Moisture logging in cased boreholes using capture gamma-ray spectroscopy

Robert D. Wilson; Russell R. Randall; James E. Meisner; Jason L. Boles; Kent D. Reynolds

doi:10.1117/12.363680

1 October 1999 Moisture logging in cased boreholes using capture gamma-ray spectroscopy

Robert D. Wilson, Russell R. Randall, James E. Meisner, Jason L. Boles, Kent D. Reynolds

Proceedings Volume 3769, Penetrating Radiation Systems and Applications; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.363680
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1999, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

A nuclear logging tool has been developed that determines the moisture content of subsurface earth formations by measuring the gamma rays produced by thermal neutron capture in hydrogen. The tool employs a ²⁵²Cf fast neutron source and a hyperpure germanium gamma-ray detector. The tool has demonstrated excellent sensitivity to changes in formation moisture content when used in air-filled boreholes cased with steel. The tool is also sensitive to other elements that produce neutron capture gamma rays, such as silicon, calcium, aluminum, sodium, chlorine, chromium, cadmium and mercury. Extensive computer modeling of the tool has been done to aid its design and in the interpretation of logging data taken under a variety of conditions. The logging tool has been calibrated for its moisture and chlorine response in a set of physical models and is now in use logging boreholes at the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site.

Citation Download Citation

Robert D. Wilson, Russell R. Randall, James E. Meisner, Jason L. Boles, and Kent D. Reynolds "Moisture logging in cased boreholes using capture gamma-ray spectroscopy", Proc. SPIE 3769, Penetrating Radiation Systems and Applications, (1 October 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.363680

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