ODP Logging Services provides full support for all aspects of the third-party downhole logging program including tool design, manufacturing, testing, deployments, and data acquisition. Since the beginning of ODP, numerous successful deployments have been completed with tools from institutions around the world.

Complete listing of the third-party tool deployments

In the past, occasional difficulties were encountered during the third party tool design and deployment stages due to the need for adequate shorebased test facilities, custom surface instrumentation, acquisition systems, and specialized power supplies. These problems have been solved through the development of a test well facility with ODP style logging equipment located at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and a multipurpose data acquisition system (3rd Party DAS) installed in the Downhole Measurements Lab (DHML) on board the JOIDES Resolution. The 3rd party DAS system offers numerous enhancements including a standard computer platform from which to launch acquisition software, several power supplies, and a workbench in the acquisition area devoted to third party equipment.

Third-Party Tool Development Assistance

Assistance during the development of third party tools is provided through ODP Logging Services personnel and the facilities available at LDEO. On-site facilities are available to manufacture, assemble, pressure test, and deploy third party downhole equipment. Collaboration with other nearby institutions provide even greater flexibility for accommodating most equipment being readied for an ODP deployment.

Steps to deploying a third-party tool in ODP:

1. Develop a working downhole tool suitable for the ODP drilling environment. The tool should be no more than 3.75 inches in diameter. It should weight at least 150 lbs. It should have a G.O. 7 conductor cablehead or equivalent. The tool should also be pressure tested to withstand hydrostatic pressures of the selected deployment site.
2. Demonstrate the proper functioning of the tool in other projects or a test hole.
3. Before including a deployment into a leg science plan, a request must be made to the appropriate co-chief scientist well in advance of the pre-cruise meeting.
4. If the co-chiefs grants operations time for the tool deployment then the tool must be approved by the Scientific Measurements Panel (SCIMP).
5. Conditions for the approval of all third party tools are outline in "ODP Third Party Tool Development Guidelines". These conditions must be met prior to the acceptance of the tool for use on any ODP leg.
6. The tool must be shipped to and from the designated ports of entry at the proponents expense

Contact Gerardo Iturrino for assistance with completing this process.

Third Party Tool Equipment and Resources

Components currently available for third party tool support:

• PC based data acquisition system at LDEO and on the JOIDES Resolution
• Multiple power supplies in a wide variety of voltage and amperage outputs
• Cross-over for connecting third party tools to a 31-pin Schlumberger-style cablehead and a 1-1/2" Gearhart/Owen cablehead
• Depth measurement system
• 28,000 ft of 7-46 wireline on the ship and a wireline heave compensator
• Access to 1000 ft test hole at LDEO with an ODP style logging winch
• 22,000 feet of 7-46 wireline with terminations indoors at LDEO

When a tool is ready for an ODP deployment, the proponent may utilize the 3rd Party DAS for data acquisition. This system is based on a modular software package for data telemetry, equipment triggering, and switching for a variety of downhole devices. Each module has been written in LabView for a specific piece of equipment and can be used from any PC that has the proper hardware installed. The system currently utilizes the Windows 98 operating system and the LabView 5 graphical DAS environment.