Ultrasonic Backscatter Analysis for Borehole Formation Properties
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current acoustic imaging techniques in the energy industry, such as borehole sonic and ultrasonic imaging, struggle to effectively estimate internal structural features of earth formations beyond the borehole surface, particularly microstructural characteristics like density and porosity, due to limitations in frequency range and depth of investigation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an acoustic measurement device with a transmitter emitting ultrasonic signals to produce internal diffuse backscatter, and a receiver processing return signals to isolate and analyze this backscatter, allowing for the estimation of structural properties like density, porosity, and brittleness by calculating characteristics such as attenuation, spectral centroid shift, and entropy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional acoustic imaging techniques are used, then the equipment is simple to operate, but the measurement precision of internal structural features is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic signal processing into distinct components: emitting ultrasonic signals, receiving backscatter signals, isolating internal diffuse backscatter from surface reflections, and calculating multiple characteristics (attenuation, spectral centroid shift, entropy). This segmentation enables precise measurement of internal structural features by analyzing specific signal components separately rather than treating the acoustic response as a single composite signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional acoustic imaging to ultrasonic frequency range, adding a dimensional change in frequency space. By operating at ultrasonic frequencies and analyzing internal diffuse backscatter in this higher frequency dimension, the system achieves enhanced measurement precision for microstructural characteristics that are not resolvable at conventional acoustic frequencies.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional acoustic imaging techniques are used, then the equipment is simple, but the depth of investigation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary signal processing actions to isolate internal diffuse backscatter before analyzing depth-related characteristics. By preprocessing the acoustic signals to separate internal backscatter from surface reflections and noise, the system enables accurate depth of investigation measurements that would be impossible with raw conventional acoustic signals alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultrasonic frequencies to extend the depth of investigation into the formation while maintaining measurement precision. The higher frequency ultrasonic waves provide better resolution for detecting internal structural features at greater depths compared to conventional acoustic frequencies, effectively adding a frequency dimension to overcome the depth-precision tradeoff.
3Measurement precision
If ultrasonic signals are used to enhance spatial resolution, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex ultrasonic signal processing into manageable components: signal emission, backscatter isolation, and characteristic calculation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high spatial resolution through ultrasonic frequencies while managing device complexity by processing signals in distinct, modular stages rather than requiring a single complex processing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces internal diffuse backscatter as an intermediary phenomenon between the ultrasonic signal and the final measurement. By analyzing this intermediate backscatter signal that carries information about internal structural features, the system achieves high spatial resolution measurements without requiring direct contact or complex probe configurations, thus managing device complexity.
4Loss of information
If internal diffuse backscatter analysis is implemented, then the information completeness about formation properties improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic signal into distinct components: surface reflections, internal diffuse backscatter, and noise. By isolating the internal diffuse backscatter component through systematic signal processing, the system recovers complete information about formation properties (density, porosity, brittleness) that would be lost in conventional single-component acoustic imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through calculating multiple characteristics (attenuation, spectral centroid shift, entropy) of the internal diffuse backscatter signal. These characteristics provide feedback about different aspects of formation properties, allowing comprehensive information recovery about density, porosity, and brittleness by analyzing how the backscatter signal changes across different measurement parameters.
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 enhances the spatial resolution and depth of field for characterizing rock formations, providing detailed internal structural information that existing technologies cannot achieve, facilitating better drilling and production operations by accurately estimating properties like density, porosity, and brittleness.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter configured to emit an acoustic signal having at least one selected frequency configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole and produce internal diffuse backscatter from earth formation material behind the surface
Implementation Method 2
a receiver configured to detect return signals from the region of interest and generate return signal data
Implementation Method 3
calculate an attenuation value associated with the internal diffuse backscatter
Implementation Method 4
calculate a spectral centroid shift associated with the internal diffuse backscatter
Implementation Method 5
calculate an entropy value associated with the internal diffuse backscatter
Data Source
AI summary
A system for estimating a property of a region of interest includes an acoustic measurement device including a transmitter configured to emit an acoustic signal having at least one selected frequency configured to penetrate a surface of a borehole in an earth formation and produce internal diffuse backscatter from earth formation material behind the surface and within the region of interest, and a receiver configured to detect return signals from the region of interest and generate return signal data. The system also includes a processing device configured to receive the return signal data, process the return signal data to identify internal diffuse backscatter data indicative of the internal diffuse backscatter, calculate one or more characteristics of the internal diffuse backscatter, and estimate a property of the region of interest based on the one or more characteristics of the internal diffuse backscatter.