Raw Material Exploration
Discovering the treasures of the earth. The exploration of raw materials is the first step in the extraction of important raw materials. Our semi-finished products incorporate the latest technologies and help to identify deposits, determine their size and quality and organise extraction efficiently and sustainably.
Oil and gas deposits (CeBr3, Ce:LBC)
Exploratory drilling plays a major role in the exploration of oil and gas deposits. Scintillators are installed in the drill head. This technology can be used to obtain real-time data that allows conclusions to be drawn about the raw materials and enables quick decisions to be made regarding the progress of the drilling.
Borehole geophysics (CeBr3)
Borehole geophysics (logging) obtains information about the subsurface by taking measurements in boreholes using special probes that record physical and chemical parameters.1 The first electrical resistivity measurement was carried out in 1927.1 Over time, a variety of measurement techniques were developed to determine density, porosity, radioactivity, electrical resistivity and acoustic properties.1
The measurements are usually taken while the probe is being pulled up and provide detailed data.1 A distinction is made between “wireline logging” (after drilling) and “logging while drilling” (LWD).1 Borehole measurements have the advantage that they are carried out under in-situ conditions and therefore provide more accurate data than core analyses.1
The main areas of application are the exploration of oil and gas deposits, but also raw materials exploration, hydrogeology, geothermal energy and scientific research.1 A distinction is made between active (using artificial signals) and passive (utilising natural phenomena) measurement methods.1 The techniques are based on nuclear physics, electricity/electromagnetics and acoustics.1 In addition to physical properties, borehole geometry and flushing fluid are also recorded.1
Borehole measurements provide information such as density, porosity, radioactivity, electrical resistivity and sound velocity.1 They are particularly valuable when cores are missing or incomplete.1 Over 50 different probe designs exist, including for small boreholes in the near-surface.1 Borehole geophysics has evolved into a wide range of sophisticated techniques that provide more accurate subsurface data under natural conditions.1
| Measuring method | Physical properties | Areas of application |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical resistance | Resistance, conductivity, fluid type, saturation | Oil/gas, groundwater, mineral exploration |
| Gamma radiation | Natural radioactivity, lithology | Formation evaluation, correlation |
| Neutron porosity | Porosity, hydrogen content, fluid type | Reservoir characterisation, groundwater |
| Density | Raw density | Porosity determination, lithology |
| Sound/Acoustics | Speed of sound, mechanical properties, porosity, fissures | Reservoir characterisation, wellbore stability, seismic interpretation |
| Spontaneous potential | Electrochemical potential, permeability (qualitative) | Identification of permeable zones, correlation |
| Caliper | Borehole diameter, shape, volume | Quality control, cement volume |
- References
Fundamentals of Borehole Geophysics – RWTH AACHEN UNIVERSITY E …, accessed April 2, 2025, https://www.gge.eonerc.rwth-aachen.de/cms/e-on-erc-gge/forschung/forschungsgebiete/bohrlochgeophysik/~dsgp/grundlagen-bohrlochgeophysik/ ↩︎