Micro-sonic Density Imaging While Drilling Stabilizer Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logging while drilling (LWD) techniques lack the capability to provide sonic density images of hydrocarbon reservoirs, which are crucial for detailed formation analysis, as they are not equipped to handle the hostile drilling environment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A micro-sonic density imaging-while-drilling system is developed, incorporating a drill collar with acoustic transmitters and receivers on a stabilizer blade to measure acoustic wave velocities and slowness, associating these measurements with the tool's position and orientation to generate borehole wall images, including density measurements, using processing circuitry and a motion tracking unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional LWD techniques are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but sonic density imaging capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple logging functions (acoustic transmission, density measurement, imaging) into a single integrated LWD tool assembly. The tool integrates acoustic transmitters, receivers, processors, and motion tracking units to simultaneously perform formation imaging and density measurement during drilling operations, eliminating the need for separate wireline logging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The LWD tool is designed with multi-functionality to perform various logging operations including acoustic transmission measurements, density measurements, and borehole imaging. The same tool assembly that drills the wellbore also collects multiple types of formation data through integrated sensors and processors, making the drilling operation itself productive for data collection.
2Loss of information
If wireline logging is used to obtain detailed formation data, then open hole logs can be collected, but the process is time-consuming and requires separate operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs formation logging measurements preliminarily during the drilling operation itself, before the wellbore is completed and cased. The LWD tool collects acoustic and density data in real-time as the drill bit penetrates the formation, capturing formation information at the earliest possible moment without requiring a separate subsequent wireline logging operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The logging measurements are performed continuously during the drilling process. The acoustic transmitters and receivers continuously measure formation properties as the tool moves through the wellbore, maintaining uninterrupted data collection throughout the drilling operation rather than requiring separate discrete logging runs.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic transmitters and receivers are installed on the drill collar, then sonic density images can be generated, but the tool structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from conventional single-point or limited-array acoustic measurements to a multi-element acoustic array distributed along the drill collar. This dimensional expansion of the sensor array enables sophisticated signal processing to extract density information and generate cross-sectional images of the borehole wall, adding measurement capability without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with acoustic field-based measurements. Instead of using mechanical sensors to directly measure density, the system uses acoustic wave transmission and reception to infer density properties through signal processing, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
4Loss of information
If motion tracking unit is added to associate measurements with position and orientation, then borehole wall images can be generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motion tracking unit serves as an intermediary system that bridges the acoustic measurements and the borehole wall spatial coordinates. The tracking unit records tool position, orientation, and rotation data that are then correlated with the acoustic signal timestamps to map measurements to specific locations on the borehole wall, enabling image generation without requiring direct mechanical contact or complex positioning mechanisms.
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 system enables the creation of detailed sonic density images of the borehole wall, revealing features like bedding structures and fractures, improving the resolution and accuracy of formation analysis during drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic transmitters and receivers on a stabilizer blade to measure acoustic wave velocities and slowness
Implementation Method 2
receivers can also be set in the distal face of the protrusion to detect P-waves and S-waves that have propagated through the formation
Data Source
AI summary
Various micro-sonic density imaging-while-drilling systems and methods are disclosed. In at least some forms, the micro-sonic logging tool is embodied in a drill collar having at least one stabilizer blade. One or more acoustic transmitters are set in a distal face of the stabilizer blade to generate acoustic waves. One or more receivers can also be set in the distal face of the stabilizer blade to detect P-waves and S-waves that have propagated through the formation making up the borehole wall. Processing circuitry measures the velocity or slowness of the acoustic waves and optionally associates the measured values with a spot on the borehole wall as identified. Multiple transmitters can be used if it is desired to obtain compensated measurements. The tool can further include a fluid cell to measure acoustical properties of the borehole fluid, which can be used to convert the formation slowness measurements into density measurements.