SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PIPE AND CEMENT INSPECTION USING BOREHOLE ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC RADAR
First Claim
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1. A method for pipe inspection in a subterranean formation, comprising:
- emitting mechanical energy from a mechanical energy source disposed in a borehole, wherein the mechanical energy causes a medium within the borehole to vibrate according to a first vibration signature; and
transmitting first electromagnetic (EM) energy from an EM energy source disposed in the borehole;
receiving the first EM energy; and
identifying the first vibration signature of the medium by comparing the transmitted first EM energy to the received first EM energy.
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Abstract
An example method for pipe inspection in a subterranean formation using borehole electro-acoustic radar may include emitting mechanical energy from a mechanical energy source disposed in a pipe, which may cause the pipe to vibrate. Electromagnetic (EM) energy from an electromagnetic energy source disposed in the borehole may then be transmitted and received. A vibration signature of the medium may be identified by comparing the transmitted EM energy to the received EM energy. This may include determining the phase difference between the transmitted and received EM energy, which can be correlated to the vibration of the pipe.
22 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for pipe inspection in a subterranean formation, comprising:
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emitting mechanical energy from a mechanical energy source disposed in a borehole, wherein the mechanical energy causes a medium within the borehole to vibrate according to a first vibration signature; and transmitting first electromagnetic (EM) energy from an EM energy source disposed in the borehole; receiving the first EM energy; and identifying the first vibration signature of the medium by comparing the transmitted first EM energy to the received first EM energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for pipe inspection in a subterranean formation, comprising:
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a downhole tool; at least one mechanical energy source coupled to the downhole tool; at least one electromagnetic (EM) energy source coupled to the downhole tool; at least one EM energy receiver coupled to the downhole tool; at least one processor in communication with the at least one mechanical energy source and the at least one EM energy source, wherein the processor is coupled to at least one memory element containing a set of instruction that when executed by the at least one processor cause the processor to; signal the at least one mechanical energy source to emit mechanical energy into a pipe, wherein the mechanical energy causes the pipe to vibrate according to a first vibration signature; signal the at least one EM energy source to transmit first EM energy; signal the at least one EM energy receiver to receive the transmitted first EM energy; and determine the first vibration signature of the pipe by comparing the transmitted first EM energy to the received first EM energy. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification