Gamma Ray Tool

Dr. Rafea Ahmed

Gamma Ray Tool

GAMMA RAY TOOLS

1 - The gamma ray tool records the natural

radioactivity of the formation without regard to the
source.
Gamma Ray Tool

Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum

U X- Gamma
Radio Waves Infrared Rays Rays
V
Visible
104 108 1012 1016 1020 1024
Frequency (Hz) (Energy)

Gamma Rays are high-energy EM waves

Gamma Ray Tool

Nearly all natural gamma radiation is from three

elements:

Potassium-40
Isotope

Thorium
Series

Uranium
Series
•Potassium-40 is contained in these minerals
Illite
K-feldspar
Sylvite
Mica minerals

•Thorium is associated with most clay minerals and some heavy

minerals
Kaolinite, Illite, Smectite, and Chlorite
Monazite, Zircon

•Uranium is often associated with phosphates and organic

compounds and sometimes with clay minerals

Gamma Ray Tool

Radioactivity of Rocks
Common
Radioactivity Sources of Relative Radioactivity
Lithology
Level Radioactivity
- Clays (Th, K)
Shale
Shale High - K-spar (K)
- Org. matter (U)
Shaly
- Clays (Th, K) Sand
Sand Low - K-spar (K)
Sand
- Heavy Mins (Th)

- salts,
Carbonates Low stylolites, &
phosphates (U)
Coal,
Coal, Evap. Low
Evap.

Low Radioactivity High

Gamma Ray Tool

Gamma Ray Tool

Downhole Measurement of Gamma Rays
There are hree types of GR detectors
1. Ionization Chambers
2. Geiger – Muller Detectors
3. Scintillation Detectors
Gamma Ray Tool

 Copper cylinder filled with low  Copper cylinder filled with

pressure gas high pressure gas
 Low Voltage  High Voltage
 Less accurate than Ionization  more accurate than Geiger-
Chamber Mueller

Gamma Ray Tool

Scintillation Detectors

Scintillation Detector Wireline Logging While

Logging Tool Drilling Tool

Photo-
multiplier Electrical
tube Collector

~1 ft.
Photosensitive e- NaI Crystal
Cathode
Photons 
Scintillating
NaI Crystal

Internally
Reflecting
Coating ~ 3 5/8 in. diameter
Gamma Ray Tool

GAMMA RAY TOOLS

1 - The gamma ray tool records the natural

radioactivity of the formation without regard to the
source.

2 - The spectral gamma ray tool identifies the

source and gives the contribution of each elements
(potassium , uranium, and thorium ) to the overall
spectrum. Also, it is useful in identifying fractures.

Gamma Ray Tool

•Energy windows are

analyzed to calculate
the amount of Th, U,
and K
Gamma Ray Tool
SPECTRAL GR
Th, U, and K different energies Output
Tool measures Counts Energies K, Th, U contents
Th + K gives CGR
no-uranium GR curve

Gamma Ray Tool

Gamma Ray Tool

Gamma Ray Tool

Depth Control
Openhole Cased Hole
(Base) GR GR-CCL

Casing
Collars on
Pup Joint

x50 ft
x50 ft

Correlated
Perf
Interval

GR x100ft GR
Gamma Ray Tool
Correlation

Gamma Ray Tool

 EFFECTS OF LOGGING
SPEED AND FILTER LENGTH
ON GAMMA
RAY LOG

High-resolution logging
for thin bed, is usually
done at low speed to
better define bed boundaries
and partings

Gamma Ray Tool

Gamma Ray Tool Calibration

API GR Calibration Test Pit
• Primary calibration in a test pit

Low Activity • The difference in the tool

8 ft. readings from the High and Low
radioactivity concrete intervals
High Activity is set at 200 “GAPI” units
8 ft.
• A field calibration sleeve is used
at the wellsite to confirm the tool
has maintained calibration
8 ft. Low Activity

5 1/2 in. casing

4 ft.
Gamma Ray Tool

Environmental corrections
Environmental corrections can be made if
readings in more accurate API units are desired

Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools GR = 50

Borehole = 9”
Mw=1.2 gm/cm
Centered
Grcor/GR =1.22 – Grcor = GR* 1.2

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

 Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools

Gamma Ray Correction for Hole Size & Mud Weight

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

 Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools

Use to correct GR for various BoreHole Size

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

 Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools
LWD

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools

LWD

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)

 Section 3. Borehole Environment & Overview of Tools

Formation Evaluation School (Basic)