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Nuclear geophysical logging for Gondwana coal exploration: a case study at Phulbari Coal Basin, northern part of Bangladesh

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Abstract

Different methods of lithology predictions from geophysical data have been developed in the last 15 years, among which the conventional logs are as follows: sonic, neutron–neutron, natural gamma, and density (backscattered gamma–gamma). This article concentrates on the nuclear geophysical suite, in particular, gamma and gamma–gamma logging, which, to date, provide the most accurate geophysical means of identifying coal seams and estimating their thickness. From the gamma and gamma–gamma logs of boreholes AEN 002, 007, 044, 045, 063, 085, and 105, which were carried out at the Phulbari Coal Basin of Bangladesh, two coal seams—upper and main with two lower seams of limited occurrence and of varying thickness—were identified, together with their regional occurrence.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the authorities of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission for taking the necessary steps to provide a borehole geophysical logging services for coal exploration at the Phulbari Coal Basin. The authors wish to thank Gary Lye, Ahsan Habib, Badruzzaman, and the field geologists of Asia Energy Corp. Pvt. Ltd for their collaboration and assistance given during the field trials. This work is funded by the Asia Energy Corporation (Bangladesh) Pty. Ltd. in collaboration with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

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Correspondence to Md. Ibrahim Khalil.

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Khalil, M.I., Islam, F. & Akon, E. Nuclear geophysical logging for Gondwana coal exploration: a case study at Phulbari Coal Basin, northern part of Bangladesh. Arab J Geosci 6, 1647–1655 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0484-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0484-3

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