Self-Burrowing Seismic Tool to Reduce Placement Error

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seismic data acquisition methods rely heavily on manual placement of sensors, which introduces human error and is challenging in remote or harsh environments, affecting data accuracy and resolution, and are limited by the need for worker safety in dangerous conditions.

Innovation Solution

A self-burrowing seismic-sensing tool that navigates and burrows autonomously into the subsurface using a processor-controlled navigator, burrower, and data acquisition unit to collect seismic data, eliminating the need for manual sensor placement and enabling operation in unsafe conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual sensor placement is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to human error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of sensor placementVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seismic sensing tool is self-deploying, automatically burrowing into the subsurface formation without requiring manual placement by workers. The tool navigates autonomously using a processor-controlled navigator and burrows using a burrower mechanism, eliminating human error in placement while maintaining operational simplicity through automated self-service deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual sensor placement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates in harsh environments due to worker safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidoperational reliability in harsh environments

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tool performs self-deployment and self-navigation autonomously, eliminating the need for workers to operate in harsh or dangerous environments. The processor-controlled navigator and automated burrowing mechanism enable the tool to reliably reach target destinations in subsurface formations without human intervention, significantly improving operational reliability in challenging conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical placement operations with an automated electronic control system. The processor-controlled navigator uses sensors and computational algorithms to determine courses and guide the tool, substituting human-operated mechanical deployment with an electronic-mechanical integrated system that enhances reliability in harsh environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If automated self-burrowing is implemented, then measurement precision is improved by eliminating human error, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated tool: navigation (navigator), burrowing (burrower), and seismic data acquisition (sensing tool) are combined in one autonomous system. This consolidation improves measurement precision by eliminating manual placement errors while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than separate interconnected systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The self-burrowing seismic sensing tool is designed as a multi-functional device that performs navigation, autonomous burrowing, and seismic data collection. This universal design achieves high measurement precision through automated operation while optimizing device complexity by creating a single tool that executes multiple tasks sequentially, rather than requiring separate specialized equipment for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances data accuracy and resolution by reducing human error and allows seismic surveys in challenging environments, while ensuring worker safety and enabling high-fidelity subsurface modeling.

Implementation Method 1

a navigator, implemented by a processor, configured to determine a course to a target destination within a subsurface formation, the course being based on a current location received from one or more sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

a burrower, implemented by the processor, configured to operate a burrowing device to reach the target destination based on the course

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical burrowing: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a data acquisition unit, implemented by the processor, configured to generate seismic data based on seismic waves received at the target destination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeismic wave detection: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentUS20250258309A1Systems and methods for acquiring seismic data

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

In some examples, a computer-implemented method for a self-burrowing seismic-sensing tool includes determining a course to a target destination within a subsurface formation from a surface location, operating a burrowing device to the target destination based on the course, and generating seismic data based on seismic waves received at the target destination.