Borehole Compensated Sonic Tool (BHC)

Description
Sonic tools are designed to measure the elastic compressional-wave velocity
of the formation surrounding the borehole. In essence, the sonic tool can be
thought of as a miniature seismic refraction experiment carried out within the
cylindrical borehole. The tool is centered in the hole by means of centralizers,
and contains one or more sources and receivers. A source fires acoustic
energy, which is transmitted into the borehole fluid. When the wavefront
impinges on the borehole wall, a refracted compressional wave is generated.
If formation shear velocity is higher than the acoustic velocity of the fluid, a
refracted shear wave will also be generated. The refracted waves travel along
the borehole wall, re-radiating energy into the fluid. Energy arrives at
receivers on the logging tool at a time that is linearly proportional to their
offset from the source. Thus, formation elastic-wave velocities can be
determined by measuring the arrival times at two receivers a known
difference apart.
The BHC sonde measured the time required for a compressional sound wave
to travel through one foot of formation. The BHC consisted of an upper and
lower transmitter arranged symmetrically on either side of two pair of
receivers. The spacings T1-R2 and T1-R4 were 3 and 5 feet apart, as well as
the spacings T2-R3 and T2-R1. The transmitters were pulsed alternately and
the transit time of the compressional wave in the formation, measured in
microseconds per foot, was given by: Δt=1/2 (T1R4-T1R2+T2R1-T2R3)
The BHC was used during the Deep Sea Drilling Project from 1975-1982 and
the Ocean Drilling Program from 1987-1998. It was also deployed during
IODP-ESO Expedition 302, on the Lomonosov Ridge.
Applications
Porosity and "pseudodensity"
The sonic transit time can be used to compute porosity by using the
appropriate transform, and to estimate fracture porosity in carbonatic rocks. In
addition, it can be used to compute a "pseudodensity" log over sections
where this log has not been recorded or the response was not satisfactory.
Seismic impedence
The product of compressional velocity and density is useful in computing
synthetic seismograms for time-depth ties of seismic reflectors.
Sonic waveform analysis
If a refracted shear arrival is present, its velocity can be computed from the
full waveforms, and the frequency content and energy of both compressional
and shear arrivals can also be determined.
Environmental Effects
One common problem is cycle skipping: a low signal level, such as that
occurring in large holes and soft formations, can cause the far detectors to
trigger on the second or later arrivals, causing the recorded Δt to be too high.
This problem can also be related to the presence of fractures.
Transit time stretching appears when the detection at the further detector
occurs later because of a weak signal. Finally, noise peaks are caused by
triggering of detectors by mechanically induced noise, which causes the Δt to
be too low.
Log Presentation
Delay times (µsec/ft) were usually displayed along with gamma ray and
resistivity data.
Tool Specifications
Diameter: 3.625 in (9.21 cm)
Major Outputs
DT: Delay time (µsec/ft)
TT1: Transit time 1 (5 ft) (µsec/ft)
TT2: Transit time 2 (3 ft) (µsec/ft)
TT3: Transit time 3 (5 ft) (µsec/ft)
TT4: Transit time 4 (3 ft) (µsec/ft)
Deployment Notes
The BHC could be run alone or in combination with resistivity and gamma ray
tools.