1963 Paper (S)

FIELD INVESTIGATION OF FULL ACOUSTIC WAVE RECORDING

By Terry Walker and George Riddle (Welex)

ABSTRACT

A number of investigations have shown laboratory and some field data on the effect of various formation parameters on frequency, amplitude, and velocity of the compressive and shear wave of the acoustic borehole signal. In order to fully investigate the possibilities in this field, an extensive program was initiated to record the full wave of the acoustic signal at various receivers in cored wells in all areas. These recordings have allowed the determination of velocity, absolute amplitude, attenuation rate, and frequency of both the shear and compressional waves. These measurements are correlated with the core information available and formation content to show the degree of anomaly obtained as compared to both laboratory measurements and theoretical calculations.

The application of full wave recording, both X-Y and X-Z axis, to cement bond logging is discussed, and examples are included to show the characteristics of the acoustic signal in cased hole. In cased hole, in well bonded sections, correlations of the acoustic data are shown to evaluate the possibilities of fracture location behind pipe and the possible determination of other formation parameters.