Systems and methods for downhole imaging through a scattering medium
AssigneeBaker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
InventorRocco DiFoggio
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for downhole optical imaging includes a housing forming at least a portion of a tool string. The system also includes a source arranged within the housing, the source emitting light through a window formed in the housing. The system further includes an imager arranged within the housing, the imager receiving imaging data through the window. The system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the imager, the control system processing the image data using one or more algorithms, the one or more algorithms modifying the imaging data based at least in part on a scattering material surrounding the housing.
Claims20
A system for downhole optical imaging in a pressurized wellbore at least partially filled with a scattering material, comprising:
- a housing forming at least a portion of a tool string;
- a source arranged within the housing, the source emitting light through a window formed in the housing;
- an imager arranged within the housing, the imager receiving imaging data through the window;
- and
- a control system communicatively coupled to the imager, the control system processing the image data using one or more algorithms, the one or more algorithms modifying the imaging data based at least in part on the scattering material surrounding the housing, the scattering material including one of suspended solid particles, gas bubbles in a liquid, or liquid-in-liquid emulsions.
A method for downhole optical imaging, comprising:
- positioning an imaging device and a source within a downhole tool;
- arranging the downhole tool proximate a wellbore wall in an underground formation, the wellbore wall and the downhole tool being covered by a scattering material, the scattering material including one of suspended solid particles, gas bubbles in a liquid, or liquid-in-liquid emulsions;
- collecting image data, the image data collected through the scattering material positioned between the downhole tool and the wellbore wall, the image data reflecting off the wellbore wall;
- and
- processing the image data, using one or more algorithms, the one or more algorithms adjusting the image data at least in part on the scattering material.
A system for downhole optical imaging, comprising:
- a housing forming at least a portion of a tool string, the housing arranged within a wellbore, the wellbore including a fluid having suspended particles;
- a source arranged within the housing, the source emitting light through a window formed in the housing;
- an imager arranged within the housing, the imager receiving imaging data through the window, the imager arranged proximate the source;
- and
- a control system adapted to process the image data using a plurality of algorithms for determining imaging information through a scattering material, the plurality of algorithms including at least speckle correlation, time gating, and phase retrieval, the plurality of algorithms adapted for use with a downhole environment where the imaging information travels through a thickness of the scattering material at least two times.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.