Available online at http://www.urpjournals.

com

International Journal of Natural and Applied Science

Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved

Original Article
WELL LOG DATA ANALYSIS FOR COAL SEEMS DELINEATION AND ITS PROXIMITY
ANALYSIS IN MAHUAGARHI COAL FIELD, JARKAND, INDIA
J. Srinaiah, Dr. G. Udaya Laxmi and Dr.G.Ramadass
Center of Exploration Geophysics, Osmania University, Hyderabad-7
Corresponding Author Email: sreenu_geo@yahoo.co.in
Received 24 January 2014; accepted 03 February 2014
Abstract
Well log responses can be used to delineate coal seems from non-potential litho-units by cross plotting techniques
(Chatterjee and Paul, 2012). Through these different cross-plots across the study area, different litho units like coal, shaly
coal, carbshale, shale, sand/sandstone, shaly sand have been identified. Well logs are an important information source for
identifying coal layers and infer their characteristics, e.g. ash and moisture content. Determination of ash content of density
log is routine feature. A direct relationship exists between density and ash content.
All the coal seams of 2 exploratory wells namely BH No.3 & 4 have been identified from combined signatures of
available gamma ray, resistivity and density logs against coal and non-coal litho-units, whereas coal seams and other non
coal lithology in well 3 & 4 are marked with the help of available litholog for certain depth using Wellcad Software. The
coal horizons are mostly overlain and underlain by shale or sandstone. Cross-plot analysis indicates the various coal
lithologies which will important role in coal seems exploration and exploitation strategy. Mahuagarhi basin occupies the
south-central part of the Rajmahal group of coal-fields representing approximately North-South trending linear chain of
coal basins and is sandwiched between the Brahmani basin in the south and the Pachwara basin in the north-north-east. In
coal bed identification, the special physical properties of the coal formation, e.g., low density, high resistivity, low natural
gamma cause large impedance contrast between coal seams and inter-seam sediments.
2012 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved.
Key words: Coal seams, Cross-plot techniques, Ash and Moisture content, Mahuagarhi basin, Coal grade, Wellcad
Software
INTRODUCTION
Geophysical borehole logging is routinely
conducted at coal mines for various applications such as
strata correlation from borehole to borehole. Geophysical
well logs respond to variations in petrophyscial factors, the
quality, temperature and pressure of interstitial fluids and
ground water flow. The information obtained from a well
log can be extrapolated vertically within a well and
laterally to other wells for a better understanding of
subsurface geology (Fox, 1934).
Geophysical logs can be used to identify coal beds
and to quantify their resources because coal has several
unique physical properties including low natural
radioactivity, low density, and high resistance to electrical
currents; these properties contrast with those of most other rocks in the
coal-bearing sequence. Thus, geophysical logs can provide
information on the existence, continuity, thickness, and
correlation of shallow to deep buried coal beds unknown
coal-bearing areas that have not yet been fully explored and in the
future may provide information in areas not previously thought
to contain coal.
The important basic concepts that are to be
understood are the volume of investigation, calibration and

extraneous problems (V.V.L.N.Swamy, 1988).The logs

normally run to evaluate a coal bed includes resistivity,
lithology and auxiliary data. The density data under the
lithology are used to determine the coal quality. The
resistivity log is used for coal bed thickness measurements
and coal bed correlation. The spontaneous potential (SP)
under ancillary data is used for indication of permeable
zones. Coal seams are relatively easy to identify and
correlate on well logs.
GEOLOGY OF THE AREA
Jharkhand is surrounded by West Bengal on the
eastern side, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on the western
side and by Orissa on the southern side. On the north is the
state of Bihar. The state of Jharkhand has a total area of
about 79,714 square kilometers, out of which 18,423 square
kilometer area is covered by deep forests. The total land
available for cultivation in Jharkhand is about 38 lakh
hectares. Agriculture is the main source of employment in
the state. Much of the state is covered in forests, which
helps to conserve a fascinating wildlife.
Jharkhand is the richest state in the country as far
as the availability of mineral resources is concerned (Dutt
and Datta 2000; Chandra,1992).The minerals found in

International Journal of Natural and Applied Science 2014; 3(1): 1-5

abundance in Jharkhand are bauxite, coal, iron ore, pyrite,

limestone, copper ore, china clay, fine clay, graphite, soap
stone, silica sand and quartz sand( Bose, 1968).
The Kayada block covers an area of 1.82 Sq.Km
and forms integral part of Mahuagrahi basin. The
Mahuagrahi basin occupies south central Part of Rajmahal
Group of coal fields. The Kayada block is bounded by
Latitudes 240 2447.8, 240 25 0.2and Longitudes 870 28
12.5, 870 28 44.10falling in the Survey of India Top
sheets No 72 P/7, extending over a strike length of 5.07 km
& dip length of 2.68 km. The geology map of study area
shown in figure-1.

Jackson,1986c).The physical parameters logged are

density, caliper, resistivity, resistance, natural gamma.
Qualitative analyses of geophysical logs are interpretation
software is wellcad version 6.3. Qualitative analysis of
geophysical logs comprises of three main stages following.
i) Delineation of well section
The delineation of well section consists (Hoffman
et al., 1982) in differentiating the sequence of formations
with varying Geophysical parameters. From delineation we
can establish the boundaries of different formations and
their thicknesses and lithology.
ii) Characteristics of Geophysical Responses
Based on the study of the several geophysical log
responses ( Gochioco, 2002) described above typical or
characteristic responses for certain important geological
formation and under varying geological condition have
been identified from the present work. For the purpose of
study, formation can be conveniently divided into those
occurring in Rajmahal formation and Barakar formation.
Such logs were recorded with the present data Resistivity
log,Natural log, Sp log, Caliper log, Formation Density log.
The resistivity log shows in coal seams very high value and
rajmahal formation shows medium values. natual gamma
curve shows in coal seams very low value and Rajmahal
formation shows medium and against shale formation
shows very high value observed.formation density log very
import role in coal seams and accurate lithology thickness
identification. The formation density log shows very low
value in coal seams and in sandstone shale responds density
is 2.2 gm/cc to 2.8 gm/cc. caliper log is shows borehole
diameter. In this all bore hole diameter is 80mm to 120
mm. The SP curve is a recording versus the depth of the
difference between the potential of a movable electrode in
the borehole and fixed potential of a surface electrode
(Saha, et al 1992). Figure 2, 3 shown the characteristic of
geophysical response of borewells 3 & 4 respectively.

Figure 1: Geology map of study area

GEOPHYSICAL
WELL
LOGGING
DATA
ACQUISITION
The geophysical well log data acquisition in the
two boreholes consist of qualitative analysis for identifying
coal seams and its thickness of lithology and compare with
the available lithologs. The relation of particular
geophysical log parameter of the section with the coal
seams of the wells and correlation. (Reaves, 1971; Kayal
and Das, 1981; Akhauri et al.1988)
The result of two boreholes presented on scales of
1:1000 m. Individual logs in multiparameters logging are
presented as parallel traces showing the variation with
depth,which is helpful in the delineation of lithology
penetrated
by
the
boreholes
(Buchanan
and

Figure 2: Geophysical Log response of Bore well No. 3.

International Journal of Natural and Applied Science 2014; 3(1): 1-5

Figure 4: Plot Ash Vs Density, Moisture Vs Density, Ash

vs Natural Gamma
density.
The Natural gamma and Density log also used for
identification and correlation of coal and its quality
evaluation. Ash or dirt/shale content is denser than coal and
naturally exhibits greater gamma ray activity also.
Therefore Ash content (%) has positive correlation with
Figure 3: Geophysical Log response of Bore well No. 4.
density as well as gamma ray responses. This is true for
iii ) Coal seams
Mahaugrahi coal field, Kayada block.
Mahuagrahi coal field in coal seams has been
The density and natural gamma are increases with
encountered in the boreholes drilled in this area. Most of increased of percentage ash of where as moisture increase
the coal seams are inter banded in nature and exhibit split density decreased.
section development pattern both along strike and dip
Conclusions
direction. Moreover, coal seams show considerable
Borehole logging, employing geophysical
variation in thickness and lithological characters of methods is one of the most widely utilized geophysical
interseam parting sediments. In view of such variation in techniques in coal exploration. Multiparameter geophysical
facies characteristics of the coal seam sections, zone wise logging of boreholes is very important, among the
grouping and their correlation have been made where each subsurface methods, in all stages of exploration. The Utility
zone comprises a number of coal seam sections having an of different well logging methods of interpretation of the
identifiable facies development cycle. The in crops of coal well log data and other application of log data for
seams projected from interpolation and extrapolation of evaluating coal properties are problem of great
subsurface data generated from boreholes, which are significance. Some of these problems has been tackled in
sometimes widely spaced, are somewhat tentative. the present work by way of obtaining actual field logging
Exploration in this block reveals the occurrence of nine data from boreholes.
regional coal seam zones and these have been numbered I
The geophysical well logs are used qualitative
text in ascending order. Each coal seam zone barring Seam analyze for identifying coal seams, evolution of lithology
Zone- IX is composite one comprising more than one coal (sandstone, shale, carbshale, shaly coal and basalts) and it
seam sections with shaly and sandy interbands.
thickness, compared with the geological core logs.
QUALITY OF COAL
The quality of the coal evaluated from the
It is well known that quality is grade of coal is parameters comprising ash content, moisture presence,
evaluated from the parameter, comprising ash, and volatile matter and fixed carbon in coal in the laboratory.
moisture determined from proximate two boreholes 3 & 4 Coal quality can be determined from geophysical logs by
analysis of coal in laboratory CFRI Ranchi. Nine coal means of cross plots of various log responses observed for
seams shown in table-1 &2.
coal. Therefore, the quality of the coal seams can be
Figure-4 illustrate and support correlation deduced evaluated in the case of non- core holes too.
theoretically these correlation can be explained by taking
Study of coal quality parameters indicates wide
into account the physico-chemical properties responsible variation in quality of coal in different seams from I to IX.
for the log responses and sudden variation at increasing The coal seam developed in the area is non cooking with
International Journal of Natural and Applied Science 2014; 3(1): 1-5

Table 1: B. H. No . 3 Ash%, Moisture%, UHV and Grade values

BH No.3

UHV
K.cal/kg

Grade

26.30

4180.40

7.54

26.85

4154.18

VI

6.40

37.80

2800.40

6.59

VB

8.79

33.43

3073.64

239.92

5.38

VA

7.20

35.20

3048.80

270.61

273.27

2.66

IVB

8.17

26.16

4162.46

282.18

285.18

IV A

6.80

34.70

3173.00

303.99

305.39

1.4

IIIF

6.44

35.58

3101.24

307.43

308.87

1.44

IIIE

6.80

29.30

3918.20

321.93

323.96

2.03

IIID

6.50

27.80

4166.60

347.25

351.83

4.58

III C

7.33

23.35

4666.16

359.43

362.43

III B

7.30

27.10

4152.80

377.83

378.13

0.30

IIIA

7.03

28.56

3988.58

424.33

429.79

5.46

IIB

6.30

30.30

3849.20

445.83

446.7

0.87

IIA

6.40

18.70

5436.20

466.05

473.45

7.4

IC

6.40

27.40

4235.60

474.63

475.66

1.03

IB

5.70

28.70

4152.80

479.9

485.15

5.25

IA

5.50

32.00

3725.00

From

To

Thickness

Seam No.

Moisture%

Ash%

85.95

86.14

0.19

IX

Carb shale

Carb shale

149.38

149.91

0.53

VIII

7.90

188.31

188.66

0.35

VII

208.6

209.75

1.15

222.35

228.94

234.54

Table 2 : B.H.No . 4 Ash%, Moisture%, UHV and Grade values

BH. No.4

From

To

Thickness

Seam No.

Moisture%

Ash%

UHV
K.cal/kg

Grade

95.95

96.29

0.34

IX

7.84

30.62

3592.52

159.31

160

0.69

VIII

6.60

35.20

3131.60

188.59

188.83

0.24

VII

Carb shale

Carb shale

200.31

200.98

0.67

VI

7.50

30.00

3725.00

216.86

219.65

2.79

VB

7.80

28.50

3890.60

231.1

235.34

4.24

VA

7.50

34.30

3131.60

280.21

283.57

3.36

IV A

6.00

42.40

2220.80

298.68

299.3

0.62

IIIF

7.05

30.09

3774.68

305.6

305.83

0.23

IIIE

Carb shale

Carb shale

312.32

313.66

1.34

IIID

7.40

25.00

4428.80

318.8

321.3

2.5

IIIC

6.00

33.50

3449.00

331.35

333.63

2.28

III B

6.60

29.20

3959.60

358.14

359.85

1.71

IIIA

5.66

37.30

2933.92

392.95

395.3

2.35

IIB

7.50

19.80

5132.60

397.79

398.52

0.73

IIA

5.76

37.40

2943.92

441

447.12

6.12

IC

6.00

29.10

4056.20

449.01

450.25

1.24

IB

4.80

40.40

2662.40

453.12

458.73

5.61

IA

5.50

32.30

3683.60

International Journal of Natural and Applied Science 2014; 3(1): 1-5

generally high moisture (1.8to 9.44%), moderate to high

ash content (18.5to 52.80%).
The problem has a large scope for further studies.
The usefulness of the geophysical logging methods like
sonic log and neutron logs needs to be established. Detailed
theoretical and modeling studies, and interrelationship
between various geophysical parameters logged is an
important point to be studied.
Acknowledgements: The authors are also extremely
thankful to Sri. G. Jawahar, GM - Geophysics Division,
GSI, Hyderabad, for his valuable suggestions in the
processing and analysis of the study.
References:
1. Akhauri H.M., Satikari A., Gupta, O.P., Sinha A.S.
and Savanur, R.V. (1988). Estimation of in situ ash in
Indian coal seams from gamma-gamma log, In B.B
2. Bose, J. 1968 : Geological investigation by drilling in
the Chuperbhita and Mahuagarhi Coalfields, Rajmahal
Hills, Santhan Parganas district, Bihar. Goel. Surv.Ind.,
Unpublished progress Rep. From 1964-65.
3. Buchanan, D.J and Jackson, L.J (1986c) Boreholes
logging of coal deposits: Editors commentsIn: Coal
Geophysics, Geophysics Reprint Series No: 6, SEG
Publn, pp 25-27.
4. Chatterjee. R, Paul. S, Application of cross plotting
Techniques for Delineation of Coal and Non-Coal
Litho-Units from Well logs Geomaterials, 2012, 2,
94-104.
5. Dutt, A.B and Datta, R.K (2000) Indian coal resources
spectrum, Proc. Sem on New Challenges for Indian
Coal, Coal resources of India. Mem. Geol. Survey of
India. pp10-13.

6.

7.
8.

9.

10.

11.

12.
13.
14.

15.

D.Chandra,Jharia Coalfield,Mineral Resource of

India, Geological Society of India, Bangalore, 1992.
Harpalani, S.and G. Chen, 1995, Estimation of changes
in fracture porosity of coal with gas emission; Fuel, 74,
1491-1498.
FOX, C.S. (1934) The Lower Gondwana coal field of
India, Mem, Geo. Surv.of India.v.LIXpp.1-386.
Hoffman G.L., Jordan G.R., and Wallis G.R., 1982.
Geophysical Borehole Logging Handbook for Coal
Exploration. Coal Mining Research Center, Edmonton,
270 pp.
Kayal, J.R.and Das Christoffel, D.A (1989) Coal
quality from geophysical logs; Sounth land lignite
region, NewZealand. The log analysist, v30. pp 343352.
M.Gochioco Recent role of Geophysics in US Coal
and CBM Development The Leading Edge, Vol.21,
No.5, 2002, pp.452-455.
Reeves, D.R.(1971) In-situ analysis of coal by
borehole logging techniques, The Canadian Mining
and Metallurgical Bulletin, v.64, pp.67-75.
Robertson Geologging 2009: Winlogger software
version 6.3.
Robertson Geologging 2009: Wellcad software version
6.3.
Saha, S. N., Roy, A.K., Brahman, C.V., Sastry, C. B. K
.And M. K.(1992) Geophysical exploration for Coalbearing Gondwana basin in the state of
West
Bengal and Bihar in northeast India. Tectonophysics,
v. 212, pp.173-192.
V. V. L. N. Swamy, 1988 Computer interpretation of
well logging data.

Source of support: Nil; Conflict of interest: None declared

International Journal of Natural and Applied Science 2014; 3(1): 1-5