ArenaPetro launched the new high-precision natural gamma ray spectrometry logging tool PSGR model B in February 2025.

    The PSGR high precision natural gamma ray spectrometry tool is embedded with a gamma ray detector featuring dual outputs. This design enables it to accurately identify the incident position of gamma rays and compensate for the energy loss during the transmission of gamma photons, thereby achieving higher formation depth resolution and more precise gamma ray energy measurements.

    Due to the unique structure of the dual output detector compared to conventional processes, manufacturing high temperature products has proven to be extremely challenging. Over the past five years, ArenaPetro has collaborated with numerous famous gamma scintillator suppliers. However, none of them were able to address the issue of the detector's operation at high temperatures. Nearly all suppliers were reluctant to guarantee a maximum operating temperature of 85°C. Some suppliers even experienced the continuous cracking of four different scintillator crystal assemblies, yet still failed to meet the design requirements. As a result, this project was on the verge of being unable to be commercialized.

     ArenaPetro was compelled to conduct independent research on the packaging process of scintillator. After more than two years of arduous efforts, by comprehensively improving the detector packaging process in late 2024, we successfully developed a dual output window scintillation detector capable of operating continuously at 155°C. When equipped with a thermos flask, it can be used in tools operating at 175°C or 200°C.

     The second generation PSGR instrument (PSGR-B) utilizes a patented new process to package high temperature (155°C) NaI scintillation detectors. Additionally, the volume of the crystal has been increased by 27%, significantly enhancing its ability to capture gamma rays. This improvement further enhances the measurement accuracy for formations with weak radiation intensity and markedly improves the curve repeatability.

     PSGR-B integrates multiple data processing and spectrum deconvolution methods. Relying on its unique spectrum deconvolution algorithm, the count rate of the thorium element characteristic peak has been increased by 20%. Coupled with the increase in crystal volume, the repeatability of the thorium element content curve has been significantly improved, with the volatility decreasing from 20% - 22% to 10% - 12%. The spectrum deconvolution accuracy of uranium and potassium elements has also been enhanced to some extent. The formation resolution of the total gamma curve has been increased to 0.3 - 0.4 meters.

     The PSGR-B tool can operate at a maximum temperature of 175°C or even 200°C and can withstand a pressure of 140 Mpa. Its practicality is greatly enhanced compared to the prototype PSGR (with a temperature resistance of 105°C) and the first generation product PSGR-A (with a temperature resistance of 155°C).

     After mastering the new generation scintillation crystal packaging technology, ArenaPetro will continue to improve its products this year. It plans to introduce a dual end output NaI scintillation detector with a temperature resistance of 175°C in the third quarter. This detector can be used for applications that require continuous operation at 175°C without a thermos flask or for 4 hours at 200°C or 2 hours at 230°C when equipped with a thermos flask.

     Hopefully that the high precision natural gamma ray spectrometry PSGR will soon become an important part of China's advanced logging systems and contribute to worldwide oil and gas exploration as well as other mineral resource explorations.