Neutron Logging of Drill Holes: The Neutron‐neutron Method

Abstract

Experiments were performed to determine the distribution of thermal neutrons and of indium resonance neutrons in continuous hydrogenous media and in pipes passing through hydrogenous media. Included in the study were water, brine, mixtures of sand and water, and mixtures of sand and brine. Experiments in a continuous typical barite drilling mud showed that the neutron distributions were essentially the same as in water. Also, from the point of view of these experiments, oil and fresh water are nearly identical. These experiments show that well fluid (and, by inference, cement) imposes serious limitations on the sensitivity and accuracy of the neutron‐neutron logging method. The indium resonance neutron response (or, in general, the intensity of epithermal neutrons) is a more reliable indicator of hydrogen content of the formation than is the thermal neutron response. The neutron‐neutron method of chlorine determination was found to be not sensitive enough to be useful with brines of the concentrations ordinarily found in reservoirs.

Nuclear Techniques for Subsurface Geology

“…Nuclear measurement techniques were first used in 1939 (3) and, since that time, have come to play a dominant role in the analysis of subsurface geology. The developments in nuclear techniques have been motivated by a desire to generate a better understanding of the subsurface geology for the location and evaluation of oil, gas, and mineral resources (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21), as welI as for a better understanding of geological processes (22).…”

Nuclear Techniques For Subsurface Geology

“…Nuclear measurement techniques were first used in 1939 (3) and, since that time, have come to play a dominant role in the analysis of subsurface ELUS, SCHWEITZER & ULLO geology. The developments in nuclear techniques have been motivated by a desire to generate a better understanding of the subsurface geology for the location and evaluation of oil, gas, and mineral resources (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21), as welI as for a better understanding of geological processes (22).…”