GAMMA RAYS LOG

The spectral gamma ray log measures the natural gamma radiation emanating from a
formation split into contributions from each of the major radio-isotopic sources.
MAIN USES OF SPECTRAL GR LOG

Determination of Lithology
Discriminating between Sands,
Shales and Accessory Minerals
Carbonate formations
Evaporites
Sedimentology
Unconformity Detection Estimation of Uranium Potential

Inter-well Correlation Cation Exchange Capacity

Radioactive Scaling
Recognition of Igneous Rocks Hydrocarbon Potential
Fracture Detection
Diagenesis Stylolite Detection
Phosphate Detection
SPECTRAL GAMMA RAY LOG
PRINCIPLE

The amplitude of the output from the gamma ray sensor is proportional to the
energy of the incident gamma ray.
It can be used to measure thee radioactivity of rocks as the result of the
presence of natural isotopes: potassium 40K, uranium 238U, 234U, 235U and
thorium 232Th and the products of their decay for a particular formation.
High gamma-ray response indicates the presence of fine-grained deposits or
clay-rich rock formation, such as shale, claystone, mudstone.
Low gamma radiation indicates the presence of coarse-grained sandstone and
carbonate rock, which exhibits higher water-transmitting capacity
SPECTRAL GAMMA RAY LOG
PRINCIPLE

Potassium gives off only a gamma ray.

The other elements give off a gamma ray, then decay to other elements
called daughters, which, because they are still radioactive, give off other
gamma rays, and so on. This gives rise to the pattern of gamma ray energies

The spectra of gamma rays emitted

by the three naturally occurring
radioactive measurements (MeV)
SPECTRAL GAMMA RAY TOOLS

The gamma ray tool records the natural radioactivity of

the formation without regard to the source.
The spectral gamma ray tool identifies the source and
gives the contribution of each elements (potassium ,
uranium, and thorium ) to the overall spectrum.
It is also useful in identifying fracture
SGR RESPONSE IN COMMON
FORMATION

Shales Often Radioactive

Clays
Trace and heavy minerals
Sandstones may be radioactive
Non-clay minerals, e.g., mica, feldspar
Clays
Units
GR calibrated to standard
Response in mid-continent shale equals 200 API units
Calibration pits
EFFECTS OF
LOGGING SPEED AND
FILTER LENGTH ON
GAMMA RAY LOG