Neutron Porosity Measurement

Neutron Porosity

Notes

Schlumberger 1999

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Lithology and Porosity Tools

A more complex method, geochemical logging, identifies 10 elements;

K, U, Th, Al, Si, Ca, S, Fe, Gd, Ti
From these the exact mineralogy can be computed.

All tools react to lithology - usually in conjunction

with the porosity.
Major lithology tools are:
Neutron - reacts to fluid and matrix.
Density - reacts to matrix and fluid.
Notes

Sonic - reacts to a mixture of matrix and fluid,

complicated by seeing only primary porosity.
NGT - identifies shale types and special minerals.
CMR - magnetic resonance reacts to the porosity
with a small element if lithology.

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Neutrons

Neutrons start as fast Neutrons and rapidly loose energy passing

through the epithermal state to reach the thermal range. The process of
slowing down is primarily caused by collision hydrogen atoms. The more
hydrogen the fewer neutrons reach the detectors.
The final stage is capture by an atom when a capture gamma ray is
emitted. The oldest tools measured these gamma rays as there were no
small reliable neutron detectors.

Notes

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Early Neutron Tools

Older neutron tools used gamma ray detectors hence reacted to the
capture. Gamma rays emitted at the end of the thermal neutrons life.
Chlorine as well as hydrogen plays a large part in this process making
these tools very sensitive to the borehole environments.

The first neutron tools used a chemical neutron

source and employed a single detector which
measured the Gamma Rays of capture
They were non-directional.
The units of measurement were API units where
1000 API units were calibrated to read 19% in a
water-filled limestone.
Notes

The tool was badly affected by the borehole

environment.

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Neutron Tools
The second generation tool was the Sidewall
Neutron Porosity (SNP).
This was an epithermal device mounted on a pad.

This generation used epithermal detectors a good region as it is largely

unaffected by the borehole. However the chemical neutron sources used
did not generate enough neutrons for a statistically good measurement
especially at higher porosities.
The current standard tool uses a chemical source and measures thermal
neutrons.
The latest tool has again gone back to epithermal neutrons but uses an
electronic source to obtain the quantity of neutrons needed to make an
accurate measurement.

The current tool is the Compensated Neutron

Tool (CNT).
The latest tool is the Accelerator Porosity Sonde
(APS), using an electronic source for the neutrons
and measuring in the epithermal region.

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Hydrogen Index

The tools read a hydrogen Index. Fresh water has a value of one while salt
is less. (chlorine replaces some of the hydrogen). Gas has a very low value
hence the change seen by the neutron tool in a gas zone. Porosity reads
too low.

Hydrogen Index is the quantity of hydrogen per

unit volume.
Fresh water is defined as having a Hydrogen
Index of 1.
Hence oil has a Hydrogen Index which is slightly
less than that of water.
The Hydrogen Index of gas is a much smaller
than that of water.

Notes

In a formation, it is generally the fluids that

contain hydrogen.

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Thermal Neutron Theory

At the end of the thermal phase the neutrons are captured by various
elements - H, Cl are the principal ones involved. A captive gamma ray is
emitted.

Neutrons are slowed down from their initial

"fast" state by collisions with the formation
nuclei. At each collision there is some energy lost
by the neutron.

The principal element involved in the slowing

down is Hydrogen, because it is close in size to the
neutron which loses most energy in these
collisions.
The CNT measures the neutron population in the
thermal region.
This is why the tool measures the Hydrogen
Index.

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Notes

Neutron Porosity Measurement

Detectors
Two neutron detectors are used to produce a
ratio eliminating some of the borehole effects
experienced by single detectors.
The count rate for each detector is inversely
proportional to porosity with high porosity giving
low count rates.

The two detectors of the CNT tool have to be placed far enough away
from the source to avoid local borehole effects but close enough to have
good measurement statistics.
It is also useful to have them in a region where the count rate versus
porosity relationship is linear.
The detectors are set in the Long-spacing Region where increasing
porosity means reduced counts. The zone is also linear.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Ratio to Porosity Transform

The ratio to porosity transform has undergone a number of changes over

the years with the earlier versions superceded by more precise
relationships. The latest transform is the result of theoretical, experimental
and practical work, including extensive Monte Carlo modelling.

The count rates are first corrected for the dead

time of the detectors (when the detector is not
available to receive counts).
The count rates are calibrated with the master
calibration.
A ratio of these is then taken.
Notes

The ratio is translated into porosity using a

transform. (This is a combination of theoretical
and experimental work).
The current field output for the thermal neutron
porosity is called TNPH.

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Borehole Effects

The thermal neutron tools have to be corrected for several effects of the
borehole environment. The effects of the borehole are numerous but well
known and characterised. The basic reading can be corrected using charts
or field and/or office computers.
The major effects are the mud which is seen as 100% by the tool. This is
corrected by the hole size, stand off and mud weight corrections. The
chlorine in the mud is corrected by the borehole salinity correction. The
effect of temperature and pressure are also important, especially the
former.

The logs have to be corrected for the borehole

environment:

Traditionally the hole size correction is applied at the time of logging.

Modern surface acquisition systems allow the other corrections to be
applied as well. The mudcake correction is very small and rarely applied
due also to the problem measuring mudcake thickness. The formation
salinity correction is not applied as it is taken into account in the
crossplot.

Borehole size.

Mud cake.

Borehole salinity.

Mud weight.

Notes

Temperature.

Pressure.

Formation salinity.
Stand-off.
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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Hole Size Correction

This correction has always been made in real time as the neutron tool is
usually run in combination with a density tool and the latter has a caliper
measurement.

Necessary because the tools algorithm from ratio

to porosity is built to "fit" a 77/8" hole.
Larger holes cause the tool to see more mud
(100% porosity) around the borehole, hence the
tool reads too high in larger hole sizes.
The chart is entered with the porosity;

Notes
Go down to hole size.
Follow trend lines to 7 7/8".
Read of .

A correction is made automatically in open hole

using caliper measurements from the combined
density tool.
It can be made using the bit size if a caliper is not
available.
The correction can be large.
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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Stand off Correction

Stand off is a major correction especially in larger hole sizes. Even in

small (8 1/2 ) holes the value is around 0.5, rarely zero. Unfortunately
this cannot easily be measured. A fixed number is usually input to the
correction.

The same explanation applies for this correction.

Any space between the tool and the borehole wall
is seen as 100% porosity.
The value of the correction depends on the hole
size:
Larger holes = more correction
Stand-off is rarely measured. One method is to
use the SA curve recorded with a PCD.
The chart is entered with the porosity at the top;

Notes

Go to the nearest hole size.

Go down to the stand-off value, e.g. 0.5".
Follow the lines to zero.
Read the (always negative).

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Standoff Correction Chart

The chart has a selection of hole sizes. Select the one closest to the actual
hole size. Draw a line from the porosity to be corrected (34pu in the
example) down to the relevant hole size chart.
Enter the stand off on the y-axis to intersect the porosity line.
Follow the lines down to the zero. Read the difference in porosity between
this value and the original value, this is the correction to be applied.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Mud Cake Correction

The mud cake absorbs neutrons before they can
enter or leave the formation.
mud cake = stand-off with porosity <100%.
The larger the mud cake, the larger the
correction.
It is a small correction but one that is rarely ever
applied because the mud cake cannot be easily
measured.

This correction is rarely if ever applied as it is small and the value of the
mud cake thickness is difficult to obtain as it is of the order of magnitude
(0.25) as the caliper accuracy.
Some methods to compute the thickness are :
Take the difference between the bit size and the caliper (and divide by 2).
Take the difference between the density caliper which cuts through the
mud cake and the MSFL caliper which rides on top of the mud cake (and
divide by 2).

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

This is one of the few cases where barite mud has less effect on the
logging measurement than standard mud.

Mud Weight Correction

The extra material in heavier muds means there
is less hydrogen, hence more neutrons reach the
formation.
It also changes if the mud is full of barite.
In this case the amount of material needed to
achieve the same mud weight is less, hence the
correction is less.

Notes

Select normal or barite mud.

Enter with porosity.
Go down to mud weight.
Follow lines to 8 lb/gal.
Read .

The correction is quite small.

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Borehole Salinity Correction

The effect has a notable porosity dependence. At higher apparent

porosities, the effect of the Chlorine is more important, simply because
there is more of it.
The borehole salinity can be found from the mud engineer or by
converting the measured Rm into salinity.

This arises due to Chlorine.

The more Chlorine present, the more neutrons
absorbed in the borehole. ==> decrease count
rate.
The largest effect is seen in salt-saturated muds.

Notes
Go down to the borehole salinity.
Follow trend lines to zero.
Read .

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Formation/Salinity Correction

This can be a very large correction. There are a series of correction charts
to make this correction. However again it is rarely applied as it is so
complex. The major unknown is the matrix capture cross-section, which is
known if the matrix is clean but can be very different if there are some
minerals present.

There are two factors affecting the neutron

measurement in the formation:
The chlorine in the formation water.
The rock matrix capture cross-section.
The simplest method is to assume that the matrix
is clean and that the matrix '' known.
This leaves salinity (mud filtrate) as the only
"variable".

Notes

The complete solution is to measure the total

formation '' and use this to compute the
correction.
The correction can be large but is not applied in
the field because the lithology is unknown, hence
the '' unknown.
It is taken into account in the interpretation
phase.
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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Formation Temperature
Correction

This is the major correction in most reservoir cases. It is large even at

modest temperatures. It is in the opposite direction to the standoff, another
large correction. However, the former is larger in the deeper part of the
well where the small hole size will minimise the stand off correction. The
standoff correction will be largest in the larger surface holes where the
lower temperature will minimise the temperature correction.

The correction is large and depends on the

porosity.
This is a dual effect:
The expansion of the water reduces the quantity
of Hydrogen seen by the tool.
Change in the borehole fluid capture crosssection.
Notes

Enter with porosity at the top.

Go down to hole temperature.
Follow trend lines to 75F.
Read .
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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Pressure Correction

Note the large oil-based mud correction because of the larger

compressibility of the oil. However this is, in most cases, a relatively
small effect as the pressure at the bottom of the well is quite low. For
example, a 10000 foot well, with a mud weight of 1.2g/cc, will have a
bottom hole pressure of around 5000psi.

The effect is caused by the compression of the

fluids downhole.
In standard water-based muds the effect is small.

Notes
Select oil-based or water-based mud.
Enter with porosity at the top.
Go down to hole pressure.
Follow trend lines to zero.
Read .

In oil-based muds the correction is large.

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Alpha Processing

The idea behind the technique of alpha processing is that there is the
possibility of using a higher resolution measurement to enhance the
standard log. In the case of the neutron porosity and density tools that
higher resolution is available on the tool itself with the nearer spacing
detector.
The process follows three major steps. The first is to put the two
measurements at the same depth so that they read the same bit of
formation.

Alpha Processing is a method that enhances the

resolution of the standard measurement.
It utilizes the higher resolution of the near
detector to increase the resolution of the more
accurate far detector.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Alpha Processing

The next step is to match the resolution. This is effectively stretching the
measurement so that it matches the standard one. This gives the same
porosity (in this case) but shifted because of environmental effects.

The first step is to depth-match the two detectors'

responses.

The next step is to match the resolution of both

detectors.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Alpha Processing

The final step is to take the resolution matched near detector measurement
from the original reading made by the same detector. The residual
information is the High resolution data that is required. This can then be
added to the standard reading to give the final high resolution
measurement.

The difference between the two readings now

gives the "high frequency" information - which
highlights thin beds missed by the far detector.

Notes

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Alpha processing

The whole system works if the two detectors are reading the same
formation. If the hole is in bad condition the method will not work. Rapid
changes in the parameter being measured will also cause problems for this
technique.
The final output curve uses the same algorithm as TNPH and hence is a
good neutron porosity.

The "high frequency" information is added to the

far detector signal to give the final enhanced log.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Thermal Neutron Parameters

Vertical resolution:
Standard (TNPH)
Enhanced

24"
12"

Depth of investigation

9"-12"

The depth of investigation of this tool depends on the porosity of the

system.
The tool will only read zero porosity truly in limestone as it is calibrated
to this mineral. Other minerals will show a deviation from this value due
to the formation salinity effect and the calibration.
Shales have a high apparent porosity because of the water (i.i hydrogen)
trapped by them. The actual value depends on the clay type.

Readings in zero porosity:

Limestone (0%)
Sandstone (0%)
Dolomite (0%)
Anhydrite
Salt

0
-2.00
1.00
-2.00
-3.00

Notes

Typical Readings
Shale
Coal

30-45
50+

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Thermal Neutron
Interpretation/Uses

The neutron tool is recorded on a scale of apparent neutron porosity.

This is equal to the actual porosity only in a clean limestone because the
calibration is made in this mineral. It is normally combined with the
density tool when the combination will handle the different minerals.

The tool measures hydrogen index.

Its prime use is to measure porosity.
Combined with the bulk density, it gives the best
possible answer for lithology and porosity
interpretation.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

The tool is a standard size hence will not run through a normal tubing
string.

Thermal Neutron in Cased Hole

The CNT can be run in cased hole for the
porosity.
In addition to the standard corrections some
others are needed to take into account the extra
elements of casing and cement.
The standard conditions are:
83/4" borehole diameter.
Casing thickness 0.304".
Cement thickness 1.62".
Fresh water in the borehole / formation.
No stand-off.
75F.
Atmospheric pressure.
Tool eccentred in the hole.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Corrections in Cased Hole

These charts are used in the same manner as the open hole set. In addition
to these corrections the borehole salinity, mud weight and hole size
corrections have to be made.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

This is a complex problem as a trace of these elements suffice to affect the log. The capture cross section of Gadolinium is ~30000 compared
to ~10 for other common borehole minerals. Hence a small percentage has a large effect.
for example, 0.1% Gd ahs a capture cross section of 30.

Thermal neutron absorbers

Some elements such as Gadolimium and Boron

have very high Neutron Capture Cross sections
This means that they capture neutrons
efficiently.
If they are present in the formation (matrix or
fluids) thermal neutron tools will read a
porosity that is too high
Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Accelerator Porosity Sonde

The Accelaeator Porosity Sonde is a new type of device, employing an electronic source instead of the older chemical type. This produces more
neutrons an allows the main measurement to be made in the epithermal range. The advantage of this is the vastly reduced environmental
corrections. The major remaining correction to the measurement is stand-off. One of the secondary measurements, the epithermal slowing down
time is used to compute the stand-off in real time and hence make this correction.
The other measurements on the tool are the near-far ratio which allows a lithology determination similar to the thermal neutron measurement. In
addition the capture cross section of the invaded zone is measured which can help if there are neutron absorbers present.

Notes

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Neutron Porosity Measurement

Stand off measurement

This log shows an experiment to test the standoff correction. The log was run both centred and eccentred. The stand off measured is in track 1
for both passes. The resultant of the stand off correction is in track 2, blue curves. The correction in both case has worked well with both the
curves reading virtually together.

Notes

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