Neutrally-buoyant borehole investigation tools and methods
US9038765B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 26, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V1/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Neutrally-buoyant tools for seismic data collection are provided that may range from several hundred meters to several kilometers in length and have integrated sensors which move along with the borehole fluid in response to a passing seismic wave. The disclosure also provides methods of deploying neutrally-buoyant tools, which includes using a tractor, adding a weight or both to the tool in order to overcome the difficulty of lowering a neutrally buoyant tool into a borehole, and optionally occasionally clamping the tool to the borehole to alleviate tension in the tool. This disclosure also provides methods of acquiring seismic data, which involves positioning a neutrally-buoyant tool in a borehole such that the tool is able to move relatively freely along with the borehole fluid in response to a seismic wave passing through the fluid, firing a seismic source, and using the sensors to collect seismic data generated thereby.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.