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: Systems, for investigating casings which are fitted into boreholes that traverse earth formations and which are suitable for use in evaluating and/or optimizing the cathodic protection of casings and for finding the location and rate of casing corrosion, generally includes a downhole tool capable of investigating the casing along a measurement control unit located around the surface of the earth formation, and a cable having one end connected to the downhole tool and the other connected to the measurement control unit, with the cable including at least a plurality of first connection lines. The tool invention generally includes at least a first pair of longitudinally spaced electrodes, at least a pair of second connection lines, each of the second connection lines having one end connected to a corresponding one of the electrodes, and relays interposed between the first connection lines and the second connection lines.

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: In the representative embodiment of the invention disclosed herein, new and improved tool-orienting apparatus is adapted to be secured on a well tool that is to be moved through a highly-deviated well bore. To assure that the well tool will remain in a selected angular orientation as it is moved in a well bore, the orienting apparatus includes a pair of oppositely-directed generally-helical guide rails that are respectively terminated in lateral projections that are eccentrically located on one side of the orienting apparatus so that the unbalanced weight of a well tool carrying the orienting apparatus will cause the tool to roll over into a selected angular orientation when the tool is being moved through a deviated well bore interval with the lateral projections riding on the lower wall of the well bore interval.

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: 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, to determine the quantity of at least one or more dominant minerals in the formation including minerals distinguishable by degree of crystallinity. 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.

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.

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: 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: 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.

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: Dip measurements and investigation of geological formations traversed by a deviated borehole is carried out by means of an apparatus comprising a measuring sonde and a cartridge connected to a cable. The sonde carries four measuring pads regularly distributed by means of articulated arms which keep the pads parallel to the axis of the sonde. The opposite arms are forced to stay symmetrical in relation to the sonde.The sonde is connected to the cartridge so that its axis can depart angularly from the axis of the cartridge, enabling the latter to rest on the borehole wall. The pads have a length smaller than twice the transverse dimension D of the sonde.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for taking a sample representative of the fluid present in a well comprises an elongated body, suitable for being suspended down the well at the end of a cable. The body includes a removable sampling vessel fixed sideways in a recessed portion of the body which vessel is capable of being used, after being filled downhole, as a vessel for transporting the sample under pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for electrically measuring the inside diameter of a metallic pipe such as oil or gas well casing. The transimpedance of two coaxial coils within the pipe is determined and then resolved into its inphase and quadrature components. The difference of the magnitudes of the two components, .DELTA.Z, is approximated by a function independent of the electrical properties of the pipe but which is a function of the inside diameter of the pipe. The inside diameter is determined from the function in response to the measured .DELTA.Z and may be recorded as a function of travel distance in the pipe.

Abstract: A borehole investigating apparatus includes, an elongated support member, a first pair of wall-engaging pad members individually disposed on opposite sides of the support member along a given line and a second pair of wall-engaging pad members individually disposed on opposite sides of the support member along a given line at right angles to the given line for the first pair. The apparatus further includes first and second pad extending means for respectively moving the pad members of the first and second pairs away from the support member and against the borehole wall. The apparatus further includes primary driving means and a force dividing mechanism coupling this primary driving means to the first and second pad extending means for enabling unequal lateral extension of the pad members of the different pairs..Iaddend.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is suited for use in conjunction with a borehole logging device wherein transmitting and receiving antenna coils are wound on insulating media around the axis of a support means that includes an elongated electrically conductive pipe. In accordance with the invention there is provided a shield for shielding each coil of the device, the shield being adapted to reduce spurious electromagnetic field components (especially transverse magnetic components) while not substantially interfering with the desirable transverse electric components. The shield for each coil comprises a hollow closed-end cylinder mounted on the pipe and surrounding the coil, the cylinder being formed of an electrically conductive material and having a series of equally spaced slots therein. Each slot extends radially outward from the support means along a plane which passes substantially through the axis of the pipe so as to pass through the ends and sides of the cylinder.