Gamma ray spectral logging devices, in addition to total gamma ray counts, record the individual contributions of potassium-40 isotope, uranium series nuclide bismuth-214, and thorium series nuclide thallium-208. Application of these data to identify fractured shale reservoirs and source-rock characteristics of argillaceous sediments is discussed. Introduction Highly radioactive, black, organic-rich, and gaseous shales are encountered in several U.S. geologic provinces. Such organic-rich shales are not only potential source rocks but frequently owe their localized but significant production potential to natural fracture systems in an otherwise impermeable rock. These natural fracture systems normally are concentrated in the interbedded brittle, calcareous, cherty, or silty zones.Conventional logging and interpretive techniques are not adequate to evaluate satisfactorily the complex and frequently fractured shale reservoirs. Novel applications of gamma ray spectral logging data for characterizing these shale formations as to their reservoir properties and source-rock potential (SRP) are discussed here.Calcareous and silty zones, both characterized by low values of potassium and thorium but excessively high values of uranium, are located easily with natural gamma ray spectral information obtained from highly sensitive scintillation spectrometer logging tools. These interpretive concepts already have assisted in many successful gas- and oilwell completion and recompletion attempts in the more permeable and/or fractured intervals of such shale formations.Such logging information also allows a continuous monitoring of the SRP of shales in open and cased boreholes. Hence, both vertical and lateral SRP variations can be studied using appropriate mapping techniques. Gamma ray spectral data also assist in detailed stratigraphic correlations, because in addition to total gamma ray counts, individual gamma rays emitted by potassium-40 (K(40)), the uranium series nuclide bismuth-214 (Bi(214)), and the thorium series nuclide thallium-208 (TI(208)) are measured.K(40) emits gamma rays at 1.46 MeV, Bi(214) emanates gamma rays at 1.764 MeV, and TI(208) emanates gamma rays at 2.614 MeV. These nuclides are of particular interest to the oil industry because all are found, in various amounts, in subsurface formations as constituents of potential reservoir rocks. Based on an extensive literature search and on recent field observations, a data compilation has been published to document potassium, uranium, and thorium distributions in various rock types.This discussion focuses on the use of gamma ray spectral logging to interpret the reservoir pore structure present in shales. JPT P. 2053＾

During the past quarter century, the exploitation of oil and gas reserves, associated with thick sequences of very fine-grained and coarse-grained rocks in Tertiary basins, have become increasingly important for fulfilling the world's energy needs. Many exploration and reservoir development problems have arisen which demand an analytical solution. The scientific problems have arisen which demand an analytical solution. The scientific and technological problems associated with these geologically young basin sediments include the origin, maintenance and distribution of abnormally high pore-fluid pressures, chemical changes induced in the interstitial water by compaction, origin and migration of hydrocarbons, temperature gradients, clay minerals phase changes and subsidence of the surface. Successful drilling to depths greater than 20,000 feet in these sediments and the amounts of the hydrocarbons discovered and produced depend to a great extent on our knowledge of the physical and mechanical properties and deformation characteristics of the sediments and the interrelationships between their various petrophysical and fluid properties. This paper is an historical review of studies dealing with the effects that gravitational compaction of sediments has on hydrocarbon reservoirs and source beds. Specific attention will be given to the generation of abnormal pore-fluid pressures, chemistry of interstitial fluids, compaction models, pressures, chemistry of interstitial fluids, compaction models, compressibility of the reservoir rocks and surface subsidence. Introduction It has been postulated that gravitational compaction of sediments is directly related to the following parameters and can be functionally represented in the following manner: C = (1) Where C is the degree of compaction, is the stress on the sediment system, is the velocity parameter for solids and interstitial fluids in the system, is the density, is the bulk volume of the sediments, is the porosity, is the permeability of the system, is the burial depth, t is the time, T is the geothermal temperature, and c represents the compressibility relationships. Gravitational compaction of sediments under the influence of their own weight has long been a recognized geologic phenomenon. In the seventeenth century Steno attributed variations in the attitude of sedimentary formations to compaction.

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