The Use of Gamma Ray Log Data to Compute and Study the Deposition of Shale Volume of Mishrif Formation in Middle and Southern Parts of Iraq

Abstract

The shale volume is one of the most important properties that can be computed depending on gamma ray log. The shale volume of Mishrif Formation (carbonate formation from middle Cenomanian- early Turonian) was studied for the regional area of the middle and southern parts of Iraq. The gamma ray log data from seventeen  wells ( Kf-3,Kf-4, Ad-1,Ad -2,Dh-1, Bu-47, Ns-2, Ns-4, Am-1,Am-2,Hf-2,Hf-115,Mj-3,Mj-15, Su-7,Wq-15 and  Lu-7) distributed in the study area were used to compute the shale volume of Mishrif Formation. From the available data of the considered wells, a regional isopach map of Mishrif Formation was obtained. The isopach map indicates that the maximum thickness of Mishrif Formation is located at the eastern part of the study area. The results of the CPI and the shale volume map, which were computed using the Techlog and surfer software,  show that the maximum value of shale volume is located at the southern part of the study area (Su-7  well), while the minimum value is at the eastern  part (Hf-2well). According to the classification of Kamel and Mabrouk (2003), Mishrif Formation seems to be a Shaly Formation in the study area, except Halfaya oil field at the eastern part of the study area, which seems as a Clear Formation. The top map of the shale marker bed, which appears in most studied wells, shows a regional trend of the formation toward the northeast. According to the variation of the thickness of the shale marker bed, the study area is divided into four zones.