A review of some experience with the induced- polarization/resistivity method for hydrocarbon surveys: successes and limitations

Our experience with the induced polarization (IP) and resistivity method for hydrocarbon exploration has shown both successful surveys and limitations of the method. Four examples demonstrate a close correlation between shallow IP and resistivity anomalies and deeper hydrocarbon production. In each of these examples, anomalies occurred over the producing fields which have significantly greater amplitudes than the variations in the surrounding background response. Another important result is the development of a geological/geochemical model for the formation of IP and resistivity anomalies over hydrocarbon reservoirs. It was also found that the IP/resistivity method for hydrocarbon exploration has significant limitations. -from Author