Acoustic Wireless Logging in Fluid-Filled Boreholes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in achieving accurate, real-time measurements in hostile borehole environments due to signal attenuation and damage from fracturing slurry, making it difficult to monitor well completion and stimulation treatments effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of acoustic disturbances to communicate data wirelessly through a fluid-filled wellbore system, which is less susceptible to damage and more efficient than electromagnetic signals, allowing for real-time monitoring of pressure, flow rates, and other parameters using sensors and models to interpret the acoustic data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic signals are used to transmit data from downhole gauges to the surface, then real-time pressure measurements can be obtained, but the signals are rapidly attenuated by the formation and limited by well depth and rock layer types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic signal transmission with acoustic wave propagation through the wellbore fluid. Acoustic waves are generated by a surface source and detected by downhole sensors, allowing data transmission without relying on electromagnetic signals that are rapidly attenuated by the formation. This substitution enables reliable real-time measurements in deep wells and through various rock layers that block electromagnetic signals.
2Reliability
If wireline tools are used to measure formation properties during drilling, then real-time measurements can be obtained, but the tools cannot be used in highly deviated wells and become impractical after BHA withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium for data transmission between downhole sensors and surface receivers. This acoustic intermediary allows measurement data to be transmitted through the wellbore fluid in highly deviated wells and after BHA withdrawal, conditions where conventional wireline tools fail. The acoustic wave medium provides versatility across different well configurations and operational phases.
3Loss of information
If exposed cable is placed in the wellbore for delivering data to the surface, then data transmission can be achieved, but the cable is destroyed by the abrasiveness of fracturing slurry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable system with an acoustic wave-based transmission system. Instead of using an exposed cable that is physically damaged by abrasive fracturing slurry, the system uses acoustic waves propagating through the wellbore fluid to carry measurement data to the surface. This eliminates the harmful interaction between the transmission medium and the abrasive slurry environment.
4Measurement precision
If conventional wireline tools are used in fluid-filled boreholes, then measurements can be obtained, but the hostile borehole environment rapidly attenuates electromagnetic signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electromagnetic signal transmission with acoustic wave propagation through the wellbore fluid. Acoustic waves are not subject to the same rapid attenuation by the formation as electromagnetic signals, allowing precise measurement data to be transmitted from downhole sensors to surface receivers even in fluid-filled boreholes with hostile environments.
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 practical real-time monitoring of wellbore conditions and properties, improving the accuracy and reliability of well completion and stimulation treatments by overcoming the limitations of conventional measurement methods.
Implementation Method 1
The use of acoustic disturbances to communicate data wirelessly through a fluid-filled wellbore system
Implementation Method 2
acoustic disturbances to communicate data wirelessly through a fluid-filled wellbore system, which is less susceptible to damage and more efficient than electromagnetic signals
Data Source
AI summary
A predetermined condition in a fluid-filled wellbore system can be detected by generating at least one sound in the wellbore system in response to the condition, such that a detectable change is created in some characteristic of the emitted sound, and detecting the at least one sound and the change, the detection being indicative that the predetermined condition has occurred. Equipment for facilitating detection of the condition can include a trigger operable in response to the condition; a generator operable to emit sound in the borehole and to create a detectable change in some characteristic of the emitted sound in response to the trigger; and at least one sensor operable to monitor the sound and detect the change, the detection being indicative that the predetermined condition has occurred. It is also possible to estimate a value of a property of a fluid-filled wellbore system. This can be accomplished by recording data including at least one of pressure and rate of flow at one or more locations in the wellbore system, and then estimating the value of the property by employing a model for predicting at least one of pressure and rate of flow dependent upon parameters detailing at least one of wellbore system geometry, viscoacoustic properties of the fluid and entrained solids contained in the wellbore system, locations of boundaries and entrained solids, and characteristics and locations of disturbances to pressure and flow in the wellbore system, in order to determine a best prediction of some attribute of the recorded data.