Physical parameters measured on cores and cuttings from the pilot well (0 m–4000.1 m) of the German continental deep drilling program (KTB) in the Oberfalz area, Bavaria, Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

The project of an ultradeep drill hole (KTB) in the Oberpfalz area at the western margin of the Bohemian Massif has completed a pilot drill hole to a depth of 4000.1 m in April 1989. This well is situated only about 200m away from the main drill hole aimed at 10 km depth where drilling started in September 1990. The cores of the pilot well have a diameter of 9.4 cm or 10.16 cm, respectively. In addition to cores and cuttings there was also mud available for geochemical, petrological and some geophysical measurements. The pilot drill hole has a core recovery length of as much as 3042.6 m (about 76%), among which 193.1 m were obtained by rotary drilling and 2849.5 m by wireline drilling. Several petrophysical parameters were measured in a specially established field laboratory at the drill site immediately after sampling in order to obtain as good as possible in-situ values. Results for the following parameters are reported: density, natural gamma ray activity, velocities of seismic longitudinal and shear waves, thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, natural remanent magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, porosity and inner surface. The methods of measurement are characterized briefly and the results of the pilot drill hole are presented and discussed in connection with the lithology and the geophysical anomalies, which have been observed on the surface.