BASIC WELL LOGGING ANALYSIS –

THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SP) LOG

1
Hsieh, Bieng-Zih

Fall 2009
THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SP) LOG

 The spontaneous potential (SP) log was one of the

earliest electric logs used in the petroleum industry, and
has continued to play a significant role in well log
interpretation.

 By far the largest number of wells today have this type

of log included in their log suites.

2
THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SP) LOG (CONT.)

 Primarily the spontaneous potential log is used to identify

impermeable zones such as shale, and permeable zones
such as sand.
 However, the SP log has several other uses perhaps equally
important.

3
THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SP) LOG (CONT.)

 The spontaneous potential log is a record of direct

current (DC) voltage differences between the naturally
occurring potential of a moveable electrode in the well
bore, and the potential of a fixed electrode located at
the surface (Doll, 1948).

 It is measured in millivolts.

4
THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SP) LOG (CONT.)

 Electric currents arising primarily

from electrochemical factors
within the borehole create the SP
log response.

 These electrochemical factors are

brought about by differences in
salinities between mud filtrate
(Rmf) and formation water
resistivity (Rw) within permeable
beds.
5
THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SP) LOG (CONT.)

 Because a conductive fluid is

needed in the borehole for the
SP log to operate, it cannot be
used in non-conductive (i.e. oil-
based) drilling muds.

6
SP DEFLECTION

7
FUNCTIONS OF SP LOG

 The SP log is recorded on the left hand track of the log in

track #1 and is used to:
 (1) detect permeable beds,

 (2) detect boundaries of permeable beds,

 (3) determine formation water resistivity (Rw),

 (4) determine the volume of shale in permeable beds.

 An auxiliary use of the SP curve is in the detection of

hydrocarbons by the suppression of the SP response.

8
FUNCTIONS OF SP LOG

9
STATIC SPONTANEOUS POTENTIAL (SSP)

 The concept of static spontaneous potential (SSP) is

important because SSP represents the maximum SP that a
thick, shale-free, porous and permeable formation can
have for a given ratio between Rmf /Rw .

 SSP is determined by formula or chart and is a necessary

element for determining accurate values of Rw and
volume of shale.

10
SHALE BASE LINE

 The SP response of shales is

relatively constant and follows a
straight line called a shale baseline.

 SP curve deflections are measured

from this shale baseline.

 Permeable zones are indicated where

there is SP deflection from the shale
baseline.
11
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE

12
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE
 Step 0:
 Setup Shale-base-line

 read SP log recording

and 16” Normal
Resistivity log reading
every 2 ft from 7430 to
7460

13
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE (CONT.)
 Step 1:
 determine the formation
temperature (Tf)

14
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE (CONT.)
 Step 2:
 correct the resistivities of
the mud filtrate (Rmf) and
drilling mud (Rm) to
formation temperature (Tf)

15
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE (CONT.)
 Step 3:
 Determine the SP reading
(in water-bearing zone or
wet-formation)

16
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE (CONT.)
 Step 4:
 Correct SP to SSP

17
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE (CONT.)
 Step 5:
 Determine Rmf/Rwe ratio

 Step 6:
 Determine Rwe

18
RESISTIVITY OF FORMATION WATER (RW)
CALCULATES FROM THE SP CURVE (CONT.)
 Step 7:
 Correct Rwe to Rw

19
VOLUME OF SHALE CALCULATION

 The SP log can be used to calculate the volume of shale

in a permeable zone by the following formula:

PSP
Vsh  1.0 
SSP
 The volume of shale in a sand can be used in the
evaluation of shaly sand reservoirs.

20
CALCULATE VSH FROM THE SP CURVE
 Use SP log recording (PSP)
every 2 ft from 7430 to
7460

 SSP is from step 4

PSP
Vsh  1.0 
SSP

21
REVIEW – SP LOG
 The spontaneous potential log (SP) can be used to: (1)
detect permeable beds; (2) detect boundaries of
permeable beds; (3) determine formation water
resistivity (Rw); and (4) determine volume of shale (Vsh) in
a permeable bed.

 The variations in the SP are the result of an electric

potential that is present between the well bore and the
formation as a result of differences in salinities between
Rmf and Rw .

22
REVIEW – SP LOG (CONT.)
 The SP response in shales is relatively constant and its
continuity of amplitude is referred to as the shale
baseline.

 In permeable beds the SP will do the following relative to

the shale baseline: (1) negative deflection to the left of
the shale baseline where Rmf ＞ Rw ; (2) positive deflection
to the right of the shale baseline where Rmf ＜ Rw ; (3) no
deflection where Rmf ＝ Rw .

 The SP curve can be suppressed by thin beds, shaliness,

23
and the presence of gas.