Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for subsurface formation evaluation

US4879463A · kind A · utility

69Cited by
18References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 14, 1987
Grant dateNov 7, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 14, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B47/017
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A measurement while drilling nuclear tool adapted to be coupled in the drill string to make formation evaluations and methods of using are described. A neutron source is positioned on the cylindrical axis of the tool while a connected gamma ray source is eccentered against an interior side of the cylindrical tool. Both sources can be axially removed from the tool along its interior. Novel source-detector configurations are provided in order to accommodate the constraints of the MWD environment. Gamma ray transparent windows are provided through both the drill collar and an external fluid excluder (stabilizer) at the positions of the gamma ray source and scintillator detectors. Neutron detectors may be of two different types at the same spacing from the source. Corrections are made for microphonic noise that arises while drilling and for natural gamma ray background. A drilling fluid density determination is made and is utilized to compensate for "borehole" or "standoff" effects.

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