Resistivity logging

Resistivity logging

Resistivity logging is a method of characterizing the rock or sediment in a borehole by measuring its electrical resistivity. Resistivity is a fundamental material property which represents how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. In these logs, resistivity is measured using 4 electrical probes to eliminate the resistance of the contact leads. The log must run in holes containing electrically conductive mud or water.

Resistivity logging is sometimes used in mineral exploration and water-well drilling, but most commonly for formation evaluation in oil- and gas-well drilling. Most rock materials are essentially insulators, while their enclosed fluids are conductors. Hydrocarbon fluids are an exception, because they are almost infinitely resistive. When a formation is porous and contains salty water, the overall resistivity will be low. When the formation contains hydrocarbon, or contains very low porosity, its resistivity will be high. High resistivity values may indicate a hydrocarbon bearing formation.

Use in mineral exploration

Resistivity logs are also used in mineral exploration, especially exploration for iron and potassium.

ee also

* Archie's law


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Logging while drilling — (LWD) is a technique of measuring geologic formation properties in real time while drilling an oil well.DescriptionLogging while drilling, along with measurement while drilling systems provide wellbore directional surveys, petrophysical well logs …   Wikipedia

  • resistivity log — n a measure of the voltage differential of strata along the walls of a borehole when electrical current is passed through the strata. The resistivity log requires a fluidfilled hole to provide a conductive medium constantly between electrodes on… …   Coke&Coal Terminology

  • Well logging — Gamma ray logging Spontaneous potential logging Resistivity logging Density logging Sonic logging Caliper logging Mud logging LWD/MWD v · …   Wikipedia

  • Mud logging — Mud log in process. Well logging Gamma ray logging Spontaneous potential logging Resistivity logging Density logging …   Wikipedia

  • Density logging — Well logging Gamma ray logging Spontaneous potential logging Resistivity logging Density logging Sonic logging Caliper logging Mud logging LWD/MWD v · …   Wikipedia

  • Spontaneous potential logging — The spontaneous potential log, commonly called the self potential log or SP log, is a measurement taken by oil industry well loggers to characterise rock formation properties. The log works by measuring small electric potentials (measured in… …   Wikipedia

  • well logging — the process or technique of recording a well log. * * * ▪ mining       field technique used in mineral exploration to analyze the geologic formations penetrated by a drill hole. If the hole has been drilled by using coring techniques, the core… …   Universalium

  • Wireline Logging — consists of measuring and recording the physical properties of the rocks in oil wells. Logging consists of introducing sensors in a borehole via a wireline , an electromechanical cable. Power and control is provided to the sensors inside the… …   Wikipedia

  • Formation evaluation — In petroleum exploration and development, formation evaluation is used to determine the ability of a borehole to produce petroleum. Essentially, it is the process of recognizing a commercial well when you drill one .Modern rotary drilling usually …   Wikipedia

  • Measurement while drilling — Well logging Gamma ray logging Spontaneous potential logging Resistivity logging Density logging Sonic logging Caliper logging Mud logging LWD/MWD v · …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”