Chapter 7

Gamma Ray (GR) log

Lecture notes for PET 370

Spring 2012
Prepared by: Thomas W. Engler,
Ph.D., P.E.

GR Log

Uses

Estimate bed boundaries, stratigraphic correlations

Estimate shale content
Perforating depth control
Identify mineral deposits of potash, uranium, and coal

Monitor movement of injected radioactive material

GR Log

Background

The Gamma Ray log is a continuous measurement of

the natural radioactivity emanating from the formations.

Principal isotopes emitting radiation are Potassium-40,

Uranium, and Thorium (K40, U, Th)
Isotopes concentrated in clays; thus higher radioactivity
in shales than other formations.
Sensitive detectors count the number of gamma rays per
unit of time
Recorded in API Units which is 1/200th of the
calibrated, standard response.

GR Log

General GR Response

GR Log

Factors affecting tool response

(1). Radiation intensity of the formation

(2). Counters efficiency

(3). Time constant (rc)
(4). Logging speed

(5). Borehole environment

GR Log

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.

GR Log
Effect of Time Constant
and Logging Speed
on bed resolution

Time constant/logging speed

GR Log

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:
1.
The tool response is shifted in the direction the tool is moving. This
lag or critical thickness (hc) is given by hc = n tc; where n is logging
speed (ft/sec) and tc is the time constant (sec).
2.
The log cannot properly respond when h < hc

Time constant/logging speed

GR Log

The time constant and logging speed are regulated so that the GR log
is representative of the formation radioactivity.
1. By experience, hc = 1 ft., avoids excessive distortion of the GR
curve.
2. Common combinations are:

n (ft/hr)

3,600
1,800
1,200
900

tc (seconds)

1
2
3
4

GR Log

Borehole effects

Function of tool type, borehole size, mud weight, eccentricity

Correction typically ignored except for quantitative analysis such

as shale volume calculations.

GR Log

Borehole effects

Examples:
(1). 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 ...?
(2). 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....?

GR Log

Vsh estimation

Vsh is the bulk volume of shale (precisely the volume of silt, dry
clay, and bound water) to bulk volume.
Calculate shale index, IRA , by
RA RA min
I RA
RA sh RA min
where
RAmin is clean zone reading
RAsh is shale zone (max) reading
RA is reading in zone of interest
GR correlations based on:
shale distribution type
age of shale (tertiary or older)
local area
Disadvantage: Contamination from non-shale radioactive sources.

GR Log

Shale Distribution

Vsh estimation

GR Log
1.0
0.9

Shale Volume, V

sh

0.8
0.7
laminated

0.6
0.5

Larionov (older rocks)

0.4
Stieber

Clavier, et al

0.3
0.2

Larionov (tertiary rocks)

0.1
0.0
0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Radioactivity Index, IRA

0.8

0.9

1.0

GR Log

SP/GR Comparison

GR Log

References

Bassiouni, Z: Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs, SPE

Textbook Series, Vol. 4, (1994)
Chapter 2, Sec 2.1 2.5
Chapter 7, Sec all
Schlumberger, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1995)
Western Atlas, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1992)