Abstract: A method and apparatus monitors well logging information obtained from a logging apparatus moveable in an earth borehole. In a disclosed embodiment, observers are established for determining the presence of specified characteristics of the logging information and generating observation-representative signals in response thereto. A knowledge base is provided, and contains a number of stored observations and stored situations which are linked by specified relationships, for responding to the observation-representative signals by computing and outputting an inference of a stored situation which is inferred from a stored observation corresponding to the observation-representative signals. In a disclosed embodiment, the knowledge base is responsive to observation-representative signals for establishing at least one confirming observer.

Abstract: A well logging apparatus is disclosed which employs slot antennas having a plurality of conductive probes traversing the slot. Also disclosed are a logging apparatus having electrically isolated antenna probes and a logging apparatus with an improved means for generating and applying a reference signal used in phase detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for investigating earth formations surrounding a borehole operates by selectively heating a region of the formations, and measuring the thermal response to obtain useful information concerning the characteristic length scales of the pores in the heated region. The thermal response is obtained indirectly by measuring the electrical conductivity response. The invention can be utilized to obtain, inter alia, indications of porosity, permeability, and the distribution of pore geometries. In accordance with an embodiment of the method of the invention, the following steps are performed: heating a region of the formations with a series of pulses of microwave electromagnetic energy; measuring the conductivity characteristic of the region which result from the heating pulses; and determining a property of the region of the formations from the measured conductivity characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for wireless two-way communication in a cased borehole having tubing extending therethrough. A downhole communications subsystem is mounted on the tubing. The downhole subsystem includes a downhole antenna for coupling electromagnetic energy in a TEM mode to and/or from the annulus between the casing and the tubing. The downhole subsystem further includes a downhole transmitter/receiver coupled to the downhole antenna, for coupling signals to and/or from the antenna. An uphole communications subsystem is located at the earth's surface, and includes an uphole antenna for coupling electromagnetic energy in a TEM mode to and/or from the annulus, and an uphole receiver/transmitter coupled to the uphole antenna, for coupling the signals to and/or from the uphole antenna. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the annulus contains a substantially non-conductive fluid (such as diesel, crude oil, or air) in at least the region of the downhole antenna and above.

Abstract: Well logging techniques are set forth for obtaining improved measurements of formation dielectric permittivity, conductivity, and water-filled porosity. The effects of dielectric and conductivity frequency dispersion are considered and utilized. In a disclosed embodiment, an estimated low frequency conductivity of a formation surrounding a borehole is determined using the following steps: deriving a measured value of formation high frequency conductivity from a logging device which traversed the borehole; determining a formation conductivity dispersion ratio as a function of the measured conductivity; and determining an estimated low frequency conductivity from the measured value of high frequency conductivity and the dispersion ratio.

Abstract: A well logging apparatus is disclosed which employs slot antennas having a plurality of conductive probes traversing the slot. Also disclosed are a logging apparatus having electrically isolated antenna probes and a logging apparatus with an improved circuit for generating and applying a reference signal used in phase detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining hydraulic properties of formations surrounding a borehole. In one embodiment, trial values of hydraulic properties such as vertical and horizontal permeability are selected and used to obtain computed formation pressure responses that are compared to measured pressure responses taken at a source and two observation probe positions. Trial values can then be modified to bring the computed pressure responses closer to the measured ones. An improved technique is also disclosed for obtaining the computed pressure responses.

Abstract: An electromagnetic logging apparatus is disclosed which utilizes vertical magnetic dipole antennas for propagation logging, preferably at a frequency greater than 100 MHz. Slot antennas having conductive probes which are perpendicular to the borehole axis, and also perpendicular to a borehole radius, are employed to obtain the desired vertical magnetic dipole antenna characteristics. The depth of investigation is improved as compared to devices of this type which employ horizontal magnetic dipole antennas. Also, the antennas are tuned in a manner which provides advantageous operation.

Abstract: Well logging techniques are disclosed which use and/or measure formation textural parameters. A disclosed formation textural model is bimodal in nature, and includes fractions of spherical grains and of platey grains having a single aspect ratio. This model is used in obtaining improved well logging recordings.

Abstract: A logging sonde for evaluating underground formations traversed by a borehole is disclosed. The sonde contains a frame which is free to rotate relative to the cylindrical body of the sonde. The frame supports a plurality of detector means including at least one detector which is free to rotate relative to the frame. Also attached to the frame are locking means including braking means and a solenoid for disengaging the braking means from their engaged surfaces. In a rest position, the braking means are arranged in such a manner as to lock the detector means relative to the cylindrical body. The invention is applicable, in particular, to geophones intended to detect seismic waves along three orthogonal axes, including a vertical axis, regardless of the tilt of the sonde.

Abstract: An electromagnetic logging apparatus is disclosed which employs dielectric-filled slot antennas, in conjunction with tuning elements, to obtain improved operation. The apparatus can be used to measure the dielectric constant of formations surrounding a borehole.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved method and apparatus for subsurface electromagnetic logging in a borehole wherein means are provided to detect transverse magnetic mode components and to either correct for these spurious components in the processing of the received signals or to generate suitable cancelling signals.

Abstract: Well logging techniques are set forth for obtaining improved measurements of formation dielectric permittivity, conductivity, and water-filled porosity. The effects of dielectric and conductivity frequency dispersion are considered and utilized. In a disclosed embodiment, a corrected dielectric permittivity of a formation surrounding a borehole is determined using the following steps: deriving a measured value of formation dielectric permittivity from a logging device which traversed the borehole; deriving a measured value of formation conductivity from a logging device which traversed the borehole; determining a formation dielectric permittivity dispersion value as a function of the measured conductivity; and determining a corrected formation dielectric permittivity from the measured value of dielectric permittivity and the dispersion value.

Abstract: An electromagnetic logging apparatus is disclosed which employs dielectric-filled button antennas, in conjunction with tuning elements, to obtain improved operation. The apparatus can be used to measure the dielectric constant of formations surrounding a borehole.