Mining Engineering Department/ 3rd Year
Dr. Maha Muneeb
MECHANICAL CALIPER LOG
The mechanical caliper measures variations
in borehole diameter and shape with depth.
Changes in borehole diameters may be related to
both drilling technique and lithology.
How Caliper Measures the Borehole Diameter?
Measures the variation in borehole diameter
as it is withdrawn from the bottom of the hole,
using two or more articulated arms that push
against the borehole wall. Hole diameter is read
directly from the log.
Types of Mechanical Caliper Log
Caliper log has two, three,
four, or more extendable arms,
which can move in and out of the
tool. This movement is converted
into an electrical signal by a
potentiometer.
two arms tool
four arms (dual caliper) tool or
(Borehole Geometry Tool) BGT
Borehole Geometry Tool
An example of a four arms tool is the Borehole Geometry Tool
(BGT). This has four arms that can be opened to 30 inches (40 inches as
a special modification), and give two independent perpendicular caliper
readings
Caliper Log Responses
The scale is generally given in
inches, which is standard for
measuring bit sizes. A hole with the
same diameter as the bit-size is called
on gauge.
On gauge holes are target for all
drilling and essentially indicate good
drilling technique. Borehole
diameters larger and smaller than the
bit size are possible.
Factors Affecting on Caliper Log
Uses of the Caliper Log
1. Caliper logs can give us information about the borehole size and shape.
2. Contributory information for lithological assessment and used to aid in
evaluation of rock properties of formations drilled
3. indicator of good permeability and porosity zones (reservoir rocks) due
to development of mudcake.
4. Estimation of mudcake thickness, hmc = (dbit – dh) / 2 . dh is caliper
reading.
5. Locate fracture zone and assess borehole quality and stability.
6. Measurement of required cement volume.
