Spontaneous Potential 4

GENERAL
The spontaneous potential (SP) log was one of the earliest measurements
used in the petroleum industry, and it has continued to play a significant
role in well log interpretation. Most wells today have this type of log
included in their log suites. Primarily, the SP log is used for determining
gross lithology (i.e., reservoir vs. nonreservoir) through its ability to
distinguish permeable zones (such as sandstones) from impermeable zones
(such as shales). It is also used to correlate zones between wells. However,
as will be discussed later in this chapter, the SP log has several other uses
that are perhaps equally important.
The SP log is a record of direct current (DC) voltage (or potential) that
develops naturally (or spontaneously) between a moveable electrode in the
well bore and a fixed electrode located at the surface. It is measured in
millivolts (mV). Electric voltages arising primarily from electrochemical
factors within the borehole and the adjacent rock create the SP log
response. These electrochemical factors are brought about by differences
in salinities between mud filtrate and formation water within permeable
beds.
Salinity of a fluid is inversely proportional to its resistivity, and in practice
salinity is indicated by mud filtrate resistivity (Rmf) and formation water
resistivity (Rw). Because a conductive fluid is needed in the borehole for
the generation of these voltages, the SP cannot be used in nonconductive
(e.g., oil-base) drilling muds or in air-filled holes.
The SP log is usually recorded on the left track of the log (track 1) and is
used to
• detect permeable beds
• detect boundaries of permeable beds
• determine formation-water resistivity (Rw)
• 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.
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 and Rw.
SSP is determined by formula or chart and is a necessary element for
determining accurate values of Rw and volume of shale. The measured SP
value is influenced by bed thickness, bed resistivity, borehole diameter,

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invasion, shale content, hydrocarbon content, and most important: the ratio
of Rmf to Rw (Figure 4.1A).
Bed Thickness
In a thin formation (i.e., less than about 10 ft [3 m] thick), the measured SP
is less than SSP (Figure 4.1B).
However, the SP curve can be corrected by chart for the effects of bed
thickness. As a general rule, whenever the SP curve is narrow and pointed,
the SP should be corrected for bed thickness before being used in the
calculation of Rw.
Bed Resistivity
Higher resistivities reduce the deflection of the SP curves.
Borehole and Invasion
The effects of borehole diameter and invasion on the SP log are very small
and, in general, can be ignored.
Shale Content
The presence of shale in a permeable formation reduces the SP deflection
(Figure 4.1B). In water-bear-ing zones, the amount of SP reduction is
related to the amount of shale in the formation.
Hydrocarbon Content
In hydrocarbon-bearing zones, the SP deflection is reduced. This effect is
called hydrocarbon suppression. Hydrocarbon suppression of the SP is a
qualitative phenomenon, and cannot be used to determine the hydrocarbon
saturation of the formation.
The SP response of shales is relatively constant and follows a straight line
called a shale baseline. The SP value of the shale baseline is assumed to be
zero, and SP curve deflections are measured from this baseline.
Permeable zones are indicated where there is SP deflection from the shale
baseline. For example, if the SP curve moves either to the left (negative
deflection; Rmf > Rw) or to the right (positive deflection; Rmf < Rw) of the
shale baseline, permeable zones are present. Permeable bed boundaries are
placed at the points of inflection from the shale baseline.
Note that when recording through impermeable zones or through
permeable zones where Rmf is equal to Rw, the SP curve does not deflect
from the shale baseline. The magnitude of SP deflection is due to the
difference in salinity between mud filtrate and formation water and not to
the amount of permeability. This salinity difference produces a difference
in the resistivities of the mud filtrate (Rmf) and formation water (Rw).

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Over long intervals (several hundreds to thousands of feet), the SP baseline
can drift, either in the positive or negative direction. While this is of little
consequence when making calculations local to a specific formation, it
may introduce errors if the SP magnitude is being calculated over that long
interval, especially by means of a computer. Accordingly, the baseline drift
can be removed (many programs have such editing routines) so that the SP
baseline retains a constant value (usually set to zero) over the length of the
logged interval.

Figure 4.1. Examples of SP deflection from the shale baseline.

4.1A. SP deflection with different resistivities of mud filtrate (Rmf) and

formation water (Rw). Where resistivity of the mud filtrate (Rmf) is equal
to the resistivity of the formation water (Rw), there is no deflection,
positive or negative, from the shale baseline.
Where Rmf is greater than Rw, the SP deflects to the left of the shale
baseline (negative deflection). Where Rmf greatly exceeds Rw, the
deflection is proportionately greater. This is often called a normal SP.
Where Rmf is less than Rw, the SP deflects to the right of the shale baseline
(positive deflection). This condition, often called a reversed SP, is
produced by a formation containing fresh water.
Remember, the SP log can used only with conductive (i.e., saltwater base
or freshwater base) drilling muds. This log does not work with oil-base
muds or in air-filled holes.

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4.1B. SP deflection with resistivity of the mud filtrate (Rmf) much greater
than formation water (Rw). SSP (static spontaneous potential) at the top of
the diagram, is the maximum deflection possible in a thick, shale-free, and
water-bearing (wet) sandstone for a given ratio of Rmf /Rw. All other
deflections are less and are relative in magnitude.
SP shows the SP response due to the presence of thin beds and/or the
presence of gas. PSP (pseudostatic spontaneous potential) is the SP
response if shale is present.
The formula for the theoretical calculated value of SSP is given:

4.3
where:

3.3
Table 4.1. Mathematical Calculation of Rw from SSP, for temperatures in °F.

Figure 4.2. Determination of formation water resistivity (Rw) from an SP log

Shale Volume Calculation
The volume of shale in a sand can be used in the evaluation of shaly sand
reservoirs and as a mapping parameter for both sandstone and carbonate
facies analysis. The SP log can be used to calculate the volume of shale in
a permeable zone by the following formula:

4.1
where:
Vshale = volume of shale
PSP = pseudostatic spontaneous potential (maximum SP of shaly
formation)
SSP = static spontaneous potential of a nearby thick clean Sand
Or, alternately:

4.2
where:
Vshale = volume of shale
PSP = pseudostatic spontaneous potential (maximum SP of shaly
formation)
SSP = static spontaneous potential of a nearby thick clean sand
SPshale = value of SP in a shale (usually assumed to be zero)

Procedure for 𝑹𝒘 Calculation

*To calculate (𝑹𝒘 ) we need the following:
1-Bottom Hole Temperature (BHT) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ ℉.
2-Mean Surface Temperature (𝑇𝑠 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ ℉.
3-Total Depth of Well (𝐷𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ 𝑓𝑡.
4-Top Formation Depth (𝐷𝑡𝑜𝑝 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ 𝑓𝑡.
5-Bottom Formation Depth (𝐷𝐵𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ 𝑓𝑡.
6-Resistivity of Mud filtrate (𝑅𝑚𝑓 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ Ω. 𝑚.
7-(𝑇𝑅𝑚𝑓 ) Measured temp. of 𝑅𝑚𝑓 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ ℉.
8- Resistivity of Mud (𝑅𝑚 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ Ω. 𝑚.
9-(𝑇𝑅𝑚 ) Measured temp. of 𝑅𝑚 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ ℉.
10- Resistivity of Invaded zone (𝑅𝑖 ) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ Ω. 𝑚.
11-SP deflection (SP) 𝑖𝑛 ⇝ 𝑚𝑉.

*To convert (℃ ⇝ ℉):

𝑇(℉) = 1.8 𝑇(℃) + 32
*To convert (𝑚 ⇝ 𝑓𝑡):
𝑓𝑡 = 𝑚 × 3.281

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 *Ten Steps to Calculate (𝑹𝒘 ):
1-find formation temperature (𝑻𝒇 ):
𝑇𝑓 = (𝑇𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 × 𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑒 ) + 𝑇𝑠
Where:
BHT − 𝑇𝑠
Temperature gradient (𝑇𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 ) =
𝐷𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝐷𝑡𝑜𝑝 + 𝐷𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚
Average depth (𝐷𝑎𝑣𝑒 ) =
2
2-find K:
𝐾 = 61 + 0.133𝑇𝑓
3-convert (𝑹𝒎𝒇@𝑻𝑹𝒎𝒇 ) ⇝ (𝑹𝒎𝒇@𝑻𝒇 ) & (𝑹𝒎@𝑻𝑹𝒎 ) ⇝ (𝑹𝒎@𝑻𝒇 ):

𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇𝑅𝑚𝑓 [𝑇𝑅𝑚𝑓 + 6.77]

(𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇𝑓 ) =
𝑇𝑓 + 6.77
𝑅𝑚@𝑇𝑅𝑚 [𝑇𝑅𝑚 + 6.77]
(𝑅𝑚@𝑇𝑓 ) =
𝑇𝑓 + 6.77
4-find Bed thickness (h):
ℎ = 𝐷𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 − 𝐷𝑡𝑜𝑝
5-find Resistivity ratio:
𝑅𝑖
Resistivity ratio =
𝑅𝑚@𝑇𝑓
6-find SP correction factor:
𝑅𝑖
If >5 & 3 < ℎ < 50 𝑓𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛:
𝑅𝑚 @𝑇𝑓
1
3.65
𝑅𝑖
[4 × (𝑅 + 2)] − 1.5
𝑚@𝑇𝑓
SPcorrection factor = 1 + 0.95
6.05
𝑅𝑖
ℎ − [( + 11)⁄0.65]
𝑅𝑚@𝑇𝑓
𝑅𝑖
*if h more than 50 or less than 3 & if < 5 then assume:
𝑅𝑚@𝑇𝑓
(SPcorrection factor ≅ 1).

7-find Static SP (SSP):

𝑆𝑆𝑃 = 𝑆𝑃 × SPcorrection factor
8-find equivalent 𝑹𝒎𝒇 (𝑹𝒎𝒇𝒆 ):
𝑅𝑚𝑓𝑒

𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇𝑓 ≤ 0.1 𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇𝑓 > 0.1

(146 × 𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇𝑓 ) − 5 6
⇝ 𝑅𝑚𝑓𝑒 = 0.85 × 𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇
⇝ 𝑅𝑚𝑓𝑒 = 𝑓
(337 × 𝑅𝑚𝑓@𝑇𝑓 ) + 77
 9-find equivalent 𝑹𝒘 (𝑹𝒘𝒆 ):
𝑆𝑆𝑃
( )
𝑅𝑤𝑒 = 𝑅𝑚𝑓𝑒 × 10 𝐾

10-find 𝑹𝒘 :
𝑅𝑤

𝑅𝑤𝑒 ≤ 0.1 𝑅𝑤𝑒 > 0.1

1
[
𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝐵𝐻𝑇 ⁄19.9)
]−2 (77 × 𝑅𝑤𝑒 ) + 5
𝑅𝑤𝑒 + (0.131 × 10 ) ⇝ 𝑅𝑤 =
146 − (337 × 𝑅𝑤𝑒 )
⇝ 𝑅𝑤 = 0.0426
[ ]
(−0.5 × 𝑅𝑤𝑒 ) + 10 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝐵𝐻𝑇 ⁄50.8)

Example: