Correlation of vertical electrical sounding and electrical borehole log data for groundwater exploration

Abstract

ABSTRACTWe have correlated the longitudinal unit conductance CL obtained from interpreted vertical electrical sounding data with the formation resistivity Rt and the formation resistivity factor F, obtained by carrying out electrical borehole logging. Interpreted geophysical data of eleven soundings and two electrical borehole log records are used for the analysis. The geophysical data used were acquired in a sedimentary basin. The study area is called Lower Maner Basin located in the province of Andhra Pradesh, India. Vertical electrical soundings were carried out using a Schlumberger configuration with half current electrode separation varying from 600–1000 m. For logging the two boreholes, a Widco logger‐model 3200 PLS was used. True formation resistivity Rt was calculated from a resistivity log. Formation resistivity factor F was also calculated at various depths using Rt values. An appreciable inverse relation exists between the correlated parameters. The borehole resistivity Rt and the formation resistivity factor F decrease with the increase in the longitudinal unit conductance CL. We have shown the use of such a relation in computing borehole resistivity Rt and formation resistivity factor F at sites that posses only vertical electrical sounding data, with a fair degree of accuracy. Validation of the correlation is satisfactory. Scope for updating the correlation is discussed. Significance and applications of the relation for exploration of groundwater, namely to update the vertical electrical sounding data interpretation by translating the vertical electrical sounding data into electrical borehole log parameters, to facilitate correlations studies and to estimate the porosity (φ), permeability (K) and water saturation Sw of water bearing zones are discussed.