Chapter 7

Gamma Ray (GR) log

Lecture notes for PET 370

Spring 2012
Prepared by: Thomas W. Engler,
Ph.D., P.E.
GR Log Background
The Gamma Ray log is a continuous measurement of
the natural radioactivity emanating from the formations?
True or False?
GR Log Background
The Gamma Ray log is a continuous measurement of
the natural radioactivity emanating from the formations.
True
The principal isotopes emitting radiation are Potassium-
40, Uranium, and Thorium (K40, U, Th) ?
True or False?
GR Log Background
The Gamma Ray log is a continuous measurement of
the natural radioactivity emanating from the formations.
True
Principal isotopes emitting radiation are Potassium-40,
Uranium, and Thorium (K40, U, Th)
True
Isotopes are concentrated in sands; thus higher
radioactivity occurs in sandstones than other formations.
True or False
GR Log Background
The Gamma Ray log is a continuous measurement of
the natural radioactivity emanating from the formations.
True
Principal isotopes emitting radiation are Potassium-40,
Uranium, and Thorium (K40, U, Th)
True
Isotopes are concentrated in clays; thus higher
radioactivity is in shales than other formations.
False
Sensitive detectors count the number of gamma rays per
unit of time and record in API Units which is 1/200th of
the calibrated, standard response.
True or False?
GR Log Background
The Gamma Ray log is a continuous measurement of
the natural radioactivity emanating from the formations.
True
Principal isotopes emitting radiation are Potassium-40,
Uranium, and Thorium (K40, U, Th)
True
Isotopes are concentrated in clays; thus higher
radioactivity is in shales than other formations.
False
Sensitive detectors count the number of gamma rays per
unit of time and record in API Units which is 1/200th of
the calibrated, standard response.
True
GR Log General GR Response
GR Log Uses

Write down five uses of the GR log?

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

Bed boundaries and stratigraphic correlation

LaRica (Morrow) Pool, SENM

Perforating Depth Control
Casedhole log

Openhole log
Perforating Depth Control

Openhole log

Casedhole log
 Monitor movement of injected radioactive material

Two-Isotope Tracking in a Two-Stage Fracture Treatment

 Identify mineral deposits of potash, uranium, and coal

Gamma ray, density, and microlog-

resistivity data measured in Well Southern
Ute-Mobil 36-1.

Coal intervals are characterized by

densities < 1.75 g/cm3 and lower (20 to
60API) gamma Ray values.

Notice the significant microlog separation

in the coal intervals and the lack of
separation in the noncoal intervals.
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

Define: fe = ft fe = ?ft
Vol (str gr)
What is the value Vsh= ?
VB
Of Vsh?

Name a type of structural shale grain?

GR Log Shale Distribution

Define: fe = ft fe = ?ft -Vsh

What is the value Vsh= ?Vol (dis)

Of Vsh? VB

Name a type of dispersed shale?

GR Log Shale Distribution
x= fsh

Define: fe = ft fe = ?ft -xVsh

What is the value Vol (lam)

Vsh= ?
Of Vsh? VB
GR Log Vsh estimation
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
sh
Shale Volume, V

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 0.8 0.9 1.0
Radioactivity Index, IRA
GR Log Vsh estimation
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
sh
Shale Volume, V

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 0.8 0.9 1.0
Radioactivity Index, IRA

RAmin clean sand zone = ?

RAsh shale zone = ?

RA in zone of interest ,Very shaly sand = ?

RA RA min
I RA ?
RA sh RA min
GR Log SP/GR Comparison
GR Log Factors affecting tool response

Write down five factors that affect GR 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 Time constant/logging speed
Effect of Time Constant
and Logging Speed
on bed resolution
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
GR Log Time constant/logging speed
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) tc (seconds)
3,600 1
1,800 2
1,200 3
900 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 decentralized. What is the
corrected response if the log response is 40 API units in a 9 hole
with 8.3 ppg mud? ...16 hole ...?

GRcor/Grlog 1.4

GRcor/Grlog 1.0
GR Log Borehole effects

Examples:
(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....?

GRcor/Grlog 4.5

GRcor/Grlog 1.75
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)