Paper: Tracing Techniques Utilizing Radioactive Isotopes

Major advances in the measurement of extremely small amounts of radiation make the use of radioactive isotopes as a tracing material in petroleum reservoirs practical. Isotopes, Inc. has developed equipment capable of extremely low level techniques which, together with a number of low cost radioactive isotopes, make possible many useful applications in reservoir engineering. By introducing radioisotopes in the injection wells with the injected fluids it is possible to "tag" the injected fluid and, by analyzing produced water or gas, to trace the movement of the injected fluid throughout the reservoir. Directional permeability may be identified early in the lift of the project so that steps can be taken to maximize recovery efficiency.