Transmission Tomography of Drilling Solids in Projectile Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for characterizing solids extracted during drilling processes are not capable of providing near real-time structural information, leading to underutilization of these solids for subsurface characterization in the oil and gas industry.
Innovation Solution
A tomography system is employed to acquire and analyze hyperspectral images of solids in near real-time using transmission tomography, enabling 3D reconstruction and providing structural information for subsurface characterization without sample preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional imaging methods are used to characterize solids, then structural information can be obtained, but near real-time capability is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static imaging of solids to dynamic imaging during projectile motion. The imaging system captures images while solids are in motion, and the processing circuitry dynamically tracks and reconstructs 3D structures from these sequential images, enabling near real-time characterization without requiring solids to be stationary or prepared in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tracking of solid trajectories before complete image acquisition. By predicting and tracking the projectile motion paths of solids in advance, the system can continuously capture and reconstruct images of moving solids, eliminating the time delay associated with traditional post-processing of static samples.
2Loss of information
If solids are analyzed after drilling operations, then structural properties can be determined, but near real-time subsurface characterization is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system operates continuously during solids ejection from drilling operations, capturing images of solids as they move through the imaging zone. The processing circuitry continuously reconstructs 3D images and extracts structural properties in real-time, providing continuous subsurface characterization data without interruption or batch processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical sample preparation and stationary imaging methods with a non-contact optical imaging system that captures images of solids in flight. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming mechanical handling, mounting, and preparation steps, enabling immediate structural analysis of drilling solids.
3Measurement precision
If sample preparation is performed on solids, then imaging quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solids themselves serve as their own preparation medium through their natural projectile motion. The motion and orientation changes that occur during ejection and flight automatically present multiple views of the solids to the imaging system, eliminating the need for manual positioning, mounting, or preparation steps while maintaining imaging quality through continuous multi-angle capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the dynamic motion of solids during projectile motion to achieve comprehensive imaging without preparation. By capturing images at multiple points along the trajectory and using 3D reconstruction algorithms, the system obtains complete structural information from unprepared solids in flight, maintaining both image quality and processing speed.
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 near real-time acquisition and interpretation of structural properties of solids, facilitating improved drilling operations by providing real-time insights into geological formations and enhancing hydrocarbon exploration and production.
Implementation Method 1
A tomography system is employed to acquire and analyze hyperspectral images of solids in near real-time using transmission tomography
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided that includes an imaging system used to obtain images of one or more solids extracted from a reservoir during a projectile motion of the one or more solids, a processing circuitry, and a memory, accessible by the processing circuitry, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry cause the processing circuitry to perform operations. The operations include controlling the imaging system to obtain the images of the one or more solids during the projectile motion and obtaining one or more physical properties of the one or more solids based on the images of the one or more solids during the projectile motion.