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Shale Index from Gamma Ray Spectrometry - Thorium Formula

Ish,Th=CTh,logCTh,minCTh,shCTh,minI_{sh,Th}=\frac{C_{Th,log}-C_{Th,min}}{C_{Th,sh}-C_{Th,min}}

Shale Index from Gamma Ray Spectrometry - Thorium calculates thorium shale index for rock properties workflows in petrophysics.

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How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (C_Th_log, C_Th_min, C_Th_sh) are known and the assumptions behind the cited rock properties relationship match the engineering case being checked.

Assumptions

  • Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
  • The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
  • The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.

Limitations

  • The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
  • Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
  • Using default example values as field recommendations.
  • Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.

Default example

Using the default inputs, I_sh_Th equals 0.375 dimensionless.

C_Th_logppm

8

C_Th_minppm

2

C_Th_shppm

18

Inputs

C_Th_log

ppm

Thorium Curve Response in Zone of Interest

C_Th_min

ppm

Thorium Curve Response in Minimum-Radioactivity Zone

C_Th_sh

ppm

Thorium Curve Response in Shale

Outputs

I_sh_Th

dimensionless

Thorium Shale Index

C_Th_log

ppm

Thorium Curve Response in Zone of Interest

C_Th_min

ppm

Thorium Curve Response in Minimum-Radioactivity Zone

C_Th_sh

ppm

Thorium Curve Response in Shale

Source and review

reviewed

Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs, Bassiouni, Z. (1994)

Bassiouni, Z. 1994. Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs. SPE Textbook Series Vol. 4, Chapter 7, Page 156.

Source

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