Method and system for transmitting borehole image data
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorLucian Johnston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of transmitting borehole image data from a borehole location to a remote location includes obtaining a set of image data describing formation surrounding a borehole using a logging tool at a selected depth or range of depths in the borehole, extracting one or more image features from the set of image data downhole, and transmitting a representation of the extracted image features to the surface.
Claims19
A method to determine one or more changes in one or more dynamic features while drilling a borehole, comprising:
- obtaining a first set of image data pertaining to a formation surrounding the borehole using a while-drilling logging tool at a selected depth or range of depths in the borehole;
- extracting one or more image features from the first set of image data;
- forming a first representation of the one or more image features extracted from the first set of image data;
- obtaining, at a time different from when the first set of image data is obtained, a second set of image data pertaining to the formation surrounding the borehole using the while-drilling logging tool at the selected depth or range of depths in the borehole;
- extracting one or more image features from the second set of image data;
- forming a second representation of the one or more image features extracted from the second set of image data;
- determining one or more differences between the first representation and the second representation;
- and
- determining the one or more changes in the one or more dynamic features using the one or more determined differences;
- wherein the first and second representations of the extracted image features include geometric attributes of the image features.
A drilling assembly capable of acquiring borehole image data while drilling, comprising:
- a tool body disposed downhole;
- an arrangement of one or more borehole imaging devices on the tool body adapted for acquiring first and second sets of image data, at different times, describing a formation surrounding a borehole at a selected depth or range of depths in the borehole;
- and
- a processor that extracts image features from the first and second sets of image data and determines one or more changes in one or more dynamic features by determining one or more differences between the first representation and the second representation, and determining the one or more changes in the one or more dynamic features using the one or more determined differences;
- wherein the first and second representations of the extracted image features include geometric attributes of the image features.
A drilling assembly, comprising:
- a logging tool that obtains first and second sets of image data, at different times, describing a formation surrounding a borehole at a selected depth or range of depths in the borehole;
- a downhole processor associated with the logging tool that extracts image features from the first and second sets of image data downhole and determines one or more changes in one or more dynamic features by determining one or more differences between the first representation and the second representation, and determining the one or more changes in the one or more dynamic features using the one or more determined differences, wherein the first and second representations of the extracted image features include geometric attributes of the image features;
- and
- a wellbore telemetry system that transmits, from downhole to a surface location, the determined one or more changes in the one or more dynamic features.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.