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By Walton J. Greer, System By John E. Owen

The guard electrode system measures the resistivity of formations by employing a thin disk of current which is caused to flow perpendicular to the bore hole. The control of this current disk is obtained in a brute force manner through the use of relatively long equipotential electrodes above and below the measuring electrode. The log obtained from the system is free of "lag," "plateau," "shadow," "reflection" and other distortions evident on conventional logs. The proportionate contributions of the hole size and invaded zone resistivity to the apparent resistivity reading are reduced when the mud and filtrate resistivities are lower. Thus, the guard system favors the use of conductive muds. The mathematical development of the theory is given in an appendix. Equations are derived to evaluate the effects of mud resistivity, hole size, invaded zone resistivity and depth, and the true formation resistivity. Sample logs from several provinces are reproduced and compared with conventional electric logs to illsutrate the much greater detailed lithology that can be presented by the guard electrode system. INTRODUCTION With increased ability of those in the petroleum industry to analyze formation characteristics from electrical resistivity data, there has become apparent the need for more precise measures of that parameter. The measurement of the resistivity of a homogeneous and isotropic material can be made simply when the body of the material is infinite in all dimensions and the measuring electrodes can be placed within the body. In such a case, the current leaving an electrode follows a spherical distribution and the mathematical expression for the potential level at any distance from that electrode can readily be derived.'.' If it is considered that the active electrodes are within a bore hole filled with mud of a resistivity different from that of the formation. the current does not flow in a spherical pattern near the current source or sink, and the calculations of potential levels become more difficult. The additional consideration of a section of formation invaded by mud filtrates, and thus having resistivity different from either that of the mud, the adjacent formations or of the undisturbed formation, makes the mathematical problem extremely complex. Should the vertical dimensions of the formations be considered as finite. the problem becomes so complex as to preclude reasonable solution. Yet, even these considerations have not described adequately the conditions encountered in a large proportion of the wells to be studied. In efforts to evaluate the effects of the various conditions. combinations of twn, three. and four electrode logging con- figurations of the conventional types have been used. The resulting logs have left much to be desired in some provinces. It has become apparent that the use of such configurations will not result in adequate measurements being made, particularly in cases where the formation is composed of thin sections. If all the current of a resistivity measuring circuit is made to flow through the formation opposite the exploring electrode, many of the shortcomings of the conventional measuring system are eliminated. In the guard electrode method of electrical well logging to be discussed in this paper, the current is so controlled by causing it to flow in a thin disk normal to the axis of the logging tool. EARLY HISTORY The guard electrode method of electrical well logging in its early years was a joint development by the Geophysical Research Corp. and the Amerada Petroleum Corp. The method was first experimentally investigated by means of model studies. The results of these studies indicated that current focusing systems properly applied to electrical well logging

Jan 1, 1951

By System By John E. Owen, Walton J. Greer

The guard electrode system measures the resistivity of formations by employing a thin disk of current which is caused to flow perpendicular to the bore hole. The control of this current disk is obtained in a brute force manner through the use of relatively long equipotential electrodes above and below the measuring electrode. The log obtained from the system is free of "lag," "plateau," "shadow," "reflection" and other distortions evident on conventional logs. The proportionate contributions of the hole size and invaded zone resistivity to the apparent resistivity reading are reduced when the mud and filtrate resistivities are lower. Thus, the guard system favors the use of conductive muds. The mathematical development of the theory is given in an appendix. Equations are derived to evaluate the effects of mud resistivity, hole size, invaded zone resistivity and depth, and the true formation resistivity. Sample logs from several provinces are reproduced and compared with conventional electric logs to illsutrate the much greater detailed lithology that can be presented by the guard electrode system. INTRODUCTION With increased ability of those in the petroleum industry to analyze formation characteristics from electrical resistivity data, there has become apparent the need for more precise measures of that parameter. The measurement of the resistivity of a homogeneous and isotropic material can be made simply when the body of the material is infinite in all dimensions and the measuring electrodes can be placed within the body. In such a case, the current leaving an electrode follows a spherical distribution and the mathematical expression for the potential level at any distance from that electrode can readily be derived.'.' If it is considered that the active electrodes are within a bore hole filled with mud of a resistivity different from that of the formation. the current does not flow in a spherical pattern near the current source or sink, and the calculations of potential levels become more difficult. The additional consideration of a section of formation invaded by mud filtrates, and thus having resistivity different from either that of the mud, the adjacent formations or of the undisturbed formation, makes the mathematical problem extremely complex. Should the vertical dimensions of the formations be considered as finite. the problem becomes so complex as to preclude reasonable solution. Yet, even these considerations have not described adequately the conditions encountered in a large proportion of the wells to be studied. In efforts to evaluate the effects of the various conditions. combinations of twn, three. and four electrode logging con- figurations of the conventional types have been used. The resulting logs have left much to be desired in some provinces. It has become apparent that the use of such configurations will not result in adequate measurements being made, particularly in cases where the formation is composed of thin sections. If all the current of a resistivity measuring circuit is made to flow through the formation opposite the exploring electrode, many of the shortcomings of the conventional measuring system are eliminated. In the guard electrode method of electrical well logging to be discussed in this paper, the current is so controlled by causing it to flow in a thin disk normal to the axis of the logging tool. EARLY HISTORY The guard electrode method of electrical well logging in its early years was a joint development by the Geophysical Research Corp. and the Amerada Petroleum Corp. The method was first experimentally investigated by means of model studies. The results of these studies indicated that current focusing systems properly applied to electrical well logging

Jan 1, 1951

The Institute would he glad to purchase from any Member a copy of the Bulletin for May, 1914.

Jan 5, 1917

By R. S. Rickard

Using a simple model, the necessary chemical conditions for sulfide leaching will be discussed. Also other chemical control- ling factors will be reviewed briefly.

Jan 1, 1974

By Conrad W. Stellar, John L. Paynich

Design/Build concept that provides for earliest possible completion and lowest cost is presented. Elements of the program include: joint cooperation between owner, designer and builder; schedule construction sequence; and a line budget. Benefits over lump sum contracts are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1979

By M. C. Fuerstenau, R. K. Price, R. D. Wellik, B. M. Wakawa

Median lethal concentrations of pure and commercially available ethyl xanthate, isopropyl xanthate, amyl xanthate, diethyl dithiophosphate, dibutyl dithiophosphate, and isopropyl ethylthionocarbamate for rainbow trout have been established utilizing static bioassays.

Jan 1, 1975

For the convenience of members who may be traveling from place to place, the Secretary has compiled a list of libraries or other places In the United States and foreign countries where MINING AND METALLURGY or the Transactions may be consulted. This list will be sent to members if they so request

Jan 1, 1923

The production of Rumania for 1937 amounted to 54.142.600 bbl., which is a decrease of 10.319.636 bbl., or 15.9 per cent over that of 1936. In all. 1.300.000 ft. were drilled during the year— an increase of 220.000 ft. over 1936.

Jan 1, 1938

WHERE "MINING AND METALLURGY" OR THE TRANSACTIONS MAY BE CONSULTED For the convenience of members who may be traveling from place to place, the Secretary has compiled a list of libraries or other places in the United States and foreign countries where MINING AND METALLURGY or the Transactions may be consulted This list will be sent to members if they so request

Jan 1, 1923

By B. Das, V. Hucka

Two different types of filtration methods for in-situ gasification of coal are described. The different factors, i.e., geological, technological, and others, which affect in-situ gasification are given. The layout and operation of filtration methods of in-situ gasification are described in detail. The results of a case history are described.

Jan 1, 1977

The following list of US companies, mines, and mills engaged in uranium production was compiled by the Health and Safety Analysis Center, Mine Safety and Health Administration, in Denver, Colo. The list includes those companies reporting to the Center in 1978. Thanks to D. K. Walker, Chief of the Health and Safety Analysis Center, for providing the information to MINING ENGINEERING.

Jan 10, 1978

By S. K. Tarby, V. S. Robinson III

A number of experimental determinations of the vapor pressure of liquid silver have been reported in the literature. 1-8 This communication presents additional data for the vapor pressure of liquid silver measured in the temperature range of 1450° to 1600°C and summarizes the results of previous investigations. The results reported here were obtained as part of a

Jan 1, 1969

EUGENE McAULIFFE, * St. Louis, Mo.-The method employed by the Engineer's Committee in arriving at a proper selling price for coal and coke represents hard painstaking effort based on a thoroughly scientific foundation; and the United States Fuel Administration can well point with pride to the work of this committee. The results so obtained placed

Jan 12, 1918

By E. Gybbon Spilsbury

From time to time, for the last quarter of a century, considerable attention has been called to the gold deposits of North Carolina and Georgia, and much capital has been expended in their development; but the existence of large areas of gold-bearing rocks in the State

Jan 1, 1884

By Herbert H. Mellus

TODAY the tractor-drawn carryall scraper has a very important role in the Open Pit div. of Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. Carryalls have already moved over 3 million tons of material at costs comparable to or lower than for conventional truck and shovel operation, and a major program of scraper stripping and ore production schedules has developed from early isolated scraper applications.

Jan 10, 1953

By C. B. Dudley

In a work published in 1838, De Morgan, the author of the article on " Probabilities," in the Encyclopedia Metropolltimn, says: " The method of least squares is not yet introduced iutb the affairs of common life,.....that many thi~gs which are denlonstrable only by the higher branches of mathematics are looked upon as useless." And he mentions an instance in which "a method was suggested for estimating the relative importance of boroughs, by considering their population and ~wntributions to the revenue con)-

Jan 1, 1881

By Blair R. Benner, Ronald J. Roman

The rate of acid leaching of malachite from a sandstone ore was shown to be controlled by the diffusion of H+ ions through the host rock. The kinetics of the reaction can be expressed by a shrinking core model. Equations for calculating effective diffusivities from an "infinite" slab and a cylindrical core were derived. The effective diffusivity, of H+ ions in a sandstone ore was measured.

Jan 1, 1975

ON the face of it, the American Mining Congress meeting was a big success, as witness the smiles on the AIME members, pictured here, who attended. The grins were captured at Booth 232, where caricaturist Lenn Redman held forth for the Independent Pneumatic Tool Co., sketching 114 subjects in one week.

Jan 10, 1950

By E. Topuz, S. S. Bhamidipati, M. Bartkoski

Air Leakage in underground mines is the most common cause of inefficient distribution of ventilating air. Depending upon various factors, more than one half of the fresh air entering a mine short-circuits to the return airways before reaching the working faces. Consequently, large leakages create an additional demand for increased intake air, which substantially affects the efficiency of a mine system. This paper deals with the identification of the physical variables of air leakages and offers an overview of the methods of measuring leakage.

Jan 1, 1982

During the latter part of the Civil War an income tax was placed upon coal and the production of coal in the various collection districts during the life of this tax is shown in the tabulation that follows. The counties that include coal deposits are shown for each district. No record exists now of the production by counties, but it is calculated here on the basis of tax collected. The table, of course, does not include any territory not under the control of the northern armies, and not all of that in some cases.

Jan 1, 1942