Pseudo Attributes for Nested Well Pipe Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EM tools face challenges in accurately and efficiently evaluating the integrity of nested well pipes due to inherent instabilities such as non-uniqueness in inversion processes, especially with increasing numbers of nested pipes.
Innovation Solution
The use of pseudo thicknesses derived from raw EM data through linear or non-linear mapping allows for the inference of prior knowledge on metal loss profiles, stabilizing the inversion process and enabling accurate evaluation of nested well pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional EM inversion methods are used to evaluate nested well pipes, then the evaluation process can be performed, but the results are unstable and non-unique due to inherent instabilities in the inversion process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pseudo-attributes as an intermediary representation that bridges the raw EM data and the actual pipe attributes. These pseudo-attributes serve as a stable intermediate form that can be reliably inverted without directly solving the ill-posed inversion problem, thereby achieving both stability and precision in the evaluation results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the inversion problem by changing the parameter space from direct pipe attributes to pseudo-attributes. This parameter transformation recasts the unstable inversion into a stable optimization problem, allowing reliable evaluation of nested well pipes with multiple casing strings
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of nested pipes is increased to evaluate more well components, then the evaluation comprehensiveness improves, but the inversion complexity and computational time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the evaluation problem by introducing separate pseudo-attributes for each pipe or pipe group within the nested well structure. This segmentation allows the complex inversion to be broken down into manageable components, each with its own pseudo-attributes, reducing the overall inversion complexity while maintaining comprehensive evaluation capability
Solution Approach 2:
By transforming the problem into the pseudo-attribute domain, the patent changes the parameter representation to enable more efficient inversion. This parameter transformation allows the system to handle multiple nested pipes with different material properties and corrosion states without exponential increase in computational complexity
3Productivity
If traditional inversion methods are used with multiple nested pipes, then the evaluation can be performed, but the processing time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the parameter space from direct pipe thickness and material properties to pseudo-attributes that are more amenable to efficient inversion. This parameter transformation enables rapid evaluation of nested well pipes by converting a computationally intensive problem into a more tractable optimization problem
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 approach allows for the accurate evaluation of the integrity of one or more nested well pipes, overcoming the limitations of current systems by stabilizing the inversion process and reducing processing time.
Implementation Method 1
an EM logging tool may collect data on pipe thickness to produce an EM log
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for identifying corrosion. The method may include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) logging tool into a pipe string configured to perform measurements at one or more depths and creating a log from the measurements at one or more depths taken by the EM logging tool in the pipe string. The method may further comprise computing one or more pseudo attributes of one or more pipes with the log and determining a remedial operation based at least on the one or more pseudo attributes. The system may include an electromagnetic (EM) logging tool into a pipe string configured to perform measurements at one or more depths and an information handling system.