Petrophysics

Petrophysics studies the physical and chemical properties of rocks and their fluids, especially in underground reservoirs. It uses laboratory and well measurements to estimate properties such as porosity, fluid saturation, and permeability.

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Porosity: The fraction of a rock's bulk volume occupied by pores. Porosity estimates how much fluid a reservoir rock can store.
Gamma ray logging: A well-logging method that measures natural gamma radiation from formations. Its response helps identify shale and distinguish it from cleaner reservoir intervals.
Reservoir characterization: The description of a reservoir’s geometry, rock properties, and fluid distribution. Petrophysical properties populate reservoir models used to predict storage and flow.
Geophysics: The study of Earth using physical principles and measurements. Geophysics often images larger subsurface volumes, while petrophysics focuses on rock and fluid properties.
Permeability: A measure of how readily a porous material transmits fluids through connected pores. It indicates how readily reservoir fluids can move toward a well.
Electrical resistivity logging: A well-logging method that measures or estimates formation resistance to electrical current. Resistivity contrasts help assess whether pore fluids include hydrocarbons or conductive brine.
Net pay: The thickness of reservoir rock that meets specified criteria for productive hydrocarbons. Porosity, saturation, and shale indicators help determine which intervals qualify.
Geochemistry: The study of the chemical composition and processes of Earth materials. Geochemistry emphasizes composition and reactions, whereas petrophysics quantifies physical reservoir behavior.
Water saturation: The fraction of pore volume occupied by water. It helps distinguish water-filled pores from pores containing hydrocarbons.
Density logging: A well-logging method that estimates formation bulk density from gamma-ray attenuation. Bulk density contributes to estimates of porosity and lithology.