On replacing Am–Be neutron sources in compensated porosity logging tools

Authors explored the direct replacement of Am–Be neutron sources in neutron porosity logging tools through Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP5. 252Cf and electronic accelerator neutron sources based on the Deuterium–Tritium fusion reaction were considered. Between the sources, a tradeoff was noted between sensitivity to the presence of hydrogen and uncertainty due to counting statistics. It was concluded that both replacement sources as well as accelerator sources based on the Deuterium–Deuterium fusion reaction warrant further consideration as porosity log sources.