Azimuthal Casing Integrity Tool for Localized Metal Loss Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electromagnetic pipe corrosion tools use omni-directional measurements, which can mask the severity of metal loss or corrosion by averaging results around the pipe circumference, failing to accurately represent localized defects.

Innovation Solution

A multi-directional wellbore casing integrity tool that uses an array of receivers with electromagnetic transmitters and directional shielding to measure metal loss or corrosion circumferentially, providing more precise severity assessments by focusing on specific portions of the pipe circumference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If omni-directional electromagnetic measurements are used to assess pipe corrosion, then the measurement process is simple and covers the entire circumference, but the severity of localized metal loss is masked by averaging results around the pipe circumference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion severity measurementVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pipe circumference into multiple discrete measurement zones (e.g., 12 zones around the circumference) and performs separate electromagnetic measurements for each zone. This segmentation allows localized corrosion to be identified and quantified independently rather than being averaged with the rest of the circumference, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement simplicity and corrosion severity detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different measurement approaches to different circumferential zones of the pipe. By focusing electromagnetic measurements on specific localized areas rather than uniformly across the entire circumference, the system can detect and characterize localized metal loss with high precision while maintaining a manageable measurement framework through systematic zone-by-zone assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If multi-directional measurements with directional shielding are implemented, then localized metal loss severity is accurately detected, but the device complexity and measurement time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal loss severity detectionVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary circumferential scanning to identify zones with abnormal electromagnetic responses before performing detailed multi-directional measurements. This preliminary action allows the system to focus subsequent time-consuming directional measurements only on suspect areas rather than the entire circumference, significantly reducing total measurement time while maintaining high detection precision for localized metal loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a two-stage measurement approach where a complete circumferential survey is performed first to identify problem areas, followed by partial re-measurement of only those specific zones showing anomalies. This partial action on already-identified problematic areas reduces redundant measurements in healthy zones, optimizing the balance between measurement precision and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 allows for a more accurate representation of metal loss severity, saving time and costs by avoiding the need to remove tubing during well procedures, and can be used in various applications beyond corrosion analysis, such as identifying pipe deformation and cabling positions.

Implementation Method 1

providing one or more electromagnetic signals to at least one casing of a wellbore casing configuration and receiving an electromagnetic response measurement that is based on the one or more electromagnetic signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11513099B2Metal loss severity in multistring configurations using pipe inspection tools with deep azimuthal sensitivity

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

The disclosure provides a method of evaluating wellbore casing integrity for a wellbore casing configuration. In one example, the method includes providing one or more electromagnetic signals to at least one casing of the wellbore casing configuration, receiving an electromagnetic response measurement that is based on the one or more electromagnetic signals from a selected circumferential portion of the at least one casing of the wellbore casing configuration, and processing the electromagnetic response measurement to produce a metal loss calculation for the selected circumferential portion of the at least one casing of the wellbore casing configuration. A wellbore casing integrity tool and a wellbore casing integrity computing device for evaluating wellbore casing integrity are also provided.