Quick-Look Lithology

from Logs
INTRODUCTION
Lithological determination from wireline logs is often done
by sophisticated computer programs, but basic quick-look
interpretation can be made by visual inspection of
appropriate logs.
The best logs for lithological purposes are those that are (1)
most influenced by rock properties and (2) least influenced by
fluid properties. The most useful of the commonly available
logs are
Gamma ray
Spontaneous potential (SP)
Caliper
Formation density
Photoelectric absorption
Neutron porosity
(For more details on these logs, see the chapter on "Basic
Open Hole Tools" in Part 4. Also, the chapter on "Difficult
Lithologies" in Part 4 covers logging tool response in
sedimentary minerals.)
Borehole imaging tools such as the Formation
MicroScanner
1
are invaluable for detailed purposes, including
bedding character and sedimentary structures, but are much
less commonly available. (For more details, see the chapter on
"Borehole Imaging Devices" in Part 4.)
GAMMA RAY LOGS
The common radioactive elementspotassium, thorium,
and uraniumare normally insignificant in reservoir fluids,
whereas they are important components of the rock system,
especially of clay minerals. Gamma ray logs are therefore a
good indicator of mineralogy.
Lithological Responses
The principal gamma ray responses are as follows:
Gamma Ray Values
Lithology (in API units)
Sandstone (quartz) 15-30 (rarely to 200)
Limestone 10-40
Dolomite 15-40 (rarely to 200)
Shale 60-150
Organic-rich shale 100-250
Anhydrite, halite 8-15
Sylvite (KCI) 350-500
Coal 15-150 (any value possible)
Log Shapes
The shape of a gamma ray (or SP) log through a sand body
N. J. Hancock
Consultant
Los Alamitos, California, U.S.A.
is often thought of as a grain size profile. Three basic log
shapes are recognized: funnel (coarsening upward), cylinder
(blocky), and bell (fining upward) (Figure 1). These three
shapes can be subdi vi ded into smooth (relatively
homogeneous) or serrate (with interbedded thin shales).
Log shapes typically reflect changing depositional energy
from high (clean, coarser sand) to low (shaly, finer sand). An
interpretive jump is usually made from depositional energy to
depositional process and hence depositional environment.
Often this jump is made without seriously considering the
intermediate steps. This can be dangerous. Each of the steps
is highly ambiguous and must be augmented by other
evidence, such as unit thickness, associated rock types, and
overall depositional setting. Typically,
Funnel shapes imply upward-increasing energy, which
may be found in distributary mouth bars, delta lobe
fringes, deep sea fans, and other environments.
Cylinder shapes reflect relatively constant energy levels
and can include eolian dunes, low sinuosity
distributary channels, and beaches.
Bell shapes represent waning-current sequences, which
can include alluvial point bars, deltaic distributaries,
and deep sea fan channels.
In fact, grain size has no effect on gamma ray logs. The log
shapes reflect shaliness, that is, clay and mica content of the
sand. Because most sands reflect a hydrodynami c
equilibrium, clay content does usually correlate (inversely)
with grain size. However, in the following examples, clay
content and grain size do not correlate, resulting in
misleading log shapes:
Very fine, clean sand above coarser sand may show a
cylinder shape.
Clay clasts concentrated near the base of a channel may
give a funnel shape.
Clay added later due to bioturbation or mechanical
infiltration at the top of a gravel may create a bell shape.
(For more details on using log shape to interpret depositional
environment, see the chapter on "Lithofacies and
Environmental Analysis of Clastic Depositional Systems" in
Part 6.)
Problems and Exceptions
Radioactive minerals in sands, especially K-feldspar,
zircon, and mica, can raise sand readings as high as
adjacent shales. Gamma ray logs may be useless in
immature sands derived from basement terranes.
However, beach placers rich in zircon may be valuable
correlative markers if not mistaken for shale.
"Hot" dolomite, especially common in the Permian basin
A trademark of Schlumberger.
174