ABSTRACT: Reservoir Characterization and Quantification -- The Application of High-Resolution Electrical Resistivity Core-Imaging

LOVELL, M. A., Borehole Research, Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester, England, P. D. JACKSON, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, England, and P. K. HARVEY, Borehole Research, Department of Geology, University of Leicester, Leicester, England

Recent developments enable the acquisition of high-resolution electrical resistivity images on core samples. These quantitative measurements effectively map the distribution of electrical resistivity in core samples at a small scale and compliment downhole electrical images. Results reveal the intricate nature of the resistivity structure, including both heterogeneity and anisotropy. Many of the features correspond to the visually defined fabric of the samples, and, in turn, to sedimentological features. Other details, however, appear to be unrelated and suggest fine scale textural and structural effects control the observations.

The technique can be used to correlate between core and in situ descriptions of sedimentology, to calibrate downhole images, and to confirm interpretation of sedimentological descriptions from downhole measurements. Alternatively it can be used to zone a core petrophysically, identifying and mapping zones of homogeneity, or revealing zones of heterogeneity for further analysis. This quantitative imaging technique forms part of a fundamental study of the nature of the pore-space morphology in reservoir rocks. Examples are presented to demonstrate each of the effects described.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91015©1992 AAPG International Conference, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, August 2-5, 1992 (2009)