Improvements to Downhole Logging and Instrumentation

Geothermal wells and their respective high-temperature downhole conditions impose different demands on drilling and logging tool technologies, which can impact the ability to maintain an accurate control on the measurement accuracy.  In recent years, technologies have been developed specifically for geothermal applications which address some of the limitations of traditional downhole sensors used primarily by the oil and gas industry.  Due to the relative increase in complexity for accessing geothermal resources, these unique challenges are now being addressed by the service sector to ensure the wells are drilled and completed in an effective manner.  The vagaries of geothermal well logging can include high temperature, large temperature variations between well interventions as well as significant changes in the wellbore temperature profile, corrosive conditions, scale, and large boreholes.  These are all factors that impose limitations on the ability to acquire accurate and reliable data for applications such as the drilling of highly deviated wells through fractured granitic geologic formations, accurate wellbore placement and logging data in proximity of neighbouring offset wells, and subsequently monitoring of wall thinning and build-up of scale in production tubulars. An understanding of the methods employed in maintaining accurate data QA/QC and sharing best practices will contribute to increased confidence in the evolution of geothermal resource development, which will, ultimately, enhance the management of assets.