Moving Checkshot Tool with Acceleration Canceling Hydrophones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for acquiring checkshot data in boreholes require the receiver to be stopped and anchored at each measurement point, leading to increased time and cost due to sensitivity to noise from contact and motion, limiting the ability to collect data efficiently and accurately.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes acceleration canceling hydrophones, accelerometers, and geophones to detect seismic signals while moving through a borehole, with noise cancellation algorithms and a processor to compensate for tool movement and Doppler effects, allowing continuous data acquisition and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the receiver is stopped and anchored at each measurement point to reduce noise, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased time required for data collection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the receiver to collect checkshot data while moving through the borehole rather than requiring it to be stationary. The system dynamically compensates for motion effects using accelerometers to measure tool acceleration and processing algorithms to correct the seismic signals, thus maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating the need to stop at each measurement point
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of tool motion and contact noise into a beneficial measurement opportunity. By using accelerometers to precisely measure the tool's motion and acceleration, the system can mathematically compensate for these effects in the seismic signal processing, transforming what was previously a source of error into a correctable parameter that enables continuous moving measurements
2Productivity
If the receiver is moved through the borehole to increase data collection speed, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise from contact and motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces accelerometers as intermediary devices that measure the tool's motion and acceleration independently. These acceleration measurements serve as a mediator that allows the system to mathematically separate and remove the motion-induced noise from the seismic signals, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling continuous moving measurements that improve productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically anchoring the receiver at each measurement point with a computational approach. Instead of using mechanical constraints to eliminate motion noise, the system uses signal processing algorithms that incorporate accelerometer data to mathematically compensate for motion effects, substituting mechanical stability with computational correction
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate runs are performed to collect checkshot data and other formation data, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple trips in and out of the borehole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a tool that can perform multiple functions simultaneously during a single borehole trip. The same tool that collects checkshot data while moving can also collect other formation evaluation data, eliminating the need for separate dedicated runs and reducing overall time loss while maintaining the precision of specialized measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous data collection throughout the entire tool trip through the borehole. Rather than performing discrete separate runs for different types of measurements, the system continuously collects checkshot data and other formation data simultaneously during the single continuous operation, maximizing the utilization of the tool's presence in the borehole and minimizing time loss
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
Enables faster and more numerous data collection points, reducing noise interference and allowing for integrated data collection during motion, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of velocity profile creation in boreholes.
Implementation Method 1
a source configured at a location separated away from the tool for generating seismic signals; and a conveyance and a sensor section configured for movement of the sensor section in a borehole; the sensor section comprising at least one receiver configured to detect seismic signals, generated by the source, while the sensor section is moving in the borehole
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of accelerometers and/or geophones configured to detect noise during the movement of the sensor section
Implementation Method 3
noise cancellation algorithms and other calculations may be performed to determine the velocity profile for each checkshot
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for creating a velocity profile of a formation surrounding a borehole by checkshot measurements while moving the tool along the borehole. A conveyance and a sensor section are configured to move the sensor section in the borehole. At least one receiver is configured to detect signals generated at or near the surface while the sensor section is moving in the borehole.