New Ultrasonic Caliper for MWD Operations

Orban, Jenny; Dennison, M.S.; Jorion, B.M.; Mayes, J.C.

doi:10.2118/21947-ms

Cited by 13 publications

References 1 publication

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Effect of bubble size on ultrasound backscatter from bubble clouds in the context of gas kick detection in boreholes

Indimath

Fiorentini

Bøklepp

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Early detection of gas influx in boreholes while drilling is of significant interest to drilling operators. Several studies suggest a good correlation between ultrasound backscatter/attenuation and gas volume fraction (GVF) in drilling muds, and thereby propose methods for quantification of GVF in boreholes. However, the aforementioned studies neglect the influence of bubble size, which can vary significantly over time. This paper proposes a model to combine existing theories for ultrasound backscatter from bubbles depending on their size, viz. Rayleigh scattering for smaller bubbles, and specular reflection for larger bubbles. The proposed model is demonstrated using simulations and experiments, where the ultrasound backscatter is evaluated from bubble clouds of varying bubbles sizes. It is shown that the size and number of bubbles strongly influence ultrasound backscatter intensity, and it is correlated to GVF only when the bubble size distribution is known. The information on bubble size is difficult to obtain in field conditions causing this correlation to break down. Consequently, it is difficult to reliably apply methods based on ultrasound backscatter, and by extension its attenuation, for the quantification of GVF during influx events in a borehole. These methods can however be applied as highly sensitive detectors of gas bubbles for GVF $$\ge$$ ≥ 1 vol$$\%$$ % .

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Effect of bubble size on ultrasound backscatter from bubble clouds in the context of gas kick detection in boreholes

Indimath

Fiorentini

Bøklepp

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Accuracy of ultrasonic sensor in caliper log

Elahifar

Esmaeili

Frühwirth³

et al. 2012

2012 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference Proceedings

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Determining the Accuracy of Ultrasonic Caliper Measurements for Real Time Drilling Application

Elahifar

Esmaeili

Frühwirth³

et al. 2012

SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition

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The measurement of actual wellbore shape in real-time can be considered as one of the key components to detect problems such as borehole instability. Abnormal wellbore shape will allow drawing conclusions on the stress field and the impact on other sensors' responses as part of LWD measurements. Accurate wellbore caliper measurements in real-time will also allow to determine cement volume requirements with less measurement time. In order to get a quantitative assessment of measurement accuracy, an experimental evaluation of the performance of ultrasonic measurements to determine wellbore geometry while drilling has been performed. A fully automated test robot has been designed and experiments were performed in different drilling fluids and wellbore geometries. That test robot allows emulating vertical as well as lateral movements of a sensor head in an artificial wellbore filled with different types of fluids. Experiments were performed in relation to the radial position of the ultrasonic caliper tool inside the wellbore including different objects inside the borehole to simulate latches or dog legs. The results were compared and the limitations and arising problems for this type of measurement were identified. The wellbore profiles were measured with different axial and rotational survey speeds. The results allowed the quantification of the errors caused by different wave paths and were compared to the actual borehole geometry. In addition, numerical models were applied for the simulation of the measurements; again the results were compared to the actual ultrasonic measurement.

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New Ultrasonic Caliper for MWD Operations

Cited by 13 publications

References 1 publication

Effect of bubble size on ultrasound backscatter from bubble clouds in the context of gas kick detection in boreholes

Effect of bubble size on ultrasound backscatter from bubble clouds in the context of gas kick detection in boreholes

Accuracy of ultrasonic sensor in caliper log

Determining the Accuracy of Ultrasonic Caliper Measurements for Real Time Drilling Application

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