Dips FAQs: Borehole Traverse / Oriented Core

Below are answers to Borehole Traverse / Oriented Core FAQs for Dips. Click on the question to read the answer.

1. I am using Dips to process oriented core borehole data. How do I obtain a list of the processed dip and dip direction values?

   Use the Process Data option:

   1. Read in your original Dips file containing the borehole data.

   2. Use the Process Data option in the Analysis menu to save the processed data in the format of your choice (e.g. Dip/DipDirection). See the Save Processed File topic for detailed information about the processed Dips file options.

   3. The processed file is also a Dips file. Once the file is saved, then you can print, or export to Word or Excel etc.

2. Can I define a curved borehole in Dips?

   It is NOT possible to define a curved borehole in Dips as a single borehole traverse. To analyze oriented core from a curved borehole, you will have to divide up the borehole into an appropriate number of smaller sections, and define an individual borehole traverse for each section, assuming a constant orientation for each section of the borehole.

3. I already have processed borehole data from televiewer measurements. What type of traverse do I use in Dips?

   The borehole traverse option in Dips is strictly for processing oriented core data. If your borehole data has already been processed (e.g. direct measurement of fracture orientations by optical or acoustic televiewer), then you do NOT use the borehole traverse option. In this case you can define each section of the borehole as a LINEAR traverse in Dips, and enter the Trend / Plunge of the borehole as the traverse orientation in the Traverse Information dialog.

4. Is it possible to define the orientation of linear features (e.g. slickenside lineations) measured on planar discontinuities of oriented core samples, in order to obtain the true orientation of the linear features?

   In Dips version 6 it is NOT possible to define the orientation of linear features measured on planar discontinuities of oriented core samples.

   However it is possible to define and plot linear features on planes as follows:

   1. Add a user-defined plane with the Add Plane option.

   2. In the Edit Planes dialog select Edit Lineations and you can define linear features with respect to the dip vector of the plane.