Egyptian Journal of Petroleum (2014) 23, 45–51

Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute

Egyptian Journal of Petroleum

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FULL LENGTH ARTICLE

Using of Pickett’s plot in determining the reservoir

characteristics in Abu Roash Formation, El-Razzak
Oil Field, North Western Desert, Egypt
A.A. El-Khadragy a, M.A. Ghorab b, T.F. Shazly b, M. Ramadan b,
M.Z. El-Sawy b,*

a
Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Zagazig University, Egypt
b
Department of Exploration, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Egypt

Received 24 June 2013; accepted 16 September 2013

Available online 27 March 2014

KEYWORDS Abstract The present work was devoted to evaluate the reservoir characteristics of the Abu Roash
North Western Desert; Formation in the vicinity of El-Razzak Oil Field, North Western Desert, Egypt. The area of study is
Well logging; bounded by latitudes 30 250 and 30 550 N and longitudes 27 500 and 28 400 E. Nine distributed
Pickett plot; wells were utilized for this study.
Cross plot; A new technique has been applied through Pickett’s plot, to develop some of reservoir petrophys-
Porosity; ical parameters. These parameters include capillary pressure, pore throat aperture radii, height
Permeability above the free water table and bulk volume of water. This technique depends on the use of log–
log plots of effective porosity versus resistivity combined with empirical relationships for calculating
the capillary pressure expressed as a function of permeability, porosity and water saturation. Also,
this technique gave the values of petrophysical exponents (m, n and a) which were used to calculate
the accurate value of water saturation in both clean and shaly rocks and then adjust estimation of
hydrocarbon saturation. The integration of these petrophysical parameters on a log–log graph of
porosity versus resistivity gives the importance for Pickett plot to be used in reservoir interpretation.
ª 2014 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute.
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

1. Introduction

* Corresponding author. The use of Pickett plots (Resistivity–Porosity Relationship) as

E-mail address: marwa_epri@yahoo.com (M.Z. El-Sawy).
Peer review under responsibility of Egyptian Petroleum Research
Institute.
Production and hosting by Elsevier
an aid in characterizing petrophysical flow units in carbonate
reservoirs has been documented by [1] and [2]. This technique
was utilized for calculating some of reservoir petrophysical
parameters of Abu Roash Formation (G member) for nine
wells namely: (IG30-1, IJ30-1, IG33-1, IH35-2, IG34-1, IF32-
1, IF34-2, IE34-6 and IE36-1) scattered in the oil field as

1110-0621 ª 2014 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute.
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpe.2014.02.007
46 A.A. El-Khadragy et al.

shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Sanyal and Ellithorpe [3] and Green-
gold [4] have shown that, Pickett’s plot should result in a
straight line with a slope equal to m.
This plot shows a useful model for putting together the
petrophysical parameters including water saturation, perme-
ability, capillary pressure, pore throat aperture radii and
height above free water table [5]. This technique highers
Pickett’s plot as one of the most important plots for reservoir
evaluation, where the use of this plot enables the log analyst to
see within one single plot several keys of geological and
reservoir engineering parameters.
2. The theory of Pickett’s plot
The theory of this plot started with Archie’s formulae [6]. By
rearranging the Archie equation we get:
SW ¼ I1=n ð1Þ
I ¼ Rt =R0 ¼ Rt =ðFRw Þ ð2Þ
F ¼ aUm
t ð3Þ
Eqs. (1) and (3) can be combined to yield.
Rt ¼ aUm ¼ aUm ð4Þ
t Rw I t Rw Sw
By using the logarithm with base 10, the Eq. (4) [7] leads
log Rt ¼ m log Ut þ logðaRW Þ þ log I ð5Þ
This is the equation of a straight line on log–log paper. The
line has a slope of (m) which is determined manually by mea-
suring a distance on the Rt axis (in cm) and dividing it by the
corresponding distance on the porosity axis. The intercept
when PHI = 1 is the value of aRw as shown in Fig. 3, and
by knowing the value of Rw, the value of tortuosity factor
(a) can be determined.
According to [8], the saturation exponent ‘‘n’’ which is a
function of water saturation equals the value of porosity expo-
nent ‘‘m’’. The results of the petrophysical exponents obtained
from Pickett’s plot for the G member of Abu Roash Forma-
tion are tabulated in Table 1.
Many lines are drawn at different values of porosity (90%,
60%, and 20%) equivalent to the first drawn line.
Aguilera [5] used the following steps to show how to con-
struct Pickett’s plot incorporating capillary pressure, pore
throat aperture radii and height above the free water table,
where the technique is applied on the nine wells for the G
Member of Abu Roash Formation in the El-Razzak Oil Field.
IE36-1 well is taken as an example in this paper.
2.1. Permeability
Reservoir rock must have the ability to allow petroleum fluids
to flow through its interconnected pores. The rocks ability to
conduct fluids is termed as permeability which depends on its
effective porosity.
Many empirical equations are derived to estimate the rela-
tive permeability. The following equation estimates the perme-
ability [9] in terms of irreducible water saturation, as follows:
K1=2 ¼ 250U3t =Swi ð6Þ
The water saturation in Eq. (6) is irreducible, that corre-
sponds to the beginning of a Krw, which equals zero.
The irreducible water saturation, in turn, can be solved by
using the following equation:
Swi ¼ Ut  Sw =Ueff ð7Þ
After incorporating into Eq. (4), the following formula is
obtained [10]
n
Rt ¼ aUm 3
t Rw ð250Ut =K
1=2
Þ ð8Þ
n
or Rt ¼ aU3nm
t Rw ð250=K1=2 Þ ð9Þ
By having the logarithm of both sides, the proceeding equa-
tion becomes [11]:
n
log Rt ¼ ð3n  mÞ log Ut þ log½aRw ð250=K1=2 Þ  ð10Þ

Figure 1 Generalized sketch map of Egypt showing the location of the studied area.
Pickett’s plot in determining the reservoir characteristics 47

Figure 2 Location map showing the distribution of the studied wells.

1
Porosity

aRw=0.025

0.1

m=x/y=1.7

0.01

0.01 0.1 1 10 Rt (ohm.m) 100

Figure 3 Pickett’s plot for G Member of Abu Roash Formation in IE 36-1 well.

Table 1 The results of petrophysical exponents and slopes obtained from Pickett’s plot for the G Member of Abu Roash Formation
in the nine wells.
No. Well name aRw a m Slope of Sw Slope of K Slope of Pc Slope of r Slope of BVW
1 IG 30-1 0.019 0.63 1.79 0.56 7.16 3.24 3.24 0.0
2 IJ 30-1 0.016 1.00 1.97 0.51 7.88 3.60 3.60 0.0
3 IG 33-1 0.025 1.00 1.82 0.55 6.88 3.10 3.10 0.0
4 IH 35-2 0.021 1.00 2.00 0.50 8.0 3.60 3.60 0.0
5 IG 34-1 0.014 1.00 2.26 0.45 9.04 4.10 4.10 0.0
6 IF 32-1 0.032 1.00 1.79 0.56 7.16 3.20 3.20 0.0
7 IF 34-2 0.025 0.70 1.66 0.60 6.64 3.00 3.00 0.0
8 IE 34-6 0.040 1.00 1.83 0.55 7.30 3.30 3.30 0.0
9 IE 36-1 0.025 1.00 1.70 0.59 6.80 3.10 3.10 0.0
48 A.A. El-Khadragy et al.

From Eq. (10), by plotting Rt vs. A on log–log coordinates,
the relation should result in a straight line with a slope equal to
(3n  m) with a constant (aRw) and permeability. Since
m = n, the slope equals (4m). The intercept of the straight
line with 100% porosity gives aRw (250/K1/2)n.
Aguilera [10] used Eq. (10) to construct parallel lines of
constant permeability. From Eq. (10), the slope of
(3n  m) was determined.
The line of constant permeability equal to (1 md) can be
drawn by calculating Rt from Eq. (9), using a Rw and porosity
for each well as shown in Fig. 4 for the G Member. The per-
meability ranges from 0.01 to 100 md, then by determining a
certain value of porosity, the corresponding value of Rt can
be calculated for each value of permeability.
2.2. Capillary pressure
Capillary pressure is the difference in pressure between two
immiscible fluids across a curved interface at equilibrium.
The following section presents the involvement of capillary
pressure (Pc) into Pickett’s plots by using an empirical rela-
tionship. Kwon and Pickett [12] published an empirical rela-
tionship incorporating the capillary pressure, as follows:
Pc ¼ A½K=1000Ut B ð11Þ
where:
Pc is the mercury–air capillary pressure in pounds per
square inch,
B is approximately equal to 0.45,
A is a constant ranging between 151.35 and 22.91.
They based their correlation on the log–log cross plots of A
vs. water saturation and found the following equation:
A ¼ 19:5Sw1:7 ð12Þ
where: porosity and water saturation are expressed as fractions
and
 0:8 
Pc ¼ Swi  Ut2:25 =0:929 ð14Þ
By solving Eq. (14) for Swi and inserting it into Eq. (4), this
leads to the following equation:
1=0:8 n
Rt ¼ Um 2:25
t ðaRw Þ½ð0:0929Pc=Ut Þ  ð15Þ
or Rt ¼ Utmþ2:8125n ðaRw Þ½1:0961Pc1:25 
n
ð16Þ
Taking the logarithm of both sides of the proceeding
equation, this leads to the following form:
n
log Rt ¼ ðm þ 2:8125 nÞ log Ut þ log½aRw ð1:0961 Pc1:25 Þ 
ð17Þ
Eq. (17) indicates that, a crossplot of Rt vs. Ut on a log–log
paper results in a straight line with a slope equal to
(m + 2.8125 n) with a constant (aRw) and constant capillary
pressure. The straight line cuts the 100% porosity axis at a
point equal to [aRw (1.0961 Pc  1.25)n] on the resistivity
scale. Since m = n, the slope will be equal to the values as
shown in Table 1.
Fig. 5 for the G Member exhibits a Pickett’s plot including
parallel lines of constant capillary pressures that range from 10
to 800 psi. First, a line of constant capillary pressure equal to
100 psi is drawn by assuming a value for t and calculating the
corresponding value of Rt from Eq. (16). The point with the
values of Rt and t is plotted and from it, a straight line is
drawn through this point with a positive slope. This straight
line corresponds to a constant capillary pressure of 100 psi.
The same procedure is followed for the other capillary
pressures of interest.
2.3. Pore throat aperture radii

where: Sw is the water saturation (fraction).

Washburn [13] presented a technique for relating the mercury
By inserting Eqs. (6) and (12) into Eq. (11) [5], this leads to
capillary pressure (Pc in dyne/cm2) to the surface tension of
the following equation:
mercury (r in dyne/cm), contact angle of mercury in air (U)
0:45
Pc ¼ 7:943ð19:5Sw1:7 ÞðU5 1:7 2 and the pore aperture radius (r in lm). The Washburn
t Swi =250 Þ ð13Þ
equation is:

1
90% 50% 20%
Porosity

100%

100

0.1
10
1md
0.1

0.01md

aRw=0.025 m=n=1.7
0.01

0.01 0.1 1 10 Rt (ohm.m) 100

Figure 4 Pickett’s plot incorporating formation permeability for G Member of Abu Roash Formation in IE 36-1 well.
Pickett’s plot in determining the reservoir characteristics 49

Pc(psi)
1 10 25 50
90% 50% 20%

Porosity
100% 100

200

400
100
800
0.1
10
1md
0.1
0.01md

aRw=0.025 m=n=1.7
0.01

0.01 0.1 1 10 Rt (ohm.m) 100

Figure 5 Pickett’s plot incorporating formation permeability and capillary pressure for G Member of Abu Roash Formation in IE 36-1
well.

Pc ¼ 2rðcos hÞ=r
or r ¼ 2rðcos hÞ=Pc
If Pc is in pounds per square inch, the pore throat radius in
microns can be calculated from the equation:
r ¼ 2ð0:147Þrðcos hÞ=Pc
Inserting Eq. (20) into Eq. (17) and taking the logarithm of
both sides [5] the equation will be:
Log Rt ¼ ðm þ 2:8125 nÞ log Ut þ faRw ½1:0961ð2ð0:147Þ
 rðcos hÞ=rÞ1:25 Þn g
Eq. (21) indicates that, a crossplot of log Rt vs. log Ut re-
sults in a straight line with a slope equal to (m + 2.812 n)
for intervals with constant aRw, r, U and pore throat aperture
radius r.
ð18Þ Extrapolation of the constant r straight line to 100% poros-
ity yields the product {aRw[1.0961(2(0.147)r(cosh/r)1.25)]n}
ð19Þ in the resistivity scale.
If r = 480 dyne/cm and b = 140, Eq. (21) can be reduced
to the form:
n n
o
Log Rt ¼ ðm þ 2:8125 nÞlog Ut þ aRw ½1:0961ð108:1=rÞ1:25 
ð20Þ
ð22Þ
A practical pore classification system has been represented
by [14]. The porosity is classified by the geometry of the pores
and by pore size. Pore geometry is classified as intergranular,
intercrystalline, vuggy and fractured, while pore size comprises
ð21Þ
megaports (>10 lm), macroports (10–2 lm), mesoports
(2–0.5 lm), microports (0.5–0.25 lm) and nano (<0.25 lm).
Fig. 6 for the G Member shows Pickett’s plot discussed
previously, including parallel lines of constant pore throat
aperture radii that range from 4 (macro) to 0.25 (nano) in

MACRO

1 8 Aperture(Mm) 4
2
90% 50% 20%
Porosity

100%
MESO

0.5
MICRO

0.25
100
NANO

0.1
10
1md
0.1
0.01md

aRw=0.025 m=n=1.7
0.01

0.01 0.1 1 10 Rt (ohm.m) 100

Figure 6 Pickett’s plot incorporating formation permeability and pore throat aperture for G Member of Abu Roash Formation in IE
36-1 well.
50 A.A. El-Khadragy et al.

lm. The calculated slopes from Eq. (21) are recorded in The lines of constant height above the free water table are
Table 1. drawn through the calculation of Rt from Eq. (24) as follows:
First, the line of constant pore throat aperture equal to ðmþ2:8125nÞ
(1 lm) is drawn, where Rt is calculated by assuming a value Rt ¼ Ut faRw ½1:0961ð0:433ðqw  qh Þ
for t and with a constant value of aRw for each member. By h½ðr cos hÞ=ðrh cos hh ÞÞ1:25 gn ð26Þ
the values of Rt and Ut, a point is plotted and from it a line
Using aRw, qw  qh, rh, hh, r, h and any porosity for these
is drawn with the calculated slope. The same process is applied
data, Eq. (26) reduces to the form:
for the other pore radii of interest. The figure includes pore size
ðmþ2:8125nÞ n
which is ranging between macropores and nanopores. Rt ¼ Ut aRw ½1:0961ð1:4182 hÞ1:25  ð27Þ

2.4. Height above the free-water table

2.5. Bulk volume of water
Calculation of the height above the free water table is done
through the following equation: The product of a formation’s water saturation (Sw) and it’s
porosity (U) is the bulk volume of water (BVW).
Pc ¼ 0:433ðqw  qh Þh½ðr cos hÞ=ðrh cos hh Þ ð23Þ BVW ¼ Sw  Ut ð28Þ
where: where:

rh is the brine–hydrocarbon surface tension. BVW = bulk volume of water,

hh is the contact angle of the hydrocarbon in water.
Inserting Eq. (23) into Eq. (17) [5] leads to the form:
log Rt ¼ ðm þ 2:8125 nÞ log Ut
þ logfaRw ½1:0961ð0:433ðqw  qh Þ
h½ðr cos hÞ=ðrh cos hh ÞÞ1:25 n g
From Eq. (24), the crossplot of Rt vs. Ut on log–log
coordinates results in a straight line with a slope equal to
(m + 2.8125 n) with constant aRw, qw, qh and height (h)
above the free water table. The straight line cuts the coordinate
of t of 100% at a point equal to:
aRw ½1:0961ð0:433ðqw  qh Þ
h½ðr cos hÞ=ðrh cos hh ÞÞ1:25 n 
Sw = water saturation of uninvaded zone (Archie equa-
tion), and
Ut = total porosity.
Sanyal and Ellithorpe [3] showed that, a crossplot of porosity
vs. resistivity on log–log coordinates should result in a straight
ð24Þ line with a slope equal to (n–m). The concept has been also doc-
umented by [15], who have termed the product (UtSw) bulk vol-
ume of water (BVW). This product is also known as the Buckles
number [16]. The concept has been extended by [17].
Fig. 8 for the G Member exhibits a Pickett’s plot with
(BVW). Since m equals n, the slope of (n–m) is equal to zero,
and the lines of constant BVW will be vertical lines.
The deduced values of reservoir petrophysical parameters
ð25Þ for the nine wells are illustrated in Table 1.

Fig. 7 for the G Member shows Pickett’s plot presented pre- 3. Summary and conclusion
viously, showing parallel lines of constant height above the
free water table that ranges from 50 to 500 ft. Different slopes A new technique has been applied through Pickett’s plot, to
are calculated and recorded in Table 1. develop some of reservoir petrophysical parameters. These

25 height(ft)
1
90% 50% 20% 50
Porosity

100%
100

200
400
100

0.1
10
1md
0.1
0.01md

aRw=0.025 m=n=1.7
0.01

0.01 0.1 1 10 Rt (ohm.m) 100

Figure 7 Pickett’s plot incorporating formation permeability and high above free water table for G Member of Abu Roash Formation in
IE 36-1 well.
Pickett’s plot in determining the reservoir characteristics
0.20
1
90% 50%
Porosity
100%
0.1
aRw=0.025
0.01
0.01 0.1
Figure 8 Pickett’s plot incorporating formation permeability and bulk volume of water for G Member of Abu Roash Formation in IE
36-1 well.
parameters include capillary pressure, pore throat aperture
radii, height above the free water table and bulk volume of
water. This technique depends on the use of log–log plots of
effective porosity versus resistivity combined with empirical
relationships for calculating the capillary pressure expressed
as a function of permeability, porosity and water saturation.
The result plot is a straight line, where the slope of this line will
be controlled by the value of ‘‘m’’. The intersection of the line pass-
ing through the data point and the 100% porosity will be a Rw.
The integration of these petrophysical parameters on a log–
log graph of porosity versus resistivity gives the importance for
Pickett plot to be used in reservoir interpretation.
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