Detection system of geological formations

• US 9,329,299 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2012
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eni SPA (Eni Petroleum Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Eni SPA (Eni Petroleum Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dell'Aversana, Paolo, Zampato, Massimo
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Vinh
• Application Number:
  US13/985,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20140035589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,539 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/28 using induction coils
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/30 operating with electromagnetic waves

Abstract

A detection system of geological formations, particularly but not exclusively used for oil exploration, and for characterization and monitoring of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The detection system includes an electromagnetic transmission device positioned on a surface of a geological formation close to a first well having a vertical development direction, the first well being covered by a metal casing, and an electromagnetic reception device positioned deep inside the first well, the electromagnetic reception device including an electromagnetic detector. The electromagnetic transmission device includes a primary electromagnetic field generator configured to generate a primary electromagnetic field focalized in a direction of the metal casing, the metal casing irradiating the primary electromagnetic field into the geological formation.

Claims

1. A detection system of geological formations comprising:

an electromagnetic transmission device positioned on an above-ground surface of a geological formation adjacent a first well having a vertical development direction, a metal casing covering a portion of the first well; and

an electromagnetic receiving device positioned at a depth inside the first well, below a surface plane of the above-ground surface of the geological formation, the electromagnetic receiving device including electromagnetic detection circuitry,

wherein the electromagnetic transmission device includes electromagnetic field generating circuitry configured to generate a primary electromagnetic field focalized in a direction of the metal casing, the metal casing being configured to irradiate the primary electromagnetic field in the geological formation, and

wherein the electromagnetic field generating circuitry has two pairs of electric dipoles orthogonal to each other in twos and parallel to the surface plane of the geological formation and a third electric dipole situated along the vertical development direction of the first well and positioned in a second well adjacent to the first well.

2. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic field generating circuitry further has at least a first metallic coil coaxial with respect to the first well.

3. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 1, wherein at least a pair of electric dipoles, of said two pairs, is situated parallel to the surface plane of the geological formation, in symmetrical positions with respect to the first well.

4. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic detection circuitry is configured to detect an electromagnetic field, has a plurality of electrodes coaxial with the first well, and is further configured to generate at least three electric dipoles.

5. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 4, wherein the electromagnetic detection circuitry has at least one magnetometer.

6. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 4, further comprising a surface reception device including surface detection circuitry.

7. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 1, further comprising submarine apparatuses configured to contain and position the electromagnetic transmission device on a seabed when the first well is an underwater well.

8. The detection system of geological formations according to claim 4, wherein the coaxial electrodes are positioned on a cover in isolating material that wraps at least partly around the metal casing.