3/22/2022

Density Logs

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Density Logs
The density log is based on gamma ray scattering as a function of the
bulk density of the irradiated matrix. The bulk density is the overall
density of the matrix and the fluids (water, oil, gas) within the pores. A
gamma ray source irradiates a stream of gamma rays into the formation,
some of which are adsorbed, some passed on through the matrix, and
some scattered. The ability of the matrix to attenuate the gamma rays is
recorded as the intensity of scattered gamma rays arriving at two fixed
distances from the gamma ray source. Bulk density is determined by a
correlation between the gamma ray intensity at the detectors and data
used for calibration of the tool. The gamma ray intensity arriving at the
detectors is an inverse function of the bulk density.

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

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Density Logs
The density log tool is sometimes referred to as a compensated density
log that measures the matrix bulk density with compensation for effects
due to the thickness of the mud cake and borehole irregularities. The
recorded log has a linear scale of bulk density (g/cm3). A second curve is
included that shows the degree of compensation that was applied, and a
caliper log is included with the density log survey. The total density (bulk
density) of the formation is an average of densities of the matrix and
fluids in the pores of the mud-fluid flushed zone, and the porosity is
affected by the presence of shale. The density of shale varies between
2.20 and 2.85 g/cm3, depending on the types of clay minerals in the
shale.

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Density Logs

The tool consists of:

 A radioactive source. This is usually caesium-137 or cobalt-60, and
emits gamma rays of medium energy (in the range 0.2 – 2 MeV). For
example, caesium-137 emits gamma rays with a energy of 0.662 MeV.
 A short range detector. This detector is very similar to the detectors
used in the natural gamma ray tools, and is placed 7 inches from the
source.
 A long range detector. This detector is identical to the short range
detector, and is placed 16 inches from the source.

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Density Logs

 A formation with a high bulk density, has a high number density of

electrons. It attenuates the gamma rays significantly, and hence a low
gamma ray count rate is recorded at the sensors.

 A formation with a low bulk density, has a low number density of

electrons. It attenuates the gamma rays less than a high density
formation, and hence a higher gamma ray count rate is recorded at the
sensors.

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Uses of Density Logs

Open-Hole Applications
• Porosity estimation
• Gas identification
• Lithology identification
• Well-to-well correlation
• Synthetic seismograms

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Types of Density Tools

Open Cased
LWD
Hole Hole

Articulated
Mandrel LWD Mandrel
Skid

Detectors

Shielding

Source

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Density Gamma Ray Detectors

-
Geiger-Mueller Detector
+
Ar
Counts Only


NaI(Tl), CsI, or KI Crystal
Scintillation Detector

e- Counts and
Photons Energy Spectrum

Internally Photo-
Reflective sensitive Collector
Coating Cathode

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Densities for Formation Materials

Bulk Log
Density Density*
Material (g/cc) (g/cc)
Quartz 2.650 2.644
Calcite 2.710 2.710
Dolomite 2.870 2.876
Anhydrite 2.960 2.977
Salt 2.165 2.032
Gypsum 2.320 2.351
Magnesium 1.740 1.651
Aluminum 2.700 2.597
Sulfur 2.070 2.023
Fresh Water 1.000 1.000
Salt Water 1.146 1.135
Oil (C1H2) 0.850 0.849
Methane 0.100 - 0.054

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Photoelectric Cross Sections

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Density Log Interpretation

b = (1 -  ) ma +  f

 = ma -- b
ma f

f = (1 - Sw) hc + Sw w

ma = V1ma1 + V2ma2 + • • •

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

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Effects of Washouts on Density Log

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Date Company Tool Description

1950 Lane Wells* Gamma-gamma density log (Densilog)

1964 Schlumberger Dual-spaced density log (FDC)
1981 Schlumberger Photoelectric and density log (LDT)
1995 Schlumberger Back-scattered density log (TDD)
1999 Halliburton Tested cased-hole density log.

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Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

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b = (1 -  ) ma +  f

 = ma -- b
ma f

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

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Dr. Rafea Ahmed

 The total density (bulk density) of the formation is an average of

densities of the matrix and fluids in the pores of the mud-fluid flushed
zone, and the porosity is affected by the presence of shale. The
density of shale varies between 2.20 and 2.85 g/cm3, depending on
the types of clay minerals in the shale.
 The density log is used to estimate the effective porosity of shaley
sands, assuming the shale density is approximately 2.65 g/cm3.
Nevertheless, the expression for the bulk density of a shaley, water-
bearing formation is:

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• When hydrocarbons are present in the formation, they lower the

density of the residual hydrocarbons in the mud-fluid flushed zone.
The density of the hydrocarbons (and their residual saturation)
must be known, along with the mud-fluid resistivity (Rmf) and the
resistivity of the flushed zone (Rxo) that is obtained from a
microlog. The expression for this complex relationship is:

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• When the resistivity of the flushed hydrocarbon zone is not

available, the porosity may be calculated from values of the
resistivities of the formation water, the hydrocarbon formation:

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