Sonic Recording for Oil Gas Drilling

Sonic Recording is a technique used in drilling operations to analyze rock and ground underground formations with sound waves. Oil and gas exploration and recovery uses a drilling rig that creates a deep hole called a hole by using a rotating drilling tool connected to long tube sections. The drilling head creates a hole with a diameter equal to the tip size.

A sound reproduction tool is connected to a powered wire and dropped the hole to create a sound recording chart. This instrument consists of a transmitter and receiver co-located on a long tube that fits into the sound hole. The transmitter sends a series of high frequency ultrasonic pulses in all directions that enter the surrounding rock formations and return to the receiver.

To prevent the transmitter and the receiver from interfering with each other, a number of different techniques are used. The transmitter and the receiver are separated from the distance, creating a more cylindrical shape. Sound absorbing materials and rubber gaskets can help reduce part of the sound from the transmitter reaching the receiver. The most important drawing element refers to turning off the receiver every time the transmitter sends a pulse. This prevents false signals in the sound recording results, and prevents the sounds transmitted from damaging the receiver.

The transmitter sends sound impulses in short gusts, entering the rock surrounding the hole; part of the sound quickly reflects back to the receiver, and some enter the surrounding rock and is diffracted, which means it changes direction from the output sound. Since the diffused sound returns to the receiver, the time difference between the transmitted and the return sound is recorded. Another sound travel effect in the ground is attenuation, which is a reduction of sound due to absorption. As the sound enters rock around the well, rock and other materials absorb the sound, reducing the amount of signal that returns to the receiver; this in turn can provide information on the characteristics of the ground.

Sonic recording is effective in determining the characteristics of a hole because sound travels different depending on the rock or surrounding ground of the transmitter. The first sounds to return to the receiver are p-waves or pressure waves, because they typically have the highest speed or speed. Waves P travel faster in high density rock, and slower in sand or less dense soil, which is called more porous.

The second type of sound waves to return to the receiver is waves S, or cut. A cutting force wants to tear something apart, so these waves are measuring the formation for its ability to cut or break. This is important in oil drilling, because the formation of oil or gas must be broken before the product can be recovered; this is called fracking. Waves S will provide information that is used in this operation.

When the sound recording tool is sent a hole, which provides a visual representation of the sub-superficial characteristics. Rock fractures can aid drilling operations in the product area, but can cause problems if found elsewhere in the hole, which can be sealed with a pipe or similar cement sealant to prevent leakage from the bore. Water may also be a problem for drilling operations, as it will blend with the product; If water enters the well in any large quantities, it may require further processing later to remove it from the oil. Another concern is contamination of groundwater with oil, so understanding where there are layers of water can reduce environmental concerns.