MAGNETIC WELL LOGGING

Abstract

The need for control data in interpretation of surface magnetometer surveys has led to the development of borehole instruments for measuring magnetic susceptibility and total magnetic field in situ. The susceptibility instrument is an alternating current induction device, and by separation of the quadrature components simultaneous recording of the magnetic susceptibility and the electrical conductivity is possible. The susceptibility log has many features that depart from ordinary electric logs. The instrument has a sensitivity of the order of [Formula: see text] cgs units and sufficient contrast has been found in the sediments to yield a log of considerable lithologic character. This magnetic character suggests the use of the susceptibility tool in the field of special well logging, particularly for geologic correlation, and for tracer studies. The general assumption that the magnetic susceptibility of the sediments is sufficiently low compared to basic igneous rocks so that sedimentary rocks have little effect on surface magnetometer measurements has been verified. Since the magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity logs are made with an induction instrument, an electrolyte is not required in the hole and the logs are independent of the drilling fluid, except that the conductivity log is influenced by highly conductive muds. The total field log is made with a three element self‐orientating saturable core magnetometer that has been developed for borehole use. This log has not been used extensively. In addition to reflecting changes in polarization of the formations, it is influenced by formation susceptibility. Logs have been made of the total field going into and through igneous plugs. The paper presents examples of these logs along with a brief description of the instruments developed to produce them.