A new method for calculating bulk density in pulsed neutron-gamma density logging

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. D219-D232
Author(s):  
Hu Wang ◽  
Wensheng Wu ◽  
Tianzhi Tang ◽  
Ruigang Wang ◽  
Aizhong Yue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Pair Production ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Density Estimation ◽  
Measurement Accuracy ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Estimation Algorithm ◽  
Gamma Density ◽  
Pulsed Neutron

Formation density is one of the most important parameters in formation evaluation. Radioisotope chemical sources are used widely in conventional gamma-gamma density (GGD) logging. Considering security and environmental risks, there has been growing interest in pulsed neutron generators in place of the radioactive-chemical source in using bulk-density measurements. However, there still is the requirement of high accuracy of the neutron-gamma density (NGD) calculation. Pair production is one of the factors influencing the accuracy of the results, which should be considered. We have adopted a method, based on the difference between the inelastic gamma-ray response of high- and low-energy windows, to reduce the impact of pair production upon calculating the bulk density. A new density estimation algorithm is derived based on the coupled-field theory and gamma-ray attenuation law in NGD logging. We analyze the NGD measurement accuracy with different mineral types, porosity, and pore fluid and determine the influence of the borehole environment on NGD logging. The Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that the improved processing algorithm limits the influence of the mineral type, porosity, or pore fluid. The NGD measurement accuracy is ±0.025 g/cm3 in shale-free formations, which is close to the GGD measurement (±0.015 g/cm3). Our results also show that the borehole environment has a significant impact on NGD measurement. Therefore, it is necessary to take the influence of the borehole parameters into account in NGD measurements. Combined with Monte Carlo simulation cases, we evaluate the application results of the new density estimation algorithm in various model wells.

Rapid forward modeling of logging-while-drilling neutron-gamma density measurements

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. D231-D246
Author(s):  
Mathilde Luycx ◽  
Carlos Torres-Verdín
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Neutron Transport ◽  
Density Measurement ◽  
Layer By Layer ◽  
Density Measurements ◽  
Gamma Density ◽  
Particle Counts ◽  
Logging While Drilling

Neutron-activated gamma-ray (neutron-gamma) logging-while-drilling (LWD) measurements deliver bulk density estimates without using a chemical source. The assessment of bulk density is based on neutron-induced non-capture gamma rays, corrected for neutron transport by combining particle counts acquired at two gamma-ray detectors and two fast neutron detectors. Particle counts from all four detectors are necessary to deliver one density measurement whose accuracy compares well to that of the gamma-gamma density instruments. Thereafter, borehole environmental effects are mitigated with empirical corrections based on Monte Carlo (MC) modeling. Such corrections should be avoided for standoff values greater than 0.63 cm (0.25 in) because they are no longer independent of formation properties. Neutron-gamma density measurements are also influenced by bed-boundary and layer-thickness effects. Thinly bedded formations, invasion, high-angle/horizontal (HA/HZ) wells, and enlarged boreholes can all mask true formation bulk density when implementing conventional petrophysical interpretation. Although MC methods accurately simulate 3D environmental and geometrical effects, they are computationally expensive and are thus impractical for real-time interpretation. Layer-by-layer bulk density can, however, be estimated using rapid numerical simulations coupled with inversion procedures. We have developed a rapid modeling algorithm to accurately simulate LWD neutron-gamma density measurements. Simulations are based on a theoretical, albeit realistic, LWD neutron-gamma density tool operating with a 14.1 MeV pulsed neutron source. The algorithm uses flux sensitivity functions and first-order Taylor series approximations to simulate particle counts at each detector before they are processed with a density estimation algorithm. Rigorous benchmarks against the Monte Carlo N-particle code in vertical and HA/HZ wells, across diverse solid and fluid rock compositions, thin beds, and in the presence of invasion, yield average density errors of less than 1% ([Formula: see text]) in approximately [Formula: see text] the time required of MC modeling.

Development of SiO2 based doped with LiF, Cr2O3, CoO4 and B2O3 glasses for gamma and fast neutron shielding

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bünyamin Aygün ◽  
Erdem Şakar ◽  
Abdulhalik Karabulut ◽  
Bünyamin Alım ◽  
Mohammed I. Sayyed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Fast Neutron ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Neutron Shielding ◽  
Shielding Properties ◽  
Effective Neutron ◽  
Simulation Codes

AbstractIn this study, the fast neutron and gamma-ray absorption capacities of the new glasses have been investigated, which are obtained by doping CoO,CdWO4,Bi2O3, Cr2O3, ZnO, LiF,B2O3 and PbO compounds to SiO2 based glasses. GEANT4 and FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation codes have been used in the planning of the samples. The glasses were produced using a well-known melt-quenching technique. The effective neutron removal cross-sections, mean free paths, half-value layer, and transmission numbers of the fabricated glasses have been calculated through both GEANT4 and FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation codes. Experimental neutron absorbed dose measurements have been carried out. It was found that GS4 glass has the best neutron protection capacity among the produced glasses. In addition to neutron shielding properties, the gamma-ray attenuation capacities, were calculated using newly developed Phy-X/PSD software. The gamma-ray shielding properties of GS1 and GS2 are found to be equivalent to Pb-based glass.

Physics, applications, and limitations of borehole neutron-gamma density measurements

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. D39-D56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathilde Luycx ◽  
Carlos Torres-Verdín
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Vertical Resolution ◽  
Neutron Detectors ◽  
Density Measurements ◽  
Gamma Density ◽  
Limited Applicability ◽  
Empirical Density ◽  
Cesium 137 ◽  
Pulsed Neutron

Radioactive chemical sources can pose security, health, and environmental risks when used to estimate rock porosity in situ. The oil industry has been developing solutions to eliminate radioactive chemical sources in borehole nuclear logging. Pulsed neutron generators have successfully replaced chemical sources in neutron tools, but cesium-137 is still mainly used for borehole density measurements. Neutron-activated gamma-ray measurements (neutron-gamma) are a possible alternative to radioactive chemical sources in density tools. Despite recent advances, the measurement faces challenges regarding density accuracy across diverse solid and fluid rock compositions and nonnegligible sensitivity to borehole environmental effects. We have examined a theoretical, albeit realistic, logging-while-drilling neutron-gamma density (NGD) tool operating with two inelastic gamma-ray detectors and two fast neutron detectors. With a strong emphasis on measurement physics and source-sensor design, the tool delivers density accuracies comparable to those of gamma-gamma density (GGD) tools with [Formula: see text] error in shale-free formations and [Formula: see text] in shale and shaly formations. Our work also compares NGD with GGD in terms of depth of investigation (DOI), vertical resolution, and sensitivity to borehole environmental effects to determine optimal logging conditions. NGD accuracy is limited in the presence of standoff. With inputs of caliper and mud type, empirical density corrections can be applied up to 0.64 cm (0.25 in) standoff. NGD also has limited applicability in thinly bedded formations with maximum vertical resolution of 76 cm (2.5 ft). However, the measurement outperforms GGD in the presence of invasion because its DOI is twice as large.

Precise Monte Carlo simulation of gamma-ray response functions for an NaI(Tl) detector

2002 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hu-Xia Shi ◽  
Bo-Xian Chen ◽  
Ti-Zhu Li ◽  
Di Yun
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Response Functions
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