Chapter 9 -Density logs

Lecture notes for PET 370

Spring 2012
Prepared by: Thomas W. Engler, Ph.D., P.E.
Density Log
Porosity/Lithology Determination

Mineral identification in evaporates

Gas detection (w/ other logs)

Estimate mechanical properties (w/ sonic)

Evaluation of shaly sands and complex lithologies

other
Determination of hydrocarbon density
Determination of oil shale yield
Identify overpressured zones


Uses
Density Log
Logging speed:
15 to 30 fpm
Depth of investigation:
3 to 6
Tool Schematic
Vertical
Resolution ~ 1 ft
Density Log
Principle of Operation
Bassiouni, 1994
Density Log
Density logging is based on measuring the attenuation
of gamma rays caused by compton scattering, (CPS per
energy)
Theory
Density Log
1. Compton scattering depends only on the electron density of the formation
(# of electrons/cc)

2. The electron density is related to the bulk density by,

Where for common elements in sedimentary rocks,

But for H
2
the ratio is double.

3. To account for variations in Z/A, the tool is calibrated in a freshwater filled
limestone formation.


Where
ba
is the apparent bulk density.
1883 . 0
e
0704 . 1
ba
=
Calibration
|
.
|

\
|
=
A
Z 2
b e
00 . 1
A
Z 2
~
|
.
|

\
|
Density Log



ba
~
b
for most common sedimentary rocks

For other formations (salt, anhydrite, coal) corrections are necessary.
Calibration
Density Log
FDC-Borehole Correction
Density Log
Teague (Mckee) Field
La Munyon #76
Caliper
Incorrect
Density
Readings
Density Log
dolo for 2.86
lms for 2.71
ss for 2.65
density matrix
ma
where
f ma
b ma

or
f

ma
) 1 (
b

on contributi
fluid pore
on contributi
matrix
density bulk
Measured
=
=
=



= |
| + | =
)
`

+
)
`

=
)
`

Porosity
Density Log
Define
f
as average density of fluid in pore space

Depth of investigation of density tool is shallow (invaded zone), thus



In practice,
Mud Type
mf
(gm/cc)
oil 0.9
Fresh water 1.0
Salt water 1.1

In water-bearing zones,
S
xo
= 1 and
f
=
mf


In oil-bearing zones, use same
f
=
mf
Assumes S
xo
is large and
h
~
mf
.
h
)
xo
S 1 (
mf xo
S
f
+ =
Porosity
Density Log
The density porosity is usually calculated assuming
f
= 1 gm/cc.
Compare this apparent porosity, |
a
, to the true porosity, |
t
, that
corresponds to a bulk density of 2.1 gm/cc in the following:


(1). a water-bearing sandstone invaded by a mud filtrate of 1.05 gm/cc
density




Porosity-Example
% 3 . 33
0 . 1 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
a
=

=


= |
% 4 . 34
05 . 1 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
t
=

=


= |
Density Log
The density porosity is usually calculated assuming
f
= 1 gm/cc.
Compare this apparent porosity, |
a
, to the true porosity, |
t
, that
corresponds to a bulk density of 2.1 gm/cc in the following:



(2). a 0.8 gm/cc oil-bearing sandstone characterized by S
or
= 30%.




Porosity-Example
% 3 . 33
0 . 1 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
a
=

=


= |
975 . 0
8 . 0 * 3 . 0 05 . 1 * 7 . 0
h
)
xo
S 1 (
mf xo
S
f
=
+ =
+ =
% 8 . 32
975 . 0 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
t
=

=


= |
Density Log
The density porosity is usually calculated assuming
f
= 1 gm/cc.
Compare this apparent porosity, |
a
, to the true porosity, |
t
, that
corresponds to a bulk density of 2.1 gm/cc in the following:


(3). a low pressure gas-bearing sandstone with 30% residual gas
saturation.




Porosity-Example
% 3 . 33
0 . 1 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
a
=

=


= |
735 . 0
0 * 3 . 0 05 . 1 * 7 . 0
h
)
xo
S 1 (
mf xo
S
f
=
~ + =
+ =
% 7 . 28
735 . 0 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
t
=

=


= |
Density Log
The density porosity is usually calculated assuming
f
= 1 gm/cc.
Compare this apparent porosity, |
a
, to the true porosity, |
t
, that
corresponds to a bulk density of 2.1 gm/cc in the following:



(4). a change in matrix density to 2.68 gm/cc.



Porosity-Example
% 3 . 33
0 . 1 65 . 2
1 . 2 65 . 2
f ma
b ma
a
=

=


= |
% 5 . 34
0 . 1 68 . 2
1 . 2 68 . 2
f ma
b ma
t
=

=


= |
Density Log
Example:

mf
= 1.1 gm/cc

ma
= 2.71 gm/cc (reference)






A
B
C
Porosity?

b
= 2.81

b
= 2.68

b
= 2.40
Density Log
Photoelectric absorption depends on both
e
and the average atomic number
of the formation.

Two independent parameters,
e
and U, are measured in a low energy window
LDT - measurement
Density Log
The absorption rate depends on the absorption coefficient per electron (Pe) and
e
;
1883 . 0
b
U 0704 . 1
e
P
density, electron for Substitute
3
cm
electrons
e
*
electron
barns
e
P
3
cm
barns
U
+
=
)
`

)
`

=
)
`

LDT - measurement
Density Log
Advantage:
The Pe curve distinguishes mineralogy regardless of porosity and fluid type in
the pore space.
Common Pe values:
quartz 1.81
calcite 5.08
dolomite 3.14
anhydrite 5.05

LDT - measurement
Density Log
LDT Example

mf
= 1.0 gm/cc

Zone Y
Pe = ?

b
= ?

ma
= ?
| = ?
Zone X
Pe = ?

b
= ?

ma
= ?
| = ?
Density Log
Dog Canyon (Wolfcamp) Field
Blackbird BKR St #2
Pe curve
Density Log
LDT
Detector counts high energy gamma rays (compton scattering) and low
energy region (photoelectric effect)
Measures both bulk density and Pe
Pe is strong function of matrix
Lower statistical variation
Better vertical resolution

FDC
Detects only high energy gamma rays
Measures only bulk density
Strong function of porosity, matrix, and fluids

LDT/FDC comparison
Density Log
Overpressured shale
Overpressured
Normal
Pressure
gradient
Bassiouni, Z: Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs, SPE Textbook
Series, Vol. 4, (1994)
Chapter 2, Sec 6 8
Chapter 8

Schlumberger, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1995)
Schlumberger, Log Interpretation and Principles, Houston, TX (1989)

Western Atlas, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1992)
Western Atlas, Introduction to Wireline Log Analysis, Houston, TX (1995)

Halliburton, Openhole Log Analysis and Formation Evaluation, Houston, TX (1991)
Halliburton, Log Interpretation Charts, Houston, TX (1991)


Density Log
References
Density Log
Teague (Mckee) Field
La Munyon #76
Caliper
Pe curve
0 10