Media Displacement Device for Downhole Electromagnetic Energy Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the downhole industry, electromagnetic energy transfer between NMR tools and earth formations is hindered by conductive media like drilling mud, resulting in power loss, which affects the efficiency of systems relying on electromagnetic energy for monitoring and imaging.
Innovation Solution
A media displacement device with a body made of low-conductive materials, such as polymers and ceramics, positioned radially outward of the tool to displace conductive media, minimizing power loss by using frictional or threaded attachments to secure the device to the tool, and optionally incorporating metal strips for structural support and reduced energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conductive media (drilling mud) is present between the antenna and formation, then the tool can be positioned within the borehole for formation evaluation, but power loss occurs reducing electromagnetic energy transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful conductive media (drilling mud) from the space between the antenna and formation by introducing a non-conductive displacement device. The device body is positioned radially outward of the tool, creating a barrier that displaces the conductive media and prevents it from interfering with electromagnetic energy transfer between the antenna and the earth formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement device body acts as an intermediary element between the tool and the formation. Made of non-conductive materials, it mediates the electromagnetic energy transfer by providing a path of less resistance compared to the conductive drilling mud, thereby improving energy transfer efficiency without direct contact between the antenna and the formation.
2Productivity
If a media displacement device is added to the tool, then electromagnetic energy transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement device is designed as a separate, modular component that can be attached to various tools. The device body is configured as a distinct element with specific radial dimensions, allowing it to be integrated with different tool configurations without redesigning the entire system, thereby managing complexity through segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement device is designed with universal applicability - it can be attached to different tool types (NMR tools, inductive resistivity logging tools) and works with various borehole configurations. The standardized interface and configurable radial dimensions allow a single device design to serve multiple functions across different logging applications.
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
The solution enhances the efficiency of electromagnetic energy transfer by reducing power loss, allowing for more effective transmission and reception of electromagnetic energy between the tool and the formation, while maintaining structural integrity and practicality in borehole environments.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic energy to or receiving electromagnetic energy from an earth formation
Implementation Method 2
The body is made of materials causing less power loss to electromagnetic energy transmitted or received by the tool than the media the body is configured to displace
Implementation Method 3
using frictional or threaded attachments to secure the device to the tool
Implementation Method 4
using frictional or threaded attachments to secure the device to the tool
Data Source
AI summary
A media displacement device has a body configured to be positioned radially outwards of a tool having an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic energy to or receiving electromagnetic energy from an earth formation. The body is made of materials causing less power loss to electromagnetic energy transmitted or received by the tool than the media the body is configured to displace.