EAFIT UNIVERSITY PETROLEUM GEOLOGY PROF. A.

BELTRAN

Workshop Introduction to Well logs

Gamma Log

The Gamma log is used to record the naturally occurring radiation found in the surrounding borehole
rocks from three primary isotopes: Potassium-40 (K), Thorium (Th), and Uranium (U).

The simple Gamma Ray tool is used to produce a Gamma Ray log; the tool is made up of a
scintillation counter and a photomultiplier tube. The scintillation counter is typically a crystal of
sodium iodide (NaI) which produces a flash of light when bombarded with Gamma rays. The flash of
light is detected by the photomultiplier tube and converted into an electric signal that is then
counted going down-hole. The count is then recorded in American Petroleum Institute (API) units,
which is defined as “The gamma ray API unit is defined as 1/200 of the difference between the count
rate recorded by a logging tool in the middle of the radioactive bed and that recorded in the middle
of the nonradioactive bed” recorded within the calibration pit.

A calibration facility for API units currently exists at the University of Houston and is the world
standard for the simple Gamma Ray tool, however the validity of the calibration pit has been called
into question in recent years.

Task:

In general terms, high values API units for GR logs are common in shales/mudstones, while low
values of API unit are associated with sandstones. The rocks between these end members also
response to GR logs accordingly to the lithology. Use this information to interpret changes in
lithology and to complete the stratigraphic column in the next GR log:
EAFIT UNIVERSITY PETROLEUM GEOLOGY PROF. A. BELTRAN