Flowing wellbore electrical-conductivity logging provides a means to determine hydrologic properties of fractures, fracture zones, or other permeable layers intersecting a borehole in saturated rock. The method involves analyzing the time-evolution of fluid electrical-conductivity logs obtained while the well is being pumped and yields information on the location, hydraulic transmissivity, and salinity of permeable layers, as well as their initial (or ambient) pressure head. Earlier analysis methods were restricted to the case in which flows from the permeable layers or fractures were directed into the borehole. More recently, a numerical model for simulating flowing-conductivity logging was adapted to permit treatment of both inflow and outflow, including analysis of natural regional flow in the permeable layer. However, determining the fracture properties with the numerical model by optimizing the match to the conductivity logs is a laborious trial-and-error procedure. In this paper, we identify the signatures of various inflow and outflow features in the conductivity logs to expedite this procedure and to provide physical insight for the analysis of these logs. Generally, inflow points are found to produce a distinctive signature on the conductivity logs themselves, enabling the determination of location, inflow rate, and ion concentration in a straightforward manner. Identifying outflow locations and flow rates, on the other hand, can be done with a more complicated integral method. Running a set of several conductivity logs with different pumping rates (e.g., half and double the original pumping rate) provides further information on the nature of the feed points. In addition to enabling the estimation of flow parameters from conductivity logs, an understanding of the conductivity log signatures can aid in the design of follow-up logging activities.
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