A method to describe inelastic gamma field distribution in neutron gamma density logging

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes 2017-11, Vol.129, p.189-195
• Main Authors: Zhang, Feng, Zhang, Quanying, Liu, Juntao, Wang, Xinguang, Wu, He, Jia, Wenbao, Ti, Yongzhou, Qiu, Fei, Zhang, Xiaoyang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Field distribution; Formation parameters; Inelastic gamma; Quantitative calculation
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.08.024

Pulsed neutron gamma density logging (NGD) is of great significance for radioprotection and density measurement in LWD, however, the current methods have difficulty in quantitative calculation and single factor analysis for the inelastic gamma field distribution. In order to clarify the NGD mechanism, a new method is developed to describe the inelastic gamma field distribution. Based on the fast-neutron scattering and gamma attenuation, the inelastic gamma field distribution is characterized by the inelastic scattering cross section, fast-neutron scattering free path, formation density and other parameters. And the contribution of formation parameters on the field distribution is quantitatively analyzed. The results shows the contribution of density attenuation is opposite to that of inelastic scattering cross section and fast-neutron scattering free path. And as the detector-spacing increases, the density attenuation gradually plays a dominant role in the gamma field distribution, which means large detector-spacing is more favorable for the density measurement. Besides, the relationship of density sensitivity and detector spacing was studied according to this gamma field distribution, therefore, the spacing of near and far gamma ray detector is determined. The research provides theoretical guidance for the tool parameter design and density determination of pulsed neutron gamma density logging technique. •The method is proposed to describe the inelastic gamma field distribution in NGD.•Effects of formation parameters on the field distribution is individually analyzed.•The detector-spacing combination on density sensitivity is studied by the method.•The method can provide theoretical guidance for NGD instrument design.