Conductive Body Detection Using Tilted Coil Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling technologies face challenges in accurately detecting and positioning conductive bodies, such as metal piping, below the earth's surface due to strong primary magnetic fields overpowering secondary signals, which limits precise drilling operations and SAGD steering.
Innovation Solution
A system with a tool structure equipped with sensors that can generate and process signals to cancel primary magnetic fields without rotation, allowing for the detection of conductive bodies by capturing secondary magnetic fields using non-parallel or tilted coil antennas, enabling accurate determination of distance and azimuthal angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional magnetic field detection methods are used, then the detection system is simple, but the primary magnetic field overpowers the secondary signal making conductive body detection inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system segments the magnetic field signals by using multiple receiver sensors arranged in specific geometries to separate the primary magnetic field from the secondary signal. Each sensor pair detects specific field components, allowing mathematical separation of the overlapping signals to extract the weak secondary signal from the conductive body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary processing through signal combination algorithms that use the known primary field characteristics and sensor geometry to mathematically eliminate the primary field contribution. This intermediary mathematical operation acts as a mediator to isolate the secondary signal that would otherwise be undetectable.
2Measurement precision
If the tool structure uses non-parallel or tilted coil antennas to detect secondary magnetic fields, then detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric sensor arrangements where receiver sensors are positioned at specific tilted angles or non-parallel orientations relative to the transmitter. This asymmetric geometry creates unique signal response patterns that enable differentiation and extraction of the secondary magnetic field from the primary field through mathematical processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds angular/orientational dimensions to the sensor arrangement by using tilted or non-parallel coil configurations. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to capture magnetic field components in multiple orientations, providing additional information dimensions that enable separation of primary and secondary fields through geometric relationships.
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 the precision of conductive body detection and positioning, reducing positional uncertainty in drilling operations and improving SAGD steering by effectively isolating and measuring secondary magnetic fields, thereby facilitating more accurate and efficient oil and gas exploration.
Implementation Method 1
A method and apparatus to detect a conductive body includes generating a probe signal from a transmitter sensor of a tool to induce currents in a formation below a surface of the earth
Implementation Method 2
The received signals are processed to determine a position of the conductive body
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to detect and locate conductive bodies and/or provide steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) steering operation. Tools can be configured with receiving sensors (310) arranged to cancel substantially a primary signal associated with a probe signal without rotating the receiving sensors to cancel the primary signal and to capture a secondary signal generated from a conductive body (301) below the earth's surface. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.