Transient EM Signal Compression in Borehole Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Real-time data transmission from downhole exploration and production operations is challenging due to the large volume of data and limited bandwidth, necessitating effective data compression methods for transient electromagnetic signals.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize a transmitter and receiver in a borehole to compress transient electromagnetic signals using either a spline approximation method or an Eigen value method, selecting the approach that results in the fewest number of parameters to represent the signal for efficient transmission and recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all downhole data is transmitted to surface for processing, then complete data analysis is achieved, but transmission time and bandwidth requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential features of transient electromagnetic signals by computing moment values (first and second moments) that capture the signal characteristics. This extraction process removes redundant information while preserving the critical data needed for formation analysis, enabling efficient transmission with reduced time and bandwidth requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the transient signal from its original time-domain representation into a compressed parameter representation using moment calculations. By changing the parameter representation from multiple time samples to a few moment values, the data volume is significantly reduced while maintaining the essential signal characteristics for real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If data compression is applied to transient signals, then transmission efficiency is improved, but signal accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an iterative refinement process where moment values are computed and then used to reconstruct the transient signal. The reconstructed signal is compared with the original, and the process can be refined by computing higher-order moments or adjusting the reconstruction parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that the compressed representation maintains high signal accuracy while achieving efficient compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses moment parameters (first moment, second moment, and potentially higher-order moments) to represent the transient signal. By carefully selecting and optimizing these parameters, the compression maintains the essential signal characteristics. The moment parameters are chosen to preserve the signal's energy distribution and temporal characteristics, ensuring accurate reconstruction for formation analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 proposed solution significantly reduces the number of parameters required for data transmission, allowing for accurate reconstruction of transient signals with minimal error, thereby enhancing real-time data processing and transmission efficiency in downhole operations.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter disposed in a borehole and configured to change a transmitted current and induce a current in an earth formation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3071997B1Methods of transient em data compression
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 BAKER HUGHES CO
  • EP3071997B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3071997B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3071997B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method to compress transient signals are described. The system includes a transmitter disposed in a borehole to change a transmitted current and induce a current in an earth formation, and a receiver disposed in the borehole to receive the transient signals resulting from the transmitted current. The system also includes a processor to compress the transient signals, the processor compressing the transient signals based on a spline approximation method or an Eigen value method for each transient signal based on whether the spline approximation method or the Eigen value method results in a fewer number of parameters representing the transient signal.