Sonic Logging Multiple Arrival Event Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sonic logging methods struggle to distinguish between tool layer and shoulder bed arrivals in high-angle wellbores, leading to unreliable formation property measurements due to multiple arrival events, which are often viewed as nuisance artifacts rather than valuable data.
Innovation Solution
A workflow and system that processes sonic measurements using multiple arrival event processing to determine formation porosity, elastic rock properties, and geometric information for both the tool layer and nearby shoulder bed, integrating this data into 2D or 3D models for improved well placement and completion optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sonic logging methods are used in high-angle wellbores, then compressional and shear slowness measurements are obtained, but multiple arrival events from tool layer and shoulder bed cause unreliable formation property measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiple arrival events into distinct components: tool layer arrivals and shoulder bed arrivals. By separately identifying and processing P-wave and S-wave arrivals from each layer, the method isolates the formation of interest signals from interfering signals, enabling accurate measurement of formation properties despite the presence of multiple arrivals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful multiple arrival events into beneficial information sources. Instead of treating shoulder bed arrivals as noise to be eliminated, the method utilizes both tool layer and shoulder bed arrivals to derive formation properties, effectively transforming the interference into additional useful data about the formation.
2Ease of operation
If standard one-dimensional coherence processing is applied, then processing simplicity is maintained, but the method cannot distinguish between tool layer and shoulder bed arrivals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional coherence processing to a multi-dimensional processing approach. By incorporating azimuthal information and analyzing waveforms in both time and frequency domains across multiple receivers, the method creates additional processing dimensions that enable differentiation between tool layer and shoulder bed arrivals while maintaining operational feasibility.
3Measurement precision
If multiple arrival events are treated as nuisance artifacts to be eliminated, then cleaner signals are obtained, but valuable information about tool layer and shoulder bed is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the previously discarded multiple arrival events into valuable information sources. By processing both tool layer and shoulder bed arrivals separately, the method recovers formation properties for both layers, converting what was considered noise into useful geological information about the formation structure and properties.
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 provides more representative elastic property values, accounting for heterogeneity along the wellbore and enhancing geosteering and well completion processes by accurately characterizing the tool layer and shoulder bed properties.
Implementation Method 1
compressional (P) and shear (S) arrivals arising from propagation in the tool layer... and compressional (P) arrivals and shear (S) arrivals arising from refraction and reflection along nearby shoulder beds
Implementation Method 2
compressional (P) arrivals and shear (S) arrivals arising from refraction and reflection along nearby shoulder beds
Implementation Method 3
compressional (P) arrivals and shear (S) arrivals arising from refraction and reflection along nearby shoulder beds
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided that perform sonic measurements in a high-angle wellbore or horizontal wellbore or vertical wellbore penetrating highly dipped formation layers where the formation layers can have a high degree of dip relative to the wellbore. Sonic data can be generated from the sonic measurements and processed using multiple arrival event processing to determine formation porosity, elastic rock properties and geometric information for a tool layer and nearby shoulder bed. Such information can be integrated into a 2D or 3D layered model of the formation. The elastic rock properties of the tool layer and shoulder bed derived from the multiple arrival event processing can provide more representative elastic property values, which can account for heterogeneity along the wellbore. Furthermore, the method can involve using at least part of the properties including porosity, elastic rock properties, and geometric information for the tool layer and shoulder bed for well placement (geosteering) and well completion optimization.