James H. Sexton

System for conducting resonance measurements of rock materials under confining pressure

A confining pressure system includes a pressure cell containing a mechanical oscillator and a gas supply for carrying out resonance measurements of rock material under confining pressure at seismic frequencies. An appropriate gas is used to avoid significant damping of oscillations under confining pressures of various ranges.

Sonic attenuating method for distinguishing between oil, water, and gas

A novel method is disclosed for using the resonance behavior of reservoir sand to distinguish between oil-rich, gas-rich and water-rich zones. A wellbore is logged, as for example with a long spaced acoustic logging tool, to obtain data which are then interpreted to determine the damping of the acoustic signal in one sand versus another, or in that sand versus a reference sand having similar resonance characteristics.