A presence of cement may be identified based on a downhole tool that may emit neutrons into a wellbore having at least one cement casing. The neutrons may interact with the particular material via inelastic scattering, inelastic neutron reactions, capture of neutrons and/or neutron activation through one of these reactions and cause a material to emit an energy spectrum of gamma rays, and wherein the downhole tool is configured to detect an energy spectrum of the gamma rays that is specific to at least one of a plurality of elements and associated a region within the wellbore. An amount of elements, such as calcium and silicon, may be determined from the gamma ray spectra that may indicate a present of cement within the wellbore.

Gadolinium- or boron-doped drilling mud is used during drilling so that it will penetrate all natural cracks in the formation that intersect with the wellbore. Once cased, cemented and washed, the doped mud will only be in the fractures. Pulsed neutron logging is performed, and natural factures thereby characterized.

Component weight and/or volume fractions of subterranean rock are determined. A formation model generates mineral and fluid concentration data from which elemental concentrations are calculated. Forward modeling produces a simulated energy spectrum, and simulation produces a simulated constraining log. Spectra is generated by detecting gamma radiation with a neutron logging tool, and a constraining log is generated. The spectrum and the simulated energy spectrum are compared with resultant error determined. The constraining log and simulated constraining log are compared with resultant error determined. The formation model generates further mineral and fluid concentration to calculate further elemental concentrations. Forward modeling produces further simulated energy spectrum signal and further constraining logs. The spectrum signals and further simulated spectrum signal are compared with resultant error determined. The constraining log and further simulated constraining log are compared, and resultant error is determined. The mineral and fluid concentration are selected that result in minimal error.

A system includes a logging tool assembly having a geochemical logging tool with a neutron source and a gamma ray detector, wherein the geochemical logging tool collects formation property measurements as a function of position in a borehole. The system also includes a processor that receives the formation property measurements and that derives a geochemical photoelectric log based at least in part on the formation property measurements. The system also includes an output that displays the geochemical photoelectric log to a user.

A method for determining a fractional volume of at least one component of a formation includes entering into a computer a number of detected radiation events resulting from imparting neutrons into the formation at an energy level of at least 1 million electron volts (MeV). The detected radiation events correspond to at least one of an energy level of the imparted neutrons and thermal or epithermal energy neutrons. A measurement of at least one additional petrophysical parameter of the formation is made. The at least one additional petrophysical parameter measurement and at least one of a fast neutron cross-section and a thermal neutron cross-section determined from the detected radiation events are used in the computer to determine the fractional volume of the at least one component of the formation. In another embodiment, the fast neutron cross-section and the thermal neutron cross-section may be used on combination to determine the fractional volume.

Systems and related methods to alter and optimize the placement of fracture initiation points through utilization of mineralogy.

A method for determining a fractional volume of at least one component of a formation includes entering into a computer a number of detected radiation events resulting from imparting neutrons into the formation at an energy level of at least 1 million electron volts (MeV). The detected radiation events correspond to at least one of an energy level of the imparted neutrons and thermal or epithermal energy neutrons. A measurement of at least one additional petrophysical parameter of the formation is made. The at least one additional petrophysical parameter measurement and at least one of a fast neutron cross-section and a thermal neutron cross-section determined from the detected radiation events are used in the computer to determine the fractional volume of the at least one component of the formation. In another embodiment, the fast neutron cross-section and the thermal neutron cross-section may be used on combination to determine the fractional volume.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a downhole inspection system including a neutron generation unit operable to emit neutrons toward a target in a wellbore. The system also includes a neutron detection unit fixed relative to the neutron generator and operable to detect thermal neutrons from the target. The system includes a shielding arrangement forming at least a portion of the neutron detection unit, the shielding arrangement blocking at least a portion of the thermal neutrons, from penetrating beyond a predetermined radial location within the neutron detection unit.

A programmable integrated measurement while drilling (MWD) system is an integrated, ruggedized, and condensed MWD system configured to enable end-user customizable applications for downhole exploration and drilling. The integrated MWD system integrates a co-processor with a directional controller enabling execution of the end-user customizable applications without interrupting the real-time operations of the directional controller.

A system includes a logging tool assembly having a geochemical logging tool with a neutron source and a gamma ray detector, wherein the geochemical logging tool collects formation property measurements as a function of position in a borehole. The system also includes a processor that receives the formation property measurements and that derives a geochemical photoelectric log based at least in part on the formation property measurements. The system also includes an output that displays the geochemical photoelectric log to a user.