Density Theory

(Spectral Density Tool, Fluid Density

Tool)

SDLT

Internal Use Only

 Learning Objectives
• Understand and identify the applications of the spectral density tool
• Understand and explain the basic physics involved in the measurements of the spectral density
tool including various gamma energies and their corresponding interaction with matter
• Understand the theory of gamma emitting sources, detectors and PM tubes (including voltage
stabilization for temperature), and the use of windows for energy level measurements.
• Identify the output by the spectral density tool and explain how each is determined
• Identify the depth of investigation and vertical resolution of the SDLT
• Identify the wellbore environments the spectral density tool will function properly in
• Understand the wellbore parameters which interfere with spectral density tool quality (require
corrections)
• Understand the spectral density tool response versus borehole and formation environment
• Identify the matrix density and Pe values for Sandstone, Limestone, Dolomite, Shale
• Understand the parameters and calculate density porosity from a bulk density measurement
• Understand the difference between the effect of gas versus the effect of incorrect matrix density
value
• Identify the master calibration standard, the transfer standard for shop calibrations, and what is
utilized for field calibrations

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – overview

• Applications
– Measure density & infer porosity
– Help identify lithology (together with the DSNT)
– Indicate Gas (together with the DSNT)
– Quantify shale volume (some instances)
• Technique
– Gamma bombardment; resulting Gamma rays scattered by the
formation & counted at detectors

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – overview

• Output
– Bulk density ( b) – gm/cc
– Density porosity ( D) – %
– Density correction – gm/cc
– photoelectric factor (Pe)
– Caliper – inches

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – overview

• Design
– Cs137 – 1.5Curie (0.662 MeV)
– Depth of investigation ( b) 1.5”, (Pe) 0.5”
– Vertical resolution ( b) 18”, (Pe) 19”
– Correction charts

• Operating environment
– WBM
– OBM
– Air/Foam drilled

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

• Emitted Gamma rays travel through the

formation & collide with electrons in the bulk
material Formation
• Gamma rays are scattered & lose some
energy (Compton Scattering)
– Primarily collisions with outer shell electrons which are lithology INDEPENDENT

• Ultimately (< 100-keV), some gammas may

lose enough energy to be absorbed
– Primarily collisions with inner shell electrons which are lithology DEPENDENT

• Scattering & absorption result in a wide

range of gamma energy levels at the tool’s
detectors

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics
• Just like the GTET…
• Except - Two detectors: short-spaced (which is more sensitive to standoff interactions)
and long-spaced (which is more sensitive to formation interactions)
Scintillation Photo-Sensitive
Crystal Cathode
Optical
Grease

High
Collection Voltage
Photo-Multiplier Tube
Dynodes
Anode

SDLT gain stabilizer source (Cs-137)

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics
• Only W1 – W4 are used to process b and Pe

• Remaining count rates used to compensate for shifts in spectrum

caused by temperature variations

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

For each window, count-rate is related to electron density by…

LnC = a1 + a2ρe + a3ρe2 + a4ρe3 + a5L + a6x4 + a7x5

Bulk density is related to electron density by…

b = 1.0704 e – 0.1883

ma – b)

Porosity is related to Bulk density by… D =

ma – fl)

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

• Density of the actual formation rock

• Commonly assumed matrix densities ( ma)

Sandstone: 2.65 gm/cc

Limestone: 2.71 gm/cc
Dolomite: 2.87 gm/cc

• Represent pure lithology at zero-porosity

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

• Density formation fluid occupying the pore space*

• Commonly assumed fluid densities ( fl)

Fresh water-based: 1.0 gm/cc

Salt water-based: 1.1 gm/cc

*Represents the fluid present within pores of the volume of

investigation

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

• Remember - Gamma ray absorption is related to

elements present in the rock so…
• Photoelectric factor (Pe) can be used to help identify
rock type, even in complex lithology

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics
• Compositionally pure formations have characteristic values of Pe

MATERIAL Pe

Sandstone 1.81
Limestone 5.08
Dolomite 3.14
Shales 2.5 – 3.5
Anhydrite 5.05
Halite 4.65
Coal ~ 0.2

Barite 266.82

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics

• Count rate is a function of…

Mudcake
formation density Formation

L formation lithology
mc mudcake density
Lmc mudcake lithology
tmc mudcake thickness mc

Lmc L

tmc

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics
• Detectors may not be in direct contact with formation

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – physics
• Stand-off causes differences between computed bulk density and true
formation density

• Real-time correction is applied to compensate for stand-off

• Corrections…

DRHO (old) density correction

CORP - correction plus
contrast between the density of the formation and the density of the mud

• CORM - correction minus

contrast between the Pe of the formation and the Pe of the mud

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – Caliper

• Caliper Measurement
utilizing the pad and backup
arm.
• Calculate AHV & BHV
• Permeability Indicator
– Caliper readings less than
bit size may indicate a
permeable zone.

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – calibration

Calibration forces the tool to measure Al = 2.698 gm/cc

the same density as the standard tool Mg = 1.783 gm/cc
in the same material (aluminum and
magnesium)

Transfer standard

Calibration ensures
Accurate values of ρb

All* density tools measure the

same response in the same
formation and under the same
borehole conditions

* both internal and competitors!

Internal Use Only

Spectral Density – response

• Fluid and lithology effects

Actual
Ф = 25%
In all cases

Internal Use Only

 Fluid Density Tool
• Used in Production Logging to determine the density of fluid in the casing wellbore

Internal Use Only

 Review
• Understand and identify the applications of the spectral density tool
• Understand and explain the basic physics involved in the measurements of the spectral density
tool including various gamma energies and their corresponding interaction with matter
• Understand the theory of gamma emitting sources, detectors and PM tubes (including voltage
stabilization for temperature), and the use of windows for energy level measurements.
• Identify the output by the spectral density tool and explain how each is determined
• Identify the depth of investigation and vertical resolution of the SDLT
• Identify the wellbore environments the spectral density tool will function properly in
• Understand the wellbore parameters which interfere with spectral density tool quality (require
corrections)
• Understand the spectral density tool response versus borehole and formation environment
• Identify the matrix density and Pe values for Sandstone, Limestone, Dolomite, Shale
• Understand the parameters and calculate density porosity from a bulk density measurement
• Understand the difference between the effect of gas versus the effect of incorrect matrix density
value
• Identify the master calibration standard, the transfer standard for shop calibrations, and what is
utilized for field calibrations

Internal Use Only