Distributed Clamping for Downhole Seismic Source Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seismic and acoustic sources in wellbores face limitations in power output due to the risk of damaging the borehole and casing, particularly with high-power clamped sources, which restricts imaging and monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A distributed clamping mechanism is employed to increase the power output of seismic or acoustic sources in wellbores without causing damage, using a conveyance mechanism like wireline, coiled tubing, or drill pipe, with multiple or continuous clamping mechanisms along the source's length to distribute force and prevent stress-induced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-power clamped sources are used to increase imaging distance and monitoring area, then source power output is improved, but the risk of damaging the borehole and casing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The source is divided into multiple clamping mechanisms distributed along its length. Each clamping mechanism applies force at a different location, segmenting the total clamping force into smaller distributed components that reduce stress concentration on the borehole and casing while maintaining overall source power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is distributed along the longitudinal dimension of the source rather than concentrated at a single point. This dimensional distribution transforms a point-load stress concentration into a distributed line load, reducing the harmful stress on the borehole and casing at any single location.
2Power
If distributed clamping is used to increase source power output, then imaging and monitoring capabilities are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clamping mechanisms are merged into a single distributed clamping system that functions as an integrated whole. The individual clamping mechanisms work together to achieve the desired power output while sharing the load, effectively distributing the complexity across multiple simpler components rather than requiring one complex high-force clamp.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to increasing the output power of a clamped seismic or acoustic source disposed in a wellbore without damaging the borehole/casing/cement. One or more sources are provided and carried on a conveyance mechanism. The conveyance mechanism may be a wireline, a coiled tubing, or a drill pipe. The one or more sources are run into and/or out of the wellbore and temporarily disposed at various locations within the wellbore. The one or more sources are temporarily clamped to the wellbore at the various locations using distributed clamping, and a source signal is generated by the distributed clamped source. The distributed clamping device may have multiple clamping mechanisms along an increased length of the source or a continuous clamping mechanism along an increased length of the source.