I

I
!
THE CARBON/OXYGEN LOG MEASUREMENT
ABSTRACT
BY
P. A. WICHMANN, E. C. HOPKINSON,
and
V. C. McWHIRTER
Dresser Atlas - Houston, Texas
A new pulsed neutron hgging technique has been de-
veloped to unambiguously identify the presence of the
element carbon. The CarbonlOxygen Log is currently available
on a limited commercial basis in North America and has been
i
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i
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I
tested under a wide variety of field conditions.
f
This paper covers the theory of the logs response and
shows examples of what is available in the way of taped
output. The basics of interpretation by a simplified pattern
recognition technique are reviewed along with test pit
measurements and varified field response.
INTRODUCTION
During the past three years, a Carbonloxygen logging
survey several hundred wells. Despite the fact that a great
1 (;$ many of these applications have been made as a last resort
1 when definitive answers could not be derived from other more
I conventional logging methods, the device has scored a very
high success ratio in predicting the type of fluid ultimately
produced. Also complicating these initial efforts is the fact
that development and improvement of the instrumentation has
been continuous over this period of time and even now, a
significant advance is on the verge of commercial introduction.
I
device has been commercially available and has been used to
I
y Rays From Inelastic Collisions
1000 11s
Jf & Days cI
y Rays From Thermal Neutron Capture
y Rays From Neutron Activation Products
FIGURE 1
The Dresser Atlas Carbon/Oxygen Log is made possible
by an electro-mechanical device that can be pulsed in extreme-
ly short, concentrated bursts of 14 Mev neutrons and a
detector system that can selectively discriminate and count the
high energy gamma rays that result from the inelastic collisions
of these neutrons with the atoms of carbon and oxygen.
dj Figure 1 schematically reviews the source and time frame of
neutron bombardment induced gamma radiation. Note that
the inelastic or prompt gamma rays exist only while the very
high energy neutron source is on and for a very few micro-
seconds following the cessation of the pulse. From this period
of time until the neutron source is reactivated, only gamma
rays of thermal neutron capture, and to a lesser degree,
activation gamma rays, are present. This is an extremely
important point, as the 4.43 Mev inelastic carbon gamma ray is
the only unambiguous nuclear indicator of that element in
nature.
THE INSTRUMENT
AND ITS CALIBRATION
The current commercial version of the C/O logging
instrument is made up principally of the neutron generator, an
electro-mechanical apparatus using the deuterium on tritium
reaction to produce 14 Mev neutrons at an average rate of 108
per second and a gated NaI scintillation detector. The window
is 6 to 7 microseconds wide and the repetition rate is 4,000
neutron pulses per second. The current generation of instru-
ments is designed for stationary readings to overcome the
statistical limitations of the data.
A prototype device, designed after the method of Schultz
et al, is currently being field tested as a continuous logger. To
overcome the current statistical limitations of the older instru-
ments, the generator is pulsed more rapidly at 20,000 times
per second and the resultant increased undesired background is
compensated for by measuring just prior to the neutron burst.
Figure 2 is a short section of a 35% porosity sand containing
both oil and water that was logged at 4 feet per minute with
this prototype instrument.
FIGURE 2
THE LOG ANALYST 25
The commercial stationary C/O instruments provide all
the background of experience on which our interpretation
data base is predicated. The same phenomena that produces
the unique 4.43 Mev inelastic carbon gamma ray also produces
a 6.1 Mev inelastic oxygen gamma ray. The surface calibrator
is comprised of a conventional chemical neutron source inside
its carrying container. This container is made of wax with an
outer iron casing. This assemblage of material in proximity to
a conventional neutron source insures the presence of 7.6 Mev
iron, the 4.43 carbon and 2.22 Mev hydrogen gamma rays.
Figure 3 shows the typical spectrum of a surface calibration of
this device. The most prominent peaks of gamma ray energy
apparent from this illustration are the inelastic photo peak of
carbon and its two escape peaks at 4.43 MeV, 3.92 Mev and
3.41 MeV respectively, and the hydrogen capture peak at 2.2
MeV. Also identifiable in this calibration spectrum are the iron
capture peak and its two escape peaks at 7.64 MeV, 7.13 Mev
and 6.62 MeV, respectively.
Hydrogen Capture
2.2 MEV . CH. 64
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
f
Scale Change
FIGURE 3
Other gamma rays are present but not particularly
prominent in this surface calibration. The typical locations of
each of these gamma ray peaks on the 256 channel analyzer
are summarized in Table I.
TABLE I
Identifying Gamma Ray Energy-Mev Channel Number
Silicon Inelastic
Calcium capture
Hydrogen capture
Carbon 2nd escape
Carbon 1s t escape
Carbon photo peak
Iron 2nd escape
Iron 1st escape
Iron capture peak
1.78
1.96
2.2
3.41
3.92
4.43
6.62
7.13
7.64
51
57
64
99
113
128
189
204
218
This surface calibration has always been easily maintained
downhole as we have consistently been able to identify at least
three elements on a continuous basis as the measurements are
being made. Iron is always present in both the instrument
housing and the casing, the hydrogen capture peak is always
prominent and either silicon or calcium, depending on the
major rock type present, have also been consistently in
evidence.
In field operation the two detector gates are chosen to
encompass the more prominent escape peaks of both the 4.43
Mev carbon and the 6.13 Mev oxygen inelastic reactions.
The reason for this is apparent in Figure 3, which shows
the lower energy escape gamma rays to be more numerous
than are the gamma rays in the original photo peaks. In
operation, the total number of counts in each of these two
gates are cumulated with the carbon total divided by the
oxygen total. This is illustrated with the typical inelastic
spectrum shown in Figure 4. The shaded areas represent the
carbon and oxygen gates. The taped data may also be dis-
played in the tabular form illustrated in Table 11.
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. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
Channel Number
FIGURE 4
TEST RESULTS
These carbon-oxygen (C/O) ratio numbers have proven to
be quite significant in defining the fluid content of known
rock types, regardless of the salinity of the connate water in
the system.
Test pit and test barrel results illustrate the stability,
repeatability, and consistency of the numbers. First, 55-gallon
drums containing loosely packed clean beach sand-porosity
40%-were fitted with a 4" O.D. pipe through their axial
centers. Each of three such sand-filled drums were saturated
with kerosene, alcohol (C,H,OH) and fresh tap water. The
C/O ratios measured in these three barrels are summarized in
Table 111.
Subsequent field measurements of clean or shaly (but
non-carbonaceous) 100% water bearing sands have consistently
recorded C/O values of 1.57 to 1.6 1. As the percentage of bulk
volume of oil increases, the C/O ratio has consistently in-
creased in approximately the same proportion that one would
predict from these simple sand barrel tests illustrated in Table
111.
26 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1976
TABLE II
DATA FROM CRRBOWOXYGEN LOG RUN 7
CHANNEL NO.
, 0
10
28
30
45
50
60
70
38
180
I10
I 20
I30
148
158
I60
1 PI3
180
190
206
210
220
236
240
258
80
1
0.
9.
8082.
3634.
2385.
1865.
1183.
ae4.
841.
628.
513.
446.
365.
360.
322.
316.
353.
225.
137.
91.
73.
46.
33.
23.
15.
1136.
2
8.
7335.
3360.
2277.
1767.
1121.
913.
783.
700.
532.
354.
345.
292.
345.
335.
265.
201.
142.
67.
42.
? I .
18.
14.
80 .
4013.
se.
3
0.
367.
6633.
2069.
1615.
1123.
913.
717.
589.
510.
424.
351.
327.
343.
383.
277.
274.
197.
130.
55.
42.
23.
16.
16.
32e7.
138.
4
0.
7664.
2817.
3194.
1433.
1166.
697.
625.
543 *
451.
343.
386.
357.
274.
297.
280.
160.
133.
79.
47.
2s .
18.
1 1 .
2888.
869.
38.
5 6
a. 0.
28915. 23101.
f d f l . 5408.
3141. 3015.
1929. 1858.
1141. 1039.
-. -
1410. 13137.
913. 1322.
682. 701.
509. 589.
536. 525.
486. 451.
368. 371.
340. 326.
345. 355.
288. 290.
267. 2613.
276. 252.
143. 154.
124. 105.
71. 63.
45. 54.
32. 40.
34. 18.
13. 22.
20.
7
8.
13947.
4738.
2768.
1797.
1343.
1019.
667.
552.
519.
419.
367.
326.
347.
273.
244.
247.
98.
63.
43.
31.
72.
26.
830.
1713.
8
1.
11348.
4483.
2660.
1766.
993.
825.
659.
470.
376.
342.
322.
321.
254.
282.
215.
163.
107.
57.
42.
28.
31.
19.
12132.
585.
9
2.
10059.
4265.
1798.
1301.
978.
663.
556.
472.
397.
316.
274.
318.
391.
256.
195.
143.
95.
56.
37.
39.
28 .
16.
25113.
1306.
I 0
5.
9111.
3878.
2435.
1777.
1266.
920.
794.
655.
521.
487.
375.
354.
319.
334.
310.
256.
181.
132.
117.
52.
54.
30.
2n.
12.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RUll NUMBER DEPTHCFT) CAL CHI EN 1 CRL CH2 EN2 TIME(SEC1
7 0.0a 64.00 2.22 206.08 7.13 360
UINDOW I = 3.27- 4.24 MEV WINDOW E = 4.98- 5.137 MEV
LOWER CHANNEL UPPER CHANNEL SUM ST DEV LOWER CHANNEL UPPER CHRNNEL SUN ST DEV RRTIO ERROR TOTRL COUNTS
94. 122. 13996. 118.30 141. 169. 8928. 94.49 1.5613 8.021 204871.
94.37 122.42 13914.13 117.96 141.51 169.56 890e.09 94.38 1.562 0.021 204071.
TABLE 111
s
a
a
!-
0
0
.
Fluid C/O Ratio
Kerosine barrel
Alcohol barrel
Water barrel
1.86
1.70
1.61
1.72
1.70
1.68
1.66
1.64
1.62
1.60
1.58
1.56
100 80 60 40 20
Water Saturation %
FIGURE 5
A typical saturation calibration curve-from a California
sand sequence with an average porosity of 30%-illustrates this
simple linear relationship in Figure 5.
When non-carbonaceous sands are the rule, interpretation
is just that simple. High C/O values indicate a large bulk
volume of oil and low values show water. Table IV summarizes
some C/O data from a non-carbonaceous heavy oil bearing
sand and compares it to a core analysis of the same interval.
Each logged station was repeated with the C/O measurement
and multiple core analysis measurements were also made.
Core Analysis
Dept h
785
7 59
740
723
702
683
647
c/o
1.61
1.61
1.60
1.61
1.63
1.64
1.66
1.67
1.56
1.57
1.68
1.68
1.69
1.68
Si ICa $J
1.65 31.3
34.5
1.67 32.4
32.3
31.5
1.66 29.5
27.2
30.1
1.69 31.4
32.8
31.7
1.44 Shale
1.64 32.5
31.5
31.2
1.60 31.1
30.2
30.7
TABLE IV
Oil Water
0.0 78.4
0.0 81..7
26.9 70.0
23.8 76.4
16.4 82.0
22.2 71.2
21.5 71.5
34.3 55.2
42.5 57.1
42.3 55.1
43.9 53.5
54.6 41.0
53.8 45.1
47.4 46.2
60.2 39.0
57.6 41.9
60.2 38.7
THE LOG ANALYST 27
Besides the increasing C/O ratio with increasing oil
saturation, please pay special attention to the C/O number in
the shale at 702 feet. The close agreement of this value to
those in 100% water bearing non-carbonaceous sands is the
reason that the measurement is so useful in shaly sands as well
as those containing fresh to brackish formation water. Non-
carbonaceous shales have been consistent in exhibiting
responses on this order of magnitude.
ADDITIONAL LOG DATA
The C/O measurement uses data that is recorded only
while the neutron source is active. For the station measure-
ment instrument, this represents only a little more than 3% of
the total time. Between pulses, a large number of gamma rays
of thermal capture are present. These can be very useful in
defining key elements, notably silicon and calcium, that type
the actual rock matrix. To take advantage of this capture
phenomena the other half of the 5 12 channel analyzer is used
to accumulate gamma rays between the neutron pulses.
with this data and either the total capture gamma ray counts
or the inelastic gamma ray counts may also be recorded. These
records have also been useful in helping to define the presence
of gas.
FIGURE 7
SIMPLIFIED FIELD INTERPRETATION
Where carbonates and tighter limey sands occur in
proximity to productive non-carbonaceous sands, both C/O
and Si/Ca data must be used to define the productive intervals.
Lock and Hoyer proposed a simple pattern recognition tech-
nique to accomplish this interpretation. Figure 8 represents
their plot of C/O and Si/Ca data from an East Texas well. The
circular symbols represent known gas sands in the area. Gas,
with its lower concentration of carbon per unit volume of
hydrocarbon material, yields values of the C/O ratio between
those of oil and water bearing rocks. Based on test data and
known production, Figure 9 was then sectioned into areas of
likely production characteristics that are quite accurate for
this specific area. As the lithology becomes more complex and
water salinities change (gamma rays of capture for chlorine
occur at coincident peaks with the calcium) the interpretation
becomes more complex and computer techniques and addi-
tional logs that are described elsewhere must be used.
4.0
3.0
$ 2.0
fa
E
E
c?i
1.0
0
2 4 6 0
Gamma Ray Energy . MeV
FIGURE 6
1.8
Figure 6 represents idealized capture gamma ray spectra
for both a limestone and a sandstone. Note that the major
silicon peaks (the dotted curve) occur in roughly the same part
of the spectrum as do the inelastic gamma rays resulting from
carbon. Conversely, the calcium peaks are most prevalent in
the area where the inelastic oxygen gamma rays are measured.
In a similar manner to the C/O ratio measurement, a Si/Ca
ratio is also taken as a stationary reading. Because of the larger
number of counts available, this measurement may also be
recorded continuously as a lithology indicator. Figure 7 shows
such a continuous log of the silicon and calcium curves and
their ratio correlated to an electrolog. Also included on the log
is the trace of the source monitor. Our procedures are flexible
0 1.7
F
a
a
0
0 1.6
.
1.5
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0
Si/Ca RATIO
FIGURE 8
28 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1976
1.8
1.7
0
I-
2
0
o 1.6
.
1.5
8. Vexcellha, W. C., Skaggs, L. L, Bishop, W. D., DeVries, M. R,
McWhirter, V. C, and Wichmann, P. A, Clastic Formation
Evaluation Program in Cased Holes for Both Fresh and Saline
Formation Waters to Determine Hydrocarbon Content., SPE Fall
Meeting, Dallas, 1975, SPE 5508.
McWhirter, V. C, Introduction to Carbon Logging, SPE Re-
gional, Casper, 1976, SPE 5906.
9.
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1
SVCa RATIO
FIGURE 9
CONCLUSIONS
WICHMANN
The C/O log is an important new technical development
in the search for hydrocarbons that are already cased off. It
also provides for a direct measurement of the key element
carbon, making the salinity less
critical parameter in cased lt of
this instrumentation has been cununuuus m u LIK currently
available stationary measurement will soon be giving way to
tools that will be capable of continuous logging.
of the connate water amuch
hole log analysis. Developmer
-_ - ---L. -__-__- *LA --_---
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors must acknowledge the work of a number of
Dresser Atlas employees, but most particularly that of R. B.
Culver and R. A. Bergan, who were most responsible for the
instrumentation and neutron source development that are the
heart of t h i s logging system.
REFERENCES
1. Hoyer, W. A., and Rumble, R C., Field Experience in Measuring
Oil Content, Lithology and Porosity with a High Energy Neutron-
Induced Spectral Logging System, Journal Petroleum Tech-
nology, July, 1975, p. 801.
2. Caldwell, R. L, Mills, W. R., Jr., and Hichman, J. B., Jr., %amma
Radiation FromInelastic Scattering of 14-Mev Neutrons by the
Common Earth Elements, Nuclear Science and Engineering
(1960), Vol. 8, p. 173.
3. Lawson, B. I,., and Cook, C. F., and Owen, J. D., A Theoretical
and Laboratory Evaluation, presented at the 45th Annual Meet-
ing of the SPE of AIME, Houston, Texas (October 47,1970).
4. Lock, G. A. and Hoyer, W. A.
and Interpretation, Journal
19741, p. 1044.
, Carbon-Oxygen (C/O) Log: Use
of Petroleum Technology, (Sept.
5. Schultz, W. E. and Smith, H. -., -vvr..rvry liul,.
Evaluation of a CarbonlOxygen (C/O) Well Logging System,
Journal of PetroleumTechnology, (Oct. 1975), Vol. XXVI.
6.
Smith, H. W. and Schultz, W. E., Field Experience in Deter-
mining Oil Saturations from Continuous C/O and Ca/Si Logs
Independent of Salinity and Shaliness, Transactions of SPWLA
Fifteenth Annual Logging Symposium, June 2-5, 1974, McAllen,
Texas.
7. culver, K. B., Hoplunson, P;. C. and youmans, A. H., --carbon/
Oxygen (C/O) Logging Instrumentation, SPE Journal, VoL 14,
No. 5, Oct. 1974.
THE LOG ANALYST 29
McWHl RTER HOPKINSON
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
M R P. A. WICHMANN is the Manager of Log Analysis for Dresser
Atlas in Houston. A 1958 honors graduate PetroleumEngineer from
the Colorado School of Mines, he worked for the Shell Oil Company
fromthat date until 1965 in a variety of positions, including Petro-
physical Engineer. At that time he went to work for Dresser as a
Research Log Analyst for Lane-Wells. In 1968 he became Chief Log
Analyst for Dresser Atlas and assumed his present duties early in 1975.
Mr. Wichmann has been active in the SPWLA for a number of
years, and was recently on the National Board of Directors. Hehas
authored or coauthored over 30 technical papers, including 16 that
haveappeared in SPWLA publications. Hehas also spoken at numerous
international and local SPWLA and SPE meetings. Besides the SFWLA,
he is a member of t he CWLS, the SPE of AIME, Tau BetaPi, and is a
Registered Engineer in the State of Texas.
MR. VERNIE C. McWHIRTER is Senior Projects Engineer in the
Research and Engineering Department of Dresser Atlas. Hehas been
associated with Dresser Atlas and its predecessors since 1951.
Hehas had extensive field experience in nuclear logging techniques
and has written several papers on nuclear logging techniques.
Heattended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
M R ERIC C. HOPKINSON is Manager of Pulsed Neutron Logging
Systems in the Research and Engineering Department of Dresser Atlas.
Hehas been associated with nuclear logging research since 1952
when he joined Well Surveys, Inc. which later became a part of Dresser
Industries. Mr. Hopkinson has had an important part in the develop-
ment of a number of Dresser Atlas nuclear innovations, including the
Neutron Lifetime Logand the C/O Log.
He graduated from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario,
Canadawith a BSc in Engineering Physics in 1950. Fromthat time until
he joined Well Surveys, he worked for the Canadian Government
Department of National Defense.