 .. _.... _.. }!I~~~ .

~
>

".. I I 1\ II, I I

Ql
011
UI

.... I I I':-! 'l! I

'fIJ-
~
Fig-4: An Example of variable m and variable n computations over a
section of the Arab-D Reservoirs (track-3). The variatJon in n appears Fig-S: A second example of variable m and variable n computations rn
to be affected by dolomitization. over a section of the Arab-D Reservoir. The variation in nand m
follows the same trends as those observed in fig.-4. N
....
..£:-
..-
.W\
 ELECTRO-MAGNETIC ELECTRO·MAGNETIC
TRANSIT TIME VARIABLE n TRANSIT TIME VARIABLE n
n sec/m n sec/m
.2.5 !~I . :~.....
!~,._ .. _.....5
CAPTURE CROSS- .,HALLOW VARIABLEm CAPTURE CROSS- :SHALLOW VARIABLEm
SECTION (1: ) CU. RESISTIVITY SECTION (1: ) CU. RESISTIVITY
Rxo (ohm-m) Rxe (ohm-m)
130
I
CU 51 0.1 10000
1........ • .... • .. -_ .... ·-_·
130 cu 5~ . .O:~ .... __ .... _!~~o. o.

,-->
I I ~~

Ql
~

r \
<- I

Fig-6: An Example of variable m and variable n computations over a

"' . 'U)
'"Q
section of the Arab-B and C Reservoirs. The computed values of m
vary over a wide range (1.6-4). This reflects the complex pore
rn
geometry in this section of the Arab Formations. The variations in n t')
remains In the same range as that of the lower Arab-D Reservoirs.
Fig.-7: A second Example of variable m and variable n computations
over a section of the Arab-B and C Reservoirs, The trends in m and n
....
are consistent with those of fig.-6. J:-
..-
~
 SPE 2 1 41 2

-t::
3

-
........
cQ):
c:
+---------+---------+---------+---------+--------_.
1
1
1 1
2
521 4 2 2 6 5 4
1 1
2 6
0
c. 2 +---------+-- 4 343 3 534 4 2 2 1-
>< 1 2 3 1 4 4 4 464 2 2 2 3
w 6 343 22634
c: 17 5 5 8 5 4 632 527
0 45 4 612 4 9 95223 2 + 2 2---- +----------
;; 49 8 9121411 734 2 2 1 1
ns 5011 7 7 7 6 6

-a..
~
ns
en
1
16 2 2
1---------+---------+---------+---------+--------_·
1
1
1 1
1
1
1
1

o 20 40 60 80 100
Vdol (volume of dolomite): 0/0
Fig. 8: A multi-well cross-plot showing the variation of n with
the volume of dolomite in the Arab-D Reservoirs. There is a
trend of increasing n value with increase in the fraction of
dolomite.

7.5 - I I I
1 I I
I I I
I I I
6.0 I I I
I I I
I I I
I 3 I I
4.5 I 5 I I
I 6 5 36334 I I
I 4 8 5 6 3 8 5 3 I I
I 10 9 812 7 6 9 I I
3.0 +--- 12141912 8 12 4 I I
I \510 313 6 5 5 9 I 1
I 31116·64573 I I I
I 1012 6 5 8 5 6 1 I 1
1.5 +- 4 4 I I I
I I 1 I I I
I I I I I I
I I I I I I
0.0 - I I I I I I
1.0 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.6 3.0

Fig.-9: A multi-well cross-plot of the computed n value versus the

volume of water ~.Sw) in the uninvaded zone. This plot shows a
trend of decreasing value of n with the decrease in the volume of
water.

687
 2.5 t1.L =Errors in
measured L log

1.5

en
C»
C» 1I Iilil il l i~l lil i l ljli l li l :il

.................:.:.:.:.:.:.... 0.5

o
Fig-10 : Estimations of the errors in the computed values of' n as I

a function of water volume in the uninvaded zone (0SW) and

errors in the measured value of formation capture cross-section.
Errors from other log measurements are assumed to be zero. 'tJ)
-tI
rn
N
.....
.s:::-
.....
ill