Method for monitoring drilling materials for gamma ray activity
US4493998A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V5/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In the preferred and illustrated embodiment taught herein, method steps for monitoring of raw materials to be used in drilling mud are disclosed. The materials are monitored for radioactivity. Procedures for taking such measurements are disclosed, and the extent of gamma radioactivity in the raw materials used in drilling mud is determined. This is correlated to the increased radiation attributable to mud made from these materials and the effect the mud would have on gamma ray measuring logs. An alternate procedure for testing drilling mud, typically at the well site, is also disclosed. The method detects mud radioactivity from any additives including barite, potassium chloride, well cuttings or others. Excessive background levels due to mud gamma radioactivity in a well may very well mask the data obtained by various logging procedures dependent on gamma radiation. Procedures are also described for either rejecting mud which is too radioactive or correcting the log measurements for mud effects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.