SPE 6540

SPE 654(I

THE EFFECTOF POTASSIUM-SALTMUDSON GAMMARAY,

?ND SPONTANEOUS
POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS

by

J. W. Cox, Schlumberger of Canada, and

L. L. Raymer, Schlumberger-Doll Research Center

l“hi8papep was j%r8t ppesentedat the SPWLASeventeent hAnnualLogging

$3!?T/p08i~, June 9 - 12, 1976. It %8 reproduced here, for ppesenbation
ah the 47th Annual Califomzia Regional Meeting of tihe Society of Pet~o-
ZewriEngineezw of AIME, heZd in Bakersfield, CaZifozwia, Ap&Z 13- 15,
19??, Wit?l the pemiss<on of the SPWLA. Pezmhsion to copy is Pe8trict-
ed to an abst~act of not mope than 300 wonik, containing conspicuous
acknowledgement of the SPWLAand the authop.
 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12,1?76

THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM-SALT MUDS ON GAMMA RAY,

AXUI) SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS
by

J. w, cc}%
Schlumberger of Canade,, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

L. L. RaymeY
Schlumberger-I)oll Research C eratm, Ridge field, Connecticut

A13S333ACT
—m

Interpretations of the Gamma Ray and Spontaneous Potential curves gen-

erally assume sodium chloride to be the dominant salt in both the formation
water and the mad filtrate. However, potassium- sah muds are increasing-
ly being used by the oil industry. The poti~ssium cation is significantly dif-
ferent from the sodium cation in its radiciactive and electrochemical pro-
perties.

Natural potassium ceatains a radioactive isotope which emits gamma

rays. Thus, the presence of potassium salts in the mud system may con-
tribute tc Gamma-Ray tool response. Since the C.amma Ray is used quan-
titatively in many geological sequences a:s an indicator of clay content, a
way to correct for the effect of potassium in the mud column is desirable.
Correction methods and charts based on laboratory measurements and
field observations are presented in this paper.

The effect of temperature on the resistivity of potassium muds is also

brief ly discussed. J?rom data available, it appears to be similar to that
for NaCl muds.

On the bases of field observations and laboratory work, the electro-

chemical properties of potassium- chloricle and potassium-bicarbonate muds
and mud filtrates are discussed. Activity relationships are proposed, and
the influence of these salts on the SP component potentials--namely, the
liquid- junction, membrane, and hi-ionic potentials- -is desc rzibed.

Z’ield examples are presented.

INTRODUCTIOIJ

Log interpreters have in the past generally assumed sodium chlozide

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SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYk4POSWlM, JUNE %12, 1976

(NaCl) to be the dominant salt in the formation water, mud filtrate, and
drilling mud. Today, howmmr, the oil industry is using increasingly
drilling muds in which potassium salto are dominant, Commonly em.
ployed are potassium chloride (IWl) and potassium biear~finate (KHC~).

The potassium and sodium cations cliff er sigrdficantly in both their

elect rochemical and radioactive properties. k consequence the Gamma
Ray and spontaneous potential (SP] measurements recorded in a well
drilled with a potassium-salt drilling mud may differ substantially from
those which would have been recorded if the same well had been drilled
with a more usual sodium-chloride mud.

I?or interpretation of Gamma Ray or SP curves recorded in KCI or

KHC03 mud systems, the traditional equations and charts, as used to in.
terpret these curves in NaCl systems, require modification. Quantita-
tive use of the Gamma Ray curve recorded in a potassium mud requires
correction for the radioactivity contributed by the mud itself. For the
interpretation of the SP curve (generally for the purpose of determirhg
the formation-water resistivity, Rw), the special etectrochemlcal ~ro.
pe rties of potassium salts must be taken into account.

Theoretical investigations, laboratory measurements, and field in-

vestigations are under way to more precisely define the reepenses of
the Gamma Ray and SP logs to po~“L813hUYI.8i3h drilling muds in typical
borehole environments. Until those studies are completed and can be put
in$o a more coherent form for publication, complete and well established
techniques are needed for interpreting the Gamma Ray and Sl? curves
recorded in the many wells ~lready drilled and b@ng drilled with potas -
sium. salt muds. This paper presentb some preliminary techniques.
They are based primarily on field observations but are supported, in
principle, by theoretical considerations and laboratory investigations.

RADIOACTIVITY EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM MUIX

*c.~QfPO*S sim iS a source of natural gamma radio-

i~ ‘.. Ay,ana -’..-1 potassium normally contains 0.0118 percent by weight
of this radioactive isotope. Thus, the use of a potassium salt in the mud
int reduces a source of radioactivity into the mud system. The Gamma
Ray tool responds to gamma rays from radioactive potassium in the driU-
ing mud jutit as it responds to gamma rays from radioactive eler !ents in
the formation rock er from any other radioactive source in the vicinity of
the sonde.

The increased counting rates of Gamma Ray logs run in potassium-salt

mud (as compared to those made in non. radioactive NaC 1 mud) has been

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

rCOUNI’S/MIN. /CHANNEL

60 ‘-
~40

Th 232 Th232 Th232

1
Th232
40 - I I I I

20 “ MW
i A

.~~, Comparison of gamma-ray spactra obtained with a pulse analyzer on

●s8xupIeof drilbg mud cootaiaing KCI and on a core sample of shale.

recognized for some time. Nevertheless, as part of this investigation a

spectral analysis of a field KC1-mud sample was made to verify the pres -
enc e of the radioactive K4* 1sotope and to define the gamma-ray spectrum.
The mud sample had a densi&y of 1.58 gin/cc (13.2 tbs /gal) and contained
40,000 ppm KC1 in the liquid phase.

The spectral analysis was made with a sodium-iodide detector shiehied

in all directions by a minimum of six inches of low-radioactivity steel. A
cylindrical liquid- scintilbtor g-rd was also used. Background radiation
from external sources was thus reduced to an insignificant level.

The pulses from the detector were processed by a 400-channel pulse

analyzer which produced the mud spectrum shown in Fig. 1. Displayed are
couwt rate in counts/minute/channel in ordinate versue channeL number and
the corresponding gamma- ray energy (in MeV) fn abscissa. Also shm
for comparison on Fig. 1, is the spectrum obtained from a silt-clay (shale)
core sample with the same apparatus. For additional reference, the
spectral energy levels of a few radioactive isotopes are identified on the
figure.

B is evident that the mud sample contains a significant amount of the

K40 isotope. (see peak at 1.46 M@V@) The mud sample may a~SO COll*in

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,,
SPWLA SEVENTEENTtl ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

very small amounts of thorium 232~ another source of natural radioactivity.

(Note the subtle spectrum peaks in Ghanneis 118 and 80. ) This is not too
surprising since the sample was a field mud and did contain some weight-
*g material and borehole cuttings. There is, of course, probably no such
thing as a totally inert (non-radioactive) mud. Cuttings of radioactive
formations (e. g., shales and clays) do remain in suspension in the mud;
materials used for mud weigkking contain radioactive impurities; and
even the water used in the mud makeup may contain radioactive trace
elements.

Remembering that the core spectrum is from a clay (shale) sample of

high radioactivity, it is evident that the radioactivity of the mud is high
enough to significantly influence the Gamma Ray log.

To appreciate the magnitude of the mud contribution and to provide

means to correct Gamma Ray logs for it, field logs were studied. The
field study suggests, and theory cohfirms, that mud weight, hole size, toot
position, and potassium concentration all significantly affect the resulting
Gamma Ray reading--contributing all together as much as 40 or more API
units to the Gamma Ray measurement in an extreme case. And even some
non-mud and non-borehole parameters, such as formation density, fippear
to influence sLightly the effect of the potassium-salt mud on the Gamma
Ray log.

Fig. 2 shows a series of four Gamma Ray logs recorded over the same
section of borehole. ‘ho of the logs were recorded when the hole was
first drilled with a 15 Ib/gal NaCl (radioactively inert) mud. One was run
centered and the other eccentered. Using ptiblished borehole-size and mud-
weight corrections, 1 these two Gamma Ray logs, after correction, yield
similar vabaes -- representing, of course, the true radioactivity of the
traversed formation rocks.

More interesting, however, are the hvo Gamma Ray logs recorded at a’
later date after the drilling fluid had been changed to a potassium-salt mud
with a filtrate salinity of approximately 46,000 p~~~ potassium. Mud weight
remained the same at 15 lb/gal. Again, both centered and eccentered logs
were recorded. The influence of the KC I mud on the logs is obvious.

From these logs and others, some general conclusions have been drawn.
First, and most important, the contribution of mud radioactivity to the
Gamma Ray measurement can be large. Second, the effect is greater for
cente~red sondes than for eccentered sondes. Third, it is greater in large
boreholes than in small. Fourth it appears to be directly proportional to
the potassium concentration.

fil addition, other observations suggest the somewhat surprising con?

elusion that the effect of the mud radioactivity on the Gamma Ray log

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 . .. _ _____

SPWLAS~VENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM,JUNE 9.12,1976

I CALIPER I
?~--------”l?”
I GAMMA RAY I
o I D

II FRESH MUO
ECCENTEREO
KCI MUO
ECCENTEREO

FI?ESH MUO
NTEREO~ \L-
KCI MUD
CENTEREO
,CALIPER
1
1
2

~Logsrun centered andeccentered in

noa-radioacthe freshmudand in
KC1 md

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SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

is greater in a heavy mud than in a light mud. In other words, given two
muds of identical significant potas siutn concentration but differing mud
weights, the Gamma Ray log will read slightly higher in the heavier mud
than in the lighter mud.

Field data are insufficient to define the absolute influence of each of

these parameters, and their interactions, on the recorded Gamma Ray log.
A stwdy, not yet completed, is under way at Schlumberger-Doll Research
Center to isolate their effects.

In the meantime, the field study has revealed a technique to correct the
Gamma Ray log recorded in potassium-salt muds. It involves recording
both a centered and eccentered log. This is often done routinely. A Gamma
Ray log is run in combination with the BHC* Sonic or the Dual Laterolog*;
these logging tools are norma~~y r= centered- A Gamm~~ Ray log iS a~s~ r~
h combination with the SNP* Neutron Or FDC* Density, and/or GNU
Neutron logs; these tools are = e~eentered.

Simple relationships relating the log reading, the true formation radio-
activity, and the radioactive-mud cent ribution can be written for non-
invaded zones as follows:

Yt
for the centered Gamma Ray Log (1)
YLoG c = B—=
+ ‘mC

~ (2)
for the eccentered Gamma Ray tog
yLOG E ‘BE + ‘mE
I
where

YLOG CD YLOG g are the Gamma Ray tog readings; centered

and eccentered, respectively, “

Yt is tho true formation radioactivity,

B are the borehole, mud-weight - correction

c’ ‘E
factors for centered and eccentered sondes,

are the radioactivity signals contributed by

‘mC’ ‘mE
the mud to the log measurement for centered
and eccentered sondes, respectively.

Combining these relationships, and Ieag ymC/ymE = k~ yields:

*Trademark of Schlumberger.

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9.12, 1976

1.5

1 1 1 ! [ 1 1 1
Lo6- 1

8 10 12 14
HOLE DIAMETER (inches)

M plo~ofk (.Y
~c/Ym=) versus hole diameter for various mud weights.
(TentM5ve)

yt =
‘LOG C ‘k?/LOGEOB B
-kBc CE (3)
‘E

Knowing k, the above rdationship can be solved to give the true formation
radioactivity~ Yt, corrected for hole size and mud weight and for the
radioactivity y contribution of the potassium mud.

If it is desired to know the magnitude of the mud contribution, the

original tool- response equations, Eqs. 1 and 2, can be solved for ymC and
ymE. (For example, see Eq. 4, given later.)

Fig. ~3 is a plot of k vs borehole size for various mud weights. It is

tentative since it was derived from field data taken from a limited number
of Gamma Ray logs run in radioactive and inert muds in the same hole.

To use the above equations and the data of Fig. 3, it must be ascer~in-
ed that the sonde was effectively centered during one logging = and
effectively ec centered during the other. This may be done by a crossplot
of the raw Gamma Ray data from the *O runs.

Fig. 4 serves to illustrate the significance of such a crossplot. In a

radioactively inert mud (no potassium), data from centered and eccentered
Gamma Ray logs should, for a specific hole size and mud weight, fall on a
line passing through the origin of the chart. This is Line OA which repre-
sents the response of the tool to formation signals (yt) men Potassium ●

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 .

SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9.12, 1976

I
LINE FOR
RADIOACTIVE
MUD

/
LINE FOR
INERT MUD
sL~pE= 8E /ec Z!u
Plot ofy~ c (coator8d
/ G8uMfmsky Cemitng)Vor
/ ms YLOO z (tceentmed
G&amA Ray reding) far ●
ymc spdfti holo da, ●nd mud
weight.

1 # , d~
00 20 40 60 so I(JO 120 1’ o

YLOGE ~

is added to the mud, a data point, such as A, will move upward and to the
right a distance and direction dependent on the amount of potassium, the
hole size, and the mud weight. The displacement upwards is ymc and
the displacement to the right is ynlE. Thus, Line at has a slope,
ymc~Ym~ = ‘*

Conversely, Data Point At, or any data point for the given conditions of
hole sfze and mud weigh% maybe corrected for the effect of the radioactive
mud by simply moving it back along a line of slope k until it intersects the
inert-mud line. This correction rornoves the effects of the radioactive mud.
The new data point can then be corrected for hote size and mud weight in the
same way as any kert-mud Gamma Ray log would be corrected.

The data used for the crossplot. should be taken from intervals showing
small borehole-size differences -- less than & 1 in.- -from the hole dia-
meter of the zone of interest. The borehole should also be ess entiaUy circu-
lar. The raw data should defiae a line of apprwrimate slope, BE /Bc, where
BE and Bc are the expected correction factors for borehole and mud weight
for eccentered and centered sondes, respectively. A plot of BE/Bc for
various hole diameters and mud weights is presented for reference as Fig. 5.
(Fig. 5 is from Chart Per-7, Ref. 1.) Enterfng the effective hole diameter
and the mud weight into Fig. 3 yieLds IG the slope of the Line along which
Mta Point A? should be corrected for the effect of radioactivity.

The Gamma Ray logs of Fig. 2 provide a good opportunity to illustrate

and test the technique. Table 1 gives readings for 12 levels from the ec-
centered and centered C3amma Ray logs in the KCL mud. These levels
have been plotted on Fig. 6. Because of variation in hole size, the trend
lines have two different slopes. From Fig. 5, one slope is BE/Bc = 0.71

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1974

Lo’

0.9 - . MUD
WEIGHT
lb/gal
0.8 -
0.0
O@c
o.? - 10
E41d
Plot of BE/Be (trusd-
Lino 8tO~–b Figm. 4 wad 12
6) rorsos hole -otor
for -rious mod weights. 0.6 “ 14 .
.
16

0.51 1 1 I i
J
6 9 12 15 18
HOLE DIAMETER (inches)

TABLE 1

KCI Mud Non-Radioactive Mud

Corrected for
Log Data Yt
Mud Radioactivity
Level ‘h Centered Eccentered
yLm ~ v~~ s ‘t
“L~ dc ‘VLW E]c Ru* Ru*
1 16 80 76 34 52 92 100 102

2 16 86 85 40 61 107 106 102

3 16 83 79 35 55 96 96 99

4 15 85 90 44 68 119 104 108

5 16 90 88 41 63 110 114 ;02

6 15+ 89 93 46 70 122 98 97

7 16 90 90 43 66 115 100 99 “

8 16- 90 92 44 68 119 105 107

9 14 88 84 38 58 102 102 105

10 13 65 55 21” 29 41 48 52

11 12+ 66 53 18 25 35 46 48

12 13- 63 49 16 ?2 31 41 45

. ..— —
A 11Gamma Ray readings (y} are in API units.
*~ole size ~ag ~2 1/2 !no at & the of these r~s.

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SPWLA SEVENTE~NTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

t o 1 ; 1 1

1S”21“ HOLE - .
100 -
IS lb/gal MUd

80 “
~SLOPE
13ni I“HOLE ?
151
b/gal Mud / / k*l.89
// EiuA
60 - ?kunple of correction
t 0/ for r8dio8ctive mud.
‘LOG C w 4// SLOPE
4 / BEtBc~ 0.65
40 “ SLOPE-’
k=l.68 //
/ #
20 “ .x” o L06 DATA
“SLOPE
/ BEtBcsO.71
L= # n n 1 , *
J
00 20 40 60 60 1~ 120 140

tOG E -

for 15-lb mud and 13-in. hole, and the other is BE/BG = 0.65 for 15-lb
mud and 15-in. hole. The lines through the data points parallel the inert-
mud lines. Now, from Fig. 3, the correction slopes are k = 1.68 for
15-lb. mud and 13-in. hole, and k = 1.89 for 15-Ib mud and 15-in, hole.

Correction of the 12 levels for radioactivity of the mud can now he done
by moving the levels, along a line of tie proper slope, k, to the inert-mud
lines of Fig. 6. This has been done, and the resulting coordinates reccrd-
ed on Table 1. Correction for bcmehole size and mud weight (using Chart
Per- ?) yields the formation radioactivity (in API Units). The accuzac y of
th corrections can be ascertained by comparison with the formation
radioactivity computed from the cantered and eccentered Gamma Ray logs
recorded earlier in the non-potassium mud. The comparison indicates the
technique to be fairly good--at least for this example.

This method loses resolution as the hole size decreases and the center-
ed and eccentered sonde positions approach each other; and also as tie
radioactivity of the mud decreases, But then in these situations the effect
of the radioactive mud on the Gamma Ray log approaches zero, and the
need for correcting the effect is no longer necessary,

An alternative technique which corrects the Gamma Ray log reading,

VLOG E, for the contribution of the mud raibaetivity, YmJE, uses the
equation:

(4)
‘C ‘LOG C “ ‘E ‘LOG E
y=E “ ~. BE

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

The YmE correction will, of course, be a constant for a given borehole size
in the same welL Thus, YmE cm be cakulated km the above eqmtion for
several levels having the same hole size. These values can be average~ or
a histogram made, to define the average ymE correction for the particular
hole size. k this manner, errors can be reduced somewhat: and once this
average ymE value is determined, log analysis can be done for the same
hole size in the same well with only the eccentered Gamma Ray log.

Note that the foregoing discussion and proposed correction technique

consider only the xadioactWe effect of the potassium mud confined to the
borehole. -y potassium ions which may be in the formation due to in-
vasion of mud filtrate into a permeable bed or due to cation exchange be-
tween mud and formation would further add to the apparent radioactivity y of
the Gamma Ray log. In fact, there are field reports of a definite correla-
tion between the radioactivity level of the Gamma Ray log and the rnud-
filtrate-invasion depth.

It might seem possible to predict the magnitude of the mud-contributed

radioactivity to the Gamma Ray log from the salinity, or resistivity, of the
mud. U the potassium salt were the cmiy salt present, this would certainly
be pos sib Le. However, field dri!ling muds commoaly contain other, non-
potassium salts in large and varying amounts. For the field potassium
muds analyzed, no consistence y in the ion composition was noted; and hence,
xo corre laticm -isted between the required mud-radioactivity correction
and mud salinity or resistivity.

TEMPERA TURE-RESISTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS

OF POTASSIUM MUIX

The temperature - resistivity relationship for KC1 muds and filtrates is

quite similar to that for NaCl solutions. Measurements on mud samples
from field wells and on solutions prepared in the laboratory suggest the
following equation to correct KC1 mud and filtrate for temperature varia-
tions:

T1+8
=R (5)
‘2 l=()

where
RI is the resistivity, in ohm-m, at temperature, Tl, in ‘F, and

R2 is the resistivity, in ohm-m, at temperature, T2, in ‘F.

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SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9.12, 1976

Data on the temperature- resistivity relationship for KHC03 solutions is

limited. However, from the data anilable, KHC03 seems to follow the
same relationship as NaCl solutions.

ELECTROCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF POTASSIUM MUDS

The spontaneous potential, SP, in predominantly sodium chloride drill-

ing-mud and formation-water systems arises f~om two electrochemical
forces in series. These are the membrane potential, Em$ across the ad-
jacent shales, and the Iiquid-j=ction pot~n~al~ Ej$ across the interface
between mud filtrate and formation connate water. These potentials may
be expressed by the following general equations: 2
RT aW
Em = -yhl — (6)
amf
a

‘j =- (tcl - tNa) ~- h =
amf
(7)

where the two component potentials # Em arid Ejs are additive in ‘e Sp

circuit, and where

R is the gas constant,

T is the absolute temperature,

F is the Faraday,

tcl, tN~ are the .transferenee numbers of chloride and

sodium ions. respective ly,

b means logarithm to the base e (i. e., natural logarithm)~

~, ~f are the mean activities of sodium-chloride connate-

water and mud filtrate solutions.

For application to the SP developed in NaCl mud/water systems, these

expressions can be simplified to the f ollowimn
R
Em=- 59 log ~, in mV at 75°F (6a)
w eq

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.,:,.
 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

R
12 log ~, h mv at 75°F (7a)
‘j=- weq

where

log means logarithm to the base 10,

R R are “equivalent” resistivities of the mud f ilt rate

mfeq’ weq
and formation water.

The use of a potassium-salt mud in a predominantly sodium-’~bb>ride

formation environment alters these expressions and introduces a third
source of SP potentia~ the hi-ionic potentiaL

The substitution of KCl or KHC03 for the NaCl in the mud ~ystem
does not greatly change the membrane potential. b this situat40n, tlw
cation transference is essentially unity for a “perfect” shale membrane’
and the activity of the potassium-mud filtrate simply replaces the activity
of the NaCl mud filtrate in the membrane-potential equation. The general
appearance of the equation in its simplified form remains the same as
Eq. 6a:

Em= .5910g
‘mfe
~, in mV at 75°F (6a) “
weq

However, for use in Eq. 6a, the equivalent resistivity of the mud filtrate,
R~eq$ for a potassium mud d$ff ers from that for a sodium-chloride mud.
Fig. 7 presents the conversion of mud-filtrate resistivity, R*, to “eq@-
-lentt’ resistivity, R~eq~ for KCL and KHC03 solutions as we~~ as for
solutions of several other salts.

The effect of a potas si-- salt mud on tie liquid- j~ction potentials Ej #
is more pronounced. In KC1 solutions the transference numbers for the
potas siurn ion, tK, and the chloride ion, tcl, are 0.496 and O. 504, respec-
tively. Since ~ and tcl are approximately equal, the potassium cation,
K+, carries about the same amoud of current as the chloride anion, Cl-.
Thus, in pure KCI solutions, no liquid-junction potential is developed.

When solutions of different salts are in contact, however, the liquid-

junction potential is more complex. Using field s=ples of Kcl and
KHC03 drilling muds with NaCl solutions of varying concentration, an
approximate equation of the following form was obtained in the laboratory

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SPWLA SEVENTEEFJ ,,, ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9.12, 1976

K
4

R ~f
(or

1.(

25° C

Rmfeq (or Rweq) - .

//
o s
).[ Lo 10 40
Fk. 7 Convermiona of ~f to Rmfeq or Rw to Rweq at 25°C. Line8 for KC1
●id KCH03 are Included.

which des tribes the liquid-junction potential:

a
E. = -b+c~ln~, inmV (8)
J ad

where the term ‘%’ $ represents a constant negative potential bias, or

shift, to the Liquid-junction potentia~ and “c” is a temperature-dependent

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

coefficient. Both “b” and “c” are expdmentally determined.

The foregoing simple i~near equation appears to be valid only over a

limited range of activity ratio-- gene rnl~y 0.3 < (~/amf) < 10. Fortunate-
ly, this is the activity range in which most field mud filtra$e - connate water d-
systems fall. Also, in the case of KCI muds, the liquid-junction potential t
J
is not large; it represents only a few m$tlivolts, It is somewhat greater
with KHC03 muds and is always negative, varying, for example, from
-15 mV, at an aw/~ activity ratio of 0.25, to -5 mV, at an */amf
activity ratio of 10.

M addition to the membrane and liquid-junction potentials, solutions of

differing salts produce a hi-ionic potential across the adjacent shale beds.
Bi-ionic potentials of 20 to 27 mV were obsemred using the KC1-field-mud
samples; a slightly higher bi - ionic potential was found with the KHC03.
The hi-ionic potential does not appear to vary significantly with aw/~g
activity ratio, NaCl cone entrationj or temperature.

Thus, combining these sourcelJ of SP potential--membrane, liquid-

.hmction, and hi-ionic - -the SP equations for two types of potassium- sa~’
muds, with NaCl formation wat~r, become, for T in deg r-ees Fahrenheit:

For KC1 muds:

SP=22 - (56 + 0.12 T) log ~, in mV (9)

weq

For KHC03 muds:

SF~25 - (49 + 0.11 T) log ~ , in rnV (lo)

‘weq

Fig. 8 presents a chart whit’h solves the equation above for the KCl-
mud case, which is the more common.

These SP potentials were measurements determined in a three-

compartment (about 50-cc eac”n) lucite cell containing both a liquid junction
and a shale membrane to simulate the SP loop and its component, Ej$ Ems
and Eb potentials:

Em+%
‘j u

1 i
Ag/AgCl/avr/~/shale /aw/AgWAg

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SPWLASEVENTEENTH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9.12, 1976

100i , I , 1
I f 1/
/“ f i
80 I

60 I
50
40

30 I
I
20

10
,- 1 I 1 1 I
72” I I I I
8 1 I } I I
r 1 , 1 I I 1
4

6
Rmfeq 5
%ueq 4
3
I 1 1 1
!
J

2 I
I I I 1 I

—
Lo
-.
“*8
0.6
L-t41#
0.5 ,
0.4 Clean Fo motions
-.
KC! Muds, NOC;I Fm. water Rmfe~
0.3 en
—
.eB-tceAni97=or - - ;) log Rweq
Y I ‘rKC1 “ GG–$QU ~volc I
#$ ’F! 3
I

)
AD
V*8F 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 I ( 1 1 1
8

+80 +40 o -40 -80 -120 -160 -200

SP (Millivolts)

ES& SP Versw ~~e~/RWe~ fo? KC1 muds, clen fornmtiona.

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

SP
tloo rnvz F?ES IS TIVITY
GAMMA RAY
) APIU 15C DUAL LATE ROLOG’M - Rxo
--------------
CALl PER
ohm-m
i---- inches I 10

CALIPER
4
MIGROSPti”
Fig. 9
Legs recorded in well drilled
with KC1 mud.

$.} l-*35mv DEEPLATE ROLOO

SWALLOW
LATEROU
2

f.
I

or
SCE//aw/amf/ehale /aw//SCE

where SCE stands for “saturated calomel electrode”. Insertion of a silver-

chloride or saturated calomel electrode into the filtrate compartment per-
mitted measurements, with a high-input-impedance digital vokrnet er, of
the liquid-junction and membrane potentials and the evaluation of the bi-
ionic potential. The salinity of the NaCl solution was varied to simulate
the SP when KCI filtrate of activity, ati, contacts NaC 1 formation waters
of differing activities, a
w“

Fig. 9 shows a short section of SP curve recorded in a well drilled with

KCI mud. A permeable bed exists from about 8,848 to 8,910 ft. An SP
development has occurred in the positive direction. Pertinent data and the
computation of formation-water res istivity~ Rw, are:

Formation Temperature = X30°F

= 0.29 ohm-m at 77°1?

‘mf
SP = + 35 mV (maximum)

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SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9-12, 1976

‘d ,() T?+8
= 0“29 130 + 8
= 0.18 ohm-m at 130°F

Therefore, = 0.25 ohm-m at 130°F (from Fig. 7), and

‘mfeq
R
_ = 0.67 (from Fig. 8)
R
weq
= 0.25
R =7 = 0.37 ohm-m at 130°F
weq .

The formation waters of this area and depfi~ are known to ctmt.ain
approximately equal parts by weight of NaCl ax.ldNaHC03. Assuming this,
the R.we to ~ conversion yields through interpolation betieen the NaCl
and NaHC03 lines of Fig. 7:

~ s 0.45 ohm-m at 130°F

The zone was perforated. Recovery from a test included over 500 bbls
of water with a resistivity of 0.43 ohm-m at 130°F. Chemical composition
was of the expected equal parts by weight of NaCl and NaHC03. Acceptable
agreement was obtained betvteen the talc-ulated Rw value from the SP equa-
tion for the KC1 mud and that measured on the recovered water sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Potassium-chloride (KC1) and potassium-bicarbonate (KHC03) drilling

muds significantly alter the response of the Gamma Ray and Spontaneous
Potential logs.

In the case of the Gamma Ray, the potassium concentration, mud weight,
hole size, and tool position all influence the measurement. In the case of
the SP, the presence of the potassium and bicarbonate ions alter somewhat
the classical SP equation; and a hi-ionic potential is developed.

Modified SP equations are proposed as follows:

For KC1 muds,

SP e 22 - (56 + 0.12 T) log (Rtieq/Rweq)

For KHC03 muds,

SP ~ 25 - (49 + 0.11 T) log (Rmfeq/Rweq)

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 SPWLA SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL LOGGING SYMPOSIUM, JUNE 9.12, 1976

Charts have been presented based on, these relations for use of the SP in
formation-water- resistitity determination.

A technique and charts, based on the readings of centered and eccen-

tesed sondes, have been presented to correct the Gamma Ray log for the
contribution of the radioactivity originating in the drilling mud.

Additional work needs to be done to more precisely define tbe effects

of potassium-salt muds on the Gamma Ray and SP logs. It is in process.
Until then, the data presented here appear to provide a good estimate of
tie effects and should be of aid in the interpretation of logs recorded in
potassium salt-mud systems.

ACKNOtiLEDGMENTS

Acknowledgments go to Shell Canada Limited for supplying— logs and

mud analysis data, to Imperial Oil Limited for the core sample, to Dr.
C. J. Bland, Physics Department, University of Calgary for the radio-
activity analysis~ and to C. Scala for the laboratory spontaneous-potential
measurements.

REFERENCES

1. Schlumberger Log &terpretation Charts, 19’?2 Edition.

2. Gondouin, M., Tixier, M. 1?. , Simard, G. L.: 1’An Experimental

Study on the Influence of the Chemical Composition of Electrolytes
on the SP Curve!’, ——J. Pet. Tech. , Februar--, 19570

-1$-