Geomechanical Logging Tool with Extendable Arms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drilling technologies lack effective methods for accurately measuring mechanical properties of rock formations during drilling operations, which are crucial for well management, fracture initiation, and wellbore stability.

Innovation Solution

A geomechanical measurement tool with extendable arms and mechanical property testers that penetrate the formation surface to measure hardness, compressive strength, and shear strength, using a mechanical scratcher to create indentations and record the force required, allowing for continuous or stationary measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mechanical property testers are extended to penetrate the borehole surface for measurement, then measurement precision of rock formation properties is improved, but device complexity increases due to extendable arms and penetration mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement tool is divided into multiple independent components: a body, at least one extendable arm coupled to the body, and a mechanical property tester coupled to the extendable arm. This segmentation allows the mechanical property tester to be extended only when needed for measurement, reducing complexity during non-measurement phases while maintaining high measurement precision when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extendable arm provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the mechanical property tester to transition between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables the system to achieve precise measurements by extending the tester to contact the borehole surface while returning to a compact state when measurement is not required, effectively managing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the mechanical property tester penetrates the borehole surface to measure mechanical properties, then reliability of formation data is improved, but the borehole surface may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidborehole surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces aggressive mechanical drilling or core sampling methods with a controlled mechanical property tester that uses measured force to create indentations. The tester applies force through the extendable arm to penetrate the borehole surface and measure mechanical properties, providing reliable formation data while minimizing damage compared to traditional mechanical intervention methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9482087B2Geomechanical logging tool

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

An apparatus including a body having a central axis defined therethrough, at least one extendable arm coupled to the body, and a mechanical property tester coupled to the at least one extendable arm, the mechanical property tester configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole and to measure one or more mechanical properties of the surface of the borehole.