Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Signal Analysis, Optimization and Design (Hardcover)

Opening Message xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgements xix

1 Stories from the Field, Fundamental Questions and Solutions 1

1.1 Mysteries, Clues and Possibilities 1

1.2 Paper No. AADE-11-NTCE-74, “High-Data-Rate Measurement-While-Drilling System for Very Deep Wells,” updated 10

1.3 References 46

2 Harmonic Analysis: Six-Segment Downhole Acoustic Waveguide 47

2.1 MWD Fundamentals 48

2.2 MWD Telemetry Concepts Re-examined 49

2.3 Downhole Wave Propagation Subtleties 58

2.4 Six-Segment Downhole Waveguide Model 62

2.5 An Example: Optimizing Pulser Signal Strength 77

2.6 Additional Engineering Conclusions 83

2.7 References 85

3 Harmonic Analysis: Elementary Pipe and Collar Models 86

3.1 Constant area drillpipe wave models 86

3.2 Variable area collar-pipe wave models 92

3.3 References 96

4 Transient Constant Area Surface and Downhole Wave Models 97

4.1 Method 4-1. Upgoing wave reflection at solid boundary, single transducer deconvolution using delay equation, no mud pump noise 99

4.2 Method 4-2. Upgoing wave reflection at solid boundary, single transducer deconvolution using delay equation, with mud pump noise 108

4.3 Method 4-3. Directional filtering - difference equation method requiring two transducers 112

4.4 Method 4-4. Directional filtering - differential equation method requiring two transducers 120

4.5 Method 4-5. Downhole reflection and deconvolution at the bit, waves created by MWD dipole source, bit assumed as perfect solid reflector 126

4.6 Method 4-6. Downhole reflection and deconvolution at the bit, waves created by MWD dipole source, bit assumed as perfect open end or zero acoustic pressure reflector 133

4.7 References 139

5 Transient Variable Area Downhole Inverse Models 140

5.1 Method 5-1. Problems with acoustic impedance mismatch due to collar-drillpipe area discontinuity, with drillbit assumed as open-end reflector 142

5.2 Method 5-2. Problems with collar-drillpipe area discontinuity, with drillbit assumed as closed end, solid drillbit reflector 150

5.3 References 152

6 Signal Processor Design and Additional Noise Models 153

6.1 Desurger Distortion 154

6.2 Downhole Drilling Noise 160

6.3 Attenuation Mechanisms 164

6.4 Drillpipe Attenuation and Mudpump Reflection 167

6.5 Applications to Negative Pulser Design in Fluid Flows and to Elastic Wave Telemetry Analysis in Drillpipe Systems 170

6.6 LMS Adaptive and Savitzky-Golay Smoothing Filters 172

6.7 Low Pass Butterworth, Low Pass FFT and Notch Filters 174

6.8 Typical Frequency Spectra and MWD Signal Strength Properties 175

6.9 References 176

7 Mud Siren Torque and Erosion Analysis 177

7.1 The Physical Problem 177

7.2 Mathematical Approach 183

7.3 Mud Siren Formulation 188

7.4 Typical Computed Results and Practical Applications 198

7.5 Conclusions 204

7.6 References 205

8 Downhole Turbine Design and Short Wind Tunnel Testing 206

8.1 Turbine Design Issues 206

8.2 Why Wind Tunnels Work 208

8.3 Turbine Model Development 211

8.4 Software Reference 215

8.5 Erosion and Power Evaluation 219

8.6 Simplified Testing 221

8.7 References 223

9 Siren Design and Evaluation in Mud Flow Loops and Wind Tunnels 224

9.1 Early Wind Tunnel and Modern Test Facilities 225

9.2 Short wind tunnel design 236

9.3 Intermediate Wind Tunnel for Signal Strength Measurement 248

9.4 Long Wind Tunnel for Telemetry Modeling 259

9.5 Water and Mud Flow Loop Testing 264

10 Advanced System Summary and Modern MWD Developments 273

10.1 Overall Telemetry Summary 274

10.2 MWD Signal Processing Research in China 291

10.3 MWD Sensor Developments in China 300

10.4 Turbines, Batteries and Closing Remarks 337

10.5 References 341

Cumulative References 342

Index 347

About the Authors 354