Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method for depth referencing hydrocarbon gas shows on mud logs

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5867801

A method is described for identifying hydrocarbon formations surrounding a borehole, comprising the steps of: a. measuring hydrocarbon gas in the entrained formation cuttings obtained during drilling operations in which a drilling mud is continually circulated past a drill bit to carry the cuttings to the earth's surface, b. simultaneously measuring natural gamma radiation in the cuttings, c. identifying the depths at which the cuttings were obtained within the borehole, d. measuring natural gamma radiation within the borehole following completion of the drilling operations, e. correlating the natural gamma radiation measurements in steps (b) and (d), and f. identifying the depths within the borehole from which the entrained cuttings containing hydrocarbon gas were obtained during drilling operations when there is correlation between the natural gamma radiation measurements in steps (b) and (d).

Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp., New York, NY
Patent Number(s):
US 4578579
OSTI ID:
5867801
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English