The present invention relates generally to borehole imaging of subterranean formations either while drilling or after drilling. In particular, this invention relates to a method for enhancing borehole images using inversion and tool spatial sensitivity functions.
Wireline imaging (WLI) and imaging while drilling (IWD) techniques are well known in oil and gas well drilling applications. For example, a density IWD tool may obtain formation density measurements and toolface measurements at some predetermined time interval (e.g., 10 milliseconds) while rotating in the borehole during a drilling operation. A density image may then be constructed from these measurements using known imaging algorithms. Other known wireline imaging and IWD techniques include, for example, gamma, neutron, resistivity, microresistivity, sonic, ultrasonic, and caliper imaging techniques.
For the purposes of this disclosure, a borehole image may be thought of as a two-dimensional representation of a measured formation (or borehole) parameter at discrete azimuths (toolface angles) and borehole depths. Such borehole images thus tend to convey the dependence of the measured formation (or borehole) parameter on the borehole azimuth and depth. It will therefore be appreciated that one purpose in forming images of particular formation or borehole parameters (e.g., formation resistivity, density, acoustic velocity, dielectric constant, etc.) is to determine the actual azimuthal dependence of such parameters as a function of the borehole depth.
Borehole images are generally blurry to some extent. Such image distortion results from many factors. For example, blurriness is often the result of the finite distance between a source (or transmitter) and a corresponding detector. Increasing the distance between the source and the detector increases the formation volume that contributes to the measurements and therefore also tends to increase blurriness. Moreover, certain WLI and IWD measurements are statistical in nature. Rapid rotation and short measurement times tend to exaggerate the measurement noise. Vertical and azimuthal averaging routines are commonly applied to reduce such noise. These averaging routines also tend to increase image blur.
The above described image blur tends to compromise the interpretative value of borehole images. For example, smaller geological features such as thin beds, fractures, vugs, fossils, bioturbation, and the like often cannot be adequately identified and/or measured due to the blurriness of conventional IWD images. Therefore, there exists a need in the art for improved borehole imaging techniques and in particular techniques that improve the quality and interpretive value of the obtained borehole images.
Exemplary aspects of the present invention are intended to address the above described need for improved borehole imaging methodologies. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a borehole image (e.g., acquired during a logging while drilling operation) is processed in combination with a two-dimensional spatial sensitivity function of the imaging tool to obtain a reconstructed image. The sensitivity function typically takes into account at least one of numerous factors including, for example, the underlying physical properties governing operation of the imaging tool, the geometrical configuration of the imaging tool and the configuration of the imaging sensor. The reconstructed image tends to advantageously improve image quality, resulting in an image that more accurately represents actual formation properties.
In one aspect the present invention includes a method for reconstructing a borehole image. The method includes determining a spatial sensitivity function for a borehole imaging tool and using the imaging tool to obtain a borehole image of a subterranean formation. A reconstructed image is then computed from the borehole image and the spatial sensitivity function.
In another aspect the present invention includes a method for reconstructing a borehole image. The method includes determining a spatial sensitivity function for a borehole imaging tool and using the imaging tool to obtain a borehole image of a subterranean formation. A reconstructed image is then computed from the borehole image and the spatial sensitivity function according to at least one of the following mathematical equations:
A·X=B; and
f(X)=B
wherein A·X represents a linear convolution of A and X, A represents a two-dimensional spatial sensitivity function in two-dimensional matrix form, B represents the obtained borehole image, X represents the reconstructed image, and f represents an analytical or numerical spatial sensitivity function and relates sensitivity values of the imaging tool to azimuth and measured depth.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the deployment depicted on
With continued reference to
While not depicted on
The spatial sensitivity function determined at 202 is preferably represented by a two-dimensional matrix of imaging tool sensitivity values. The spatial sensitivity function may be determined, for example, using mathematical modeling techniques such as finite element analysis and/or differential equation modeling. Statistical simulations, such as a Monte Carlo simulation, and experimental measurements may also be utilized to determine the spatial sensitivity function.
A suitable spatial sensitivity function typically depends on many factors. These factors may include, for example, the underlying physical principles governing tool operation (e.g., electromagnetic wave propagation vs. sonic wave propagation vs. particle scattering), the tool configuration (e.g., tool diameter, source location, detector location, and source to detector spacing), and the sensor configuration (e.g., shielding, materials of construction, and sensitivity). While the invention is not limited in these regards, these factors are listed above in an approximate order of importance. The underlying physical principles may be thought of as a first order effect, the tool configuration as a second order effect, and the sensor configuration and materials of construction as a third order effect. Tool to tool variation (i.e., within a common serial number) may also be considered and may be thought of as a fourth order effect. Such tool to tool variation is typically determined via laboratory measurements.
It will be understood that methods in accordance with the present invention may be applied to substantially any suitable LWD and wireline borehole image. These images may be acquired at the surface at 204, for example, in real time during drilling or from memory after the LWD tool has been tripped out of the well or during a wireline trip. The logging tool can create the image using rotational measurement (e.g., rotation of the drill string) or with rotationally stationary pads. Suitable borehole images may be constructed using substantially any known methodologies, for example, including conventional binning, windowing, and probability distribution algorithms as well as by harmonic representations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,158 discloses a conventional binning algorithm for constructing a borehole image. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,926 to Haugland discloses a windowing algorithm in which sensor data is convolved with a one-dimensional window function. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,558,675 to Sugiura discloses an image constructing technique in which sensor data is probabilistically distributed in either one or two dimensions. Commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0286916 to Wang discloses a technique in which directional resistivity sensor data is processed to obtain first order harmonic representations. Other imaging techniques may also be utilized. For example, commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/651,040 to Wang discloses a technique in which sensor measurements residing in each of a plurality of azimuthal windows are fit with corresponding mathematical fitting functions. Again, it will be understood that the invention is expressly not limited to any particular technique for obtaining a borehole image from the LWD sensor measurements.
With reference again to the flowchart depicted on
A·X=B Equation 1
where A·X represents a linear convolution of a two-dimensional sensitivity function A in two-dimensional matrix form (e.g., as determined at 202) and the reconstructed borehole image X computed in accordance with the present invention (e.g., at 206) and B represents a two-dimensional borehole image (e.g., as obtained at 204). The reconstructed image X may be solved from over-determined equations using classical linear inversion methods or non-linear inversion methods with or without constraints. Regularization methods may also be employed. It will also be understood that Equation 1 may be expressed in a more general form, for example, as follows:
ƒ(X)=B Equation 2
where the function ƒ is typically a non-linear analytical or numerical function based on the imaging tool sensitivity function(s) and relates sensitivity values of the imaging tool to the azimuth and/or measured depth of the sensor and X and B are as defined above.
The present invention is now described in further detail by way of the following examples, which are intended to be purely exemplary of the present invention and should not be construed as in any way limiting in its scope.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alternations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/353,289 entitled Borehole Image Reconstruction using Inversion and Tool Spatial Sensitivity Functions, filed Jun. 10, 2010.
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