RESISTIVITY

Resistivity is the degree to which a substance opposes the flow of an electric current. In general rocks
and hydrocarbons exhibit large amounts of resistance while salt water in a formation exhibits very little
resistance to the flow of an electric current.

In D&M, we use resistivity to accomplish different goals:

- Locate hydrocarbons by ruling out zones of low resistivity which will more likely contain water.
When we encounter high resistivity sections, these are worth checking further. We consider
high resistivity zones as potential reservoirs, and for confirmation we need to apply gamma ray
and density porosity. This will help us distinguish among hydrocarbons and things like shale
which also are highly resistive.
Gamma rays and neutron porosity density logs in conjunction with resistivity logs
help us determine whether the areas we are surveying contain hydrocarbons.

- Quantify hydrocarbon content: Hydrocarbon and water saturation quantification is based on

models that rely on the Archie’s equation. The basic inputs of Archie’s equation are Resistivity of
water, Porosity and Water saturation.

Resistivity is proportional to the inverse of porosity squared. Resistivity is also proportional

to the inverse of water saturation squared. All this results were derived from Archie’s
experiment playing with varying amounts of porosity, water, sand, and oil.

At constant porosity and water saturation, formation resistivity is proportional to water

resistivity.

- Correlate information from multiple logs: we can tie in information from log to log. By
comparing information from different wells in a field, geologist can use the correlations to
match layers and faults and determine the dip angle of the formation and they can create
subsurface maps for future wells. Matching depth from different logs taken in the same well is
also a way to confirm the accuracy of the readings.

- Pore pressure estimation: based on the principle that there is less and less water as we go
deeper into the subsurface, due to the compaction of deeper layers rocks caused by upper
layers, a trend of increasing resistivity is normally expected; the trend information is used by
clients to determine the correct amount of mud weight to use in order to avoid such things like
kicks or influx.
- Determine invasion
- Determine anisotropy
- Fracture determination
 - Geosteering

Both geometric factors and material type affect resistance. The geometric factors are the cross-sectional
area and the length.

Resistivity is the resistance of a one-meter cube of a material. Resistivity cannot be measured directly

Resistivity is related to resistance through the geometric factor which is the quotient of cross-sectional
area over length. The geometric factor times the resistance gives us the resistivity value that we are
looking for.
In a formation, is not possible to measure the cross-section or the length. That is way the value of the
geometric factor is defined using a computer model. The geometric factor will change depending on the
tool, mud type and the tool configuration.

Our tools calculate resistance based on their measurements.

INVASION is the fact that under usual under-balanced drilling conditions where we keep mud pressure
higher than formation pressure to avoid a kick or influx, the higher pressure forces the mud itself into our
formation. INVASION IS WHEN THE LIQUID PORTION OF THE MUD PUSHES FORMATION FLUID AWAY
FROM THE BOREHOLE. INVASION WILL EVENTUALLY BE SLOWED DOWN BY THE MUDCAKE DUE TO ITS
VERY LOW PERMEABILITY
INVASION PROFILES

1. Conductive mud—Resistive formation

This profile indicate that there is invasion as mud can be water which has low resistivity and the
formation may be a combination of oil and rocks. the mud filtrate has displaced some formation
fluid and we should expect to get closer to the true resistivity of the formation as we go deeper
from the borehole
2. Conductive mud—conductive formation

The conductive profile indicates that we may have water based mud and the formationi fluids may be
salt water which is also conductive. Is not possible to tell anything about invasion.
3. Resistive mud—conductive formation
4. Resistive mud—resistive formation