ASTM D5753-05(2010)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D5753 − 05 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Guide for
Planning and Conducting Borehole Geophysical Logging
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5753; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 Logging procedures must be adapted to meet the needs
of a wide range of applications and stated in general terms so
1.1 This guide covers the documentation and general pro-
that flexibility or innovation are not suppressed.
cedures necessary to plan and conduct a geophysical log
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
program as commonly applied to geologic, engineering,
safety and liability concerns, if any, (for example, lost or
groundwater, and environmental (hereafter referred to as geo-
lodged probes and radioactive sources ) associated with its
technical) investigations. It is not intended to describe the
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
specific or standard procedures for running each type of
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
geophysical log and is limited to measurements in a single
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
borehole. It is anticipated that standard guides will be devel-
1.8 This guide offers an organized collection of information
oped for specific methods subsequent to this guide.
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
1.2 Surface or shallow-depth nuclear gages for measuring
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
water content or soil density (that is, those typically thought of
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
as construction quality assurance devices), measurements
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
while drilling (MWD), cone penetrometer tests, and logging
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
for petroleum or minerals are excluded.
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
1.3 Borehole geophysical techniques yield direct and indi-
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
rect measurements with depth of the (1) physical and chemical
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
properties of the rock matrix and fluid around the borehole, (2)
document means only that the document has been approved
fluid contained in the borehole, and (3) construction of the
through the ASTM consensus process.
borehole.
1.4 To obtain detailed information on operating methods,
2. Referenced Documents
publications (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) should
2.1 ASTM Standards:
be consulted. A limited amount of tutorial information is
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
provided, but other publications listed herein, including a
Fluids
glossary of terms and general texts on the subject, should be
D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
consulted for more complete background information.
Used at Waste Sites
D5608 Practices for Decontamination of Field Equipment
1.5 This guide provides an overview of the following: (1)
the uses of single borehole geophysical methods, (2) general Used at Low Level Radioactive Waste Sites
logging procedures, (3) documentation, (4) calibration, and (5)
3. Terminology
factors that can affect the quality of borehole geophysical logs
and their subsequent interpretation. Log interpretation is very
3.1 Definitions—Definitions shall be in accordance with
important, but specific methods are too diverse to be described
Terminology D653.
in this guide.
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard—Terms
shall be in accordance with Ref (10).
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface The use of radioactive materials required for some log measurements is
Characterization. regulatedbyfederal,state,andlocalagencies.Specificrequirementsandrestrictions
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally must be addressed prior to their use.
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D5753–05. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D5753-05R10. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
this standard. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5753 − 05 (2010)
4. Summary of Guide 6.1.3 The draw works move the logging cable and probe up
and down the borehole and provide the connection with the
4.1 This guide applies to borehole geophysical techniques
interfaces and surface controls.
that are commonly used in geotechnical investigations. This
6.1.4 The depth measurement system provides probe depth
guide briefly describes the significance and use, apparatus,
information for the interfaces and surface controls and record-
calibration and standardization, procedures and reports for
ing systems.
planning and conducting borehole geophysical logging. These
6.1.5 Thesurfaceinterfacesandcontrolsprovidesomeorall
techniques are described briefly in Table 1 and their applica-
5 of the following: electrical connection, signal conditioning,
tions in Table 2.
power, and data transmission between the recording system
4.2 Many other logging techniques and applications are
and probe.
described in the textbooks in the reference list. There are a
6.1.6 The recording system includes the digital recorder and
number of logging techniques with potential geotechnical
an analog display or hard copy device.
applications that are either still in the developmental stage or
havelimitedcommercialavailability.Someofthesetechniques
7. Calibration and Standardization of Geophysical Logs
and a reference on each are as follows: buried electrode direct
7.1 General:
current resistivity (11), deeply penetrating electromagnetic
7.1.1 National Institute of Standards and Technology
techniques (12), gravimeter (13), magnetic susceptibility (14),
(NIST) calibration and operating procedures do not exist for
magnetometer, nuclear activation (15), dielectric constant (16),
the borehole geophysical logging industry. However, calibra-
radar (17), deeply penetrating seismic (13), electrical polariz-
tion or standardization physical models are available (see
ability (18), sequential fluid conductivity (19), and diameter
Appendix X1).
(20). Many of the guidelines described in this guide also apply
7.1.2 Geophysical logs can be used in a qualitative (for
totheuseofthesenewertechniquesthatarestillintheresearch
example, comparative) or quantitative manner, depending on
phase. Accepted practices should be followed at the present
the project objectives. (For example, a gamma-gamma log can
time for these techniques.
be used to indicate that one rock is more or less dense than
another, or it can be expressed in density units.)
5. Significance and Use
7.1.3 The calibration and standardization scope and fre-
5.1 An appropriately developed, documented, and executed
quency shall be sufficient for project objectives.
guide is essential for the proper collection and application of
7.1.3.1 Calibration or standardization should be performed
borehole geophysical logs.
eachtimealoggingprobeismodifiedorrepairedoratperiodic
5.1.1 The benefits of its use include improving the follow-
intervals.
ing:
7.2 Calibration:
5.1.1.1 Selection of logging methods and equipment,
7.2.1 Calibration is the process of establishing values for
5.1.1.2 Log quality and reliability, and
log response. It can be accomplished with a representative
5.1.1.3 Usefulness of the log data for subsequent display
physical model or laboratory analysis of representative
and interpretation.
samples. Calibration data values related to the physical prop-
5.1.2 Thisguideappliestocommonlyusedloggingmethods
erties (for example, porosity) may be recorded in units (for
(see Table 1 and Table 2) for geotechnical investigations.
example, pulses/s or µm/ft) that can be converted to apparent
5.1.3 It is essential that personnel (see 7.3.3) consult up-to-
porosity units.
date textbooks and reports on each of the logging techniques,
7.2.1.1 At least three, and preferably more, values are
applications, and interpretation methods. A partial list of
needed to establish a calibration curve, and the interface or
selected publications is given at the end of this guide.
contact between different values in the model should be
5.1.4 This guide is not meant to describe the specific or
recorded. Because of the variability in subsurface conditions,
standard procedures for running each type of geophysical log
many more values are needed if sample analyses are used for
and is limited to measurements in a single borehole.
calibration.
7.2.1.2 The statistical scatter in regression of core analysis
6. Apparatus
againstgeophysicallogvaluesmaybecausedbythedifference
6.1 Geophysical Logging System, including probes, cable,
between the sample size and geophysical volume of investiga-
draw works, depth measurement system, interfaces and surface
tion and may not represent measurement error.
controls, and digital and analog recording equipment.
7.2.2 Physical Models—A representative model simulates
6.1.1 Logging probes, also called sondes or tools, enclose
thechemicalandphysicalcompositionoftherockandfluidsto
the sensors, sources, electronics for transmitting and receiving
be measured.
signals, and power supplies.
7.2.2.1 Physical models include calibration pits, coils,
6.1.2 Loggingcableroutinelycarriessignalstoandfromthe
resistors, rings, temperature baths, etc.
logging probe and supports the weight of the probe.
7.2.2.2 The calibration of nuclear probes should be per-
formed in a physical model that is nearly infinite with respect
to probe response.
7.2.2.3 Some probes have internal devices such as resistors,
The references indicated in these tables should be consulted for detailed
information on each of these techniques and applications. but this does not substitute for checking the probe response in
D5753 − 05 (2010)
TABLE 1 Common Geophysical Logs
Typical Measuring
Type of Log Varieties and Related Required Hole Brief Probe
Properties Measured Other Limitations Units and Calibration
(References) Techniques Conditions Description
or Standardization
Spontaneous potential differential electric potential uncased hole filled salinity difference mV; calibrated power records natural
(7,8,12) caused by salinity with conductive fluid needed between supply voltages between
differences in borehole borehole fluid and electrode in well and
and interstitial fluids, interstitial fluids; needs another at surface
streaming potentials correction for other
than NaCl fluids
Single-point resistance conventional, resistance of rock, uncased hole filled not quantitative; hole Ω;V-Ω meter constant current
(7) differential saturating fluid, and with conductive fluid diameter effects are applied across lead
borehole fluid significant electrode in well and
another at surface of
well
Multi-electrode various normal resistivity and uncased hole filled reverses or provides Ω-m; resistors across current and potential
resistivity (7,8,13) focused, guard, lateral saturating fluids with conductive fluid incorrect values and electrodes electrodes in probe
arrays thickness in thin beds and remote current
and potential
electrodes
Induction (10, 11) various coil spacings conductivity or uncased hole or not suitable for high mS orΩ-m; standard transmitting coil(s)
resistivity of rock and nonconductive casing; resistivities dry air zero check or induce eddy currents
saturating fluids air or fluid filled conductive ring in formation; receiving
coil(s) measures
induced voltage from
secondary magnetic
field
Gamma (5,7,22) gamma spectral (44) gamma radiation from any hole conditions may be problem with pulses per second or scintillation crystal and
natural or artificial very large hole, or API units; gamma photomultiplier tube
radioisotopes several strings of source measure gamma
casing and cement radiation
Gamma-gamma (23, compensated (dual electron density optimum results in severe hole-diameter gs/cm ; Al, Mg, or scintillation crystal(s)
24) detector) uncased hole; can be effects; difficulty Lucite blocks shielded from
calibrated for casing measuring formation radioactive source
density through casing measure Compton
or drill stem scattered gamma
Neutron (7, 14, 25) epithermal, thermal, hydrogen content optimum results in hole diameter and pulses/s or API units; crystal(s) or gas-filled
compensated sidewall, uncased hole; can be chemical effects calibration pit or tube(s) shielded from
activation, pulsed calibrated for casing plastic sleeve radioactive neutron
source
Acoustic velocity (5, compensated, compressional wave fluid filled, uncased, does not detect velocity units, for 1 or more transmitters
26, 27) waveform, cement velocity or transit time, except cement bond secondary porosity; example, ft/s or m/s or and 2 or more
bond or compressional cement bond and µs/ft; steel pipe receivers
wave amplitude wave form require
expert analysis
Acoustic televiewer acoustic caliper acoustic reflectivity of fluid filled, 3 to 16-in. heavy mud or mud orientated image- rotating transducer
(28, 7) borehole wall diameter; problems in cake attenuate signal; magnetometer must sends and receives
deviated holes very slow logging be checked high-frequency pulses
speed
A
Borehole video axial or side view visual image on tape air or clean water; may need special NA video camera and light
(radial) clean borehole wall cable source
Caliper (29, 7) oriented, 4-arm high- borehole or casing any conditions deviated holes limit distance units, for 1 to 4 retractable arms
resolution, x-y or max- diameter some types; significant example, in.; jig with contact borehole wall
min bow spring resolution difference holes or rings
between tools
Temperature (30, 31, differential temperature of fluid fluid filled large variation in °C or °F; ice bath or thermistor or solid-
32) near sensor accuracy and constant temperature state sensor
resolution of tools bath
Fluid conductivity (7) fluid resistivity most measure fluid filled accuracy varies, µS/cm orΩ-m; ring el
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