Variable Tilt Angle Formation Scanning Using Trigonometric Coil Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transmitter and receiver coils in drilling operations are limited by their fixed position and tilt angle, restricting the ability to effectively scan the formation ahead of the drill bit, thereby limiting geosteering and geostopping decision-making based on limited information.
Innovation Solution
By dynamically adjusting the current through transmitter coils to model a coil with variable tilt angles and trigonometrically manipulating receiver coil responses, fixed coils can simulate scanning at various angles, providing more comprehensive data for geosteering and geostopping decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transmitter and receiver coils are positioned at fixed locations and fixed tilt angles, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the ability to scan the formation ahead of the drill bit is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically rotating coils with a mathematical field transformation approach. By manipulating the electromagnetic field measurements and applying coordinate transformations, the system achieves virtual scanning at multiple tilt angles without any mechanical movement of the coils themselves. This substitutes complex mechanical actuation with computational field analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of coil responses at different tilt angles through mathematical transformations. Instead of physically creating multiple coils at different orientations, the system processes the response from fixed coils to generate equivalent responses that would be obtained from coils at various tilt angles, effectively copying the measurement capability without the physical complexity.
2Loss of information
If coils are fixed in position and orientation, then the device is easier to manufacture and install, but geosteering and geostopping decisions must be made based on limited information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the fixed coils by dynamically adjusting the current magnitude and phase through power electronics. By varying these electrical parameters, the system modulates the electromagnetic field to simulate different coil orientations, thereby extracting more formation information from the same physical coil positions without complicating the mechanical installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional physical coil orientation to a multi-dimensional measurement space by processing coil responses to generate virtual measurements at multiple tilt angles. This dimensional expansion in the data domain compensates for the single-dimensional limitation of fixed physical coil positions, providing comprehensive formation information.
3Measurement precision
If multiple coils at different tilt angles are physically installed, then formation scanning capability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of installation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single fixed coil assembly multi-functional by enabling it to perform measurements equivalent to multiple coils at different tilt angles. Through field manipulation and mathematical processing, one physical coil configuration serves the function of multiple coil configurations, achieving comprehensive formation scanning capability without installing multiple specialized coil sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mathematical transformations and signal processing algorithms as intermediaries between the fixed coil measurements and the desired multi-angle formation information. These computational intermediaries bridge the gap between the limited physical measurements and the comprehensive scanning capability, eliminating the need for additional physical sensors.
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 allows for enhanced data collection and improved decision-making in drilling operations by effectively scanning the formation at multiple angles, overcoming the limitations of fixed coil positions and tilt angles.
Implementation Method 1
A transmitter coil and a receiver coil are positioned on the drill string. The transmitter coil may be excited with a current at a frequency sufficient to induce a voltage in the receiver coil.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, in some embodiments, comprises: a drill string; a first receiver coil coupled to the drill string at a fixed tilt angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drill string; a second receiver coil coupled to the drill string at another fixed tilt angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill string; and a processor coupled to the first and second receiver coils and configured to trigonometrically manipulate a response of the first receiver coil and a response of the second receiver coil to determine a response of a modeled receiver coil having a desired tilt angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drill string, wherein said responses are based on a subterranean formation layer.