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Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Porosity Logging

Introduction
Neutron Interactions With Matter Slowing Down & Capture Neutron Detection The CNL Compensated Neutron Tool Output Channels LQC Hints Examples

Neutron Porosity Logging

Introduction
Neutron logging responds primarily to the amount of hydrogen in the formation. Hydrogen is contained in water, oil and gas and can be used to estimate porosity. It was introduced commercially in 1941 by Well Surveys Inc. (eventually absorbed by Lane-Wells). It can be recorded in open and cased holes, in any type of liquid, and combined with virtually any other log.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Interactions With Matter


Four main neutron interactions with matter: Elastic Scattering Inelastic Scattering Fast Absorption Thermal Absorption - moderating interaction - moderating interaction - neutron absorption - result of capture or nuclear interaction

Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Interactions: Elastic Scattering


Neutrons can interact elastically regardless of their kinetic energy. With each interaction, the neutron loses kinetic energy, imparting some to the bombarded nucleus, which remains in its ground state. Neutrons lose the most energy when they interact elastically with hydrogen (H) nuclei (a proton). This is because the hydrogen nucleus has a mass equal to that of the neutron.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Interactions: Inelastic Scattering


Inelastic interactions occur when a neutron is travelling fast, almost always at kinetic energies above about 1MeV, and excites the nucleus to a higher internal energy state. Almost instantly, the nucleus falls back to its ground state, emitting gamma rays at energies unique to the target nucleus. The energy spectrum of prompt gamma rays given off during inelastic-neutron scatterings is primarily used to measure the relative concentrations of oxygen and carbon in the formation fluids. The energy spectrum is also useful in identifying silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and sulphur (S), which can be used to determine lithology.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Interactions: Thermal Absorption


The Neutron is absorbed by the atom and a gamma ray is emitted immediately. Capture is most likely to occur with thermal neutrons although it can occur at any energy level. Although any nucleus can capture a neutron the probability is low except for a few elements. The most common element in formations is chlorine, typically present in the formation water (salty) or in the borehole fluid. The ability for an element to capture a neutron is called Capture Cross Section. This property depends on the element and the incoming neutron energy.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Interactions: Fast Absorption


The Neutron is absorbed by the atom, the new atom decays over a relatively long period of time, emitting other particles and gamma rays. If the neutron is fast, the nucleus that absorbs it may immediately eject a proton or other nuclear particle and become an excited, unstable nucleus of a new element. This interaction is also known as activation.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Life of a Neutron
A high energy Neutron is emitted from a source. The neutron undergoes many collisions, losing energy mainly through inelastic and elastic scattering. Once it reaches equilibrium (thermal energy level) the neutron continues to make elastic collisions with nuclei, this is called the thermal diffusion phase. Eventually the neutron will suffer a collision in which it is absorbed (captured) with the emission of a gamma ray, characteristic of the nucleus involved. It then disappears from the neutron population.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Life of a Neutron
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Neutron energy is reduced rapidly, through collisions, to about 0.025 eV (at room temperature).

Neutron Energy (eV)

104

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Thermal Diffusion Region


10 eV

100

Epithermal Energy Region 0.4 eV

Capture

0.025 eV 10-2 1 10 100

Time (S)
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Elastic Collisions
During an elastic head-on collision between two particles, there is maximum transfer of energy when both particles have the same mass. Before Collision B is lighter than R

B has the same mass as R

B is heavier than R
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Elastic Collisions
During an elastic head-on collision between two particles, there is maximum transfer of energy when both particles have the same mass. Before Collision After Collision

B bounces back R moves forward

Neutron Porosity Logging

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Elastic Collisions
During an elastic head-on collision between two particles, there is maximum transfer of energy when both particles have the same mass. Before Collision After Collision

B continues forward R moves forward

Neutron Porosity Logging

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Elastic Collisions
During an elastic head-on collision between two particles, there is maximum transfer of energy when both particles have the same mass. Before Collision After Collision B stops R moves forward

B has transferred all its energy to R

Neutron Porosity Logging

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Elastic Scattering
Since the neutron has the same mass as a proton, it will lose the most energy when it collides with hydrogen atoms, which have essentially the same mass as a proton. Hydrogen contributes most to neutron slowing down. Once neutrons have been slowed down to thermal level through collisions with hydrogen and other atoms, they move randomly away from the source and are eventually captured and disappear from the neutron population.

Neutron Porosity Logging

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Hydrogen Index
The number of neutrons present at a given distance from the neutron source is inversely related to how efficient the formation is at slowing them down. Since Hydrogen has the most slowing-down power, this slowing-down length is measured in terms of Hydrogen Index (HI) of the formation. The Hydrogen Index of fresh water is defined as 1.

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Elastic Scattering Efficiency


This table shows the average number of collisions with a given element, that is necessary to lower the neutron energy from 2 MeV down to the 0.025 eV thermal level.
Element Hydrogen (H) Carbon (C) Oxygen (O) Sodium (Na) Aluminum (Al) Silicon (Si) Chlorine (Cl) Calcium (Ca) Iron (Fe)
Neutron Porosity Logging

Atomic Number ( Z ) 1 6 8 11 13 14 17 20 26

Number of Collisions 18 115 150 215 250 261 329 371 514
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Basic Design of a Neutron Porosity Tool


Borehole
Formation Hydrogen Index

Formation

Neutron Detector

Neutron Source

Neutron count rate at a fixed distance from the source

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Neutron Sources
Two types of neutron sources are used in the well logging industry: Chemical Sources Electronic Sources

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Chemical Neutron Source (AmBe)


The chemical neutron source used for neutron logging is a mixture of americium (Am241) and beryllium (Be). Am241 is an alpha emitter. When the alpha particles interact with beryllium, neutrons are produced. The energy emission level from this source ranges from 1 to 10 MeV, with a peak between 4 and 5 MeV. The americium-beryllium (AmBe) neutron source has a half-life of 433 years.

Neutron Porosity Logging

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Chemical Neutron Source (AmBe)

Neutron Porosity Logging

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Electronic Neutron Source (Minitron)


The minitron is an electronic neutron accelerator. Neutrons are produced by "pulsing" the neutron accelerator. It consists of a ceramic tube containing tritium and deuterium at low pressure. The deuterium ions are accelerated by a high voltage and hit a tritium target. This creates neutrons at an energy of 14 MeV. A minitron typically emits eight times as many neutrons with three times as much energy as a conventional chemical logging source.

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Electronic Neutron Source

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Neutron Sources Comparison


Chemical (AmBe)
Simple and reliable Always on Low neutron output Low energy (4-5 MeV)

Electronic (Minitron)
Complex design Can be pulsed (turned on and off) High neutron output (eight times more) High energy (14 MeV)

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Compensated Neutron Tool (CNT)


AmBe chemical neutron source. Two He3 Neutron Detectors. Mandrel design, with radial symmetry, i.e. there is no backshielding and no preferential orientation. Tool is run eccentralized, applied to the formation by a bow spring.

Ratio of count rates at the near and far detectors is converted to hydrogen index.
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Neutron Porosity Logs (Schlumberger)


NPHI Derived from the instantaneous ratio of near and far count rates. The ratio is calibrated and converted to porosity. Hole size correction is usually applied at the well site. Near and far count rates are corrected for dead time and calibrated. They are depth-matched and resolution matched before the ratio is taken. Ratio is converted to porosity using a new transform. All borehole corrections can be applied at the well site, but TFE request that only hole size be applied As TNPH, with the addition of deconvolution based on the near-detector count rates. This improves the vertical resolution.

TNPH

NPOR

HTNP
HNPO

As TNPH, with higher sampling rate (2-inch instead of 6-inch).


As NPOR, with higher sampling rate (2-inch instead of 6-inch).

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Neutron Porosity Logs (Halliburton)


NPHI ENPH Neutron Porosity. Enhanced Vertical Resolution Neutron Porosity.

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Neutron Borehole Corrections Options


HSCO SOCO MCCO BSCO FSCO PTCO CCCO Hole size (casing size) correction option Standoff correction option Mudcake correction option Borehole salinity correction option Formation salinity corrections options

MWCO Mud weight correction option Pressure and temperature correction option Casing and cement thickness correction option

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Neutron Tool Calibration


Because neutron detector sensitivities and mechanical tolerances may vary from one tool to another, the measurement must be calibrated. This is performed in a water-filled tank with the logging source in place. The basic procedure consists of: 1. Measurement of housing diameter and water temperature are critical for an accurate calibration. 2. Background measurement. The value of the background is determined by the alpha sources in the detectors.

3. Plus measurement in the water tank with logging source.


4. Computation of gains and offsets. The offset is due to the ALPHA CHECK sources. 50Bq U-234 painted on each detector 5. Plateau checks. While not actually required for the calibration, the plateau checks ensure functioning of the tool instrumentation.

Neutron Porosity Logging

Neutron Tool Calibration


Primary Artificial Porous Formation at the University of Houston NCT-B Tank (Shop) The proportions of water, air and Al at 75 degf give an apparent porosity = 18 %, simulating limestone matrix and hole size 7-7/8. CNB or Alpha detectors (Check)

Master

Field

Neutron Porosity Logging

CNL Curve Outputs


Standard Resolution
Sampling rate: 6 inches NPHI, TNPH, NPOR, NPHI This log should be recorded at 1800 ft/hr.

High Sampling Rate


Sampling rate: 2 inches HTNP, HNPO, ENPH This log should be recorded at 900 ft/hr Curves are over-sampled and noisy

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Neutron Log Display and Scales

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Neutron Porosity Borehole Corrections


Standard Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = fresh water Temperature = ambient Pressure = atmospheric Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Hole Size Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 11 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = fresh water Temperature = ambient Pressure = atmospheric Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Hole Size Correction

Chart Por-14c
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Neutron Porosity Mud Cake Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


Mud cake is present Borehole Fluid = fresh water Temperature = ambient Pressure = atmospheric Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Mud Cake Correction

Chart Por-14c
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Neutron Porosity Mud Salinity Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = salt water Temperature = ambient Pressure = atmospheric Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Mud Salinity Correction

Chart Por-14c
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Neutron Porosity Mud Weight Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = mud Temperature = ambient Pressure = atmospheric Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Mud Weight Correction

Chart Por-14c
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Neutron Porosity Temperature Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = fresh water Temperature = hot Pressure = atmospheric Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Temperature Correction

Chart Por-14c
Neutron Porosity Logging

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Neutron Porosity Pressure Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = fresh water Temperature = ambient Pressure = high Tool is eccentered

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Neutron Porosity Pressure Correction

Chart Por-14c
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Neutron Porosity Standoff Correction


Actual Conditions:

Hole Diameter = 8 inches


No mud cake Borehole Fluid = fresh water Temperature = ambient Pressure = atmospheric Tool standoff

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Neutron Porosity Standoff Correction

Chart Por-14d
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Neutron Borehole Corrections (Halliburton)

Chart Por-4a
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Porosity from Neutron Log


The Compensated Neutron logging tool does NOT measure porosity. It measures Hydrogen Index. This Hydrogen Index is function of porosity, but also of lithology and fluid type. For convenience (?) the measurement is displayed as an apparent limestone porosity. This means that the measurement, after all borehole corrections, only represents true formation porosity in a clean limestone formation filled with fresh water. This is seldom the case in the Kutai basin.

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Porosity from Neutron Log

True Porosity for Indicated Matrix

25 p.u. 20 p.u. 17 p.u.

20 p.u.

Apparent Limestone Porosity (p.u.)

Chart Por-13b
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Porosity from Neutron Log


Measured porosity (in Limestone units) is 25 p.u. Determine true porosity, using Chart Por-13b. 1. Assuming matrix is quartz sandstone 2. Assuming matrix is calcite 3. Assuming matrix is dolomite

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Porosity from Neutron Log

True Porosity for Indicated Matrix

25 p.u.

Apparent Limestone Porosity (p.u.)

Chart Por-13b
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Light Hydrocarbon Effect


The CNL neutron porosity is calibrated assuming that the fluid in the pore space is fresh water (hydrogen index equal to 1). Gas has a very low hydrogen index: the amount of hydrogen per unit volume is much less than in water. In a gas-bearing reservoir, the CNL sees much less hydrogen than it would if the same reservoir were filled with water. What effect does this have on inferred porosity?

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Light Hydrocarbon Effect


In a gas-bearing formation, neutron porosity is much lower than the actual porosity of the rock. This is because the CNL actually measures the hydrogen index of the formation, not its porosity.

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Gas Effect on Neutron Log

Gas/Oil Contact

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Neutron Response
6 0 CALI GR 16 150 1.95 45 RHOB TNPH 2.95 -15

Shale

Halite
Borehole Washout

20 p.u. Limestone (gas) 20 p.u. Limestone (oil) 20 p.u. Limestone (water) 20 p.u. Dolomite (water) 20 p.u. Sandstone (water) 20 p.u. Limestone (water) 10 p.u. Limestone (water)
Neutron Porosity Logging

Pore Fluid

Lithology

Porosity

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