Design of a New Acoustic Logging While Drilling Tool

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Drilling Engineering
• Acoustic Logging

Background:

• Logging while drilling (LWD) is crucial for real-time downhole data acquisition.
• Existing acoustic LWD tools face challenges in obtaining high-quality data.
• The need for advanced acoustic LWD solutions is driven by complex geological formations and operational demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and introduce a novel acoustic logging while drilling (LWD) tool.
• To present the physical construction, electronic structure, and operational flowchart of the new LWD tool.
• To validate the performance of the developed LWD tool through experimental testing.

Main Methods:

• Design of a new acoustic LWD tool incorporating advanced core technologies.
• Development of dominant exciting wave bands for a dipole source.
• Implementation of a sine wave pulse excitation circuit and broadband impedance matching.
• Utilization of an intellectualized active reception transducer for enhanced signal reception.

Main Results:

• The core technologies, including dipole source wave bands and active reception transducer, demonstrated ideal performance.
• The new acoustic LWD tool successfully obtained qualified logging data.
• Experimental tests were conducted in azimuthal anisotropy, calibration, and normal wells under various operational models.

Conclusions:

• The designed acoustic LWD tool meets the requirements for obtaining qualified logging data.
• The implemented core technologies are effective and contribute to the tool's success.
• The new LWD tool shows promise for reliable downhole data acquisition in diverse well conditions.