CA1213969A - Method and device for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore - Google Patents
Method and device for making geophysical measurements within a wellboreInfo
- Publication number
- CA1213969A CA1213969A CA000469080A CA469080A CA1213969A CA 1213969 A CA1213969 A CA 1213969A CA 000469080 A CA000469080 A CA 000469080A CA 469080 A CA469080 A CA 469080A CA 1213969 A CA1213969 A CA 1213969A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- geophone
- tool
- wellbore
- measuring
- absolute velocity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 46
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000003071 parasitic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005474 detonation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004907 gland Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011835 investigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000053 physical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000644 propagated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012883 sequential measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000411 transmission spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B49/00—Testing the nature of borehole walls; Formation testing; Methods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/10—Wear protectors; Centralising devices, e.g. stabilisers
- E21B17/1014—Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well
- E21B17/1021—Flexible or expansible centering means, e.g. with pistons pressing against the wall of the well with articulated arms or arcuate springs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B23/00—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells
- E21B23/04—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion
- E21B23/0411—Apparatus for displacing, setting, locking, releasing, or removing tools, packers or the like in the boreholes or wells operated by fluid means, e.g. actuated by explosion specially adapted for anchoring tools or the like to the borehole wall or to well tube
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V1/00—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting
- G01V1/40—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for well-logging
- G01V1/44—Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for well-logging using generators and receivers in the same well
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V11/00—Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
- G01V11/002—Details, e.g. power supply systems for logging instruments, transmitting or recording data, specially adapted for well logging, also if the prospecting method is irrelevant
- G01V11/005—Devices for positioning logging sondes with respect to the borehole wall
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method and device for making geophysical measurements in a wellbore. A measuring string which preferably comprises a plurality of measuring tools dis-placed along a borehole wall is connected to a surface control unit by means of a traction system consisting of a cable, guide pulley, connection head and junction box.
The measuring tools are displaced at a relative velocity which is equal and opposite to the absolute velocity of the traction system in order to reduce the absolute velocity of the measuring tools to zero during measurement periods. The relative velocity of the tools is in the same direction as the absolute velocity of the traction system between measurement periods, with the result that the absolute velocity of the measuring tools during these periods is higher than the absolute velocity of the traction system.
Figure 1
A method and device for making geophysical measurements in a wellbore. A measuring string which preferably comprises a plurality of measuring tools dis-placed along a borehole wall is connected to a surface control unit by means of a traction system consisting of a cable, guide pulley, connection head and junction box.
The measuring tools are displaced at a relative velocity which is equal and opposite to the absolute velocity of the traction system in order to reduce the absolute velocity of the measuring tools to zero during measurement periods. The relative velocity of the tools is in the same direction as the absolute velocity of the traction system between measurement periods, with the result that the absolute velocity of the measuring tools during these periods is higher than the absolute velocity of the traction system.
Figure 1
Description
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAKING GEOPHYSICAL
MEASUREMENTS WITHIN A WELLBORE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a device for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore.
_escription of the Prior Art Measurements performed within a wellbore usually fall into two main types.
The first type of measurement known as ultrasonic measurement is carried out by means of a tool which is lowered into the borehole at the end of a cable. The tool comprises one or a number of transmitters and one or a number of receivers in addition to means for turning-on the transmitters at suitable instants, and means for transmitting the signals picked up by the receivers to the land surface for recording and processing, In the majority of instances, ultrasonic measure-ments are performed during displacement of the tool, that is to say when the tool is moving within the wellbore. The relatively low rate of displacement of the tool within the wellbore (a few meters per minute) does not produce any background noise in the receivers.
L~a~
The receivers employed are broadly designated as transducers and more specifically as hydrophones but these devices in fact have the function of sensors which are responsive to vibratory pressure.
The sensors receive compressional waves and possibly also parasitic waves derived from the compressional waves and generated by the inhomogeneities of the surround-ing medium. I'he duration of each useful signal received on the sensor, after each transmission, is of the order of lo a few milliseconds, taking into account the frequency of the signals transmitted.
Since the measurements are made during displace-ment of the tool, the traction cable of the tool is there-fore continuously under tension and is wound continuously around a drum, the rotation of which is controlled, for example, by displacement means located at the surface.
Many types of ultrasonic measurement tools in current use make it possible to exclude waves which pro-pagate within the mass of the tool itself and to produce acoustic paths having cylindrical symmetry about the axis of the wellbore.
The second type of measurement relates to a vertical seismic profile, an oblique seismic profile or else a wellbore seismic profile, this second type of measurement being completely different from -the first type which was recalled earlier by way of reference.
i~3 In fact, in the case of petroleum prospecting, for example, it is necessary to determine the nature and characteristics of the subsurface strata which surround the wellbore. To this end, seismic energy is generated at the land surface and not within the wellbore by means of a detonation (explosive charge), a suitable shock impact (falling weight) or else a vibrator in contact with the ground surface. This seismic energy produces waves which propagate within subsurface strata and are received on geo-phones and no longer on hydrophones. The geophones aredesigned as velocimeters which are responsive to vibra-tional velocity and placed elther on the surface, in which case they receive the waves reflected and/or refracted by -the different subsurface strata, or within the wellbore but in this case they must imperatively be in direct contact with the wall of the borehole, in contrast to ultrasonic measurement in which the sensors are usually immersed in the fluid which fills the borehole.
In all cases, the geophones or velocimeters are responsive to vibrational velocity and must permit determination of all the types of seismic waves generated by the energy ernitted at the surface. In fact, direct mechanical coupling between the transmission means and the land surface gives rise to all types of waves since the emitted seismic energy necessarily encounters inhomogeneities in the subsurface formations under exploration. In ;p consequence, it can no longer he considered sufficient either to receive one particular wave among others on the geophone or geophones or to accept a scalar quantity. On the contrary, the geophones must necessarily receive all waves (compressional waves or transverse waves) and in all directions in which they propagate in order to be able to distinguish all the possible directions of vibrational velocities at the time of processing.
Giving due consideration to the transmission means employed and the object to be achieved, the fre-quencies transmitted are within the range of a few hertz to a few hundreds of hertz (5 to 500 Hz, for e~ample) and the duration of the useful signal is of the order of a few seconds.
A final point worthy of note is that, in the second type of measurement referred-to in the foregoing and in contrast to ultrasonic measurement, measurements are performed during upward travel of the tool whilst the geo-phone or geophones remain stationary with respec-t to the borehole wall and are applied against the wall in order to ensure a satisfactory coupling.
Subsequent processing of the signals received by the geophones makes it possible to obtain useful inform-ation on the subsurface strata traversed by the waves from the shot point to the geophones.
A number of different techniques are open to selection. It is possible to place geophones at either uniform or non~~miform intervals along the wellbore and to process information recorded on the different geophones.
It is also possible to use a tool which carries one geo-phone and is stopped at each appropriate level of the well-S bore during each measurement.
In the second type of measurement, the major difficulty arises from the fact -that, up to the present time, no effective method has yet been found for obtaining a satisfactory coupling of the geophone with the borehole wall.
One attempt has already been made to overcome this difficulty and is described in French patent No 1,169,8~1. The device of the prior art comprises a tool fitted with a cylindrical element which serves to maintain lS a geophone assembly at the desired height within the bore-hole and prevents the geophone assembly from rotating with respect to the tool by means of a key-type connection. The geophone assembly comprises two arcuate blade springs dis-posed symmetrically on each side of the tool which is centered within the borehole, the springs being joined to each other by means of pivots mounted on an intermediate member which is attached to the tool body. One of the blade springs is applied against the borehole wall whilst the other blade spring carries substantially at its vertex a shoe which is pivotally mounted at the midpoint of the spring. The outer face of said shoe is in contact with the borehole wall opposite to -the wall against which the first spring is applied. A geophone is then fixed on the inner face of the shoe and is connected by means of a conductor cable to the amplifying equipment located within the tool body.
A tool of this type constitutes a significant improvement over the technique which consists in placing geophones on the ground surface or at intervals along the borehole wall. However, it does not offer a complete answer to the problem of direct coupling with the borehole wall.
There is in fact no direct contact between the geophone and the borehole wall since the geophone is mounted on the inner face of the shoe. Although the shoe is perfectly rigid and the tension of the springs does not permit any displacement of the shoe in sliding motion along the borehole wall while a measurement is in progress, it is nevertheless a fact that the parasitic waves generated by the emitted energy and propagated within the tool body, within the blade springs and within the shoe are received by the geophone. This arises from the rigidity of the tool and the shoe as well as the blade springs although to a lesser degree.
A further drawback arises from the fact that, in the case of a given measurement, the geophone is oriented in only one direction and is therefore capable of detecting only one type of wave.
A further disadvantage which appears to present the most crucial problem is that the blade spring which carries the geophone has only one degree of freedom as determined in the direction of deflection of the spring.
The structure of the spring and the developed applied stresses do not permit flexibility of the spring in all directions. In consequence, there is no effective de-coupling between the mass of the tool and the mass of the geophone and of the associated shoe. Moreover, the tool has a considerable mass in comparison with that of the geo-phone assembly. This mass introduces a parasitic effect which is greater as the connection between the tool body and the geophone assembly has greater rigidity.
It should also be noted that, by reason of the rigid connection between the mass of the tool and the geo-phone, the fact that the mass of the geophone is smaller than that of the tool prevents useful vibration of the geo-phone on reception of the high frequencies of the transmission spectrum. These high frequencies are thus eliminated and the result thereby achieved is much the same as if the tool body and -the relative flexibilities of the borehole walls constituted a filter for these high frequencies.
The device employed in the second type of measurement also comprises tool-displacement means which are attached to the tool by traction and suspension means.
'9 Irrespective of the nature of the tool traction and suspension means just mentioned and regardless of whether these means are flexible or rigid, or whether they consist of a traction cable or a rod, the measurements are performed one after the other in succession up to the full height of the borehole and in the following manner, for example.
The measuring tool i5 lowered to the desired depth or level, whereupon said tool is placed in position and maintained stationary against the borehole walls by means of retractable arms. The measurements are then per-formed in respect of the borehole level considered.
Since the next measurements are to be made at a higher level, the tool must be displaced in the upward direction by folding-back the retractable arms and by actuating the traction means. Another positioning operation is then performed in exactly the same manner as the operation mentioned above.
It is readily apparent that these sequential measurements also entail the need for sequential operation of the traction and displacement means which must be stopped during measurements and displaced between measure-rnents. In the case of the traction cable, an additional operation ls necessary. This consists in re-tensioning said cable at the end of each series of measurements since the cable is released throughout the duration of the measurements in order to ensure seismic decoupling of the tool with respect to the surface displacement means.
In consequence, it is apparent that there is a relatively substantial loss of time throughout the entire sequence of operations, which includes a certain number of successive adjustments for the different tool positions within the borehole.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to over-come the disadvantages mentioned in the foregoing and topropose effective decoupling between the traction and suspension means and the measuring tool, thereby ensuring that said means are continuously displaced during all the series of geophysical measurements and over the entire height of the borehole whereas the measurements are carried out either sequentially or non-continuously.
To this end, the present invention is directed to a method for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore of the type in which at least one measuring tool is displaced along the walls of said wellbore, said tool being connected to traction means, the speed of displace-ment of which is controlled by drive means placed at the ground surface. In accordance with a distinctive feature of the method, the tool is displaced at a relative velocity which is equal and opposite to the absolute velocity of the traction means in order to reduce the absolute velocity of the tool to zero during measurement periods. In accordance with another feature of the method, the relative velocity of the tool is in the same direction as the absolute velocity of the traction means between the measurement periods, with the result that the absolute velocity of the tool during these periods is higher than the absolute velocity of the traction means.
This permits seismic decoupling of the traction means with respect to the measuring tool by virtue of the fact that, when the measuring tool is in operation and stationary within the borehole (since it is locked in position between the borehole walls), the traction means are driven in a continuous manner and continue their move-ment either upwards or downwards, depending on whether the measurements are being performed from the bottom of the borehole or from the ground surface. When the measurements are completed, the measuring tool is displaced at a higher speed than the traction means in order to reduce all or part of the distance between them and to arrive at a different level within the borehole for the purpose of carrying out another series of geophysical measurements.
Thus, by means of the method in accordance with the invention, the measuring tool is displaced in a non-continuous and/or sequential movement whereas the traction means are displaced in continuous motion.
In accordance with another distinctive feature of the invention, the device for carrying out the method outlined in the foregoing essentially comprises at least one double-acting jack in which the displacement of one mo-ving portion is produced by the traction means which are displaced in continuous motion and in which the other moving portion produces the non-continuous displacement of said measuring tool, means being provided for controlling the relative displacement between the two moving poxtions of said jack.
lo In accordance with yet another distinctive feature of the invention, the device is of the type com-prising transmission means which are capable of delivering transmission signals, and at least one geophone mounted on resilient members which are connected to said tool body.
Said geophone has the function of detecting acoustic waves generated by said transmission signals after propagation within subsurface strata which exhibit characteristic elasticity at the level of the geophone. Means are also provided for recording and processing electric signals delivered by said geophone in response to the acoustic waves received. The device is distinguished by the fact that the resilient members consist of means which are flexible in at least two directions and are interposed between the geophone and application means connected to the tool body for applying said geophone against the borehole wall during each detection of said waves. The device is further distinguished by the fact that the elasticity of the flexible means is at least equal to the lowest elasticity of the subsurface stratum traversed by the borehole and that the frequency of resonance of the mass of the geophone with the flexible means is equal at a maximum to the frequency of resonance of said geophone mass with said lowest elasticity.
The connection of the geophone with the tool body by means which are flexible in at least one direction permits almost total decoupling of the mass of the tool body with respect to the mass of the geophone and consequently makes it possible to eliminate prac-tically all the parasitic effects introduced into the measurements by the mass of the tool body. Furthermore, by virtue of this elastic connection, the geophone is capable of vibrating in the direction of the vibrational velocity component of the wave which it may receive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein :
- Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the device in accordance with the present invention within a wellbore which is shown in part ;
- Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A
of Fig. 1 ;
- E'ig. 3 is an en]arged partial view of an elastic system ;
- Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the operation of the devlce within the wellbore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The measuring device illustrated in Fig. 1 is intended to be lowered into a wellbore 1 which is delimited by its substantially cylindrical wall 3 and the ground lo surface 4. The wellbore 1 penetrates subsurface strata which are not specifically illustrated in the drawings and certain characteristics of which are to be determined.
Means for emitting seismic energy and displacement control means are placed on the ground surface 4. All these means form a control unit as represented schematically in the drawings in the form of a block 5.
The control unit 5 has the function of displacing traction means 6 in continuous motion. Said traction means comprise a cable 7 guided by an idler pulley 8 and fixed at one end to a connection head 9 which is we]l-known to those versed in the art and marketed in particular by the Schlumberger Company. A rigid stem lo joins the connection head 9 to a junction box 11 in which are housed all the electronic, hydraulic and mechanical accessories which are necessary for operation of the device.
A stem 12 of substantial length is attached to the base of the junction box 11 and passes through two measuring tool bodies 13 and 14. A cylinder 15 is provided within the first tool body 13 whilst a cylinder 16 is pro-vided within the second tool body 14~
A first piston 17 is mounted on the stem 12 in stationarily fixed relation thereto wl-ilst a second piston 18 is fixed at the lower end of said stem 12. In conse-quence, the cylinder 15 and the piston 17 constitute a first double-acting jack which is integrated in the tool 13 whilst the cylinder 16 and the piston 18 constitute a second double-acting jack which is integrated in the tool 14.
The fluidic control circuits and other operating members of said jacks have not been shown since they are well-known to those versed in the art. Only two hydraulic ducts 19 and 20 are shown in the drawings, the duct 19 being assigned to the jack 15-17 and the duct 20 being assigned to the jacks 16-18. The ducts 19 and 20 are naturally equipped with closing and opening elements in order to permit admission and/or discharge of the fluid under pressure which serves to actuate the jacks. Similarly, the supply of fluid under pressure is effected through the junction box 11, the stem 12 and ports 21, 22 formed in the side walls of the cylinder 15 and ports 23, 24 formed in the wall of the cylinder 16. Finally, packing glands 25 provide a leaktight passageway for displacement of the stem 12 through the tool bodies 13 and 14.
Each tool body 13, 14 is fit~ed with retractable arms 26 each controlled by a small jack 27 which is supplied with fluid under pressure from its associated duct 19, 20. The retractable arms 26 are pivoted at one end to a fulcrum 31 and provided at the other end with runnex-wheels 28 which are capable of rolling along the wall of the borehole. In the example shown in Fig. 2, each tool body 13, 14 has three arms 26 spaced at angular intervals of 120. The vertical axis 29 of each tool body is dis-placed laterally with respect to the vertical axis 30 ofthe borehole 1.
Each measuring tool 13, 14 comprises one or a number of geophone assemblies 32 each mounted at one end of a rigid arm 33, the other end of which is attached to the tool body 13, 14. There is housed within each arm 33 a spring 34 which exerts a thrust on a shoe 35. A casing 37 which is rigidly mounted on said shoe 35 comprises an elastomer block 38 in which is inserted the base of a geo-phone assembly support 39. Three geophones 40 to 42 are mounted on the support 39 in three orthogonal directions in such a manner as to ensure that each geophone 40 to 42 can vibrate in one of these directions and thus detect the component of the vibration which propagates in its direction.
When the complete set of measuring means or so-called measuring string is lowered into the borehole (as shown in Flg. 4), the lower tool 14, for example, is locked in position by radial extension of its arms 26 which are then applied against the borehole wall, whereupon the geophone assemblies 32 are moved to the measurement position against the wall. The transmission means in-ccrporated in the surface control unit 5 are then excitedand transmit a signal into the ground and therefore around the borehole, the frequency of said signal being within the range of 5 to 500 H~. The transmitted signal generates waves which propagate within the subsurface strata around the borehole. During this transmission stage, the geophone assemblies 32 of the lower measuring tool 14 are alone capable of detecting in the form of vibrational velocity the waves generated by the transmitted signal.
In fact, as soon as the measuring string is placed within the borehole 1 or in other words when the ].ower tool 14 is located at the level above which the geo-physical measurements are to be performed, continuous winding of the cable 7 is initiated by the control means incorporated in the surface unit 5. Winding of the cable 7 is performed at a constant velocity V. In consequence, all the elements which are directly attached to said cable are displaced in uniform motion. This is the case with the traction means formed by the cable 7, the connection head 9 and the junction box 11. Since the stem 12 is rigidly fixed to the junction box 11, said stem is also displaced in the same lmiform upward movement in the example illustrated. It follows as a consequence that the pistons 17 and 18 which are rigidly fixed on the stem 12 are also displaced in the same uniform movement at the constant velocity V.
In order to permit displacement of the piston 18 within the stationary cylinder 16, a communication is established between the uppper chamber 43 and lower chamber 44 defined by the piston 1~ within the cylinder 16.
At the time of positional locking of the lower lo tool14, the upper tool 13 is released by radial withdrawal of its arms to their position alongside the tool body (as shown in Fig. 4a) and fluid under pressure is admitted into the upper chamber 45 defined by the piston 17 within the cylinder 15 since the communication between said upper chamber and the lower chamber 46 of the cylinder 15 has been cut-off. The adequate pressure developed within the chamber 45 exerts an upward thrust on the cylinder 15 (as shown in Fig. 4_) and therefore in the direction of dis-placement of the traction means at an absolute velocity ¦v'¦
which is higher than the absolute velocity ¦V¦ of the piston 17. The value of V' is preferably double the value of V.
At the end of its upward movement of travel (shown in Fig. 4_), the velocity of the cylinder 15 is reduced to zero. This corresponds to a position in which the tool 13 will in turn perform a series of geophysical measurements.
To this end, i-ts arms 26 are opened-out and the associated 9~9 geophone assemblies 32 are brought into positioll against the wall of the borehole 1 since a eommunication has been established between the upper chamber 45 and the lower chamber 46.
S The arms 26 of the lower measuring tool 14 are withdrawn ~as shown in Figs. 4c and 4_) and the cycle described earlier in connection with displacement of the upper tool 13 is repeated, but this time in the case of the lower tool (as shown in ~igs. 4c, 4_).
The successive cycles of upward displacement of the measuring tools 13 and 14 are repeated up to the full height of the borehole ~mder investigation.
It is therefore apparent that a non-continuous movement of eaeh tool 13, 14 eorresponds to a conti,nuous movement of the eable 7 and ~hat the assoeiation of said tools makes it possible to perform a greater number of measure-ments within a shorter period of time.
In order that each geophone 40 to 42 of a given assembly may be eapable of suitable vibration in the direetion of the eomponent of the deteeted vibrational veloeity, it is necessary to ensure that this geophone is mechanically decoupled from the tool body 13, 14 which is associated therewith. In point of fact, the lowest charac-teristic elasticity s of the borehole wall 3 introduees an elastic coupling with the geophone or geophones 40 to 42.
Since the elasticity S of the elastomer block 38 produces action on said geophones, an elastic system in equilibrium is therefore constituted by the tool body and the ancillary æ ms 26 having a total mass M, by the geophone assemblies 32 having a mass _, by the resilient means 34, 38 inter-posed between the tool body 13, 14 and the geophoneassembly, and by the elasticity s of rock formations. In order to obtain good decoupling, it is accordingly necessary to determine an elasticity S which must be highex as the mass M is of greater value with respect to the mass m. Calculations show that, when S = s, the vibrational velocity of each geophone assembly is one-half the vibrational velocity of rock formations. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the resonance frequency of the mass m with the elasticity S is equal to the resonance frequency of the mass m with the elasticity s.
Postulating a resonance frequency F equal to 100 Hz, the deflection under load of the resilient means is calculated from the formula p = ~ which is very little different from 12 . Thus, when F = 100 Hz, we obtain p = 1 4 = 0.025 mm.
Resilient means which exhibit a deflection of this order can readily be formed of steel ox of any elastic material such as neoprene.
It is clearly possible to adopt different ratios between S and s and other resonance frequencies provided that said frequencies are selected from the spectrum of frequencies emitted by the transrnission means, that is to say in fact between 5 and 500 Ilz.
In order to ensure that the geophone velocity is as close as possible to the compressional-wave velocity of the formation or rock structure and equal, for example, to 9/10 of the forrnation velocity, the value S = 9 s may be adopted. In the case of a mass _ equal to 0.1 kg, it is necessary to employ resilient means having a flexibility equal to 0.225 mm/Newton in respect of the value S = 9 s.
lC As will readily be understood, the invention is not limited in any sense to the forms of construction hereinabove described by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Depending on the applications envisaged, consideration may accordingly be given to any number of alternative forms of construction which remain within the capacity of those versed in the art without thereby departing either from the scope or the spirit of the invention.
From this it accordingly follows that, instead of integrating the jacks 15-17 and 16-18 in the tool bodies 13, 14, it is possible to construct a measuring string in which said jacks could be dissociated from the tool bodies. One example of construction would consist in connecting the junction box 11 to the cylinder of a first jack by means of a rigid stem and in connecting the operating rod of the jack to the body of the first upper tool. The cylinder of the second jack would be rlgidly fixed to the upper tool body whilst the piston would be rigidly fixed to the second body of the lower tool. The operatlon of a system of this type would be similar to that described in the present specification since a non-continuous movement of the upper and lower tools would correspond to a continuous movement of the cylinder of the first jack.
Thus in an initial starting position, the piston of the first jack would be in a bottom position within its lo cylinder whereas the piston of the second jack would be in a top position within its cylinder. An admission of fluid under pressure into the second cylinder (upper chamber) would permit upward displacement of the upper tool whereas the lower tool would carry out the geophysical measurements.
The second step would consist in lockins the upper tool in position in order to perform the measurements and in admitting fluid under pressure into the lower chamber of the second jack, thus permitting displacement of the lower tool which would accordingly take up a new work position.
A further point to be noted is that, instead of using two jacks and two tools, it would be possible to use only one jack and one tool, the ranges of travel of the piston and of the cylinder being so determined as to permit the desired decoupling.
Throughout the foregoing description, considera-tion has been given to connections by means of electric conductors passed through the traction means and more specifically through the cable 7. Different means, how-ever, could quite conceivably be adopted. Worthy of particular mention are those which consist of a tele-metering transmitter of the radio type or ultrasonic type,for exampLe. Said transmitter is incorporated in each geophone assembly and delivers a signal which is repre-sentative of each component of the wave received by each geophone. The signalsdelivered by the transmitters are picked up by one or a number of receivers placed within the junction box 11, for example, or within any other suitable element of the device which is interposed between the control means and one of the meas~uring tools. A design solution of this type makes it possible to dispense with the need to incorporate the electrical connections within the tool bodies.
MEASUREMENTS WITHIN A WELLBORE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a device for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore.
_escription of the Prior Art Measurements performed within a wellbore usually fall into two main types.
The first type of measurement known as ultrasonic measurement is carried out by means of a tool which is lowered into the borehole at the end of a cable. The tool comprises one or a number of transmitters and one or a number of receivers in addition to means for turning-on the transmitters at suitable instants, and means for transmitting the signals picked up by the receivers to the land surface for recording and processing, In the majority of instances, ultrasonic measure-ments are performed during displacement of the tool, that is to say when the tool is moving within the wellbore. The relatively low rate of displacement of the tool within the wellbore (a few meters per minute) does not produce any background noise in the receivers.
L~a~
The receivers employed are broadly designated as transducers and more specifically as hydrophones but these devices in fact have the function of sensors which are responsive to vibratory pressure.
The sensors receive compressional waves and possibly also parasitic waves derived from the compressional waves and generated by the inhomogeneities of the surround-ing medium. I'he duration of each useful signal received on the sensor, after each transmission, is of the order of lo a few milliseconds, taking into account the frequency of the signals transmitted.
Since the measurements are made during displace-ment of the tool, the traction cable of the tool is there-fore continuously under tension and is wound continuously around a drum, the rotation of which is controlled, for example, by displacement means located at the surface.
Many types of ultrasonic measurement tools in current use make it possible to exclude waves which pro-pagate within the mass of the tool itself and to produce acoustic paths having cylindrical symmetry about the axis of the wellbore.
The second type of measurement relates to a vertical seismic profile, an oblique seismic profile or else a wellbore seismic profile, this second type of measurement being completely different from -the first type which was recalled earlier by way of reference.
i~3 In fact, in the case of petroleum prospecting, for example, it is necessary to determine the nature and characteristics of the subsurface strata which surround the wellbore. To this end, seismic energy is generated at the land surface and not within the wellbore by means of a detonation (explosive charge), a suitable shock impact (falling weight) or else a vibrator in contact with the ground surface. This seismic energy produces waves which propagate within subsurface strata and are received on geo-phones and no longer on hydrophones. The geophones aredesigned as velocimeters which are responsive to vibra-tional velocity and placed elther on the surface, in which case they receive the waves reflected and/or refracted by -the different subsurface strata, or within the wellbore but in this case they must imperatively be in direct contact with the wall of the borehole, in contrast to ultrasonic measurement in which the sensors are usually immersed in the fluid which fills the borehole.
In all cases, the geophones or velocimeters are responsive to vibrational velocity and must permit determination of all the types of seismic waves generated by the energy ernitted at the surface. In fact, direct mechanical coupling between the transmission means and the land surface gives rise to all types of waves since the emitted seismic energy necessarily encounters inhomogeneities in the subsurface formations under exploration. In ;p consequence, it can no longer he considered sufficient either to receive one particular wave among others on the geophone or geophones or to accept a scalar quantity. On the contrary, the geophones must necessarily receive all waves (compressional waves or transverse waves) and in all directions in which they propagate in order to be able to distinguish all the possible directions of vibrational velocities at the time of processing.
Giving due consideration to the transmission means employed and the object to be achieved, the fre-quencies transmitted are within the range of a few hertz to a few hundreds of hertz (5 to 500 Hz, for e~ample) and the duration of the useful signal is of the order of a few seconds.
A final point worthy of note is that, in the second type of measurement referred-to in the foregoing and in contrast to ultrasonic measurement, measurements are performed during upward travel of the tool whilst the geo-phone or geophones remain stationary with respec-t to the borehole wall and are applied against the wall in order to ensure a satisfactory coupling.
Subsequent processing of the signals received by the geophones makes it possible to obtain useful inform-ation on the subsurface strata traversed by the waves from the shot point to the geophones.
A number of different techniques are open to selection. It is possible to place geophones at either uniform or non~~miform intervals along the wellbore and to process information recorded on the different geophones.
It is also possible to use a tool which carries one geo-phone and is stopped at each appropriate level of the well-S bore during each measurement.
In the second type of measurement, the major difficulty arises from the fact -that, up to the present time, no effective method has yet been found for obtaining a satisfactory coupling of the geophone with the borehole wall.
One attempt has already been made to overcome this difficulty and is described in French patent No 1,169,8~1. The device of the prior art comprises a tool fitted with a cylindrical element which serves to maintain lS a geophone assembly at the desired height within the bore-hole and prevents the geophone assembly from rotating with respect to the tool by means of a key-type connection. The geophone assembly comprises two arcuate blade springs dis-posed symmetrically on each side of the tool which is centered within the borehole, the springs being joined to each other by means of pivots mounted on an intermediate member which is attached to the tool body. One of the blade springs is applied against the borehole wall whilst the other blade spring carries substantially at its vertex a shoe which is pivotally mounted at the midpoint of the spring. The outer face of said shoe is in contact with the borehole wall opposite to -the wall against which the first spring is applied. A geophone is then fixed on the inner face of the shoe and is connected by means of a conductor cable to the amplifying equipment located within the tool body.
A tool of this type constitutes a significant improvement over the technique which consists in placing geophones on the ground surface or at intervals along the borehole wall. However, it does not offer a complete answer to the problem of direct coupling with the borehole wall.
There is in fact no direct contact between the geophone and the borehole wall since the geophone is mounted on the inner face of the shoe. Although the shoe is perfectly rigid and the tension of the springs does not permit any displacement of the shoe in sliding motion along the borehole wall while a measurement is in progress, it is nevertheless a fact that the parasitic waves generated by the emitted energy and propagated within the tool body, within the blade springs and within the shoe are received by the geophone. This arises from the rigidity of the tool and the shoe as well as the blade springs although to a lesser degree.
A further drawback arises from the fact that, in the case of a given measurement, the geophone is oriented in only one direction and is therefore capable of detecting only one type of wave.
A further disadvantage which appears to present the most crucial problem is that the blade spring which carries the geophone has only one degree of freedom as determined in the direction of deflection of the spring.
The structure of the spring and the developed applied stresses do not permit flexibility of the spring in all directions. In consequence, there is no effective de-coupling between the mass of the tool and the mass of the geophone and of the associated shoe. Moreover, the tool has a considerable mass in comparison with that of the geo-phone assembly. This mass introduces a parasitic effect which is greater as the connection between the tool body and the geophone assembly has greater rigidity.
It should also be noted that, by reason of the rigid connection between the mass of the tool and the geo-phone, the fact that the mass of the geophone is smaller than that of the tool prevents useful vibration of the geo-phone on reception of the high frequencies of the transmission spectrum. These high frequencies are thus eliminated and the result thereby achieved is much the same as if the tool body and -the relative flexibilities of the borehole walls constituted a filter for these high frequencies.
The device employed in the second type of measurement also comprises tool-displacement means which are attached to the tool by traction and suspension means.
'9 Irrespective of the nature of the tool traction and suspension means just mentioned and regardless of whether these means are flexible or rigid, or whether they consist of a traction cable or a rod, the measurements are performed one after the other in succession up to the full height of the borehole and in the following manner, for example.
The measuring tool i5 lowered to the desired depth or level, whereupon said tool is placed in position and maintained stationary against the borehole walls by means of retractable arms. The measurements are then per-formed in respect of the borehole level considered.
Since the next measurements are to be made at a higher level, the tool must be displaced in the upward direction by folding-back the retractable arms and by actuating the traction means. Another positioning operation is then performed in exactly the same manner as the operation mentioned above.
It is readily apparent that these sequential measurements also entail the need for sequential operation of the traction and displacement means which must be stopped during measurements and displaced between measure-rnents. In the case of the traction cable, an additional operation ls necessary. This consists in re-tensioning said cable at the end of each series of measurements since the cable is released throughout the duration of the measurements in order to ensure seismic decoupling of the tool with respect to the surface displacement means.
In consequence, it is apparent that there is a relatively substantial loss of time throughout the entire sequence of operations, which includes a certain number of successive adjustments for the different tool positions within the borehole.
SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to over-come the disadvantages mentioned in the foregoing and topropose effective decoupling between the traction and suspension means and the measuring tool, thereby ensuring that said means are continuously displaced during all the series of geophysical measurements and over the entire height of the borehole whereas the measurements are carried out either sequentially or non-continuously.
To this end, the present invention is directed to a method for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore of the type in which at least one measuring tool is displaced along the walls of said wellbore, said tool being connected to traction means, the speed of displace-ment of which is controlled by drive means placed at the ground surface. In accordance with a distinctive feature of the method, the tool is displaced at a relative velocity which is equal and opposite to the absolute velocity of the traction means in order to reduce the absolute velocity of the tool to zero during measurement periods. In accordance with another feature of the method, the relative velocity of the tool is in the same direction as the absolute velocity of the traction means between the measurement periods, with the result that the absolute velocity of the tool during these periods is higher than the absolute velocity of the traction means.
This permits seismic decoupling of the traction means with respect to the measuring tool by virtue of the fact that, when the measuring tool is in operation and stationary within the borehole (since it is locked in position between the borehole walls), the traction means are driven in a continuous manner and continue their move-ment either upwards or downwards, depending on whether the measurements are being performed from the bottom of the borehole or from the ground surface. When the measurements are completed, the measuring tool is displaced at a higher speed than the traction means in order to reduce all or part of the distance between them and to arrive at a different level within the borehole for the purpose of carrying out another series of geophysical measurements.
Thus, by means of the method in accordance with the invention, the measuring tool is displaced in a non-continuous and/or sequential movement whereas the traction means are displaced in continuous motion.
In accordance with another distinctive feature of the invention, the device for carrying out the method outlined in the foregoing essentially comprises at least one double-acting jack in which the displacement of one mo-ving portion is produced by the traction means which are displaced in continuous motion and in which the other moving portion produces the non-continuous displacement of said measuring tool, means being provided for controlling the relative displacement between the two moving poxtions of said jack.
lo In accordance with yet another distinctive feature of the invention, the device is of the type com-prising transmission means which are capable of delivering transmission signals, and at least one geophone mounted on resilient members which are connected to said tool body.
Said geophone has the function of detecting acoustic waves generated by said transmission signals after propagation within subsurface strata which exhibit characteristic elasticity at the level of the geophone. Means are also provided for recording and processing electric signals delivered by said geophone in response to the acoustic waves received. The device is distinguished by the fact that the resilient members consist of means which are flexible in at least two directions and are interposed between the geophone and application means connected to the tool body for applying said geophone against the borehole wall during each detection of said waves. The device is further distinguished by the fact that the elasticity of the flexible means is at least equal to the lowest elasticity of the subsurface stratum traversed by the borehole and that the frequency of resonance of the mass of the geophone with the flexible means is equal at a maximum to the frequency of resonance of said geophone mass with said lowest elasticity.
The connection of the geophone with the tool body by means which are flexible in at least one direction permits almost total decoupling of the mass of the tool body with respect to the mass of the geophone and consequently makes it possible to eliminate prac-tically all the parasitic effects introduced into the measurements by the mass of the tool body. Furthermore, by virtue of this elastic connection, the geophone is capable of vibrating in the direction of the vibrational velocity component of the wave which it may receive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features of the invention will be more apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein :
- Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the device in accordance with the present invention within a wellbore which is shown in part ;
- Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A
of Fig. 1 ;
- E'ig. 3 is an en]arged partial view of an elastic system ;
- Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the operation of the devlce within the wellbore.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The measuring device illustrated in Fig. 1 is intended to be lowered into a wellbore 1 which is delimited by its substantially cylindrical wall 3 and the ground lo surface 4. The wellbore 1 penetrates subsurface strata which are not specifically illustrated in the drawings and certain characteristics of which are to be determined.
Means for emitting seismic energy and displacement control means are placed on the ground surface 4. All these means form a control unit as represented schematically in the drawings in the form of a block 5.
The control unit 5 has the function of displacing traction means 6 in continuous motion. Said traction means comprise a cable 7 guided by an idler pulley 8 and fixed at one end to a connection head 9 which is we]l-known to those versed in the art and marketed in particular by the Schlumberger Company. A rigid stem lo joins the connection head 9 to a junction box 11 in which are housed all the electronic, hydraulic and mechanical accessories which are necessary for operation of the device.
A stem 12 of substantial length is attached to the base of the junction box 11 and passes through two measuring tool bodies 13 and 14. A cylinder 15 is provided within the first tool body 13 whilst a cylinder 16 is pro-vided within the second tool body 14~
A first piston 17 is mounted on the stem 12 in stationarily fixed relation thereto wl-ilst a second piston 18 is fixed at the lower end of said stem 12. In conse-quence, the cylinder 15 and the piston 17 constitute a first double-acting jack which is integrated in the tool 13 whilst the cylinder 16 and the piston 18 constitute a second double-acting jack which is integrated in the tool 14.
The fluidic control circuits and other operating members of said jacks have not been shown since they are well-known to those versed in the art. Only two hydraulic ducts 19 and 20 are shown in the drawings, the duct 19 being assigned to the jack 15-17 and the duct 20 being assigned to the jacks 16-18. The ducts 19 and 20 are naturally equipped with closing and opening elements in order to permit admission and/or discharge of the fluid under pressure which serves to actuate the jacks. Similarly, the supply of fluid under pressure is effected through the junction box 11, the stem 12 and ports 21, 22 formed in the side walls of the cylinder 15 and ports 23, 24 formed in the wall of the cylinder 16. Finally, packing glands 25 provide a leaktight passageway for displacement of the stem 12 through the tool bodies 13 and 14.
Each tool body 13, 14 is fit~ed with retractable arms 26 each controlled by a small jack 27 which is supplied with fluid under pressure from its associated duct 19, 20. The retractable arms 26 are pivoted at one end to a fulcrum 31 and provided at the other end with runnex-wheels 28 which are capable of rolling along the wall of the borehole. In the example shown in Fig. 2, each tool body 13, 14 has three arms 26 spaced at angular intervals of 120. The vertical axis 29 of each tool body is dis-placed laterally with respect to the vertical axis 30 ofthe borehole 1.
Each measuring tool 13, 14 comprises one or a number of geophone assemblies 32 each mounted at one end of a rigid arm 33, the other end of which is attached to the tool body 13, 14. There is housed within each arm 33 a spring 34 which exerts a thrust on a shoe 35. A casing 37 which is rigidly mounted on said shoe 35 comprises an elastomer block 38 in which is inserted the base of a geo-phone assembly support 39. Three geophones 40 to 42 are mounted on the support 39 in three orthogonal directions in such a manner as to ensure that each geophone 40 to 42 can vibrate in one of these directions and thus detect the component of the vibration which propagates in its direction.
When the complete set of measuring means or so-called measuring string is lowered into the borehole (as shown in Flg. 4), the lower tool 14, for example, is locked in position by radial extension of its arms 26 which are then applied against the borehole wall, whereupon the geophone assemblies 32 are moved to the measurement position against the wall. The transmission means in-ccrporated in the surface control unit 5 are then excitedand transmit a signal into the ground and therefore around the borehole, the frequency of said signal being within the range of 5 to 500 H~. The transmitted signal generates waves which propagate within the subsurface strata around the borehole. During this transmission stage, the geophone assemblies 32 of the lower measuring tool 14 are alone capable of detecting in the form of vibrational velocity the waves generated by the transmitted signal.
In fact, as soon as the measuring string is placed within the borehole 1 or in other words when the ].ower tool 14 is located at the level above which the geo-physical measurements are to be performed, continuous winding of the cable 7 is initiated by the control means incorporated in the surface unit 5. Winding of the cable 7 is performed at a constant velocity V. In consequence, all the elements which are directly attached to said cable are displaced in uniform motion. This is the case with the traction means formed by the cable 7, the connection head 9 and the junction box 11. Since the stem 12 is rigidly fixed to the junction box 11, said stem is also displaced in the same lmiform upward movement in the example illustrated. It follows as a consequence that the pistons 17 and 18 which are rigidly fixed on the stem 12 are also displaced in the same uniform movement at the constant velocity V.
In order to permit displacement of the piston 18 within the stationary cylinder 16, a communication is established between the uppper chamber 43 and lower chamber 44 defined by the piston 1~ within the cylinder 16.
At the time of positional locking of the lower lo tool14, the upper tool 13 is released by radial withdrawal of its arms to their position alongside the tool body (as shown in Fig. 4a) and fluid under pressure is admitted into the upper chamber 45 defined by the piston 17 within the cylinder 15 since the communication between said upper chamber and the lower chamber 46 of the cylinder 15 has been cut-off. The adequate pressure developed within the chamber 45 exerts an upward thrust on the cylinder 15 (as shown in Fig. 4_) and therefore in the direction of dis-placement of the traction means at an absolute velocity ¦v'¦
which is higher than the absolute velocity ¦V¦ of the piston 17. The value of V' is preferably double the value of V.
At the end of its upward movement of travel (shown in Fig. 4_), the velocity of the cylinder 15 is reduced to zero. This corresponds to a position in which the tool 13 will in turn perform a series of geophysical measurements.
To this end, i-ts arms 26 are opened-out and the associated 9~9 geophone assemblies 32 are brought into positioll against the wall of the borehole 1 since a eommunication has been established between the upper chamber 45 and the lower chamber 46.
S The arms 26 of the lower measuring tool 14 are withdrawn ~as shown in Figs. 4c and 4_) and the cycle described earlier in connection with displacement of the upper tool 13 is repeated, but this time in the case of the lower tool (as shown in ~igs. 4c, 4_).
The successive cycles of upward displacement of the measuring tools 13 and 14 are repeated up to the full height of the borehole ~mder investigation.
It is therefore apparent that a non-continuous movement of eaeh tool 13, 14 eorresponds to a conti,nuous movement of the eable 7 and ~hat the assoeiation of said tools makes it possible to perform a greater number of measure-ments within a shorter period of time.
In order that each geophone 40 to 42 of a given assembly may be eapable of suitable vibration in the direetion of the eomponent of the deteeted vibrational veloeity, it is necessary to ensure that this geophone is mechanically decoupled from the tool body 13, 14 which is associated therewith. In point of fact, the lowest charac-teristic elasticity s of the borehole wall 3 introduees an elastic coupling with the geophone or geophones 40 to 42.
Since the elasticity S of the elastomer block 38 produces action on said geophones, an elastic system in equilibrium is therefore constituted by the tool body and the ancillary æ ms 26 having a total mass M, by the geophone assemblies 32 having a mass _, by the resilient means 34, 38 inter-posed between the tool body 13, 14 and the geophoneassembly, and by the elasticity s of rock formations. In order to obtain good decoupling, it is accordingly necessary to determine an elasticity S which must be highex as the mass M is of greater value with respect to the mass m. Calculations show that, when S = s, the vibrational velocity of each geophone assembly is one-half the vibrational velocity of rock formations. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the resonance frequency of the mass m with the elasticity S is equal to the resonance frequency of the mass m with the elasticity s.
Postulating a resonance frequency F equal to 100 Hz, the deflection under load of the resilient means is calculated from the formula p = ~ which is very little different from 12 . Thus, when F = 100 Hz, we obtain p = 1 4 = 0.025 mm.
Resilient means which exhibit a deflection of this order can readily be formed of steel ox of any elastic material such as neoprene.
It is clearly possible to adopt different ratios between S and s and other resonance frequencies provided that said frequencies are selected from the spectrum of frequencies emitted by the transrnission means, that is to say in fact between 5 and 500 Ilz.
In order to ensure that the geophone velocity is as close as possible to the compressional-wave velocity of the formation or rock structure and equal, for example, to 9/10 of the forrnation velocity, the value S = 9 s may be adopted. In the case of a mass _ equal to 0.1 kg, it is necessary to employ resilient means having a flexibility equal to 0.225 mm/Newton in respect of the value S = 9 s.
lC As will readily be understood, the invention is not limited in any sense to the forms of construction hereinabove described by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Depending on the applications envisaged, consideration may accordingly be given to any number of alternative forms of construction which remain within the capacity of those versed in the art without thereby departing either from the scope or the spirit of the invention.
From this it accordingly follows that, instead of integrating the jacks 15-17 and 16-18 in the tool bodies 13, 14, it is possible to construct a measuring string in which said jacks could be dissociated from the tool bodies. One example of construction would consist in connecting the junction box 11 to the cylinder of a first jack by means of a rigid stem and in connecting the operating rod of the jack to the body of the first upper tool. The cylinder of the second jack would be rlgidly fixed to the upper tool body whilst the piston would be rigidly fixed to the second body of the lower tool. The operatlon of a system of this type would be similar to that described in the present specification since a non-continuous movement of the upper and lower tools would correspond to a continuous movement of the cylinder of the first jack.
Thus in an initial starting position, the piston of the first jack would be in a bottom position within its lo cylinder whereas the piston of the second jack would be in a top position within its cylinder. An admission of fluid under pressure into the second cylinder (upper chamber) would permit upward displacement of the upper tool whereas the lower tool would carry out the geophysical measurements.
The second step would consist in lockins the upper tool in position in order to perform the measurements and in admitting fluid under pressure into the lower chamber of the second jack, thus permitting displacement of the lower tool which would accordingly take up a new work position.
A further point to be noted is that, instead of using two jacks and two tools, it would be possible to use only one jack and one tool, the ranges of travel of the piston and of the cylinder being so determined as to permit the desired decoupling.
Throughout the foregoing description, considera-tion has been given to connections by means of electric conductors passed through the traction means and more specifically through the cable 7. Different means, how-ever, could quite conceivably be adopted. Worthy of particular mention are those which consist of a tele-metering transmitter of the radio type or ultrasonic type,for exampLe. Said transmitter is incorporated in each geophone assembly and delivers a signal which is repre-sentative of each component of the wave received by each geophone. The signalsdelivered by the transmitters are picked up by one or a number of receivers placed within the junction box 11, for example, or within any other suitable element of the device which is interposed between the control means and one of the meas~uring tools. A design solution of this type makes it possible to dispense with the need to incorporate the electrical connections within the tool bodies.
Claims (14)
1. A method for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore of the type in which at least one measuring tool is displaced along the walls of said wellbore, said tool being connected to traction means, the speed of displacement of said traction means being controlled by drive means placed at the ground surface, wherein said method consists in displacing the measuring tool at a relative velocity which is equal and opposite to the absolute velocity of the traction means in order to reduce the absolute velocity of the measuring tool to zero during measurement periods, and wherein the relative velocity of the measuring tool is in the same direction as the absolute velocity of the traction means between the measurement periods so that the absolute velocity of said measuring tool during these periods is higher than the absolute velocity of said traction means.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the absolute velocity of the measuring tool is double the absolute velocity of the traction means.
3. A device for the practical application of the method according to claim 1, of the type comprising drive means placed at the ground surface for controlling the displacements of traction means placed within the wellbore, at least one measuring tool placed within said wellbore, wherein said device comprises at least one double-acting jack in which the displacement of one moving portion is produced by the traction means which are displaced in continuous motion and in which the other moving portion produces the non-continuous displacement of said measuring tool, and means for controlling the relative displacement between the two moving portions of said jack.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the jack is an integral part of the measuring tool body.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device comprises two measuring tools and two double-acting jacks, one of said jacks being interposed between the traction means and one of said measuring tools whilst the other jack is interposed between the two measuring tools.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein a jack is integrated in the body of each measuring tool.
7. A device according to claim 6, of the type comprising transmission means which are capable of delivering transmission signals, at least one geophone mounted on resilient members which are connected to said tool body, the function of said geophone being to detect acoustic waves generated by said transmission signals after propagation within subsurface strata which exhibit charac-teristic elasticity at the level of the geophone, means for recording and processing electric signals delivered by said geophone in response to the acoustic waves received, wherein the resilient members consist of means which are flexible in at least two directions and are interposed between the geophone and application means connected to the tool body for applying said geophone against the bore-hole wall during each detection of said waves, wherein the elasticity of the flexible means is at least equal to the lowest elasticity of the subsurface stratum traversed by the borehole and wherein the frequency of resonance of the mass of the geophone with the flexible means is equal at a maximum to the frequency of resonance of said geophone mass with said lowest elasticity.
8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible means are constituted by a spring which is flexible in the three directions.
9. A device according to claim 7, wherein said device comprises three geophones mounted orthogonally with respect to each other so as to permit detection of the waves which propagate in the directions of the geophones.
10. A device according to claim 7, wherein the tool body is displaced off-center with respect to the vertical axis of the wellbore and comprises at least one retractable arm pivoted at one end to said tool body whilst the other free end of said arm is applied against the wellbore wall with which the geophone or geophones are in contact, one face of said tool body being applied against another portion of said wellbore wall.
11. A device according to claim 7, wherein the resonance frequencies are comprised within the limits of the transmitted frequency spectrum.
12. A device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible means are constituted by a casing which is connected to the tool body by means of a rigid arm and in which are mounted three springs arranged orthogonally with respect to each other.
13. A device according to claim 7, wherein the flexible means are constituted by a casing which is connected to the tool body by means of a rigid arm and in which is placed a block of elastomer, the geophone being partly housed within said block.
14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the geo-phone comprises a telemetering transmitter and especially a radio-wave or ultrasonic-wave transmitter having the function of transmitting a signal which is representative of the component of the wave received by said geophone to a telemetering receiver placed within a receiving element interposed between the traction control means and one of the measuring tools.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR8319727 | 1983-12-09 | ||
| FR8319727A FR2556478B1 (en) | 1983-12-09 | 1983-12-09 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GEOPHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS IN A WELLBORE |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1213969A true CA1213969A (en) | 1986-11-12 |
Family
ID=9295013
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000469080A Expired CA1213969A (en) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-11-30 | Method and device for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4686653A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0148667B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU579334B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8406286A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1213969A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3466809D1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2556478B1 (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1178738B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO165775C (en) |
| OA (1) | OA07890A (en) |
Families Citing this family (71)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2554600B1 (en) * | 1983-11-09 | 1986-02-07 | Elf Aquitaine | MEASURING DEVICE FOR SEISMIC PROFILE IN A WELLBORE |
| FR2561394B1 (en) * | 1984-02-28 | 1987-03-20 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | DEVICE FOR RECEIVING ACOUSTIC WAVES IN A WELL |
| JPH0785109B2 (en) * | 1985-07-24 | 1995-09-13 | シュルンベルジェ オーバーシーズ エス．エイ． | Downhole seismic survey equipment |
| US4784238A (en) * | 1986-07-14 | 1988-11-15 | Western Atlas International, Inc. | Large diameter borehole apparatus |
| FR2609100B1 (en) * | 1986-12-24 | 1990-09-14 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | PROBE AND MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ANCHORING DEVICE IN A WELL |
| US4823125A (en) * | 1987-06-30 | 1989-04-18 | Develco, Inc. | Method and apparatus for stabilizing a communication sensor in a borehole |
| DZ1241A1 (en) * | 1987-08-13 | 2004-09-13 | Schlumberger Ltd | Method for coupling a seismic detection module to the wall of a borehole and probe for its implementation. |
| US5200581A (en) * | 1987-08-13 | 1993-04-06 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method of coupling a seimic detector module to the wall of a borehole, and a sonde for implementing the method |
| GB2230091A (en) * | 1989-03-23 | 1990-10-10 | Roy Baria | A two-module seismic borehole logging sonde |
| JP2712656B2 (en) * | 1989-10-25 | 1998-02-16 | 日本電気ホームエレクトロニクス株式会社 | CD-ROM recording method |
| US5538789A (en) * | 1990-02-09 | 1996-07-23 | Toranaga Technologies, Inc. | Composite substrates for preparation of printed circuits |
| US5184676A (en) * | 1990-02-26 | 1993-02-09 | Graham Gordon A | Self-propelled apparatus |
| US5044461A (en) * | 1991-01-10 | 1991-09-03 | Western Atlas International, Inc. | Decoupled borehole sensor |
| US5212354A (en) * | 1991-02-07 | 1993-05-18 | Exxon Production Research Company | Apparatus and method for detecting seismic waves in a borehole using multiple clamping detector units |
| GB9204902D0 (en) * | 1992-03-06 | 1992-04-22 | Schlumberger Ltd | Formation evalution tool |
| FR2704068B1 (en) * | 1993-04-15 | 1995-07-13 | Geophysique Cie Gle | PERFECTED PROBE CHAIN. |
| US5917160A (en) * | 1994-08-31 | 1999-06-29 | Exxon Production Research Company | Single well system for mapping sources of acoustic energy |
| US5747750A (en) * | 1994-08-31 | 1998-05-05 | Exxon Production Research Company | Single well system for mapping sources of acoustic energy |
| US6003606A (en) * | 1995-08-22 | 1999-12-21 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Puller-thruster downhole tool |
| BR9610373A (en) * | 1995-08-22 | 1999-12-21 | Western Well Toll Inc | Traction-thrust hole tool |
| DE29606301U1 (en) * | 1996-04-05 | 1996-06-20 | Gloetzl Ges Fuer Baumestechnik | Borehole probe |
| US5794703A (en) * | 1996-07-03 | 1998-08-18 | Ctes, L.C. | Wellbore tractor and method of moving an item through a wellbore |
| GB9614761D0 (en) | 1996-07-13 | 1996-09-04 | Schlumberger Ltd | Downhole tool and method |
| BR9706796A (en) | 1996-09-23 | 2000-01-04 | Intelligent Inspection Corp Co | Autonomous tool for downhole for oilfield |
| KR100224574B1 (en) * | 1997-05-13 | 1999-10-15 | 김윤규 | Insertion apparatus for measuring underground vibration |
| US5954131A (en) * | 1997-09-05 | 1999-09-21 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for conveying a logging tool through an earth formation |
| US6179055B1 (en) | 1997-09-05 | 2001-01-30 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Conveying a tool along a non-vertical well |
| FR2787503B1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2001-03-30 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | SYSTEM FOR THE PERMANENT INSTALLATION OF MEASUREMENT PROBES WITHIN A FLUID PRESSURE REMOVABLE LOCK |
| US6347674B1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2002-02-19 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Electrically sequenced tractor |
| GB2351308B (en) | 1998-12-18 | 2003-05-28 | Western Well Tool Inc | Electro-hydraulically controlled tractor |
| FR2795450B1 (en) | 1999-06-25 | 2001-08-10 | Jean Pierre Martin | TOOL FOR ANALYZING A SOIL FROM ITS SURFACE USING A PROBE |
| US6367366B1 (en) | 1999-12-02 | 2002-04-09 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Sensor assembly |
| US6464003B2 (en) | 2000-05-18 | 2002-10-15 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Gripper assembly for downhole tractors |
| WO2002044509A2 (en) | 2000-12-01 | 2002-06-06 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Tractor with improved valve system |
| US7121364B2 (en) * | 2003-02-10 | 2006-10-17 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Tractor with improved valve system |
| US8245796B2 (en) | 2000-12-01 | 2012-08-21 | Wwt International, Inc. | Tractor with improved valve system |
| US6431291B1 (en) | 2001-06-14 | 2002-08-13 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Packerfoot with bladder assembly having reduced likelihood of bladder delamination |
| US7026951B2 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2006-04-11 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Data telemetry system for multi-conductor wirelines |
| US7348894B2 (en) | 2001-07-13 | 2008-03-25 | Exxon Mobil Upstream Research Company | Method and apparatus for using a data telemetry system over multi-conductor wirelines |
| US6629568B2 (en) | 2001-08-03 | 2003-10-07 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Bi-directional grip mechanism for a wide range of bore sizes |
| US6715559B2 (en) | 2001-12-03 | 2004-04-06 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Gripper assembly for downhole tractors |
| US6910533B2 (en) | 2002-04-02 | 2005-06-28 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Mechanism that assists tractoring on uniform and non-uniform surfaces |
| US20040123113A1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2004-06-24 | Svein Mathiassen | Portable or embedded access and input devices and methods for giving access to access limited devices, apparatuses, appliances, systems or networks |
| US7048089B2 (en) * | 2003-05-07 | 2006-05-23 | Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc | Methods and apparatus for use in detecting seismic waves in a borehole |
| WO2005090739A1 (en) | 2004-03-17 | 2005-09-29 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Roller link toggle gripper for downhole tractor |
| US7357030B2 (en) * | 2004-11-11 | 2008-04-15 | Battelle Energy Alliance, Llc | Apparatus and methods for determining at least one characteristic of a proximate environment |
| US7624808B2 (en) | 2006-03-13 | 2009-12-01 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Expandable ramp gripper |
| US20080217024A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-09-11 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Downhole tool with closed loop power systems |
| US20080053663A1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-03-06 | Western Well Tool, Inc. | Downhole tool with turbine-powered motor |
| CA2669151C (en) | 2006-11-14 | 2013-05-14 | Rudolph Ernst Krueger V | Variable linkage assisted gripper |
| MX2009007808A (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2009-07-30 | Schlumberger Technology Bv | Downhole rock scratcher and method for identifying strength of subsurface intervals. |
| US8169337B2 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2012-05-01 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Downhole communications module |
| US8061470B2 (en) * | 2008-06-25 | 2011-11-22 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for deploying a plurality of seismic devices into a borehole and method thereof |
| US8485278B2 (en) | 2009-09-29 | 2013-07-16 | Wwt International, Inc. | Methods and apparatuses for inhibiting rotational misalignment of assemblies in expandable well tools |
| US8397572B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2013-03-19 | Varel Europe S.A.S. | Acoustic emission toughness testing for PDC, PCBN, or other hard or superhard materials |
| US9086348B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2015-07-21 | Varel Europe S.A.S. | Downhole acoustic emission formation sampling |
| US8596124B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2013-12-03 | Varel International Ind., L.P. | Acoustic emission toughness testing having smaller noise ratio |
| US9297731B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2016-03-29 | Varel Europe S.A.S | Acoustic emission toughness testing for PDC, PCBN, or other hard or superhard material inserts |
| US8365599B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2013-02-05 | Varel Europe S.A.S. | Acoustic emission toughness testing for PDC, PCBN, or other hard or superhard materials |
| US8322217B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2012-12-04 | Varel Europe S.A.S. | Acoustic emission toughness testing for PDC, PCBN, or other hard or superhard material inserts |
| US9447648B2 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2016-09-20 | Wwt North America Holdings, Inc | High expansion or dual link gripper |
| EP2748429A4 (en) * | 2011-11-14 | 2016-08-17 | Schlumberger Technology Bv | Enhanced materials investigation |
| US9140085B2 (en) | 2012-02-14 | 2015-09-22 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Apparatus and method for positioning and orienting a borehole tool |
| FR2987110B1 (en) * | 2012-02-22 | 2014-03-14 | Centre Nat Rech Scient | INCLINOMETER |
| US9611730B2 (en) * | 2012-04-03 | 2017-04-04 | Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc | Manipulation of multi-component geophone data to identify downhole conditions |
| US9249059B2 (en) | 2012-04-05 | 2016-02-02 | Varel International Ind., L.P. | High temperature high heating rate treatment of PDC cutters |
| US9488020B2 (en) | 2014-01-27 | 2016-11-08 | Wwt North America Holdings, Inc. | Eccentric linkage gripper |
| JP6672810B2 (en) * | 2016-01-13 | 2020-03-25 | 株式会社大林組 | Ultrasonic hole wall measuring instrument |
| US10927625B2 (en) | 2018-05-10 | 2021-02-23 | Colorado School Of Mines | Downhole tractor for use in a wellbore |
| WO2020122856A1 (en) * | 2018-12-10 | 2020-06-18 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Flow characterization tool |
| CN116201530B (en) * | 2023-05-04 | 2023-07-28 | 青岛地质工程勘察院(青岛地质勘查开发局) | Drilling water level measurement system for hydrogeological survey |
Family Cites Families (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2651027A (en) * | 1949-10-01 | 1953-09-01 | Shell Dev | Well logging |
| US2946578A (en) * | 1952-08-04 | 1960-07-26 | Smaele Albert De | Excavator apparatus having stepper type advancing means |
| FR1169871A (en) * | 1956-03-21 | 1959-01-07 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | Geophone |
| US3281767A (en) * | 1963-06-14 | 1966-10-25 | Marine Geophysical Services Co | Method and apparatus for continuous marine seismic surveying |
| GB1193383A (en) * | 1968-01-23 | 1970-05-28 | Marathon Oil Co | Improvements in or relating to Acoustic Logging Apparatus |
| US3690164A (en) * | 1968-06-24 | 1972-09-12 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | Process for prospecting of the ground layers surrounding a borehole |
| US3876971A (en) * | 1972-02-22 | 1975-04-08 | Gulf Research Development Co | Precision seismology |
| FR2172808B1 (en) * | 1972-02-22 | 1978-09-29 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | |
| US3827512A (en) * | 1973-01-22 | 1974-08-06 | Continental Oil Co | Anchoring and pressuring apparatus for a drill |
| US4114721A (en) * | 1977-02-28 | 1978-09-19 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Method and system for acoustic noise logging |
| US4130816A (en) * | 1977-07-28 | 1978-12-19 | Shell Oil Company | Circumferential acoustical detector |
| US4325259A (en) * | 1980-10-07 | 1982-04-20 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Vibration amplitude measuring device |
-
1983
- 1983-12-09 FR FR8319727A patent/FR2556478B1/en not_active Expired
-
1984
- 1984-11-30 CA CA000469080A patent/CA1213969A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-12-03 EP EP84402472A patent/EP0148667B1/en not_active Expired
- 1984-12-03 DE DE8484402472T patent/DE3466809D1/en not_active Expired
- 1984-12-04 US US06/678,119 patent/US4686653A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1984-12-06 AU AU36372/84A patent/AU579334B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1984-12-06 IT IT23953/84A patent/IT1178738B/en active
- 1984-12-07 OA OA58467A patent/OA07890A/en unknown
- 1984-12-07 BR BR8406286A patent/BR8406286A/en unknown
- 1984-12-07 NO NO844915A patent/NO165775C/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2556478A1 (en) | 1985-06-14 |
| EP0148667B1 (en) | 1987-10-14 |
| NO165775C (en) | 1991-04-10 |
| NO165775B (en) | 1990-12-27 |
| US4686653A (en) | 1987-08-11 |
| IT8423953A0 (en) | 1984-12-06 |
| AU579334B2 (en) | 1988-11-24 |
| EP0148667A1 (en) | 1985-07-17 |
| IT1178738B (en) | 1987-09-16 |
| FR2556478B1 (en) | 1986-09-05 |
| OA07890A (en) | 1986-11-20 |
| AU3637284A (en) | 1985-06-13 |
| BR8406286A (en) | 1985-10-01 |
| DE3466809D1 (en) | 1987-11-19 |
| NO844915L (en) | 1985-06-10 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1213969A (en) | Method and device for making geophysical measurements within a wellbore | |
| US5372207A (en) | Seismic prospecting method and device using a drill bit working in a well | |
| US4670862A (en) | Apparatus for producing geophysical measurements in a borehole | |
| US4783771A (en) | Nondestructive downhole seismic vibrator source and processes of utilizing the vibrator to obtain information about geologic formations | |
| US7389184B2 (en) | Downhole library of master wavelets for VSP-while-drilling applications | |
| US4965774A (en) | Method and system for vertical seismic profiling by measuring drilling vibrations | |
| US7823689B2 (en) | Closed-loop downhole resonant source | |
| US4718048A (en) | Method of instantaneous acoustic logging within a wellbore | |
| US5574218A (en) | Determining the length and azimuth of fractures in earth formations | |
| GB2405929A (en) | Apparatus and method for acoustic position logging ahead-of-the-bit | |
| CA1216924A (en) | Measuring device for a seismic profile within a well- bore | |
| US4869338A (en) | Method for measuring acoustic impedance and dissipation of medium surrounding a borehole | |
| US5080189A (en) | Electro-hydraulic dipole vibrator | |
| US20120145476A1 (en) | Seismic source, system, and method | |
| EP1595164A2 (en) | Permanent downhole resonant source | |
| US4380806A (en) | Method and apparatus for shear wave logging | |
| US2740489A (en) | Shear wave seismic exploration | |
| Riggs | Seismic wave types in a borehole | |
| WO2002057808A2 (en) | Apparatus and method for using a surface oscillator as a downhole seismic source | |
| US4008608A (en) | Method of predicting geothermal gradients in wells | |
| Kennedy et al. | A swept-frequency borehole source for inverse VSP and cross-borehole surveying | |
| SU1035549A1 (en) | Method of well seismoprospecting | |
| Ording et al. | Sound waves observed in mud‐filled well after surface dynamite charges | |
| CA2064279A1 (en) | Seismic data method and apparatus |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |