Determination of permafrost thickness in wells in northern Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Hnatiuk, J., Randall, A. G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Canada; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e77-038; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e77-038

Accurate interpretation of geophysical data, design of safe casing strings for drilling and production operations, and determination of the potential for existence of gas hydrates in and immediately below the permafrost zone are only possible if the thickness of the permafrost zone can be accurately determined.Freezing of interstitial water in soils has little effect on many of the physical properties of the soil, however, large changes in elastic properties and electrical resistivity do result. This makes it feasible to determine the thickness of the permafrost zone using techniques which measure changes in acoustic and electrical properties of the soils adjacent to the wellbore. This paper discusses the characteristic response which occurs as the borehole logging tool passes upwards from unfrozen sediments into the permafrost zone. It is this response which indicates the base of the permafrost zone and allows determination of permafrost thickness.Conclusive evidence of permafrost thickness and confirmation of permafrost thickness inferred from acoustic and electrical data is obtained from temperature data obtained subsequent to well suspension. Techniques utilized to obtain these temperature data are outlined in this paper.