Fundamentals and Practice of Nuclear Logging
A Subsurface Measurement Technology
- 1st Edition - November 1, 2025
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Author: Ahmed Badruzzaman
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 1 3 6 2 - 2
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 1 3 6 3 - 9
Fundamentals and Practice of Nuclear Logging: A Subsurface Measurement Technique exposes the reader to the basic physics utilized in nuclear measurements, exploring how it is use… Read more
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Request a sales quoteFundamentals and Practice of Nuclear Logging: A Subsurface Measurement Technique exposes the reader to the basic physics utilized in nuclear measurements, exploring how it is used in tool design and interpretation. Nuclear/atomic techniques, first used in 1939 to probe the subsurface, are now a key component of the suite of down-hole physics measurements used to study geological media. These techniques allow both static and dynamic characterization of geological formations and of well-bores, with a range of interpretations unattainable from any other single subsurface technique.
Fundamentals and Practice of Nuclear Logging: A Subsurface Measurement Technique discusses safety and security challenges inherent in current radionuclide-based techniques and the research underway to mitigate these risks, using advanced generator-based methods where the physics and interpretation can change. The book is designed for upper division and graduate students to gain an insight on the fundamentals and as a reference for practitioners.
- Relates the physics of the nuclear measurements to the intended geological interpretation
- Introduces advanced techniques being developed to obtain additional information from the geology and to determine multiple parameters, simultaneously, using the same device
- Includes practical case studies, hands-on exercises, well-paced quizzes, and a list of suggested projects, similar to those used by the author in his course at the University of California, Berkeley
Petrophysicists, Well Log Analysts, Geologists, Petroleum engineers, Geoscientists
1. Introduction: Overview of Subsurface Logging Measurements
Subsurface and Petrophysical Parameters of Interest: Definitions Wellbore Types and CompletionsSurvey of Logging Techniques and Applications- General - Electrical - Nuclear and Atomic Radiation - Acoustic - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Reservoir Characterization - Open-hole Logging: Wireline and LWD - Conventional vs. Unconventional Resources
Reservoir Monitoring - Cased-hole Logging
Key Determinants for Success Logging protocols, data acquisition, calibration, and quality: Includes choice of logging tool suite, operational issues such as logging speed, etc. Benchmark Interpretation and Workflow (for conventional vs. unconventional reservoirs)
References
Homework Problems
2. Introduction to Nuclear Logging
Applications- Hydrocarbon exploration and production- Waste management- Radioactive Contamination Detection- Mining
Measurements - Natural Gamma-ray - Photon Density - Neutron Porosity - n-gamma Spectroscopy Mineralogy Saturation Monitoring Well-bore Monitoring Sources of Radiation Natural Radioactivity Manmade Logging Sources Nuclear Source Safety and Security- Fundamentals- Radioisotopes and Generators- Survey of Protocols and Practices: Storage, Transportation, Utilization, and Incidents- Brief Discussion of Regulations References
Problems
3. Nuclear and Atomic Radiation: Overview
Radiation Physics: Fundamentals of Atomic and Nuclear Interactions- Definition of cross-sections- Measurements and statistics- Data acquisition in down-hole measurements
Radiation Transport and Diffusion
References
Problems
4. Gamma-ray Interactions with Matter
Cross Sections- Photoelectric absorption - Compton scattering - Pair production
Gamma-ray AttenuationGamma-ray Detectors
References
Problems
5. Natural Gamma-ray Logging
Impact of Clay on Logs: A Summary
Natural Gamma Rays Logs: A Few Definitions
Gamma-Ray Logs: Total and Spectral: Lithological interpretation
Gamma Ray Devices: sources and detection systems Wireline LWD
Gamma-ray Imaging
References
Homework Problems
6. Density and Photoelectric Logging
Fundamentals - Compton scattering: Electron density index and bulk density- Density porosity from Logs- Photoelectric parameters and lithology
Wireline density and PE-based Lithology Logging - Petrophysical Interpretation: Bulk and spectral properties- Depth of investigation- Device concepts: Sources and detection systems - Corrections
Logging while drilling (LWD) Logging
Density Imaging
References
Homework Problems
Project Suggestions
7. Neutron Interactions with Matter
Neutron Cross Sections- Scattering- Elastic and Inelastic- Absorption- High energy and thermal neutrons- Secondary radiation production: (n-gamma) spectroscopy Neutron Transport: Slowing down and Diffusion Neutron Sources for Logging Applications: Radioisotope and Generators
References
Homework Problems
8. Neutron Porosity Logging
Fundamentals- Diffusion Theory and liquid porosity interpretation - Shale/clay determination- Gas interpretation- Neutron Imaging: introduction- Devices: Thermal and epithermal- Wireline logging vs. logging-while-drilling applications
Neutron Porosity Logging Devices- Concepts: Sources, detectors, configurations - Environmental effects and Corrections- Depth of Investigation
References
Homework Problems
Project Suggestions
9. Induced (n-gamma) Spectroscopy
Physics Principles: Inelastic, capture and activation Devices: Radionuclides vs. Generators Mineralogy: - Fundamentals and Closure relations - Conventional vs. Unconventional Resource Characterization -With nuclear techniques only - In combination with other logging methods
Pore-space liquid discrimination
References
Homework Problems
Project Suggestions
10. Radionuclide Source Replacement
Source risks and Mitigation: - Regulations, Protocols, Tracking, and Alternatives (nuclear and non-nuclear)Tested nuclear alternatives - Neutron generator based porosity: Concept, devices and interpretation - Photon generator based formation density: Concept and proposed devices - Inelastic (n- gamma) density: Concept, devices and interpretation - Neutron generator-based n-gamma mineralogy
Comparison with conventional source techniques
Tested non-nuclear techniques for porosity and lithology: NMR and acoustic
Untested, promising nuclear alternatives
Reference
sHomework Problems
11. Nuclear Modeling
Overview of radiation transport simulation techniques - Monte Carlo Techniques - Numerical Transport Methods Applications of simulation techniques- Concept development- Design optimization- Tool validation: Study of tool response in complex geological and well-bore environments
References
Homework Problems
12. Fluid Monitoring: Pulsed Neutron Measurements
Interaction Basics and Petrophysical Parameters
Pulsed Neutron Monitoring Devices - Dual-detector devices and measurement parameters -Multiple-detector devices
Current Applications - Pulsed Neutron Capture (PNC) Loggingo Water saturation quantificationo Gas identificationo PNC with capture gamma rays vs. PNN to detect neutrons directly.- Carbon/oxygen logging: o Formation oil saturation o Borehole oil hold-up - Coupled PNC-C/O Methods: Steam flood monitoring: Steam location, three-phase saturation- Oxygen Activation: Water entry and flow- Comparison with non-nuclear saturation techniques: Introduction Evaluating in Cased-hole vs. Open-hole Completions
Potential Future Applications: - Geologic Surveillance - CO2 Sequestration Monitoring
References
Problems
13. Radioactive Contaminant Logging
Subsurface Pollution: Basics and monitoring Down-hole breached logging source monitoring Monitoring radioactive buried radioactive waste References
Homework Problems
Appendix
A: Detection and Data Acquisition
B: Statistics and Error Propagation
- Edition: 1
- Published: November 1, 2025
- Imprint: Elsevier
- No. of pages: 300
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780128113622
- eBook ISBN: 9780128113639