Multi-Component Induction Tool for Drilling Fracture Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining formation anisotropy in oil field exploration are inadequate, particularly in thinly laminated sand-shale sequences and shaly-sand formations, leading to challenges in identifying drilling-induced fractures during well drilling, which can result in well fracturing and potential blowouts.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component induction tool and processing method that collects data to estimate principal components and identify drilling-induced fractures in real-time, using a combination of transmitter and receiver coils to generate and measure magnetic fields, and processing algorithms to extract accurate resistivity values and fracture information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional resistivity measurement methods are used in thinly laminated sand-shale sequences, then measurements can be obtained, but the ability to accurately determine formation anisotropy and identify drilling-induced fractures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple independent components: three orthogonal transmitter coils and three orthogonal receiver coils that measure magnetic field components separately along x, y, and z axes. This segmentation allows extraction of principal components (eigenvalues and eigenvectors) that characterize formation anisotropy and fracture orientation, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity by using multiple simple measurements rather than a single complex measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional single-component or two-component resistivity measurements to three-component magnetic field measurements in three orthogonal directions. By measuring all three components of the magnetic field (Hx, Hy, Hz) generated by three orthogonal transmitter coils, the system captures full tensor information about formation conductivity, enabling accurate determination of anisotropy and fracture identification that was not possible with fewer measurement dimensions.
2Reliability
If real-time fracture identification is implemented, then drilling safety is improved, but data processing complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations by computing the impedance tensor and its eigenvalues and eigenvectors in real-time during drilling operations. These principal components are continuously updated as new measurements are acquired, allowing immediate detection of fracture indicators without requiring post-processing of entire data sets. This preliminary action enables real-time fracture identification that improves drilling safety without excessive time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring changes in the principal components (eigenvalues and eigenvectors) as drilling progresses. When anomalies in the magnetic field measurements indicate potential fractures, the system provides immediate feedback to operators, allowing real-time adjustments to drilling parameters such as mud weight to prevent well fracturing and blowouts, thereby improving reliability without significant time penalty.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If multi-component induction measurements are used, then fracture identification capability is enhanced, but the complexity of data processing and interpretation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential fracture detection information by calculating the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the impedance tensor from the multi-component measurements. These principal components isolate the anisotropic characteristics and fracture-related signals from the complex multi-dimensional data, making fracture detection capability enhanced while reducing data processing complexity by focusing on the most informative extracted parameters rather than analyzing all raw measurement components.
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 accurate and reliable real-time identification of drilling-induced fractures, allowing for adjustments to mud weight to prevent well fracturing and blowouts, thereby enhancing drilling safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Electromagnetic induction and wave propagation logging tools are commonly used for determination of electrical properties of formations surrounding a borehole
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying drilling induced fractures while drilling a wellbore into a formation is disclosed. The method includes: obtaining multi-component induction data collected by a drill string including a multi-component induction tool; processing the data to estimate values for principal components; and identifying drilling induced fractures from the principal components. An instrument and a computer program product are disclosed.