Logging and Log Interpretation - A Graphical Method of Dipmeter Interpretation Using the Stereonet

INTRODUCTION The importance of determining dips of subsurface formations in wells, especially in wildcat wells, is self-evident and need not be enlarged upon. Various dipmeter instruments have been described in technical literature1,2,3,4 over the years. The introduction of the continuous dip-meters3,4 has made the earlier types obsolete. Continuous dipmeter logs are run by at least two different major service companies. Included as part of the service are a limited number of dip calculations—usually 10—made at different levels from the log. Very frequently this is the total result of a dip survey. It is believed that dipmeter surveys would be of considerably more advantage if geologists and engineers were able to make their own calculations from the original records. Determination of dips from the dipmeter record starts with the correlation of three log curves taken at different sides of the borehole. It cannot be over-emphasized that the quality of the results hinges primarily on this correlation. Nobody should be better qualified to correlate logs than a subsurface geologist or field engineer. The next requirement is to have an easy yet accurate way of computing the dip from the correlated points. Service companies use a mechanical device for this purpose. Directions for a graphical method were given in a recent article by B. 0. Prescotts. This paper describes a different graphical technique which, in our experience, is simpler, faster and at least as accurate. The entire manipulation is carried out on the stereonet in a number of easy moves. The paper is divided into two parts. This first part contains the introductory sections and full explanation of the geometry involved. The second part reviews the reading of data from an actual field log and summarizes the practical rules for computation of dips, the whole process being illustrated by an example. Following the outlined procedure, one could calculate a good many levels in a relatively short time, thus being able in particular to check suspected anomalies such as fault zones or unconformities in as close detail as the log will permit. GENERAL EXPOSITION OF THE METHOD Prnciple of the Dipmeter The position of a plane in space is defined by the location of three points, not on a straight line. Referring to Fig. I, if a borehole traverses a bedding plane, we can determine the strike and dip of the bed by finding three points which are not in line along this plane. Such points as A, B, and C are obtained with the dipmeter. The device consists of three electrodes (or caliper arms)1, 2, and 3 spaced at 120 angles, as schematically indicated, whose readings are separately recorded (Curves 1, 11, 111, to the right). When electrode 1 passes the boundary of the bed, Curve I will kick, etc. From these curves, we know the relative distances of points A, B, C, measured along the axis of the hole. If A is at zero, then B and C are at levels d1 and d2 up the hole,