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Pulse Neutron Neutron (PNN) tool

logging for porosity

Some theoretical aspects

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7013 Klingenbach, AUSTRIA
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Rules For The Direction Of The Mind-Descartes, Rene

RULE I
The aim of our studies must be the direction of our mind so that it may
form solid and true judgments on whatever matters arise.
RULE IV
There is need of a method for investigating the truth about things.
RULE XX
Having found the equations, we must perform the operations which we
have left out, never making use of multiplication when there is scope for
division.
RULE XXI
If there are several such equations, all of them must be reduced to a
single one: namely to the one whose terms occupy fewest places in a
series of magnitudes in continued proportion; and its terms must be set
out in the order followed by the series.

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Introduction

Response of neutron logs:

borehole size, type of fluid in the borehole or the position

of the logging instrument in the borehole, effect of
mudcake in open-hole logging and cementing in casedhole applications.

On a relative basis the strong attenuator for both

epithermal and thermal neutrons is the liquid-filled
borehole and a weak attenuator is the formation.

To increase sensitivity to the properties of the

formation (or decrease borehole sensitivity) the
detector should be positioned as far from the source
as possible, allowing those neutrons which travel
toward the detector within borehole to be attenuated
relative to those traveling in the proper direction within
the formation.

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Theoretical Considerations
Two group neutron diffusion equations:
Depith. 2 epith. repithermal epith S 0

- neutron flux, S is the neutron source strength per unit

volume, D is the diffusion coefficient and r is removal
cross section.

Dth.ermal 2th.ermal rthermal thermal repithermal epithermal 0

Solution of two equations for the case of a point source in an infinite homogeneous
medium is:

Q-is the point neutron source strength

(neutron/sec), r is distance sourcedetector.

Q e Lepith
epith (r )
4Depith
r
r
r
Lepitherma

l
e
QL2thermal
e Lthermal

thermal (r )

r
r
4Dthermal ( L2epithermal L2thermal )

Slowing down length Lepithermal and thermal neutron diffusion length Lthermal are defined by:

Lepithermal

Depithermal
repithermal

Lthermal

Dthermal
rthermal

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Theoretical Considerations cont.

Red color epithermal part of equation, blue color thermal part of equation , black color is difference between epithermal part and
thermal part of equation.

Theoretical values for silicate sandstone 30 pu, 100000ppm of NaCl.

Theoretical values for silicate sandstone 5 pu, 100000ppm of NaCl

r
Lepitherma
l
e
QL
thermal (r )

2
2
r
4Dthermal ( Lepithermal Lthermal )

2
thermal

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Theoretical Considerations cont.

r
Lepitherma
l
e
QL2thermal
thermal (r )

r
4Dthermal ( L2epithermal L2thermal )

2 (r1 ) r2 L
e
1 (r2 ) r1

r1 r2

epithermal

Although the spatial shape of this expression is governed by slowing down length, the magnitude of thermal neutron flux is still scaled by thermal
neutron parameters.
Clearly, the essentially all dependence of a thermal neutron measurement upon thermal neutron parameters can be eliminated simply by making
measurements at two sufficiently distant points r1 and r2 and taking their ratio;
This ratio is not only independent of thermal neutron diffusion length and coefficient, but Q (neutron source strength) as well.
There are several reasons for wanting to make a thermal neutron measurement which is sensitive only to slowing down length.
- slowing down length is principally determined by the concentration of hydrogen in a medium and hydrogen concentration can be frequently be
related to rock porosity. (Notable exceptions are zones containing low pressure gas or substantial amounts of bound hydrogen.)
-response should be independent of diffusion length because diffusion length varies significantly with water salinity and rock type.
-the measurable thermal neutron density at any point in the borehole or formation usually exceeds the measurable epithermal neutron density
Porosity

Epithermal parameters

Thermal parameters
Fresh Water

Salt water 100000 ppm

L(cm)

D(cm)

L(cm)

D(cm)

L(cm)

D(cm)

17.8

91.4

14.3

1.07

13.1

1.08

11

13.7*

85.4

10.7

0.742

8.5

0.750

23

11.5*

80.4

7.7

0.514

5.6

0.523

34

10.5*

77

6.2

0.393

4.2

0.401

50

9.1

73.6

5.8

0.298

3.1

0.304

100

7.0*

68.8

2.8

0.167

1.7

0.171

Experimental and computed neutron parameters, for fast neutrons mean energy 4.46MeV.

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Field Experiment Example A

It has shown theoretically that thermal neutron measurements
made at large source detector spacing respond almost
exclusively to changes in Lepithrmal.
Above conclusions was used on field example for modeling PNN
response.
In august 2007, PNN was logged in open hole, immediately after
OH logging. Open hole was logged with Western Atlas 3600
series equipment.
Logged was CN2435 and compensated density, CDL 2227, with
other logs.
Based on porosity log, L and D for epithermal and thermal
parameters were calculated for PNN based on the data shown in
table.
Parameter r detector source distance is set as for PNN, rnear
was 40cm, and rfar was 54cm. Applying formula (4) with these
parameters, blue curve was created as a ratio between count
rates on two detectors. Red curve represents logged ratio curve
from PNN log. Black curve is logged ratio curve from
compensated neutron CN 2435.
Red is bulk density on the scale 1.95-2.95, and blue is
CN 2435 in scale 60-0,green GR in the scale 50-350

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Field Experiment-Example A

According
to conclusions listed
above, values for rnear=70cm and
rfar=92cm were chosen.

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Field Experiment Example A

Same open hole well where Total Ratio

defined as ratio SS/LS from first channel
to 60, is used for porosity calculation,
modified with GR index.

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Field Experiment Example B

Well drilled 8.5 bit, produced from open hole,

perforated from 1287-1377, water salinity
inside borehole 138000ppm, two years
before PNN logging, well was treating with
acid from 1287m to 1358m. Bottom of the
well 1367m. Casing shoe 1287m.

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Field Experiment Example B

Well drilled 8.5 bit, produced from open hole, perforated from 12871377, water salinity inside borehole 138000ppm, two years before
PNN logging, well was treating with acid from 1287m to 1358m.
Bottom of the well 1367m. Casing shoe 1287m.
Blue is PNN Ratio in scale 4-1.2, pink is PNN porosity curve in scale
60-0, red is CN curve in scale 60-0

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Field Experiment Example C

In the well is tubing 2-7/8 to 2720m, and depth in casing

is up to 2772m.
Perforated interval 2725m 2735m.
Fluid in the well was water, and formation water salinity
40000-50000ppm.
Well logged in shut in condition.
Blue = PNN Ratio 10-0
Red = Normalizied ratio 5-0
Green = GR normalizied 1-0
Light Blue CNPOR = CasedHole CN 60-0
Violet = NPHI open hole CN 60-0

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Field Experiment Example C

In the well is tubing 2-7/8 to 2720m, and depth in casing is up to 2772m.

Perforated interval 2725m 2735m.
Fluid in the well was water, and formation water salinity 40000-50000ppm.
Well logged in shut in condition.

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CONCLUSIONS
Two-group neutron diffusion theory was used in this paperwork to study theoretical response of PNN tool for porosity evaluation. In
undisturbed open hole conditions, theoretical results obtained thru simple simulation were very similar to data recorded on the
field.
Relation between ratio curve and porosity curve from open hole was established through same polynomial presentation as for the
Western Atals CN tool series 2435.
Changing distance between neutron generator and two detectors was shown that relative number of thermal neutrons detected on
two detectors (their ratio) can be used as a measure of single epithermal neutron parameter, the slowing down length of the
formation.
For real data keeping CN2435 polinomial as a basic, it is possible to use only one polynomial presentation for all PNN tools with

porosity calculations in the limits of acceptable. Well conditions must be taken in account in porosity evaluation

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Rules For The Direction Of The Mind-Descartes, Rene

RULE VIII
If in the series of subjects to be examined we come to a subject of which our
intellect cannot gain a good enough intuition, we must stop there; and we
must not examine the other matters that follow, but must refrain from futile
toil.