Wellbore Sensor Time Synchronization via Linear Moveout Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The synchronization of timing information from various sensors in downhole drilling operations is challenging due to non-synchronized internal clocks and environmental factors, leading to inaccurate data assimilation and difficulty in detecting drilling dysfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A process involving linear moveout correction and cross-correlation methods is applied to adjust the timing of time series data from wellbore sensors relative to a reference time series, using a computer system with application program interfaces to determine and apply corrections for clock synchronization and drift, ensuring all data is synchronized in time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual timing adjustment methods are used for sensor data synchronization, then labor-intensive correction can be applied, but accuracy and efficiency deteriorate due to human error and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical timing adjustment with an automated computer-based system that uses linear moveout correction and cross-correlation algorithms to automatically synchronize sensor data timestamps, eliminating human error and significantly reducing processing time while improving synchronization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting timing drift between sensors and applying appropriate time corrections without human intervention, using the recorded data itself to identify and correct synchronization errors through cross-correlation analysis
2Loss of information
If multiple sensors with independent clocks are deployed to capture comprehensive drilling data, then data completeness improves, but timing synchronization deteriorates due to clock drift and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference time series as an intermediary against which all sensor time series are compared and synchronized. This reference serves as a common timing基准 that allows multiple sensors with independent clocks to be reliably synchronized despite environmental factors causing differential drift
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors timing offsets between sensors and the reference time series, then applies corrective time adjustments based on cross-correlation results, creating a feedback loop that maintains synchronization reliability across all sensors throughout the drilling operation
3Productivity
If rapid aggregation of data from multiple sensors is implemented to quickly detect drilling dysfunctions, then detection speed improves, but data accuracy deteriorates without proper time synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies linear moveout correction and cross-correlation-based time synchronization to all sensor data before aggregation and analysis, ensuring that the data is temporally aligned in advance. This preliminary timing correction enables rapid and accurate dysfunction detection without compromising data precision
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for synchronizing the time of time series data acquired from a wellbore sensor relative to a reference time series. This comprises acquiring a first time series from a sensor in a wellbore, acquiring a reference time series and determining a linear moveout time correction to apply to the first time series. The linear moveout time correction is equal to the depth of the wellbore sensor divided by the signal propagation velocity. The linear moveout correction is applied to the first time series. The first time series is cross-correlated with the reference time series to determine a cross-correlation time correction to apply to the first time series and the cross-correlation time correction is applied to the first time series to obtain a cross-correlation corrected time series. Dynamic time warping and dynamic cross-correlation may be used to adjust for clock drift.