Seismic-While-Drilling Signal Detection via Adaptive Receiver Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic-while-drilling (SWD) systems face challenges with low signal-to-noise ratios due to a small number of receivers and high noise levels during drilling operations, which delays decision-making and increases risks to drilling safety and well integrity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a large-scale, flexible, and adaptive real-time SWD system with a high number of seismic sensors and advanced data processing techniques, including cross-correlation and travel-time difference methods, to improve signal detection and separation, and validate acquisition parameters for optimal imaging of targets at varying depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a small number of receivers are used in conventional SWD systems, then device complexity is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver array is divided into multiple subsets or groups that can be independently controlled and processed. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity through modular organization while maintaining a large total number of receivers to improve signal-to-noise ratio through enhanced signal detection and noise cancellation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional 2D receiver arrays to 3D spatial configurations, adding a vertical dimension to the receiver deployment. This dimensional expansion enables better signal-to-noise ratio by providing additional spatial sampling points and improving the geometric coverage for seismic wave detection, while the modular 3D structure helps manage system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If more receivers are deployed to improve signal detection, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver array configuration is made dynamic and adaptive, allowing the system to adjust the number, position, and activation state of receivers based on real-time drilling conditions and signal characteristics. This dynamic adaptation enables optimal measurement precision for varying seismic signal strengths while managing complexity by activating only necessary receivers in different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs variable parameters including receiver spacing, array geometry, and sampling rates that can be adjusted based on depth, formation properties, and signal-to-noise conditions. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain high measurement precision across different drilling depths and geological conditions while optimizing the receiver configuration to avoid unnecessary complexity.
3Loss of information
If real-time data processing is implemented, then information availability to drillers improves, but loss of time in processing is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
Data processing algorithms and analysis frameworks are pre-configured and prepared before drilling operations begin. Common processing workflows, signal filtering parameters, and interpretation models are established in advance, enabling rapid real-time processing without requiring complex decision-making during critical drilling moments. This preliminary preparation reduces processing time while ensuring comprehensive information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements prioritized processing that identifies and rapidly processes critical seismic signals and formation indicators that require immediate attention. Non-critical or lower-priority data can be processed with less urgency or in batches, allowing the system to deliver essential information to drillers in real-time while managing overall processing workload and time requirements efficiently.
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
The system provides improved signal-to-noise ratios, enabling better detection of usable seismic signals and real-time feedback for informed drilling decisions, reducing risks and enhancing drilling efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A drill bit of a drilling assembly operating downhole functions as a passive acoustic energy source
Implementation Method 2
a first subset of the plurality of seismic sensors comprises piezoelectric sensors; and a second subset of the plurality of seismic sensors comprises geophone sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques for determining a drill bit location includes identifying a plurality of acoustic energy signals received at a plurality of sets of acoustic receivers from a passive acoustic energy source that is part of a wellbore drilling system; processing the plurality of acoustic energy signals; determining a location of a drill bit of the wellbore drilling system based on the processed plurality of acoustic signals; and updating a geo-steering path of the drill bit based on the determined location of the drill bit.