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Log Gamma Ray

Gamma ray logs measure natural radioactivity in formations to identify lithologies and correlate zones. Shale has more radioactive materials than sandstone or carbonate, so gamma ray response increases with shale content. However, some clean sandstones also have high gamma readings if they contain potassium feldspar, mica, or uranium. Spectral gamma ray logs distinguish readings from uranium, thorium, and potassium. Gamma logs are used to calculate shale volume in formations.

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Muhammad Reza Pahlevi
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85 views

Log Gamma Ray

Gamma ray logs measure natural radioactivity in formations to identify lithologies and correlate zones. Shale has more radioactive materials than sandstone or carbonate, so gamma ray response increases with shale content. However, some clean sandstones also have high gamma readings if they contain potassium feldspar, mica, or uranium. Spectral gamma ray logs distinguish readings from uranium, thorium, and potassium. Gamma logs are used to calculate shale volume in formations.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Reza Pahlevi
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© © All Rights Reserved
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LOG GAMMA RAY

General

Gamma ray (GR) logs measure the natural radioactivity in formations and can be used
for identifying lithologies and for correlating zones. Shale-free sandstones and carbonates
have low concentrations of radioactive material and give low gamma ray readings. As shale
content increases, the gamma ray log response increases because of the concentration of
radioactive material in shale. However, clean sandstone (i.e., with low shale content) might
also produce a high gamma ray response if the sandstone contains potassium feldspars,
micas, glauconite, or uranium-rich waters.
In zones where the geologist is aware of the presence of potassium feldspars, micas,
or glauconite, a spectral gamma ray log can be run in place of the standard the gamma ray
log. The spectral gamma ray log records not only the number of gamma rays emitted by the
formation but also the energy of each, and processes that information into curves
representative of the amounts of thorium (Th), potassium (K), and uranium (U) present in the
formation.
If a zone has a high potassium content coupled with a high gamma ray log response,
the zone might not be shale. Instead, it could be a feldspathic, glauconitic, or micaceous
sandstone.
Like the SP log, gamma ray logs can be used not only for correlation, but also for the
determination of shale (clay) volumes. These volumes are essential in calculating water
saturations in shale-bearing formations by some shaly-sand techniques. Unlike the SP log, the
gamma ray response is not affected by formation water resistivity (Rw), and because the
gamma ray log responds to the radioactive nature of the formation rather than the electrical
nature, it can be used in cased holes and in open holes containing nonconducting drilling
fluids (i.e., oil-based muds or air).
The gamma ray log is usually displayed in the left track (track 1) of a standard log
display, commonly with a caliper curve. Tracks 2 and 3 usually contain porosity or resistivity
curves. Figure 3.1 is an example of such a display.
SHALE VOLUME CALCULATION
Because shale is usually more radioactive than sand or carbonate, gamma ray logs can
be used to calculate volume of shale in porous reservoirs. The volume of shale expressed as a
decimal fraction or percentage is called Vshale. This value can then be applied to the analysis
of shaly sands (see Chapter 7).
Calculation of the gamma ray index is the first step needed to determine the volume
of shale from a gamma ray log:
𝐺𝑅𝑙𝑜𝑔 − 𝐺𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐼𝐺𝑅 =
𝐺𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐺𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛
Where
IGR = gamma ray index
GRlog = gamma ray reading of formation
GRmin = minimum gamma ray (clean sand or carbonate)
GRmax = maximum gamma ray (shale)

Unlike the SP log, which is used in a single linear relationship between its response
and shale volume, the gamma ray log has several nonlinear empirical responses as well as a
linear response. The nonlinear responses are based on geographic area or formation age, or if
enough other information is available, chosen to fit local information. Compared to the linear
response, all nonlinear relationships are more optimistic; that is, they produce a shale volume
value lower than that from the linear equation. For a firstorder estimation of shale volume,
the linear response, where Vshale = IGR, should be used.
The nonlinear responses, in increasing optimism (lower calculated shale volumes),
are:
Larionov (1969) for Tertiary rocks:
𝑉𝑠ℎ = 0,083(23,7.𝐼𝐺𝑅 − 1)
Steiber (1970):
𝐼𝐺𝑅
𝑉𝑠ℎ =
3 − 2 × 𝐼𝐺𝑅
Clavier (1971):
1
𝑉𝑠ℎ = 1,7 − [3,38 − (𝐼𝐺𝑅 − 0,7)2 ]2
Larionov (1969) for older rocks:
𝑉𝑠ℎ = 0,33 × (22𝐼𝐺𝑅 − 1)
See Figures 3.1 and 3.2 for an example of a shale volume calculation using the gamma ray
log.

SPECTRAL GAMMA RAY LOG


The response of the normal gamma ray log is made up of the combined radiation from
uranium, thorium, potassium, and a number of associated daughter products of radioactive
decay. Because these different radioactive elements emit gamma rays at different energy
levels, the radiation contributed by each element can be analyzed separately. Potassium
(potassium 40) has a single energy of 1.46 MeV (million electron volts). The thorium and
uranium series emit radiation at various energies; however, they have prominent energies at
2.614 MeV (thorium) and 1.764 MeV (uranium). By using energy-selective sensor windows,
the total gamma ray response can be separated into the
gamma rays related to each of these elements (Dewan, 1983). Figure 3.3 illustrates one
format used to display output from the spectral gamma ray log. In addition to the individual
elements shown in tracks 2 and 3, the spectral gamma ray data can be displayed in track 1 as
total gamma radiation (SGR-dashed curve) and total gamma radiation minus uranium (CGR-
solid curve).
Important uses of the spectral gamma ray log include (Dresser-Atlas, 1981):
 determining shale (clay) volume (Vshale) in sandstone reservoirs that contain uranium
minerals, potassium feldspars, micas, and/or glauconite
 differentiating radioactive reservoirs from shales
 source-rock evaluation
 evaluation of potash deposits
 geologic correlations
 clay typing
 fracture detection
 rock typing in crystalline basement rocks
In most log analyses, the first two uses listed above are the most important uses of spectral
log data.
In determining shale volume (Vshale) in sandstones, Dewan (1983) has suggested the
use of only the thorium and potassium components instead of total GR in the Vshale
equations, because uranium salts are soluble and can be transported and precipitated in the
formation after deposition. If potassium minerals are present in the sandstone, Dewan (1983)
suggested the use of only the thorium component in the Vshale equations. Radioactive
reservoirs like the “hot” dolomites of the
Permian (west Texas and New Mexico) and Williston (Montana, North Dakota, and South
Dakota) basins of the United States are normally differentiated from shales by the low
thorium and potassium contents and high uranium content.
Figure 3.1. Example of a gamma ray log with neutron-density log.
This example illustrates the curves and scales of a gamma ray log, and is also used to
pick values for Figure 3.2.
Track 1 (to the left of the depth track): The gamma ray log (GR) is the only one
represented on this track. Note that the scale increases from left to right, and ranges from 0 to
150 API gamma ray units in increments of 15 API units.
Tracks 2 and 3 (used together, to the right of the depth track): These tracks include
logs representing bulk density (RHOB), neutron porosity (NPHI), and density correction
(DRHO). Bulk density (RHOB) is represented by a solid line and ranges from 2.0 to 3.0
g/cm3 increasing from left to right. Neutron porosity (NPHI) is represented by a dashed line
and ranges from –0.10 (–10%) to +0.30 (30%) increasing from right to left. The correction
curve (DRHO) is represented by a dotted line and ranges from –0.25 to +0.25 g/cm3
increasing from left to right, but only uses track 3 .

Calculation of Gamma Ray Index IGR for Shale Volume Calculation


The minimum gamma ray value (GRmin) occurs at 13,593 ft and is 14 API units
(slightly less than 1 scale division from zero).
The maximum gamma ray value (GRmax) occurs at 13,577 ft and at 13,720 ft and is
130 API units. These are the shaliest zones in the interval.
The gamma ray readings from three depths are shown in the table below.
From Equation 3.1, the gamma ray index (IGR) is:
𝐺𝑅𝑙𝑜𝑔 − 𝐺𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐼𝐺𝑅 =
𝐺𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐺𝑅𝑚𝑖𝑛

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