Gas Research Institute

Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Services Petroliers Schlumberger

Schlumberger Holdings Limited

Prad Research and Development Limited

Bruce P Marion

Bernard Widrow

James Minto

James Rector

Iraj A Salehi

Jerry M Harris

Duane Canny

The present disclosure relates to increasing the output power of a clamped seismic or acoustic source disposed in a wellbore without damaging the borehole/casing/cement. One or more sources are provided and carried on a conveyance mechanism. The conveyance mechanism may be a wireline, a coiled tubing, or a drill pipe. The one or more sources are run into and/or out of the wellbore and temporarily disposed at various locations within the wellbore. The one or more sources are temporarily clamped to the wellbore at the various locations using distributed clamping, and a source signal is generated by the distributed clamped source. The distributed clamping device may have multiple clamping mechanisms along an increased length of the source or a continuous clamping mechanism along an increased length of the source.

Distributed clamps for a downhole seismic source

The present disclosure relates to making seismic measurements using a seismic source disposed in a wellbore. One or more seismic sources are provided and carried on a conveyance mechanism. One or more seismic receivers are provided and placed on or near the earth's surface, in the same wellbore as the seismic sources, or in another wellbore. The one or more seismic sources are run into and/or out of the wellbore using a controller or sequencer. The one or more seismic sources are positioned, manually or automatically, at one or more locations in the wellbore, using a set of computer-controlled instructions. Seismic measurements are made at the one or more locations by activating the one or more seismic sources and detecting a seismic source signal using the seismic receivers. The receivers may be carried on a conveyance mechanism and their position controlled, manually or automatically, using the set of computer-controlled instructions.

Automatic programmed acquisition using downhole seismic sources

An apparatus for rotating an instrument in a wellbore includes a non magnetic housing configured to traverse the interior of the wellbore. The housing has an external diameter smaller than an internal diameter of a casing disposed in the wellbore. A plurality of electromagnets is arranged circumferentially about the interior of the housing and is configured to induce magnetic flux through a wall of the housing when actuated. A controller configured to sequentially rotationally actuate the electromagnets. A method for rotating a wellbore instrument in a wellbore includes causing parts of an instrument housing to be sequentially rotationally magnetically attracted to a casing disposed in the wellbore. The housing has a smaller external diameter than an internal diameter of the casing. The sequential rotational magnetic attraction is continued as needed.

Rotator for wireline conveyed wellbore instruments and method for rotating an instrument in a wellbore

A dual mode multiple-element resonant cavity piezoceramic borehole energy source is disclosed. Thus, a source for generating detectable seismic waves in a wellbore is provided which is capable of transmitting useful signals over long distances between the source and the related receiver or receivers. A liquid-filled elongated column is provided which defines a longitudinal axis and has a resonant frequency. A resonator comprising at least one substantially cylindrical piezoelectric element having an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the borehole for inducing seismic waves in the borehole is furnished. The resonator is constructed and arranged for vibrating at the first resonant frequency, and is also constructed and arranged for vibrating at a second frequency in a hoop mode to generate seismic waves having the second frequency.

Dual mode multiple-element resonant cavity piezoceramic borehole energy

An apparatus (10) for providing while drilling information on a subterranean geologic formation (28) includes a drilling rig (12) and a rotary drill bit (18) attached to the drilling rig (12) for providing seismic waves as it drills in the earth (16). Geophones (20) are spaced from the rotary drill bit (18) in the earth (16) and receive in direct seismic wave paths (26) and seismic wave paths (30) reflected from the subterranean geologic formation (28) the seismic waves provided by the drill bit (18). A reference sensor (24) is located on the drilling rig (12). The seismic signals sensed by the reference sensor (24) and by the geophones (20) are cross-correlated to separate the drill bit generated signals from interference signals by combining the reference signals and the signals received by the geophones (20). The cross-correlated reference signals and the signals received by the geophones (20) are separated into a first group of the drill bit generated seismic signals travelling to the geophones (20) in direct paths and a second group of the drill bit generated seismic signals travelling to the geophones (20) in paths reflected from the subterranean geologic formation (28). The cross-correlation provides a domain where drill bit generated energy can be distinguished from interference. The two groups of the drill bit generated seismic signals can then be used to image the subsurface seismically so as to improve the chances of discovering hydrocarbons. The techinque is applicable to land operations and to drilling from an offshore platform over water.

Signal processing to enable utilization of a rig reference sensor with a

An apparatus (10) for providing while drilling information on a subterranean geologic formation (28) includes a drilling rig (12) and a rotary drill bit (18) attached to the drilling rig (12) for providing seismic waves as it drills in the earth (16). Geophones (20) are spaced from the rotary drill bit (18) in the earth (16) and receive indirect seismic wave paths (26) and seismic wave paths (30) reflected from the subterranean geologic formation (28) the seismic waves provided by the drill bit (18). A reference sensor (24) is located on the drilling rig (12). The seismic signals sensed by the reference sensor (24) and by the geophones (20) are cross-correlated to separate the drill bit generated signals from interference signals by combining the reference signals and the signals received by the geophones (20). The cross-correlated reference signals and the signals received by the geophones (20) are separated into a first group of the drill bit generated seismic signals travelling to the geophones (20) in direct paths and a second group of the drill bit generated seismic signals travelling to the geophones (20) in paths reflected from the subterranean geologic formation (28). The cross-correlation provides a domain where drill bit generated energy can be distinguished from interference. The two groups of the drill bit generated seismic signals can then be used to image the subsurface seismically so as to improve the chances of discovering hydrocarbons. The techniques is applicable to land operations and to drilling from an offshore platform over water.

An apparatus (10) for providing while drilling information on a subterranean geologic formation (28) includes a drilling rig (12) and a rotary drill bit (18) attached to the drilling rig (12) for providing seismic waves as it drills in the earth (16). Geophones (20) are spaced from the rotary drill bit (18) in the earth (16) and receive in direct seismic wave paths (26) and seismic wave paths (30) reflected from the subterranean geologic formation (28) the seismic waves provided by the drill bit (18). A reference sensor (24) is located on the drilling rig (12). The seismic signals sensed by the reference sensor (24) and by the geophones (20) are cross-correlated to separate the drill bit generated signals from interference signals by combining the reference signals and the signals received by the geophones (20). The cross-correlated reference signals and the signals received by the geophones (20) are separated into a first group of the drill bit generated seismic signals travelling to the geophones (20) in direct paths and a second group of the drill bit generated seismic signals travelling to the geophones (20) in paths reflected from the subterranean geologic formation (28). The cross-correlation provides a domain where drill bit generated energy can be distinguished from interference. The two groups of the drill bit generated seismic signals can then be used to image the subsurface seismically so as to improve the chances of discovering hydrocarbons. The technique is applicable to land operations and to drilling from an offshore platform over water.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Bruce P Marion