Ultrasonic Casing Thickness Measurement Inside Drill String

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional wireline logging techniques for measuring wellbore casing thickness are cumbersome and require removing the drill string, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An untethered logging device is deployed within the drill string, using an ultrasonic sensor system to measure casing thickness without the need for hydraulically actuated windows or precise alignment, allowing continuous drilling fluid flow and remote activation via pressure pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional wireline logging techniques are used to measure casing thickness, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the process requires removing the drill string which is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecasing thickness measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime required to remove and reassemble drill string

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The logging device is nested within the drill string interior, allowing the measurement tool to be contained within the existing drill string structure without requiring removal or disassembly of the drill string components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wireline logging system with an ultrasonic sensor system that transmits waves through the drill string material to detect casing thickness, eliminating the need for mechanical window alignment and hydraulic actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If hydraulically actuated windows are used in the drill string to access the wellbore for logging, then sensor access is provided, but the system becomes complex and requires precise alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor access to wellboreVSAvoidhydraulic actuation mechanism and window alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation mechanism with an ultrasonic wave transmission system that passes waves through the drill string material itself, eliminating the need for mechanical windows and hydraulic control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The drill string material itself serves as the intermediary medium for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the logging device to the casing, eliminating the need for separate windows or apertures in the drill string

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the drill string is removed for logging operations, then the logging device can be deployed, but drilling operations must be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogging operation efficiencyVSAvoiddrilling operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The logging device is deployed nested within the drill string interior, allowing logging operations to be performed while the drill string remains in place and drilling operations can continue without interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous drilling operations by allowing the logging device to be deployed and operated within the drill string without removing it, maintaining continuous useful action of the drilling system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 method saves time and effort by eliminating the need to remove the drill string, providing accurate casing thickness measurements while allowing uninterrupted drilling operations and enabling in-situ remediation of worn casings.

Implementation Method 1

The ultrasonic waves can be passed through the material of the drill string

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

Using a pressure sensor, an increase in a fluid pressure of the drilling fluid within the interior of the drill string above the logging device is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11702928B2Casing imaging method

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 WWT NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

A method of imaging a wellbore casing using an ultrasonic sensing system through the material of a drill string as the drill string is tripped out of the wellbore.