Definition of Well Logging

Did you know that in a lot of areas people get their water from wells? Instead of getting water from a water company, they get water from a well that may be a private well or a public shared well. And in some remote areas, people actually have to walk to the local well to retrieve water.

Well, before these wells became successful and useful, they had to be drilled. During this drilling process, do you know what the workers did to determine whether the well would be successful? They recorded a well log. A well log is a record of the formations and any events that are encountered in the drilling process. It basically tells you what you pass through as you are drilling deeper and deeper. It is also referred to as borehole logging.

Purpose of Well Logging

Well logging is actually used not just for water wells, but also for oil wells. Researchers also use well logging as a means to perform geothermal, geotechnical, and environmental studies. Well logs tell researchers how deep certain formations are and what types of formations are present underground.

Well logs are used while drilling to determine a well's suitability and to record any events, such as any problems that occur, along with what kind of formations are being drilled through. This information is then used to determine if the formations are desirable ones or undesirable ones depending on the type of well. Well logs also tell workers whether a water well has enough water or whether an oil well has enough oil. They also tell workers whether the oil or water from a well needs additional treatment before it can be used commercially.