Borehole Imaging System

The efforts by the 2006 team showed that pictures from borehole cameras can be stitched together to create a high-resolution image of the wall of a well. This image shows great details about the geology exposed in the well, and it would be a valuable tool for geologists. The technique we used to create the mosaic was effective, but extremely time consuming.

The challenge is to develop a method for making detailed, undistorted images of the wall of a borehole fairly quickly and inexpensively. We showed a way to do it that is time-consuming, and there are devices available for making these images if you have a big budget. Here is one example of an existing device.

One approach to meeting this challenge is to develop a device that uses a fixed mirror to photograph the entire circumference of a borehole, and then use image processing software to first remove the distortion in each photo, and then to automatically stitch together the images. Developing this type of device will make use of skills in mechanical engineering, computer engineering, math, and geology.

Please contact me if you are interested.

Last Updated: July 31, 2006 -- Questions or comments, contact Larry Murdoch.
School of Environment, Department of Geological Sciences
340 Brackett Hall, Clemson, SC 29634  USA -- Telephone: (864) 656-3438, Fax: (864) 656-1041
© 2004-2005 Clemson Univeristy, Clemson, SC, USA. All rights reserved.