Distributed scintillation detector for downhole positioning

Abstract

A position determination system and a method for position detection within a wellbore are disclosed. A radioactive tag may be disposed within the wellbore. One or more scintillating optical fibers may be longitudinally disposed along a drill string, wireline, or the like, and run into the wellbore. A detector system is coupled to the optical fiber(s). A scintillating optical fiber emits short, bright flashes of visible light whenever exposed to the gamma radiation. When a scintillating flash is measured, it may be determined that the optical fiber is located within proximity to the radioactive tag. The amplitude of received pulses may be used to estimate where in the optical fiber scintillating events are occurring. By providing a second optical fiber coupled to a scintillating optical fiber, a time delay between received pulses may be used to indicate where along the scintillating optical fiber scintillation events are occurring.