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Basic Well Log Analysis - Introduction

1. Gamma ray logs measure the natural radioactivity of formations, primarily from uranium, thorium, and potassium. Shale has a high gamma ray reading due to radioactive concentrations. 2. Gamma ray logs are used to identify lithologies like shale, correlate formations, and calculate shale volume. Clean sandstones and carbonates usually have low gamma ray readings. 3. The natural gamma spectral tool builds on gamma ray logs by detecting and recording the individual contributions of uranium, thorium, and potassium to better identify lithologies.

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144 views33 pages

Basic Well Log Analysis - Introduction

1. Gamma ray logs measure the natural radioactivity of formations, primarily from uranium, thorium, and potassium. Shale has a high gamma ray reading due to radioactive concentrations. 2. Gamma ray logs are used to identify lithologies like shale, correlate formations, and calculate shale volume. Clean sandstones and carbonates usually have low gamma ray readings. 3. The natural gamma spectral tool builds on gamma ray logs by detecting and recording the individual contributions of uranium, thorium, and potassium to better identify lithologies.

Uploaded by

Shyh-Zung Lo
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GR & NGST Logs

Gamma Ray
Natural Gamma Spectral Tool
GR Log
Gamma Ray Log
GR log records the natural radioactivity of formations.
Uranium (U)
Thorium (Th)
Potassium (K40)
These three elements continuously emit gamma rays( short bursts of high energy radiation
similar to x-rays).
Gamma rays are capable of penetrating a few inches of rock, can be detected by a suitable
gamma-ray sensor.

The detector gives a discrete electrical pulse for each gamma ray detected, and the
parameter logged is the number of pulses recorded per unit of time by the detector.

Fig 4.2 shows the relative radioactivity of various sedimentary rocks.


Gamma ray response of sedimentary rocks
GR logs are calibrated in API units (APIU), an arbitrary scale set up by the American
Petroleum Institute.
The scale increases from left to right, and the log is recorded linearly on track 1.
Typical GR responses in various lithologies are illustrated in Fig 4.3
GR log presentation is shown in Fig 4.4.
GR Log example
Tool Response
In sedimentary rocks GR log normally reflects the shale content of the formations.

This is due to the tendency of the radioactive elements to concentrate in shales and
GR log readings increase as the proportion shale increases in the formations.

Carbonates and sandstones, the common reservoir rocks, are usually associated with
low levels of gamma ray activity, unless
volcanic ash is present
high content of mica, glauconite
the sand is arkosic i.e. derived from a granitic parent rock.
Granite contains feldspar, a mineral consisting of silicates of calcium, sodium,
potassium, magnesium, iron, etc.
The potassium constituent of the feldspar minerals includes the radioactive K40
variety and consequently sandstones containing feldspathic material are
associated with high levels of gamma radiation.
The term arkose is applied to such sandstones.
Uses of the GR Log
(a) The GR log is useful in detecting shale beds when the SP curve is featureless (i.e.
Rmf=Rw. or when the SP cannot be recorded due to the presence of a non-conductive drilling fluid.
(b) Non-radioactive minerals - e.g. coal beds - may be detected by their characteristically low GR log
response.
(c) The GR log is sometimes used for correlating formations in cased holes.
(d) In a shaly porous and permeable zone, the volume of shale (Vsh) can be estimated
from the deflections of the GR curve (Fig 4.5). The steps involved are as follows:
(i) Read the gamma ray activity associated with the zone of interest (GRZOne)-
(ii) Select a clean shale-free zone, and read GRciean
(iii) Select a 100% shale zone and read GRshale- The fraction of shale in the zone of
interest will be:
Although there are many more ways of calculating Vsh, the above is the most widely used
V-sh Calculation
(i) Read the gamma ray associated with the
zone of interest (GR)
(ii) Select a clean shale-free zone, and read
GRcl
(iii) Select a 100% shale zone and read GRsh
The fraction of shale in the zone of interest will
be:

GR=reading in the sand of interest, APIU


GRcl=average reading in nearby clean sands, APIU
GRsh=average reading in nearby 100 % shales, APIU
Black shale radioactivity.

A spectral gamma ray log over the Upper Jurassic black


shales ofthe North Sea showing the high uranium
contribution.
Hot Shale-organic rich
lowermost Silurian organic-rich (hot) shale in
well RH-1 in the western Risha area (northeast
Jordan)
Radioactive Sand-Mica enrich
Low gamrna ray values through a basic sill.
lt may be confused with a sandstone interval.

Radioactive elements in igneous and volcanic rocks


Hot Shale-Libya-Ghadamis
Hot Shale-Libya Murzuq Basin
NGS
THE NATURAL GAMMA RAY SPECTROMETRY
TOOL
The Natural Gamma Ray Spectrometry Tool (NGS) was introduced in the 1980s and
represents a new development of the conventional GR log.

As shown in Fig 4.6, the NGST is a pad contact device, held against the borehole wall
by means of a bow spring.

Whereas the conventional GR log records the total radiation emitted by U238, Th232 and
K40, the NGS examines the gamma ray spectrum in more detail, detecting and
recording the individual contributions of the three radioactive elements.

This is possible since uranium, thorium and potassium emit gamma rays of different
energies as shown in Fig 4.6.
Potassium has a single peak at 1.46 mev (million electron volts),
while thorium and uranium emit gamma rays of various energies,
the major distinction being a prominent thorium peak at 2.62 mev and
a predominant uranium peak at about 0.6 mev.

Since minerals have characteristic concentrations of uranium, thorium and potassium,


the individual responses can sometimes be used to identify minerals or mineral type.
Summary of GR Log

1. Gamma ray logs are lithology logs that measure the natural radioactivity of a formation.
2. Because radioactive material is concentrated in shale, shale has a high gamma ray
reading.
Shale-free sandstones and carbonates, therefore, usually have low gamma ray readings.
3. Gamma ray logs are used to identify lithologies,
correlate between formations, and calculate volume of shale.
GR-Facies interpretation
Thorium/potassium.
Th/K ratios in silts and sands associated with change in grain size
NGS Log

Outputs are the relative amounts of


Thorium, Uranium and Potassium in
the formation.

Thorium in ppm.
Uranium in ppm.
Potassium in %.

SGR- the total gamma ray )


CGR- Uranium-corrected gamma
ray ).
NGT uses
This tool has many applications:
Lithology identification.
Study of depositional environments.
Investigation of shale types.
Correction of the GR for clay content
evaluation.
Identification of organic material and
source rocks.
Fracture identification.
Geochemical logging.
Study of a rock's diagenetic history.

A major application was to solve North Sea log


interpretation problems in micaceous sands.

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