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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 46 (1962)

Issue: 2. (February)

First Page: 264

Last Page: 265

Title: Automatic Acquisition, Processing, and Interpretation of Geologic Data: ABSTRACT

Author(s): J. W. Earley

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The study of the abundance and distribution of minerals is in an explosive phase. In the few years that have elapsed since the first interpretations of X-ray analyses of rock composition were made thousands of determinations have been reported in hundreds of published papers. The precision of stratigraphic interpretation, correlation, and determination of environment is improved by using mineral composition but the cost has been high. Utilization of automatic equipment and data processing Previous HitmethodsNext Hit makes it feasible to obtain economically a wide variety of geological information.

Ditch, air-drilled, core, and outcrop samples are ground mechanically and sieved through a 450-mesh screen as the grinding proceeds. After homogenizing, the powder samples are prepared on microscope slides for X-ray analysis. A magazine-type automatic sample-changer holding 60 samples feeds the slides in turn into the X-ray diffractometer for analysis. The resulting data are punched automatically onto IBM cards using Previous HitelectricalTop control circuits to coordinate the many sequential operations. The suitably coded IBM cards containing digital diffraction intensities taken at each 1/10 degree of scan are processed in the IBM 704 computer using a dictionary-type program to produce a summary card showing the minerals present in a sample and their abundance. The summary cards containing control information and mineralogical composition are

End_Page 264------------------------------

processed on other IBM or similar-type equipment to prepare compositional logs and maps which can be used for making correlations, defining lithologic features, determining environments, interpreting responses on geophysical-type logs, and predicting the location of reservoir rocks.

Very recent advances in technology have made it possible to build systems that will obtain and handle large masses of compositional information using simpler and faster analog systems as accessories to the X-ray diffractometer. Further refinements can be expected and well-site equipment capable of keeping pace with the drill is envisaged. The potentialities of automatic acquisition, processing, and interpretation of mineralogic as well as other geologic information have not yet been realized in exploration but trends are suggested.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists