CHAPTER V
GAMMA RAY LOGS
General
Gamma ray logs measure natural radioactivity in
formations and because of this measurement, they 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. low shale content) may 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 Spectralog**
can be run in addition to the gamma ray log. The
Spectralog** breaks the natural radioactivity of a formation
into the different types of radioactive material: (1) thorium,
(2) potassium, and (3) uranium.
If a zone has a high potassium content coupled with a
high gamma ray log response, the zone may not be shale.
Instead, it could be a feldspathic, glauconitic, or micaceous
sandstone.
Besides their use with identifying lithologies and
correlating zones, gamma ray logs provide information for
calculating the volume of shale in a sandstone or carbonate.
The gamma ray log is recorded in track #1 (example, Fig.
37), usually with a caliper. Tracks #2 and #3 often contain
either a porosity log or a resistivity log.
Volume of Shale Calculation
Because shale is more radioactive than sand or carbonate,
gamma ray logs can be used to calculate volume of shale in
porous reservoirs. The volume of shale can then be applied
for analysis of shaly sands (see Chapter VI).
Calculation of the gamma ray index is the first step
needed to determine the volume of shale from a gamma ray
log (the following formula from Schlumberger, 1974).
[ _ GRlog ~ GRmin
GR
max _ GR,^,,
Where:
'GR = gamma ray index
GRlog = gamma ray reading of formation
OR,, = minimum gamma ray (clean sand or carbonate)
GRmajl = maximum gamma ray (shale)
As an example of this calculation, pick these values from
the gamma ray log in Figure 37 (they will be used in Figure
38):
GRlog = 28 at 13,570 ft (formation reading)
GR min = 15 at 13,590 ft
GR mix = 128 at 13,720 ft
Then,
2 8 - 1 5 ^_ 13
^R 128-15 113
IGR =0.115
Finally, the calculated value of the gamma ray index (IGR) is
located on the chart in Figure 38, and a corresponding value
for volume of shale (Vsh) in either consolidated or
unconsolidated sands is determined.
From Figure 38, andusinga value for IGR of 0.115, find:
Vsh = 0.057 older rocks (consolidated)
Vsh = 0.028 Tertiary rocks (unconsolidated)
The volume of shale is also calculated mathematically
from the gamma ray index (IoR) by the following Dresser
Atlas (1979) formulas:
Older rocks, consolidated:
Vsh = 0.33 [2(2 XIOR)- 1.0]
or, Tertiary rocks, unconsolidated:
Vsh = 0.083 [2(3 7 x iGR) _ i o]
Where:
VSh = volume of shale
IQR = gamma ray index
Review - Chapter V
1. Gamma ray logs are lithology logs that measure the
natural radioactivity of a formation.
2. Because radioactive material is concentrated in shale,
shale has high gamma ray readings. Shale-free sandstones
and carbonates, therefore, have low gamma ray readings.
3. Gamma ray logs are used to: (1) identify lithologies;
(2) correlate between formations; and (3) calculate volume
of shale.
91