Wellbore resistivity tool with simultaneous multiple frequencies

Abstract

The present invention is a propagation resistivity system that utilizes one or more transmitter coil antennas, or “transmitters” and at least two receiver coil antennas, or “receivers”. The system uses a wellbore resistivity tool which may be embodied as a MWD tool or as a wireline tool. Two or more transmitters may be spaced equally on either side of two or more spaced-apart receivers. Two or more frequencies are transmitted and received simultaneously. Multiple frequencies may be transmitted from each transmitter or from separate transmitters at the same time. Multiple frequencies are simultaneously received and analyzed by the receiver electronics, thereby reducing the measurement time for multiple frequency measurements. In one embodiment each of two transmitters transmits simultaneously. One transmitter operates on a high frequency. The second transmitter operates at a lower frequency. The higher frequency signal penetrates a relatively shallow radial distance into the formation and the lower frequency penetrates to a radial depth which exceeds the higher frequency. Composite measurements made at two radial depths are used to compensate for factors having adverse effects on resistivity measurements in the immediate region of the borehole. Such factors include invasion, variations in borehole size, variations in borehole fluid, and the like.