Projects

   

1) A New Borehole Magnetic Susceptibility Tool for High-Resolution Paleoclimate and Core-Log Integration Studies

  • NSF Award Number: OCE-04-25130
  • PI's: Stuart Robinson David Goldberg

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this project is to develop and build a new borehole magnetic susceptibility tool (MSS – magnetic susceptibility sonde) for high-resolution paleoclimate and core-log integration studies.

The MSS is to provide high quality magnetic susceptibility measurements of sediments and sedimentary rocks at high spatial resolution (~10 cm). The tool will be designed primarily for use in the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), although the use of standard connectors will allow the tool to be also used in other scientific drilling projects and environments, such as the International Continental Drilling Program.

Bartington Instruments (UK) and the University of Goettingen (Germany) are working closely with Lamont to develop and test the high-resolution magnetic susceptibility sensors for this device.

We anticipate completing construction of the tool and sensor calibration by the end of the year.

2) Multi-Sensor Gamma-Ray Tool for use in ODP

Background and Overview
The purpose of this project is to develop a multi-sensor gamma-ray tool (MGT) and a Universal downhole telemetry module (UDTM) for use in the Ocean Drilling Program. The MGT provides new scientific capabilities for ODP applications by increasing the vertical resolution of natural gamma-ray log data by a factor or 3-4 over conventional Schlumberger logging tools. Using the MGT, thin bed layering and sedimentary cycles can be characterized when their gamma ray response is sufficiently large. In addition, closer correlation between MGT logs and core measurements is achievable.

The MGT manufacturing was completed in May 2000 and it was approved as a 3rd-party Developmental Tool by the ODP Scientific Measurements Panel before field trials during ODP Leg 191 (W. Pacific) in July-Aug 2000 and ODP Leg 194 (Marion Plateau) in Jan-Feb 2001. Both of these at-sea deployments were successful and results have been presented at recent conferences and the scientific potential of the MGT for paleoclimate studies has been shown to be significant. In June 2001, the ODP Scientific Measurements panel has approved the MGT as a Certified Tool for future deployments during ODP Leg 198 (Shatsky Rise) in Aug-Sep 2001, Leg 199 (Paleogene) in Oct-Nov 2001 and during Leg 202 (SE Pacific) in Apr-May 2002.

Results from this tool deployment have been presented in Goldberg et al (2001).

References

  • Goldberg, D., A. Meltser, and the ODP Leg 191 shipboard scientific party, 2001, High vertical resolution spectral gamma ray logging: a new tool development and field test results, Soc. Prof. Well log Analysts 42nd Ann. Sympos, paper PP.

  • Delius, H., D. Goldberg, A. Meltser, G. Eberli, and ODP Leg 194 Scientific party, 2001, High vertical resolution spectral gamma ray logging in shallow water carbonates, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, EOS suppl., 82(20), S445.

  • Pirmez, C., A. Meltser, and D. Goldberg, 1998, A high-resolution, multi-sensor gamma-ray tool, AAPG International Conference,Trans. Am. Assoc. Pet., Geol., Rio de Janiero.

3) High-Resolution Shear-Wave Logging in Deep-Sea Drill Holes

The objective of this NSF funded project was to develop a 'direct shear wave' logging tool based on an ARCO patent and modify it for directional shear-wave logging in oceanic drill holes (Katahara and Smith, 1990; Caputi and Goldberg, 1993). The tool was developed, then deployed on the Ocean Drilling Program gas hydrates Leg 164 in 1995 and shear waveforms were acquired. Among the major objectives of this effort, continuous downhole velocity profiles through gas hydrates and the velocity inversion associated with the solid-gas phase boundary were recorded. Seismic data from the area implies that gas hydrates are associated with high Vp and an anomalous, low Vs.

Results from this tool deployment have been presented in Guerin et al (1999).

References

  • Guerin, G., D. Goldberg, and A. Meltser, 1999, Characterization of in situ elastic properties of gas hydrate-bearing sediments on the Blake Ridge, J.Geophys. Res., 104 (B8), 17781-17795

  • Caputi, M., and D. Goldberg, 1993, A new shear wave logging tool calibration and test results in crystalline and sedimentary rock, Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, EOS, 74, p. 424.

  • Katahara, K. and J. Smith, 1990. U.S. Patent #4899844

4) Newark Rift Basin Coring Project

Wireline logs were acquired at seven sites in the Newark Rift basin using dipmeter, gamma ray, resistivity, velocity, porosity, density, magnetic susceptibility, temperature, and acoustic televiewer tools. The logs indicate that the formations are clay rich and dip on average 9 N-NW. Densities are relatively constant (2.60-2.80 g/cc) and compressional velocities vary from 4.2-5.5 km/s. Thin uranium-rich layers and basalt flows are clearly delineated. The boreholes are mostly in-gauge, but deviated, and borehole temperature gradients vary between 15 to 260C/km. These data are potentially useful as indicators of fluid flow and regional stress, lithologic cycles, and for core orientation in the Newark Rift basin.

Results from this project have been presented in Goldberg et al (1994) and Goldberg et al (2001).

References

  • Goldberg, D., D. Reynold, C. williams, B. White, P. Olsen, and D. Kent, 1994, Well Logging results from the Newark Basin Drilling Project, Scientific Drilling, 4 (4-6), 267-279.

  • Goldberg, D., T. Lupo, M. Caputi, C. Barton, and L. Seeber, 2001, In situ stress and fracture evaluation from borehole televiewer and core data in the Newark Rift Basin, In: Advances in Triassic-Jurassic Rift Geoscience, Oslen,P.E., and LeTourneau, P.M., Eds., Columbia Univ. Press, Part I