Modeling streaming potential in porous and fractured media, description and benefits of the effective excess charge density approach

Abstract

Self-potential signals can be generated by different sources and can be decomposed in various contributions. Streming potential is the contribution due to the water flux in the subsurface and is of particular interest in hydrogeophysics and reservoir characterization. Being able to estimate water fluxes in porous and fractured media using streaming potential data relies on our understanding of the electrokinetic coupling at the mineral-solution interface and our capacity to understand, model, and upscale this phenomenon. Two main approaches have been proposed to predict streaming potential generation in geological media. One of these approaches is based on determining the excess charge which is effectively dragged in the medium by water flow. In this chapter, we describe how to model the streaming potential by considering this effective excess charge density, how it can be defined, calculated and upscaled. We provide a short overview of the theoretical basis of this approach and we describe different applications to both water saturated and partially saturated soils and fractured media.