Acoustic Caliper Tool Inclination Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic caliper tools in oil and gas exploration fail to account for tool inclination, which affects measurement accuracy and interpretation, and efforts to mitigate this issue, such as using centralizers/stabilizers, can increase costs and mechanical wear.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an acoustic caliper tool with axially-spaced transceivers that analyze distance-to-boundary values to calculate tool inclination angles and derive correction values, allowing for accurate borehole dimension and slowness logging, while reducing the need for excessive centralizers/stabilizers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If centralizers/stabilizers are used to reduce tool inclination, then measurement accuracy is improved, but mechanical wear on the borehole increases and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmechanical wear

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using centralizers and stabilizers with an acoustic-based measurement system. The acoustic caliper tool uses acoustic transceivers to measure distance to the borehole wall and calculates tool inclination angles through signal analysis, eliminating the need for mechanical contact with the borehole wall and thereby reducing mechanical wear while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct physical contact measurements to acoustic signal-based measurements. By using acoustic transceivers to send and receive signals through the borehole fluid, the system derives tool inclination and borehole dimensions without mechanical contact, transforming the measurement methodology from mechanical to acoustic parameter detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If centralizers/stabilizers are used to reduce tool inclination, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical inclination control devices (centralizers and stabilizers) with a computational approach using acoustic signal processing. The system uses axially-spaced acoustic transceivers to measure time-of-flight differences and calculates tool inclination angles through mathematical analysis, simplifying the device configuration while improving measurement capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium to measure tool inclination and borehole characteristics. Instead of using mechanical devices that physically contact and stabilize the tool, the system uses acoustic waves propagating through the borehole fluid to carry measurement information, reducing device complexity and operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enhances measurement accuracy by correcting for tool inclination, reducing mechanical wear and operational costs, and enabling more precise logging-while-drilling operations.

Implementation Method 1

obtain acoustic signal reflection measurements for each of the plurality of axially-spaced acoustic transceivers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10526886B2Systems and methods employing an acoustic caliper tool with tool inclination correction

Publication Date: 2020.01.07 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method that includes deploying an acoustic caliper tool in a borehole, the tool having several axially-spaced acoustic transceivers; obtaining acoustic signal reflection measurements for the transceivers; estimating a distance-to-boundary value for the transceivers based on reflection measurements; calculating a tool inclination angle based on the distance-to-boundary values; and deriving a correction value based on the angle. A system that includes an acoustic caliper tool having several axially-spaced acoustic transceivers to obtain reflection measurements; at least one processor; and at least one memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing instructions that cause the processor to: receive the acoustic signal reflection measurements; estimate a distance-to-boundary value for the transceivers based on the reflection measurements; calculate a tool inclination angle based on the distance-to-boundary values; and derive a correction value based on the angle.