Patent · US Expired

Quantitative determination by elemental logging of subsurface formation properties

US4712424A · kind A · utility

41Cited by
19References
48Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 28, 1984
Grant dateDec 15, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 28, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V11/00
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods are disclosed which provide for quantifying and characterizing the mineral content of a formation as a function of depth. Elemental data derived from logging tools are input into an element-mineral transform operation, preferably a matrix which is constructed using multivariate statistical analysis on previously available data, to determine the quantity of at least one or more dominant minerals in the formation. From the mineral quantity information and the elemental log data, the formation minerals are further characterized. Information regarding the character and quantities of formation minerals is further used to obtain improved determinations of formation characteristics such as the cation exchange capacity and water saturation, and the grain density and formation porosity, as well as to obtain an increased understanding of the formation such as the depositional environment of the formation. A determination of formation characteristics and an increased understanding of the formation are both vital to production decisions concerning the formation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.