Rotatable Sensor Assemblies for Subterranean Formation Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for measuring anisotropic characteristics of subterranean formations are limited in the number of measurements they can obtain, which restricts detailed analysis and efficient well operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of rotatable sensor assemblies with rotatable transmit and receive antennas, coupled with motors and angular position sensors, allows for the collection of resistivity data at multiple angles around the tool string, enabling more comprehensive characterization of the formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rotatable sensor assemblies with multiple antennas are used, then measurement quantity and detail increase, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is divided into multiple independent antenna elements that can be individually oriented. Each antenna can be rotated to specific angular positions to measure resistivity in different directions, allowing comprehensive formation characterization through segmented measurement approaches rather than requiring a single complex omnidirectional sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna elements are made rotatable relative to the tool string, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of measurement orientations. Motors drive the antennas to predetermined angular positions during deployment, allowing the same physical sensor assembly to collect data at multiple angles and depths without requiring multiple static sensor arrays.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measurements at various angles are obtained, then formation characterization accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines optimal angular positions and measurement sequences before deployment. The controller is programmed with predetermined angular positions for each antenna, and measurements are taken systematically at these pre-planned orientations, reducing the complexity of real-time data processing by establishing a known measurement framework in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
Angular position sensors provide continuous feedback on the orientation of each antenna element. This feedback allows the controller to accurately correlate resistivity measurements with their specific angular positions, enabling precise formation anisotropy characterization. The feedback mechanism ensures that measurement data can be reliably processed and interpreted despite the complex multi-angle acquisition process.
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor assemblies are described for measuring isotropic, anisotropic, or directionally dependent, characteristics of a subterranean formation. Sensor assemblies can include sensors deployed on a tool string. One or more of the sensors can be rotatable relative to the tool string. Rotating one or more sensors relative to the tool string can provide data about the subterranean formation at multiple points around the tool string.