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The Unique Art of Gamma Log

The gamma ray log records the natural radioactivity of formations using detectors that measure gamma ray emissions. Shales contain higher concentrations of radioactive isotopes like potassium, thorium, and uranium compared to sandstones and carbonates, so the gamma ray log can provide a preliminary indication of lithology. Factors like borehole size, mud properties, and tool logging speed settings impact the tool response. Spectral gamma ray logs provide additional insights by distinguishing the individual contributions of uranium, thorium, and potassium to the total gamma ray reading.

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Abdur Rahman
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198 views26 pages

The Unique Art of Gamma Log

The gamma ray log records the natural radioactivity of formations using detectors that measure gamma ray emissions. Shales contain higher concentrations of radioactive isotopes like potassium, thorium, and uranium compared to sandstones and carbonates, so the gamma ray log can provide a preliminary indication of lithology. Factors like borehole size, mud properties, and tool logging speed settings impact the tool response. Spectral gamma ray logs provide additional insights by distinguishing the individual contributions of uranium, thorium, and potassium to the total gamma ray reading.

Uploaded by

Abdur Rahman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Gamma Ray Logging

GR Principles

GR response to lithology
The GR log records the abundance of the radioactive isotopes of K, Th and
U
K, Th and U are usually concentrated in shales and less concentrated in
sandstones and carbonates (owing to differences in mineralogy)
Common GR readings, in API units*, are:

Limestones and anhydrites, 15-20 API


Dolomites and clean (shale-free) sandstones, 20-30 API
Shales, average 100 API, but can vary from 75 to 300 API
Other lithologies: coal, salt (halite, NaCl) and gypsum usually give low readings
while volcanic ash and beds of potash salts (sylvite, KCl) give high readings

Therefore, the GR log is a good first-pass indicator of lithology


*1 API unit = 1/200th of the response generated by a calculated standard that
has 2x the average radioactivity of shale with 6ppm U, 12ppm Th and 2% K

Factors affecting tool response

Radiation intensity of the formation


Counters efficiency
Time constant (TC)
Logging speed
Borehole environment

Time constant/logging speed


Gamma Ray Logs never repeat
exactly! The minor variations are
statistical fluctuations due to the
random nature of the radioactive
pulses reaching the detector.
Typical ranges are 5 - 10 API Units
in shales, and 2 - 4 units in clean
formations
Reduce statistical fluctuations by
optimizing the time constant and
logging speed.

Time constant/logging speed


Effect of Time Constant
and Logging Speed on
bed resolution

Time constant/logging speed


The faster the logging speed, the less time the tool can sufficiently react and
properly count the radiation intensity.
Two effects:
The tool response is shifted in the direction the tool is moving. This lag or critical
thickness (Hc) is given by Hc = LS*TC; where LS is logging speed (ft/sec) and TC is
the time constant (sec).
The log cannot properly respond when H < Hc

Time constant/logging speed

LS (ft/hr)
3,600
1,800
1,200
900

TC (seconds)
1
2
3
4

Borehole Effects

Borehole Effects
Examples:
A GR-CNL-LDT combination is run eccentered. What is the
corrected response if the log response is 40 API units in a 9
hole with 8.3 ppg mud? ...16 hole ...?
A GR - BHC combination is run centered. What is the
corrected response if the log response is 40 API units in a 9
hole with 16 ppg mud? ....16 hole....?

Spectral GR
Eagleford Fm: Shale and source
rock. High U content associated
with high TOC (organics)
Buda Fm: Limestone. Very low
radioactivity (<20 API)
Del Rio Fm: Typical shale. High K
content associated with illite

Gamma Ray Emission Energy Spectra


Intensity of radiation per gram per second

U-Ra series 26000 photons per gram per second


Th series 12000 photons per gram per second
40
19K

3 photons/g/s

Scattering and Attenuation


Gamma rays with energy >3 MeV. These
interact with the nucleus of the materials that
they are travelling through and are converted
into an electron and a positron in the process
(pair production). The efficiency of the process
is low, so these gamma rays may be measured
by a sensor. However, they contribute only
small amounts to the overall signal.

Scattering and Attenuation


Gamma rays with energy 0.5 to 3 MeV. These
gamma rays undergo compton scattering,
where a gamma ray interacts with the
electrons of the atoms through which they are
passing, ejecting the electron from the atom,
and losing energy in the process. A gamma ray
in this range may undergo several of these
collisions reducing its energy from its initial
value to an energy of less than 0.5 MeV in a
stepwise fashion.

Scattering and Attenuation


Gamma rays with energy <0.5 MeV. These
gamma rays collide with electrons of the
atoms through which they are passing, and
are adsorbed. The gamma ray energy is either
used to promote the electron to a higher
energy level or to eject it from the atom. This
process is called photo-electric adsorption,
and is important in the Litho-Density tool.

Determination of Shale content

IGR is Gamma Ray Index

Other uses

Depth matching
Cased hole correlations
Recognition of radioactive mineral deposits
Radio-isotopes tracer operations
Facies and depositional environment

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