Density Log

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Faculty of Science

Earth Science Department


Well logging and Subsurface Geology

Lecture Topic : Density Log

Mr: Muftah BenEssa


Compton Scattering of Gamma Rays

The density tool works by


measuring Compton scattered
gamma rays which are related
to the electron density of the
material. Electron density for
most materials is close to bulk
density
Introduction.

 The Formation Density log records the bulk density of the


formations (electron density of a formation. ) surrounding the
borehole. It is primarily a porosity device, but it has several
other applications, such as evaporate mineral identification
and gas detection.

 A density derived porosity curve is sometimes presented in


tracks #2 and #3 along with the bulk density and correction
curve . The most frequently used scales are a range of 2.0 to 3.0
gm/cc or 1.95 to 2.95 gm/cc across two tracks.
 Formulation bulk density is a function of matrix density, porosity,
and density of the fluid in the pores (salt mud, fresh mud, or
hydrocarbons).

 Density is one of the most important pieces of data in formation


evaluation. In the majority of the wells drilled, density is the primary
indicator of porosity. In combination with other measurements, it
may also be used to indicate lithology and formation fluid type.
 The tool employs a radioactive source which continuously emits
gamma rays. These pass through the mudcake and enter the
formation, where they progressively lose energy until they are
either completely absorbed by the rock matrix or they return to
one the two gamma ray detectors in the tool
 Dense formations absorb many gamma rays, while low-density
formations absorb fewer. Thus, high-count rates at the detectors
indicate low-density formations, whereas low count rates at the
detectors indicate high-density formations .For example, in a thick
anhydrite bed the detector count rates are very low, while in a
highly washed-out zone of the hole, simulating an extremely low-
density formation, the count rate at the detectors is extremely high.
Principle

A radioactive source, Cesium-137 or Cobalt-60, emits medium-


energy gamma rays into the formation (0.5 - 2 MeV). These gamma
rays, or photons, which are particles with no mass, collide with the
electrons in the formation in three different types of interaction:
Pair production, Compton scattering and photo-electric absorption, as
Gamma rays can react with matter in three distinct manners:
 Photoelectric effect, where a gamma ray collides with an electron,
is absorbed, and transfers all of its energy to that electron. In this
case, the electron is ejected from the atom.
 Compton scattering, where a gamma ray collides with an electron
orbiting some nucleus. In this case, the electron is ejected from its
orbit and the incident gamma ray loses energy.
 Pair production, where a gamma ray interacts with an atom to
produce an electron and positron. These will later recombine to form
another gamma ray.
 Photoelectric interaction can be monitored to find the lithology-
related parameter, Pe.
 conventional density measurement, only the Compton scattering
of gamma rays is of interest.
 Conventional logging sources do not emit gamma rays with
sufficient energies to induce pair production, therefore pair
production will not be a topic of this discussion.
 Only the Compton scattering reaction is of importance in measuring
the formation density. At each collision the photon loses some of its
energy to an electron, which is then ejected from its orbit. The
photons are scattered in all directions in the process.
 The scattered photons reaching the detector are counted and give
an indication of the formation density. The number of collisions is
directly related to the number of electrons in the formation. A high
count rate is recorded in low density formations.
Density Log Formation

Hydraulic Sonde
Skid

Caliper
Arm
Detectors

Gamma Rays
Gamma Ray
Emitting Source

Density devices employ a chemical source of gamma


radiation (Cs-137; T1/2 = 30.2 yr; Eg = 663 keV) and two
gamma ray detectors to determine the formation bulk
density . Common names FDC, LDT, ZDEN, or RHOB
To determine density porosity, either by chart or by calculation,
the matrix density and type of fluid in the borehole must be
known. The formula for calculating density porosity is:
photoelectric absorption index (Pe)

The photoelectric effect occurs when a gamma ray collides with an


electron and is absorbed in the process, so that all of its energy is
transferred to the electron. The probability of this reaction taking
place depends upon the energy of the incident gamma rays and the
type of atom. The photoelectric absorption index of an atom
increases as its atomic number, Z, increases.

Pe = (0.1 . Zeff) 3.6


Material Pe

Sand 1.81

Shale 3-4

Limestone 5.08

Dolomite 3.14

Salt 4.65

Anhydrite 5.05
Application of density log

It can assist the geologist to: (1) identify


evaporite minerals, (2) detect gas-bearing
zones, (3) determine hydrocarbon density,
and (4) evaluate shaly sand reservoirs and
complex lithologies.

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