Acoustic well logging method and apparatus

Patent · Tue Nov 14 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6976684

Liu, O Y

This patent describes a method for determining the dip and orientation of a fracture or thin bed in a subsurface geological formation traversed by a borehole. It comprises: passing a logging tool through the borehole, the logging tool having associated therewith a rare earth acoustic transducer; generating a known, low frequency acoustic energy at a point in the borehole with the rare earth acoustic transducer; while operating the rare earth acoustic transducer in a dipole mode at the point in the borehole, directing the known, low frequency acoustic energy into the subsurface geological formation in two alternating directions, the directions being disposed substantially perpendicular to one another; receiving acoustic signals at a plurality of receiver stations spaced one from the other and from the rare earth acoustic transducer; simultaneously producing full shear waveforms of the received signals for the point in the borehole; determining the shear waveform reflection and transmission coefficients of the shear waveforms; measuring values of the amplitudes of the shear waveforms; and combining the values of the shear waveforms amplitudes with the known value of the frequency of the acoustic energy to obtain the dip and orientation of the fracture or thin bed.

• Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): A; US 4881208
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-263657A
• OSTI ID: 6976684
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
03 NATURAL GAS
030200 -- Natural Gas-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
EXPLORATORY WELLS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PROBES
RESOURCES
SONIC LOGGING
SONIC PROBES
TRANSDUCERS
WELL LOGGING
WELL LOGGING EQUIPMENT
WELLS