Patent · US Active

Caliper logging using circumferentially spaced and/or angled transducer elements

US8117907B2 · kind B2 · utility

39Cited by
107References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 19, 2008
Grant dateFeb 21, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 25, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B47/085
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A downhole tool includes circumferentially spaced and/or angled transducer elements. In one embodiment a standoff sensor has at least three piezoelectric transducer elements, at least a first element of which is configured to both transmit and receive ultrasonic energy. At least second and third of the elements are configured to receive ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first element in pitch catch mode. An electronic controller is configured to calculate a standoff distance from the ultrasonic waveforms received at the first, the second, and the third piezoelectric transducer elements. The controller may further be configured to estimate the eccentricity of a measurement tool in the borehole. Exemplary embodiments of the invention may improve borehole coverage and data quality and reliability in LWD caliper logging. In particular, the invention may advantageously reduce or even eliminate blind spots when logging eccentric bore holes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.