Abstract: A method and system for inspecting casings in a wellbore to determine a mechanical or sealing quality of casing connections. Casing connections may become mechanically weak or start to leak after some period of use in harsh conditions. A radial array of ultrasound transducers images the casing in-situ to create an ultrasound image, which is analyzed to detect the casing connector then analyzed a sealing band of the connector. Machine learning and image processing methods may be used to analyze the images.

Abstract: A device and method for imaging, measuring and identifying multiphase fluid flow in wellbores using phased array Doppler ultrasound. The device includes a radially-configured or ring-shaped ultrasound transducer that when deployed in a well in Doppler mode can measure the velocity of radially flowing fluids in the wellbore and generate a 3D image of radial flow in the wellbore, including flowback into the wellbore after fracturing operations, or flow leaving the wellbore during water injection operations. The ring-shaped ultrasound transducer can also simultaneously operate in a B-mode to generate a B-mode image of the wellbore liner upon which the Doppler image can be overlaid. The device may also include a forward facing ultrasound transducer either instead of or in place of the ring-shaped transducer for obtaining information and images on axial flow in the wellbore in Doppler mode, and the location of phase boundaries and phase locations in B-mode.

Abstract: A device and method for imaging, measuring and identifying multiphase fluid flow in wellbores using phased array Doppler ultrasound. The device includes a radially-configured or ring-shaped ultrasound transducer that when deployed in a well in Doppler mode can measure the velocity of radially flowing fluids in the wellbore and generate a 3D image of radial flow in the wellbore, including flowback into the wellbore after fracturing operations, or flow leaving the wellbore during water injection operations. The ring-shaped ultrasound transducer can also simultaneously operate in a B-mode to generate a B-mode image of the wellbore liner upon which the Doppler image can be overlaid. The device may also include a forward facing ultrasound transducer either instead of or in place of the ring-shaped transducer for obtaining information and images on axial flow in the wellbore in Doppler mode, and the location of phase boundaries and phase locations in B-mode.

Abstract: A device, system and method to process acoustic images of tubulars and wellbores. Corrections for real-world logging are calculated and stored in correction Look Up Tables (LUT), which are used to display projections or create geometric models of the wellbore or tubular. The user interface allows the user to interact with the projections to update the LUTs to operate on the images. This process helps correct for real-world challenges such as tool eccentricity, tool rotation, tool angle, and speed of sound differences in order to create a more intuitive rendering.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for locating external apparatus mounted to a tubular in a wellbore. The identification of apparatus, such as cable clamps, enables other tools in the string to operate more precisely. A computer model is used to locate the apparatus from acoustic images, which images are acquired using a downhole device having an acoustic sensor or acoustic array. The model may be a classifier, which may be machine trained to classify whether an apparatus is present, its location and its orientation. Automating this locating enables very long wellbores to be processed quickly.

Abstract: A system and method used to image cylindrical fluid conduits, such as pipes, wellbores and tubulars, with ultrasound transducers then process the ultrasound images to detect edges and surfaces. The device and method compute monotonic paths through high energy pixels. Functions are used for dropping, extending and selecting an optimal path based on certain criteria, such as path length, path continuity and path energy. The selected path may be used to model and visualize the tubular along with key features, components and defects in 2D and 3D.

Abstract: A device and method used to image wells and other fluid-carrying tubulars having localized features of interest. The device scans large areas of the tubular first in a low-resolution mode, then identifies areas that contain those localized features with some probability. The device images the identified areas in a high-resolution mode and stores the images for further image processing. The device may comprise two sensors axially spaced-apart on the device, which sensors may be electromagnetic, acoustic, or cameras.

Abstract: A device and method used for inspecting and measuring coiled tubing, production tubing or drill pipe as it enters the well. Defects such as internal and external wall loss, cracking and deformation can be detected and quantified. The axial motion of the tubing can be measured allowing for depth measurements that are more accurate and reliable than what can be obtained using an encoder wheel system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for imaging wells using phased array ultrasound imaging devices is described. The devices enable high resolution real-time imaging of a well during various operations in the well, including during completions, fracturing, milling, fishing and drilling operations. The phased array ultrasound imaging devices may be integrated with other well tools, such as a bottom hole assembly (BHA), fishing tools, milling tools, fracturing tools, and drilling tools, in order to integrate imaging capabilities into such tools.

Abstract: A device and method used to image cylindrical fluid conduits, such as pipes, wellbores and tubulars, with ultrasound transducers then compress that data for storage or visualization. The compressed images may be stored on the tool and/or transmitted over telemetry, enabling the device to inspect and record long pipes or wells in high resolution on a single trip. This allow the ultrasound imaging tool to record much longer wells in higher resolution than would otherwise be possible. An outward-facing radial array of ultrasound transducers captures cross-sectional slices of the conduit to create frames from scan lines. The frames are compressed by applying a demodulation process and spatial conversion process to the scan lines. Video compression is applied to the to the demodulated, spatially converted ultrasound images to return compressed images.

Abstract: Methods and devices for imaging wells using phased array ultrasound imaging devices is described. The devices enable high resolution real-time imaging of a well during various operations in the well, including during completions, fracturing, milling, fishing and drilling operations. The phased array ultrasound imaging devices may be integrated with other well tools, such as a bottom hole assembly (BHA), fishing tools, milling tools, fracturing tools, and drilling tools, in order to integrate imaging capabilities into such tools.

Abstract: A system, device and method for imaging, measuring and identifying surface features in a tubular, such as a casing, wellbore, or pipe. The device comprises an ultrasound transducer for sonifying an area of the surface of the tubular, with a pulse intercepting axial locations of the sonified area at different times. Reflected signals are processed using their time of flight to interpret the reflected signals as axial locations of features on the surface of the tubular. Multiple sonified areas are partially overlapped in the axial direction to capture features redundantly. Reflections from the multiple areas are combined to remove noise and strengthen reflections from real features. A geometric model of the surface of the tubular is rendered and displayed. Capturing larger areas per frame increases the logging rate and oversampling improves the resolution and signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A device and method for manipulating a robotic end effector in a well. Actuators manipulate the end effector independently through multiple degrees of freedom to improve the perspective of the end effector. An imaging sensor may be used to image, measure and identify features of a well and objects located therein. The sensor may be an ultrasound transducer, camera or x-ray sensor arranged radially, axial or distributed over a 2D surface. The end effector may be connected to a tool, such as a fishing tool, a welder, a milling tool, or a repair tool.

Abstract: Methods and devices for imaging wells using phased array ultrasound imaging devices is described. The devices enable high resolution real-time imaging of a well during various operations in the well, including during completions, fracturing, milling, fishing and drilling operations. The phased array ultrasound imaging devices may be integrated with other well tools, such as a bottom hole assembly (BHA), fishing tools, milling tools, fracturing tools, and drilling tools, in order to integrate imaging capabilities into such tools.

Abstract: Methods and devices for imaging wells using ultrasound is described. The devices include a modular imaging device having a telemetry module and a radial imaging module and/or forward imaging module. The radial imaging module includes a ring shaped phased array ultrasonic transducer array for generating images on the length of a wellbore. Various lens and housing configurations for the radial imaging module are described. The forward imaging module includes an ultrasonic transducer comprising one or more elements and having an adjustable viewpoint for generating images of obstructions found in a wellbore. Advanced imaging modes for a radial imaging module include multiple aperture and spiral wave imaging mode.

Abstract: A device and method for imaging, measuring and identifying multiphase fluid flow in wellbores using phased array Doppler ultrasound. The device includes a radially-configured or ring-shaped ultrasound transducer that when deployed in a well in Doppler mode can measure the velocity of radially flowing fluids in the wellbore and generate a 3D image of radial flow in the wellbore, including flowback into the wellbore after fracturing operations, or flow leaving the wellbore during water injection operations. The ring-shaped ultrasound transducer can also simultaneously operate in a B-mode to generate a B-mode image of the wellbore liner upon which the Doppler image can be overlaid. The device may also include a forward facing ultrasound transducer either instead of or in place of the ring-shaped transducer for obtaining information and images on axial flow in the wellbore in Doppler mode, and the location of phase boundaries and phase locations in B-mode.