With well logs serving so many purposes, there are various types of well logs that suit each purpose.
Here is a list of just some of the types of well logs that are currently being used.
- Electrical resistivity well logs tell you how hard it is for an electric current to pass through a formation. This is also an indication of whether the water in the potential well is fresh or salty. (Salt water conducts more electricity making it easier for the electric current to pass through.)
- Acoustic well logs tell you how easy it is for sound waves to travel through the formation. This is useful to see if water is present in the formation.
- Gamma ray or radioactivity well logs let you know how much shale is present in the formation.
- Induction well logs take the place of electrical resistivity logs when working with wells containing oil or air.
- Spontaneous potential (SP) well logs tell you how porous or permeable the formation is.