Abstract: The present disclosure describes a downhole tool that includes an electrically operated radiation generator that selectively outputs radiation to a surrounding environment based at least in part on supply of electrical power; a radiation detector that determines a first radiation metric based at least in part on first radiation measured when the electrically operated radiation generator is outputting radiation and that determines a second radiation metric based at least in part on second radiation measured when the electrically operated radiation generator is not outputting radiation; and a control system that determines whether the surrounding environment is properly shielded based at least in part on a relationship between the first radiation metric and the second radiation metric.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a downhole tool that includes an electrically operated radiation generator that selectively outputs radiation to a surrounding environment based at least in part on supply of electrical power; a radiation detector that determines a first radiation metric based at least in part on first radiation measured when the electrically operated radiation generator is outputting radiation and that determines a second radiation metric based at least in part on second radiation measured when the electrically operated radiation generator is not outputting radiation; and a control system that determines whether the surrounding environment is properly shielded based at least in part on a relationship between the first radiation metric and the second radiation metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods identify and/or detect one or more features of a well casing by utilizing one or more downhole measurements obtainable by a downhole component. The one or more features of the well casing are identifiable and/or detectable from the one or more measurements associated with one or more properties of the one or more features of the well casing.

Abstract: Systems and methods identify and/or detect one or more features of a well casing by utilizing one or more downhole measurements obtainable by a downhole component. The one or more features of the well casing are identifiable and/or detectable from the one or more measurements associated with one or more properties of the one or more features of the well casing. The one or more measurements for indentifying and/or detecting a presence and/or a location of the one or more features of the well casing include sonic measurements, nuclear measurements, gamma ray measurements, photoelectric measurements, resistivity measurements and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Downhole drilling fluid measurements are made as a function of time or as a function of depth. A change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements is correlated to a feature of a formation penetrated by a drill bit or to a feature of fluids in the formation. The downhole drilling fluid measurements may include density, photoelectric factor, hydrogen index, salinity, thermal neutron capture cross section (Sigma), resistivity, slowness, slowing down time, sound velocity, and elemental composition. The feature may include fluid balance, hole-cleaning, a kick, a shallow water flow, a formation fluid property, formation fluid typing, geosteering, geostopping, or an environmental correction. A downhole system has a measurement-while-drilling tool or a logging-while-drilling tool and a processor capable of obtaining the downhole drilling fluid measurements and correlating the change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements.

Abstract: Downhole drilling fluid measurements are made as a function of time or as a function of depth. A change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements is correlated to a feature of a formation penetrated by a drill bit or to a feature of fluids in the formation. The downhole drilling fluid measurements may include density, photoelectric factor, hydrogen index, salinity, thermal neutron capture cross section (Sigma), resistivity, slowness, slowing down time, sound velocity, and elemental composition. The feature may include fluid balance, hole-cleaning, a kick, a shallow water flow, a formation fluid property, formation fluid typing, geosteering, geostopping, or an environmental correction. A downhole system has a measurement-while-drilling tool or a logging-while-drilling tool and a processor capable of obtaining the downhole drilling fluid measurements and correlating the change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements.

Abstract: An insert apparatus for use in a test formation for a downhole nuclear spectroscopy tool includes an outer liner, and an inner liner defining a cylindrical borehole having a diameter such that the downhole nuclear spectroscopy tool is receivable therein. There is fill material between the outer liner and the inner liner, the material including a formation base material and an elemental standards material. The outer liner, the inner liner, and the fill material are configured such that an elemental standard measurement derived from a test using the insert apparatus is equivalent to an elemental standard measurement from a selected formation.

Abstract: Downhole drilling fluid measurements are made as a function of time or as a function of depth. A change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements is correlated to a feature of a formation penetrated by a drill bit or to a feature of fluids in the formation. The downhole drilling fluid measurements may include density, photoelectric factor, hydrogen index, salinity, thermal neutron capture cross section (Sigma), resistivity, slowness, slowing down time, sound velocity, and elemental composition. The feature may include fluid balance, hole-cleaning, a kick, a shallow water flow, a formation fluid property, formation fluid typing, geosteering, geostopping, or an environmental correction. A downhole system has a measurement-while-drilling tool or a logging-while-drilling tool and a processor capable of obtaining the downhole drilling fluid measurements and correlating the change in the downhole drilling fluid measurements.

Abstract: Example composite materials and calibration assemblies using the same. An example calibration assembly for use in calibrating a downhole formation evaluation tool includes a first body comprising a first material and having a first geometry, a second body comprising a second material formed to receive the first body, wherein the first and second materials and the first geometry are selected so that a calibration property of the calibration assembly substantially matches a corresponding calibration property of a third material.

Abstract: An insert apparatus for use in a test formation for a downhole nuclear spectroscopy tool includes an outer liner, and an inner liner defining a cylindrical borehole having a diameter such that the downhole nuclear spectroscopy tool is receivable therein. There is fill material between the outer liner and the inner liner, the material including a formation base material and an elemental standards material. The outer liner, the inner liner, and the fill material are configured such that an elemental standard measurement derived from a test using the insert apparatus is equivalent to an elemental standard measurement from a selected formation.

Abstract: System and method for automatic analysis and determination of a parameter. Measurement data are obtained from one or more sensors deployed to measure a desired parameter, the data being associated to identified locations. The measured data are processed to parse out the data obtained with at least one sensor configured to provide a measurement of a selected subsurface parameter and examined to automatically output a value determined to be the most accurate value for the selected parameter from the obtained measurement data.

Abstract: Systems and methods identify and/or detect one or more features of a well casing by utilizing one or more downhole measurements obtainable by a downhole component. The one or more features of the well casing are identifiable and/or detectable from the one or more measurements associated with one or more properties of the one or more features of the well casing. The one or more measurements for indentifying and/or detecting a presence and/or a location of the one or more features of the well casing include sonic measurements, nuclear measurements, gamma ray measurements, photoelectric measurements, resistivity measurements and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Example composite materials and calibration assemblies using the same. An example calibration assembly for use in calibrating a downhole formation evaluation tool includes a first body comprising a first material and having a first geometry, a second body comprising a second material formed to receive the first body, wherein the first and second materials and the first geometry are selected so that a calibration property of the calibration assembly substantially matches a corresponding calibration property of a third material.

Abstract: A tool for formation logging includes a support configured for movement in a borehole; a source mounted on the support, the source configured to emit neutrons and gamma rays; and at least one sensor mounted on the support and spaced apart from the source, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect at least one selected from the group consisting of gamma rays and neutrons. A method for formation logging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes emitting neutrons and gamma rays into a formation, using a source on a logging tool disposed in a borehole penetrating the formation; and detecting gamma-ray signals and neutron signals scattered by the formation, using at least one detector on the logging tool.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting subsurface radiation phenomena. An elongated support member, adapted for disposal within a wellbore traversing a subsurface formation, includes a recess along its longitudinal axis. A pad is linked to the support member. The pad is configured with a surface correspondingly shaped to fit in juxtaposition with the support member recess. The pad is adapted for movement into and out of the recess such that an exposed surface of the pad can extend away from the support member. The pad also includes one or more radiation detectors and is adapted with shielding material on its sides near the exposed surface to prevent radiation reflected from the recess from reaching the detector(s) from the area near the exposed surface.

Abstract: System and method for automatic analysis and determination of a parameter. Measurement data are obtained from one or more sensors deployed to measure a desired parameter, the data being associated to identified locations. The measured data are processed to parse out the data obtained with at least one sensor configured to provide a measurement of a selected subsurface parameter and examined to automatically output a value determined to be the most accurate value for the selected parameter from the obtained measurement data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting subsurface radiation phenomena. An elongated support member, adapted for disposal within a wellbore traversing a subsurface formation, includes a recess along its longitudinal axis. A pad is linked to the support member. The pad is configured with a surface correspondingly shaped to fit in juxtaposition with the support member recess. The pad is adapted for movement into and out of the recess such that an exposed surface of the pad can extend away from the support member. The pad also includes one or more radiation detectors and is adapted with shielding material on its sides near the exposed surface to prevent radiation reflected from the recess from reaching the detector(s) from the area near the exposed surface.

Abstract: A method for formation logging includes acquiring measurements of neutron-induced signals having azimuthal information using a neutron tool; processing the measurements into a plurality of azimuthal sector data for each acquisition interval; and deriving a selected parameter from the plurality of azimuthal sector data. A logging tool includes a housing adapted to move in a borehole; a circuitry having memories for storing neutron-induced measurements; a neutron source disposed in the housing; and at least one detector bank disposed in the housing spaced apart from the neutron source, wherein each of the at least one detector bank comprises at least one detector disposed around a periphery of the housing such that the at least one detector is more sensitive to signals from an azimuthal direction, and wherein count rates detected by each of the at least one detector are separately stored in the memories.

Abstract: Techniques for calibrating well-logging sensors comprising emitting a first signal into a first calibration substance disposed proximate to the sensor, measuring a first sensor response from the first signal, emitting a second signal into a second calibration substance disposed proximate to the sensor, measuring a second sensor response from the second signal, and determining a sensor response function from the first sensor response and the second sensor response. One embodiment includes providing a well-logging sensor having a known response function, determining an expected range of a quality check response of the sensor using a quality-check substance with known properties, emitting a quality check signal into the quality-check substance, measuring the quality check response from the quality check signal, and comparing the expected range with the quality check response.

Abstract: A method for formation logging includes acquiring measurements of neutron-induced signals having azimuthal information using a neutron tool; processing the measurements into a plurality of azimuthal sector data for each acquisition interval; and deriving a selected parameter from the plurality of azimuthal sector data. A logging tool includes a housing adapted to move in a borehole; a circuitry having memories for storing neutron-induced measurements; a neutron source disposed in the housing; and at least one detector bank disposed in the housing spaced apart from the neutron source, wherein each of the at least one detector bank comprises at least one detector disposed around a periphery of the housing such that the at least one detector is more sensitive to signals from an azimuthal direction, and wherein count rates detected by each of the at least one detector are separately stored in the memories.