Acoustic Caliper Drillstring Real-Time Borehole Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling operations face challenges in accurately measuring borehole size due to high vibration and continuous rotation of the drillstring, which complicates real-time monitoring and can lead to non-productive time, lag time, and health, safety, and environmental issues.
Innovation Solution
A drilling tool equipped with an acoustic caliper and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that transmits and receives acoustic pulses to determine the borehole wall distance and image in real-time, using multiple acoustic receivers for accurate 3D imaging of the borehole geometry while drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used during drilling, then the drilling operation can continue, but accurate borehole size measurement cannot be achieved due to high vibration and continuous rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based borehole measurement methods with an acoustic measurement system. The acoustic caliper uses ultrasonic transducers to send acoustic pulses through the borehole fluid to the borehole wall and measure the time of flight, eliminating the need for mechanical contact with the borehole wall and thus avoiding interference from vibration and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces borehole fluid as an intermediary medium to transmit acoustic signals between the acoustic caliper and the borehole wall. The acoustic pulses travel through the fluid, which remains relatively stable even during drilling operations, allowing accurate measurement of the distance to the borehole wall despite the dynamic environment.
2Productivity
If real-time borehole imaging is implemented, then non-productive time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic caliper system is integrated into the existing drillstring, allowing it to perform multiple functions: measuring borehole diameter, detecting borehole wall deformations, and providing real-time imaging data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement tools and minimizes additional complexity while maximizing productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes acoustic signal data in real-time using sophisticated algorithms that rapidly calculate time of flight, convert it to distance measurements, and generate borehole images immediately. This accelerated data processing enables real-time decision-making and eliminates non-productive time without requiring overly complex hardware.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, accurate measurement of borehole geometry and imaging, reducing non-productive time and enhancing safety and environmental compliance by providing precise data on borehole dimensions and deformations during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic transmitter that transmits a transmitted acoustic pulse, and an acoustic receiver that receives a reflected acoustic pulse, wherein the reflected acoustic pulse is a reflection of the transmitted acoustic pulse on a borehole wall
Implementation Method 2
a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that determines, in real-time, the time of flight of the acoustic pulse between transmitting the transmitted acoustic pulse and receiving the reflected acoustic pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A drilling tool for determining a real-time image of a borehole during drilling of the borehole, comprising: a drillstring, an acoustic caliper attached to the drillstring including: an acoustic transmitter that transmits a transmitted acoustic pulse, and an acoustic receiver that receives a reflected acoustic pulse, a well positioning device that determines a depth and accurate position of the acoustic caliper in the borehole, and a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) that determines, in real-time, the time of flight of the acoustic pulse between transmitting the transmitted acoustic pulse and receiving the reflected acoustic pulse of the acoustic caliper, determines, in real-time, a distance between the acoustic caliper and a borehole wall based on the time of flight, and determines, in real-time, an image of the borehole wall during drilling of the borehole based on the distance as function of the depth and accurate position.