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U.S. Department of Energy
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Process for obtaining permeability logs using radioactive drilling mud additives

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6055024
A method is described for determining the permeability profile of a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation. The method comprises: a. drilling a borehole into a subterranean formation using a drilling mud containing substantially evenly distributed particles bearing a gamma ray emitting nuclide so that a substantial portion of the particles accumulates along the face of the wellbore in a filter cake; b. making a gamma spectroscopic log of the borehole bearing the substantially intact filter cake while the formation is being drilled; and c. determining the permeability profile of the subterranean formation from the log of the borehole bearing the filter cake.
Assignee:
Union Oil Co. of California, Los Angeles, CA
Patent Number(s):
US 4691772
OSTI ID:
6055024
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English