3D Borehole Imaging via X-Ray Backscatter Volume Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well inspection technologies are unable to provide detailed three-dimensional imaging of wellbore casings and surrounding structures, particularly the cement and geological formations, from an inside-out perspective, limiting the detection of mechanical flaws, inhomogeneities, and fracture characterization in water, oil, and gas wells.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing x-ray backscattered volume imaging with collimated beams of radiation, where the radiation source and detector are positioned inside the borehole, allowing for the creation of three-dimensional reconstructions of the borehole and its surroundings by illuminating and imaging the volume with revolving or reciprocating collimated beams, and processing the data to produce detailed volume image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inspection methods (mechanical calipers, optical cameras, ultrasonic imaging) are used, then the inspection process is simple and equipment is accessible, but the imaging capability is limited to two-dimensional surfaces and cannot provide three-dimensional volume data of borehole structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface imaging to three-dimensional volume imaging by introducing a radiation source and detector system that scans through the borehole volume. The collimated radiation beams illuminate the borehole environment from multiple angles, and the detector arrays capture backscattered radiation to reconstruct three-dimensional images of casings, cement, and geological formations, adding the depth dimension to traditional surface inspection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact methods (calipers, physical probes) with non-contact radiation-based imaging. Instead of mechanically touching the borehole surfaces, the system uses collimated radiation beams to illuminate and map the three-dimensional structure of the borehole environment, eliminating mechanical constraints and enabling imaging of inaccessible areas.
2Loss of information
If radiation-based imaging is implemented to achieve three-dimensional borehole imaging, then comprehensive volume image data is obtained, but the device complexity and radiation safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radiation imaging system into multiple discrete detector arrays positioned at different locations around the borehole. Each detector array captures backscattered radiation from specific angular perspectives, and the individual data sets are combined to reconstruct the complete three-dimensional volume image, breaking down the complex imaging task into manageable segmented measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation-based imaging system is designed to perform multiple inspection functions simultaneously: imaging casing integrity, cement bonding quality, and geological formation characteristics all in a single three-dimensional reconstruction process, making the complex system universally applicable to various borehole inspection needs rather than requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detector arrays are used to capture backscattered radiation from different angles, then accurate three-dimensional reconstruction is achieved, but the data processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of the backscattered radiation data by organizing and pre-processing the signals from multiple detector arrays before full three-dimensional reconstruction. The system prepares the raw data from different angular perspectives in advance, structuring it in a way that facilitates faster and more accurate reconstruction algorithms, reducing the computational burden during the final image generation phase.
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 comprehensive three-dimensional imaging of the borehole and its environment, allowing for the detection of mechanical flaws, fracture characterization, and accurate estimation of in-situ stresses, providing a complete description of the borehole geometry and materials, including the cement layer and fractures.
Implementation Method 1
detecting backscattered electromagnetic radiation returned from one or more surfaces of associated illumination planes
Implementation Method 2
A method utilizing x-ray backscattered volume imaging with collimated beams of radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of creating three-dimensional borehole data is provided, including illuminating a borehole using collimated beams of electromagnetic radiation; rotating the collimated beams in a sweep of at least 360 degrees; detecting backscattered electromagnetic radiation returned from surfaces of associated illumination planes using electromagnetic radiation sensors; converting detected radiation into a corresponding set of volume image data; analyzing the volume image data using computational visualization processing techniques; and creating a three-dimensional image representative of the volume data. Imaging methodologies include a complete, radial conic-shaped surface while the imaging system remains stationary; a plurality of scans performed while longitudinally moving the imaging system a distance d through the borehole between image capture operations; and a plurality of scans performed while longitudinally moving the imaging system a distance d, where d is a distance less than or equal to the collimated beam thickness, so that adjacent scans partially overlap.