Sonic Well Logging

DB #16691
Application Background
Acoustic or sonic logging uses a transducer to
send out an acoustic pulse that travels through
the fluid in the well and the surrounding elastic The transmitter is driven to
materials (e.g. rocks) at a velocity that is related send out a pulsed wave.
to the lithology and porosity of the
elastic materials.
The receivers may detect the signals of:
1) Acoustic energy that travels through the Different wave modes
fluid and reaches the receivers. arrive at the receiver at
different times.
2) Acoustic energy reflected back to the fluid at
the fluid-solid interface.
3) Acoustic energy transmitted into the solid
and refracted back to the fluid. Stoneley
Different wave modes induced within the solid
and at the fluid-solid interface travel at different
speeds and therefore will reach the receivers at compressional shear
different times. The receivers then convert the
mechanical signal to an electrical signal, and the
transit times between the transmitter and the Fastest mode
receivers or between the receivers can be
2nd Fastest mode
recorded for velocity logging.
Slowest mode
What this Model Does
• This model demonstrates:
– How to model piezoelectric devices as both transmitters
and receivers in COMSOL Multiphysics
– How to connect the piezoelectric devices to an external
electric circuit
– How to model different wave modes induced in solid and
fluid-solid interface using a pulse excitation
– Although this is an example for sonic well logging, the same
scheme can be used to model nondestructive testing
Model Setup: Geometry
• Set the model in a 2D Transmitter
Wall of log
axi-symmetric configuration device
• Water filled well:
- radius = 0.1 m
- height = 6.0 m 2m
• Solid around well:

z coordinate (m)
- radius = 0.7 m Granite
(solid
- height = 6.0 m domain)

• First transducer is connected to an

1st receiver
electric circuit and is excited by a pulse of
electric signal
Radius
• Two other transducers are attached to of well 1m
0.1m Water
the wall of the sonic log device and used
domain
as signal receivers
2nd receiver
r coordinate (m)
Model Set-up:
Details of Piezoelectric Transducers
The piezoelectric
transducers contain
composite layers that
consist of a Adhesive layers
piezoceramic (PZT-
5H) layer, two
aluminum layers, and Aluminum PZT-5H Aluminum
two adhesive layers.
 Model Set-up: Multiphysics
Piezoelectric Acoustic-Solid Acoustic-Solid
Effect Interaction Interaction
Electrical Solid Solid
Electrostatics Acoustics
Circuit Mechanics Mechanics

An Electrical Circuit is connected to the piezoelectric Between the Between the fluid and
device to drive the device and receive signals transducers and the the surrounding solid
fluid
Resistor
2 1
Pressure SOLID
1000[Ω]
+
- Terminal 1
Normal
0 PZD FLUID Acceleration

Physics interfaces used: Bidirectional coupling at the fluid-solid interface

• Electrical Circuit
• Acoustic-Piezoelectric Interaction, Frequency Domain
• Solid Mechanics
Results: Pressure and Displacement

Both figures are animations (start the slideshow to see them). The data range has been set manually to highlight the
waves as they propagate in the system.
Results: Signals at Terminals

Source

Receiver 1

Receiver 2
Results: Detected Electric Signals by the Receivers
1st receiver 2nd receiver

Mode arriving 3rd

Mode arriving 3rd

Mode arriving 2nd

Mode arriving 2nd

Mode arriving Mode arriving 1st

1st
 Results: Detected Electric Signals by the
Receivers
Mode arriving 1st Mode arriving 2nd Mode arriving 3rd

1st receiver

2nd receiver

Estimation of the dt1=1.9e-4 s dt2=3.3e-4 s dt3=7e-4 s

wave speed c1=1[m]/dt1=5263 m/s c2=1[m]/dt2=3030 m/s c3=1[m]/dt3=1429 m/s
based on the time Known granite pressure wave Known granite shear wave speed: A surface wave traveling at the fluid-
of flight speed: 5262 m/s 3038 m/s solid interface - Stoneley wave
Results: Waves Traveling along Water-Solid Interface

Surface wave
Pressure (solid.pm) along the water-solid interface at different times
Shear wave
Compressional wave
 Results: Wave Traveling along Water-Solid Interface
Fastest mode 2nd fastest mode Slowest mode

t = 4e-4 s

t = 6e-4 s

Estimation of
the wave speed
based on the ds1=1.037 m- ds2=0.6 m ds3=0.29 m
transit distance c1=ds1/2e-4[s]=5185 m/s c2=ds2/2e-4[s]=3000 m/s c3=ds3/2e-4[s]=1450 m/s
for a known Known granite pressure wave speed: 5262 Known granite shear wave speed: 3038 A surface wave traveling at the fluid-solid
transit time m/s m/s interface - Stoneley wave