Well Logging Basics

If you have performed drilling work in a borehole or deep well, then you may have already heard of well logging—but do you know exactly what it is, or why it’s important? Well or borehole logging is a highly specialized practice that offers many benefits to operators in the oil and gas drilling industries. Below are some well logging basics to help you better understand this important practice.

What It Is

When wells or boreholes are too deep, narrow, or dangerous to explore in person, well logging can come in handy. This process simply involves lowering a camera, sensor, or other tool down the hole on a cable to take measurements, snap pictures, or collect data. High-quality well logging equipment can be lowered five to ten thousand feet into the ground to collect hundreds of accurate data points.

What It Does

The data captured might range from temperature readings to moisture content or even radioactivity within the well. Skilled analysis of the data can determine everything from the dimensions of the hole to what kinds of minerals are beneath the surface. The data may also be used to keep track of any changes that may happen to the borehole over time.

Why It’s Useful

These results can be useful for environmental surveys or geologic research, but they are extremely helpful for mining exploration in the oil and gas industry to help discover the best place to extract resources. Well logging can obviously be used to help construct wells, and it can also prove useful for maintenance of a borehole. There are many different applications and techniques to learn about, but these well logging basics are a good place to start. Call 480-926-4558 today to learn more about the basics of well logging or for information about the the well log services provided by the experts at Southwest Exploration.