IODP runs the most advanced suite of routinely used downhole instruments of any scientific project in the world today.
These tools change frequently and rapidly in terms of design and capabilities, and downhole tools specialists sailing on the JOIDES Resolution are often confronted with a bewildering array of instruments and proceedures.
With the short time available between establishment of the ship schedule and the start of individual legs, shipboard scientists often do not have access to instruments or even manuals, prior to sailing.
The purpose of this page is to provide contact with the people involved in the planning of downhole tool deployment and to give brief descriptions of key aspects of those tools.
For many of the IODP downhole tools, fully detailed operating instructions written by the tool designers or manufacturers are available from IODP and on board the JOIDES Resolution, and will only be briefly summarized here.
Factors that are important in planning and conducting measurements are discussed in ODP Technical Note 10.
"TAMU" will be used here to refer to IODP Science Services at Texas A&M University (TAMU), and "LDEO" will be used to refer to IODP Science Services at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
TAMU and LDEO divide responsibilities for downhole tools in a general way as follows: LDEO is responsible for providing logs measured with tools run on the seven-conductor logging cable (or "wireline"), whereas TAMU is responsible for those tools used with the drill string and/or the nonconducting coring line (or "sandline").
It is important to understand that just because a measurement is called "routine" that does not mean that it can be made under all circumstances or without significant preparation by TAMU and LDEO technical support staff. Successful use of all downhole tools generally requires some warning prior to sailing, to make sure that proper supplies are available, and to undertake training of scientific and technical personnel. To ensure successful use of specific IODP downhole tools on a particular leg, it is advisable to start planning at least one year before a cruise, and it is essential to keep two organizations fully informed: TAMU and the ISAS advisory panel structure via the Downhole Measurements Panel (DMP).
Modified on Wednesday, 05-Jan-2005 11:49:44 CST.