Ge Oil & Gas Logging Services, Inc.

Russel Hertzog

Donald Kenney Steinman

John Edward Smaardyk

Monitoring scattered gamma rays is used to identify substances disposed between coaxial tubulars disposed in a subterranean wellbore. Gamma rays are strategically directed from within an inner most tubular and into the annulus, some of the gamma rays scatter from the substance between the tubulars and are detected with detectors set a designated axial distance from the gamma ray source. Gamma rays also scatter from fluid within the tubular, a ratio of the gamma rays detected that scatter from the fluid in the tubular and from the substance can be used to determine the substance.

Method and apparatus for interrogating a subterranean annulus

Substances on or adjacent a tubular disposed in a subterranean wellbore can be detected and/or their presence identified by monitoring gamma rays scattered from the substances. The substances include deposits on a sidewall of the tubular and liquid contained in the tubular. Examples of the deposits include asphaltenes, paraffins, scale, sand, and the like. Gamma rays are strategically directed from a tool disposed within the tubular and to adjacent a sidewall of the tubular. Some of the gamma rays scatter from the substances adjacent the tubular and are detected with detectors set a designated axial distance from the gamma ray source.

Method for inspecting a subterranean tubular

Fractures at a wellbore wall and in a region surrounding a wellbore wall can be detected by monitoring gamma rays scattered from the fractures. Gamma rays are strategically directed from a tool disposed within the wellbore and to the wall and/or the region. Some of the gamma rays scatter from the fractures and are detected with detectors set a designated axial distance from the gamma ray source. In addition to identifying the presence of the fractures, the location and size of the fractures is also estimated. Based on the location and disposition of the fractures, perforations are formed in the formation to provide communication between the fractures and the wellbore.

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Georgetown, TX, United States of America

Russel Hertzog