UH(API) Nuclear Logging Calibration

Facility

Richard Liu, Professor

University of Houston
Oct. 8, 2011
 Agenda

• History of the API nuclear calibration

pits
• Introduction to the pits
• The purpose of the facility
• Usage and maintenance
• Operation of the pits
 API Nuclear Calibration Facility

• Gamma Ray and Neutron Porosity

• Gamma Ray Spectroscopy
(POTASSIUM-URANIUM-THORIUM, K-U-Th)
 Gamma
& neutron

K-U-Th
N
 Gamma Ray and Neutron
Porosity
• Built in 1957-1958
• Agreement between API and U of
Houston
– API provided funds
– UH provided land and maintenance
• May cancel agreement after 7 years
54 Years Ago…
Core Preparation
Construction
API Neutron and Gamma Ray
Calibration Facility (1995)
Neutron pit Gamma Ray pit
 Technical Information

• API RP 33
• Web site:
http://welllogging.egr.uh.edu/Information.html
2
 K-U-Th Pits

• Constructed in 1983
• Agreement between API and U of
Houston (1982-1983)
– API provided funds
– UH provided land and maintenance
– Treated as an addition to the gamma ray
and neutron pits
 Gamma
& neutron

K-U-Th
 Technical Information

• API RP 65
– has not been officially endorsed by API
– Presented in Well Logging Laboratory
Technical Report No. 23 (2002)
• Web site:
http://welllogging.egr.uh.edu/Information.html
Figure 1. KUTh Pit No. 1 (North pit)
 Restrictions for use of this
borehole. See Sec. 4.7

KUTh Pit No. 2 (South Pit)

 Physical Conditions
Gamma Ray and Neutron Pits
• Television camera inspection of neutron pit
• Conducted in April 1987
• Ralph Wiley & Jerry Bowen, Amoco
– In remarkably good condition
– Confirmed existence of small fractures noted in
RP33
– Small grooves and gouges were observed
– Do not seriously affect the utility of the pit
• Document and photos archived at WLL
 Physical Conditions
K-U-Th Pits
• Television camera inspection
• Conducted in February 1994
• By Halliburton
• Video tape archived at WLL
 Usage of Calibration Facility
by Company 2009-2011
Alpha Neutronics, Inc., Teledrill Inc.,
Schlumberger Pathfinder
ThruBit LLC Weatherford Intl.
Tucker Energy Services Etudes et Productions
Century Wireline Schlumberger
Pioneer Wireline Services Tucker
GE Energy Hotwell US Ltd
Probe Technology Services
BakerHughes
US Geological Survey
Wood Group
Halliburton Energy Services
Usage of calibration pits 2000-2011

API Usage 2000-2011

30

25

20
API Usage

Gamma
15 Neutron
Gamma+KUTH
10

0
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
Year
 Annual Reports

Before 1995:
Mr. C. O. Liles
American Petroleum Institute
700 North Pearl Street, Suite 1840
Dallas, TX 75201-2845
1995-2000
Mr. Tim Sampson
American Petroleum Institute
1220 L street, NW
Washington, DC 20005