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17. BOREHOLE CALIPER MEASUREMENTS

17.1. PRINCIPLE maximum hole diameter of 30 inches. If required,

The measurement of the diameter of the borehole
is made using two arms, symmetrically placed on
each side of a logging tool. The arms are linked to the
cursor of a potentiometer (Fig. 17-1).
arm extensions are added to increase this to 40
inches. The BGT gives a measure of the hole diame-
ter in two vertical perpendicular planes.

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Variations in hole diameter cause the arms to close
or open and the movement is reflected in resistance
changes in the potentiometer. CABLE HEAD
A simple calibration allows the changes in resis-
tance to be scaled to changes in diameter.
CENTRALIZER - -

17.2. TOOLS

The majority of tool combinations include a caliper

tool, giving a log of the hole diameter. This may be a
CALIPER
separate tool or included in another tool (for example CARTRIDGE-
the FDC).
As the caliper arms are spring loaded the tool
preferentially opens to the maximum hole diameter,
in an ellipse along the major axis. It may, therefore,
be useful to use a tool that has four arms, in order to I"
get a more precise idea of the hole shape and of the
hole volume.
INCLINOMETER
Schlumberger offers the Borehole Geometry Tool CARTRIDGE
(or BGT, see Fig. 17-2) that includes:
(a) Four arms coupled in pairs, each opening to a

A D I
VlECHA N I CA L
_---- ASSEMBLY

BGT SPECIFICATIONS
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I Tool length 13'4"
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Tool diameter closed 4"
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Tool weight 205 Ib
Minimum hole size 4 314"
Maximum hole size
(Standard arms) 30"
(Special arms) 40" approx.
Maximum temperature 3500 F
Maximum pressure 20,000 p s I

Maximum deviation 720

Fig. 17-1. Schematic explaining the measurement of the diameter.

The cursor of a potentiometer i s linked to the arm. Fig. 17-2. The Borehole Geometry Tool (courtesy of Schlumberger).
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Fig. 17-3. Example of a BGT log.
(b) A hole volume integrator.
(c) An inclinometry cartridge allowing a continu-
ous measurement of the angle and azimuth of the
hole deviation and the orientation of the tool with
regard to magnetic north. As the sonde is powered
the tool may be opened and closed when required
and while downhole.
The data from a BGT may be recorded on film or
on magnetic tape. The tool is combinable with a
gamma ray.
An example of a log is gven in Fig. 17-3.
17.3. GEOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING
THE HOLE DIAMETER
The diameter of the hole depends mainly on:
(a) The lithology, since certain rocks may:
(1) be soluble in the drilling mud for example
salt;
(2) disintegrate and cave in (for example sands,
gravel, shales), in which case hole caves
will appear;
(3) flow, as in the case of swelling shales or
low compaction shales, when the hole will
close in;
(4) be consolidated, in which case the hole will
be in gauge.
(b) The texture and structure of the rock. These
influence the porosity and permeability of the rock
and hence determine whether a mud cake will de-
velop and its thickness, leading of course to a reduced
hole diameter. Note here that while some caliper
tools cut through the mud cake and hence measure to
the borehole wall, others ride on the mud cake. The
texture and structure of the formation will also de-
termine the bedding, the shale distribution, and also
the possibility of microfractures brought about by
drilling and radial cracking away from the borehole
(as with consolidated shales and carbonate laminae).
Fracturing linked with tectonic changes may also be
mentioned here.
17.4. APPLICATIONS
Hole diameter measurements are used for:
(a) The detection of porous and permeable zones
(mud cake presence) and the determination of mud
cake thickness (Fig. 17-4): h,, = (dbit- d h ) / 2 .
(b) The measurement of hole volume in order to
obtain an estimation of cement volume. *
d f + 1.2% (in l/m)
hole volume: Vh 2: -
2
volume of cement: K ~= +(~df - ~dzasing)
~ ,
+
1% (in I/m)
d, and dcasingbeing measured in inches.
(c) Detection of consolidated and in gauge sections
for the scaling of packers for well testing;
(d) The correction of several log types for the
effect of the borehole and of mud cake in order to
obtain a more precise interpretation;
(e) A guide to lithology.
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Fig. 17-4. Computation of the mud-cake thickness,
h mc = ( d b , , - d , )/2.