Cement Well Logging Using Neutron Activation Analysis

The Macondo Oil Well incident in the Gulf of Mexico that began on April 20, 2010 highlighted the need for new well logging techniques to avoid future disasters. There is currently no state of the art technique to test for common well issues such as voids or poor centralization. This project proposes adding a neutron absorbing tagging agent to the concrete and subsequently applying the method of neutron activation analysis to detect well issues beyond what it is currently possible. This investigation showed the feasibility of this method and found an upper detection limit on emitted gamma rays. A brief discussion is also provided on future research paths to pursue in order to make this project physically realizable