Electrical properties as a tool for oil and gas exploration: a case study of Wadi Saal, East Central Sinai, Egypt

Abstract Some rock samples (39) have been obtained from Wadi Saal, East Central Sinai, Egypt, for studying electrical, petrographical, and petrophysical parameters. The petrographical analysis shows two major facies. Carbonate (limestone) facies with low porosity (11%) and permeability (69 mD), and sandstone facies with high porosity (28%) and permeability (5901 mD) indicate good reservoir characteristics. Porosity values are related to the bulk density, whereas permeability is controlled by rock porosity and irreducible water saturation. Alternating current (AC) electrical properties were measured with frequency (42 Hz–5 MHz) for samples. Electrical characteristic differences are affected with texture changes, mineralogy, porosity, tortuosity, pore-water salinity, mineral concentrations, permeability, and fluid content. Conductivity and impedance decrease whenever an insulator is existed. The dielectric constant increases with conductor composition (below the percolation) and falls with frequency beyond it. The conductivity expands with the number of conductor pathways connecting the electrodes. The primary objective of this work is to use laboratory AC electrical measurements to shed some light on the relationship between the texture, petrography, petrophysics, and geochemical composition of materials (sandstone and limestone). The goal is to study electrical properties of these mixtures at varying clay concentrations and saturation levels. These analyses could enhance oil and gas recovery by shedding light on reservoir rock electrical characteristics.