Shale Volume Calculation

Irfan Saputra
HRS Jakarta
CE8R2/ March 2008

Introduction
Shale is usually more radioactive than sand or carbonate, gamma ray log can
be used to calculate volume of shale in porous reservoirs. The volume of shale
expressed as a decimal fraction or percentage is called Vshale.
Calculation of the gamma ray index is the first step needed to determine the
volume of shale from gamma ray log.
All of the prs files are available in the LogMath section of the Hampson-Russell
Knowledgebase for copying and pasting into the LogMath window.

Various Equation for Vshale Calculation

The gamma ray log has several nonlinear empirical responses as well a linear
responses. The non linear responses are based on geographic area or formation age.
All non linear relationships are more optimistic that is they produce a shale volume
value lower than that from the linear equation.
Linear response (Vshale = IGR) :

Vsh = I GR =

GRlog GRmin
GRmax GRmin

Vshale_linear.prs

Various Equation for V shale Calculation

The nonlinear responses are :
Larionov (1969) for Tertiary rocks :

Vsh = 0.083(23.7 I GR 1)
Vshale_Larionov_Tertiary_Rock.prs

Steiber (1970) :

I GR
Vsh =
3 2 I GR
Vshale_Steiber.prs

Clavier (1971) :

Vsh = 1.7 (3.38 ( I GR + 0.7)

1
2 2

Vshale_Clavier.prs

Larionov (1969) for older rock :

Vsh = 0.33 (2 2 I GR 1)
Vshale_Larionov_Older_Rock.prs

Comparison of All Methods

References
Asquith, G., and D. Krygowski, 2004, Basic Well Log Analysis: AAPG Methods
in Exploration 16, p.31-35