MWD Survey Compression for Faster Downhole Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drilling systems face inefficiencies due to lengthy survey transmission times, which reduce drilling efficiency and increase operational costs, as each survey can take minutes to transmit, resulting in significant downtime.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for compressing survey data using predefined ranges and encoding formats with wireless telemetry to reduce transmission time without sacrificing resolution, involving a bottom-hole-assembly with sensors, processors, and a wireless telemetry module to encode and transmit measurement values efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If survey data is transmitted using conventional methods, then measurement precision is maintained, but transmission time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the number of bits used to represent survey measurements based on the actual measurement values. Instead of using a fixed number of bits for all measurements, the system selects the minimum necessary bits to maintain required precision, thereby reducing transmission time while preserving measurement quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic encoding where the bit depth is determined in real-time based on the distribution and characteristics of measurement values. This dynamic adaptation allows the transmission protocol to optimize between precision and speed on a per-measurement basis, resolving the contradiction between maintaining survey resolution and reducing transmission time.
2Measurement precision
If more bits are used to transmit measurement values, then transmission accuracy improves, but drilling productivity decreases due to longer transmission times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of bit depth dynamically based on measurement characteristics. By selecting the minimum sufficient bits for each measurement rather than using a constant high bit depth, the system maintains measurement accuracy when needed while significantly reducing transmission time to improve drilling productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by using only the necessary portion of available bit depth for each measurement. Instead of always transmitting at maximum precision, the system transmits at the minimum required precision level, avoiding excessive data transmission that would reduce drilling efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If survey transmission is prioritized, then measurement quality is maintained, but operational time is reduced due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the transmission process by changing the data representation parameters to use fewer bits when possible. This reduces the time required for survey transmission, allowing drilling operations to continue with minimal interruption and maintaining both survey quality and operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuity of useful action by minimizing the interruption to drilling operations caused by survey transmissions. Through efficient data compression and dynamic bit depth selection, the transmission time is reduced to a minimum, allowing the drilling operation to continue smoothly with minimal downtime.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising: a bottom hole assembly having a MWD tool comprising: a wireless telemetry module; sensor(s); a MWD processor; and medium storing instructions that when executed by the MWD processor cause the MWD processor to: obtain, from the sensor(s), a measurement value of a downhole parameter; determine an encoding format for the measurement value by comparing the measurement value to at least two ranges with each range associated with a separate encoding format having a compression level; apply the determined encoding format to the measurement value to generate a compressed measurement value; and transmit, utilizing the wireless telemetry module using wireless telemetry, the compressed measurement value; and a surface computer system configured to decode the compressed measurement value and utilize the decoded measurement value.