A borehole neutron imaging tool having a two-dimensional array of neutron detector crystals, wherein said tool includes at least a source of neutrons; at least one collimated imaging detector to record images created by incident neutrons; sonde-dependent electronics; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and power supply units. A method for borehole neutron imaging, the method including controlling the direction of incident neutrons onto the imaging array; imaging said borehole surroundings; and creating a composite image of the materials surrounding the formation.

Through-tubing, cased-hole sealed material density can be evaluated using gamma ray measurements. Density evaluation comprises detecting, by at least one detector positioned within a casing of a wellbore including a sealing material positioned between the casing and a subsurface formation, electromagnetic radiation generated in response to nuclear radiation being emitted outward toward the subsurface formation, determining an electromagnetic radiation count based on the detected electromagnetic radiation, selecting at least one of a first reference material having a density that is less than a density of the sealing material and a second reference material having a density that is greater than the density of the sealing material, adjusting the electromagnetic radiation count based on the density of the at least one of the first reference material and the second reference material, and determining a density of the sealing material based on the adjusted electromagnetic radiation count.

Through-tubing, cased-hole sealed material density can be evaluated using gamma ray measurements. Density evaluation comprises detecting, by at least one detector positioned within a casing of a wellbore including a sealing material positioned between the casing and a subsurface formation, electromagnetic radiation generated in response to nuclear radiation being emitted outward toward the subsurface formation, determining an electromagnetic radiation count based on the detected electromagnetic radiation, selecting at least one of a first reference material having a density that is less than a density of the sealing material and a second reference material having a density that is greater than the density of the sealing material, adjusting the electromagnetic radiation count based on the density of the at least one of the first reference material and the second reference material, and determining a density of the sealing material based on the adjusted electromagnetic radiation count.

A method can include receiving neutron data and density data for a borehole in a geologic formation; determining a migration length value for a layer of the geologic formation based at least in part on the neutron data; forward modeling at least the layer based at least in part on the migration length value and the density data; and outputting, based at least in part on the forward modeling, modeled neutron data for the layer.

Methods, tools, and systems for determining porosity in an earth formation are disclosed. Neutrons are emitted into the formation to induce inelastic scattering gamma rays and thermal capture gamma rays in the formation. The induced gamma rays are detected at a proximal gamma detector and a far gamma detector, which are spaced at different axial distances from the neutron source. A measured proximal-to-far inelastic ratio (a ratio of inelastic scattering gammas detected at the proximal and far detector) and a proximal-to-far thermal capture ratio (a ratio of thermal capture gammas detected at the proximal and far detector) are determined and used to calculate the formation porosity. Techniques are disclosed for removing borehole and casing configuration effects from the measured proximal-to-far thermal capture ratio, leaving only porosity dependence.

Fail-safe methods for deactivating the pulsed neutron generator (PNG) of a logging tool are described herein, as are logging tools configured to execute the fail-safe methods. The fail-safe methods deactivate the PNG if the logging tool is disposed in air outside of a borehole. Measurements taken using one or more gamma ray detectors of the logging tool are used to calculate a value for a parameter that is indicative of the tool being disposed in an air environment. Examples of such parameters include ratios of capture gamma rays and burst gamma rays. The disclosed methods operate without reference to sensors and/or control from outside the tool. The methods do not inadvertently deactivate the tool when it encounters an air-filled borehole.

A neutron tube. At least some of the illustrative embodiments including: generating, from a neutron tube, a first neutron burst having a first characteristic energy spectra; and generating, from the neutron tube, a second neutron burst having a second characteristic energy spectra different than the first characteristic energy spectra, the generating the second neutron burst within one second of generating the first neutron burst.

A neutron tube. At least some of the illustrative embodiments including: generating, from a neutron tube, a first neutron burst having a first characteristic energy spectra; and generating, from the neutron tube, a second neutron burst having a second characteristic energy spectra different than the first characteristic energy spectra, the generating the second neutron burst within one second of generating the first neutron burst.

A computer-implemented method that uses a preprogrammed neural network and a trained neural network computer program product to predict and then compared borehole and formation sigmas, when using a pulse neutron source and at least three dual-function radiation detectors. These dual-function radiation detectors are used for detecting both neutrons and gamma rays and further pre-programmed to distinguish between neutrons and gamma rays by using pulse shape discrimination techniques. The trained neural network computer program product can be used on above-surface systems, as well as below surface systems like borehole assemblies in logging-while-drilling systems. Once thermal neutron time-decay signals and capture gamma ray time-decay signals are measured by the at least three-dual function radiation detectors, a non-transitory computer readable memory device with the trained neural network computer program product is used to obtain a true borehole sigma and true formation sigma as the measurements are not affected by near-wellbore environments.

A computer-implemented method that uses a preprogrammed neural network and a trained neural network computer program product to predict and then compared borehole and formation sigmas, when using a pulse neutron source and at least three dual-function radiation detectors. These dual-function radiation detectors are used for detecting both neutrons and gamma rays and further pre-programmed to distinguish between neutrons and gamma rays by using pulse shape discrimination techniques. The trained neural network computer program product can be used on above-surface systems, as well as below surface systems like borehole assemblies in logging-while-drilling systems. Once thermal neutron time-decay signals and capture gamma ray time-decay signals are measured by the at least three-dual function radiation detectors, a non-transitory computer readable memory device with the trained neural network computer program product is used to obtain a true borehole sigma and true formation sigma as the measurements are not affected by near-wellbore environments.