Standard LWD Data Processing

Science operator: Texas A&M University

Hole: U1517A

Expedition: 372

Location: Hikurangi Subduction Margin (SW Pacific Ocean)

Latitude: 38° 49.7722' S

Longitude: 178° 28.5574' E

Logging date: December 16-17, 2017

Sea floor depth (driller's): 736.2 m DRF

Sea floor depth (logger's): 735.5 m LRF

Total penetration: 205 m LSF

Data

The logging data were recorded by Schlumberger in DLIS format. Data were processed at the Borehole Research Group of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in December 2017.

The logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool string was assembled and contained the geoVISION, SonicScope, NeoScope, TeleScope, and proVISION tools. The LWD data include downhole measurements of borehole caliper, resistivity at bit, annular pressure, gamma ray, velocity, porosity, bulk density, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The logging of Hole U1517A reached a total depth of 205 m LSF.

Processing

Depth shift: Original logs have been depth-shifted to the sea floor (-735.5 m). The sea floor depth was determined by the step in gamma ray and resistivity values at the sediment-water interface.

Gamma ray data processing: Processing of the data was performed in real-time onboard by Schlumberger personnel. Gamma ray data is measured as natural gamma ray (GR): the GR from the RAB tool has been corrected for hole size (bit size), collar size, and type of drilling fluid.

Neutron porosity data processing: Processing of the data was performed onshore by Schlumberger personnel. The neutron porosity measurements have been corrected for standoff, temperature, mud salinity, and mud hydrogen index (mud pressure, temperature, and weight).

Acoustic data: Processing of the data was performed onshore by Schlumberger personnel. The acoustic data was sampled with a sampling rate of 0.1524 m (0.5 ft).

Resistivity data: The array resistivity compensated data was sampled with a sampling rate of 15.24 cm (0.5 ft). The RAB resistivity was sampled with a sampling rate of 3.048 cm (1.2 in).

Quality Control

During the processing, quality control of the data is mainly performed by cross-correlation of all logging data. The best data is acquired in a circular borehole; this is particularly true for the density tool, which uses clamp-on stabilizers to eliminate mud standoff and to ensure proper contact with the borehole wall. A data quality indicator is given by the ultrasonic caliper (UCAV) measurement of hole diameter. For NMR logs, the data quality is generally high when the distance between the tool sensor and the wall of the borehole is less than 1 in. The data quality may be degraded when this distance is greater than 1 inch. The caliper log shows a washout that is less than 1 in. in the interval interval below 50 m LSF, indicating high quality of the processed NMR data. The processed compressional sonic velocity is of good quality as well, despite the lack of data in the 160-169 m LSF interval.

Additional information about the drilling and logging operations can be found in the Operations and Downhole Measurements sections of the expedition report, Proceedings of the International Ocean Discovery Program, Expedition 372. For further questions about the logs, if the hole is still under moratorium please contact the staff scientist of the expedition.

After the moratorium period you may direct your questions to:

Tanzhuo Liu

Phone: 845-365-8630

Fax: 845-365-8777

E-mail: Tanzhuo Liu

Cristina Broglia

Phone: 845-365-8343

Fax: 845-365-8777

E-mail: Cristina Broglia