Neutron Porosity Measurement

Neutron Porosity

Notes

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© Schlumberger 1999 1
 Neutron Porosity Measurement
Lithology and Porosity
The next major step in the procedure is lithology
identification. Lithology data gives information
on porosity and other parameters.
The classification into simple, dirty or complex is arbitrary. In reality the
formations lithology is always complex. Odd minerals can also be present,
such as micas in sandstones or anhydrites in carbonates which complicate
the problem further.
Zoning is the process by which the classification is made, the objective is
to simplify the problem and make it easy to interpret.

Lithology of a formation can be:

Simple

Notes
Dirty

Complex

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement A more complex method, geochemical logging, identifies 10 elements;
K, U, Th, Al, Si, Ca, S, Fe, Gd, Ti
Lithology and Porosity Tools From these the exact mineralogy can be computed.

All tools react to lithology - usually in conjunction

with the porosity.

Major lithology tools are:

Neutron - reacts to fluid and matrix.

Density - reacts to matrix and fluid.

Sonic - reacts to a mixture of matrix and fluid, Notes

complicated by seeing only primary porosity.

NGT - identifies shale types and special minerals.

CMR - magnetic resonance reacts to the porosity

with a small element if lithology.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement Neutrons start as “ fast Neutrons “ and rapidly loose energy passing
through the epithermal state to reach the thermal range. The process of
slowing down is primarily caused by collision hydrogen atoms. The more
Neutrons hydrogen the fewer neutrons reach the detectors.
The final stage is capture by an atom when a “capture” gamma ray is
emitted. The oldest tools measured these gamma rays as there were no
small reliable neutron detectors.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement Older neutron tools used gamma ray detectors hence reacted to the
capture. Gamma rays emitted at the “ end “ of the thermal neutrons life.
Chlorine as well as hydrogen plays a large part in this process making
Early Neutron Tools these tools very sensitive to the borehole environments.

The first neutron tools used a chemical neutron

source and employed a single detector which
measured the Gamma Rays of capture

They were non-directional.

The units of measurement were API units where

1000 API units were calibrated to read 19% in a
water-filled limestone.
Notes
The tool was badly affected by the borehole
environment.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement This generation used epithermal detectors a good region as it is largely
unaffected by the borehole. However the chemical neutron sources used
did not generate enough neutrons for a statistically good measurement
Neutron Tools especially at higher porosities.
The current standard tool uses a chemical source and measures thermal
neutrons.
The second generation tool was the Sidewall
The latest tool has again gone back to epithermal neutrons but uses an
Neutron Porosity (SNP). electronic source to obtain the quantity of neutrons needed to make an
This was an epithermal device mounted on a pad. accurate measurement.

The current tool is the Compensated Neutron

Tool (CNT).

The latest tool is the Accelerator Porosity Sonde

(APS), using an electronic source for the neutrons
and measuring in the epithermal region. Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The tools read a hydrogen Index. Fresh water has a value of one while salt
is less. (chlorine replaces some of the hydrogen). Gas has a very low value
hence the change seen by the neutron tool in a gas zone. Porosity reads
Hydrogen Index too low.

Hydrogen Index is the quantity of hydrogen per

unit volume.

Fresh water is defined as having a Hydrogen

Index of 1.
Hence oil has a Hydrogen Index which is slightly
less than that of water.

The Hydrogen Index of gas is a much smaller

than that of water. Notes

In a formation, it is generally the fluids that

contain hydrogen.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement At the end of the thermal phase the neutrons are captured by various
elements - H, Cl are the principal ones involved. A captive gamma ray is
emitted.
Thermal Neutron Theory
Neutrons are slowed down from their initial
"fast" state by collisions with the formation
nuclei. At each collision there is some energy lost
by the neutron.

The principal element involved in the slowing Notes

down is Hydrogen, because it is close in size to the
neutron which loses most energy in these
collisions.
The CNT measures the neutron population in the
thermal region.
This is why the tool measures the Hydrogen
Index.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The two detectors of the CNT tool have to be placed far enough away
from the source to avoid local borehole effects but close enough to have
good measurement statistics.
Detectors
Two neutron detectors are used to produce a It is also useful to have them in a region where the count rate versus
porosity relationship is linear.
ratio eliminating some of the borehole effects
The detectors are set in the “ Long-spacing Region “ where increasing
experienced by single detectors. porosity means reduced counts. The zone is also linear.
The count rate for each detector is inversely
proportional to porosity with high porosity giving
low count rates.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The ratio to porosity transform has undergone a number of changes over
the years with the earlier versions superceded by more precise
relationships. The latest transform is the result of theoretical, experimental
Ratio to Porosity Transform and practical work, including extensive Monte Carlo modelling.

The count rates are first corrected for the dead

time of the detectors (when the detector is not
available to receive counts).

The count rates are calibrated with the master

calibration.

A ratio of these is then taken.

Notes
The ratio is translated into porosity using a
transform. (This is a combination of theoretical
and experimental work).

The current field output for the thermal neutron

porosity is called TNPH.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The thermal neutron tools have to be corrected for several effects of the
borehole environment. The effects of the borehole are numerous but well
known and characterised. The basic reading can be corrected using charts
Borehole Effects or field and/or office computers.
The major effects are the mud which is seen as 100% by the tool. This is
The logs have to be corrected for the borehole corrected by the hole size, stand off and mud weight corrections. The
chlorine in the mud is corrected by the borehole salinity correction. The
environment: effect of temperature and pressure are also important, especially the
former.

Borehole size. Traditionally the hole size correction is applied at the time of logging.
Modern surface acquisition systems allow the other corrections to be
applied as well. The mudcake correction is very small and rarely applied
Mud cake. due also to the problem measuring mudcake thickness. The formation
salinity correction is not applied as it is taken into account in the
crossplot.
Borehole salinity.

Mud weight. Notes

Temperature.

Pressure.

Formation salinity.
Stand-off.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement This correction has always been made in real time as the neutron tool is
usually run in combination with a density tool and the latter has a caliper
measurement.
Hole Size Correction
Necessary because the tools algorithm from ratio
to porosity is built to "fit" a 77/8" hole.
Larger holes cause the tool to see more mud
(100% porosity) around the borehole, hence the
tool reads too high in larger hole sizes.

The chart is entered with the porosity;

Notes
Go down to hole size.
Follow trend lines to 7 7/8".
Read of ∆φ.

A correction is made automatically in open hole

using caliper measurements from the combined
density tool.
It can be made using the bit size if a caliper is not
available.
The correction can be large. 12
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 Neutron Porosity Measurement Stand off is a major correction especially in larger hole sizes. Even in
small (8 1/2 ‘) holes the value is around 0.5’, rarely zero. Unfortunately
this cannot easily be measured. A fixed number is usually input to the
Stand off Correction correction.

The same explanation applies for this correction.

Any space between the tool and the borehole wall
is seen as 100% porosity.
The value of the correction depends on the hole
size:
Larger holes = more correction
Stand-off is rarely measured. One method is to
use the SA curve recorded with a PCD.

The chart is entered with the porosity at the top; Notes

Go to the nearest hole size.

Go down to the stand-off value, e.g. 0.5".
Follow the lines to zero.
Read the ∆φ(always negative).

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement
Standoff Correction Chart
The chart has a selection of hole sizes. Select the one closest to the actual
hole size. Draw a line from the porosity to be corrected (34pu in the
example) down to the relevant hole size chart.
Enter the stand off on the y-axis to intersect the porosity line.
Follow the lines down to the zero. Read the difference in porosity between
this value and the original value, this is the correction to be applied.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement This correction is rarely if ever applied as it is small and the value of the
mud cake thickness is difficult to obtain as it is of the order of magnitude
(0.25”) as the caliper accuracy.
Mud Cake Correction Some methods to compute the thickness are :
Take the difference between the bit size and the caliper (and divide by 2).
The mud cake absorbs neutrons before they can Take the difference between the density caliper which cuts through the
mud cake and the MSFL caliper which rides on top of the mud cake (and
enter or leave the formation. divide by 2).
mud cake = stand-off with porosity <100%.
The larger the mud cake, the larger the
correction.
It is a small correction but one that is rarely ever
applied because the mud cake cannot be easily
measured.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement This is one of the few cases where barite mud has less effect on the
logging measurement than standard mud.

Mud Weight Correction

The extra material in heavier muds means there
is less hydrogen, hence more neutrons reach the
formation.
It also changes if the mud is full of barite.

In this case the amount of material needed to

achieve the same mud weight is less, hence the
correction is less.

Notes

Select normal or barite mud.

Enter with porosity.
Go down to mud weight.
Follow lines to 8 lb/gal.
Read Χ: .
The correction is quite small.
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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The effect has a notable porosity dependence. At higher apparent
porosities, the effect of the Chlorine is more important, simply because
there is more of it.
Borehole Salinity Correction The borehole salinity can be found from the mud engineer or by
converting the measured Rm into salinity.
This arises due to Chlorine.
The more Chlorine present, the more neutrons
absorbed in the borehole. ==> decrease count
rate.
The largest effect is seen in salt-saturated muds.

Notes

Go down to the borehole salinity.

Follow trend lines to zero.
Read ∆φ.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement This can be a very large correction. There are a series of correction charts
to make this correction. However again it is rarely applied as it is so
complex. The major unknown is the matrix capture cross-section, which is
Formation/Salinity Correction known if the matrix is clean but can be very different if there are some
minerals present.

There are two factors affecting the neutron

measurement in the formation:

The chlorine in the formation water.

The rock matrix capture cross-section.

The simplest method is to assume that the matrix

is clean and that the matrix 'Σ' known.
This leaves salinity (mud filtrate) as the only
"variable". Notes

The complete solution is to measure the total

formation 'Σ' and use this to compute the
correction.
The correction can be large but is not applied in
the field because the lithology is unknown, hence
the 'Σ' unknown.
It is taken into account in the interpretation
phase.
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 Neutron Porosity Measurement This is the major correction in most reservoir cases. It is large even at
modest temperatures. It is in the opposite direction to the standoff, another
large correction. However, the former is larger in the deeper part of the
Formation Temperature well where the small hole size will minimise the stand off correction. The
standoff correction will be largest in the larger surface holes where the
Correction lower temperature will minimise the temperature correction.

The correction is large and depends on the

porosity.
This is a dual effect:

The expansion of the water reduces the quantity

of Hydrogen seen by the tool.
Change in the borehole fluid capture cross-
section.

Notes

Enter with porosity at the top.

Go down to hole temperature.
Follow trend lines to 75ÞF.
Read ∆φ.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement Note the large oil-based mud correction because of the larger
compressibility of the oil. However this is, in most cases, a relatively
small effect as the pressure at the bottom of the well is quite low. For
Pressure Correction example, a 10000 foot well, with a mud weight of 1.2g/cc, will have a
bottom hole pressure of around 5000psi.

The effect is caused by the compression of the

fluids downhole.
In standard water-based muds the effect is small.

Notes

Select oil-based or water-based mud.

Enter with porosity at the top.
Go down to hole pressure.
Follow trend lines to zero.
Read ∆φ.

In oil-based muds the correction is large.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement
Alpha Processing
Alpha Processing is a method that enhances the
resolution of the standard measurement.
The idea behind the technique of alpha processing is that there is the
possibility of using a higher resolution measurement to enhance the
standard log. In the case of the neutron porosity and density tools that
higher resolution is available on the tool itself with the nearer spacing
detector.
The process follows three major steps. The first is to put the two
measurements at the same depth so that they read the same bit of
formation.

It utilizes the higher resolution of the near

detector to increase the resolution of the more
accurate far detector.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The next step is to match the resolution. This is effectively stretching the
measurement so that it matches the standard one. This gives the same
porosity (in this case) but shifted because of environmental effects.
Alpha Processing
The first step is to depth-match the two detectors'
responses.

The next step is to match the resolution of both

detectors. Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The final step is to take the resolution matched near detector measurement
from the original reading made by the same detector. The residual
information is the High resolution data that is required. This can then be
Alpha Processing added to the standard reading to give the final high resolution
measurement.

The difference between the two readings now

gives the "high frequency" information - which
highlights thin beds missed by the far detector.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The whole system works if the two detectors are reading the same
formation. If the hole is in bad condition the method will not work. Rapid
changes in the parameter being measured will also cause problems for this
Alpha processing technique.
The final output curve uses the same algorithm as TNPH and hence is a
good neutron porosity.

The "high frequency" information is added to the

far detector signal to give the final enhanced log.

Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The depth of investigation of this tool depends on the porosity of the
system.

Thermal Neutron Parameters
Vertical resolution:
Standard (TNPH)
Enhanced
The tool will only read zero porosity truly in limestone as it is calibrated
to this mineral. Other minerals will show a deviation from this value due
to the formation salinity effect and the calibration.
Shales have a high apparent porosity because of the water (i.i hydrogen)
trapped by them. The actual value depends on the clay type.
24"
12"

Depth of investigation 9"-12"

Readings in zero porosity:

Limestone (0%) 0
Notes
Sandstone (0%) -2.00
Dolomite (0%) 1.00
Anhydrite -2.00
Salt -3.00

Typical Readings

Shale 30-45
Coal 50+
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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The neutron tool is recorded on a scale of “apparent neutron porosity”.
This is equal to the actual porosity only in a clean limestone because the
calibration is made in this mineral. It is normally combined with the
Thermal Neutron density tool when the combination will handle the different minerals.
Interpretation/Uses

The tool measures hydrogen index.

Its prime use is to measure porosity.

Combined with the bulk density, it gives the best

possible answer for lithology and porosity
interpretation. Notes

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement The tool is a standard size hence will not run through a normal tubing
string.

Thermal Neutron in Cased Hole

The CNT can be run in cased hole for the
porosity.

In addition to the standard corrections some

others are needed to take into account the extra
elements of casing and cement.

The standard conditions are:

83/4" borehole diameter. Notes

Casing thickness 0.304".
Cement thickness 1.62".
Fresh water in the borehole / formation.
No stand-off.
75ÞF.
Atmospheric pressure.
Tool eccentred in the hole.

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 Neutron Porosity Measurement These charts are used in the same manner as the open hole set. In addition
to these corrections the borehole salinity, mud weight and hole size
corrections have to be made.
Corrections in Cased Hole

Notes

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