Compact Logging While Drilling Tool Antenna Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long logging tools with large spacing between antennas face high expenses, communication issues, and inability to measure anisotropy and formation dip angle on a fine scale, limiting the 'look ahead' capability during drilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A compact sub assembly design brings transmitter and receiver antennas closer together, allowing for improved spatial efficiency and enhanced look-ahead capabilities by integrating co-located receivers and dual shallow transmitters with a look-ahead deep transmitter, facilitated by a switching module that forms a deep antenna for increased signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the logging tool is made longer to include more antennas for deeper formation measurements, then the measurement capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and communication reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple antennas (transmitters and receivers) within a compact sub-assembly structure, allowing them to be closely spaced rather than distributed over a long distance. This nesting approach maintains the required antenna configurations for formation measurements while reducing the overall tool length and associated complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple antennas into integrated sub-assemblies where transmitters and receivers are co-located or closely positioned. This merging of antenna functions into compact units reduces the overall tool length while maintaining the electrical and measurement capabilities needed for formation property determination.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the spacing between transmitter and receiver antennas is increased to reduce mechanical variance, then the mechanical stability is improved, but the ability to measure anisotropy and formation dip angle on a fine scale is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests multiple antennas in close proximity within compact sub-assemblies, maintaining small physical spacing that enables fine-scale measurement of formation anisotropy and dip angle while using mechanical support structures to ensure stability despite the reduced spacing.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact sub assembly and a method for forming a deep antenna. The assembly may comprise a look-ahead deep transmitter is attached at about one end of the compact sub assembly, and a shallow transmitter is attached to the compact sub assembly and positioned adjacent to the look-ahead deep transmitter. A method of forming a deep antenna may comprise positioning a look-ahead deep transmitter adjacent to a shallow transmitter at about one end of a compact sub assembly, and connecting the look-ahead deep transmitter to a switching module through one or more deep switches, connecting the shallow transmitter to the switching module through one or more shallow switches, and closing the one or more deep switches and the one or more shallow switches to activate the look-ahead deep transmitter and the shallow transmitter to form the deep antenna.