Needs of well logging industry in new nuclear detectors

In this paper we discuss some challenges of nuclear well logging related to the lack of the gamma ray and neutron detection technologies capable of operating reliably in the down-hole hostile environment. Different nuclear well logging techniques are described, the parameters of nuclear detectors which would satisfy the requirements imposed by these techniques are considered, and the results of the analysis in the well logging industry demand´s for different types of nuclear detectors is presented. The impact of several technological innovations introduced recently in nuclear well logging, including detectors based on LnBr₃:Ce and GYSO scintillation materials, are discussed. The possibility of replacing He³ ionization detectors with Li⁶ glass scintillation detectors is considered. Also some of the reliability problems of well logging nuclear detectors are analysed and their possible solutions are discussed.