Spiral Acoustic Cement Bond Logging for Annular Material Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cement bond logging tools are unable to accurately identify settled drilling fluid solids in wellbore annuli, leading to incorrect determination of cutting forces required to extract casing, due to insufficient acoustic contrast with adjacent materials.
Innovation Solution
Implementing advanced acoustic evaluation methods using axially aligned transmitters and receivers, combined with spiral sampling of waveform acoustic energy analysis, to evaluate annular contents and circumferential distribution of materials in wellbores, including spiral sampling of acoustic energy characterization and enhanced evaluation of annular volume contents outside a first pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic measurements are used to identify materials in the wellbore annulus, then the measurement process is simple and fast, but the identification accuracy of settled drilling fluid solids is insufficient due to lack of acoustic contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the annular region into multiple evaluation zones using a combination of near and far receivers at different angular positions. By dividing the measurement space and analyzing acoustic energy distribution across multiple segments, the system can distinguish settled solids from other annular materials even when overall acoustic contrast is low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using receivers positioned at specific angular locations (e.g., 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees) to capture localized acoustic energy characteristics. This allows identification of settled solids in specific regions of the annulus where they accumulate, rather than requiring uniform detection throughout the entire annular space
2Loss of information
If segmented measurements in multiple directions are used to map cement bond quality, then circumferential distribution information is obtained, but the device complexity and measurement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single logging tool assembly by integrating both near and far receivers with multiple angular positions. This combination allows simultaneous acquisition of circumferential distribution data, cement bond quality, and settled solids identification without requiring multiple separate tools or multiple runs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that performs multiple functions: evaluating cement bond quality, identifying settled drilling fluid solids, and mapping circumferential material distribution. The same receiver array and acoustic energy analysis methodology serve all these purposes, reducing the need for specialized equipment for each function
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
Provides accurate characterization of annular materials, enabling reliable determination of casing extraction forces and improving the precision of wellbore imaging, even in complex annular environments.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to transmit an acoustic wave
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to receive a refracted waveform
Implementation Method 3
the receiver configured to receive a refracted waveform
Data Source
AI summary
In general, in one aspect, embodiments relate to a method and/or system that includes disposing a cement bond logging tool into a wellbore. The method and/or system comprising: a cement bond logging tool comprising: two or more transmitters configured to transmit an acoustic wave from cement bond logging tool; and an array of receivers configured to receive a refracted waveform; and an information handling system configured to process the refracted waveform from the array of receivers into a cement bond property log.