Downhole Tubular Vibration Sensing for Cement Bond Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore operations face challenges in evaluating the integrity of tubulars and cement layers due to degradation and bond quality issues caused by harsh environmental conditions, which can lead to tubular failure.
Innovation Solution
Inducing vibration in tubulars using electromagnetic, mechanical, or acoustic pulses and detecting these vibrations with laser interference techniques, such as laser vibrometers, to assess tubular deformation, corrosion, and cement layer bonding quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration-induced electromagnetic, mechanical, or acoustic pulses are used to evaluate tubulars and cement layers, then measurement precision and detection accuracy improve, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple sensing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement tool integrates multiple sensing mechanisms (electromagnetic, mechanical, acoustic pulses) into a single device that can evaluate both tubulars and cement layers using different physical principles. This multi-functional approach allows one device to perform multiple evaluation tasks that would otherwise require separate tools, thereby improving measurement precision across different parameters while managing device complexity through consolidation.
2Measurement precision
If laser interference techniques are used to detect vibration and determine tubular parameters, then measurement precision improves for thickness and bond strength, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex laser alignment and interference pattern analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based measurement methods with laser interference techniques. Instead of using physical probes or contact sensors that require manual positioning and force application, the system uses non-contact laser beams to detect vibration and determine tubular parameters. This substitution maintains high measurement precision for thickness and bond strength while reducing mechanical complexity and improving safety by eliminating contact with harsh downhole environments.
3Measurement precision
If multiple interferometers are positioned at different locations to detect vibration at multiple points, then measurement precision and comprehensive evaluation improve, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement tool is divided into multiple independent interferometer units, each capable of detecting vibration at a specific location along the tubular or cement layer. Each interferometer can be manufactured and calibrated separately as a modular component, then assembled into the complete measurement system. This segmentation allows for precise multi-location measurements while simplifying manufacturing and maintenance, as individual modules can be replaced or adjusted without affecting the entire system.
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
Provides accurate and comprehensive evaluation of tubulars and cement layers, enabling early detection of damage and ensuring the integrity of wellbore operations by determining thickness, impedance, and bond strength, thus preventing failure.
Implementation Method 1
A vibration-inducing device can provide an electromagnetic pulse, a mechanical pulse, an acoustic pulse, or other suitable energy pulse or mechanism for causing the tubular to vibrate
Implementation Method 2
A vibration-inducing device can provide an electromagnetic pulse, a mechanical pulse, an acoustic pulse, or other suitable energy pulse or mechanism for causing the tubular to vibrate
Implementation Method 3
A vibration-inducing device can provide an electromagnetic pulse, a mechanical pulse, an acoustic pulse, or other suitable energy pulse or mechanism for causing the tubular to vibrate
Implementation Method 4
the interferometer can be an optical interferometer that uses laser interference measurement techniques to detect the vibration of the tubular
Implementation Method 5
uses laser interference measurement techniques to detect the vibration of the tubular
Data Source
AI summary
A system can be provided that can include a measurement tool that can be coupled to a conveyance mechanism for positioning the measurement tool downhole in a wellbore. The wellbore can be encased by a tubular. The system can further include a vibration-inducing device that can cause the tubular to vibrate. Additionally, the system can include an interferometer coupled to the measurement tool for detecting the vibration in the tubular. The system can further generate data useable to determine at least one status of the tubular and at least one status of a cement layer. The cement layer can be positioned between the tubular and a subterranean formation surrounding the wellbore.