EM Logging Artifact Removal for Multi-Pipe Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas exploration, managing corrosion detection in multiple concentric metal pipes using electromagnetic logging tools is complex due to non-linear signal combinations, leading to inaccuracies in metal loss estimation and computational inefficiencies, especially when eccentricity effects are present.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an electromagnetic logging tool with a transmitter and receiver to record eddy currents, applying inversion techniques, and employing artifact identification and removal processes to correct for centralization assumptions, thereby improving computational efficiency and accuracy in multi-pipe inspections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic logging tools are used to inspect multiple concentric pipes, then corrosion detection capability is improved, but signal interpretation complexity increases due to non-linear signal combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inspection process by separating artifact detection from corrosion detection. The system first identifies artifacts using specific signal characteristics (non-corrosion related anomalies), removes them from the data, and then performs corrosion detection on the cleaned signals. This segmentation simplifies the overall interpretation complexity while maintaining reliable corrosion detection capability across multiple concentric pipes.
2Measurement precision
If traditional inversion techniques are used for multi-pipe inspections, then metal loss estimation is obtained, but computational burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing artifact identification and removal before the inversion process. By preprocessing the signals to eliminate artifacts that would complicate the inversion mathematics, the subsequent metal loss estimation requires less computational effort. This preliminary cleanup step maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing the computational burden of multi-pipe inspections.
3Productivity
If centralization assumptions are made in EM logging analysis, then computational simplicity is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to eccentricity effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the effects of pipe eccentricity from the analysis. By identifying signals caused by eccentric positioning and separating them from the corrosion-related signals, the system eliminates the need to make centralization assumptions. This extraction approach maintains computational simplicity while restoring measurement accuracy for pipe thickness determination in eccentric configurations.
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 enables accurate metal loss estimation and pipe thickness determination in multi-pipe configurations, reducing computational burden and correcting for artifacts caused by eccentricity, thus enhancing the reliability of corrosion monitoring in oil and gas field operations.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic logging tool with a transmitter and receiver to record eddy currents
Implementation Method 2
emitting the electromagnetic field from the transmitter; energizing a casing with the electromagnetic field to produce an eddy current; recording the eddy current from the casing with the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting corrosion may comprise placing an electromagnetic logging tool into a wellbore, emitting an electromagnetic field from a transmitter, energizing a casing with the electromagnetic field to produce an eddy current, recording the eddy current from the casing with a receiver, creating a well log from the recorded eddy current, removing a collar signal from the well log to obtain a collar-removed signal, calculating a baseline signal from the collar-removed signal, subtracting the baseline signal from the collar-removed signal to obtain a baseline-subtracted signal, calculating an artifact-removed signal with the baseline-subtracted signal, and displaying the artifact-removed signal. A system for detecting corrosion may comprise an electromagnetic logging tool, wherein the electromagnetic logging tool comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The system may further comprise an information handling system.