Density Logs

John Warren
Physics 101; a reminder

2
 Energy bands of density and
litho-density (Pe) tools
n Density tool uses medium
energy (0.2 - 2.0 MeV)
source
n Photoelectric effect (Pe)
occurs at energy levels
below Compton scattering
where gamma rays are so
attenuated (low in energy)
that they are captured and
absorbed.
n Pe is dependant on
medium’ electron density
and atomic number
 Density Log
n Continuous record of a
formation’s bulk density
n Overall density includes solid
matrix (densities on minerals in
matrix) and fluids enclosed in the
pores
n Pure sandstone with no porosity
has the bulk density of pure
quartz = 2.65 gm.cm3

Sandstone with 10% porosity has
bulk density ≈ 2.49 gm.cm3 (90%
quartz and 10% water-1.0
gm.cm3)
n When combined with sonic log is
used to calculate acoustic
impedance
Principal uses of the density log
Discipline Use Knowing

Quantitative Petrophysics Porosity Matrix density

Fluid density

Seismic Acoustic Impedance (Use raw log)

Semi-quantitative Geology Lithology (With neutron log)

& qualitative
Shale textural Average trends
changes

Mineral identification Mineral densities

Reservoir Geology Overpressure Average trends
identification

Fracture recognition Sonic porosity

Geochemistry Source-rock Density – O.M.

evaluation calibration
 Physics of a 

density tool
n The gamma rays undergo Compton
scattering, reducing the energy of the
gamma rays in a step-wise manner, and
scatters the gamma rays in all directions.
n When the energy of the gamma rays is
less than 0.5 MeV they may undergo
photo-electric absorption by interaction
with the atomic electrons.
n Flux of gamma rays that reach each of
the two detectors is therefore attenuated
by the formation, and the amount of
attenuation is dependent upon the density
of electrons in the formation
 Principles of 

measurement
n Tool emits medium energy
collimated (focused) gamma rays
that bombards formation and
measures attenuation between
source and detector
n Based on Compton Scattering
whereby attenuation is a function of
electrons the formation contains
(electron density electrons/cm3) and
its common density (gm/cm3)
n Attenuation is extreme in dense
formations and few detectable
gamma rays reach the detector
Compton Scattering
 Density of electrons is described
by electron number density, Ne
n Ne is directly related to bulk density in pure n Hence, the electron number
substances density (Ne) is
n Number of atoms in one mole is defined as
equal to Avagadro’s number (N ≈ 6.02x1023).
n The number of electrons in a mole of a
material is = NZ, where Z is the atomic NZ
number (i.e., the number of protons, and
therefore electrons per atom) Ne = ρb
n Since the atomic mass number A is the weight
of one mole of a substance, the number of
electrons per gram is equal to NZ/A.
A
n However, we want the number of electrons per
unit volume, and we can obtain this from the
number of electrons per gram by multiplying
by the bulk density of the substance, ρb.
 Correlation between density tool
radiation and bulk density
n Change in counts
with change in
density is
exponential over
typical natural
logging range (2.0 -
3.0 gm/cm3)


n Detector counts in
modern tools are
converted directly to
bulk density for
printouts
Compound Formula Actual density Tool-derived Tool
ρb (gm/m3) density (gm/m3) difference
(electron density) (gm/m3)
Quartz SiO2 2.654 2.64-2.66 +0.006
Calcite CaCO3 2.71 2.71 Zero

Dolomite CaCO3MgCO3 2.87 (2.8-2.99) 2.85 – 2.88 +0.02 to 0.01

Anhydrite CaSO4 2.96 (2.89-3.05) 2.89-3.05 +0.01 to -
_0.02
Sylvite KCl 1.98 1.86 – 1.99 +0.12 to 0.06

Halite NaCl 2.16 2.03 – 2.09 +0.12 to +0.13

Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O 2.32 (2.3 – 2.35) 2.33 – 2.40 -0.01 to -0.05
Anthracite coal — 1.6 (1.32-1.8) 1.32 – 1.8 (1.47) +0.03 - -0.04

Bituminous coal — 1.35 (1.15 – 1.7) (1.15 – 1.7) 1.24 +0.02 to –0.05
Fresh water H2O 1.0 1.0 (1.11) Zero
Salt water 200,000 ppm 1.146 1.13(1.24) +0.016
OIL 40° API n(CH2) 0.85 0.85 – 0.97 0 to –0.12
Methane CH4 0.000677 .00076
Gas (average) C1.1H4.2 0.0007726 0.000886
Compensated Density Tool

11
 Formation density tool
n The formation density log measures the bulk density
of the formation. Its main use is to derive a value for
the total porosity of the formation. It s also useful in
the detection of gas-bearing formations and in the
recognition of evaporites.
n The formation density tools are induced radiation
tools. They bombard the formation with radiation and
measure how much radiation returns to a sensor.
n Radioactive source. This is usually caesium-137 or
cobalt-60, and emits gamma rays of medium energy (in
the range 0.2 – 2 MeV). For example, caesium-137
emits gamma rays with a energy of 0.662 MeV.
n A short range detector. This detector is very similar to
the detectors used in the natural gamma ray tools, and
is placed 7 inches from the source.
n A long range detector. This detector is identical to the
short range detector, and is placed 16 inches from the
source.
 Compensated formation density
tools
n Have one focussed (collimated) radiation source, one
short spacing detector at 7 inches from the source,
and one long spacing detector 16 inches from the
source
n Source and both detectors are heavily shielded
(collimated) to ensure that the radiation only goes
into the mudcake and formation, and that detected
gamma rays only come from mudcake or formation
n Leading edge of the shield is shaped into a plough,
which removes part of the mudcake as the tool is
pulled up the well. The tool is eccentred using a
servo-operated arm with a force of 800 pounds
n Under this pressure the rising plough makes a deep
impression in the mudcake. The large eccentering
force also means that there is wear of the surface of
the tool. Heavy shielding doubles as a skid and a
wear plate protecting source and detectors, it can be
replaced easily and cheaply when worn down
 Why compensate readings?
n A background gamma ray count is carried out
so that the natural gamma rays coming from
the formation can be removed from the density
measurement
n For the short spacing detector over 80% of its
signal comes from within 5 cm of the borehole
wall, which is mainly mudcake
n About 80% of the long spacing signal comes
from within 10 cm of the borehole wall.
n The tool has a shallow depth of investigation.
We must remove the mudcake signal from the
measurement via compensation.
n After mudcake compensation the depth of
investigation has been improved, and less
signal comes from the first 5 cm region.
 What is detected?
n Gamma rays detected by the short spacing
detector have penetrated only a short way into
the mudcake and formation before being
scattered back to the detector. Readings from
the short spacing detector are therefore a
measure of attenuation in the near-borehole
region (i.e., mudcake and very shallow in the
formation).
n By comparison, gamma rays detected by the
long spacing detector have penetrated through
the mudcake and deeper into the formation
before being scattered back to the detector.
Readings from the long spacing detector are
therefore a measure of attenuation in the
formation that has been perturbed by the
gamma rays having to pass through the
mudcake twice.
 Depth of investigation and bed
resolution
n Depth of investigation is shallow
n 90% of the Schlumberger FDC response in sandstone with 35 % porosity
originates within 15cm or less from the tool
n In typical logging situation it is probably less than 10cm
n Therefore the density tool is much effected by hole conditions and will
typically measure conditions in the invaded zone
n Little chance of detecting original fluids, especially movable liquid
hydrocarbons
n Degree of bed resolution is good. At average logging speeds (about 400 m/
hr, 1300 ft/hr) densities can be read down to 60 cm. At lower speeds (250 m/
hr, 800 ft/hr) thinner beds may be resolved down to 30-40cm (18in) as true
values. Not as effected by logging speed as natural gamma
n Partial reactions are commonplace across thinner beds or nodules 5-10 cm
thick
 Log presentation
n The formation density log is recorded in tracks 2 and
3 of the standard API log presentation on a linear
scale in g/cm3, and usually spans 1.95 to 2.95 g/cm3
as this is the normal range for rocks
n The automatic compensation (correction) for
mudcake is often shown in either track 2 or track 3
on a linear scale. This curve is included as a quality
control curve. If the correction curve is greater than
±0.15 g/cm3, the data in the main curve will not be
very reliable.
n A pseudo-porosity that has been calculated from the
density data may be shown together with the bulk
density curve and correction curve. This is a
pseudo-porosity curve because it will assume a
matrix and fluid density to be constant throughout
the logged interval. Matrix densities of 2.65 g/cm3
(for quartz) and fluid densities of 1.1 g/cm3 (for salt
water) are often used (varies, depends on lithology
and fluid)
 Associated curves

n A wireline tension curve is often also included in the record,

because the formation density tool is prone to getting stuck in
holes as a result of its ploughing in sticky mudcake.


n The formation density tool is most often run in combination with

n a gamma ray log, for depth matching
n a caliper log, for borehole quality control
n a neutron log, because the interpretation of the formation density tool
together with the results from the neutron log provide one of two best
lithological assessment techniques for a reservoir.
 Porosity calculation
n Density log can be used to
calculate porosity if the densities of
all the involved materials are
known
n Density tool sees the global (bulk)
density of both grains and
interstitial fluids
n Bulk density of 2.5 gm/cc and fluid
density of 1.1 gm/cc is:
Grain density Lithology Porosity

2.65 gm/cc Sandstone 10%

2.71 gm/cc Limestone 13%

2.87 gm/cc Dolomite 21%

 Calculation of porosity
n Bulk density{ρb}= (Ø x fluid density{ρf}) + ([1-Ø] x matrix density{ρma})






 ρ ma − ρb

 porosity{Ø } =

 ρma − ρ f



n If grain density remains constant then the relationship between bulk density
and porosity can be close
n If grain density varies then porosity calculations can be highly inaccurate
Porosity with constant grain
density
Core Porosity (%) Bulk density (gm/cc)
30 2.68 gm/cc 0 5 10 15 20 25 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8
0 0

20 N=340
10 10

10 20 20

30 30
2.6 2.7 2.8
Grain density (gm/cc) 40 40
Depth (m)

50 50

60 60
Density from
wireline 70 70

versus core
porosity 80 80

90 90

100 100
Ø calculation less accurate
when grain density varies
35
B
B Sandstone (no mica)
30 BBBB B J Sandstone (micaceous)
BBB
BBBB
B
BB
B BB
BBB
BBB
B
BJ
BBJ
B
B B BB
BBBJ
B
J
JJJJ
BB J
25 B JJJB
B BJ JB
B JJBJJ
JJJ
J J J Zone of porosity under-estimation
J
BJ JJJ
J J J
Core Porosity (%)

J JJ J HIGH GRAIN DENSITIES

JJJJ J
J
J J JJ B
20 J JJ JJJ J J
JJJJ
JJ J
J JBJ J
J J
J
15 J J
B JB J
J J
10 J JJ J
J
J J
J
grain density
J
5 2.65 gm/cc
J
JJJJ J

0
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7
Bulk Density (gm/cc)
 Erroneous porosities when matrix
density changes

n North Sea Jurassic sands

can contain up to 30%
mica
n This can increase average
grain density up to 2.84
gm/cc
n Mica density is 2.76 - 3.1
gm/cc
n When too low a density is
used the porosity is
underestimated by the
density log
 Erroneous porosities when fluid
density changes - the “gas effect”
n In the presence of gas the fluid
density drops dramatically (gas
density 0.0007gm/cc)
n Density log gives too high a
porosity
n If porosity (and water saturation
can be calculated by another
means) the density log can be
used to calculate hydrocarbon
density
n If oil not gas is present then the
porosity is essentially correct
(shallow depth of investigation)
 Lithology identification
Lithology Range (gm/cc) Matrix (gm/cc)

Clays – shales 1.8 – 2.75 Varies (av. 2.65 – 2.70)

Sandstones 1.9 – 2.65 2.65

Limestones 2.2 – 2.71 2.71

Dolomite 2.3 – 2.87 2.87

n Lithologies are rarely diagnostic because of high degree of

overlap of densities
n When combined with neutron log can become an excellent
indicator of lithology
Densities are not diagnostic of
lithology
 Shale compaction 

increases density
n If a general compaction trend for a region is
establish it can be used to estimate a maximum
depth of burial
n Changes are gradual, local variations are more
likely due to changes in shale composition
n An increase in carbonate content of the shale
increases density, especially if iron carbonate
(siderite ≈ 3.89 gm/cc) is involved
n Carbonate concretions often form at shale
boundaries with sandstone or other porous
lithologies
Porosity/density decline compared
to geological age of shale
 Shales and 

unconformities

n A marked change or a
displacement in the compaction
trend in a shale sequence may
indicate an unconformity
n The displacement can
sometimes be used to estimate
the amount of sediment
removed at the unconformity
 Density of a sandstone changes
with composition
n In sands without shales and
Sandstone Constituent Density (gm/cc) diagenetic overprint the
Quartz 2.65 variations in the density log can
give some idea as to variation
Feldspars 2.52 –2.63 in sandstone composition
Micas 2.65 – 3.1 n Changes are generally gradual
Lignite fragments 0.5 – 1.8
and of moderate order
n Abrupt marked changes in a
Heavy minerals 2.7 – 5.0
non shaly section may
indication cementation or other
diagenetic overprinting
Effect of carbonate cement on a
density log
 Mineral identification

n Density can becomes a criterion for identification if it is either abnormally

high (pyrite 4.8 5.17 gm/cc) or abnormally low (coals 1.2 - 1.8 gm/cc)
 Mineral identification
Diagnostic densities Range (gm/cc)
Evaporites Density (gm/cc)
Low Lignite 0.50 – 1.50
Halite 2.04
Coal 1.15 – 1.70
Anhydrite 2.98
Anthracite 1.32 – 1.80

Organic shale 1.80 – 2.40 Gypsum 2.35

High Pyrite 4.80 – 5.17 Carnallite 1.57

Siderite 3.00 – 3.89 Sylvite 1.86
Basalt 2.70 – 3.20
Polyhalite 2.79
Gneiss 2.60 – 3.04
 Evaporite salts
n Many chemical sediments
(evaporites) tend to be
dominated by a single mineral
phase giving the log a near
constant density with little
variation
n They typically have negligible
porosity
n Mineralogies may be expected, if
not positively identified from their
density log
n Care must be taken with impure
or altered intervals
 Mudstone porosity (%)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
0
Uonuma

Overpressure
Group
★
★ ★
★★ ★ Haizuma
★ ★ Group
★ ★ ★★
★
★ ★
500 ★★★★★★
★★ ★★
★
★★
★ ★★★
★★
★ ★
★
★
n Shale density increases with depth (Ø ★
★
★
★
★
★★ ★
★★★★ Nishiyamia
★
loss) reflecting dewatering 1000
★
★
★
★★
★★★
★★
★ ★ Formation
★★
★
★★
n Rate of density increase varies from ★★
★
★
★
★
★
★★
★★★
basin to basin but is predictable ★
★★
★
★
★

Depth (m)
★★
locally 1500 ★★
★
★★
★
★
★
n If fluids cannot freely escape from ★
★
★
★★
★★
★★
★★
shale it becomes trapped and shale ★★★ Shiya
★
★
★ ★ Formation
★★★★
★★
becomes overpressured 2000 ★★
★★
★
★
★★★
★★★
★ ★
n This has effect of preserving porosity ★
★
★★
★
★★
★
★
★★★ ★
★★
to greater depths ★★★
★
★
★
★
★
★★
★ Overpressure
★
Teradomari
Formation
★
★ ★
2500 ★★
★
n This is registered by a break in the ★★
★
★
★
★ Nanatani
★
compaction trend of the density log ★★★ Formation

Shiunji
Formation
3000
 Fracture recognition comparing
density and sonic logs
n Density tool measures bulk density
and includes both intergranular and
fracture porosity
n Sonic tool measures fastest passage
from emitter to receiver, measures
matrix porosity not fracture porosity
n When density-derived porosity is
more than sonic porosity, the
difference is the fracture porosity
n For comparison logs are normalised
to define fractured intervals
 But does it always work?
100

✫ ✫
✫ ✫✫ ✫ ✫
n Grove Formation, Kansas ✫ ✫✫
✫
✫
✫ ✫✫
Non fractured

shows the reverse 90 ✫

✫
✫ ✫
✫ ✢
✫
relationship ✢ ✢ ✫
✫
✫
✢ ✫
For a given density the
✢
n ✢
✢ ✫
80 ✢ ✢✫
fractured interval has a ✢ ✢ ✢

Acoustic (µ/ft)
✢✫ ✢ ✢ ✫
✢ ✢✢ ✫
higher velocity than the non- ✢
✢ ✢
✢

fractured interval 70 ✢
✢ ✫
✢
✢
✢
Fractured
✢ ✢
n This may reflect a ✢ ✫
✢
lithological contrast with one
lithology having a greater 60 ✢
✢

propensity for brittle fracture

50
2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.3
Density (gm/cc)
 Source rock

evaluation
n Organic matter typically
has a density 0.70 - 1.80
gm/cc while clay minerals
average ≈ 2.7 gm/cc
n Presence of organic matter
therefore has a marked
effect on bulk density
n Organic matter content
effect on density log can be
quantified and the log used
to estimate the amount of
organic matter in a shale
 Presence of organic matter lowers
the density
20
★
TOC = (154.497/ρ)-57.261
ρ is log derived bulk density
★ ★★ ★
n In addition to cross plotting 16
★★
with bulk density, resistivity ★★
★ ★
★★★
★ ★ ★★ ★
logs can be cross-plotted ★
★★ ★ ★
★

TOC (wt %) from density log

★
★★ ★★
★★
against density-derived TOC 12 ★
★
★ ★★ ★
★ ★★
for a reliable output ★ ★
★★ ★ ★★
★
★
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
n Can also be used to ★

estimate the shale content of 8 ★ ★★

★

coals and their ash contents

n Results with coals can
sometimes obviate coring 4

Bakken Formation,
Williston Basin USA

0
0 4 8 12 16 20
TOC (wt %) from core analysis)
 What is compensation?
n Subtracts the effects of the short space detection from the long spaced detector
n Eight independent parameters that affect the reading of a density tool
n Zb = the mean atomic number of the formation
n Ab = the mean atomic weight of the formation
n ρb = the bulk density of the formation
n Zmc = the mean atomic number of the mudcake
n Amc = the mean atomic weight of the mudcake
n ρmc = the bulk density of the mudcake
n hmc = the thickness of the mudcake
n The influence of changing Zb, Ab and Amc on compensation calculations are small, and
so these parameters can be considered to be constant. Unfortunately, we cannot
assume that Zmc is constant as the drilling mud (and hence mudcake) may or may not
contain barite in very significant quantities.
n The number of variable parameters is reduced to three by the incorporation of ρmc and
Zmc into a single parameter, the effective mudcake density ρmc* , which combines the
influences of both ρmc and Zmc
 Mudcake compensation
n The remaining three parameters are ρb, ρmc* and hmc These
three parameters are represented via outputs from the
short and long spaced detectors
n The y-axis (ordinate) of the graph is the reading from the
long spacing detector, and the x-axis (abscissa) of the
graph is the reading from the short spacing detector. Points
plot depending upon the various values of ρb, ρmc* and hmc
n Imagine if there is no mudcake. The short spaced detector
will make a reading of gamma count rate that is dependent
upon the short path between the source and the detector
through the formation. The long spaced detector will also
make a reading, which will be lower because of the greater
distance of this detector from the source.
n The readings from the long and short spaced detectors will Mudcake correction plot
fall on a straight line. The higher the readings, the less
dense the formation and vice versa. So we can calibrate (spine and ribs) with no
the straight line to be read in terms of the bulk density of mudcake present.
the formation. This line is called the spine of the plot.
 Mudcake compensation (cont’d)
n Imagine a mud of variable thickness and ρmc*=1.5 g/cm3 on
the borehole wall, and formation density is 2.5 g/cm3. If
mudcake didn’t exist, detector values would plot at point A
n If the mudcake thickness increases, the short spaced
detector sees more of the less dense mudcake, and so
gives a higher count rate.
n The long spaced detector also give a higher count rate due
to the lower density mudcake that is present, but the
increase is initially marginal because the long spaced A
detector is sensitive to a region which the mudcake only
forms a small part.
n The result is that this curve leaves the spine at 2.5 g/cm3,
when hmc=0, forms an arc to the right of the spine, and
rejoins the spine at 1.5 g/cm3 as influence of hmc increases Mudcake correction plot (spine
and ribs) with ρb=2.5 g/cm3,
n Rejoining indicates thickness of mudcake is greater than the
ρmc*=1.5 g/cm3, and variable
depth of investigation, so that both the long and short
spaced detectors read only mud. The curved part thickness mudcake.
represents the complete range of mudcake thicknesses
 Mudcake compensation (cont’d)
n If the effective mudcake density
remains at 1.5 g/cm3, but the
formation density changes, the
bottom point where the curved part
of the line joins the spine slides up
and down the spine, as shown for
formation densities of 2.0, 2.5 and
3.0 g/cm3.
n Each of the curved lines represents a
different formation density, leaving
the spine at the formation density
value for hmc=0, and rejoining the
spine together at the effective Mudcake correction plot (spine and
mudcake density of 1.5 g/cm3. ribs) with ρb= 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 g/cm3,
ρmc*=1.5 g/cm3, and variable thickness
mudcake.
 Mudcake compensation (cont’d)
n If the formation density remains fixed at 2.5 g/cm3 the
point where the curved portion of the line leaves the
spine is fixed at 2.5 g/cm3. Now, if the effective mudcake
density changes, the point where the curved part of the
line rejoins the spine slides up and down the spine, as
shown for effective mudcake densities of 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0
g/cm3.
n Each of the curved lines represents a different effective
mudcake density, leaving the spine at the formation
density value of 2.5 g/cm3 for hmc=0, and rejoining the
spine together at the relevant effective mudcake density,
which may be above or below the formation density on
the spine.
n Note that if the effective mudcake density is the same as Mudcake correction plot (spine and
the formation density, the curved portion of the line does ribs) with ρb= 2.5 g/cm3, ρmc*=1.5, 2.0
not exist, and the tool interprets the mudcake as formation. and 3.0 g/cm3, and variable thickness
mudcake.
 Compensation calculation

Spine and ribs plots (lab derived)
n In practice, only portions of the curved
lines are relevant to wellbore conditions.
n Over the practical range, the combination
of the curves and the spine is reminiscent
of a rib-cage and is called a spine and ribs
plot.
n Adjacent is the spine and ribs plot for the
formation density tool during a well
controlled laboratory study of the tool.
n Note that the data on each rib is practically
independent of effective mudcake density
and composition, and that as mudcake
becomes thicker, the data points lie further
up or down the rib from the spine as
expected.
 Compensation calculation

Spine and ribs plots (lab derived)
n The spine and ribs plot therefore has the
advantages that:

n (i) the variation in effective mudcake density and
mudcake thickness can be described by a single
parameter (the distance up a given rib)

n (ii) for each formation density, all ribs leaving one
side of the graph coincide on the spine at a single
point (the effective mudcake density)

n (iii) knowing the spine and ribs plot for a given
tool, the long and short detector readings can be
used to obtain the corrected value of formation
density without explicit measurement of either the
effective mudcake density or the mudcake
thickness.

n The correction procedure is automated in modern
tools.