Author’s Accepted Manuscript

MATHEMATICAL DERIVATION OF
DENSITY LOG FROM TOTAL GAMMA RAY
AND NEUTRON LOGS IN CLASTIC ROCKS,
A CASE STUDY, EGYPT

Ibrahim Mohammad Al Alfy

www.elsevier.com/locate/apradiso

PII: S0969-8043(18)30547-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.09.003
Reference: ARI8473
To appear in: Applied Radiation and Isotopes
Received date: 13 June 2018
Revised date: 23 July 2018
Accepted date: 4 September 2018
Cite this article as: Ibrahim Mohammad Al Alfy, MATHEMATICAL
DERIVATION OF DENSITY LOG FROM TOTAL GAMMA RAY AND
NEUTRON LOGS IN CLASTIC ROCKS, A CASE STUDY, EGYPT, Applied
Radiation and Isotopes, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.09.003
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 MATHEMATICAL DERIVATION OF DENSITY LOG FROM
TOTAL GAMMA RAY AND NEUTRON LOGS IN CLASTIC
ROCKS, A CASE STUDY, EGYPT

Ibrahim Mohammad Al Alfy1

Exploration Division, Nuclear Materials Authority, B. O. 530 El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

An empirical equation was adequately prepared to calculate the

density log values without running the density tool from total gamma ray
and neutron log values, on clastic reservoir rocks. This equation was applied
to calculate the density log values in three important regions in Egypt (Gulf
of Suez, Nile Delta and Western Desert) for hydrocarbon exploration.

The derived density log was calculated depending on the neutron and
total gamma ray logs, which were used to calculate porosity and volume of
shale percentages, and finally sand percentage.

Applying the derived equation to calculate the density log values

from total gamma ray and neutron logs, and comparing the results with the
really measured log in the three wells, located with three different regions;
the calculated values were mostly comparable with the measured log values.
The computed correlation coefficients of the three linear regression
equations attained 0.92, 0.96 and 0.97 for the Gulf of Suez, Western Desert
and Nile Delta regions, Egypt, respectively.

1
Mobil: 002 01113451852; Fax: 002 0227585832
 In spite of the fact that, the three empirical regression equations
revealed different slopes and various intercept values, yet these equations
were found to be nearly identical, when applied to the same values and
compared to each other. The differences between the slopes and intercepts in
the three equations refer to the various depositional environments in the
three studied regions as well as their different depths and consequently their
diverse pressures.

INTRODUCTION

Determination of rock properties such as density and porosity is the

main goal of density logs. Thus, a very important aim of density logs is to
evaluate reservoir parameters. Density log measurements depend essentially
on the absorption of gamma rays, which are emitted mainly from the
attached cesium source.

The shale volume of clastic rocks can be calculated from the

measurements of natural total gamma ray logs. Shales and clays have high
gamma ray values, while their densities range from 1.8 to 2.7 g/cc (Rider,
2002). Carbonate sediments in their pure states are not radioactive and are
highly dense, but in certain facies, carbonates contain organic matter, and
this is frequently radioactive because of the presence of uranium (Hassan,
1973). Thus, the relationship between the gamma ray log and density log is
very variable
Furthermore, neutron log measurements are used to calculate the rock
porosities. The relationship between bulk density and porosity can be
extremely closed when the grain density remains constant (Patchett and
Coalson, 1979). The neutron-density combination is the best lithology
indicator for most formations (Reider; 2002).
The clastic shaly sandstone rocks in the three studied regions consist
mainly of sandstone, clay, and pores, which are filled with water and
hydrocarbons. The three nuclear (density, neutron, and gamma ray) logs
were conducted in all exploration and production wells in the three studied
regions in Egypt.

The Clastic Rudeis formation belongs to the Lower Miocene

sediments in the Gulf of Suez region (Alsharhan, 2003). In the Western
Desert region, the Bahariya formation is shaly sandstone Cretaceous
sediments (Meshref, 1990). Furthermore, the Kafr El-Sheikh formation in
the Nile Delta region belongs to the Pliocene sediments, which consist of
sandstone and shale intercalations (Abd-Elhalim, 2001).

PROBLEMS

There are many problems that are commonly encountered because of

the use of a well logging density tool, and these problems can be
summarized as follows:

1- The use of a cesium source always represents a radiation hazard to the

operating persons; therefore, this type of work needs qualified persons,
with the necessity of taking some necessary precautions.
2- The intensity of the radioactive source (137Ce) declines continuously
according to the short half-life period (30.17 y). Thus, calibration
processes must take place periodically, every 6 months, during convergent
periods.
3- Density tool measurements must be made at the side walls of wells;
therefore, they always need a caliper arm that runs with them in the same
way and at the same time.
4- Because the density tool works alone, it requires more time, which poses
a real danger to the well and may collapse it.
5- Directional tools such as density log tool cannot calibrate with core
samples because of changes across the small distance between the core
and borehole wall especially in extremely heterogeneous formations
(Rider, 2002).

METHODOLOGY
Clastic sediments mainly consist of sandstone, clay, and pores, which
in reservoirs are always occupied by water or hydrocarbons or both. The
bulk densities of rocks can be calculated in case that the components of these
rocks are well known, their volumes in % and densities in g/cc.
1- The clay or shale volume can be calculated by total gamma ray log
measurements. The gamma ray index (IGR) can be calculated as follows:
GRlog  GRmin
I GR  (1)
GRmax  GRmin

Finally, the volume of shale (Vsh) can be calculated from the following
equation (Dresser Atlas, 1979):
 
Vsh  0.083 23.71GR   1 (2)
2- Neutron log is considered to be the direct method to determine the
porosity (ɸ) percentage.
3- After calculating the shale volume (Vsh) and pore volume, the percentage
of sandstone volume (VS.S.) can be calculated using the following
equation:
 V S.S = 1 – (ɸ + Vsh) (3)

According to the fact that the pores may be occupied by water or

hydrocarbons or both, the calculation of the density of fluids occupying
these pores is difficult. Bailey et al. 2000 mentioned that the water/oil ratio
in hydrocarbon reservoirs is 3/1, water density is 1.05 g/cc, and the density
is 0.85 g/cc.

From this information, the average fluid density can be calculated as

follows:

( (3* 1.05) + (1* 0.85) ) / 4 = 1.00 g/cc (4)

There are many types of clay minerals in nature, and each type has a
different density value that varies from those of others. Osipov (2012)
calculated the densities of different clay minerals in a laboratory. From these
calculations, it can be concluded that the average density of different clay
minerals can reach 2.78 g/cc.

It is well known that the grain density of sandstone attains 2.65 g/cc. Thus,
when the percentages of VS.S., Vsh, and ɸ are known, the bulk density can be
calculated without the use of density tool, by using the following equation:

Bulk Density (d) = (ɸ * 1) + (Vsh * 2.78) + (VS.S. * 2.65) (5)

EQUATION VERIFICATION

The derived equation (Eq. 5) was applied to calculate the bulk densities
from the measurements of neutron and total gamma ray logs, and then, these
results were compared with the results of real density logs, obtained from
three wells, each located in different regions (the Gulf of Suez, the Western
Desert, and the Nile Delta). The three locations are marked in Fig. (1).
 The relationships between the bulk densities calculated from the
derived equation (Eq. 5) and the real density logs, as measured in the three
regions, are discussed in the following paragraph.

The correlation coefficient (r) of the relationship between both the

derived (Dd) and real ( Rd) densities in the Gulf of Suez region, Egypt,
attained 0.92, as illustrated in Fig. (2). The direct regression equation is as
follows:

(Dd) = 0.954 * (Rd) + 0.096 (6)

It can be noticed from Fig. 3 that in the Western Desert region, Egypt,
an excellent correlation was found between the derived and real densities
(Dd and Rd), where the correlation coefficient (r) reached 0.96.
Consequently, the linear direct equation can be written as follows:

(Dd) = 0.862 * (Rd) + 0.303 (7)

Figure (4) illustrates the direct linear relationship between the derived
and real densities (Dd and Rd) in the Nile Delta region, Egypt. By using this
relation, the correlation coefficient (r) value was found to be 0.97, and the
empirical equation is as follows:

(Dd) = 0.926 * (Rd) + 0.158 (8)

Figure (5) illustrates the vertical distribution of the derived and real
densities in the three studied wells. The figure shows that there are very
limited differences between the derived and real density values.

It can be noticed from equations (6–8) that the values of inclination

and intercept points are different. These differences could be ascribed to the
following main reasons: different depositional environments and differences
in the depths, pressures and temperatures in the three studied regions, Egypt.
 The inclination and intercept values of the three equations (6–8) are
different; however, when these three equations were applied on the standard
density values and the results were compared, it was found that the
differences between the three equations are very limited. This proves that the
derived equation (Eq. 5) can be used to derive the bulk density values, using
neutron and total gamma ray logs, without the need to run density tool in
drill holes, as illustrated in Figure (6).

The relationship between the mean real density values and the derived
densities as applied from the three equations in the three different studied
regions shows that the correlation coefficient (r) reaches 0.999.

CONCLUSIONS
The derived (empirical) equation was applied on the three different
regions in Egypt to determine the density values, and their results were
compared with the real (measured) density values.

The derived and real density values were in good agreement in all the
three studied regions in Egypt, and the correlation coefficient values (r)
reached 0.92, 0.96, and 0.97 for the Gulf of Suez, the Western Desert, and
the Nile Delta, respectively.

Differences in inclination and intercept point values in the three

equations could be attributed to the differences in depositional
environments, depths, pressures, and temperatures.

By applying the three equations on the mean real density values and
comparing their results, it was found that very small differences exist
between the results of the three equations.
 Consequently, the derived equation can be applied to derive the density
values from neutron and total gamma ray logs without the need to run the
density tool.

REFERENCES

Abd-Elhalim, M. (2001): Future hydrocarbon potential in the Nile Delta

offshore and onshore, Delta, modern and ancient. In: Proceedings of the
First International Symposium on the Delta, Cairo, Egypt, March 13–
19, 1999, pp. 159–174.

Alsharhan, A. S. (2003): Petroleum geology and potential hydrocarbon

plays in the Gulf of Suez rift basin, Egypt. AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 87 No.
(1), pp. 143 – 180.

Bailey, B., Crabtree, M., Tyrie, J., Elphick, J., Kuchuk, F., Romano, C.
and Roodhart, L., (2000): Water control, oil field review.
Schlumberger, Spring. 2000. Pp. 30-51.

Dresser Atlas, (1979): Log interpretation charts. Houston, Dresser

Industries, Inc., 107 P.

Hassan, M., (1973): Radioelements and diagenesis in shale and carbonate

sediments. SAID 2nd Ann. Symp. Trans., Paper 8, 1-7.

Meshref, W.M. (1990): Tectonic framework of global tectonics. In: Said, R.

(Ed.), The Geology of Egypt. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 439–449.

Osipov, V. I. (2012): Structural properties of soils, density of clay minerals.

Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 231-
240.
Patchett, J.G and Coalson, E. B., (1979): The determination of porosity in
sandstones and shaly sandstones. Part 1, Quality control. SPWLA 20 th
Ann. Symp. Trans., Paper QQ, 1-17.

Rider, M. H., (2002): The geological interpretation of well logs, second

edition. Rider-French Consulting Ltd., P.O. Box. 1, Sutherland, 1V28
3XL, Scotland, 280p.

Fig. 1: Location map of the three studied regions: (1) Gulf of Suez, (2)
Western Desert and (3) Nile Delta, Egypt.
Fig. 2: Relationship between the derived and real densities (Dd & Rd),
Rudeis Formation, BMNW-2 well, Gulf of Suez, Egypt.

Fig. (3): Relationship between the derived and real densities (Dd & Rd),
Bahariya Formation, Hayat-1 well, Western Desert, Egypt.
Fig. (4): Relationship between the derived and real densities (Dd & Rd), Kafr
El-Sheikh Formation, Akhen well, Nile Delta, Egypt.
Fig. (5): Vertical distribution of real and derived densities in different three
studied regions; Gulf of Suez (G.S.), Western Desert (W.D.) and
Nile Delta (N.D.), Egypt.
Fig. (6): Relationship between the mean real and derived densities using
different equations in different three studied regions; Gulf of Suez
(G.S.), Western Desert (W.D.) and Nile Delta (N.D.), Egypt.

Highlights

1- Derive the density values depending on neutron and total gamma-ray

logs.
2- Small differences when comparing real density values and derived
ones.
3- Different inclinations and intercepts attribute to different depths and
pressures.