Abstract

The use of new, highly-sensitive and stable temperature logging systems has produced data which correlates with
earlier theoretical predictions and has stimulated the application of temperature logging into areas other than the
conventional cement top location. Innovations lie chiefly in the concepts of combining gradient with differential
logs to get different views of a given temperature anomaly. Also, the techniques of changing well conditions during
a series of logs are effective in creating temperature anomalies which can reveal considerable information about
downhole conditions. These techniques are particularly effective in producing injectivity profiles in secondary
recovery programs and in evaluating fracturing operations.

A. Introduction

Probably the first physical measurement made in an oil well, other than depth, was the determination of
bottom hole temperature. There has been continuing interest and speculation as to the significance and usefulness of
subsurface temperature data during the development of the petroleum industry over the past century, but there seems
to have been more theorizing than action in developing and refining temperature measurement techniques. It is
interesting to note that in this day of accelerated and sophisticated technology, where even nuclear instruments and
materials have become commonplace, there is a surge of interest in the unexplored potentials of the "plain vanilla’’
area of subsurface temperature.

This revived interest in temperature measurement is a direct result of observed correlation between earlier
theoretical predictions and data recently acquired with new, highly sensitive apparatus and new concepts in
generating downhole temperatures to be measured in addition to the naturally occurring gradients.

B. Types of Temperature Logs.

In general the temperature measuring systems used in borehole applications can be grouped in two
categories, (1). those which are operated on solid lines and do not communicate data to the surface during
operation, and (2). those which operate on conductor cables in order to produce surface recording of continuous
downhole temperature measurements.

1. Solid Line Types.

(a). Mercury Thermometer.

The maximum temperature mercury is the simplest device in this category. It was likely the first type of
measurement made downhole and is still widely used where only bottom hole temperature determinations
are necessary.

(b). Mechanical Recording Thermometer.

The downhole mechanical recording thermometer, commonly known as the "bomb", is an integral
unit, performing both the temperature measurement and recording functions within the downhole tool.
A gasfilled system senses the temperature variation and mechanically displaces a stylus which records
on a clock-driven hartstrip. The correlation between temperature and depth is accomplished by the
operator at the surface who must correlate known depth positions with time. This device is very useful
in many applications, but has the disadvantage of offering only point-to-point rather than continuous
data.

2. Conductor Line Types.

a. Resistance Wire. The temperature logging system which uses a resistance wire such as platinum in the
downhole to sense temperature and connects by conductor cable to the surface for a continuous surface recording
produces the most complete data on downhole temperatures. The resistance wire sensor is fairly responsive and
permits logging rates up to 1000 ft/hr. without loss of accuracy.
b. Semi-Conductor. A more recent development has replaced the resistance wire sensor with a semi-
conductor, negative coefficient element which has several advantages. The semiconductor element experiences a
much greater percentage resistance change per degree temperature change than the resistance wire and therefore
 greatly increases the sensitivity of the logging system. Its relatively small mass also reduces thermal lag and permits
ft/hr. logging rates of up to 6000 The small size of the element has also made possible the development of downhole
tools only 3/4 inch in diameter for slim hole applications.
c. Differential. The use of two semi-conductor elements spaced a short distance apart on the downhole tool
and recording on the surface only the difference between the elements, introduced a new method of detecting minute
temperature changes or anomalies. With the two sensing elements in a balanced electrical circuit and both at the
same temperature, the recorded signal is zero, which is usually represented as a reference line at the center of the
recorder chart. Under this condition of equilibrium, the sensitivity or gain of the logging system can be greatly
increased with the recorded signal remaining at center zero. However, when equilibrium is upset by one element
experiencing a slight change in temperature, relatively large recorder deflections result, and the direction of
deflection from center zero has added a microscopic capability in recording small temperature anomalies.
d. Applications of Temperature Logs.
1. Gradient. The most common usage of the temperature log has been for the purpose of locating the top
of cement after a cementing operation. Field examples of this type of log and a detailed discussion of
the typical problems are presented later in this paper. Large gas or fluid movements either in open hole
or through tubing or casing leaks have been successfully analyzed by means of the gradient types of
survey. The gradient type of temperature log is actuated by the single temperature sensing element
downhole, ei-ither resistance wire or semi-conductor, and surface recording of the temperature
encountered in degrees Fahrenheit. One special type of fluid movement problem which has frequently
been successfully diagnosed by the gradient temperature log is that of loss of circulation in drilling.
2. Differential. In all applications of the gradient temperature log mentioned above there are occasions
when the recorded temperature anomalies are too small to be interpreted with certainty. In this event,
the differential temperature log, with its ability to detect and amplify the minute anomaly, is found to be
very effective. The search for the small anomaly by means of the differential method is most likely to
occur when small gas or fluid movements are involved through or channelling behind tubing or casing
and when old cement tops or small quantities of squeezed cement are to be located.
3. "Delta T" Concept. A new concept in the application of temperature logs has produced significant new
data, and is based more on the new usage of existing gradient and differential temperature logging
systems in combinations rather than the development of new apparatus or circuitry. The new concept
may be summarized in the attitude of "if you don't find a delta t, make one". It is based on the practical
observation that a single temperature log may be difficult to interpret, but in combination with a series
of logs run under planned and varied conditions on the same well, the downhole picture comes alive.
The situation is analogous to the single still photograph compared with the lapsed time series of
photographs or the motion picture. A typical series of logs would involve a minimum of three
conditions, selected to generate "delta t" at areas of interest in a well. The first log would be run under
static conditions, the well having been shut in for a considerable period of time and with downhole
conditions in near normal equilibrium. The second log would run several hours after the well has been
set into a flow condition and the new downhole thermal gradients resulting from the flow have
approached equilibrium. The third log would be run a short time after the well is shut in and the
downhole gradients in the process of returning to the original state of equilibrium.

It is often found that these three curves will reveal areas of particular interest, and it is common
practice to detail those local areas with the differential temperature log to amplify the anomalies.

D. Temperature Log, After Cementing

1. Locating Cement Tops. The need to determine the success of a cementing operation in filling the annulus around
casing to a desired level has brought about the widespread usage of the temperature log for this purpose. The
exothermic chemical reaction present in the setting cement generates considerable heat over a period of six to
twelve hours after the initial mixing, and it is the temperature rise of the cement behind casing which is readily
detected by the temperature log. In Fig. 1, the sharp break in the temperature gradient curve at 1880 ft. clearly
indicates the top of the setting cement.