New Orleans

Meeting Time/Place

Current Chapter Newsletter

The New Orleans Chapter holds its meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 11:30 am, from September through May. We meet at the Downtown-Superdome Holiday Inn, 330 Loyola.
Members and Non-Members: $30.00


SPWLA New Orleans Monthly Luncheon Meeting

Thursday, March 18

“A Comprehensive Investigation of Source Effects on Neutron Porosity Response for Logging-While-Drilling Measurements”

By Dr. Libai Xu, Smith-Pathfinder

RSVP Lisa at rxdx1117@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Americium-Beryllium (Am-Be) neutron sources have been used in neutron porosity logging for over 40 years. However, they now have become considerably more expensive and difficult to obtain. In addition, a recent report by the National Academy of Sciences recommended further study towards the possible replacement of Am- Be sources with either Californium-252 (Cf-252) neutron sources or neutron generators.

Because of the increased interest in alternative neutron sources, a detailed investigation was made between Am-Be, Cf-252 and Deuterium-Tritium (DT) neutron sources and variations in their neutron porosity response for logging-while-drilling (LWD) measurements. Monte Carlo simulations were used to investigate differences in thermal neutron porosity response due to source energy, as well as source to detector spacing, collar size, borehole plus environmental effects, and several clay minerals. Laboratory experiments were performed and a test well was logged with two identical LWD tools run together – the upper tool contained Cf- 252 and the lower had Am-Be.

The resulting neutron logs were in good agreement. Thus, with proper tool characterizations, Cf-252 and Am-Be sources yield similar neutron porosity logs.

BIO

Libai Xu is a Nuclear Physicist at SMITHPathFinder in Houston, TX. He received his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering in 2006 from the North Carolina State University. Before joining PathFinder, he worked at NCSU for one year as a postdoc. His present research focuses on LWD nuclear logging tool design and characterization and Monte Carlo modeling. He is a member of SPWLA, ANS and Sigma Xi.

p> Click on "Current Chapter Newsletter" for more news


General Information

New Orleans SPWLA Chapter Membership Form (in pdf format)

For Meeting Information contact:

William Horvath (Shell)
504.728-0434
email: william.horvath at shell.com


2009-2010 SPWLA New Orleans Chapter Board of Directors

President Leeann Daniels leeann.poulin at bakeratlas.com
President-Elect William Horvath william.horvath at shell.com
VP - Membership Richard Mongan richard.mongan at chevron.com
VP - Public Relations Russell Willis russell.willis at enipetroleum.com
Treasurer David Gillis gillis1 at new-orleans.oilfield.slb.com
Secretary Lisa Meeks rxdx1117 at yahoo.com
Golf Tournament Todd Richoux
David Schaper
todd.richoux at inteq.com
david.schaper at shell.com
Marketing Secretary Gary Trinchard gtrinchard at petrolog.com
VP Symposia Rick Kear kear1 at slb.com
Chapter Webmaster Glenn Donovan Glenn.Donovan at shell.com
Past President Dave Reiter dreiter at enipetroleum.com