Through-bit NMR Logging Tool Retention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement-while-drilling (MWD) operations are costly, necessitating the development of more economical NMR tools for characterizing subsurface geologic formations.
Innovation Solution
An NMR tool with a magnet, transmitter antenna, and extendable receiver antenna is designed to protrude through a drill tubular opening, allowing NMR measurements to be performed while the drill tubular is removed, utilizing a retaining device to prevent the tool's unrestrained release and enabling efficient data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MWD NMR operations are used to perform NMR measurements during drilling, then valuable subsurface formation characterization is obtained, but operational costs become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The NMR tool is extracted from the drill tubular after deployment, allowing it to perform measurements independently outside the drill string. This separation enables the tool to be reused across multiple drilling operations without requiring continuous MWD service contracts, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The NMR tool is designed as a separable component that can be deployed through the drill tubular opening and then detached. This segmentation allows the measurement device to be independent from the drilling system, enabling cost-effective repeated use while preserving the ability to obtain valuable subsurface formation data
2Ease of operation
If the NMR tool is allowed to protrude through the drill tubular opening for measurements, then measurement flexibility and efficiency are improved, but the risk of unrestrained tool release increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is pre-configured on the NMR tool before deployment. This preliminary setup ensures that when the tool protrudes through the drill tubular opening for measurements, the retention mechanism is already in place to prevent unrestrained release, thus maintaining both measurement flexibility and tool security
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the NMR tool and the drill tubular opening. It provides controlled retention that allows the tool to protrude for measurements while preventing accidental release, thus mediating between the need for measurement flexibility and the requirement for reliable tool retention
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 configuration allows for cost-effective NMR measurements by reducing operational costs and enhancing the efficiency of data acquisition during drilling operations, providing valuable subsurface formation characterization without the need for continuous drill tubular presence.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet coupled to the NMR tool
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter antenna coupled to the NMR tool and configured to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy into the subsurface formation
Implementation Method 3
a receiver antenna coupled to the NMR tool and configured to receive an NMR signal in response to transmitted EM energy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for performing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement in a borehole penetrating a subsurface formation includes an NMR tool having an outside diameter that is less than an inside diameter of a drill tubular disposed in the borehole, the drill tubular having an opening at the distal end of the drill tubular leading into the borehole, and a retaining device configured to allow at least a section of the NMR tool to protrude through the opening of the drill tubular and prevent an unrestrained release of the NMR tool through the opening. The apparatus also includes a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna coupled to the NMR tool, wherein the transmitter antenna and/or the receiver antenna are extendable from the NMR tool.